Precious Promises Winner

And the Winner is......... TAMIV

tamiv said...

Email Subscriber!

geauxtami@yahoo.com

June 15, 2011 9:18 PM 

Thanks for participating! Remember to respond to my email in 48 hours or less or a new winner will be selected! Thanks again!

-Megan

Impel Clothing Winner!

And the Winner is Comment #2

 JONI!!!!!!

Joni said...

I looked through a great deal of the website, accessed through Facebook, and was impressed by the designs!

June 3, 2011 6:55 PM 

Thank you all so much for participating! Please be on the look out for more great giveaways! Joni please respond to my email in 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. 

Thanks Again all! have a great weekend!

-Megan

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual from Soule Mama, one of my favorite bloggers.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Little Man

BabyLegs Review and Giveaway

Closed

BabyLegs® Review and Giveaway

My son is almost a year old and is crawling everywhere, his knees were always scuffed and full of rug burn right down to his toes. We have terrible bur bur carpet in our apartment so this only makes matters worse. It made it hard for him to want to cruse like I know he can, he went for the kitchen and dinning a lot as there is linoleum there. 

We discovered BabyLegs, and all changed for Little Jack and his crawling skills. Its even easy for him to cruse on his grandmothers floors as she has original hardwood and its a bit uneven and that with his BabyLegs does not bother him. 

We received one set of BabyLegs Leg Warmers and matching socks for Little Man and Leg Warmers and Tights for Emma-that part was a fun surprise for my daughter as she is the queen of dressing up. 

Hungry Alligator Legwarmers

Swamp Fest Socks

Juicy Girl Tights

 Layer Cake Leggings

These are the sets that we got! I was so thrilled. I love the girls tights, they are nice and breath well! My daughter wears them no matter what, if she is in a dress then those tights are on. The legwarmers she likes to were with pants, she is actually a bit more of a fashionista then I thought. With the legwarmers for Little Man they are so much easier to use then pants, I cloth diaper and would like to keep the access at a ease. With Babylegs its great, there are no pants to try and make fit with the cloth diaper and I don't need to take pants or shorts off and on. All and All I think Babylegs are one of the must haves of all Mothers!! A couple pare would be just perfect for any child. I am happy to say that I will be getting more. 

As my readers are amazing and I love ya all, Babylegs wants to do a giveaway for us!! 

One you lucky readers will get a grab bag for your little one or toddler! Compliments of Babylegs. 

Here is how to enter:

Mandatory Entries-

1. Follow this blog via google friend connect. 

2. Like BabyLegs on Facebook.

3. Tell us your favorite style.

Extra Entries-

1. Follow me on Twitter

2. Follow Babylegs on Twitter

3. Like TGL on facebook.

4. Tweet this-up to 3 times DAILY-

5. Facebook this-up to 3 times DAILY-

6. Subscribe to our emails here at TGL. 

This giveaway will end July 4th 2011 @12 midnight central time. This is offered to USA residence only. 

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!

*Note that this product(s) was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with BabyLegs.

Winner Announced

 We have a winner for the Chewbeads Giveaway!

Dana West said... Tweeted

Dana, you have 48 hours to reply to my email or we will have to select a new winner. Congrats and thank you all for entering and be sure to be on the look out for all of our current and future giveaways, here on TGL! 

Married Fat

They say that when you become comfortable in a relationship that you will gain weight. Well when my husband and I started dating I actually did, but not because I was comfortable but because the way to my heart is food and he knew that.

Here is where I am struggling now. When I was younger, because I couldn't do anything or go anywhere I eat my emotions (still do) so I sat and stuffed myself till I realized I didn't have any jeans to wear and my bathing suit no longer fit. I was embarrassed that I allowed myself to get that way, and my step mom started to call me lazy and fat. I really hated when she called me that, mostly when she called me lazy as I was nothing of the sort. All she did was sit at home all day on AOL chat rooms and stuff her face while watching soaps. So its safe to say I was not the fat and lazy one, she was, I was just getting fat. I lost all that weight by getting out and running as well as not eating the fattening foods that she forced upon the family. I took extra shifts at work to get my own groceries. Then comes my graduation year and low and behold I was FAT again! Others may not have felt that way but I was, I am only 5'1" for Pete's sake. 

When I moved away from home to the place that I call "home" now. Well those people don't eat junk, and that is all that was in my step moms home. Steve and Sharon knew that I was overweight and that I was not happy about it. Sharon is this tiny little thing and I wanted to be tiny again. So I worked a lot and fed my body good things, they both supported me all the time and no matter the outcome they would love me! I worked out twice a day just in my bedroom. I got down to a size two and it was amazing it was so easy to do with them supporting me and having good food around you. 

