Wednesday

The S.W.A.K. Carnival



Thank you for joining me today for the S.W.A.K. Valentine’s Carnival. I can't wait to read your posts! (If you need info about the carnival, please click on the button).

It’s also the day for some fabulous door prizes! Please visit the following links and bookmark the sites. {Some of the door prizes will be given away today to people who link up a post, the others will be given away on Thursday and Friday, where you can enter by leaving a comment. ALL DOOR PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON VALENTINE'S DAY).


With A Southern Flair-2 Monogrammed "His" & "Hers" Hand towels (Value $20)

From *Me Tees-a Matching His/Hers "My husband/wife Rocks" t-shirts (Value $42)

Bid My Cleaning- $200 gift certificate for house, carpet cleaning, (most of US)

Sorme Lip Gloss-sponsored by PS He Loves You (Value $10)

Sheila Wray Gregoire-author and speaker, 2 marriage audio downloads (value $10 each)

Pampering Beki- a beautiful hand-stamped silver 'Love' necklace (Value $23)

Sarah's Blue Castle $20 gift certificate to this great Etsy store! Check out her fun items.

The IE Mommy-a pair of Chic Bud Earphones with Swarovski crystals in a collectible tin (Value $45)

4 Reluctant Entertainers is donating a copy of the book she co-authored "Married, but Not Engaged". You can read more here.

Decor To Adore- a beautiful Vintage Valentine Corsage from this sweet Etsy store (Value $14)



Here are a few more door prizes that were donated locally (so there isn't a link):

Things Remembered- A beautiful heart keepsake box (Value $25)
14k gold Heart earrings (Value $25); An Adorable Tote Bag-(Value $20)
Ring Watch by Jenni (Value $42), Ring Lipstick by Jenni (Value $22)
The best-selling book "The Love Dare" from the Fireproof movie (Value $15)
Awesome marriage book "Better Love Now! Making your Marriage a Lifelong Love Affair(Value $20)

I’m about halfway thru the Kiss Challenge. (This is a personal challenge I issued for the month of February to passionately kiss my hubby once a day).

It’s been fun.Link
My hubby has enjoyed it and he certainly hasn’t given me any lip.

If he had, I would have smacked him.

It’s also been challenging. Besides being out of town a few days, there have been a few times when I had to make myself kiss my hubby.

Shocking. I know. Especially since he’s so sexy.

Normally, if I was having a bad day and that last thing I wanted was a physical lip-lock session, I went with that thought.

But since I've committed to this challenge, on those yucky days, I pushed past those feelings and decided to be selfless. I was amazed at how quickly I relaxed, stopped thinking about my day and enjoyed it.

I am married to a good man.

He is my best friend. He is my favorite person in the world.

I love living my life with him. He knows me better than I know myself.

I pray my children share their lives with the soul mate God created for them.

Finding him is the greatest discovery of my life. Keeping him is the reward.

But. It is not easy.

After being married nearly fifteen years, I’m happy to say we’ve conquered some pretty heavy challenges. We’ve weathered some significant storms and are stronger because of them.

But taking the time to kiss, to hold hands, to engage every day is important. Crucial, even.

I have 15 more days of kissing.

No, that’s not right.

I have a lifetime.


The S.W.A.K Carnival is being sponsored by The Date Night Planner. This is a interactive tool to help you plan a fantastic date night with your mate.




