Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

It was a {Facebook} party!


I had a Facebook party last night, but the beauty of social media is if you missed it, the posts are still there. So, better later than never, come join me on my Facebook page ... and enter some giveaways while you're there. Or I'm linking to all the giveaways here in once place to make your life easier.


by Sara Frankl & Mary Carver AND a $10 Amazon card



"You're Loved No Matter What" by Holley Gerth
"Chasing God" by Angie Smith
"Bread & Wine" by Shauna Niequist



Sweet Birdie Blessings' Spirit of Adoption necklace



Slugs & Bugs' Sing the Bible Vol. 2
Jesus Culture's Let It Echo



Trades of Hope bracelet
Infinity Scarf

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Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Monday, November 17, 2014

Giveaway Goodness :: The After Party


Thanks to all of you who joined me for my inaugural Facebook party! Even if you weren't able to make it, the giveaways will stay open throughout Tuesday and then I'll randomly select winners Wednesday morning.

Here is what you could win ...

"Peace in the Process" & Cinnamon Rolls :: I've shared excerpts from my ebook all over the internet this month. And it's on sale for just $2.99 the rest of this month. BUT someone is going to win a copy of it. AND some homemade cinnamon rolls from my friend Barb. Y'all. Cinnamon rolls are my favorite dessert and Barb's are the best of the best.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


"Love Idol" by Jennifer Dukes Lee & DaySpring Magnets :: Letting go of perfection has been one of my journeys. One of the greatest resources in doing this has been Jennifer Dukes Lee's "Love Idol" book. I spent time earlier this year blogging about this book and its message for my soul. It's become a foundation in so many other messages and lessons from God in my every day life as a wife, mom, believer, writer, and friend.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Ebooks by Britta LaFont, Kayse Pratt & Victoria Osborn :: My writing friends have been such an encouragement to me this year, when I've poured much energy into my blog and self-publishing my ebook. I'm excited to share these three ebooks with you. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Slugs & Bugs' "Under Where?" CDs :: Randall Goodgame and I became friends when I organized some Slugs & Bugs concerts here throughout the past several years. He graciously endorsed my book. Plus he sings a fun song that celebrates adoption

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Copper Anchor 8x10 Print & Magnetic 4x6 Picture Frame and Memo Board :: The lovely Lisa Larson from The Copper Anchor redesigned my blog earlier this month and now she's letting someone choose a print from her shop, which is raising money for her family's adoption. Plus I'm throwing in a magnet picture frame and memo board because I like those kind of things and figured you would too! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


"God Made Light" by Matthew Paul Turner & LIGHT mix CD :: My word this year has been LIGHT. God's used that single word in more ways than I ever expected. I'm always a sucker for a good children's book. Matthew Paul Turner self-published this lovely book that I'm gifting to more than one child in my life for Christmas. So I wanted to gift someone this book plus a mix CD of some songs that have encouraged me this year. {This book and accompanying night light, note cards and puzzle are also available at DaySpring.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Trades of Hope Bracelet :: My friend Becky sells Trades of Hope items that educate and empower women all over the world. I liked Becky's description of this specific bracelet; "The Uganda wrap bracelet is made of paper beads. It's a bouncy wrap that's fun to wear and fun to play with, as my boys have proven.". 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


{You can find all these giveaways and the associated chatter on my Facebook page. I'd love to connect with you there too.}
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Want more stories? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Monday, July 22, 2013

Thumbs up for a giveaway!

Long ago when a friend dared me to blog long before blogging was cool, I kept hearing one conversation from "You've Got Mail" in my head when I tried to think of a name. Admittedly, I've never been good with titles or headlines. And, you know, if we get to have another baby and it's a boy, I'm not sure he'll ever have a name. Yet, long ago, I managed to name my blog. And both the name and the blogging endeavor have stuck.

Thank you, Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly from "You've Got Mail."

Joe Fox: So what's his handle?
Kathleen Kelly: Uh...
Joe Fox: I'm not going to write him. Is that what you're worried about? You think I'm going to e-mail him?
Kathleen Kelly: [beat] All right, NY152.
Joe Fox: N-Y-one-five-two. One hundred and fifty-two. He's a hundred and fifty-two years old. He's had one hundred and fifty-two moles removed, so now he's got one hundred fifty-two pock marks on his... on his face...
Kathleen Kelly: The number of people who think he looks like Clark Gable.
Joe Fox: One hundred and fifty-two people who think he looks like a Clark *Bar*.
Kathleen Kelly: [laughing] Why did I even tell you about this?
Joe Fox: A hundred and fifty-two stitches from his nose job. The number of his souvenir shot glasses that he's collected in his travels.
Kathleen Kelly: No! The number... the numb... his address? No! No, he would never do anything that prosaic. ...
Joe Fox: Mr. 152 Felony indictments.
Kathleen Kelly: Mr. 152 insights into my soul.
Joe Fox: Oh yeah. No competing with that.
{From "You've Got Mail"}

So, well, I thought it would be fun to giveaway a prize {or two!} when my blog page on Facebook reached 152 likes. You know, it seemed like an appropriate number. I'm at 99 now as I'm writing this post. Want to help get me there?

And when we get there, I've got a prize for two of you. One of you will get that prize package of some of my favorite things {see, there, to the left ...} and another one of you will get a copy of "You've Got Mail."

By "you" I mean anyone who "likes" 152 Insights to My Soul on Facebook. Two winners will be selected randomly when that little thumbs up shows 152. 

This has all gotten me wondering how did you come up with your blog name or what would you name your blog, you know, should you ever, hypothetically, have one?
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Edited on 9.18.13 :: We did it! We have 152 likes. Well, actually, it's at 154 right now. Thanks, friends, for supporting this blog by reading and liking and sharing. Heidi Lara and Tracy Dyke are the winners of the giveaways!

