Wednesday Sponsor Giveaway: Freehand Scraps, Big Picture Scrapbooking, + Paper & Co. Show

I am a stay at home mom, in Oct my husband had a bad accident leaving him temporarily disabled, he lost his job because of the needed recovery time (about a year). Around the same time, my son, who has reactive airway disease also got really sick. In fact, we just celebrated him making it 2 straight weeks at school--- since October. So I definately agree that courage is something we face at different times in our lives, big and small, and sometimes several times a day, even by the hour. Our lives changed in that one moment, no time to prepare or think. There were times that my courage was to just put both feet on the floor and face what that day was to bring and other times it was just giving it to God and letting Him put one foot in front of the other for me. Courage can also teach us a lot about ourselves, sometimes it is the courage that lets us learn!
Thanks for the giveaway, I have heard great things about Stacy's class. Karen L.

OH! What fun! This is really nice of you to do this. Hope to win one of these. Have a great day!

Wow, talk about good timing. That was an incredibly relevant quote for today. Just had two meltdowns this morning my sons and they almost missed the bus. I started feeling like "the bad mom" as I went back home. It's so hard for me to know when I'm doing the right thing as far as raising and disciplining my children are concerned. Then I read this quote on your blog. My leap of faith is in my parenting skills. I need to be brave as a mom and stop second-guessing myself all the time. Thanks, Ali!

At my age (nearly 65) I don't take many big leaps anymore, but I think agreeing to care for our 13 month granddaughter for the next few months may qualify. She's a love to be sure, and we're taking this leap while hoping we have the energy to keep up with her. I know we have the desire to nurture and stimulate her.
I love that scrap kit. I've never scrapped from a kit and would love to see how it feels to be released from so many of the creative decisions...decisions which sometimes stop me in my tracks.
Great quote.
Susan
P.S. When people would say to me "Haven't you had that baby yet?" I would tell them I was holding it for a neighbor. :-)

A big leap for me is deciding to live a healthier life style. After taking care of my family for 25 years, it is now time to focus on making myself healthy for me and for them!
Peg

The leap that leaps out at me as I mull this over is not all that recent; our move back here to VA a little over a year ago. We lived here 9 years ago, B.C. (before children), and I absolutely hated it. Called it my living hell. When my husband had a job offer to move back, there was some hesitation on my part. I uprooted the kidlets and here we are! It has ended up being one of the best moves for our family, our relationship, and me personally!

I have been trained recently on a new teaching strategy for my sixth grade students which involves turning basic lessons into songs. My recent LEAP is SINGING in front of my students!

A recent leap for me and my family was when my husband lost his job due to the economy. It is very scary being the only income for my family right now. We are making it by cutting back in most areas of our lives. We seem to be doing OK though.

My recent leap was a humble attempt at sharing with someone (my best friend) some hard truths and helping her walk that out and how she can react.
(And while I would love to win the Italy trip, there's no way I would go ... so pretty please, if I win, could I do the Library of Memories class? *smile*)

Just one recent leap!? I feel like a giant bullfrog lately (and that's not just because of my growing belly...). LOL
My hubby and I are expecting our first baby in less than 2 months, I've finished my Ph.D. program (defending later this year), DH and I have accepted new jobs, which means a major move this summer to a new city, new state, new part of the country...and not to forget the "little" things- we had a delicious tomato basil soup and grilled cheese with bacon sandwiches last night for dinner for the first time. We're keeping this mini leap for sure! Life is SO exciting right now, especially when I remember to take it one day at a time. :)
Hope all is going well with you in the final weeks of your pregnancy- can't wait to see photos of your little girl!

my most recent "leap" was attending church after becoming a born again Christian, while my husband wasn't sure what was going on. he became born again 8 months later-those were the hardest 8 months ever...lots of daily leaps of faith.

My big leap of late was applying for and getting a job teaching literacy skills to special needs kids. It was in a school that I never thought I'd work in and a job that I didn't think I'd ever do. I always thought I'd be the classroom teacher, not the special teacher.
I also embarked on a journey of weight loss and self discovery when my co-workers decided they were going to do a "biggest loser" competition. I knew that I was unhappy with where I was in life and it seemed like a good motivator for change. I lost 32lbs and 14 inches in that 3 months, and gained so much more in other areas.

Hi Ali,
Everyday I hope I'll see that you had your little girl! Hang in there. Those last couple of weeks were always so hard for me.
My leap is that my hubby and I recently made the decision that we will try expand our family "just one more".
Love the goodies.

I love that fun kit and the great classes. Thanks for sharing such fun things with us.
My leap is opening a daycare in our home/garage, so that my hubby can go back to school. It is going to be a long, tough 4 years, but you just have to take the leap!

I think lately it seems like I have to have enough courage not to worry about the economy. I can't worry about everyone's problems! I have to have the courage to know that God is in control, and there are something I can control, so I'll worry about those.

This is a topic that I have noticed about myself alot. I do have to say I have always been a leaper. It feels good to leap. Especially, if I want to accomplish something I work hard and think carefully to get myself there and trying to make the best decisions to keep me from failing.My recent leap was helping to help a neighbor or someone everyday that I just helped someone makes me feel good so I try to do something good and even if it is just once, it is something. My most serious of leaps was about a year and a half ago almost and it isn't quite paying off yet but the fact that I did it because I believed in myself made it much more than an accomplishment. I've also leaped back into working out a year ago, just jumped in and did it and that has helped me physically a lot to know that I am healthier to help take care of myself and my family.

I feel like this crazy world of pregnancy forces me to take a leap of faith every day, that this little one is growing strong and healthy and will come at the perfect time.
Can you tell I'm not liking not being in control? :)

My biggest leap right now is trusting myself and my parenting skills. Whenever my kids have meltdowns or misbehave I need to stop second-guessing myself and trust that I am not a bad mom. Thanks for your encouragement, Ali! great quote!

my latest "leap" has been learning to accept the fact that, try as i may, i will never be as organized and neat as i want to be.
but i'll keep trying:)

My most recent leap came last Thursday when I got laid off from my job. I took a few days to grieve, panic, cry, scream and feel sorry for myself. You hear it happening to everyone else, but you never think it would be you. I am now to the point where I can see the silver lining. I've always dreamed of working from home as an artist- so I am taking this time to see if I can make it work. This may have been just the change I needed to live my dream...and while at the time losing my job seemed like the worst thing that could happen- I realize it may have been one of the best. I can focus now on being happy doing what I love, not watching the clock from a desk staring at a computer. While I am still mid-leap with all the emotions- I know I will hit the ground, stand up and brush myself off. I will be better off for taking this leap.

I don't know how courageous this is but a few months ago I led our family in a complete overhaul of how we spend our money. My DH changed jobs, his signing bonus was revoked (after we had already spent it and we had to repay it), and things were getting tight. I was sick and tired of being broke and I knew then and there that things had to change. It's not easy, but then again, if it was easy, everyone would be rich. We are being much more responsible with our money and it feels great.

recent big leap-closing my store after 5 years to start online business & focus on starting a family (which we've been trying for 3 ear)
recent little leap- forgoing my typical peanut butter toast each day b/c i am trying to lose weight (may not sound like much but its my weakness :-0)

My leap is that I am flying to Georgia in March to visit my sister. I haven't flown in 33 years!

Hi Ali, great post. My most recent leap was getting pregnant after cancer remission.

My latest leap was deciding to have our third child. I'm 11 weeks pregnant right now and alternately terrified and really excited. I know what I'm in for, and that's what makes it the most scary! But I know what I'm in for and that's what makes it the most exciting! Thanks for the giveaways.
Lisa