Sunday, December 20, 2009

Giveaway Time!!

Do you know what today is?

It's my Blogger-versary! One year ago today, Josh finally convinced me to start my own blog. I was really anti-blogging before and thought - Who would want to read about me?? At the time I was about 12 weeks pregnant with the quads, and I decided to use my blog as a way to inform everyone we knew about the happenings of the pregnancy and preparing for the babies. Needless to say, this past year did not pan out the way we had hoped, but this blog has still been a huge blessing for me. I think someone looking from the outside in may ask - How does writing a blog help, and how do your blog followers become such a big support system in your life? Well, it's true. I don't know where I'd be today if it weren't for my blog and all of my wonderful followers and supporters.

The blogging world has helped me realize throughout this past year, that I am not alone. I have been sent countless letters, comments, and gifts from my followers that all mean SO much to Josh and I. One anonymous follower recently wrote me this:

Hi Lauren:

"I am one of your blog followers. I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your husband and think of you all often. You don't know me... I was in a baby class with you at TGH in January. I have been checking in on you to see how you have been. I just wanted to let you know that people who don't even know you have been affected by your story and we think of you often. We will be thinking of you this holiday season and will send you all of the positive thoughts we can."

--Anonymous

I don't know who she is, but that meant so much to me. This is just one of the examples of the love, support, and encouragement that I get from my blog on a daily basis. So, I just wanted to let you know (my readers) how thankful I am that you care. I never realized how important the support network of the blogging world is. I have met so many nice people and families, and have been touched by your generosity and support! As a little thank you from me to you, I have arranged for some AWESOME giveaways!


Today also happens to be my day to host Tina's 25 Days of Giveaways, so I am taking care of both in this one big post! OK... now on to the fun stuff!!!


***1***

The first of 3 giveaways is a hand painted tile from Warden Graphics. I was recently sent one and I LOVE it. I have a picture of it here. You can check out her work at: http://www.wardengraphics.com/. This will make a great gift for someone special in your life!


***2***

Next, is a $50 gift certificate from Bead Creations International! They make amazing custom design necklaces that are perfect to get your children's names, your husband's name, your name or monogram on. Really, whatever you want! I got this one earlier this year with my babies' names on it. It lets me keep their memory close to me and it looks great too. Visit their website to pick out what you'd like: http://www.beadcreationsinternational.com/


***3***

I am also giving away a pack of embRACE Activewear headbands and the matching towel! I was recently introduced to embRACE at a party I attended, and I loved the idea. They are all really comfortable headbands that stay in place while you workout and they look great! I own a black sequin one and a fun floral one. I wear them all the time, not only just to Pilates! Check out all of the fabric options and styles here: http://www.embraceactivewear.com


*****

All you need to do to be part of the giveaway is just leave me a comment and tell me what item (or items) you're interested in winning and your favorite thing about them. If you are an anonymous follower or don't have a profile, please leave me your email address in your comment or click here to email me your contact info. I will draw the winners at random on Monday night!!!!

*****

Again, thank you all for being "here" for me, and HAPPY BLOGGER-VERSARY!!


73 comments:

  1. Im so excited your hosting a giveaway, I am bummed I didn't hear about this earlier because I would have hosted one too!! Must have been the darn vacation i was on when I missed it.

    Anywho, I love the first one because since you posted the one you got, I have been looking at them. I really like them and thank you for sharing.

    I am also a owner of that very same necklace and rest assured who ever gets it will LOVE it!

    Best of luck to you all :)

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  2. Lauren,
    I still pray for you regularly and I admire your strength. I am pregnant and a dear friend of mine lost her baby in child birth after 15 years of infertility and dropped adoptions. I would love to give her a necklace or wall plaque to have for baby Matthew.

    Holly

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  3. What a great giveaway!! I would love the embRACE headband and towel. I have started a running program and I think this would be great!!

    Thanks, Steph

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  4. I'm so sorry to learn of your losses. It is good to find other bloggers that are leaning on God to get them through their losses.

    These are such great give aways! I love the tile and the gift card!

