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

recent leap? putting myself out there with someone i wouldn't normally...she was hurting and i attempted to comfort her...not sure if it did the trick, but i felt compelled to...and now that i did it, i'm sure i'll be much more likely to step out of my little box in a similar situation again....

My most recent leap was the decision to return to work after staying home for the first year after my firstborn daughter's birth. I grew up thinking all I'd ever wanted was to be a "domestic engineer" and giving that up to do what was financially necessary for my family at the time was a very difficult decision for me. I didn't want people to think less of me as a woman or more importantly, as a mother... but sometimes you just have to relinquish control and just "go with it". I did and I've been blessed many times since. I look forward to returning home to my dream job someday, but in the meantime I'll continue to embrace the change this has brought to our daily lives and face the "mommy guilt" with an open mind.

Forgive something thzt should have been forgiven a long time ago! Happy that that chapter is now closed and a new book of life is opening!

Thanks for gathering such tempting giveaways. Alas, the classes in Italy would not be a possibility for me to attend, but the other two sound great!
My most recent leap. . . is committing to taking a picture every day for the whole year. I'm passionate about photography and want to take things to the next level.

My biggest leap is deciding to be a SAHM, it has been a huge change, but I am loving it!

My little leap for today was taking my five year old sledding down the "big" hill. She is a snow bunny through and through and loved every minute. I took a big leap and didn't take my camera so that I could enjoy every minute and sled with her.

My latest leap is returning to work and figuring out how to be a great mom and a great professional all at the same time!
Thanks for your daily inspiration!

My biggest leap was deciding to stay home and figure out a way to make money from here. Italy is my dream spot to visit. Pick me!

My most recent leap was to send my son to live with his dad. I knew it was the best thing for him. It took alot of courage on both our parts. It has been very hard for me and him; however the change I see in him has made that "leap" most worth wild. I miss him daily. I do talk to him all the time however its not the same.

What a beautiful way to look at courage & how we all show acts of courage everyday whether they be big or small. Thanks for sharing!
Right now my "leap" is trying to develop deeper friendships with some of the international women I've met while living in Belgium. This may not sound like a big leap but for me it is. It means putting myself out there... exchanging phone numbers, inviting them to my home for coffee or tea, and opening myself up so they can get to know me better.

My most recent leap of faith has been to take on another job to help our family. I am a 4th grade teacher during the day and at night I am now teaching scrapbook classes out of my home for my friends who would like to scrap but feel intimidated by a store environment and I am demonstrating Canon printers at scrapping events. Because I have always taught children, being in front of adults is new. I was nervous at first (I actually got sick right before my very first event in front of a room full of women! :) ) But, I am quickly discovering what I think I already knew, that inside each adult is a sweet little kid who just wants to be acknowledged and appreciated. That has been a great re-discovery and I have loved my second job(s.)

My act of courage is to get healthy. I've spent the past 11.5 years overweight. I was in a *comfortable* place. I like eating, I like drinking. I stopped drinking (except wine now and then) about a year ago and since I can't stop eating, I developed an exercise routine that works for me. I have lost about 13 pounds since the beginning of November.
It was hard to get started. I have to push myself every day in order to go further than (and sometimes as far as) I went yesterday. I realized that I had to have the courage to not say, "I can't go any further." Sometimes I still think that thought, but another little thought pops into its place now, that says, "KEEP going!"
I still have a long way to go, but I have the confidence that I can get there. It took courage to commit to that plan, to actually say it out loud.

My big leap was teaching an old dog a new trick (which old dog was me). Working the concession stand at work, first time for me EVER and it was fun!!! Thanks for the chance to win. I would have to pass on the trip to Italy though!!

My most recent leap is being the role of mom and dad during the week - my husband now has to travel for work (due to the economy) so I'm really enjoying providing my six year old son the stability and guidance he needs whilst daddy is away.
Love the giveaway Ali, fingers crossed!

My leap is that I am making plans to return to school in the fall. I'm so nervous and excited!

My big leap was in applying to the best medical school in the world! I failed high school and everyone said I would never do anything with my life. But I picked myself up and now dream big. Regardless of whether I get in I have proven everyone wrong in just coming this far!

My everyday life is full of little leaps. Caring for my two little children and my husband, working, getting the household done. Every night I try to be happy about what I have done.

Wowwww great giveaways!
My most recent "leap" would have to be starting to venture into the world of professional photography. I'm scared to death, but I love it :)

My most recent act of courage lasted six months while I was the bread winner after my husband lost his job. After lots of prayers and hard work he is finally employed and doing great in his new position.

My most recent leap was quitting my job as an accountant which paid well and was very stable. I went back to school to get a degree in elementary education which I thought would make me and my family happier. I'm so glad I took the leap and that my husband wholeheartledly supported the change. The year of school meant paying tuition and no income- double whammy, but it was worth it. I get to walk into my classroom each day and teach 17 little guys and gals. And I get a paycheck to do it!! It's amazing!