Surprise Visit Home + A Simplified Planner Giveaway!!!

I feel like I need to sleep for days to get caught up. Seriously. It's pathetic, but that's life. But it's all for a good reason, and I'm so happy with life right now.

When we first moved to Utah, my parents had started planning for a trip to come visit us over Christmas: to go skiing, shopping, stay in a nice cabin, etc. But, as I've mentioned before on this blog, my little sister is sick with an autoimmune disease, and it's not the easiest thing in the world for her to travel. Let's just be honest, it's darn near impossible to be away from all of her doctors and to be somewhere where she's not getting enough rest, etc. So, they sadly called me to tell me they wouldn't be able to come. My husband and I had just said that we would come home the next time he had leave, which we just bid for, and it's coming up in May. But, I miss them a ton, so my husband, being the incredible man he is, prompted me to go home to surprise them around Christmastime. Since my brother's graduation was scheduled for the 12th of December, it seemed like the perfect time. Voila! I had tickets, and I told my brother my secret so he could come pick me up from the airport.

Seemed like a perfect surprise trip plan. However, my big mouth got in the way because I was too excited, and I ended up telling almost everyone, except my mom. I still wanted it to be a surprise for her. And she was surprised!! I almost didn't make it there, but that's another lousy airline/airport story.

I did, in fact, though, make it home. I spent the night with my brother in Springfield after he picked me up from the airport, and then early the next morning, I met with a friend for breakfast, and then my dad came to pick me up and take me home. He first took me by our church where my mom was helping out, and the look on her face was priceless. I'm so happy I had the chance to do this! Then, I went to see my sister and my other brother. If only my husband could've gotten time off to come, it would have been perfect. But it was pretty fantastic as it was.

We ate tons, shopped even more, watched a movie and some shows together, and did some baking. It was a wonderful couple of days. I also had the chance to meet my younger brother's girlfriend and take them out to coffee. She's great, and I'm so happy for them together. Then, we all traveled to Springfield (about two hours away) together to be there for my other brother's college graduation where I had the chance to meet his girlfriend for the first time, too. She's wonderful, too. It's so nice to see them so happy! Ryan graduated with his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, so he's officially a Civil Engineer and has already accepted a great job. We had a great time celebrating!

The week went by way too fast, but at the same time, I missed my husband and little family back home. Next time, hopefully we can all go together. :)

Sorry for the photo quality! The pictures are all from my phone. I'm also sorry that my eyes are squinty and one looks ridiculous, as I was having problems with them. That would explain the no makeup look, also. 

While I was home, I was looking for a new planner to use this upcoming new year! I stumbled upon the Simplified Planner. Have you heard of it? It's a perfect, simple planner that features only the most important spaces, nothing more! There's a weekly and monthly view, and the weekly view has spaces for each day's schedule, notes, to-do tasks, and dinner schedule. Everything that busy women need to keep everything organized! The monthly view comes with an inspirational quote. They are ALL sold out, but today, Jenni has teamed up a bunch of us fellow bloggers to give you the chance to win ONE!

The Christmas Season is such a spirit filled, cozy time of the year, but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a new year and new plans. There's so much hope & eagerness to see what the new year will hold.

To get you on the right track & ready for all that 2015 has to offer, I've teamed up with Jenni from Frankly My Dear & several other ladies to give away one lucky a reader a SOLD OUT 2015 Daily Edition of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner in Happy Stripes!

 The Williams Journey // Blonde Freedom // Joyfully Organized // New Home, New Name, New Adventure // Simply Complex Mom // Park Avenue // Rachel Rewritten // Heavens to Betsy // Frankly My Dear // Oak + Oats 

One Simplified Planner will be given away in Happy Stripes. Open to those with a valid US address for shipping. All entries will be verified. No purchase is necessary to win. Giveaway will run until 12/12 at 11:59pm. Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. 

Good luck!

