UPDATED: Congrats to the winners (thanks to Random.org):

Here are your random numbers:

22	44	41	10

Timestamp: 2011-08-04 18:52:40 UTC

Brenda Torres, Melanie Jordan, jennik,  Nanette Lynch

————————————————————

There was a package in the mail addressed to me.

I hadn’t ordered anything.

It was a suprise:

The Adopt Shoppe, one of my sponsors, created this necklace from something I said in this post while I was in Kenya. Is it wrong to wear your own words around your neck? I hope not.

I also love these white leather bangles:

and this lovely cuff:

Yes, please:

There are hundreds of other choices. FOUR lucky readers will win their choice of one of the items above: a tile necklace, leather bangles, metal cuff and Ugandan beads to this fun shop (with a purpose).

Please visit and leave a comment with what you love.

*UPDATED WITH WINNERS* Congrats to the winner of the CD SET: got2havefaith, and the random winners of the worship CD of their choice: Holly (no blog), Anna, and Tori

Our lives have many seasons.  Some seasons bring us great joy!  In other seasons we cling to hope.  And then there are seasons where we take a step back to reflect.  This is not just another CD collection.  It’s a celebration of joy.  It’s a source of hope.  It’s an invitation to listen.

Seasons of Joy
Joyful, upbeat and celebratory, Seasons of Joy features uplifting music from artists like David Crowder Band, tobyMac, Hawk Nelson and Britt Nicole.

List of songs:  Joy, Live Out Loud, Only the World, You Are Everything, Beautiful One, You, Everything About You, Hosanna, Happy Day, Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing), Testify To Love.
Seasons of Reflection
Contemplative and peaceful, Seasons of Reflection features meditative songs that artists such as Steven Curtis Chapmen, Nicole Nordeman, Bebo Norman and Robbie Seay Band.

List of songs:  How Deep the Father’s Love For Us, Only Grace (Acoustic Version), God Speaking, Be Still and Know, Shine Your Light On Us, Lead Me To The Cross, One Bright Hour, If These Walls Could Speak, Sweet Sweet Sound, From The Inside Out, Every Season
Seasons of Hope
Focused on change, forward thinking and overcoming, Seasons of Hope offers inspirational tracts from favorites like Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Sanctus Real and Jeremy Camp.

One lucky winner will receive the entire collection of CDS and three winners will win their pick of the above CD.

Leave a comment as your entry.

This giveaway will close on Thursday.

UPDATED WITH WINNERS: Congrats to random winners: Lacy (winner Worship Together Set and Worship for the Family), Melissa Y, Melody, and Erin (winners of the Worship Together Set)

Nothing calms my day and quiets the craziness like worship music.

It’s good for the soul!

I love hearing my kids hum tunes and speak beautiful words. They are learning to worship.

Worship Together: 25 Favorite Worship Songs, is a collection of 25 BRAND NEW recordings of the most popular songs sung in churches today. This is the perfect collection for those who are looking for ‘songs they know and sing’ each week in church.

Today, I’m giving away Worship Together: 25 Favorite Worship Songs (2 CD set) and “Worship For The Family” (3 CD set) to one winner and 3 copies of “Worship Together: 25 Favorite Worship Songs” to three winners!

If you’d like to add these CD’s to your music collection, let me know in the comments as your entry.

This giveaway closes on Thursday.

*Updated with Winners* Congrats to random commenters Amanda & Mallory Whittington (no blogs, emailed y’all)

I love reading adoption stories. I love shopping with purpose. I love jewelry.

And when I can do all three at once?

(Did I mention I have multi-tasking obsessions?)

That’s why I have so much fun looking at The Adopt Shoppe!

This cute Etsy store supports one family’s journey to adopt two children from Taiwan. The beautiful handmade items are sentimental and cute:

I especially love:

and

This one just rings a bell with me:

Take a look. Come back and leave a comment on this post with what you like. Two random commenters will win a $25 gift certificate to shop!

And gift certificates to The Adopt Shopped are a perfect Mother’s Day gift!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*Updated* Congrats to 6 Harts for Him!

