WOOT! WOOT! ARE YOU READY FOR A GIVEAWAY?????

If so, head on over to my photography blog,

Ohilda Bombardier Photography,

The prize is uber cool! Yup, I said, UBER cool!

YAY! We have a winner!!!

(Please remember to scroll to the bottom to turn off background music.)

(Sorry that it sounds like I'm yelling. I'm really not. Really. The mike in this little recording gadget isn't great, and to top it off, it faces whoever is recording and that would have been....ME!)

Congratulations, Cari! I just know your sweet Cali is going to love the books!

Email me your address and I will get your package out ASAP!

Hurry! Hurry!

YOU ONLY HAVE FOUR HOURS LEFT TILL THE CLOSE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHILDRENS' BOOKS

GIVEAWAY! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!!!

because I love you....

...and as a thank you for praying for my little ones and for our family while they were so sick, it's time to give back! As much as I'd love to give you all a great big smooch, that ain't gonna happen. So, how about a giveaway for your little ones? You don't have little ones? How about gifting someone else with your prize?

Easy.

Peasy.

All you have to do is leave me a comment and there ya go...you're in!

Also, if you put it on your blog and link back here, then you've got yourself TWO entries. (Just be sure to let me know in your comment that you are doing so and your blog address.)

Now, what am I giving away?

Not one, but TWO, adorable Christian children's books. The first is God Created Me and the second is God Is My Friend.

I bought these to read to my little ones while they were suffering from cabin fever during their illness. They loved 'em so much that I decided to go back to the store this morning and pick a couple up for YOU!

Now hurry and leave your comment because the "comments section" will be closed at midnight on Friday, October 2nd!

There ya have it. From me to YOU, because I love you!

WINNERS! WINNERS! WOOT! WOOT!

Sorry it took so long to post. It's been a busy day at the Bombardier household.

Be sure when watching the video to disregard the tired, sun-drenched name pickers. A day at the beach will do that to you! Hence their lack of enthusiasm. They really are happy for you!!!! (Ssshh...So am I! The winners turned out to be 3 of my favorite readers!!)

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CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Please email me HERE to let me know your prize choice and address.

Remember that the first name picked chooses any of all three, THE SCC CD, THE PED-EGG OR THE BOOK.

the 2nd winner chooses any of the two items left

and

the 3rd winner will be sent the remaining item.

Enjoy and thank you for joining in on the fun.

hurry! tonight's the night!

This is your last chance to enter the TRIPLE GIVEAWAY.

The comments section will be closed at midnight tonight.

So, if you want to try your luck at winning some cool stuff, click HERE and leave a comment, or two....or three. :)

Have fun and good luck!

Winners will be announced tomorrow.

it's a triple!

As a big 'ole thank you for all of your prayers and in celebration of Kai's recovery and healing, IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME....and it's a TRIPLE!

This ain't no run-of-the-mill giveaway either. I've decided to make this giveaway a little "fun", because, you know, I'm sorta crazy like that!

Are you game? Cool!

This giveaway is kind of special to me because I'm giving away three things that I own myself and LOVE them all! Of course, you get new ones.

Ready? Here we go!

The first item is something all of us adopted Mamas love. A Steven Curtis Chapman CD!

Yep. And not just any SCC CD, but the Cinderella Edition, with 2 versions of the hit song, Cinderella! Definitely something every Daddy needs to dance with their little girls to in the living room.

The next item I've been wanting to give away for a while. Remember THIS now infamous AJ story? Well, I just knew that a Ped-Egg had to be on the list of items. This particular Ped-Egg is pretty cool because like SCC's CD, it's a Special Edition. It's Pink! And it helps raise money for breast cancer research! WOOT! WOOT!
And last but not least, I really wanted to give something away that might change a heart or a life. The book, Gianna: Aborted… and lived to tell about it, was the perfect item to bring awareness to what our country is going through right now with Mr. Ultra-Extreme-Radical-Liberal Obama at the helm. (Sorry, I couldn't help slipping that in there!)

This is a true, gripping story about a baby, Gianna Jensen, who at 24 weeks gestation was injected with high-concentrated saline solution with the intent to kill her. After hours of suffering, she survived. She is now an advocate for those that have no voices. Her moving story cannot help but make you think twice about the reality of abortion.

There you have it!

Now the rules! (This is the part where you have to pay attention!)

You have the opportunity to win any of these. The first winner will get first choice, the second winner will get second choice and well, the third winner will get whatever is left. :)

It's easy. All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment! If you do not have a blog, make sure you leave me an email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner.

WAIT!

DON'T GO RUNNING TO COMMENT YET!

THERE'S MORE!


BONUS:

You can get a SECOND ENTRY by answering this question correctly.

"What was the name of the song that Scott, my Mom and myself sang with a Christian Chinese man when we were invited into his house as we toured Kai's birth city?"