Going forward a bit, when Dustin and I were getting serious I did put a few pounds on my jeans still fit, it was when I got pregnant with my first that my problems began. During my pregnancy with Emma I had a lot of health issues and I couldn't stop that and due to those health issues my normal pregnant weight gain doubled to a grand total of 97lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was mortified! But after Emma I felt like it didn't take much to get decent. I was no size two a year later but I felt ok with were I was. Personally I don't think that a size two will ever happen again after two kids. With Jack I only gained the recommended 35lbs that my doctor said. I thought wow I could loose this like its nothing. WRONG! I still a year almost later cant get into my pre-pregnancy jeans. I am so bothered by what I know is under my clothes. My girlfriend and I got this bright idea that taking a picture of our bodies side, front and back profile in our bra and panties. Let me tell you something...WORST IDEA EVER! My husband didn't get to see my naked for months! I didn't allow him when I was changing, noting. I couldn't believe that I allowed myself get this way. I want to feel good fro myself, for my self esteem that I no longer have and to be healthy for my children.

According to the BMI scale I am in the "obese" category. I have a 30.2 BMI. I am on a mission to loose 40 pounds! I know that I can do its, but I am reaching out to you, my readers to see if I can get your support. I will be posting my journey to loose weight, remind me if I forget. I need to do this for me and for my family as there is no reason to be so FAT! I know that I just had a child a year ago, but I wont allow myself to take that excuse. So lets see how this goes and Ill keep you posted!

I am on the RIGHT in the pink, look at me and my cuteness :)

These are me now, actually I just took them. now looking at them I am even more mortified by my body.  I know that I am not grotesquely obese but I am only going to get worse, if I don't do something. So my life will change and soon, we are moving to a new town and a a new place with great walking trails so I am excited to chance my life. If only my stretch marks would disappear as the pounds go. Here is a toast to the start of my journey June 14th 2011 shall be my start date.

Name:Megan

Height: 5' 1"

Weight: 160lbs

Age: 24

Goal: 40lbs gone. 

If you wish to go on this journey with me Post your story and lets do this!!!

Confessions

Hi there all, I thought that I would start this personal post by letting those that are reading know that this is not a offensive more "dissing" post and choose to tell my story as a small child till now. Please take my words kindly as all who are part of my life I love dearly!

I want to write this personal post to be able to cope with things in my life I cant seem to let go sometimes. When I was little I remember my parents being happy and loving one another, we moved a lot and finally can at a stand still in this beautiful house in Cottage Grove. I have most of my fondest and vivid memories from my childhood there. I remember it have a huge pink flower blooming tree in the back yard that had the most amazing swing in it. I remember getting my first bee sting while eating a popsicle on the deck and many a barbecue with friends and family. I remember playing cowboys and Indians with my brother, with the cap guns we got at the gas station with our well earned allowance! I think the best memory I have is the  day that we brought our dog home, we named him Cody and he was the best dog in the whole world! I love that dog more then anything, every day after school he would be there waiting for me at the top of the stairs, wanting to go for our routine walk. Cody and I became more and more attached to each other I remember now as my parents grew apart and my brother no longer thought I was "cool" to play with. 

Cody my dog, became my life. I took care of him and loved him. I remember if I didn't let him into my room he would be scratching and wining at the door. I remember all the nights that my parents would argue, thinking that I could not hear them but we shared a wall and Cody was someone I knew that would not leave or make me sad. I remember seeing my mother sleeping on the couch and my parents not talking to each other as it always resulted in a argument. The worst day of my childhood was soon coming. My older brother who we will call C, was a bad child and was heavily into drugs and spend more time in juvenile centers then any where else. As I was at school one day, C came home and was completely waisted on a cocktail of drugs, he soon decided that he no longer like Cody, who was just laying there in his bed. C got up and started to beat him and beat him and beat him. Cody died shortly after. Normally when school was out I would wait for my other brother who I will call R as he was a cross guard but something in me told me to go home. So I walked home alone, to find my mothers Van parked in the drive. This was strange as my mother was never home during the day. I ran into my house dropped my bag and didn't see Cody, I cried I already knew he was gone without her even saying anything. I broke I felt alone and I was so angry with my mother and C. Angry with C for doing this and angry with my mother as she cremated him and I never got to say goodbye. I still hurt by the loss of Cody.