My blog friend, Melanie makes blogs look pretty.

You can see more here.

If you’re a blogger, than you know how much fun it is to have new duds. A fun new header for summer or a new button for a series you’ve got in mind…

Today, is your lucky day because Melanie at Elegant Custom Blogs is giving away A BLOG HEADER & A BLOG BUTTON (either Blogger or WordPress) right here on my blog today! $120 value (installation not included).

Visit her site and leave a comment on my post if you’d like to win!

This giveaway ends Thursday.

*Congrats to Julie of Blessed Jewels and Stacie of Beautiful Things!

Hand-stamped silver.

Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?

It’s so personal. Meaningful.

The initials of two lovers given a second chance, the name of your miracle baby, the letters written on your heart, worn around your neck.

By the way, your mom called and she told me really liked these from La Bella Jewels:

Today, I’m giving away TWO $50 gift certificates.

Please visit this lovely shop (and long-time sponsor) and leave a comment telling me your favorite piece of silver.

Also, LaBella Jewels is offering a 10% discount and free shipping for WATF readers, with code: MOM2011

(Deadline for to receive by Mother’s Day is April 27th)

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

Take off the mask, and get real!

I love Mandisa’s new album that I mentioned last week, What If We Were Real.

And my favorite song, hands down, “Stronger”

Listen:

Today, one lucky winner will win all four of Mandisa’s CDs:

What If We Were Real

Freedom

It’s Christmas

True Beauty

And four other winners will win her brand new CD, What If We Were Real!

Click and listen and tell me what song you like as your entry.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*UPDATED with WINNERS* Congrats to Jen of The Party  That Never Quits, Rachel Roland, Tina, and readers D, and Terri (no blogs),

I’m a boy mom.

I thank God for my son. He’s the creamy middle between two strong-willed girls (honored to be raising STRONG women of God, but that’s another post). He’s sensitive and caring, deeply loyal and kind.

He also would rather not take a bath, makes everything a sword, tells questionable jokes (insert poop here) and teeters on the edge of everything that makes my heart stop. (I named my blog We are THAT family after an emergency room visit when he knocked out multiple teeth–get the picture?)

I used the think I wanted the best for him (insert my strong will). But now, I just want what God has for him.

And that’s why I love Brooke McGlothin’s E-book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in Areas They Need it the Most.

It’s a 21-Day Guide into the heart of the Father for our boys. It’s practical and it’s easy to follow.

What I love the most? It’s a call to action.

What boy (man) doesn’t love action? But it’s not a lesson book on mom fixing it, it’s a in-depth guide to PRAYER. Praying for our boys is truly the only way to reach their hearts.

You can also join a host of other boy moms in community to link up a weekly post of how your 21 day journey is going. Because boy moms need support!

You can buy a copy here.

I’m also giving away FIVE copies today.

Leave a comment and tell me about your boy(s) as your entry.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*Updated with Winner: Congratulations to random winner: BSE

[Adorableness Alert]

My little girl is growing so fast. I tend to dress her from Target (like mother like daughter) and she usually looks cute. But every once in awhile, I get something a little extra special. Just in time for Spring…

Bloomers!

Evie n Lizzie has been a faithful contributor to the Mercy Shop! I am so happy to share her sweet handmade shop with you:

Pillowcase dresses:

She sent my youngest this precious outfit to review (2 thumbs up, only sometimes those thumbs just don’t cooperate):

Oh my goodness, this sassy outfit is perfect for my sassy girl. This handmade outfit by Evie n Lizzie is beautifully made:

and much more!

Today, Evie n Lizzie is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one reader–leave a comment telling me what the little girl in your life would love from this cute shop and that will be your entry.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*Update with Winners* Congrats to random winners Navy Stitching and reader Melisa!

I’m a sweet tea-sippin, t-shirt and jeans-wearing kind of girl.

[Can you tell the rodeo has come to Texas?]

I like to be comfortable and stylish.  I also like to let my little light shine.

