Happy Birthday to ME! (and prizes too!)

Hello dear bloggers!
Once again, I must send my apologies for my absence. On the day of my last post, I heard word that my grandfather had passed away. We immediately drove home to FL and spent a week with family to be a support and honor the memory of my grandfather. When we finally got home it was a whirlwind of decorating and cleaning before having our first little party at our new house.
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But enough of my apologies... I am choosing to celebrate my birthday week on my blog! :) My birthday is tomorrow and even though I haven't gotten my stamping stuff out of boxes yet... I think a celebration is still in order. Often you see me paying tributes to loved ones while showcasing their custom-made card. Well, today I thought I would highlight some of the cards in my personal pile that I can't let go of.
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I have ALWAYS loved getting cards on my birthday! My cards adorned the mantle or cluttered my school desk in my room and often stayed up past the Christmas decorations! :) I love to read the kind words and see who remembered me on my day. AND I have the HARDEST time throwing away my birthday cards! So I often have a little pile from each year hidden in a drawer somewhere. While I am not as organized as I would like to be, and I know there are many other graet cards hidden away, I figured I would share these with you all!
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ABOVE, was a sweet little card from some pals in my Drama Class back in 2000. Remember the days BEFORE cardmaking was a huge industry, and those of us crafty gals would rip up pieces of magazines and bust out the crayons and stickers?! Love those days!

Here we have another card from one my dear dear BFFS! Aww, Julie K. (now Salcedo). She and I were like PB & J throughout high school. She is goofy, silly, creative, loves the Lord, such an encourager, and she always knew how to speak my love language! She gave great hugs and kept my awake through my physics class! God, Bless that woman! Later, though, Julie and I went to UCF together where we faced the world of big town Orlando as two little 18 year old girls from a much smaller town! I retreated to her dorm when needing advice, and I helped her find her car when it was "lost" in the ucf parking garage. Julie was also my maid of honor in my wedding, and such a source of support for so many years! Below is the long note and parade of stickers and silly notes attached that was on the inside of the card. I love her dearly!!
Back in 2008 I asked for a weekend trip for my birthday! I heard that Joyce Meyer was having her FREE conference tour in Tampa, FL and I knew we could crash at my brother's college apartment since he goes to USF. We got a babysitter for Noah over in Tampa for the time we were in the conference sessions. And boy did we have an AWESOME time! Wow! First of all, I was SUPER blessed when one of the conference staff chose me, my brother, and my husband to go backstage and meet the whole Hillsong Band! I was beside myself. My brother was grinning ear to ear, and my husband was sprinting from the parking lot to get there without missing his chance to meet the worship team. I have a picture on my phone of me, Luke, and Darlene, (pictured on the left below) looking all like we are buddies! Yeah, then when I profusely thanked the staffer for hooking us up, she blessed us again with FRONT row seats, on the floor! Boo-YEAH! It was Soooo awesome!
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This conference changed my life! Not because I got super blessed with backstage passes and great seats... but it was the first time I ever heard about HUMAN TRAFFICKING. Joyce Meyer Ministries is doing a LOT to help combat human trafficking, but overseas and in our own country! When they showed the video introducing the topic, I honestly sobbed in my chair for about fifteen minutes. My eyes were opened, and on the way home, I told my husband, "we have to do something about this. We can't just go on living our lives like nothing happened. Something has to change." That was a pivotal moment in my life. I am greatful for all that Joyce Meyer Ministries has done to encourage me and rescue so many others!Here was a fun card I got from my mother-in-law back in 2008. I just CAN'T get rid of it! I love the green flower she cut out with her pazzle, and the Stamping Bella image and sentiment is just so HAPPY. :)AND, below is another card creation from Gail, my mother-in-law. This was my card from 2009.
Last year, I was in Colorado Springs for my birthday. We were living there for the year while my husband attended the NLC, New Life School of Worship. So with ALL my family 2000 miles away, it was sooo nice to get cards and presents wrapped up in the mail! I kept those cards out for a LONG time! I loved the many layers and girly colors on this card! Gail always makes awesome cards! Well, I think that is enough for my parade of cards for today!
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BUT, how can you have a Birthday Party without PRESENTS?!?!
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>> SO, I am giving away a goodie bag with stamping treats AND my new "Embellishments" stamp set!
>> Just leave a comment on my blog between now and Friday, Nov. 12 and you will be eligible for the prize! The winner will be anounced on Monday, Nov. 15!!
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Have a happy crisp and cool week! It's a high of 60 degrees in Southport today, and I am eating pumpkin bread like there's no tomorrow! :)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!