Like Me on Facebook Hop

Link up your Facebook page URL and make some new Facebook friends!

[Continue reading...]

For the L♥Ve of Coffee.....

I am a coffee girl for sure! I drink it all day long! I haven't always liked coffee. In fact, it wasn't until I was an adult that I began do drink it. Growing up, my dad drank him some coffee (that hasn't changed)! I'm not sure that I remember him not drinking coffee throughout the day. So it must be in my blood. My entire family is a family of java addicts lovers addicts. I'm not sure what changed to bring on my love of coffee. Maybe it was how much I love that it give an excuse to get together to catch up with friends and family, maybe it was realizing that if you put enough cream and sugar in it...it HAS to be great, maybe that I don't drink soda and iced tea just isn't that great in the winter, or maybe just the fact that I have kids and don't sleep! What ever the real reason, to tell you the truth...it doesn't matter anymore! Haha! I NEED COFFEE!! It's no longer my winter wake-me-up-er, it is my year-round perc-me-up-er ;). My blood-caffeine levels are probably {point~way~too~much}! 
There really is something to say about a good cup of coffee, and good company. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "lets meet for coffee" or visited in the mornings with great friends for hours drinking coffee. For a long time I met my dad every Friday morning for coffee. It didn't matter where we went, or what we talked about, we could just sit and enjoy our cup of Joe. You can't really say that about many other drinks (other than alcohol, which doesn't usually end the same lol). It just doesn't sound right to say, "remember the days that we could just sit and drink apple juice and bull shit about nothing?? Hmmm, yeah not so much. You can actually make a conversation about coffee! Favorite kinds, favorite blends, how you take your coffee, the worst kinds, and so on! I mean, look, there are COFFEE LINK PARTIES! Coffee Giveaways! Coffee Date Vlogs! It brings people together. 
I know a lot of people like Starbucks, but for just plain coffee, not for me. It tastes too strong for me. I love a strong cup of coffee, but not a bitter taste. I like the Bread Co. and McDonalds even has good coffee. Have you ever had White Castle coffee?? It is SO good! They even sell it in stores! At home, my husband and I usually drink Maxwell House Master Blend. I drink mine with plenty of cream and sugar, and he just uses a little sugar. Everyone else in my family drinks it black, and as much as I would love to like it like that, I just can't :( Diabetes here I come! How do you drink your coffee??

Now it is your turn!

1. Write a coffee related post (it can be anything, make it the way you like it)

2. Link your *coffee related* post up on one of the host's blogs

3. Follow your 5 hosts via GFC & check out some other cute coffee lover's blogs

Pointing Up

City Corporate to Suburb Mama

Chubbette Tales

I Know The Plans I Have For You

All My Love For All My Days

4. Then ENTER THE CAFFEINATED GIVEAWAY!

5. Grab a button and spread the word

6. Have an extra cup of joe today FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Like Giveaways?? Head over to Eloping Stethoscope for a HUGE ad space giveaway along with a few prizes! 11 prizes with 11 winners!! 

[Continue reading...]

Go Insane Go Insane....{and a winner}

Please click here to vote for me!


A friend of mine sent me this picture on Facebook....

...AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH! I've been a stay at home mom for a long time (about 8 years), but my husband has had been out of work for a long time (too long). While I jumped for joy {really, I did the real life happy dance, with leg kicks and all!} when he started back at work last week, my jumping for joy was short lived. Now I am thankful that he is working (REALLY THANKFUL), and that's pretty much where that ends. He does a lot to help me with the kids. To be honest, he really wouldn't have to do anything. Just having him at home seems to keep the kids behaving and that is enough for me! Now it just seems to be a free for all....for my sanity, that is. And it is going fast! While I should also be super excited about the fancy, schmancy minivan we got today (loaded with 2 tv's for the kids enjoyment), it's his transportation for work and I'm still home all day without a car (so they will enjoy the 2 tv's in the house). A couple of days ago, when my husband got home from work, I said "I'm leaving, I gotta get out of this house!" and I grabbed the keys and left. FREEDOM! Hmm, It didn't take me long to realize that I hadn't showered in 2 days and I was still in my pajama's with white spray paint in my hair! So I went to McDonald's, got an iced tea and went home. I sat in the car for nearly 45 minutes reading blogs while my kids stared at me through the window like I was nuts! On top of that, we are having my daughters birthday party tomorrow, and I have been trying to get the house ready....which I'm sure contributes to the kids going crazy (or was it me going crazy?). Every room I cleaned has since been destroyed played in destroyed. Instead of cleaning last night when the kids went to bed, I decided to make a skirt for Drew to wear to her party! Seemed like a good idea. I won this skirt pattern from the American Crafter contest....

I modified it a bit and I finished about 2am, and when Drew woke up this morning she found it and tried it on. She loved it! It looked so cute :) I hadn't hemmed the skirt yet, because I wanted to make sure that I didn't make it too short. So once I was really awake, I asked her to put it back on. She said so sweetly, "No mom, I don't want to get it dirty. I'll try it on later." I thought nothing of it, and went about my morning. A little later, I picked it up to hand it to her and....WHAT THE ....??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW??? Chocolate all over the front of it!! Now I have to say, I'm not really one of those mom's that just say...that's ok honey, I'll fix it! So with that said, I'll let you play out in your head how it really happened, lol. Now, not only was I mad about the chocolate, I of course was mad that she lied about it. But I didn't want you to get mad, Mom. Like I wouldn't have noticed? I'll have to show you after I clean it! we'll see how the party goes tomorrow. She might be in her new skirt {if I decide to get it out of the wash machine}, the house might be clean, and there might be decorations! Speaking of decorations, here is one of my great finds this week....99¢

 and when I saw this post on Live Laugh Rowe, from Kelly, I totally had to make pom pom garlands....

