They are Mamas Just Like Me {NOONDAY BLOG TRAIN}

This is my friend Jalia. 

Some of you may know her as one of our lead Noonday Collection artisans in Uganda. 

She and her husband, Daniel, manage our office there where all of our paper bead pieces are made. 

But to me, she is a friend. 

She is a sister in Christ. 

And she is a mama. 

Jalia wants to provide the best she can for her children. 

She wants them to grow to know and love Jesus. 

She wants to help those in need have a better life. 

She wants to teach her babies to care for others. 

She lives in Africa, and I clearly do not. 

But at the end of the day, we are just two mamas who want to do the best we can for our children.

This summer I will get the chance to meet some more of our artisans (more to come on this soon), but for now, Jalia's is the face of our artisans that I see when I talk about them each day. 

Hers is the voice I hear when I think about why I do what I do-- why I stretch my comfort zone and ask people to host shows, why I put over 10,000 miles on my car in 2013 all in the name of sharing our artisans' stories, and why I am on my knees praying for our artisans each and everyday. 

We aren't all called to move to another country. 

We aren't all called to adopt. 

But we ARE all called to do SOMETHING. 

And Noonday is one of the most beautiful 'somethings' I have ever seen. 

And you know what? 

Mamas in over fourteen countries around the world are able to do the best they can for THEIR children because of their employment with Noonday. 

Noonday is one of my SOMETHINGS, and I couldn't be more honored to serve these mamas. 

And to celebrate the launch of the new line, I'm partnering up with some of my favorite ambassadors and participating in the third annual blog train. Over a month of giveaways are headed your way-- one each day hosted by a different Noonday ambassador. 

Yesterday's giveaway was hosted by my dear friend, Wynne, who also happens to be the girl who first introduced me to Noonday. This girl is so amazing, so fun, so full of a desire to serve and connect others. When I'm around her, I just want to soak in as much of her awesomeness as I can. 

And tomorrow's giveaway is hosted by one of the coolest people I've ever met. This girl is so genuine and real-- I am so honored to call her my friend. Head on over to Krista's blog tomorrow. 

And now for the good stuff-- 

one of you is going to win one of these-- 

the new EQUESTRIAN INFINITY SCARF. 

Can I just say that I so love this piece? 

It's soft and breezy, perfect for spring and summer. 

And did I mention that it has horses on it? 

Because it does. 

I love it, and I'm pretty certain you will too. 

Happy Noonday-ing to you and you and you. 

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Emily's Bundle Giveaway: An AWESOME Adoption Fundraiser

It's no secret that we are adopting. 

(However, if you're new around here, you can learn more about our journey here, here, and here .)

It's also no secret that adoption is expensive. 

But like I've said at least a hundred times, 

GOD IS BIGGER THAN THE MONEY WE NEED TO BRING OUR GIRL HOME!

So, I recruited some help....mostly from total strangers, amazing strangers from all over the country who want to help bring Emily home and create one less orphan in this world. 

I asked them to donate an item or two. 

And donate they did.

Thirty-one people sent some of their hard work our way, 

to the grand total of $1200 worth of goodies....

for four of you.  

That alone has had me in tears more than once. 

God is moving. 

He wants our girl to come HOME, and I can't wait to one day tell her about all of the people from all across the country who worked hard and sacrificed so that she could be part of a family. 

*My eyes literally fill with tears just from thinking about that.*

But we are still a long way from our goal. 

Think thousands of dollars. 

 God is good, and He will give us what need to bring our girl home. 

We truly believe that. 

(You can read more on my thoughts on fundraising and how it's defining 'humble' for me here.)

But it takes a village. 

$5 can truly make a difference in our adoption journey. 

I have over 400 followers on this blog. 

I have close to 400 followers on Facebook. 

I have over 900 followers on Instagram.

And I have over 100 followers on Bloglovin'. 

That's almost 2000 followers in all. 

