Friday, June 28, 2013

Happy Birthday & Mini Giveaway

** For There She Goes Stamp Pandamonium Blog Hop please scroll down. **

Today, I am  celebrating my 38th birthday! As always, I always have mixed feeling when it comes to my  birthday. No, it has nothing to do with aging. Because I am one of those girl that definitely not shy about my age. I wear my age with pride, because with each birthday I celebrate my life, celebrate the fact that I am still on this earth which is a blessing as there's still so many things I'd like to do and see. :)

Since I moved to the States, I have mixed feeling because I am happy that it's my birthday, but I can't help also feeling a bit homesick because I haven't been able to celebrate my birthday surrounded by my family. I think  the last birthday I celebrated with my family was my 16th birthday. It just that it would be nice to be with them on my birthday, even if it's only to have dinner together, you know.

Anyway, I was reminiscing a bit last night and thought I share one of my favorite pic from when I was 2 years old.  My mom always love having a garden, even if it's a small one and back then we have this hibiscus tree that often produce gorgeous flower. 


I have to say I love my childhood. We weren't rich, in fact my parents struggled to make ends meet when we were young, but we were rich in family love. My parents made sure of that. I grew up surrounded by cousins, neighborhood kids, etc. My brothers and I were pretty creative in entertaining ourselves. Empty box became a car, closet became a house, etc. We played on the field in front of our house with the neighbor's kids, just playing simple games. No barbie, no game boy, but pure kids fun. Running around, playing hide and seek, using our imagination to make things interesting, pretending to be a chef using whatever stuff my mom couldn't use for cooking, etc. And thanks to my brother, I found the love of reading which can take you to so many places in your mind.

I treasure my upbringing. I am thankful to my parents for the way they raised me. Thankful that I have siblings that I not only love but like and adore as well. Thankful that my mom taught me to be grateful for what  life gives me. Just plain thankful and grateful for everything. To be alive. To be healthy. And yes, thankful that I look younger than my age. LOL. Oh yes... can't forget the doggies. I am thankful for my doggies that bring me so  much love & joy.

Anyway, in the spirit of celebration, I am doing a mini giveaway. The pic below just a bit of what I am giving away. There's SRM sticker pack, Hero Arts stamp, fabric tape, etc. Things a bit hectic at the moment, so I didn't get a chance to really get everything prop up for good pic. So, just know that you'll get more than what's shown here. There'll be ribbon, more papers, etc.



Simply leave a comment by midnight CST Sunday, June 30th. I'll announce the winner on Monday. That's it from me today. :)

44 comments:

wendy said...

Happy Birthday! ..what a cute pic of you at 2 simply priceless!

Mary J said...

Oh how exciting - thx for the chance to win and a very happy birthday to you honey! What a cute baby you were!

Marissa said...

Happy Birthday! What a great way to celebrate :)

MiamiKel said...

Happy Blessed Birthday to you! 38 is a magical age and brings forth a whole new outlook of the new years that are going to be just as fabulous as can be! What a cutie pie, that picture is fabulous! I have to say, your post just made me a little teary eyed but in a good way - growing up military, moving around so much and living such a similiar childhood as you described - what strong, wonderful adults that grows! May today - and every day - be magical and blessed!

chillin with Quillin said...

Happy Birthday, wish you many many more to come, cute pic of you !!!!
Paula

Melissa said...

Happiest of birthdays to you as you savor and treasure the gift of life that is yours.

Герцогиня said...

Happy Birthday! What a cute baby you were!

Froggietalks said...

Happy Happy Birthday!! May this birthday be the best ever for you!

Thanks for the chance to win some sweet stuff :) That Hero Arts stamp set has been on my wish list for over a year now :)

Cathy Fongjoyo said...

Happy birthday Vera!!! You look super adorable in the photo. Thanks for sharing your lovely childhoon memory with us

Maria said...

Happy Birthday

Anita said...

Happy Birthday! What an adorable picture! Boxes are the best toys still in my mind.

terriavidreader (IN-USA) said...

Happy Birthday to you!! Enjoy your day.
thanks also for a chance to win!

Kaylee Snyder said...

Happy birthday! It's super generous of you to treat us. Thanks!

June K said...

Hi Vera, Happy Birthday! It's my birthday today, too. I wish I were 38 again. :) Have a wonderful birthday.

PamSpradlin said...

Happy Birthday! I hope that you have a fabulous day. Thank you for sharing about your family.

Chunyuan said...

Happy birthday. What a sweet story about your childhood. Have a great day! BTW, you look like 22!!

Mary-Anne V said...

Happy Birthday! I know the feeling of being away from family (my family lives in Canada and I am here in the States)but from what I have read in your blog many times you and your family are close. So really they are never very far away. Wishing you a day filled with wonderful wishes, happiness and fun! Enjoy.