After that event things really started to change my parents grew more apart and us kids we knew there was something wrong, then before I knew it my mother was gone. I remember that day like it was yesterday. R and I were playing outside with out toys and cap guns and mother drove up, again this was strange as she was always working, told R and I to "STAY out HERE!" We did but still we pressed out ears against the door. We heard yelling and hurtful words and some things I didn't understand, I remember my mother pushing that front door open and leaving. R and I ran inside to find my day crying to himself. He saw us and held us tight and told us over and over again that this is not our fault and I didn't even know what was going on. My mom left us for another man. I didn't see her much after that. My father moved us out of our big house to a 3 bed 3rd floor walk up apartment.

me on the far right with my family of friends. 

I started to make friends where we lived and yet I felt so empty, my father began to drink more and work whenever he could. I know he had to keep us afloat but I feel there was more to it then that. I remember starting the 4th grade, that was scary as I didn't know many and I had a secret. I started becoming a woman and didn't know it so I was being made fun of for have a chest at 9 years of age, shortly into my 4th grade year I want to say two weeks. I remember feeling strange and went to the bathroom and thought that I was dying as NO ONE told me about what happens to girls that are going through puberty. I ran to the nurses office and called my father and he proposed I call my mother. So I did and that day is still my favorite memory of my mother and I. She picked me up and brought me to Target to get all the things that I needed and explained to me what was going on. We grabbed some Rocky Road ice cream and went back to her home and watched days of our lives and gossiped all afternoon.

Loveland park playing BBall or getting into mischief. I went through a lot with these kids I called family. I fell in love when I was very young, or so I thought that I did. I thought that he loved me too. At the age of 12 I was no longer a little girl also the worse day of my life. My family was there for me and let me know that I was not a bad person. Without them I don't think that I would have survived as much in life as I did doing it alone.

Just as I felt like we were doing well in life my dad meets someone. We will call her H. At first I loved her thought the world of her actually. She had two boys both younger then me. Her and my dad decided to marry and er moved up north as she had a house there. Things were great until my dad said "I DO". In a nut shell my life sucked from that point on. H was not nice to me, I was treated like a slave and spoke down to. I was told I had to work, go to school, take care of her children, cook the meals and clean. When that was not done I was in a world of trouble. I strongly disliked this woman! I was not allowed to leave the house but to take her kids to the park, school or work. That was it. No playing with friends and no fun. I began to think I was never going to get out of the Hell that I was living. When I was a senior in high school a teacher of mine told me all the things that I never heard from anyone else. He told me that I was actually good at something. Photography started to become my life and was the only way that I felt safe. I knew that no matter what no one could take my love for that away from me. When I graduated I wanted out so bad but had no place to go and no car or licence. I was not allowed to drive as I believe it was H's way to keep me near. I was under someones control and I hated it, I hated that my father never stuck up for me and never seemed to mind what she did to me. Tell me that I am worthless and would not amount to much. So with my new relationship that I had with my teacher Steve and his wife, I knew that they were my answer as they told me all the time that they cared about me. So I talked to them and they both offered me something that at the time I was not aware would change my life. I began to live in there spare room in there home and for the first time I felt like I was in a home that was filled wit love and structure. They took care of me but allowed me to make the important life choices and mistakes that make up a persons character. They parented me more in 3 1/2 years under their roof then in all my life from the people that passed in and out of it.

I credit a lot of who I am not to those amazing people and they are amazing grandparents to my children. I do now have a great relationship with my parents and am thankful for that. My parents love me and my children and that is all I can ask for now that I am a mother and wife. My father and mother are there for me as much as they can be, being as we all live far away. There is nothing in my life that I regret as without the pattern that took place I would not have ended in the path that I am in now. I am married to the most amazing man and have my family around me and that is all that I ever needed me. Family, Love and support. Never would I dwell on what happen but I will never forget. I forgive all those who have ever hurt me or hurt those I care about. There are more things in my life that I could never put down on paper but will forever carry. Its baggage, I know this but its my baggage and without it I would not be as strong as I am today. My husband loves me no matter what my past holds. With this in mind I close with this. My parents and siblings are my family and that's what matters, I love them no matter there faults or mistakes as they do the same with me. My family meaning my husband and children are now what I need. I know they will never have to go thought the things that I have.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story as this took a lot to write. I took a lot out as some was still to painful to admit. But some day Ill scream those out  too.

Precious Promises Review and Giveaway

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I love to find innovative and hand mad products and came across Precious Promises, these are amazing hand made pillowcases and personalized pal's. I know what your thinking, pillowcases Megan, really. Yes really they are so nicely made natural fibers and the best part is the personalization. I had the chance to get one of these very nice pillowcases made by working mother of 2 Samantha.<--owner and operator of the Etsy shop.