And if they each entered just one time, well that's a lot of pocket change. 

Our goal with this fundraiser is $3500. 

That will completely cover our Dossier fees to Congo. 

I fully believe we can meet this goal. 

$5 is one cup of coffee at Starbucks. 

It's five $1 items at Target. 

It's less than most people spend on one meal at McDonald's. 

We spend $5 and don't even think anything about it sometimes. 

Well, the mom in me is asking you to think about it. 

My girl is waiting on me. 

She needs her family. 

And your $5 can be the difference we need. 

This will be our last big fundraiser until the new year. 

I'm putting all of my eggs in one basket and praying hard the people will be moved by our story. 

I'm praying they will think about our girl. 

Don't do it for me; do it for Emily. 

Would you like to be part of Emily's village? 

Do you want to play a part in our adoption journey? 

Well, here is your chance. 

This giveaway will be open for eleven days

 (NOVEMBER 1-11). 

Here are the details on how to enter: 

- Each bundle has its own rafflecopter entry system. 

-For ever $5 you donate, you get one entry.

 So, let's say you donate $20. 

You can then choose to either enter each bundle one time

 or your favorite bundle four times 

(or any other four entry combo. that works for you). 

Divide your entries however you choose, 

I just ask that you be honorable.

 $5= one entry to one bundle.

-You can also get entries for sharing about this giveaway by sharing. 

Social media has already played a HUGE roll in bringing our girl home, 

and we'd LOVE for you to use your voice to help spread the word!

Share on facebook=one entry. 

Share on Twitter=one entry. 

Share on Instagram=one entry.

You get the drill. 

You can choose to enter whichever bundles you choose with your social media entries and can share every day to gain even MORE chances to win!

Again, I just ask that you be honorable. 

1 share=1 entry on 1 bundle of your choice

-At midnight the night of Nov.11, 

rafflecopter will randomly select FOUR WINNERS, 

one from each bundle. 

-Can you donate $10, enter two bundle giveaways, and win them both?

Totally possible. 

If you have any questions on how to enter, please leave them in the comment sections on this post, as chances are you aren't the only one with that question.

 I will do my best to answer your question(s) in the comment section as well.

And before you begin entering, let me just say THANK YOU. 

Thank you for sacrificing for my girl. 

Thank you for helping us bring her home. 

Thank you for helping us get one big step closer to her. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Here is where you can make your donation: 

And now, without further adieu, I give you, THE BUNDLES. 

This bundle is jam-packed with items for you to spoil yourself!

At a total value of $349, this bundle includes ten awesome prizes. 

What an awesome way to treat yourself or take care of some women on your Christmas list!

Thank you again to all of the amazing people who donated to this bundle! 

Check them out and show them some love! 

Rose Camera Bag in teal- Jo Totes

'You are my Sunshine' 19x22 wooden sign- Go Jump in the Lake

'It is well with my soul' insulated acrylic tumbler- Sweet Sipsters

Noonday Galapagos necklace, Coastal bracelet, and Escelera bracelet- Wynne Elder from Gloriously Ruined

Set of two wishlet bracelets- Letter Happy

Come Thou Fount canvas- donated by my precious friend Megan

'Home Sweet Home' print- Sweet Tea and Sparkles

Just a simple donation of $5 can result in your winning all of THIS! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Is there a little girl in your life? 

Well, then this bundle is for you!

I was so overwhelmed by the responses for the little girl bundle! 

NINETEEN awesome prizes. 

Wow. Just wow. 

Thanks again to all of the wonderful people who donated for this one!

Check them out and thank them for helping to bring Emily home!

headband holder- Khloe's

toy map- Cake in the Morn

baby doll sling (cupcake print)- Lil Peeper Keepers

set of two fabric hairbows- Fiori Finti

8x10 Little Girls print- Kensie Kate

Set of three tissue paper pom poms and paper lantern (pink)- 1 Pom Pom Girl

children's jersey infinity scarf- Two Potato Apparel

set of two boutique hairbows- Diva Girl Boutique

mudpie shoes

juice box holder

Stephen Joseph butterfly thermos

set of two felt hairclips

two Sophie and Lili dolls- North American Bear Company

The girl who wins this is in for such a treat. 

