Celebrations, a Blogiversary and a Giveaway

It’s been birthday week around our house and we’re not quite done yet. My birthday was last Saturday, Seth’s was on Veteran’s Day and tonight I’ll be hosting Seth’s party — nothing “too organized” he says. All I have to do is put out pizza and cream soda and have lots of ice cream in the freezer. They’ll head to the basketball courts, come home and eat, go back out to the courts or hit golf balls, come back and eat, play Xbox, take a break and eat.  Apparently, the theme for 16-year old boys is sports and FOOD.

This is way easier than the parties I pulled together when my kids were little. Our first was a backyard circus complete with rented booths, a clown and themed food.  Another was a Teddy Bear Tea Party with crafts, dress-up and the full tea party food. And no need to stress over my house with just the teen boys coming over. I’ll do the cleaning after they leave!

In addition to birthday week, it’s the 6-month anniversary of True and Faithful. I have learned so much in these last 6 months.  Six months ago, I pushed pause on re-taking the Bar exam as I took a leap of trust to write.

This last 6 months has been such a step in healing. When Dan died three years ago, so did all of our hopes and dreams. My future was one big blank slate. My passions died. It’s taken time and intentionality to begin to have some passions again. And one of those is writing.

It feels good to feel good.

I love my children and they have been THE THING that has gotten me out of bed every morning. But it feels good to have a vision for what else might be out there for me.

Island Jewelry Travel bag with mini

So I want to celebrate. I want to celebrate you and thank you for reading and sharing and commenting. You have been so encouraging – much more than those blinking stares I get after telling someone “I’m writing now.” I’ve stayed up way too late many nights and cried many tears as I’ve written and held my breath more than once as I pushed publish.  But God is teaching me so much and showing me yet again that He is trustworthy and true.

So on tap today is one of my favorite finds: these handmade travel jewelry bags.

Island Jewelry Bag drawstring in Vintage Lace

Compartments protect and separate jewelry

These beautiful bags are handmade by Island Jewelry Bags and sold on their Etsy site. They come in lots of fabrics, including team colors, and in five different sizes. They would make a beautiful Christmas, birthday, hostess or bridal gift or a great Christmas stocking stuffer. (Any female related to me should probably look away.)

When I first saw these, I approached a friend who sews these to buy one for this giveaway. She graciously donated not only the bag I wanted to give away, but its matching Mini. Eep!  So, if you win, there is one for you and one for someone else!  Thank you Island Jewelry Bags for your beautiful work and for your generous donation to a reader.  You can see the rest of her beautiful bags in her Etsy shop.

If you’d like to enter, just like or comment on my Facebook post or comment here (even an asterisk will hold your name in the entry). I’ll keep the giveaway open through midnight Saturday, November 15. This is open to U.S. residents due to mailing, unless you have someone stateside that will hold it for you!

Have a great weekend! xoxo