So, I recently had my very first giveaway with the help of an awesome lady, Shauna over at Momma Candy. I decided to offer a $50.00 gift certificate as the prize, and was amazed at how much attention our first little giveaway received. With over 600 entries, I'd say it was very much a success!

Dana from Lil Family Blog was our lucky winner randomly chosen for the $50.00 gift certificate to Whole Soul Jewelry. I couldn't be happier for her, and I love what she decided to purchase with her gift certificate!

She also took this AMAZING picture of her new Silver Spoon Necklace. Isn't it beautiful?

Silver Spoon Jewelry - Bee Pendant Necklace (photo by: Lil Family Blog)

                                         
Dana was nice enough to post her gratitude to us in her blog, which by the way, I think you should all check out and follow! You can read the nice things she wrote about in her latest post, Thank you! (to Pumpin Pal, MommaCandy and Whole Soul Jewelry).

So Dana, if you are reading this...Thank YOU for the lovely post! And Shauna, you know you rock, thank you too!

Who's up for another giveaway? What would you like to see as the prize?

Here is the thing, I have so many ideas about topics to post and what-not. And you might be surprised at how many drafts I have piled up right now. I just CAN NOT for the life of me find the time or the words to write them. Grrrr.

Another New Year, another chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh! Today is the first blank page of 364 other pages to live the life you want to live.

 "Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller

No regrets, just chances to learn some new lessons. I do love the sound of that!

In a previous post 2013 Just Around The Corner... I had mentioned a few of my resolutions in brief for 2013. These resolutions included getting organized; a very BROAD resolution because in reality, I really need to get my entire life organized. Yikes. Also included where staying on top of my blogging, staying in better contact with my four siblings and lastly, the most popular resolution of all...exercise! Another yikes.

I'm going to be honest here, I have NEVER been able to keep a resolution. Perhaps it's because I go all gun-ho making every single thing I want to improve in my life exactly that. Well, not this time. I'm going to try and be realistic this year.

I came across a few other blogs that mentioned creating monthly resolutions instead of a bunch for the year. I like this idea, It's just more practical. I still need to keep the ones I have already promised myself, they are indeed important. In addition, I am going to think of a few more and space them out each month. The organization alone could take a year or two!

Here is what I have for the first six months:

• January - Start eating healthy and introduce exercise more regularly. I am hoping that by starting this one first I will become madly addicted to eating right and loosing weight, therefore, I will stick with it! You can't see me, but I am writing this post whilst I enjoy my leftover Christmas Cookies. Fine, so I'll start tomorrow.

• February - Start that organizing! The closet is a mess, the pantry is horrific, the kitchen drawers, laundry room, medicine cabinet, garage, and don't even get me started on the family room or the entire upstairs level of our house. It's simple really, I'll pick one thing at a time here. Perhaps one room a month?

• March - Dust off my garden. Since having two baby boys, and with the back to back pregnancies, I just didn't have the time or energy to nurture my garden. I do miss gardening dearly, and am thinking the boys are old enough to "help" out this year. I am excited about this one. 

• April - Mission Organize Home Office. Nuff said. 

• May- Make use of my camera more often and blog or journal about each day. Where I live, May is one of those months that is always so beautiful. The pretty green grass is starting to grow everywhere and wild flowers are in bloom as far as the eye can see. The weather is still chili, but it is all so beautiful. 

• June - Purge, Purge, Purge. June is hot, so why not take the opportunity to get rid of all that junk I don't need? This resolution falls into the organizing category too. I have so much "stuff" that I need to either sort, throw away or give to good will. I'll need to go through each drawer, cabinet, closest, and dresser for this one.

I can't believe this year is almost over. What better time to add a new blog to my already busy work schedule? Yup, I might be a little crazy. Let's just hope I can stick to it! 

I've been busy bookmarking quite a few interesting blogs to my Google reader and I check them regularly. Sure some people might think that makes me kinda nerdy, but if you’re reading this, you’re probably a lot like me! 

Other than trying to keep up with my new blog, I've got some other New Year's resolutions:

• Get organized! I am a stay at home mother of three busy boys and in addition, I own and run Whole Soul Jewelry myself. You can probably imagine how hectic life might get around here. Our house is pretty much ALWAYS messy and unorganized. 

• Exercise! It seems to be my resolution every year, and I am pretty sure I am not the only one. I purchased Insanity workout from Beach Body last month...we will just have to wait and see what happens there! So far, it's collecting dust. I know, shame on me!

• Stay in better contact with my siblings. I am the oldest of five, we have since grown up and moved away from one another, I sure miss talking to them on a regular basis. With all the social outlets around these days, there isn't really an excuse not too....hence, it's on the list!

It's looking like am really on top of things....so far! Happy New Year everyone!