From Dates to Diapers, and beyond!

I love everything about the Christmas season - carols, decorations, Christmas cards, baking, and shopping.

But, I also love Thanksgiving - reflecting how truly blessed I am, baking, anticipating a large family meal, a warm fire and pumpkin pie.

I don't remember hearing Christmas carols on the radio on Halloween last year, do you? What happened to Thanksgiving?

Okay, so how have you done will all of the giveaways out there for the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway? There is no way I was going to even try to tackle all of them, so I have only been entering those that catch my eye.... It's been fun, but tiring!

Here are some contests and giveaways, that are going on right now, that are not linked to the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway...

Pampering Beki is giving away a pair of her Cranberry Ice earrings. They are sooo very pretty and would make a great gift for any gal on your Christmas list! Head over and visit Beki, before Friday, to enter.

DE Reviews is hosting a giveaway from LTDChix, through Friday. I love the one that has the Laundry Mom on it!!

The gals at 5 Minutes for Mom are having several giveaways:

• Josh Turner Prize Pack - Enter by November 20th
• Pedal Car or Record Player from Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles. The Pink Princess Pedal Car would be so much fun for Julia! Enter by November 30th
  
• Downsize Your Diaper Bag - Enter by November 6th
  

• You have until Friday night to enter to win a Holiday Hostess apron set from The Apronista.
• And, Sheena has a Preconception Goody Package to give away. Now, I am certainly NOT trying to conceive, however I do have friends who are, so I'm entering this for them! This prize consists of a $25 Kangaroodle gift certificate and a copy of the book Preconception Plain & Simple, by Audrey Couto McClelland and Sharon K. Couto from Pinks & Blues! Enter this one before November 4th.
  

I am so excited about the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway, over at Bloggy Giveaways! When I entered my link, there were already over 200 giveaways posted! Wow!! Make sure you check out the main hub, so you can enter as many as you can!

It's almost time for the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway, headed up by none other than the wonderful Shannon, over at Rocks in My Dryer and Bloggy Giveaways!

I participated in the Doggy Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway that she did, and it was sooo much fun. I even won a couple of wonderful items!!

So, without further ado, I would like to tell you all that I will be giving away....

A custom, beaded bracelet, hand made by MOI!!

Okay, so here's what you've all been waiting for... The list of winners and prizes from this last week's surprise giveaway! (I will be contacting all of the winners soon, but if you see your name here, drop me an email, kay?)

• Day One - Lesha won a copy of the book, White Chocolate Moments, by Lori Wick (great book!)
• Day Two - Lib won a beautiful Candy Dish full of Chocolate
• Day Three - Sarah won a tub of Simply Irresistable Strawberry Body Butter and a Body Massager
• Day Four - Puddintane! won a Chatter BOX 60 piece Card Kit
• Day Five - Amanda won a copy of the book, Mrs. Miracle, by Debbie Macomber (paperback)
• Day Six - Lace won a CELEBRATE photo album
• Day Seven - Jenna won a stunning pair of handmade beaded earrings

• Gloves in a Bottle
  
• Avannabel Baby
• Blonde Blogger
• Canon City Candles
• Tessy and Tab
• Made Just For Me
• Sugar & Spice Children's Hairbows and Accessories

*This post will remain at the top until October 27th, and is updated daily*
*For recent posts, please scroll down!*

• 7 oz Gloves in a Bottle -- CanCan WON!!
  
• **A Birthday Dress (size 3T) from Avannabel Baby -- Lace WON!!
• set of 7 No-Slip Clips - Blonde Blogger -- MamaLuxe WON!!
• set of three assorted votives with votive holder, and a bar of Juniper Breeze scented soap - Michelle at Canon City Candles -- Sheena WON!!
• 1-year subscription to The Tessy and Tab Reading Club -- Aimee WON!!
• A personalized CD or book - Made Just For Me -- Michelle WON!!
• Large Ribbon Hairbow (up to an $8 value) - Sugar & Spice Children's Hairbows and Accessories -- Ali WON!!

1. Place my giveaway button somewhere on your blog - It can be in a post or in your sidebar, as long as I can see it when I come to visit you.
2. Link to this giveaway post here at From Dates to Diapers. (If you know how to link the button, this will be a valid link.)
   