This is the design that she came up with to embroider on my sons pillow case.

When I received my package of goodies Precious Promises, I was surprised at what I was holding in my hands, so beautifully made and the embroidering work is purely sinful! But it was when I turned it over that surprised me the most. There was a zipper and pocket hidden in the pillowcase, I wondered what this was as I didn't apparently catch on. I was told its the "PJ's Pocket", what a great Idea! Here is a explanation: I find this little option amazing for those sleepovers and those always disappearing paci's of Jack's. 

How the pjpouch works: Simply turn your pillowcase over and find a zipper that opens to a pouch that can hold pajamas, wraps, dummies, soft toy etc.
These are very handy to grab and go as you run out the door to Nana’s house knowing that your child has everything on hand without having to pack a bag. Also this brings comfort to the child as they have the familiarity of something from home. Great also for school camps as they are hard to loose with their name on it. 
The pouch also provides a secret hideaway for spending money.

I find this little option amazing for those sleepovers and those always disappearing paci's of Jack's. There are many colors of ribbon and thread to choose from and she can personalize as you wish. I absolutely think this is a great baby/child/adult/newlyweds gift! 

Luck for you, you just might get your own as Samantha was gracious enough to give one of her pillowcases and pal's to a lucky reader! Visit her on her etsy shop and check it out!

She also has a Australian site too! for more products.

Here is how to enter:<mandatory>

1. follow this blog publicly via google friend connect.

2. tell us what you would like to see if you win. 

Extra:

1. tweet this(can be done ounce daily)

2. facebook this(can be done ounce daily)

3. subscribe to us via email.

4. grab our button.

Good luck to you all and remember to make each Entry a Individual comment. More entries more chances! All links and email must be provided. This will run until June 20th 2011, midnight central time. 

*Note that this product was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with precious promises.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!!!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!!

#67

mrsking14 said...

Fan of yours on FB (Erica King)

CONGRATS, PLEASE E-MAIL WITHIN 48 HOURS OR ANOTHER WINNER WILL BE RANDOMLY SELECTED

megan@thegreatletdown.com 

Joni's Journey to Motherhood~ Guest post

Joni is a amazing woman and dear to my heart, she is willing to share some of her story to the TGL readers. I hope that you are as touched by her Journey to Motherhood as I am. Share your comments and show some love! 

Joni with my son Jack 

A Desire for the Great Letdown

Well beautiful ladies, Megan has asked me to share the last year and a half of my and my husband, Steve's, lives. An easier task to agree to then follow through on I'm afraid.

I met Megan and her husband shortly after her precious Jack was born, and after Steve (Megan's cousin and my husband) and I had had yet another miscarriage. Let me back up though...

Steve and I met nearly nine years ago in college, he was dating someone else and later engaged to someone else, while deployed to Iraq. Two and a half years ago, a little over a year since Steve had been honorably discharged from the Army we ran into each other for the first time in over three years at a mutual friend's birthday party. A week later, the week before Christmas 2008, we were dating. April 21st 2009 he proposed and I was more than thrilled, as I had had a crush on him since the first time we met! After another five months of preparation we were married on September 18th, 2009...one of the hottest September days I've seen in years (95 degrees!)

Thrilled to be married we began discussing starting a family right away...at 26 and 30 years old we didn't want to waste any more time - especially with my history of endometriosis and poly-cystic ovaries. Within no time we discovered we were expecting and began planning for the greatest joy we could think of to enter our lives. The week before Christmas 2009 we discovered we were officially six weeks along and people told me I was glowing. We were thrilled at the prospect of sharing with all our family (our parents were already aware and excited) over the Christmas holiday. When Christmas Eve came and I went to work for a few hours to close up my store (Caribou Coffee) I started not feeling well. I pushed aside the fears that I had been holding onto and ignored the pains I was feeling and simply asked to stay home for Christmas as I was not feeling well. Two weeks later, a week before my birthday, at work again, I began bleeding...that afternoon we learned that our precious baby had died on Christmas Eve, at 7 weeks and 2 days gestation. I was beyond devastated.

