happy list saturday

this week, as i mentioned in my last post, was a very emotionally taxing week. i was planning on skipping this week's happy list. but today has been a bit brighter. i've had a fairly decent day, and i got quite a bit accomplished, so i felt like i had enough energy in reserve to do the happy list post. here we go...

1. giveaways.  i've done a terrible job of promoting this month's giveaway mostly because i've been dealing with the affects of grief. but i am really excited about giving away the keepsake remembrance necklace from Lilly Ellen Designs. i really hope that it brings a smile to a momma desperately in need of one {like it did for me}. if you haven't had a chance to enter the giveaway, you still have time. check out this post for details on the necklace and to enter. the giveaway will end on april 11th, and i will announce the winner on april 12th.

2. jewelry. i got such a wonderful outpouring of support after my last post. i can't thank you ladies enough for lifting me up with your comforting words, thoughts and prayers. i seriously don't know where i would be without you all. anyway, one comment in particular gave me inspiration to splurge on myself a bit {not that i need an excuse, but still}. felicia, said "...Go do one thing special for yourself, you like coffee go get one that you don't have to feel guilty for...you like the mall....go buy a new blouse or earrings....just give yourself one good reason to smile...I'll do the same." so i decided yesterday to buy the birthstone rings that i had been eyeing from james avery {thanks to natasha}. i got a ring to represent me, D and Juju, and will wear them together - with Juju sandwiched in between his momma and daddy. more pieces to add to my Juju armor.

i also picked up a couple of things for future giveaways.

dragonfly earrings

butterfly necklace

3. mail. i received such a thoughtful gift in the mail from someone i went to grade school and high school with. she said after seeing the tattoo i got on my wrist, she knew she had to buy this mug for me. i couldn't help but smile looking at the adorable froggy and thinking of Julius. whenever i receive a card or a gift from people, i feel it's Julius' way of reaching out to me and letting me know he's ok. it's his way of sending love to me, through others. so thank you, tania, for making me smile, and sending me Juju's love.

4. gardens. i've again been inspired by my fellow BLMs to plant a garden/flower bed for Juju. after seeing some of the beautiful pics, i thought it would be a great idea to have an area dedicated to the life and love of my baby boy. so i asked my dear friend to help me with this project, since she has more of a green thumb than i do. we went out yesterday and bought the flowers, several of which were called "may night." i thought that was only appropriate considering he was born in may. we planted a few this evening {and i got eaten alive by mosquitoes}, and will finish planting the batch we got this weekend. i ordered a personalized garden memorial stone this past week too. so i will add that once we get all the flowers in, and then i'll post the pic.