Wild Olive Tees give me the chance to do all of the above. They sent me a couple of shirts to shine in, like this bright yellow one:

I love everything about this company, the way they support Compassion International, adoptions with fundraising tees and make ladies like me look in style.

Love:

They also have darling kids tees now.

I’m a big fan and there’s just nothing better than a soft, classy shirt, with a profound message.

Wild Olive Tees is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates to TWO readers. Just tell me what you love in the comments and that will be your entry!

This giveaway ends Thursday.

UPDATED WITH WINNER: Congrats to reader Misty! (I emailed you)

This inspires me:

[a recent gift from here]

This beautiful cross rests in a high traffic area of my home. A place where the wall is stenciled with a reminder of the One Rule I want to live by

Love God. Love Others.

Y’all know I love inspirational art. I want my walls and tabletops to talk to those living in and out of my home.

Jennifer of Studio JRU is a mixed media artists. She combines paper and paint and wood and creates simply beautiful work. Art is her calling and it draws the recipient closer to the Master Artist.

I love all her crosses:

Studio JRU is offering one reader a $50 gift certificate today. Please tell me what inspires you in a comment and that will be your entry.

This giveaway closes on Thursday.

*Updated with CD Winners* Lora @ Mothering Moments, reader Crystal, Lisa, reader Jeannette  and Mary Catherine and Grand Prize Winner: Gitz

I love me some worship music.

I love hearing my kids sing from the backseat.

And I’ve got a new MUST HAVE artist for you:

Singer, songwriter, Josh Wilson has a beautiful pop acoustic sound.

“Something I’ve been learning over the past decade is that when we want to see God, we have to depend less on our physical eyes and more on the Holy Spirit,” Josh says. “The subtle, still small voice of God. I admit it. I’m not the best at it. I want to see God with my eyes…”

That tension between faith and sight is the undercurrent of Josh’s new project, SEE YOU, a vivid collection of unforgettable songs that focus on the evidence of God at work in our lives. With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, SEE YOU solidifies Josh Wilson’s place among the finest song crafters of his day.–Josh Wilson Music.com

He has several songs I love, but this is one of my favorites:

*Updated with Winners* Congrats to winners (Mr. Random generated three readers) Juliea, AR and Rebecca (I emailed y’all!)

I’ve never been a roses and chocolate kind-of-girl.

I’m just too practical.

(Don’t get me wrong-I never turn these things down. I just don’t expect or ask for them).

I took a test once and do you know what my love language is? hand-stamped jewelry. Really, it said it right on the paper! (Only not really).

But I do think of this when I think of Valentine’s Day:

♥

♥

I have plenty though, so I thought it would be fun to give some away!  The Vintage Pearl is the EPIC Valentine’s gift-getting place and they are offering the THREE necklaces above to three very lucky readers! (winner’s choice)

Tell me what ♥ item  you love  at The Vintage Pearl and you’ll be entered to win it!

*Updated with Winners* Congratulations to random winners: Creative2xMom and reader (no blog) Sarah Parker!

I remember exactly where I was when the Haiti earthquake hit.

It was terrible to watch it unfold on TV.

But it became more personal when I learned that two Compassion International staff members were buried in the rubble.

I was in the middle of getting shots and a passport to travel with Compassion to Africa.

I’m not going to lie: I thought of myself and my own impending trip. I doubted.

But I also prayed. I shared the news with my family. And we prayed together. My son was so moved-he asked me constantly about the Compassion employees, Dan and David.

We asked God for a miracle.

And when news didn’t come and hours turned to days, we waited and we prayed.

I cried when I heard Dan Woolley had been rescued. I cried when I heard David hadn’t.

I will never forget sharing the news with my kids. My son said it first, “Mom, THIS IS A MIRACLE.”

He was absolutely right. It was a miracle we got to witness with our own eyes. It was also a tragedy for so many and we processed this with the rest of the world.

When I traveled to Birmingham in December for the Compassion Blogger Reunion, I was excited to meet and visit with everyone. But it was a deeply moving moment for me to sit across from Dan Woolley at dinner and hear his story.

