Blog Swap || The Hudson Foundation and Giveaway

I'm swapping blogs today with Ashley from Flats to Flip Flops!  

Ashley and her husband founded The Hudson Foundation, Inc. to help couples who are dealing with infertility to be able to afford In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures.  This is dear to my heart and I'm talking about my story on her blog today.

  My name is Ashley and I blog over at flats to flip flops about fashion and life as a mom to two little one's!  But I also co-founded a non profit organization called The Hudson Foundation, Inc earlier this year.

See, our story starts, probably, much like your own.  Girl meets boy.  They fall in love, get married, and plan an amazing future with 2.5 kids, 1 dog and a house with a white picket fence.

But we learned that life doesn't always turn out how we plan.

We thought, like all of our friends and family, that starting our family would be a cinch.  I mean, you decide to go for it and it happens, right?  You just have to make the decision of when.

Well, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months and then 1 year later, there was no baby and my gut was telling me something was wrong.

We met with doctor's, got on meds, got off meds, got diagnosed, got re-diagnosed, and met with more doctor's.

2 years later we needed a break AND a vacation.

And then it happened,

WE WERE PREGNANT!

Miracles!

And high fives all around.

We started to talk names and nurseries and all things baby.

And then I started spotting, and the spotting turned into bleeding and the doctor said

"You need to come in now."

And after 8 weeks of pregnancy, it was over and we were left empty.

Slowly the darkness lifted and we saw things differently.

At least we knew that we could get pregnant, and maybe we could get pregnant again.

That's when we hit treatments full force. Shots, medications, ultrasounds, and 3 1/2 hour road trips to see our doctor became our life.

And in April of 2007 we decided to go big or go home.

We started In Vitro Fertilization.

The process was long and hard, but we knew this was it, our last hope.

In January 2008, we were blessed with our miracle son.

 Thanks to IVF.

After our experience, we always knew we wanted to be able to help couples in the same situation.  You see, 5 million couples struggle with infertility.  And of those 5, 2 million will never even get the opportunity to achieve pregnancy without IVF.

And the cost of IVF is not cheap, my friends!

It can cost anywhere between-$10,000-$15,000.

So for a lot of couples this is not a reality.

Not even close.

That's where The Hudson Foundation comes in.

We want to give HOPE to couples struggling with infertility.

We have set up The Mission Hope Grant that helps couples financially with their infertility treatments.

 

We can't imagine what our life would be like if the cost of IVF had prevented us from going for it.

We.can't.even.imagine.

So please check out our website, our store or follow us on facebook or twitter.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to Salena  for letting us share our story on her blog today!

Don't forget to visit me here over at Ashley's today after you enter the giveaway!  =)

Ashley is giving away this hand stamped Hope Necklace to one lucky follower!  If you just have to have one and don't want to wait to see if you win, head on over to the shop and purchase your own here.

RULES:

• You MUST be a follower of this blog to enter giveaways.
• Complete both mandatory entries to be entered. Extra optional entries will be unlocked.
• Don't forget to come back daily to complete the daily entries. More entries means more chances to win!

GOOD LUCK!!

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Five Simple Things You Can Do to Clear Your Mind || Embrace Your Life || Guest Post

Today I have Cassie back from Embrace Your Life with some simple tips to clear your mind.  If you haven't heard of Embrace Your Life, you need to check it out.  

Hey yall! I'm Cassie the owner and writer of Embrace Your Life.

"Life is not a matter of milestones...but of moments" -- Unknown

Here at Embrace YOUR Life is all about embracing the beauty of this amazing journey through life. We all struggle; we all have pain & hurt. We all have joy & triumph. It’s part of living. But here at Embrace YOUR life we want you to live life with a passion. 

We hope to give you a brighter outlook on the journey in front of you. Here we will laugh & we will cry together! We will embrace life with a passion for every goal reached, every step taken, every set back, every fear. At Embrace Your Life, we want you to be able to look at life through new eyes! Here, we try to find the brighter outlook in a world of dark.

While I write for embrace your life, we have a wonderful group of women who write for EYL as well. Digger, Sarah & Mandy. I am so thankful to have them apart of EYL! Today I am going to share five simple things you can do to clear your mind. 

1. Write your thoughts down. This is one way to make the mind a little less chaotic. Write down your thoughts. In a journal, as a story, in list format. It really doesn't matter. Just get them out of your head and onto paper.

