park city.

We love going up to park city.

 It is so beautiful up there, so we headed up there today. 

Brooklynn touched snow for the very first time. She loved it. 

Which is good because there will be plenty of it this winter!

 It's so beautiful there!!

also ::

go enter in my giveaway on Casey's blog!!

guest post :: giveaway :: from ashley!

First of all, let me tell you how EXCITED I am to be guest posting here today at Jenna's. Her's was one of the first blogs I came across when I discovered the world of blogging. I thought to myself "what have I been missing out on?!"  I quickly came to feel like I knew her and looked forward to reading her new posts. It was blogs like hers that inspired me to start my own.

So, let me introduce myself! I am Ashley and I am a stay at home momma to two energetic toddlers! My son Jaxson is 2 1/2 and my daughter Kendra is almost 14 months! I just started my blog a few months ago and absolutely love it. You can find me here. I really feel like I am finding things out about myself through blogging. I love to write and always have, but I have never really "put myself out there", if you know what I mean.

When I sat down to write this I realized that tends to be a common theme for me. I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone. For too many years I have let fear guide my decisions. It's always been the fear of rejection that has held me back. I think we all experience this in some form or another. For instance, I thought about starting a blog long before I ever did. I kept thinking "what if no one even cares what I have to say".

What I have come to realize lately is that sometimes you don't realize what you are missing when you are too afraid to try. You may think you are happy not making a change or taking a chance, but you don't know how happy you really can be. I took the leap and started my blog a few months ago and haven't regretted it once. I have met so many interesting, supportive and encouraging people. I have been so inspired by so many of you to tap into my creative side. I have even started designing and making hair clips. I thought I would just do it as a hobby, but deep down I knew I wanted it to be more, but fear was holding me back again. This time, though, I am not letting it stop me. I think sometimes the best things in life can be found when you step outside of your comfort zone. I am having the time of my life trying new things and putting myself out there. So, please stop by my blog and join me!

With that said, I would love to offer one lucky reader a chance to get their hands on two pairs of my clips and a headband my mother in law made. We are in the process of building up an inventory before we open up shop. :)

Here are the rules:

- It's mandatory to be a follower of The Duty Family by GFC

- It's also mandatory to be a follower of my blog... you can do that here

-additional entries include sharing a time when you went out of your comfort zone and it was totally worth it.

- head on over and like The Duty Family on Facebook here

There are four possible entries so be sure to do all and come back and comment for the best chance and good luck!

anxiety. {and a winner}

Today we are headed off to Miami. 

Tomorrow we leave for..

Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas

St. Thomas, Usvi

San Juan, Puerto Rico

and Grand Turk

amazing right??

(don't worry, I have some amazing guest posters next week!)

Well, first I need to get rid of my anxiety of leaving this little sweetie. 

Ah, I'm having a melt down! Seriously, I keep bursting into tears because I already miss her so much it hurts my heart. I mean, I get separation anxiety with inanimate objects... so you can imagine how I feel about leaving my first and only baby girl! I know it'll be okay. And we are going to have fun. 

I just need to relax.

Don't grow up while I'm gone Brookie. Mommy loves you!

On a different note ::

The Ga Ga Galore shop credit winner is,

Whitney Asay!

CONGRATS!

Email Erica @ gagagalore4{at}gmail{dot}com

my SHINING funny baby girl.

First off you should go enter in my giveaway over at the Shine Project.

Also, today is the last day you can enter in the Ga Ga Galore shop credit giveaway. hurry go here.

And today I leave you will a silly video of Brooklynn passing the time on our long car drive!

product.review.giveaway

I don't know about you, but finding the perfect little blanky that your little one just loves is an important process. Sweet Erica, the extremely talented owner of Ga Ga Galore makes the cutest Loopy blankets. And guess what? Brooklynn LOVES hers! She loves the tags that surround it, the bright colors, and super soft fabrics! She carries it around everywhere!! We are both in love. Check it out...