God used him to remind me I ANSWER PRAYERS. I STILL DO MIRACLES. BELIEVE IN ME.

Dan has written a heartbreaking and beautiful book about his time trapped underground called Unshaken: Rising from the Ruins of Haiti’s Hotel Montana.

I read it in three days. I couldn’t put it down.

I cannot recommend this book more. It stirred my heart in so many ways, as Dan shares deeply personal details of his marriage and faith. It made me question my own life-what would I do in the situation? Where does my trust lie?

This excerpt from the book was so moving:

“And so, finally, I did. I trusted God with my crisis. I trusted him with my death. I trusted him with my family after I died — with Christy, with Josh, and with Nathan. My questions were resolved. My fears were gone. It’s not that I understood how God would make something good from my death, but I knew that, because of his power and love, he would. The majesty and awesome beauty that I had just witnessed and the love and grace that he had poured on me in such a personal way were evidence enough. My Father would make this situation work out for the good. Guaranteed.

He would be a father to Josh and Nathan and a husband to Christy. He would make my life and my death matter in their lives, and his good purposes would be fulfilled. Somehow there would be good through David’s death as well, and God would care for his family in special ways. Even for the people of Haiti, who had to be suffering so much, God would bring good through the tragedy of this earthquake.

Thank you, Father, for showing me you can be trusted completely! I trust you. Let your will be done in this situation — whatever that may be.

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice from above. “Hello. Is anybody there?”

My son is 8 and he’s an avid reader. He asked me twenty times if he could read Dan’s story. I kept saying no because it’s not written for kids.

He pressed in, “Mom, I want to read about the miracle. I want to know.”

I am reading it with him (passing over the chapters pertaining to Dan’s marriage). How can I not? My little boy needs heros.

He’s found one that is

Unshaken.

Today, I’m giving away TWO autographed copies of Unshaken.

Leave a comment to be entered.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*Updated* Congratulations to random commenters: reader Celeste (I’ve emailed you) and Candy M from Altered State of Mind! You guys and your spouses will be rockin’ new shirts!! Don’t forget to take advantage of the awesome coupons below!

I know him. I could pick his rough, calloused hands out of 100 pair. I know what every look means. I don’t know where he ends and I begin. One.

We’ve been through a lot:

the depths of Hell and the edge of Heaven in the last 16 years.

But I can say from my core, my marriage still rocks.

That doesn’t mean it’s always good. We argue over who ate the last of the hummus and fight our way through balancing the budget. We’re are OH, SO HUMAN. But we believe in our marriage.

We press in to the hard questions. We push each other to being better. We fight for our marriage (and over chick peas, apparently).

Y’all know I love Union 28.  And so it’s no surprise I love their new shirts: My Marriage STILL Rocks!

Today, Union 28 is giving away two sets (two winners) of HIS & HER “My Marriage Still Rocks” tees!

Plus, you’ve gotta check out the new darling Valentine’s shirts:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Visit Union28 and check out all the fun tees that celebrate your marriage. (I seriously love love wearing my shirts from Union28. It makes me think of my hubby all day. And he doesn’t mind either!)

U28WATF20 – The first 20 people to use this code during the giveaway will get 20% off any Union28.net order!

U28WATF15 – Everyone can use this code for 15% off any Union28.net order!

(And as always, there’s free shipping on orders of $60 or more.)

Just leave a comment, telling me WHY your marriage STILL rocks!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*UPDATED WITH WINNER* Congratulations to random reader mommy2jands!

Worship leader, Kristian Stanfill is one of this generations most compelling singer/songwriters.

I love his music and his heart for worship.

“A great worship leader must first be a great follower,” Kristian asserts. “In order to lead people in worship you must first know how to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit. That is something I’ve been learning over the past few years, just by observing how people respond to what God is doing at any given moment.”

Kristian not only produces amazing worship music, he is a worship leader at his church. I love this.

His voice is amazing and by the way my hubby confiscated his new CD immediately when it arrived, I know it will be a new family favorite!

His new album that just came out on 1-11-11, Mountains Move:

is phenomenal.