3. Sign the Mr. Linky below. If you do not have a blog, you may still enter. I will ask that you email 3 of your friends and CC me at fromdatestodiapers@yahoo.com. (Make sure you still sign the Mr. Linky!)
4. Leave me a comment telling me which item you would like to win, and why.
5. Remember that each day, I will be playing a fun party game, and you will have an extra chance to win!! Make sure you enter 'em all:

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Okay, I have to admit that I have gotten a little wrapped up in birthday celebrations this week! Can you blame me, though? With my twins turning 7, and me the big 30, I couldn't help it!

Anyway, I have gathered together a short list of some of the giveaways and contests that I didn't want you to miss, due to my slacking off this week! Here they are, in no particular order:

• Over at Lipstick to Crayons you can enter to win a ten pack of Kodak's celebration single-use cameras. Check it out before November 1st - You can earn up to three entries to enter.
• Win a Bitty Braille t-shirt of your choice, from the Crunchy Domestic Goddess. Head over and find out how to enter before Monday, Nov. 5.... It's super easy!
• There's a Poopasnuffas giveaway over at An Island Life. There are several ways to enter, but be sure you do so before October 28th.
• Ashes to Ashes has generously offered to give a Blonde Review reader one of their exquisite pieces of jewelery in any style (except gold) to commemorate the life of a deceased pet! Enter this giveaway before October 31st.
• mod*mom has a Method Home Holiday Gift Basket to give away. Enter by leaving a comment on the giveaway post by November 12th. (Oh, and you can find out how to get a groovy reusable bag for FREE!)
• You can win a My Little Crayon Roll-Up from A.B. Baby Boutique. Link to the giveaway and leave a comment, before November 1st.

1. Anything party game goes.... I want to hear about your favorites. Write about it in a post on your blog, and link to this giveaway, anytime before Saturday evening.
   
2. Sign the Mr. Linky with a link to your post, so we can all hear about your favorites.
   
3. On Saturday I will randomly choose the winner of a special gift from me.
   
4. Have fun reading everyone's entries, and make sure you visit me every day this week to find out how to win a great giveaway each day!

Here are a couple of contests you'll want to enter:

• The Domestic Diva has a Pink Dyson to give to one very lucky person! I would so love for that person to be me, simply because I am in dire need of a new vacuum. With six little ones and a vacuum that sucks doesn't suck, I could so use it. In fact, I would use it every day, more than once, you can be sure!
  
• Kailani is hosting a giveaway, now through October 25th, for Elite Bead Creations. You can win a beautiful pair of Swavorski Crystal Dangle earrings... Love 'em!!
• Pink Zebra Boutique is having a giveaway. The more people who enter, the more prizes they'll give away! Sounds good to me!
  

1. Anything birthday goes.... I want to hear about your birthday memories and wishes. Write about it in a post on your blog, and link to this giveaway, anytime before Saturday evening.
   
2. Sign the Mr. Linky with a link to your post, so we can all read your fun stories.
   
3. On Saturday I will randomly choose the winner of a special gift from me.
   
4. Have fun reading everyone's entries, and make sure you visit me every day this week to find out how to win a great giveaway each day!
   

Just in case you don't have plans today, I've found some giveaways for you to check out and enter.

HomeMom3 is hosting a giant Hanes giveaway that ends on October 26th. Go, find out how you can enter to win. She also has TWO more copies of Amy Grant's book, Mosaic, to give away. You have to enter that one before the 23rd.

Check out Scribbit's Saturday Giveaway.

If you are in need of a new diaper bag, One Chic Mama has an O' Yikes! Slingback Bag to give away. Head over and check it out before October 21st.

Make sure you check out today's Toy Giveaway over at the Goody Blog.

Don't forget about 5 Minutes Around The Blogosphere, posted at 5 Minutes for Mom every Sunday, by the fabulous Kailani. If you are new to 5 Minutes for Mom, you'll be happy to know that the two moms that run the site, Susan and Janice, are work-at-home-moms who also run two toy stores: A Rocking Horse To Love and Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles. You'll definitely want to visit their Mom Owned Stores section, at 5 Minutes for Mom, to find other great places to purchase fabulous items and support businesses owned and operated by moms. Think Christmas shopping!

If you haven't already, you still have time to enter my Big Birthday Giveaway! Winning begins tomorrow!!

*** Edited to add one more!

Steph is having a giveaway, too... You can enter to win a copy of Mama Panya's Pancakes just by leaving a comment on the giveaway post before Monday, October 22nd.

Katja, over at Skimbaco, tagged me with the Crazy Eights Meme...