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  5. I love giveaways! I've done a few myself! I really like the tile-ADORABLE! The giftcard is a great idea too! I have been reading your blog for about 8 months now and enjoy keeping up with ya'll!!

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  6. Love the embrace headbands! I always end up with hair in my face at the gym :) Happy Blog a versary!

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  7. Hi Lauren,
    Its nice to meet you. I am so very sorry for your losses. I look forward to reading your story. I lost my daughter, Ella at 23.3 weeks in March.
    I've found most of my support blogging, as well. There are so many amazing women in this community.
    Thank you for sharing your generous giveaway items with the community!

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  8. I love the necklaces! I hope Christmas is not too difficult for you.

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  9. Hi Lauren,
    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your four beautiful babies.
    Though I missed the chance to host a give a way,I am enjoying finding new blogs and "meeting" some wonderful people.
    I would be honored to be entered for either the hand made necklace or the headband and towel.I have long hair past my back and it is rough to keep it back while I am at the gym. My G mail address listed on my blog doesn't work anymore so I can be contacted at DianeNMike1@AOL.com.

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  10. Lauren,

    My loss being so new I'm learning that this " blog community" has become very dear to my heart. The uplifting encouragement has been out of this world. I am thankful for each and everyone of these amazing mommies who continually rally around one another. If only the rest of the world could have half as much compassion as this group! Thank you for being there for me when I needed it. The bonds built in this fragile time in our lives are ones that are hard to break! Happy one year blogging!

    Love,

    kc

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  11. lauren - you know i love you and have found great support in you as well, even though we'v never really met...thankful for you!

    ps..i love the bead necklace. i would use the gift card to get a necklace with peighton's name on it.

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  12. Oo, I'd love the headbands! The necklaces are super pretty too, but I don't have kids so I know it would mean more to a mama! But I'm amazed that there are headbands that will stay while I work out. Totally checking out their website!

    and Lauren, I think of you often. Sometimes I just come to your site to look at the greenbeans. They are so precious and I want them to know that we know they were here.

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  13. Hi there, I came to your blog via the giveaway but I am going to spend some time here today to get to know you and your beautiful babies. I am so sorry for your loss. It breaks my heart so much to see all these losses, and yet at the same time, it makes me feel a little less alone. I don't know what I'd do without my babyloss mommas. :( They are definitely credited with who I am today.

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  14. I've been a lurker reading your blog for a while. I too remember you in prayer as I cannot imagine going through what you and your husband have endured this past year.

    P.S. The necklace or the tile are my favorites.

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  15. I just love all your giveaway ideas! I for one am happy you started your blog. I stumbled across your blog after my twins passed away and knowing I was not alone gave me hope. I am so sorry for your losses.

    I would love to win the gift card to Bead Creations International as I don't think I could ever have enough jewelry with my babies names on it!

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  16. love the bead creations necklaces!

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  17. Hi Lauren : )

    I absolutely love the bead creations necklace. I have two little ones and would love to have a necklace with their names on it.

    I think of you often and love checking for updates from you. You are such a kind person and so very strong.

    Thanks for counting my vote!

    Morrissey.Kimberly@Gmail.com

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  18. Goodness they are all great, but if I had to pick one it would be the necklace so I could get it with Cadynce's name on it.

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  19. I lost my twin daughters in July of 2008. I would love to win the plaque or the necklace because I think they are a great way to remember our girls and the friends that came out in support to us after our loss. I love the headband too- it would be great to use at yoga! So, please enter me for all giveaways. kschrtnbr@yahoo.com-

    Thanks so much!

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  20. I am so very sorry for your loss. I love the necklace and love to have one to remember my son with.

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  21. I love that tile. It is gorgeous!

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  22. Happy Bloger-versary! When I first found your blog, I was pregnant with my baby boy and wept along with you as you lost the green beans. I have thought of you often this year.

    I would love the bead creations gift certificate or the embRACE activewear stuff.

    I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday

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  23. This is the first time I have seen your blog I am sorry about your losses!! My son Kasey grew his wings 33 days after he was born from a birth defect called CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia)Your give aways are all beautiful!