Today, I am giving away SIX CDs to ONE lucky winner: Mountains Move, Attention and all four of the Passion CDs Kristian is a part of (Passion: Awakening; Passion: God of This City;  Passion: The Best (So Far) Passion: Everything Glorious).

Go listen to a preview for free or download a new favorite.

Leave a comment to be entered to win this huge collection of incredible music!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*Updated with Winners!* Congrats to Jenny, Cheryl (kidofgod@sbcglobal.net), Tina L (tinakennylay@yahoo.com) and Allyson!

I have fallen in love with Thirty-One bags! I have a bag and a large family tote and I got my daughter her first grown-up purse for Christmas.

The company is run by moms and I love what they stand for.

I’ve learned with three kids, a hubby who has a special diet and my strong love of sweet tea, you can never have too many lunch totes. (The sweet tea thing is unrelated. But. Still.)

I was sent a cute thermal lunch tote to review (it’s at school right now with my daughter). Look how cute:

And today, Thirty-One is giving away FOUR thermal lunch totes on my blog, each valued at 12.50 each.

Tell me what you love from their catalog in a comment and that will be your entry.

———————-

Want to know MORE??

• You can order from the catalog of purses, bags, totes, and accessories, most of which can be personalized.  (At the top of the products page there is a link to order online 24/7)
• You can host a show – either a live show, or an online/catalog show.  When you do this, you can earn free and half priced products.  More information about hosting is http://www.31team.com/host/
• You can join a team and earn money by sharing Thirty-One Gifts with others http://www.31team.com/join/ If you join the team in January, you’ll get a free Jewelry Roll! You also receive a starter kit valued at over $250 of the most popular products for just $99.

From Laura, the successful Thirty-One consultant, hosting this giveaway, “Having been in the direct sales industry working from home with my children for 11 1/2 years, this has been an amazing opportunity to be able to put family first, and still contribute to the family budget (and have a girls night too!).  Better yet, Thirty-One is a faith-based company, whose name comes from Proverbs 31:31 in the Bible where it talks about celebrating and rewarding women, and there is definitely a focus in the company about being the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman.“

*Updated with Winner* Congrats to reader Gail S (I’ve emailed you).

We all have to wear stuff.

Why not WEAR HOPE?

I love the idea of shopping fair trade. It takes a bit more work and sometimes costs a little more, but I love the idea of purchasing something unique that helps the poor.

Light Gives Heat is a fair trade organization that sells handmade jewelry and handbags made from recyclable material from artisans in Uganda, Africa.

I love these unique twists on paper beads:

I love this gorgeous handmade beaded bag. (They are sending me one!)

This amazing bag is hand-created by a talented tailor in Uganda. Her story is printed on the inside of the handbag.

Today, Light Gives Heat is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate so you can get your own bag or beads or….!

Please consider shopping Light Gives Heat-you’ll get something uniquely cute and make a difference the life of a woman on the other side of the globe. You can’t beat that!

Leave a comment, telling me what you love and that will be your entry.

This giveaway closes on Thursday.

*Updated with Winners: Congrats to random #’s 39 Lindsay of Not to Us and #149 reader Kelly (kellyma01@gmail.com)!

Dear People of the World,

I have the perfect, inexpensive, custom Christmas present for you to consider:

The Rusted Chain Hand Stamped Jewelry.

Love,

Me.

Seriously: Doesn’t this make you want to SOAR?

And I want to wear this around my neck, even though I’m hardly a photographer (and I’m terrible with a gun, too):

And, sweet Beki, owner of The Rusted Chain has blessed me personally by creating a beautiful design to benefit the word of The Mercy House. $10 from every sale of this necklace goes toward this ministry:

The Rusted Chain is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates to TWO commenters. Tell me what you love and you’ll be entered!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

*UPDATE with WINNERS*

Congratulations to reader Melissa_n and Beth @Sew Anyhow

My sweet real life friend, Lucy Doo, has darling AFFORDABLE  jewelry!

I told you so.