Think birthday presents. 

Think stocking stuffers galore. 

Think about Emily being HOME with her forever family. 

Your $5 donation can make a world of difference. 

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Little boys, little boys, little boys. 

This bundle is so much fun. 

With eight prizes worth $239, this bundle would be great for the little man in your life!

I can't say thank you enough to the people who donated to this bundle. 

My love language is when people love my children, and this one has me floating on cloud nine. 

Thanks again, to all who donated!

burlap cross- Garlands of Grace Designs

Steely Teal messenger bag- The Pleated Poppy

age blocks- Pretty in Polka Dotsky

'You are my Sunshine' print- Sweet Tea and Sparkles

quiet time ideas box- The Idea Box Kids

set of two striped bow ties- The Belle and the Beau

chalkboard mat- Hustle Mama

reusable sandwich bags- Lily Pie Baby

Such a cute little bundle for your little fella!

Just a $5 donation, and it can all be headed your way in time for Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm just gonna be honest and say that this bundle is my favorite. 

I love the idea of sending a big box full of Mississippi goodness to someone else who loves my little state as much as I do!

Thanks again to all of those who donated for this one!

Eleven prizes and $397 worth of Mississippi goodness. 

Love, love, love this bundle and secretly wish I could enter to win it. 

Show those who donated some love?

'Feels Like Coming Home' print- Pen, Meet Paper

four pack of MS notecards- So Filled With Love

MS copper and sterling bracelet- Bird on a Wire Jewelry

MS necklace- Kim's Jewelry 

Made in MS onesie- MS Mud Apparel

MS pillow- Gigis Stitches

MS flour sack dish towel- Clara M Designs

MS canvas- donated by my precious friend Megan

MS hand towel- Andi's Appliques

The South 8x10 print- Sweet Tea and Sparkles

a mini photography session with the amazing Masa Kathryn Photography in Columbus, MS (in case you don't know, Masa does a lot of the Deep South Pout shots.
She's a personal friend who loves Jesus and missions and my daughter whom I haven't met yet.
So grateful for her and her amazing donation!)- Masa Kathryn Photography

$5 is all it takes to make a difference. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thank you.
Thank you for helping to bring my girl home.
Thank you for being a part of our story.
Thank you for supporting adoption.
High fives and bear hugs for everyone.
Seriously. 

Cutest Dolls Ever, My Girl is Famous, and a Giveaway

Have you heard about North American Bear Company? 

I just love them and all of their cuteness. 

Well, when they contacted me this past spring and asked if they borrow my girls for some marketing shots, I of course said yes. So, the girls and I headed to a land far, far away that is also know as our backyard, and I snapped a few shots of them with their new Sophie and Lili dolls, aka the cutest dolls I've ever seen. 

We had so much fun, and apparently the people at North American Bear Company liked them because this is what arrived in my mailbox this summer: 

Yes, that is Libby on the cover of their new catalog. 

She was so excited. 

Every girl needs her five minutes of fame, right? 

We just love their dolls.
Each design comes with the cutest little tag that tells you about your doll's personality. 

I love how they encourage my girls to embrace who they are. 

In fact, we love them SO  MUCH that we included the Lena doll in our thank you card that we send out with all of our adoption shirts. 

And North American Bear Company wants to give one doll to THREE of YOU!

Which one would YOU pick if you win? 

I am seriously thinking about just buying stock in them and giving them as our go-to birthday presents from now until the end of time. 

When I say we LOVE them, I am so not kidding. 

The giveaway will run from today until Tuesday night (October 1) at midnight. 

And thanks again, North American Bear Company, for giving my kiddo a really fun item for show and tell. 