    Nicolle

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  24. I would love any of your prizes but I really love the necklace you had made and would love to get my baby boy's name and birthstone to wear since I haven't gotten anything like that yet. Thanks for hosting and sharing your story.

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  25. Congrats on a year of blogging Lauren!! You have some really great givewaways to celebrate and for participating in the 25 days of giveaways. You can enter me in any of them!

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  26. i love the necklace - it would make a perfect gift for a friend of mine who is expecting her first child after 16 months of trying!

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  27. Dear Lauren,

    I have read your blog for about 8-9 months and find it very inspirational!

    I have experienced my own loss of a baby girl at 19.5 weeks over 13 years ago. The hurt never goes away but with time it gets a little easier. In fact experiencing the loss made me want to become a labor and delivery nurse. I am much more empathetic/sympathetic whenever I have a mom who has a pregnancy loss.

    I would love the gift certificate for the jewelry. E-mail is salittle@tampabay.rr.com. I hope you are able to have a nice holiday season!

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  28. Lauren-
    What an awesome giveaway! I am new to your blog but am realy looking forward to reading your story and getting to know you. I am so sorry for your losses and hate this is the way I have met so many amazing women.
    I don't know that I have a preference if I were to win, all of the prizes are such amazing gifts I would be very thankful if I was lucky enough to get any of them!
    Thank you again! Thinking of you!

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  29. The headbands are a great idea and the girls could use them also. But I am eyeing the jewelry. I"m so indecisive but you know that about me all ready.

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  30. Hey Lauren, I love the necklaces you had made! What a great idea! Jamie

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  31. I love your blog and am so sorry for your losses. I think this giveaway has been such a great idea because I have "met" so many wonderful, tender mommies through this giveaway. All the items are beautiful and would bless anyone. I added you to my follow list so I can continue to keep up with you in the future, You are an inspiration.

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  32. Lauren you are so sweet, I love the jewelry with the beans names on it what a great way to have them with you all the time. By the way the Christmas card looked great. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and you and Josh are in our prayers.

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  33. Thanks for such a nice giveaway. I'm new to your blog but look forward to getting to know your journey and future. I love the gift card for the jewelry as I've been wanting some to have my baby near me! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

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  34. Hi Lauren- I am new to your blog and am so glad to have found it. I lost one of my triplets when she was three days old and would love to have a necklace done with her name on it.
    Your blog is beautiful and I am inspired by your posts and the beautiful ways you are remembering your angels.

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  35. Lauren,
    It's nice to meet you. I hate the circumstances, but I wouldn't have gotten very far on this journey without the support and comfort from other baby loss mamas. I am sorry for the loss of your precious babies and hope that you get your rainbow soon and when you are ready.
    Your giveaways are awesome. THank you for taking part in the giveaways--Tina has been awesome getting it together. I truly has helped me thru such a difficult time of year.
    hugs,
    Christy

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  36. I would love to win the headbands! I am always pushing my hair out of my face at the gym! Merry Christmas!
    -Leslie

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  37. I would love to win the tiles- but even if I don't win, I just love the support of the blogging community. I have always said y'all keep me sane :-)

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  38. I agree with Marie; even if there were no winners, the support I am already getting from this community is amazing. I have only been blogging for about 4 months. I love all of the items, but I like #2 the best!

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  39. I would love the necklace! I have seen these on many blogs and they are so adorable. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  40. Happy Blogoversary! I think all of these items are just beautiful giveaways. The necklace because you can keep your angels on you at all times, the headbands because mine always give me the worst headaches and shift during workouts, and of course, the tile, because it is just lovely. I am somewhat new to your page, still reading up... i think the note you got from the anonymous follower is so lovely, what a way to show how loved and supported you are, even by those you don't know are reading. Sending you lots of warm wishes as the holidays approach, whoever wins your giveaways will truly, truly be blessed.

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  41. Lauren,

    I have been reading your blog for several months. You don't know me but you have truly been an inspiration with all you have been through. Me and my husband and struggling with infertility at this time and reading blogs about babies help me get through these hard times.