DOUBLE BONUS FOR A TRIPLE ENTRY!


I noticed that my little "Follower gadget" on the side has made it to the number 100!!! I am in awe of that! I remember when I first put it on the sidebar and wondered if anyone besides my Mom, sister or Scott would read my blog! As a thank you to all of you that have added yourselves as a follower, please leave me an ADDITIONAL comment telling me you're a follower and you will get a THIRD ENTRY!!!

Anyone can enter, but do so fast because there will be no more entries accepted after midnight next Friday, May 8.

The winners will be announced on Saturday morning, May 9th!!!

We have not one, but TWO winners!

*Remember to scroll down and turn off background music before watching video.

My precious 'name drawer', A.J.

(I apologize for sounding like I'm yelling. I'm still struggling with the fact that my new FLIP's microphone is so sensitive and of course, right next to me when I speak. I really wasn't yelling.)

Congrats, Sara and Sherri! I hope you enjoy the magazine and get lots of great ideas from it for fun things to do as a family.

Next week I'll be posting a list of all the neat things you shared that you all do with your own families!

A "Let's Celebrate Family" GIVEAWAY!

There is so much we have to be thankful for and the more I think back on 2008 as we close off the year, the more I think it's time that families continue to unite. Family values are so very important, especially to our children and it's something that our society is losing quickly.

In the crazy and frazzled world we live in, where time is crunched and parents are struggling with finances and the economy, kids many times get lost in the shuffle.

My heart believes we need to spend more. Not more money, but more quality time with our kids. It's as easy as doing little things such as eating dinner around the table as a family, having a "family fun night" once a week where you choose a family movie, make popcorn and sit in PJs on the family room floor, maybe camping-out in the backyard, or having a half-hour of reading time as a family where everyone chooses their favorite books and sits and reads to themselves or to each other as a family. You can have a game night playing board games anything from Trivial Pursuit to Candyland or creating yummy and simple snacks that are fun and silly.

I'm sure many of you already do these type of activities. But to make it a bit easier, I thought I would GIVE AWAY something that would help come up with ideas.

So, in celebration of my site hitting 100,000 visits (since I opened it June 10, 2007), of us ringing in a New Year and most importantly, in celebration of families, I am giving away ::drum roll::

(2) - ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO

FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE!

In order to enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment sharing an idea of a fun activity you do with your kiddos! Easy as that. You're still waiting for a little one? No problem! Leave a comment about what fun activity you have planned for him or her. Kids grown? Don't worry. You can pass along the magazine as a gift to someone with young 'uns or you can keep it for ideas to do with the grandkids! And of course, this is a great time for my loyal lurkers to come out and say, "Hi!" When the drawing is over, I will then make a future post with all those great ideas to share with everyone else. Sound good?

The drawing will be held on Saturday morning, January 10 and no more comments will be received after midnight on the 9th! So don't put off entering!

I know you'll love the magazine and you have a double the chances of winning since there will be TWO winners!!! (Remember to leave me an email address if you don't have a blog so that I can reach you if you win.)

TO ALL MY WONDERFUL BLOGGY FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Don't forget...

...to go back HERE and leave a comment!

You may have visited Cecelia's site this week and found some "Blogger alert". If so, no worries!It's all cleared up and our wonderful host is anxious to find out who she will be Breaking Bread with this week! It may be YOU!

Also, spread the word to your bloggy buddies so they can share in the fun and see how God uses His people to do His work. I love this idea!

How COOL is this?

I know this is last minute and I apologize for posting it so late, but I've been out most of the day. I came home to an email from a very sweet sister in Christ that has been moved by God to "Break Bread" in the form of a giveaway. You've got to read what she's doing! I am humbled and blessed.

Take a minute and go Breaking Bread Together and be sure to leave a comment. You gotta hurry though, since the first giveaway ends at midnight tonight! It really is a unique site and I hope the idea of Breaking Bread spreads, especially while times are so tough for so many!

AND THE WINNER IS......

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On a lighter note....

I think I may have left you all last night with a feeling that things are disastrous here. I can assure you, they're not. For the most part, we are a very happy, busy family with a wrench or two thrown in once in a while. Hey, makes life not boring, right?