Nikki said...

Happy Birthday to you we share the same birthday but I'm a little older then you may you have a wonderful day filled with lots of love and laughter and be spoiled :)
hugs Nikki
I have some candy ending tonight to celebrate my Bd too

calamity jane said...

Happy Birthday to you! Mine was yesterday but I turned 60!! I agree that age is just a number and I actually LOVE mine! Your family story (and picture) is wonderful to read! Like you I didn't have family with me but I heard from them and that was great! May ALL your birthdays by good!

Shelly said...

Happy birthday!! :) What a lovely read your post is. I can relate, in many ways. And I LOVE the picture of you.....too cute!! :) Enjoy.

Crafty Math Chick said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERA! What an adorable 'baby' picture! I hope your special day is filled with things that make you smile that beautiful smile of yours!
~ Meredith

Janis said...

Happy Birthday to you!! May your special day be blessed with more joy than you could ever dream. I feel your ache to be with your family on your BD. May you feel their love and hugs over the miles, always.

How lovely of you to sponsor a giveaway so we can celebrate along with you. The picture looks tantalizing. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance!!

loulou said...

What a sweet picture. I loved your story of your childhood and having fun without gadgets. I was pretty poor as a kid too and had to make our own games with whatever was around us. We didn't have a collection of electronic gadgets to entertain us. Happy birthday and I think your doggies are adorable.

Kara Lynne said...

Happy Birthday!! I loved reading your post today, and that picture of you is priceless! I am so glad you can look back and be thankful for your childhood, and I am sorry you can't be with them all today.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Happy Birthday! i hope you enjoyed it even though you weren't with your immediate family! How nice of you to share with us! :)

Carmen said...

Happy Birthday I hope that you have a joyous day surrounded by your friends and family.

Loly Borda said...

Happy birthday! I love reading your posts about your family and upbringing, it must be because we have things in common, I know how it feels to be away from your dear ones. Have a wonderful day and a blessed year ahead.
Hugs!

mariangel said...

lovely little girl and woman now
happy b day and thank you so much for enjoying your talent as a crafter and as a human being
hugs

mimi said...

Happy birthday! Hope you have a great weekend celebrating your birthday! I just love your kid pic- so cute!

Mubeena M. said...

Happy birthday!

Cathy said...

Happy Birthday to you, gorgeous picture of you when you was 2. Enjoy your day. Thanks for the chance to win your fabulous Birthday give away

Andrea6760 said...

Vera,
How blessed you are to have such a wonderful family! I can relate of not having the finest of things, but with some creativity, you can create some really fun memories. Your picture is so adorable!! Your parents did a fabulous job of raising such a lovely, talented daughter. Hope your birthday was fantastic!

~amy~ said...

You are soooooo sweet...check out that CUTE picture of YOU!!!!!!!!!! I hope you have thee most excellent birthday weekend Vera! I love reading your posts about your family....thanks for sharing.

Kris B said...

Happy Happy Birthday! Love your attitude about age! I don't let age get to me, I always look forward to what life will bring me next. God never disappoints!

Dwita said...

Happy birthday, Vera! Wherever we are, we always know that someone who cares for us, our own mother, always prays on our own birthday. That's for sure.. The love of a mother never fades..

Sabrina said...

Happy Birthday!! What an adorable picture! I am so sorry that you can't spend your birthday with all of your family but in a small way I hope that you could think of all of us as your family and WE are glad and happy that you are here!!
I hope you have a wonderful fun filled crafty day and get everything you want!!

Brenda Lee said...

Happy, happy birthday. That picture of you is just darling...what a cutie! I'm sorry that you have to spend your special day away from family. Being away from family makes you cherish them that much more...I know. I wish you all the happiness.

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Sherri Everett Thompson said...

Happy birthday, Vera! What an adorable picture of you-and you are just as adorable and sweet now. While you counted your blessings in your blog post, I hope you know that so many of us count you as a blessing, too! Even those of us that have never had a chance to meet you in real life-yet. :)

Julie C. said...

What a cute picture. Happy birthday, Ling! Hope you had a great day. I know exactly how you feel, same here! I think a family meal together on my birthday will be my best present ever!

Indy's Designs said...

Hope you are having a fabulous birthday!

Olga Pankova said...

Happy birthday!!!

Susan F. said...

Happy belated Birthday Vera. You were an adorable child and you are a beautiful lady now. I hope you had a great day.

Glenda J said...

What a lovely post Vera! Happy belated birthday and so glad to hear you have such a great family even though you don't always see them. I don't see my parents very often (once a year or less) so I understand. Lovely photo of your childhood - so glad yours was so full of love. And it's always nice to look younger than you are (I feel that way too). Big hugs!

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