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Good luck to you all! :) 

Introducing LT Designs 2012! + A Giveway You Can't Miss!

There is just something I absolutely love about receiving mail. That moment when I open a wedding invitation or a Christmas card or a special note is just the best. Of course, I don't appreciate the bills or the paperwork, but when I receive a card from a friend or family member, it absolutely makes my day. I sit at a desk at work for at least half the day answering and typing email after email, and so when I email others, it feels like work. I love emailing back and forth with some of my closest friends, but I think we all get tired of that. We rather receive a handmade card. Wouldn't you?

Today, I am SO EXCITED to introduce you to a business and friend that is close to my heart, "LT Designs 2012" by my friend, Lauren Thompson. I just know you will love her products as much as I do! She designs and creates handmade cards for any occasion. You can have them custom-made or can pick from the designs in her Etsy shop. Every time I see a picture of one of her cards, I want to buy it. It's just so special and much more personal than a card you can buy in the grocery store. You know that a great deal of work and love went into every card she creates, and there's nothing better!

Just get engaged and need someone to design your wedding invitations or add some personal touches to your venue? Haven't ordered Christmas cards yet? (Note: Timeline for ordering cards is up to business discretion). Want some personal thank you cards or individualized stationery? I'm personally going to purchase some beautiful cards to send to some dear friends along with their Christmas presents. There's something for everyone! Head over to her shop and check it out!

Lauren has graciously allowed myself and a few other blogger friends to give away 2 $20 gift certificates to her shop! All you have to do is follow the prompts below for entries to win! The giveaway will run from now until 12/10/14 at midnight, so don't wait too long to enter!

Brought to you by:

Gennie from New Home, New Name, New Adventure / Natalie from A Tiny Traveler / Suzanna from One Hoolie Mama

Sarah from Joyfully Organized / LT Designs 2012 / Laura from Mommy Maleta

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GOOD LUCK! All entries will be verified, so play fair!

A Christmas Giveaway!

There are so many things we take for granted when it comes to the Christmas holiday. There's so much meaning behind the holiday we look forward to for months. Yet, it becomes about the decorations, the food, the gifts, etc. In my family, we were never that big on giving gifts to each other. We knew each other (the kids) didn't have the money, and while our parents did an amazing job and always made sure we each had several gifts, it was more than about the gifts. My husband's family always gives gifts for Christmas to each other, and sometimes it makes my husband stress out more because he worries about giving his family members the perfect present. But that's not what Christmas is about. Christ gave us the ultimate sacrifice. The true reason behind the holiday.

So why do we give gifts at Christmastime? How did that originate? Giving gifts became a custom at Christmas to remind us of the gifts that were given to Jesus by the Wise Men. Franckincense, gold, and myrrh were the gifts presented by the Three Wise Men.

Some children don't grow up receiving gifts the way my siblings and I did at Christmas. They won't wake up with presents under the tree. Though that is not what's important at Christmas, being able to give those kids something to open is truly magical. Something to let them know that there was someone else that thought of them on Christmas. Someone that cared.

In honor of Christmas coming up, I have paired up with five other fabulous ladies to provide you with a chance to win 8 incredible Christmas books for kids! If you have a special child (or children) in your life, your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, neighbors, then this is perfect for you! And if you don't, consider entering for a chance to provide some child that might not otherwise wake up with presents to open a chance to do just that.

We are all so excited to share these children's Christmas books with you!

LeeAnn is giving away: A Donkey's Little Tale, The Manger Mouse, and Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands.

Gennie is giving away: The Polar Express.

Ashley is giving away: The Berenstain Bears - The Joy of Giving.

Susana is giving away: What is Christmas?

Britta is giving away: The Adventure of Christmas - Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions.

Nelle is giving away: The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet

One lucky person will win them all! To have a chance to win, enter using the rafflecopter widget below. (Click here to enter if you can’t see the widget.) a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!! This Christmas, let's provide children with hope, joy, and a little magic in their lives. :)