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

May, you were marvelous ...

Um, May, where did you go?

My favorite month of the year flew by. At least we have much fun to show for it. Cate turned 4. And we had a fun party. We spent a long weekend in Louisville, celebrating my brother's wedding. We also went to Churchill Downs and visited with family. And then we spent Memorial Day weekend at Kentucky Lake for the second year in a row. Consider it a new tradition.

And those are just the Hill family highlights. One of my favorite parts was having my sister and brother-in-law in the country for much of that! In fact, I spent three of the four weekends in May with some portion of my family. I consider that a blessing.

Other May activities included a date for my 32nd birthday, a baby shower for a dear friend and another friend's birthday party. Plus we picked strawberries and finished out Cate's first year of preschool. Add to all those celebrations the ordinary life with a 4-year-old girl and 18-month-old boy, and I found myself rather busy.

So busy, I haven't even gotten to share some of it with you, blog readers. So, here I go ...

We had a good time socializing at L&N Wine Bar for the rehearsal dinner. My dinner -- grilled salmon served on top of grits and with asparagus -- was delicious.

We got our nails done. It was Cate's first nail salon experience. She was quiet while we were there, but has talked about it many times since.

Laine was a beautiful, beautiful bride. We're happy she's officially a Hill after already being part of the family for years. And below you can see the two colors of bridesmaid dresses mixed together. It looked lovely. My 4-year-old Cate took that picture below too. Good eye, sweet girl!

And there's the attempt at the family photo while we're all dressed up. Could be better, but it certainly could be worse.
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The thing I loved about Laine and Kevin planning a Friday night wedding was it left Saturday and Sunday to spend with family in a less busy setting. Greg and my brother-in-law Zac had never been to Churchill Downs, so we spent the afternoon watching some horse races.

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And then there was Memorial Day weekend at Kentucky Lake, which included ...

... jet ski rides. Cate told me, "I went super-duper fast when Daddy drove. It made my belly tickle." Clearly, he's the better jet ski driver!

... messy boys. Ben and Jax have a couple things in common. They both have sensitive skin and messy, messy boys. Aunt Cassie didn't care about their messes and posted with them. The unintentional coordinating outfits were too cute -- and messy! -- to pass up.

... s'mores. Cate preferred her s'more to be in eaten in pieces, which proved messy.

... more cuddling and playing.

... facing one's fear and letting go. Cate was nervous about swimming in the lake, even though she's done it before. She just had to work up her confidence here at the beginning of summer.

... pep talks from Aunt Cassie. Really, wearing a pink life jacket isn't the worst thing in the world, even for a handsome boy.
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I can't say I'm sad to look at clearer June and July calendars, but, May, you were fun, while you lasted. And so I don't forget you, I took plenty of pictures throughout the month, especially at the wedding.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas there

There are all sorts of things and people to see and hear at the Hill family Christmas.

Just look at those handsome boys. It's my brother holding my son and my nephew. Jax was into interacting with Ben while we were having our Christmas there Thursday night.

Milla read this story to Cate. I loved, loved, loved listening to her read the entire book. I can't believe she's going to be 7 in less than two weeks!

Aunt Cassie struck gold with this gift. Yep, a 10-color pen. Remember those? Cate sure takes after her momma, who would be equally excited about a new pen ... or pens. In fact, I got some of my favorite pens from my husband.

I think it's funny Ben's expression resembles that of the baby on the box.
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You want to see more pictures? You can.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I had an idea to have a birthday party for Jesus. I was thinking we'd do it on Christmas Eve. Just our family of four. You know, start a new tradition.

And any tradition that involves cake is likely to be a good one.

Then I started thinking about how friends come to birthday parties. Even my 3 1/2-year-old girl knows that.

So we had a birthday party last night for Jesus with friends.

Six adults.

Seven kids.

One delicious cake.

One Christmas story.

A new tradition born.

Greg read the Christmas story.

Courtney made a delicious cake.

There was typical party noise.

And there were gifts.
For people we care about.
From the people who love us.
All because Jesus is love.
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There are some more pictures here, if you're interested.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Branson

We went on vacation last week with Greg's mom, his two brothers and their families. That means there were six kids ranging in age from 6 1/2 years old to not quite 4 months old. [All but the smallest are pictured above.] It was a fun week and a great time of the year to get away from everyday life. This is the second time in two years we've been to Branson. Consider it a tradition.

The weather gorgeous. It was cool at the beginning of the week and heated up as the week went on. But it was sunny the whole time.

We did really well getting family photos ...

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Dogwood Canyon Nature Park was a pretty, pretty area. It's on the Missouri-Arkansas border and has trout-filled streams, a scenic walking/biking trail and a tram ride that goes through a prairie that is home to deer, elk, bison and longhorns.

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Ride the Ducks showed us around the entertainment district and Table Rock Lake ... and provided noisemakers!

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The Branson Scenic Railway wasn't what I thought it was going to be. But it was still the first train ride for Cate, Ben and me.
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Silver Dollar City was the place to be in the middle of the week. The kids could ride rides [that sounds funny ...] continuously, sometimes without even getting back in line, because the majority of the people were there were more into crafts than the rides. I like crafts, but I love amusement park rides.

Cate got to ride her first roller coaster ...

... and plenty of other rides.

Greg and I loved this ride ...

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I also was happy to eat at a restaurant we discovered two years ago when we were there.

While waiting for our table, Cate said, "The geese are calling me." Of course.
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There are many, many more photos here, if you want to look.