Wednesday, June 10, 2015

My 10 Favorite Posts from the Last 4.5 Years + A $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

I've been writing this little blog for over 4 years now, and I have loved having a place to document memories and connect with other people.

Sometimes those connections are over simple, silly things like the best new ice cream I've tried or what I'm cooking in the kitchen on a given week; and other times, they're more personal, more meaningful topics like when I shared about our journey to get pregnant and the heartache we experienced when our first pregnancy ended so differently than we had imagined it in our minds.

Throughout these four years, certain posts have stuck with me for various reasons. Some because they were just fun to write and others because writing them helped me process a certain stage of experience in my life.

So today, I'm sharing the 10 posts that have stuck with me the most in these past 4 1/2 years of blogging- my little online journal of sorts. 

And at the bottom of this post, a thank you of sorts to you sweet people who read what I write and make me feel like what I have to share is at least halfway interesting. I appreciate you!

1.
I wrote this post after a very scary incident with my mom's health. Writing it helped me reflect on everything I appreciated and took granted in my own life and in my faith in Christ.

2.
These two dressers were repurposed for Ryan's nursery two years before he would need them, but the process of making them over was such a fun time with my mom and such an unexpected experience for this non-handy, non-crafty gal. :)

3.
For whatever reason I just had a fun time writing this post. The situation I got myself into to was so awkward and hilarious and embarrassing that writing it out made me relive those moments and laugh all over again.

4.
I hate to sound cheesy (but then again that's just me, so I should probably just get over it), but I was really proud of this post. Traveling is such a passion of ours and taking the time to write about our travel tips along with a list of places we have been and would like to go was really fun for me. It also made me think about things we do when we travel that may be helpful for other people. Plus I like looking back at this post and remembering trips we've taken over the years. :)

5.
This trip came the weekend after we found out we had miscarried. Being with family and our week old pup (week old to us but 8 weeks old in reality) was the best medicine for us. I still feel so thankful for the memories we made on this trip.

6.
This was our first trip (aside from the camping trip) as a family of three. ;)
We have so many sweet memories from this trip and loved every minute of our weekend there.

7.
Writing this post and the one that followed it was good for my soul. God was doing such a work on my heart during that season in my life. So much so that reading it back now, I feel surprised by how "that person" prepared for and responded to life at the time. In a lot of ways I feel like a completely different person from my pre-pregnancy, pre-baby days. Reading this back only affirms the journey that God has brought me on and makes me so grateful for the truth that His plan is always better than my own.

8.
Our last trip together before our lives became so much better than we could have even imagined. This was such a sweet getaway for us as we prepared for Ryan's arrival; we'd love to be able to plan a short little trip for just the two of us each time we're preparing for a new addition to our family.

9.
I was so exited about the way Ryan's nursery turned out. The time that friends and family spent on making different things for his room meant so, so much to me. Whenever we move, this will be the room that I will be the saddest to take down.

10.
Ahhh... I tear up every time I see this picture. I pictured this moment in my mind for so long, and then it happened. I got to meet my baby. And he was perfect. All in, my labor was 3 minutes shy of 24 hours- but the minute I saw his face, I was ready to do it all again.


And now for the giveaway! 

I chose four of my favorite places, and the winner will get to choose which gift card they would like to receive.

- Starbucks (duh)
- Amazon (if I could grocery shop on Amazon, I would)
- TJ Maxx (also good at Homegoods and Marshalls)
- Bath & Body Works (it's about time for me to restock on my candles and Stress Relief products- so many good options at this store!)

To enter, just leave a comment below this post. 

A winner will be announced Monday morning!
 Winner selected using random.org

To see previous Ten on the 10th posts, click here.

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29 comments:

  1. Camping is my favorite post! What a little cutie dog! Thanks for the giveaway chance and happy blogging!

    koukkunokka@anvianet.fi

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  2. Your posts are always so honest and positive! It's a real joy to read.

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  3. Love reading about your journey, your tips, and seeing pictures of that sweet baby Ryan!!

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  4. Oh my goodness, what a great post!!! And those puppy shots of Tally??? Adorable!

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  5. such an awesome nursery @ cindygaarder@gmail.com

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  6. Such a beautiful nursery :) would love to win the giveaway! :) I love all of those places.

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  7. I love these posts! I feel like we're in the same stage of life.

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  8. Your smile for your birth picture is radiant! The joy is clear!

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  9. I love Ryan's birth story and his nursery is amazing!

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  10. I've read most of these posts as I've been a reader for a few years. Congrats on four years and thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  11. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Congrats on the milestone

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  12. Looks like lots of great memories! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love all of your posts Heather! Makes me so happy to hear your weekly updates!

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  14. What a great recap of your best memories - fun to see again! I'm so in love with Marshall's - I'd pick the TJ Maxx card.

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  15. I feel like a proud mom - and friend- reading through these... And realizing I walked along side you through the majority of them! : )

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  16. Great list, and many more to come. :-)

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  17. Oh my goodness I love how cute this post is! I found your blog probably 2 years ago and it inspired ME to start blogging!! (true story) In many ways I feel like you and I could be great friends if we lived near each other. I find myself saying "me too!" when I read some of the things you write...and because of the Palmetto Bluff post that you did, It's on my list of places to go to with my husband! I'd totally love the Amazon gift card to buy more books! Just finished Seans book and now I need a new one!

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  18. Baby Tally and Ryan's birth = all the puffy heart eyes!

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  19. It is always fun to read through old blogs posts! Totally the best part of having a blog year after year. Thanks for sharing your favorites!

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  20. Loved reading some of these posts! So glad to have found your blog :)

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  21. I adore your blog and you! Whether it's relating about our human-like lab pups or sharing confessions and B&J ice cream favs :) thanks so SO much for being so open and honest over these past 4 years
    xo

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  22. Hi! I am enjoying your blog! Your appetizer recipes are awesome! thank for a chance to win!!

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  23. Love the camping post. I would love to go camping sometime this year. - shaunie
    thefiggtree@yahoo.com

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  24. Love your blog simple & straightforward :)

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  25. All the baby stuff (even baby Tally stuff)! Love your blog and the honesty you share about your life.

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