{Via}

2. Go for a run. There is nothing like a good run to help clear your mind. Just feeling the wind on your face, the beads of sweat forming on your forehead, the sound of the music coming through your ear phones and the smell and sights of the world that is surrounding you. It's refreshing and freeing.

{Via}

3. Meditate. I haven't personally done this but I want to bad. I heard it is so relaxing and a great way to clear your mind!

{Via}

4. Layout by the pool. Oh if this isn't one of the most relaxing things ever. But here is the catch don't focus on everything running through your mind. Focus on the moment. The way the sun feels beating down on you. The beauty from the sun. The sounds around you. Just be in the moment.

{Via}

5. Soak in the bath. Pour some bubbles in there. Turn on soft music. Light some candles and just let your mind empty and your body relax.

{Via}

Do you have any tips you'd like to share that help you to clear your mind?  We'd love to hear them!

A Little Piece of Me

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The Life Of A Not So Ordinary Wife || Guest Post

Hey guys, have you heard of Melissa yet?  She's been hanging out in my sidebar for a while now so you just might already know her.  She blogs at The Life Of A Not So Ordinary Wife and she has some exciting news to share with everyone and I was excited to give her this opportunity to share it with you.

Hello! I am Melissa and I blog over at The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife. I am a not so simple girl who obsesses over a new hobby about every week or so which let me tell you comes in handy when you're looking for new blog material! I've been married for 7 years to the love of my life and have been a pastors kid almost my full 27 years of living. Exciting, I know! I also have the whole sarcasm thing down pretty well ;) I have been blogging since February of this year and it has already taken over my world. HA, I LOVE it, like seriously love it. Oh and the friends I'm making while I'm doing something I love... ya, crazy, I know.

Enough about me, today I am here to tell you about my new pride and joy, my new baby, the cheese to my macaroni, the icing to my cupcake, the pop to my tarts... Bet you are wondering what I'm talking about right about now. You guessed it! My new shop!!!!! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD! 

I am so beyond excited to introduce to you The Not So Ordinary Shop. In the shop I am selling some fabulous Camera Strap Covers. 

Why, you say? Well I bought my first DSLR about a month ago and I sewed a strapped for it because the Canon strap that it came with was totally DRAB. I first looked online everywhere for strap covers and I had a hard time finding really cute ones for under $25. I thought it doesn't seem like they should cost that much. So I started thinking about starting a shop where I could sell fabulous camera strap covers at a price everyone could afford. As soon as I told my husband he was behind me 110%, I mean he was writing notes and building equations, I was impressed. I said, if you are in, I am in... SO HERE WE ARE! 

Now who doesn't need their camera all glammed up?  The camera strap covers are easily changeable and slides over your existing camera strap! The default measurements are approximately 25" long and 2.5" wide and will fit any DSLR camera. We also do custom measurements at no extra charge.

We have a lot of different designs in the shop right now, but there are no set designs, so when you see one you like grab it because it might be the last time you will see that exact one. We will be getting new designs all the time, so keep checking back.

THE GOOD NEWS...

In the store the covers start at $10 each plus shipping, but in celebration of the grand opening you can use the code "CELEBRATE" and get them 25% off, which means some straps are only $7.50 plus shipping!!

Thanks for letting me share my new camera straps with you and don't forget to stop by my blog and/or shop and say Hi!

Cool right?  How cute are those camera straps?  So cute and fun.  Go snatch yours up with her discount code while you can!  Congratulations on your shop Melissa!!

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This post is sponsored by:

Blog Swap:: Brooke @ Covered In Grace || Monday Meet Up Link Party

So excited to be swapping blogs with Brooke from Covered In Grace today.  We are both answering questions on the blogs today to help you get to know us better.  Brooke is a very sweet person who just so happens to also live here in Hawaii.  We have never met in person but she has become a constant friend here on-line and is always so encouraging.


When you're done here, come find me at the link below.  

It's time for another Monday Meet Up!

Hello new friends!! I'm so happy to be with Salena today and to get the opportunity to meet you all.

My name is Brooke, and I blog over at Covered in Grace. There, I write about life as a mother, student, military wife, photog wannabe, writer and Jesus lover.

For those of you that don't know me yet, I thought I'd answer a few questions about myself so yall could get to know me a little better.

