*Stepping Back Into Sweethaven with a GIVEAWAY!*

Good morning friends!

Today I'm bringing you a very special post.
(kinda long, so go grab your coffee real quick & pause whatever you're watching on tv!)

Remember a few months ago when I told you about a wonderful book written by a very sweet, lovely
& talented friend of mine Courtney Walsh?
Her first book, A Sweethaven Summer is such an incredible book.
It's one of my very favorites!
Well she's written another one!

That's right!
It was just released & I'm halfway through mine right now.
It's A Sweethaven Homecoming. I'm not going to give anything away about the story
other than to tell you it's SO GOOD! I can hardly put it down!
(this girl has been blessed with incredible writing skills!)





Now that you know you HAVE to go get her books -
here's my reason for blogging about them today:

Courtney asked me to participate in THIS;

Courtney put together this WONDERFUL week long giveaway 

which highlights what I thinkis the importance (and true meaning) of scrapbooking 

with several layouts created by her friends (hey that's me!) PLUS giveaways!!   

Go check it out HERE

(plus - keep reading for a giveaway at the end of this post!)

That layout - let me tell you about it...

My journaling pretty much says it all.

I’m truly BLESSED. God gave Alan and I 2 incredible children.

They’re grown and off to college now so it’s kinda strange in our house. Even with 4 dogs....it’s Q.U.I.E.T!
No pitter patter of bigger teenage feet.

No, “Mom can you take me here” or “Mom, go to the mall with me” or “What’s for dinner?”.

No house full of teenagers and their friends.
But that’s ok. Sometimes I secretly dwell in the quiet.

I reflect in all the memories that we’ve made as a family from birth on with these 2.

I reflect in the joy, sorrow, happiness, craziness, chaos, quiet, laughter, tears.

I reflect in the fact that God blessed me with a gift. Motherhood.

Even though my husband and I started out kinda young

(when we got married, I was 21, had my first baby at 22, 2nd one at 23!)

it’s been one of the greatest gifts available to me.
I thank God for my gifts. My babies.

I also sit and reflect that one child is only 45 minutes away at college and can come home anytime she wants

(and she does! Gosh I love her for that)

and the other is 5 long hours away and a phone call is the fastest means of communication for us.

I remember that even though our nest is empty right now – when it’s the weekends, holiday breaks or summer

my nest is so very full! I live for those moments.

You can read my journaling by clicking on my layout.

It's simple...but to the point. I'm so blessed.

I chose to use fabric on my layout for several reasons.

It reminds me of my family & how delicate

and precious they are. By tying the gray lace around my piece,

it reminded me of me holding on to my children forever.

Even though they're 20 and 21 now, they're still my babies.
I left some fray's at the bottom to represent them leaving our nest & figuring out life on their

own. I added the 2 fabric hearts to let them know

I'll hold their hearts with me today and always.

Here's a few detail shots:

Now on to the FUN stuff! How about some giveaways??

I get to give away one of Courtney's A Sweethaven Homecoming books!

Not only THAT but she's also allowing me to give one of her e-books
(Step Up Your Supplies) with Ella Publishing:

AND one more giveaway. One from me:

To enter this giveaway of all 3 prizes on my blog:

simply leave me a comment telling me what is one special thing you love

to do with your family. It can be anything!

I'll draw a random winner on Friday!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!

Oh! Go check out Courtney's author page on Facebook!

I believe she's doing ANOTHER giveaway!

Have a great day everyone!