There are 3 things I want to say today:

1) I want to answer a couple of questions I've been asked.

a) Do I have regrets about bringing Anna Grace home? You guys know my blatant honesty. The answer to this question is very clearly, "NO!" I have no regrets. Maybe if you would have asked me 2 months after she was home, I'd have waivered. But now, she is MY daughter. I couldn't imagine life without her, as crazy as that sounds. When she's asleep or quietly doing something that she has her guard down, I could sit and watch her for hours. She's beautiful. She's sweet. She's loving. And she also has attachment issues. We all have our issues. That's hers. There is a hope and there is treatment. It's a slow, long process. But I would feel like there is a hole in my heart if she weren't in my life. "Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30:4-5

b) Does Ann Grace have RAD (reactive attachment disorder)? No. Anna Grace definitely has mild to moderate attachment issues, but not RAD. Anna Grace has come a very long way and she is so close to being able to let herself love. There is a barrier there that we must break. I am confident it will happen, with God's strength and mercy. When it does, I know her heart will be mine as mine will be hers. She definitely has the ability to love fiercely, that's why she is hurting.

c) How do it I do it? I laughed when I read this because the answer is, "I don't know." Sometimes I think I don't do it. Actually, not true. I DO know. I do it through Christ who strengthens me. Writing out yesterday's post made me see even more how I need to lean on Him for everything. I don't know why I continue to carry this burden when He is there just waiting for me to say, "Take this from me." All I need to do is turn around and walk away. That's a lot harder than it sounds. Not sure why I want to hold on to it, but I'm slowly learning. Also, journaling my thoughts and knowing we are being prayed for when I don't have the strength to pray myself has been very helpful in getting me through the dark moments.

I really owe many of you so much! Your emails filled with scripture and love and the sharing of your own stories have filled my heart up. I know I'm not alone. I am back in the game! So, watch out, Anna Grace, because your Mama is gonna love you BIG forever 'n ever, girl.

2) I also want to mention how God totally knew that I badly needed some "sign" from Him that He is here. After posting about the song, "Go light Your World" and telling you about the song "thief's" email. I got this comment back from her. (Sally, thank you so much for affirming to me that it was God's hand involved in yesterday's little miracle!)

From the blog song thief herself, I have to say your post moved me today like no other on any blog I have read before. First for your honesty and candor about what it is like to parent a child with attachment issues (BTDT) and second, knowing that somehow God used me to help reveal His presence to you through this difficult attachment process. The miracle of it all is that I rarely ever post on someone's blog that I do not know. I do not know your story as I had just found your blog and then immediately stole your song, but your authenticity begs me to come back for more! Thank you for the post!


I want everything I do to honor and glorify our God. When I posted yesterday's post, I felt I would be judged and be frowned upon in my role as a mother. I also knew that I had prayed about posting something so private. Yet, God filled me with peace that I was doing what He wanted. Where do you think the "bad" feelings came from? I followed through and refused to let Satan steal my joy and worse yet, not allow me to share my "light" with thsoe around me! Who was glorified in the end? Our mighty God!

My dear friend, Kim, sent me this verse: "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1John 4:4) And all I gotta say is, "Amen, sister!"

3) Lastly, I want to remind you all that tonight at midnight is the last opportunity to participate in the giveaway. I am so excited!!! Anna Grace will draw a name from the bunch tomorrow morning and I will video tape it and announce the winner! My little spitfire may even have a bow on. :)

If you haven't participated yet and want to join in on the fun. Scroll to the top of the page and click under the header! Hurry....do it now!

God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and support.

What girl can't use a new handbag?

Check this out. To celebrate their launch, Handbag Planet is giving away one handbag away every hour for 24 hours on October 15. Go ahead and enter.

If you link to your own blog you will receive 25 entries to the contest. All of the bags range in price from $30 to $80. You never know.....

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!

I've never done this on my blog but know that many others do. It's such a great idea, especially because it's an incentive for those lurkers who I love hearing from to come out of hiding. This is your chance and you may just be a winner! Of course, my regular readers are invited (and expected) to join in the fun.

I've been thinking about what prize to give away. This is what I came up with. I've decided to give away something that has truly touched my heart. (Sorry, I'm not giving away the hubby or the kids).

This was the very first book that I read when we began our journey into the world of adoption. I was riveted to it and ended up reading the entire book in less than 3 days. I just could not put it down!


The Strength of Mercy tells the story of how God led the Beazely "family to Romania in search of one special child", and eventually to assist countless families in the same pursuit through their agency All God's Children International. They vividly share the heartaches and joys, along with the miracles that God created along the way.

At the time I read this book, I was ready to run with the baton even though I couldn't see the finish line. The book reminded me of the importance of waiting patiently on God. I know. Easier said than done. But, this family did just that, and God DID reveal his plans for them and accomplish His purposes, for His glory.

It is also a great example for us mothers. The author and her husband have to make some difficult parenting choices. The choices that they are faced with cause one to reflect on what our real goals are for our children. If they decide to break away from the plans that we had for them, will we be able to support them? To give them back to God when he calls them? The Beazely story is truly incredible, as Kay Arthur states in the forward: "There is something significant in this story for you!"

So, if you haven't read it and are ready to be moved to the core of your soul while following one special family's adoption journey, this is what you do. Leave me a comment (with an email address if you don't have a blog so I can contact you if you are winner). It's that easy! The giveaway ends on Friday, October 3rd, at midnight!

By the way, you will be receiving a brand, spankin' new copy that I have purchased, since I am not about to give away my copy. :0

I promise you that you will love the book! Good luck!