PJ's :: Walmart
Blanket :: Ga Ga Galore


Seriously, how cute is that blanket?!!

Now here comes the giveaway part!

Meet Erica! :)

"Hiya! My name is Erica and I am a mommy to three cutie-patootie boys Angel (5), Ayden (3), and Aaron (10 months)...okay 4 boys if you count my husband lol! I am a full time workin' momma with a passion for crafting ever since I was a little girl! I am proud to say I am a self-taught sewer and truly enjoy making every adorable. handmade item I offer in my shop {Ga Ga Galore}. The product that takes up most of the space in my shop are my ultra soft, super cuddly & baby friendly Loopy Blanky's. Every baby loves tags, different textures, fun colorful prints, and super soft blanky's to keep close!

Today I am giving away a $20 shop credit for {ANYTHING} in my shop, so perhaps you can shoose that perfect loopy blanky for that adorable baby in your life! Thanks to Jenna for hosting this great giveaway!"

Here's how to enter ::
{Mandatory to be a follower of The Duty Family blog}


Go check out {Ga Ga Galore} and tell me your favorite item
Fan {Ga Ga Galore} on Facebook here
Follow her on twitter here


Additional entries::
Follow me on twitter here
Like us on facebook here


leave a comment for each!
good luck!

georgia aquarium

Let me start out by saying the Georgia Aquarium is pretty dang cool. We started out going to the dolphin show which made me want to be a dolphin trainer/performer. I mean, come on, how cool so swim with dolphins and make them do cool tricks and hug them and stuff. AMAZING! I gotta do it! Okay, clearly, I'm never going to be a dolphin trainer but it's pretty good to dream about. We then went on to browse through the rest of the aquarium which was pretty spectacular! Brooklynn made 2 new boyfriends. She really loves other kids. It's fun to watch her go up to them and get up in their faces and stuff. She's so funny. We had a great time. Enjoy the photos!

The winner of the Diet Coke necklace is...

Cerrisse

Congrats!!! Email me!!

jennarduty{at}gmail{dot}com

messy baby.

Every time Brooklynn eats, before I can get a spoonful into her mouth she has to have some of her food on her tray to play with. It makes her eating time get very messy. But I am okay with that. I am okay with her exploring her food. The way it feels and what not. But last night she took messy to a whole new level! :)

The winner of the CanStruction giveaway is

Sheridan!

Congrats! Email me!

jennarduty{at}gmail{dot}com

Don't forget to enter in the diet coke necklace giveaway here.

It ends tonight!

important.giveaway

Hey friends.

So I don't know if you've ever heard of CanStruction but it is this amazing thing that different organizations do in Orange County, CA. Where they construct something out of cans.

Then, the different creations are voted for on facebook for the Peoples Choice Awards.

The creations are pretty amazing.

We really want FIDM's to win. My mother has been working for this college for a lot of years and it would mean the world to her! and me!

Now here's the deal. 

I am giving this cute flower away..

Even though Brooklynn is wearing it it's so stretchy that it can be worn by an adult too!

AND

A one month Large Ad space on my blog.

Here's all you have to do to enter.

Follow my blog.

then first go to this facebook page here and "like" it

then go and "like" this photo here

it's the one of the purse.

leave a comment letting me know you did so!

giveaway ends sunday night at midnight pacific time.

winner.

Well, we are officially moved out and on our way to ATL.

Hopefully the drive goes smoothly.

See ya never St. Louis!

We have a lot of fun things planned for Atlanta, 

and some more awesome giveaways coming up so stay tuned! :)

The Winner of the Lily White giveaway is..

Jennifer March

Congrats! Email me!

jennarduty{at}gmail{dot}com

giveaway.time

Hey Friends! I have a great giveaway for you today!!

Meet sweet Mary...