While uploading pictures from my phone for this post, I came across this picture...

I think that my daughter has found some tricks that my camera does haha! My legs definitely aren't that long and my butt doesn't look like that J Lo badonkadonk! I found some great sheers at Home Goods for $8 a piece, so this is me hanging them tonight. I'll take a picture of them during the day. They look great!  :)

I also HAVE to tell you...do you remember my post about Blog Angels?? Well I just have to give a big shout out to mine!! Except I'm not sure who she is?! But THANK YOU my blog angel! She sent me this card in the mail and it REALLY brightened my day!! Put a BIG smile on my face and I wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this!! Really, you are a very special person {who ever you are!!}

One last thing {if I haven't lost your attention}. The winner for the ad space giveaway is.....drum roll.....

Thanks so much Diana!! I can't wait to start working with you!!

[Continue reading...]

1 Year Blog~iversary GIVEAWAY!!

Please click here to vote for me!
 

As I sit here, trying to put into words what my experience in the fantastic world of blogging has meant to me, there are so many things and so many emotions come to mind that it truly leaves me speechless. What I will say, is that it has been life changing. I have had many ups and {too} many downs over the last year, and finding my voice {and really finding myself} through my blog, has been something that I feel has been such a blessing. The women behind these blogs are some of the most amazing people that I have come in contact with. The feeling of having a purpose (that other's can relate to) has been amazing. I have learned so much, more than I could have ever imagined being capable of. And the drive that is now embedded in my sole...I feel I owe to my blog...as well as all of you!! For ALL of these things, I thank you! Maybe I should dedicate an entire post to my past year and get onto this FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY! I wanted to give a gift of thanks to all who stick with me, and am so thankful to my friends who have chosen to celebrate with me! I'm just a little bummed that I can't win these fabulous prizes ;)!

One lucky winner will take all!!

{BLOG} {TWITTER} {FACEBOOK} {PINTEREST}

{BLOG}{FACEBOOK} {TWITTER}{BLOGLOVIN'}

{BLOG} {TWITTER} {FACEBOOK} {PINTEREST}

{BLOG} {ETSY} {FACEBOOK} {TWITTER}

{BLOG} {TWITTER} {ETSY} {WEBSITE}

{BLOG} {FACEBOOK} {TWITTER} {HELLOCOTTON}

{BLOG} {RSS} {FACEBOOK} {TWITTER}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Continue reading...]

A BIG Welcome to my May Sponsors!!

Please click here to vote for me!

I have so many exciting things going on this month, both at my new home and at my home here at I Know the Plans I Have for You! As I am starting to get settled into the new house, as well as getting ready to start a bunch of {exciting} new projects, I would like to take a few minutes to introduce to you some of my new sponsors for May, as well as my continued sponsors. Last month I had a great time working with these ladies! All of their blogs are SO worth checking out!! I'd love for you to click on them and show them some love....you'll be glad you did! And don't forget to keep an eye out for my 1 year blog~aversary! In a few weeks I will be having a group giveaway with fantastic items!!

 

[Continue reading...]

May Ad Swap...blog~iversary...giveaway!!

Please click here to vote for me!

It's hard to believe that we are nearing the end of April! It has been a crazy month for me, so I want to apologize to my wonderful swap ladies! I wasn't able to do all that I had planned because of moving {which has consumed all of my time}. I hope you'll forgive me! BUT, looking ahead, I have BIG plans for May and I would {love} it if you would continue our swap! Some swaps are already planned for next month, so just disregard that part ;-)!

Looking to swap buttons for May? I would love the opportunity to get to know you and help grow your blog, and mine!! I want to let you know that I will be having my 1 YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY!! Yea! It has been such a wonderful journey full of ups, and {some} downs, a ton of learning, meeting wonderful people, and joining a community of people that {well} just gets me! We all put a lot of time and energy into our blogs, and we deserve to CELEBRATE!!  What I have planned is a group giveaway, and I would love ALL who would like to be included to contact me!! If you would like to be included in the giveaway without a swap, I'm ok with that too :-)! I am planning it for the 3rd week in May, and I will give the details in a follow up email. And to thank you all for being such a great support during this year! To say {a big} THANK YOU, I would like to offer free advertising for May! Contact me if you are interested :-) I hope you all can make it!!

I also wanted to let you know some exciting news from Franchesca, who blogs over at Small Bird Studios {one of the most heart touching blogs around}!  She will be launching her online magazine, Still Standing Magazine, May 5th!! The magazine was created to bring together anyone who has lost a child or has been faced with infertility. It's a place to find support and to find inspiration to embrace life in the face of loss or infertility. You can find Still Standing Magazine on Facebook, on their website,  as well as on twitter, so please check it out!! Show your support for all of her hard work as well as all of the wonderful contributors to the magazine that share their {very intimate} stories!!

[Continue reading...]