Giveaways — We are THAT Family

Introducing Colton Dixon {Giveaway}

9:23 pm Bykristen

Updated with random winner, comment #185 Ann McCarville

You might remember him from American Idol?

Colton Dixon is a new artist with an old message. He could have probably had any number of record deals, but he’s following his passion and his heart by singing the good news of Jesus. His debut album The Messenger is just that: a message.

And I don’t know about you, but I like these kind of young leaders for my son to look up to.

Colton Dixon is 21 years old, has a stunning voice and some wild hair.

I love this. Powerful.

Today, I’m giving away Colton’s new album, The Messenger, a cool messenger bag, journal and a $25 iTunes gift card to winner.

Listen.

For When The Mother In You Is Desperate

10:40 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Comment numbers 67, 492, 461, 151, and 264 are the randomly selected winners of this giveaway.

“I’ve had enough. I’ve had just about ENOUGH of the arguing and fighting!” I yelled.

My kids stopped the squabbling mid-argument. I took a deep breath. Finally.

And then my daughter whispered one word under her breath, an insult directed at her brother.

A dam broke. I said things I shouldn’t have. I was angry. I left my children standing in the kitchen.

And I closed my bedroom door.

I headed straight for the bathroom and locked it.

That’s when I felt it, desperation clawing it’s way into my heart. I couldn’t breathe.

I’ve been here before. Last week and the one before.

I feel inept as a mother a lot of the time. I try. I try really hard and I connect with my kids, we laugh and talk and I get it right some days. But it’s the days in-between, I wonder if I’m undoing the good I’ve done.

Motherhood turns you inside out. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by how tired you feel; the days go on and on, and you want to be a “good” mom, but you feel like a failure so much of the time. -Desperate

We don’t have a manual or how-to instructions that come with our children. It’s trial and error. It’s good and bad. It’s hard and easy. It’s heartbreaking and breathtaking.

I take a deep breath and lay my anger, failure and desperation at His feet. In that dark bathroom, I receive grace. Grace to breathe, to mother when I don’t know how.

Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson’s book is like oxygen to a mother’s body. It’s simple, yet often-forgotton permission to accept grace in motherhood. They challenge mommas to lean on God and others who are further down the road during the joyful and challenging days of raising little humans.

If you’ve ever felt desperate as a mom, this book is for you.

Today, I’m giving away FIVE copies of Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe.

We often don’t talk about the desperate moments because we’re ashamed. There is power in sharing them–it frees us and offers encouragement to others.

Please leave a comment if you’ve ever been a desperate momma (as your entry).

Filed UnderGiveaways, Parenting 504 Comments

We Go Together {Giveaway}

9:50 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Melissa E., comment #28, is the winner of this giveaway.

I’ve been working on a project for months in the cracks of my time.

My husband has listened patiently and pushed me gently.

And then last week, some pieces fell together and while I was helping my Kindergartner with sight words after school, I moved one step closer to my goal and that made me squeal. Literally.

She just looked at me like I was crazy.

She’s a perceptive child.

But I knew I wouldn’t be able to truly rejoice until I talked with my best friend. I called my husband at work. His response made my joy complete because he has been with me on the journey.

My husband lost his sister and one of his closest friends a month ago this week. His sorrow is great and there is a cloud of sadness that hangs heavy. It’s unchartered waters, this grief that invades every space at the most unexpected moments. It comes in waves and just when you think you can laugh again, you cry. But he isn’t grieving alone.

We don’t always agree.

We don’t always get along.

But we are one.

We go together. His grief is mine. My joy is his. It’s the sacred gift of marriage, this unexplainable, undeniable act of becoming One. It’s the most precious gift we share.

It’s what helps us thru the valleys and the mountaintops, the sheer pleasure of facing them together.

And that’s why I love Union 28‘s new Valentine’s marriage shirts.

Today, I’m giving away a set of these new ONENESS his and hers shirts. Plus, get 10% off with this code U28LoveMH10 (reader gets 10% off AND Mercy House gets 10% of sale) Code is valid thru 2/16/13

Simply enter code at checkout to get 10% off & give 10% to Mercy House!

Leave a comment and tell me your favorite shirt.

Giveaway ends on Tuesday.

Filed UnderGiveaways, I love my hubby 124 Comments

Have Mercy {Giveaway}

9:36 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Congratulations Rachel G., Whitney, Thea, Sally and Krista D. – you have all been selected as winners of this giveaway.

It’s not about doing something big.

It’s about doing something.

And sometimes that means shopping.

Can I get an amen?

Shop mercy: A tangible way to help pregnant girls, young mothers and precious babies on the other side of the globe. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have brand new, roomy PINK farmhouse totes by Freeset, for $20 each. When you purchase a bag, it not only helps Mercy House, it supports the women who made the bags, whom were set free from sex trafficking

Mercy never looked cuter:

There are several styles of our PINK bags, but a limited supply of each style. {Also fun: we will be introducing a NEW color each month until summer!}

So, shop early. Order by Feb. 6 for Valentine’s delivery.

Another fabulous way of supporting Mercy House is by hosting a Mercy Party in your home. Everything you need is shipped to your door (invitations, brochures, product, videos), just add a few friends with an appetite for shopping and doing good.

Plus, for a limited time, if you book a party, you receive one of our NEW tote bags FREE! Fill out this contact form if you’re interested. Once your party is booked, you’ll be sent a bag.

Today, I’m giving away FIVE of these cute pink totes! Click over and tell me what you like and leave a comment here as your entry.

This giveaway will end on Thursday.

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Wanna win $100 Dayspring shopping spree?? When my We are THAT family Facebook page hits 10,000 likes, a random “liker” will win $100 to Dayspring! Spread the word!

Filed UnderGiveaways 142 Comments

Bold Love {TVP Giveaway}

10:23 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: The winners for this giveaway are Shana (comment #63) and Brandi.

I chose love for the New Year.

Little did I know, I would scarcely breathe from December to February. It’s been a hard, long, beautiful journey in-between.

I have been given many opportunities to display bold love.

And love is in the air, and not the puffy heart kind you find in grocery aisle. The deep abiding bold love He has for you and asks us to have for others.

I absolutely love this declaration:

Today in honor of love and the boldness that comes with giving it, I’m offering TWO BEAUTIFUL Bold Love Necklaces from The Vintage Pearl.

What a perfect gift to give this season. Tell me what else you like in a comment and you’ll be entered to win one of these gorgeous necklaces (valued $62 each).

This giveaway ends Thursday.

Filed UnderGiveaways 302 Comments