    I really like the tile. I think it is really beautiful and would make a great gift.

    My email is chessher4485@yahoo.com

    Hope you have a very Happy Holidays.

    Apryl

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  42. Hi Sweetheart,
    This Blog of yours is truly inspirational to me, and as I can see to many others. Even though we don't talk much together about yours and Josh's terrible loss, I feel you are comforted and healthier from the sharing you do with all these dear friends.
    I thank God for you and for Josh and am very grateful for the kind and supportive comments from so many friends, near and far.
    I would like the necklace with your little greenbeans names on them. They'll forever be in my heart as well.
    with love,
    Your Mom and Dad

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  43. I've just read your blog pretty much from the beginning. The necklace is GORGEOUS!

    I also love that peapod ornament, soooo cute! What a beautiful gift :)

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  44. I love the jewelry. Being able to wear my children's names around my neck (wrist, etc.) is very precious...as I am sure you feel so comforted by having your little "beans" near you in the written form at all times :)

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  45. What a fun idea to have a giveaway! And I have to say I've really enjoyed following your blog, even though it was a rough, heartbreaking road, it's been quite inspirational and I think you are absolutely amazing! I'd like to see someone truly deserving win your giveaway! I think the jewelry is the cutest idea!

    kristi.guillory@yahoo.com

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  46. I have been following your blog since shortly before you lost your babies and you are definitely an inspiration. I would love the necklace or the headbands. I have a little one of my own on the way and would love to have one with his name on it. And, I can never get headbands to stay on my head so I'd like to try those!

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  47. I follow your blog and definitely feel connected to you and your loss as another multiples bereaved mama.

    I would love to win the necklace. I would love to have something with my angels names on it and my rainbow baby.

    Thanks for hosting such a wonderful giveaway!

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  48. I would love to have any of them, but my favorite is the gift certificate for the jewelry. I would put all of my kids on them including my angels. I have 4 living children and 2 angels. I pray that you are blessed with more kiddos that live on this earth with you! You will be an amazing mom for all that you have been through....My prayers are with you and Josh as the holidays are tough when you miss your angels so bad. They are bearable when you have kiddos who keep you in the moment and magic!

    Kathleen
    kathleenmires@hotmail.com

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  49. happy blog-a-versary!! I love the embRACE bands!

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  50. Happy Bloggerversary! I was anti-blog too, but then I found this wonderful, inspiring, helpful, group of people, and it completely changed my mind about the internet. I "lost" my first of twin girls at 19 wks, and the second at 22. Im so sorry for your losses. I know how difficult it is to do everythign humalnly possible to save your babies, and then it doesn't happen.
    I love the necklace, I have been looking for a way to honor my girls and my living child all together. It's perfect, and I could keep them all close to my heart.

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  51. OK, what a cute Idea! I love the Warden graphics. I feel bad writing this because I'm sure someone maybe deserves it more....lol but I would enjoy it! It's crazy thats it been a year already.

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  52. Oh I guess I should write the best thing about it... Its just way too cute for its own good and its Pink and black! LOL!!!!

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  53. Happy Blogger-versary Lauren!!! And thank you for doing the giveaways...I know you were going to do it anyway, but I think it was pretty special that the day I happened to assign you was the same day as your blogger-versary. Anyway...all the items are great! If I am lucky enough, I would love to win the tile. It is unique and something I can't do myself. Thanks again, your blog was one of the first ones I found after losing my girls. You are always so positive and inspiring and I love reading your posts!! xx

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  54. Thank you for hosting this giveaway Lauren and Happy Blogger-versary! My favorite item would have to be the Bead Creations International gift certificate. But you are so generous to be giving so much!

    Kat

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  55. I would love to win any of the items that you are giving away (Thank you!), but I would especially cherish winning a gift certificate to create a necklace to honor my family (including the two babies that I lost.)

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  56. Hi Lauren,
    I love your blog...I have been following for a long time now and pray for you guys and your Green Beans often.
    I love the necklace and would love to be entered to win.