1. How did you come up with the title of your blog?

Covered in Grace was something that had been rolling around in my head for a while. I had been blogging at My Beautiful Brooke for a long time, and while I was ok with the title, "beautiful" because HE sees me, it still wasn't sitting well with me-not completely. Covered in Grace encompasses what I believe, how I live, and pretty sums it all up. I am Covered in Grace through faith in Jesus.

2. If there was one blog post that you'd direct your readers to, what would that be?

Oh man, I'd direct you to any of my faith posts, but right now, the one that I love so much, that really tugs on my heartstrings right now is "...all summer long."  You can also see a branch off of that post at From the Guest Room.

3. What is your go-to quick fix meal when you've spent too much time on Pinterest/Your Blog been very, very busy?

Ha! Pancakes? Biscuits with eggs? Anything breakfast!

4. What is something you're looking forward to this coming summer?

I'm finally going back home to Texas for a visit!! I have been stuck on this rock in the Pacific for two and a half years (without leaving) and I am sooo excited to finally head out for a little bit. My little brother is getting married! And I'll finally get to see my niece! Woo!

5. Do you have any goofy talents or specialties?

Why, yes. Yes I do. I can make a siren sound by throat-chopping myself. It's very, very awesome. I think I'll do a vlog to demonstrate. Stay tuned!

6. If you could be a character from any book through out the entire story, what book-what character?

Oh, that's easy. No question. I would be Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser...wife of Jamie Fraser. (oooh la la) She's the heroine in the best books ever....the Outlander series. If you haven't read these books, YOU MUST! These are the books I recommend over all others.

7. What is the best piece of blogging advice that you've ever received?

Be yourself. Write about what you want, feel, believe. And don't worry about the numbers.

8. What is your biggest dream?
To grow old with my husband. But after that...it's to become a published author...to just be a writer and have my words reach the masses.

9. What is your favorite Saturday morning like?

Waking up whenever, breakfast with the family, heading outside to be in this gorgeous Hawaiian weather...

10. Why do you blog?

I blog to practice my craft. To use my gifts. To reflect on my spirituality and faith. I blog to glorify God. To share my favorite things. To network with others. To maintain daily writing habits. I blog because it has become a fantastic hobby...and because I love it.

I would love it if you'd stop by and visit me from time to time!

You can find me here:

Covered in Grace | Twitter | HelloCotton | Bloglovin | Facebook

Alright Lovely Ladies {and Gents}...

It's your turn. 

Link up your favorite posts-all week long! 

Woo us to you blog. Let us get to know you! 

Meet other amazing bloggers and extend your blogging community!

Party Rules

1. Link up your posts, link up your page...it's up to you!

2. Grab a button to put on your blog post and/or include a link back to this post so your readers can come see what the fun is all about! You can find the code for the button on the sidebar or on the "buttons" page.

3. Make sure you visit (and comment) on other posts linked up-- what fun is a party if no one talks to each other? Make some new friends!

4. You must be a follower of Covered in Grace and A Little Piece of Me to link up.

Isn't she fabulous?!  Know what else?  She lives in Hawai'i, on O'ahu just like me!  Please visit me here to see my interview at Covered In Grace.

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This post is sponsored by:

Guest Post:: Tutorial from A Creative Cookie

Kate from A Creative Cookie is here today with a fun tutorial and so easy!  Visit her blog where you will find many creative ideas!  Thanks Kate!
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Hi there! I'm Kate from A Creative Cookie. I love sharing my projects, kids crafts, and ideas with others. I'm so excited to be on Salena's blog today!

This project was just an experiment. But once I started wrapping the yarn around the cuff, I knew I was on to something! Let's get started...

Supplies:

"hairy" yarn

used ribbon spools

Embellishments (if you want to add some rhinestones or something)

scissors

just a bit of glue (Elmer's)

 Start with a ribbon spool (use one that's bigger than your arm)

 Now rip off the cardboard covers. Sometimes the bottom one can be a bit difficult. You will be left with this:

Now cut some yarn. I guessed the length for mine and around five feet worked just fine.

 Start wrapping the cuff with the yarn.

 It takes a little while, but the 'hair' covers more than you think.

Now make a knot and add a little dot of glue on it, so it won't untie.

You're done!

Not bad for $0, right? ;)

Thanks so much for having me, Salena!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, I would love it if you'd stop by and say hi! Or you can check me out on Facebook, Bloglovin', or follow by email. :)

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