Beautiful Blog Win!

Gossimar Wings on Etsy had a blog contest that I had entered, and I won!! I received my beautiful necklace in the mail today and it is absolutely gorgeous. Even prettier in person than it was in pictures. I can't wait to wear this beauty. It is actually a locket, which I didn't realize until I received it. So I can put a picture inside and carry it with me! I have to recommend this Etsy shop to everyone, since I love the necklace so much. I am a lover of both butterflies and roses, and this necklace has both. It is very well made, "made with love" as she put it. I can tell that she puts a lot of love and care into her pieces. Please check out her shop, give it a heart and buy something! Support handmade!

Valentine's Day in Heaven

This Valentine's Day is my mom's first one in heaven. I know it is the most ♥Love♥ She has ever felt, and she felt a lot of love on this earth from me, her only daughter. Not to mention the love from my dad, her husband of 42 years. And my brother, her sisters and brothers and everyone else who ever knew her. She is and was very loved. Not only was she loved, she loved too. She showed love to everyone she knew, not only saying I love you, but showing it in her actions. She taught me what unconditional love really is. I miss her as much today as any other day, but I know that in heaven she is the happiest she's ever been. There are no tears, no sadness, no pain, no fear, no sickness. Only Love, the best love of all, God's love. I can see her now, at the throne dancing for Jesus. Full of love and joy. She knows nothing of my current pain or sadness, which is good because it would hurt her to know how I am feeling since she went. I feel her with me, the little whispers in the dark "I love you, Pooh" and I never want to forget her voice, her touch, although not physically I do feel her. I am a part of her, and therefore she is always with me. Her life not only touched mine, but I would not be here without her. I miss her so and KNOW that she is happy and perfect in heaven with Jesus. I love her, forever.

Life

My friend Kathy at Tapestry316 wrote a blog post that I wanted to share. It's about some pro-life stories, but not what most people would think. It's a unique perspective about the value of a person's life, no matter how short or painful that life may be. She included my mom Betty in her post, and linked back to this blog to see our journey through the end of my mom's life. That was so touching, that she looked at our story and thought about how life is precious.

I still miss mom every day, every moment really. There is never a time that my heart doesn't feel shattered. It's been less than three months since she passed. Time does not heal all wounds, but it does lessen the pain of them. I know as time goes on my shattered heart will slowly feel a little better, hard to imagine as that is. There will always be broken pieces, where I miss my mom. She was and is a special person, who was my kindred soul. We were two peas in a pod, connected in a way that I can't even describe. My mom was only 62, and I am only 34, and it feels just way too soon. I'm happy to say that while I miss her, she is healed, in heaven. Whole, healthy and happy again - rejoicing with Jesus. I will see her again, and can't wait for the day.

FUN WITH CAST TEAM FRIENDS

I had the most wonderful time of fellowship with my friends from Etsy, CAST team to be specific. (CAST team is Christian Artists Street Team). My friend Daffy as she is known, has been planning a trip to FL for a few months and wanted to come and see me while here. I was so excited waiting for her and her husband Hank to arrive! She told me she had some huge surprise for me, and I couldn't even fathom a guess. So I walked outside to greet them in the driveway and I hugged her and Hank hello. She told me she brought that surprise, and to close my eyes and walk towards the car with her. I bent down to look in a bag she told me to look at, and someone tapped me on the (very) lower back. I stood up and there was a woman standing there with big sunglasses on. I had no idea who she was at first. Then I remembered Daffy saying a DOOZY of a surprise and the woman took off her sunglasses and it was LEAH, who happens to be my Kindred! We have been buddies online and on the phone for a long time and I couldn't believe she was standing there in my yard!! We both started squealing and screaming and hugging. It was so wonderful. Then I had to hug Daffy some more.
That was just the first five minutes of our visit! They came inside, with loads of groceries for lunch, and we all talked and hugged and just had fun. It took an hour to stop talking and visiting so we could sit and eat together. Matt said the prayer and we ate.. fried chicken, corn on the cob, salad, antipasta, bread and more. Then we had dessert too! Chocolate frosted yellow cake, red velvet cake, and the lemon squares I made from scratch for Daffy who loves lemon.
We sat and talked about lots of things and took pictures of us together. They left just before 7 because they have an over-3-hour drive back to Orlando. I am so glad they came up and saw us! We had a wonderful time together and I'm feeling so blessed to have been able to meet 3 CAST team members today, in person. Daffy is such a kind hearted friend, and it was lovely to give her hugs and kisses xoxoxo in person. Leah is my Kindred and so fun, and sweet. I loved meeting Hank who is a very nice guy and I can tell he and Daffy love each other. I think Matt had fun hanging out with him too.

I Won a Blog Contest!

I am so excited! I won a blog contest, and this is what I'll be receiving as my prize:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33073492

All of this came about because I am having my own giveaway (see post below for details, it's still going and ends Wednesday) and was promoting it. Someone commented and I went to her blog and entered her contest. I was informed today that I was the winner! How exciting!! It really made my day.

Her blog is located here:
http://livingembellished.blogspot.com/2010/01/gossimar-wings-giveaway.html
and her ETSY shop is here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/embellishedbyjessica

Thank you so much Jessica!

I'm being featured on a team blog!

I'm being featured on the CAST team blog. AND I'm giving away a free heart bookmark to one lucky person. All you have to do is go HERE and leave a comment. It's very easy! Then there will be a drawing for the winner in a few days or a week. How exciting!

I'm in a Treasury on Etsy

I'm in a treasury on Etsy! I love it when that happens :) I want to thank CKSILVER who chose my neckwarmer to be in her treasury! Thanks!

Click here for treasury link.