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  57. Lauren,

    Happy Blogoversary!!!! I am so glad that you have this blog - you provide so much support and encouragement to so many others...myself included!

    If I were to win, I would love #2 because I have really been wanting to get a piece of memorial jewlery with Vivian and Annemarie's names. But, I would be happy with any of them! They all look wonderful!

    I think of you often and pray for you guys. I imagine that our babies play together in Heaven...and even though I wish MORE than ANYTHING that our babies were here playing instead of in Heaven, it does comfort me to know that I'm not alone in my grief...

    sending you hugs and love for a peaceful Christmas.

    xoxo,
    Erika

    littletinyfootprints.blogspot.com

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  58. not sure if I'm too late or not, my internet was down all day yesterday, but I would love to be entered for the tile - I know just the friend to send it to.

    Praying for you and Josh this week; I cannot imagine how hard it is to have a first Christmas without your babies. ((Hugs from Brazil))

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  59. I love the necklace! I would love to have one with my girls names on it.
    Thinking of you and Josh this week as always as you miss your little one. God bless:)

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  60. Lauren~ What an awsome giveaway! I would love the necklace or the tile. You both are such an inspiration to alot of people. May God Bless you and your family. I can only hope that you have a good holiday. Just remember your 4 beutiful angels are looking down on you 2 on this Holiday.

    Brandi
    mahowalds@yahoo.com

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  61. Hi friend :) Happy blogger-versary! I'd like the Gift cert. Hope all is well on the other side of the country. OH and we will be going to Disney world around April. I'll let you know for sure when we buy our tickets.

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  62. That last comment was from me. I guess I have a different log in??? Weird.

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  63. I would LOVE to win the Bead Creations gift certificate. I would love to get a necklace made up with my childrens name on it.

    I've followed your blog since I first heard about your story (when you lost the babies) and my heart has always gone out to you and your hubby. Although I don't know how you feel as a mother & father from your loss, I do know what the loss feels like from the perspective of an aunt. (My sister and her husband lost triplet boys in May 2008 at almost 24 weeks). You and your husband are always in my heart.

    Love and prayers,
    Christina Gomez

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  64. Hi I am interested in the 1st one! They are so cute!
    I would love it to hang on my door!

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  65. I like the bead creations necklaces - a great way to always keep someone special to you, close to you.

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  66. I love both the tile and necklace! They are both pretty and unique. Great giveaways!

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  67. Hi, I am a lurker but read and pray for you . I love the tile and the necklace is gorgsous too...Thanks! Wendy

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  68. I love the carter and landon charm on the thin snake chain,and in the headbands they were all so cute but I think I like the polka dots. In the tiles I really like the live laugh love one or the letter D. Happy blogaversary!

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  69. Lauren,

    I have been reading your blog for quite a while. Your story and strength inspire me...I am currently in school to be a nurse with a dream of being in the NICU some day. I admire your courage to get through every day!!

    Please enter me for the first two...the tile and the Bead Creations. (My hair does not stay put in any type of head band, so that would not work for me!)

    BTW...I am making your snicker doodle recipe tonight! Can't wait to try them.

    Happy Blogger-versary!!
    Susan
    sschnitzler@nycap.rr.com

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  70. Happy Blogger-versary!!
    Always a reader, almost never a commenter. I didn't know anything about these giveaways! I found you from someone else's page who has also lost a baby. I can't write about my feelings because they are too raw. I am actually a babylost daddy, so I hope I still count? My wife would love any one of these. I'll email my info if I win! Otherwise, just know that men read and share and grow from all of the blogs in this community.

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  71. Happy BLOGGER-VERSARY! I have followed your blog since the time that you lost the Green Beans and pray for your healing.
    The necklace is just beautiful and I would love to have one with my children's names on it. The tile would be a great gift for my best friend as well! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
    esuttle(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  72. First of all, LOVE your blog! Of course, we want to read about you! You're an inspiration hon!

    Second, I can not believe I missed the giveaways! I have to get organized so I can keep up with blogs better. Ugh!

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  73. Happy Blogger-versary, my little Auntie Lo Lo!!

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