You guys rock. 

The next time in Chicago, I'm totally stopping by the office to give you all high fives.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*While North American Bear is all kind of awesome and did send us some dolls to keep free of charge, these opinions are 100% my own.*

Words of Wisdom: A BOOK GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday!

What a better way to start the week with the opportunity to win one of my very favorite things? 

BOOKS!

I've teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to bring you the WORDS OF WISDOM GIVEAWAY. 

Each of us will be giving a way a book that inspired us to be and do better. 

Friends, I'd like you to meet Lindsy, Ashley, Tiffany, and Wynne. 

I choose to give away a copy of 7 by Jen Hatmaker. 

I originally read it last spring and blogged about it here, and I liked it so much that I also just recently completed the new 7 Bible Study with a group of friends. In 7, Jen Hatmaker talks about our struggle with excess and takes us through an experiment she did to help cut back on the excess in seven different areas in her own life. 

Some of the lines that stuck out to me when I read it include: 

-Sometimes conviction is mistaken for guilt......

-"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

-I spend more just on clothes in one year than the average Ethiopian family earns in almost five.

-I'm tired of calling the suffering "brothers and sisters" when I'd NEVER allow my biological siblings to suffer likewise.

-There is something so marvelous about women comfortable in their own skin.

-We get one shot at living to expand the kingdom, fighting for justice.

-We like our stuff. We need our things. Usually the things we think we need become the very things we need a break from.

Seriously, get excited. 

This book rocked my perspective, and I'm sure the others are the list are equally amazing. 

ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN ALL FIVE BOOKS!

Once you enter to win here, head over to Wynne (The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson),Lindsy Radical by David Platt), Ashley (Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne), and Tiffany (Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren)  blogs to enter the giveaways!

If you do recall, Radical is one of my all-time FAVORITE books. And in case you're looking for some more good reads, here's a list that might help. 

The giveaway ends Friday at midnight. 

Happy entering to you and you and you! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AWE- to the -SOME

Today was terrible. I dropped everything, forgot everything, and messed everything up. I was literally in tears by nine o'clock this morning. And then I remembered what today was.....

Today is the day we celebrate going to Africa and being supported by some awesome people and one awesome toy company. It also happens to be the day that this little blog of mine reached 400, 000 views. How is that even possible? Wow. 

You may have noticed my new sponsor button from North American Bear Company. 

Let me just tell you about how wonderful they are. 

Well, you may recall last year when they sent my kiddos some of the most adorable toys EVER. 

And then I got an e-mail from them last week saying they wanted to send my kiddos some more super cute goodies and do something to help us raise funds for our upcoming trip to Uganda. 

HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?

Take a look at the goodies that arrived on our doorstep today. 

This adorable kitty is supposed to be for Hollyn....good luck with that, right? 

And can I just TELL you how excited Libby is about having a friend over to make these tutus? Oh my stars, she is BEGGING already. 

Here are a few of my personal favorite things on their site: 

They have the best selection, and I LOVE how wholesome all of their products are. Their catalog reminds me of the kinds of toys I played with when I was a little girl. And while they did bless my kiddos TWICE with goodies, these opinions are 100% mine. I honestly cannot sing their praises enough. 

Okay, so here's the skinny: 

NORTH AMERICAN BEAR COMPANY WANTS TO GIVE $75 IN CREDIT TO ONE OF MY LOVELY READERS!

Do you even know what you could do towards Christmas at your house with $75 credit from their adorable company? Or the baby gifts you could stock up on? Or the summer fun you could bring to your homestead? 

I'm kinda jealous that I can't enter this one.....

Here's how you can enter: 

( You can choose ANY or ALL of these ways...pick whichever one or ones that catch your eye. Just please leave a SEPARATE comment for each thing you do; one comment equals one entry.)

- Check out North American Bear Company's website and tell me how you'd spend your dinero if you win.