From the age of 15 doctors had told me that I would either never conceive or would have such a high hormone level due to my endometrosis I would have no trouble conceiving, so it didn't surprise me when we learned about 7 weeks after loosing our angel, whom we named Carrmindy Anne, that we were indeed about 3 weeks pregnant. We lost Simeon Nathan within 4 days of discovering this news. Loosing Simeon only made me angry and more determined to have my dream come true and within a month we were trying again. By June we were 4 weeks 3 days along before we lost Matthew Ryan. Carrmindy Anne's due date came with great pain, August 8th, 2010 and I couldn't even stand to have Steve look at me that whole week.
The middle of October 2010 I became aware, once again, of the change in my body...at this point I have become so intune with my body that I know within 48 hours that I am with child. My new OBGYN began monitoring my HCG level a week later and we were seeing amazing rises in my level over the next three weeks! The doctor was amazed and the guessed four weeks along we went in for our first ultrasound to begin monitoring the baby's growth. Things looked good and a small spring of hope developed. My OB wanted to continue monitoring so we scheduled another HCG, followed my three ultrasounds within four days of each other and the end of the last week of November it was confirmed, baby number four was not developing, nor letting go. On the afternoon of November 29th I had my first DNC and came home feeling high on pain killers and numb. 

Over the next two and a half months Steve and I had blood panel after blood panel drawn and I had an HSG (hysterosalpingogram). All of tests have lead to zero answers. Our blood shows nothing, the mixing of our blood shows nothing, and the HSG showed a very normal reproductive system. The doctors all encourage more trying and immediate phone calls upon discovery...no baby yet but a lot of prayer.
I won't lie and say that every day is perfect, in fact it is anything but. The difference is we have given it over to God. Recently I had a dream that gave me great comfort but I didn't believe it until, in the middle of an interview for a nannying position, I said, without a second thought, "My husband and I are unable to have children of our own." As soon as the words were out of my mouth my comfort level rose and I felt life once again enter my bones. Deep down I truly feel that Steve and I will never have children of our own but God provides amazing comfort in our moments of weakness and pain.

 

I know I a meant to be a mother - I know it in my heart and feel it in my bones. I no longer cry at the thought of my babies gone but smile at the knowledge that they are in Heaven, worshipping with the angels! Every child I come across holds a special place in my heart and I have many nieces and nephews...even a godson! I hope and pray that one day I will hear the word "mommy" and it will be meant for me. I may never experience The Great Letdown but someday I hope I can share my own stories of joys with my child(ren) with you.

Impel Clothing Review and Giveaway!

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Impel Clothing Review and Giveaway

Impel Clothing is a company that was created in 2005 by a mom who needed extra income due to her husbands business slowing down. She created tanks and tees with high quality fabrics and kept it at one price. Since then, Impel has transitioned into a modest clothing online boutique, having expanded their clothing line to include a wonderful selection of vintage inspired fashions. They strive to continually offer women what they are looking for: modesty, style, affordability, and functionality. Impel wants to help women feel feminine and attractive while reflecting their true beauty from within.

 I received their infamous Basic Long Essential Cami in two colors, Grey and Cream. The first thing I loved about the Camis was the feeling. They were tight to my skin, did not roll up and it was the softest of soft cotton. It was lightweight and since I am the type of person that layers-layers and layers so that is huge. The do not lose their shape or stretch out, another big plus for me.

As a busty woman, it is hard to find a Cami that does not reveal exceeding amounts of cleavage so when I pull it up, it stays up and does not creep down. I would recommend these Camis to everyone I know. I swear by mine and are cheaper than the ones that I purchased at the buckle for years. This is my GO-TO Cami and I can only thank Impel for making amazing piece of clothing.

Impel was kind enough to giveaway a Cami to one of you lucky readers!
-----------------------------------------------------
Here is how to Enter:
Manditory:
1. Follow this blog publicly.
2. Go to Impel FB page "like" them and tell them @The Great Letdown sent you!


That's it!


Extra entries available:
1. blog about TGL
2. tweet this.(can be done ounce a day)
3. FB this.(can be done ounce a day)
4. Grab my button.
5. Do you layer your clothes? Tell me why and if you think Impel would help. 
6. Follow TGL on Facebook.
7.Follow TGL on twitter.


Thanks for entering and I look forward to the winner! Please BE SURE that you leave a individual comment for each entry. Include all needed information such as a email in the case that you win, all links for proof too :) Good Luck and Enjoy! This will end on June 24th midnight central time...USA only.

*Note that this product was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with Impel Clothing.

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual from Soule Mama, one of my favorite bloggers.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Winner of Sprout diaper Shell

And the winner is.......  comment 41

KMOGILEVSKI!

Please be sure to not that if you do not email back within 48 hours a new winner will be selected

kmogilevski said...

Facebooked (http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=205501419485817&id=100002099416943)
allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com

May 31, 2011 6:08 PM