{April Showers, Bring May Flowers...a GIVEAWAY!}

I nearly missed it, this being the last day of May and all. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity to giveaway some of the pretties I've been working on!

I've picked my favorites in mums...

 

in bias tape rosettes....

and roses!

Now it's your turn! Three sets {two pairs}, three winners, three times the fun!

Each winner receives his or her choice of TWO sets of earrings in my shop in your 

choice of color....but the catch is you gotta share one with a friend. 

{I won't technically track down said friend and confirm the exchange, 

but hey let's share the love...shall we?!}

Here's the dealio:

I need your help spreading the word about my new pretties and promoting my shop, 

so here are the ways to win:

One Entry Each for the following.

1. {Mandatory} Visit my shop and come back and tell me what you would pick for you and your friend.

2.Be a follower of my blog and comment that you are.  

If you've been lurking, don't be shy...just select Follow in the toolbar or Follow right over there --------> ya know where it says followers.  I'd love to see your smiling face there or blog button or exclamation mark {what's that about anyway}...whatever you fancy.

3.Follow me on twitter...even better if you already do {woot woot}!

4. Like my facebook page and leave me a comment.  If you have already liked it 

{woot woot} then just leave the msg.

5. Favorite my shop AND favorite one item, come back and comment on which one...

can totally be the one you wanna win. AND an extra entry if you tweet your favorite item from my shop. Select the listing, scroll down, and 'click' the Twitter button on the right hand side.  This will automatically post to your feed.  Make sure you include my twitter handler @jennilynncar, when you do. 

THREE entries each for the following. 

6.. Tweet, Facebook, or blog this giveaway. 

Must include links, twitter handler, and hastags, as it applies.

{Tweet} Yo, I wanna win some earring bling from #RagamuffinBeauties and @jennilynncar! Do you? #etsy #handmade #giveaway http://ow.ly/56lGz

{Facebook} Hear he, hear he! Giveaway @Ragamuffin Beauties!  Come one, come all! http://ow.ly/56lGz 

{Please note, these are just suggestions.  I like to be silly on the Twitter and Facebook, but I get it...it may not be your thing.  No judgment, honest....but all the cool kids are doing it.}

FIVE entries each for the following.

7.  Buy yourself something nice from the shop!  Or your neighbor, or the postman, or the supermarket check out lady who gives you crazy eyes 'cuz you shop with coupons.  {Whatevs} 

{Policy Mumbo Jumbo}

Giveaway open for one week.  Comments accepted until Monday, June 6th. at midnight CST.  Winners will be posted in Tuesday's post and will have 24 hours to email me.  

All winners selected by random.org. 

GO get 'em tiger!

{Memorial Day and my selfish heart}

I think of myself as pretty patriotic, a proud American if you will.  Today instead of being moved by the buzz in social media that I was so quick to retweet, I sulked. My husband worked today and the kids and I were supposed to pick up on school where we *ahem* left off  two weeks ago. In the quietness of the house after being given some aggravating news I let every bit of my energy pile up into a great big pity party.  I let the weight of the world crash down as though I had nothing to be thankful for, let alone today of all days.  I sobered up real quick when I read this post.  Then I saw Rachel post her Tuesday Prayer Request and I quick poured my pity party into an email.

{numero uno} Hubs hates his job.  He works in law enforcement and his job is heavy with emotional baggage that tears him down daily. My daily prayer for him is to find an opportunity for joy, work unto the Lord, and breakthrough.  We got some crappy news regarding a change in the their payroll which will result in a loss so to speak in pay.  It just feels overwhelming.  We want peace, we want God to move, we want to obey.

{numero dos} My nephew Carter is having major surgery Thursday in Boston to remove am ostomy bag that he has had pretty much all (nearly) four years of his life.  His daddy, had to stay in Texas to {THANK YOU JESUS} start a new job and his heart is heavy not being there for the first time for his little boy. We want healing, we want comfort, we want grace. www.cartermcates.com

{numero tres} So selfish, I want to attend Blog Sugar.  Not going to happen. Feeling fragile about how much I have invested in these 'so-called' on-line friends....because to me they are just friends.  My heart grieves that I can carry someone {read: many} in my heart, that I may not meet this side of Heaven. Realizing my investment has created a void for desiring friendships I so need locally. I want strength, I want deep friendship, I want a Blog Sugar sponsor {keeping it real, folks}.

The reality is that if it matters to me, it matters to God.  It really does, even the ugly parts.  But the reality of that, is He wants to work on my character.  He used my pity party no matter if it was worthy or not, to turn my eyes to Him.  To seek Him.  To thank Him.

And in turn, it reminded me to thank them...

 {My Daddy}

 {My BIL Corey}

...because they have and do sacrifice so much for our  country.  The men and women who have, do, and will fight for and serve our country deserve your thanks and your prayers today and everyday.  Don't let embarrassment, politics, or pity parties keep you from thanking your fellow man/women for their selfless service.  While you are at it, thank their spouse, their children, their Momma because behind every good soldier is a proud family serving right alongside.

{Date Your Mate}

I'm guesting over at Erin's blog! 

 

Check out how me and my sweetie do date night! Yeow! (In the words of Gussy!)