I wore one of my favorites from her in our family photo session (let’s ignore the extreme close up of my crow’s feet, shallwe?)

Today, LucyDoo is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates to help you Christmas shop (for yourself or others).

Please hop over and look around and tell me what you love in a comment as your entry.

[Wait-it gets better]

LucyDoo is offering FREE SHIPPING right now AND 15% of your sale goes towards Mercy House (just mention Mercy House in the comment section)!

This giveaway ends Thursday.

Cyber Monday deal!

It is only valid on Monday, November 29, 2010 starting at 4 am and ending at midnight the same day.

It will be sold for $199

(originally $299)

This is the newest version with more capabilities and newest technology.

Silhouette America has NEVER sold these cutters for this cheap.

PLUS!! Included in that price is:

1 Roll of Cream vinyl ( $7.99)

All for ONLY $199!!

That’s almost $200 dollar in savings!

Use code: FAMILY

________________________________________

And now…..the winner of the

Silhouette SD machine

that includes

• Silhouette machine
• Software for Windows XP/Vista, Mac
• Power cable, USB cable
• 2 Cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)
• One cutting blade
• $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store

Congratulations to Random Comment #1882, Mom2TnT (email: jennypher@gmail.com)!!!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Please check out the amazing Cyber Monday deal here. Use code: FAMILY

Boy, do I have a treat for y’all!

I’ve got a new love in my life. She and I have gotten very close in just a matter of weeks.

I’d love for you to meet the Silhouette SD-the most amazing digital cutting tool available!

This little machine creates endless possibilities!  With the Silhouette, you can cut vinyl, paper, make custom apparel, magnets and temporary tattoos–create cards and etch glass–to name a few!

Look what we made with the Silhouette in just a matter of minutes:

It cut this felted transfer paper perfectly:

Darling, huh?

With a press of a few buttons, I made birthday invitations for my youngest:

I’m so excited about making things for the Mercy House! I thought it would be fun to make magnets for our supporters.

Here’s a quick tutorial-

Simply choose the design-everything in red is where the Silhouette cuts:

Next, you need to fill in whatever color you will be printing for the magnets:

Insert magnet paper, proper blade and hit the CUT button:

And voila!

(The Silhouette even cut out this brochure holder from card stock!)

Look at this vinyl Africa:

And gifts? I have so many ideas!

I needed a quick gift and so I shopped my house to make a cute Bath Salt gift:

[bud vase (.99), unused bath salts, tule and ribbon from my craft drawer and I cut the vinyl word JOY w/the Silhouette]

And I can’t wait to make this:

***********************************

And today, I’m giving one of these AMAZING machines away!

The giveaway includes:

A Silhouette Machine

(a $299.99 value)

And it includes…

Silhouette machine

Software for Windows XP/Vista, Mac

Power cable, USB cable

2 Cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)

One cutting blade

$10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store

{Don’t forget: SILHOUETTE now available to MAC USERS TOO!!}

**************************************

Want to win this sleek beautiful gal? Here’s how you enter:

• Leave a comment, telling me what you love about the Silhouette SD-1 entry
• Tweet “I want to win a Silhouette Craft Cutter @wearethatfamily (with this link to the post) http://tiny.cc/mnxgp-second entry
• Facebook it-third entry

U.S. entries only, please.

And the best part????

Cyber Monday deal!
It is only valid on Monday, November 29, 2010 starting at 4 am and ending at midnight the same day.
It will be sold for $199
(originally $299)
This is the newest version with more capabilities and newest technology.
Silhouette America has NEVER sold these cutters for this cheap.

PLUS!! Included in that price is:

*Updated w/Winners* Congrats to random comments #33 Crayl and #104 Nicole at Team Pipkin!

I was feeling lazy. I needed my computer cord and didn’t want to go into the other room.

My hubby was catching up on expense reports for work.

Knowing full-well that I was choosing myself over him, I interrupted him and asked: “Honey, would you go get my computer cord?”

Oh, yes, I did.

He looked at me.

And made a choice.

He got up and returned a few seconds later, even plugging it in for me.