-Make a donation of $1 or more towards our Africa trip. Seriously, EVERY $1 makes a difference. And are still several hundred dollars shy of our fundraising goal. I will be THRILLED with ever $1 that is donated. You can use the paypal button on my sidebar, it's as simple as that. 

- If you've ALREADY donated or bought a shirt or a canvas or some hair ties (which I just got another batch of, by the way), then leave a comment telling me what you did. 

-Follow my blog or remind me that you already do. 

-Like my blog on facebook or remind me that you already do. 

- SHARE about this giveaway any way you so choose (Twitter, facebook, pinterest, instagram, whatever your heart desires). Just leave a comment for EACH way you share. 

That's a LOT of ways you can enter to win. Libby will choose a winner on Friday afternoon. 

So get those entries in, good luck to all of you, THANK YOU in advance, and NORTH AMERICAN BEAR COMPANY--- thanks for turning my frown upside down today. 

A Giveaway for You, Because You're AWE-SOME

First, let's start with a little trip down memory lane, shall we?

Bloggers, feast your eyes on baby Libby.

I love how she was so darn snuggly and oh, those ginormous cheeks!

And, here's one of my favorite pictures of us together,

which happened to be taken on my twenty-sixth birthday.

I love this picture of us because it kinda looks like we were telling secrets.

*Fast forward to the present, and say adios to Memory Lane.*

Now, take at look at sweet Libby today........

...as she laughs hysterically while trying to literally tape her little sister's mouth shut.

Nice, Lib. Really nice.

But, one thing (of the many) that I LOVE about Libby-- the girl has great taste.

And here's lately, she's loving this:

It's a devotional book, and to be honest I'm not sure who loves it the most at our house.

Let's explore this book a little further, mkay?

Here's Libby with her copy that she got for Christmas.

(Note to moms everywhere: if you need your kid to smile for a picture, trying asking her to say 'alligator underpants'. Cracks her up, every.single.time.)

I love this book for so many reasons,

one being that Libby loves it now and can still love it when she's sixteen.

By that I mean, it's one of those books that grows with you; what it means to you today will change over time, so you can reread it and discover something new with each revisit.

I also love how there are 365 entries, one for each day of the year.

AND, please notice the 'read on your own' part at the end of each page-- LOVE THIS! I love Libby being led to scripture and encouraged to explore her Bible on her own.

In case you haven't picked up on it, there might be just a wee bit of book envy going on here; I may or may not secretly wish this were my copy. I'll never tell.

And, one more reason to love it:

This book may just possibly buy you some silence. Oh, the joy that is a silent moment at my house.

And yes, in case you were wondering, my daughter is preparing to sleep in her dance recital costume from three years ago. Don't go there. It's called picking my battles.

SOOOOOO......you guessed it!

Because I love this book so much and because I love my readers so much AND to celebrate reaching 200,000 views and 300 followers (I'm at 299 right now, but I have faith that it'll happen soon), I am giving away one copy of this book to one of YOU!

Here's how you can enter to win:

1. Follow my blog. It's easy-- just look at the sidebar to the right and scroll down until you see a box with lots of faces and a follow button. Click the button. YOU CAN DO IT! :) Leave a comment telling me that you follow AND include one of the following:

a.) Your favorite television series, current or of days gone by.

b.) The name of one book I need to read this year.

2. Tweet, facebook, or blog about this giveaway. Leave a comment for each of these things that you do.

Libby will draw a winner on Sunday, and I'll announce first thing on Monday.

AND, if your kiddos are little or if you don't even have kiddos are are a kiddo at heart but think you'd enjoy this book, PLEASE enter! You don't have to have kids to win or to read God's word. :)

Here's hoping your Thursday is awe-to-the-some.

The commenting may now commence.

Oh, and I'm joining my favorite blogger today as she works to encourage us to get out from behind the camera and get in the pictures with our kiddos. You should check it out. All the cool kids are doin' it.