"Hi! My name is Mary and I'm a graduate student at the University of Florida! I am a student by day and well, a student by night but any time in between I am a craftaholic and blogger obsessed. I have found a passion in using my photography, crafts, and new found love of writing to bring glory to and serve God. I strive to be an example of His love for me to others and hope that my blog will bring encouragement and joy to those who read it!"

She is such a sweetheart and has some great items to give away to one lucky person!

Included in the giveaway is a handcrafted elastic brown lace and pink rosette headband and well as a pink and ivory ruffle hair clip.

Seriously, how cute are they?! 
i wish i could enter myself. ;)

{It is mandatory to be a follower of the Duty Family blog}

How to enter:

Head on over and follow her blog here!

Check out her shop here and comment what is your favorite!

Follow her on twitter here!

Leave a comment for each.

Additional entries:

Follow me on twitter here.

Like us on Facebook here.

Leave a comment for each.


and vote?



The winner will be announced FRIDAY morning!
GOOD LUCK!

secret hand shake and a winner!

Man, having a little one who is getting her molars in tiring.

Both physically and emotionally.

I'm not getting much sleep and mostly I just feel so terrible for her. I want her to get her teeth but I wish she didn't have to go through all this pain. 

She now has a secret hand shake with her daddy. If you can't tell, he points his finger and she will point her finger and touch it to his. It's seriously the cutest!

Giveaway Winner:

Sarah from Turtle Parade!!!

email me

jennarduty{at}gmail{dot}com

with your choice of headband and address.

SO EXCITED! :) 
Thanks to all that entered. 
I'll be doing another giveaway soon because you guys are so amazing!

a few thoughts on life and teething

First I want to talk about how much I love that Brooke is loving this toy again. We got it when she was 2 months old and she would just lay under there and stare. Then when she was able to reach she loved it even more. Once she was mobile is just sat in her room and was never touched. However, we pulled it out the other day and she loves it more then ever now. She can sit on there forever like she's in a jungle. It's pretty funny.

Next, Brooke's uncle Alex left yesterday to go back to ATL to get ready for his mission. In a couple weeks he will be going on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to serve the Lord for 2 years. We are going to miss him a lot but he is doing the right thing and we are so proud of him. We had to take a photo of him with baby B since next time he sees her she will be almost 3! Can you believe that?? This will be a funny photo to look back on!

Lastly I wanna talk about teething. Brooklynn is definitely getting her one year molars. It is breaking my heart to see her in pain. She has developed a runny nose with it. 

Every night for the past 4 nights she has woken up 2-4 times a night. 

Mind you she has been sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old so this is very odd. I mean she's woken up in the night randomly before but she would just play in her crib. This is something totally new. She wakes up hysterically crying. It breaks my heart. I don't want to overdose her with Tylenol and baby orajel kind of freaks me out. But I have been using them both because she has been in SO MUCH PAIN. I also have been getting a wet rag and putting in the freezer then giving it to her to chew on. She seems to like that. Then she also has her other frozen teethers. 

But I'm asking all my fellow mommies. Was there anything else that you did to help your little ones through this terrible time for them? 

Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway. you can enter all day today and i'll announce the winner tomorrow morning since I wont be around tonight.

giveaway time my friends!

Because you guys are seriously the best and are so supportive of me opening my shop I am doing a giveaway today!

You have the chance to win either one of these items.

There are two choices because I know not everyone has kids. 

So there is an adult headband and a baby girl headband, and if you win you get to pick which one you want.

Here are your choices!

the Three Rose Flower

or

the Pink Pink Pink Flower

Here's how you enter

{It's mandatory to be a follower of The Duty Family blog.}

Each of these counts as an entry. 
Leave a comment for each!

-Follow my blog

-Follow me on TWITTER

-Like m on FACEBOOK

-Tell me what you do to stay positive every day

I will announce the winner on Friday!!

GOOD LUCK!!


not part of the giveaway but could you vote? :)