Last Chance!!

Don't forget!!! Today is your last chance to enter my giveaway!!

Don't remember what you're "playing" for? Let me give you a 'lil reminder. =)

Now that I've refreshed your memory a bit, head on over here and enter my giveaway! =) When you do, don't forget to leave separate comments for each entry. You'll have a better chance this way.

If you'll excuse me, I need to finish getting ready for church. I'm seriously excited about going to church - finally!

Hope y'all have a good Sunday!

Flashback!

And this is a serious flashback. Before we get started, I need to give you a little back story on the how and why I got these pictures.

Several months ago, my father (read: biological father...he and my mom divorced when I was like a year old) sent my mother an email basically saying how he regretted things he'd done in the past. Mainly, his lack of contact with me. Before my mom even received this email, I'd been thinking of writing him. So, when Mom called me and read the email to me I just knew it was time. She reluctantly gave me his email address (the reason for this is a really long story that probably shouldn't be shared with the world), and I sent him an email. We've been writing back and forth ever since. Before this, I hadn't talked to him since I was...17 or 18. So, it's been a good 6-7 years.

When Papa was put in the hospital, I told him in an email asking him to pray. On my birthday - the day of Papa's surgery - he emailed me two pictures of me and Papa when I was an itty bitty baby. I seriously almost cried. I told him how much I enjoyed the pictures and he's been scanning them for me and uploading them. So, I thought I'd do a little flashback for y'all. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a cute red-headed kid? ;-)

Me & Papa taking a nap. =)

Me & Nana

I think I have Papa to blame for me liking people to play with my hair. =)

Papa used to push me around in this thing all the time! I so remember this. =) And, I'm pretty sure he still has the same wheel barrel. 

Mom is on the left, then Papa, and of course that's me in the pool.

Nana and I liked to have tea parties in "my" bedroom. And I blame both my grandparents for getting me addicted to Dr. Pepper. ;-)

That's not an ornery grin at all, is it?! Hehehehe

Can you tell I'm the first grandchild?

Papa is the best storyteller ever!

Doesn't look like either of us was too thrilled about this picture. =)

I'm definitely going to get a new picture of us the next time I go home. I realized that I just really don't take enough pictures of my side of the family. Mainly because they're not as picture-friendly as Joe's side. Thanks to my FIL for making sure that they are well-adjusted to picture snapping!! ;-)

Hope you enjoyed this sentimental flashback. =)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway! Tomorrow is your last chance!!! It closes at 2400 EST, and I'll [hopefully] announce the winner on Monday!

Saying Goodbye...

totally sucks.

I dropped my bestie off at the airport about an hour ago. *sad faces*

Is it weird that dropping her off was almost as bad as dropping my hubby off? Granted, I didn't cry as much dropping Melissa off, but...I was still upset. I was good, though, and didn't cry until I was in the car on the way home. {Probably not the safest thing in the world to do, but it couldn't be helped.} We had such a good time, and I'm so glad that she was able to come visit. My birthday would have been a total suckfest without her. =)

We took in "the sights," did some pretty good shopping, ate some expensive good food, made cupcakes [and attempted to decorate them], did some crafty things but only got one project accomplished, and hit the beach a few times. All in all, I think we had a pretty good, full week. I just hope she had fun, 'cause I know I did! It was nice to have another person in the house. And now, I'm alone again. *sad faces* It sucks... I know I'll be ok, but I just feel *bleh* right now, ya know? I am in serious need of a routine...

Anyway, I'm going to share some pictures of our entirely too short week together.

Melissa & I at Waimea Bay after getting slapped by a wave we weren't expecting... =)

Our pretty much identical pedicures [after a visit to the beach].

Us at Dole before riding the Pineapple Express (not as cool as it sounds, lol!). And for some strange reason, my eyes look green! I swear they're blue... It does happen on occasion though.

Melissa sitting under broken umbrella #2 at Sunset Beach.

(Not the one in NC. Apparently, there's one in HI too.)

I stole her hat so I could read without squinting while she sat under the broken umbrella. The umbrella idea was a complete fail. It probably would have helped if I wasn't such a tightwad and had shelled out more money for a decent one. Oh well.

Melissa and I at the luau last night. =)

The luau is right on the beach - perfect for a good photo-op!!

I miss her already! And don't you just love her momma-turtle-and-baby-turtle necklace?! I love the little shops at North Shore...they're perfect for finding unique things like that. =)

I'm sure I'll be back later with a more detailed version of her visit. I've missed blogging!! My inbox has been so lonely without all of your sweet comments!

Oh! I almost forgot! My sweet Papa is going home from the hospital tomorrow!! =D His surgery was on Friday (it just had to be on my birthday...) and it went really well. They're sending him home with boatloads of medicine, and they have told Mom and Nana that the surgery definitely remedied the aneurysm and should shrink the tumor. No blood supply should make the tumor shrink [and hopefully die]. Thank you so much for your prayers and comments. God is awesome!!!


Don't forget to enter my giveaway! It ends Sunday at 2400 EST! I know at least some of you want something from Hawaii!! ;-)

What You've All Been Waiting For

That's right!

After 2 months of me promising you lovely readers of mine, the giveaway is finally here!!!!!!!

I figured that since Friday was my birthday, it was about time I did something for y'all. =)

Are you ready for it? 

One of you lucky readers will win:

- a super cute Hawaii tote bag {I mean, who couldn't use another tote?!}

- a nut lei with pink flowers {I love these way more than the flower leis}

- and a 2011 calendar with some great photos of Hawaii

So, I bet you're asking "How do I enter for these lovely things?"

1. You must be a follower. Make sure you leave a comment telling me you're a follower.{But please, don't just click the "follow" button because you want to win something.}

2. Leave a comment, sharing your favorite vacation memory.

3. Head over to my Twitter page (link is on the right) and follow me there. But, don't forget to leave me a comment here first!

4. This one is for those of you who gave me shout-outs back in April during my "follower drive". Be sure to leave me a comment for each shout-out you did for me {if you can remember...}! =)

{Please leave a separate comment for EACH entry! Thanks! =)}

Giveaway ends on July 18 at 2400 EST (midnight for you non-military peeps)!!