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Jesus Christ
2. My husband, and being the best helpmeet I can be
3. My kiddos, and being the mom they need me to be
4. My extended family
5. Homeschooling
6. Being a good friend
7. Africa
8. Babies and children

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. See my children grow to be strong and healthy adults, who love and serve God
2. Write a children's book, or two
3. Learn how to sew
4. Be debt free
5. Go back to Africa
6. Adopt a couple of babies
7. See my brother and sister get married and start families
8. Be obedient to the Lord's calling

8 things I say often:
1. I love you
2. Can I have a kiss?
3. Stop that
4. Come here (I often forget to say please)
5. I love you more!
6. cool (the California girl in me)
7. Stop yelling
8. Hello

8 books I've recently read:
I'm assuming you mean books for grown-ups?
1. A Bend in the Road, by Nicholas Sparks
2. A Merry Heart, by Wanda Brunstetter
3. Looking For A Miracle, by Brunstetter
4. Plain and Simple, by Brunstetter (I'm fascinated by the Amish!)
5. White Chocolate Moments, by Lori Wick
6. Bittersweet, by Cathy Marie Hake
7. The Last Disciple, by Hank Hanegraaff & Sigmund Brouwer
8. The Last Sacrifice, by Hanegraff & Brouwer (Can't wait for the third one to come out)

8 songs I could listen to over and over:
Let me just tell you who I like to listen to, since I'm horrible at remembering song titles!
1. Norah Jones
2. Jars of Clay
3. Casting Crowns
4. Mercy Me
5. Third Day
6. Natalie Grant
7. Nicole C. Mullen
8. My sister's boyfriend

8 things that attract me to my best friends:
1. Honesty
2. Loyalty
3. A good listener
4. Trustworthy
5. Fun-loving
6. The ability to make time for me even if they are "busy"
7. Tactful
8. Easy-going

8 things I've learned this past year:
1. I enjoy making jewelry
2. I would like to have more than six children
3. People change
4. We have a lot of "stuff"
5. I could probably live without a lot of my "stuff"
6. Life is short
7. People can surprise you
8. I enjoy blogging

8 people I think should do Crazy 8's:
1. Ali
2. Jenna
3. Heidi
4. Jenn
5. Jennifer
6. Jenny
8. Heather
8. Mimi - Mimi is what my kiddos call my Mom - She created a blog and hasn't really done anything with it, yet. Maybe this will help her get started!! (You know, you could go by and leave a nice comment for her, so she knows you're out there.... hint, hint)

My advice for any one who would like to win fabulous prizes would be
JUST KEEP ENTERING!!

Here are some great sites for you to visit for the chance to win some great stuff:

You can win a $50 Kangaroodle gift certificate by entering at Bloggy Giveaways by October 22nd.

Or, how about a Surf's Up Prize Pack from 5 Minutes for mom? Well, head over and enter by October 25th. (Hey, that's my birthday!)

Find out how you can win a Pink Dyson from Mama Speaks... They're having a fun contest, but it ends on the 25th, too!

Parent Product Reviews has something new to win every day, it seems. Head over and find out what, when, and how.

Beginning on Monday you can enter to win a different fabulous prize, from My Mom Shops, EVERY DAY!

You can win a Power Rangers DVD from The Domestic Diva. This one ends today!

Blonde Blogger has a copy of Catch That Goat to give away... Head over and enter before Sunday.

Enter to win a Harvest Boutique gift basket from Your Heart Out. Leave a comment before Monday, the 22nd.

Peppa Pig needs a new home... Props and Pans has THREE DVDs to give away!

Petite Mommy has THREE copies of Amy Grant's new book, Mosaic, to give away. You get an extra entry if you guess how old she will be today. I guessed 30, 'cause everyone seems to be turning 30 this month!! Oh, hurry... this contest ends today!

For a chance to win a super chic and PINK diaper bag, the Mums want to know about your bag. Visit the giveaway post for all of the details. You have until next Wednesday (the 24th).

Visit The Pinks and Blues Girls at Mama Loves Giveaways, before October 25th, to find out how you can enter to win a Tonka truck and "Trick or Tater" Mr. Potato Head.

Mark your calendar for the Fall Ya'll, Bloggy Giveaway Extravaganza, hosted by Bloggy Giveaways, the entire week of October 29th. There were over 300 contests and giveaways to enter this last Spring, by various bloggers... I can't wait to be a part of it again this time! You can enter the giveaways and even host one of your own!

And, don't forget about my Big Birthday Giveaway - The winning starts this Sunday!