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

My biggest leap............I ran a marathon!
I still can't believe it!
But, I trained, I worked hard......and I did it!

My most recent "leap" was to let go of the past and look to the future for what can be.

My most recent leap was a small one- talking in front of my son's Pre-K class yesterday for "Heart Month." I'm a pacemaker/defibrillator nurse and Ryan's teacher asked me to speak to the kids. I talked about the basics of eating healthy foods, the importance of exercise/being active (in general, how to keep their little hearts healthy) and discussed what I do as a nurse. At the end I asked if there were any questions. Here are a couple of the "questions": "The heart is RED!"
"I don't smoke!" (Thank heavens for that! These kids were 4 and 5 years old.)
"I like to run."
I eventually got one actual question, which was "How tough is the heart?" A pretty good question from a 4 year old in the crowd (which then led into a discussion about the heart being a muscle that is so amazing, it works all the time without us having to think about it!) It was a wonderful hour spent with my son in HIS world. And a leap for someone who doesn't necessarily thrive on lots of public speaking. Thanks for the quote, Ali. :)

I am trying to take a leap and move to a different city for a job for my husband. Congrats on the baby!! So excited for you, our little girly is due in May
Kari b

My most recent act of courage. For me that was taking my 4 year old to her first day of kindy. It was nerve wracking and horrible to have to spend the day without her. It was good to have the courage to see ut through though.

Hi Ali,
No, I can't go to Italy this year-- but I love the other two prizes! My most recent leap was starting a webpage to serve as a support group for family members of the 2/505th Airborne Rangers who are now serving in Iraq. My son is a 1st Lieutenant in charge of 36 men, and I contacted all of the parents and wives to offer encouragement, share information and have someone to talk to during a long, hard year. My other son served 2 tours in Iraq and we had no one to talk to then. It makes me feel good knowing I can help these other families!

My most recent big leap...taking my daughter to preschool! This was a little unplanned and unexpected, but has been a blessing!

Emotional leaps scare me to death. Ironically, if you ask anyone who knows me, they will likely say I'm extremely secure and have no problem speaking my mind. The truth is, even though I come across confident, the thought of ruffling feathers and having people think less of me makes me sick to my stomach.
As a public school teacher, I am faced daily with situations in which I can speak my mind or just keep the peace. Sometimes the energy it takes to battle stubborn colleagues and clueless administration is enough to keep me quiet. However, this week I just couldn't sit by - I had to leap. Since September I've watched one of my students constantly struggle and be denied services he deserves from our school's child study team. The son of a single mom unaware of her rights, this boy made it to eighth grade without the support he so desperately needed. I could no longer sit quietly and accept the frequent dismissals by the CST and administration. I dug my feet in, provided his mother with a clear, understandable version of her rights, and refused to back down. Because I lept, that boy is now classified and getting the services he needs and deserves.
Although my week was made by this victory, it could be even sweeter with the Stacy Julian "Library of Memories" class. I recently took on the job of family archivist and having been sorting through thousands of family photos dating back to 1910! I'm completely overwhelmed about how to organize them, so this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the chance, Ali!!!

Today, I am taking a leap of faith (and courage) and trusting that the way my fifteen year-old son feels about me now (or says he feels, at least) is not how he will always feel. He is becoming more independent every day, and isn't this what I've always hoped for him? So now, I just have to trust that while he distances himself now, he will come back when he's ready. But it sure is hard. It's taking a great deal of courage to believe in myself and trust that I am a good parent who is doing the right things day to day.

My beautiful girl started school today, I am so used to having her around, was a big leap for me to start letting go a little!

My biggest ongoing leap is homeschooling my boys. Totally worth it. What a difference it has made in our lives.
Thanks for a chance to win.

I am trying to write a book and have found writing some everyday incredibly challenging, currently impossible.

My big leap was to join a mothers group for the first time. I am new to the neighborhood and have a new baby, so this was a chance to get out a and meet new people.

Great contest! Biggest leap would be being a mommy to my 17 month old son, you give up a lot but it is SO WORTH IT!

I hope I'm not too late! My biggest leap was the change in job from Corporate Controller having a dozen people reporting to me and high power politics to working for the Catholic Church and ministering to children and families! No money, but lots of fun and other rewards!

We had to take a big leap Monday and have our 7 year old admitted into the hospital for some tests. It's so hard to see your child going through something and be strong for them. Thankfully, we got a diagnosis we can live with, one that he will be able to live a long, healthy normal life with by taking medication. But, knowing it could have been something life threatening was so hard for our family.
Have a great week! Hug those kids extra tight everyone!!!!!

I love that kit. I have made a leap recently. Two really. I have leapt into my bosses job while she is out after having surgery on both feet. And was actually told today by one of the managers that I was doing a good job. And the other leap was not really something I want because it will take me away from my family even more. But I am taking a part-time job to go along with the full-time job I already have. My husband still hasn't found a job after being fired (medical reasons) almost a year ago. The Lord is blessing me though with both of these opportunities.

Biggest leap.....leaving a failed marriage and becoming a single mom. Stressful, scary but it needed to happen.

I lept and went to the doctor because i think something is wrong. Scary.

A year ago my husband took a leap and gave up a teaching position to allow me to take a career step up as the principal of a small country school. I took that same leap to leave a large, comfortable school and work in establishing a new school. Now I'm poised to reverse the roles and step into the unknown as my husband joins the Air Force, which will involve a move to new state to a town with few school. Scary and not yet sure how this will all pan out...

My husband took a job overseas. I was a leap for our whole family. I am here with our son, but I have faith that this was meant to happen in our lives.
So would love the LOM class. The book Photo Freedom is amazing!

my biggest leap recently was trusting in God to provide for all of my familiy's needs. Guess what? He did!

hey ali!!
so good to leave you a comment (ya know...like talking to you...but not) :)
i would say my biggest leap has been starting a relationship with someone. i was starting to doubt whether there even was someone out there for me...and whether it was even worth it. the last relationship ended miserably and i was done. although the new guy isn't most definitely not what i had imagined for myself, i couldn't be paired up with anyone more perfect. it's really making me reevaluate my thoughts on destiny and God as well. :)
take care!

My husband is currently finishing Law School and will be preparing for the bar in a couple of months. During this time he will not be able to work. So I have decided to go back to work after 3 years of staying home with our children to support the family while he prepares for the Bar.

My most recent act of courage was going through my closet and letting go of anything that no longer fit or flattered. It was quite a challenge letting go of my attachments to the clothes and the body they represented, but it is a new era! We had a garage sale this weekend and the money I made will help me to start a new wardrobe of classic basics that fit and flatter!