“Thanks,” I said sheepishly. “I should have done it myself since you were busy.”

“Do you know why I did it?”

I shook my head.

“Because earlier today you went out of your way to do something for me. I wanted to,” he said.

Do you know how much that little act meant to me? You can bet I did something nice for him at the very next opportunity!

Love is a cycle. But there are two paths:  giving and going the extra mile; or repaying one negative with another.

Marriage is a give and take. We can’t be the only one giving, or always taking. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve been known to scream, “GET IT YOURSELF!” and both felt yucky.

Today, I challenge you to go the extra mile in your marriage.

Union28 sent me the coziest hoodie to review the other day. I wore it to my son’s last YMCA flag football game.

I love wearing love on my sleeve.

Union 28 is giving away TWO $25 gift certificates-winner’s choice of awesome shirts!

P.S.

Sale!

There are some great shirts on clearance and if you use the coupon code on the ad in my sidebar, you can really get a deal!

Please leave a comment telling how long you’ve been married as your entry.

This giveaway ends Thursday.

*Updated with Winners* Congrats to random commenters; Megs, reader JennB (jennifertully@hotmail.com), reader Jennifer (jroehl@hickorytech.net), Ali Workentin, and Andrea. Y’all send me your addresses and I’ll get the books to you!

It may seem too soon to make preparations for Advent ”a coming, the arrival.”

But it is coming.

His arrival is imminent.

In an effort to still the fast-pace race of this life, to capture the very essence of Christmas, we must prepare.

Each day leading up to the Christ-child’s birth and Holy Day should be awaited and cherished. What better way to teach our kids about Christmas’ true meaning than this. I have found a precious book to help me do just that. Last year after Christmas, at the Christian bookstore, I found them deeply discounted and bought five extra copies. For you.

Getting Ready For Christmas is a simple children’s book, with colorful pictures. It’s a daily Advent prayer and activity book for the family. It is dated with each day, leading up to Jesus’ birth. There’s a paragraph that tells the story with a scripture to see for yourself, a prayer and a family Advent Activity. At then end of the book, there is the traditional lift-a-flap, one for each day.

It’s simple. It’s perfect.

You can purchase Getting Ready For Christmas for around $7 or  leave a comment if you’d like to win one, and tell me an Advent activity you enjoy with your children.

He is coming. Prepare.

I have no idea why I was asked to be a toilet paper spokesperson. It’s not like I have a plethora of photos or anything.

*Ahem*

But I do have some confessions:

• Once in the sixth grade, at a roller skating birthday party, I rolled right into a bathroom stall and right out and was halfway to the rink before I realized a roll of toilet paper was wound tighter than a new girdle around my skate. I NEVER SKATED AGAIN (only I did, but I have a flare for the dramatic).
• When my first two were really little, once I hid in the bathroom stall at WalMart until it had cleared out because my kids loudly said SUCH EMBARRASSING THINGS. ‘Nough said.
• My favorite Seinfeld of all times is the “Can you spare a square?” one. Makes me laugh every time. Turns out (according to research, women are much more likely to share toilet paper than men. Figures.
• A plumber may or may have not come to our home to tell us (and charge us!) that you can’t flush ENTIRE rolls down the potty. Not one person confessed to this soggy crime.

YOUR Turn…one lucky confession will win A YEAR’S SUPPLY of QUILTED NORTHERN TOILET PAPER and a $50 Visa gift card!!

To be entered. to this ridiculously practical giveaway, here’s how you can earn entries:

• Leave a “confession” in the comments
• Follow @QuiltedNorthern on Twitter
• Tweet something @QuiltedNorthern and @wearethatfamily
• Friend on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/QuiltedNorthern

Please leave an extra comment for each that you do!

The winner will be announced next Monday.

This post is brought to you by Quilted Northern Soft and Strong®. Please join the conversation at www.facebook.com/QuiltedNorthern or on Twitter each week @QuiltedNorthern for opportunities to win free Quilted Northern Soft and Strong® and help make the taboo talkable. Author proceeds from this campaign will be used for the work of The Mercy House.