I can't wait to be inspired by your stories!
SWAK Valentine's Carnival Participants
1. Angie
2. Apron Strings Aflutter
3. Life At The Circus
4. Sandra (I Know He Loves Me When...)
5. Shara
6. Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe
7. Tara @ Feels like Home
8. Hadley
9. Muthering Heights
10. Carol @SheLives
11. Upstatemomof3
12. D...My Life Is Based On a True Story
13. Normal to Natalie
14. Mayangelstar
15. Nise\'
16. Kelly@Kelly\'s Krazy Kids
17. Jesica (At least we can laugh...)
18. Heidi (How I Spell S.E.X.Y)
19. Wilma (part 1)
20. Heather
21. Amy
22. Gwyn
23. Natalie--He Had Me at His Hair
24. Franticallysimple
25. Dawn @ PSHelovesyou
26. Edie @ lifeingrace
27. Don\'t Start None...There Won\'t be None
28. Comfort Joy Designs
29. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates
30. Jenny & The Irishman
31. Tanya (In the Dailies)
32. Proud Mommy
33. Sandra (past first impressions)
34. Sarah @ Short Stop (The Moment I Knew)
35. Alicia (from StuCo to Subs)
36. KLee (what\'s your real name?)
37. Andrea
38. Amber@theRunaMuck
39. Kristin @ StrivingToBeMore
40. Alicia @ CrazySubmarineLady (His Valentine\'s Day Date)
41. Laura
42. BooksnBoys (unashamedly bragging)
43. Nikki
44. Cheryl
45. Janice
46. Mommie Daze - One Look
47. Thoughts By Kim
48. Lynn @ Rohal Call
49. Jen - 10 Years & 100 Reasons
50. Mrs. Nurse Boy
51. Jenn
52. Christy
53. Jenny 867-5309
54. Colleen - Mommy Always Wins
55. Kiy @ RC&T
56. Kimberly Kovach
57. Becky Jo
58. TV Watching Mama
59. The Porch Swing
60. Kaycee(my truck guy)
61. Andrea @Under Grace & Over Coffee - Still Twitterpated
62. The Happy Houswife ~ Opposites Attract?
63. Mishababy
64. Amy
65. Krista @ The Little Things
66. Jerri Ann
67. IE Mommy
68. Robin
69. Tidymom
70. Runningamuck
71. Rita
72. Emily O.
73. MyLinda
74. rachel@justanotherdayinparadise
75. Amanda - Garibay Soup
76. Heather @ Sugar \'N Spice & Mostly Nice
77. Christy Klein
78. Jessica Dietzel
79. Kyleigh
80. Christin
81. Bubba\'s Sis
82. Wani
83. Vanderbilt Wife
84. the Animator\'s Wife
85. Debby @ Bringing up boys
86. Rachel
87. Leanne - My Man
88. Cathy (Love of my Life - Sometimes)
89. Monica @ Daily Dwelling
90. april
91. Lisa @ Cheerios Underfoot
92. Tasha @ Hectic Calm
93. Audrey
94. Grateful for Grace
95. Amber @ Classic Housewife
96. The Miss Elaine-ous Life
97. Sarah @ Prayerful Driven Life
98. Such The Spot {Darcie}
99. Lisa @ The Berry Patch
100. Gwyn
101. Poppyseed@Sugar \'n Spice
102. Wilma PART 2
103. Crayl (Aaron)
104. Cheri @ What is it Now
105. Lori @ Building our nest
106. Kama
107. Kat @ Daredevil Parenting
108. Sparkette
109. Lois Lane II
110. Heather @ Drivel and Whatnot
111. Paper Glue Etc.
112. Jen
113. Paula
114. Dawn@PSHelovesyou (Love can be painful..)
115. Charity@Four Now
116. JA@Gravity of Motion
117. Muthering Heights
118. Catherine
119. Modern Mama Diana
120. Nimmi
121. Superjaxster @ Blogging Jax
122. If Only I Had Super Powers
123. Mr. Nurse Boy...A letter to my wife
124. Sarah @ Short Stop (The Sounds of Love)
125. Melissa Griffin
126. Jenna @ Newlyweds
127. Kim @ Situationally Single
128. Happy Mamma
129. Greta
130. Jenny & The Irishman (Part 2)
131. Allison@Slice of Heaven
132. Sandy@Tales From A Shop*a*holic Mommy
133. Wilma ~Conclusion
134. Jennielynn
135. Julie from Inmates
136. purple moose
137. Dawn@PSHelovesyou (Love is juicy)
138. Tammy @ Creative Domesticity
139. Sarah Mae
140. Christy
141. Heathahlee (better late than never, right?)
142. Laura @ Decor to Adore
143. { jamie }
144. Dana @ Composing Hallelujahs
145. Gin
146. Patti
147. Kris @ Sandhill Serendipity
148. Heather @ Want What You Have (My Great Love Story)
149. Natalie
150. Tabitha\'s love story
151. Traci @ Milk & Honey
152. Tater @ Life of a Tater
153. Tara @ Feels like Home (original link broke)
154. Regina

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104 comments:

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

This is great! I started the kiss challenge, but then I got sick...so we're taking a break from the kissing...not that the kissing made me sick. I hope this is a success for you. I'm sure it will be.

Anonymous said...

I have been so excited about this carnival. I've got me a good man and I have enjoyed thinking back on the days when it all just began, the feelings and emotions I had 12 years ago. I am so thankful our love has only deepened and grown over those years. Thanks for the opportunity to honor my hubby!

Nicole Bateman | thepixelboutique.com said...

Yippee! Im first. :) Can't wait to read everyone's stories. Thanks for hosting such a fun carnival. (Keep up the smoochin.)

Anonymous said...

Love your kiss challenge. Yay, you!

Love your carnival. Yay, everyone who submits a post!

Love the prizes. Yay, me? Of course, yay me! I'm going to win...something!

Muthering Heights said...

I had a blast writing my post - I cherish my husband, so it's fun to let the world know how awesome he is! In fact, I plan to post about him for several days!

Oh, and he has been loving the kiss challenge. :)

Nicole Bateman | thepixelboutique.com said...

Ok, was only made to BELIEVE I was first. But sneaky Angie was a better refresher than I was. ;)

Natalie said...

i had fun preparing my post. when i asked hubs to take a picture of his wedding ring, he didn't even ask why, he just said, "what is the blogging occasion?" too funny! he loves me!!!

Heather said...

This is a great idea for February (really, any month of the year). I vote we make this a yearly tradition!

mommy4life said...

This is so fun! I can't wait to read all the linkies!

Natalie Witcher said...

Wassup chicky! So fun!

Momnerd said...

I haven't written my post yet but I just wanted to tell you thank you for that wonderful post. Some amazing writing. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I forget so often how lucky I really am...so thank you.

ScrappyLori said...

I love this challenge... and so does DH. Thanks for the inspiration. With two kids sometimes one forgets the daily dose of love is good for you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting me brag on my honey!! I love doing it!! Checking out all the great giveaways...and they ARE GREAT!!!

Upstatemamma said...

That is a beautiful tribute to your husband. I have been enjoying the kiss challenge. Hubby doesn't seem to have noticed - he can be really oblivious. Taking the time to truly engage is really very important. I feel like I am gifting myself by doing it. Thanks for this!!!

Unknown said...

A lovely post! Glad the kissing challenge is going so well! Thanks so much for doing this carnival - very nice to talk about our hubbies instead of ourselves for a change!

Jenny said...

This is such a great idea! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I did my post yesterday morning before I remembered the carnival, so I did a second post later to send everyone over here to read more husband-honoring bloggers. THANK YOU for encouraging women to do this!! It is so important within our culture of discontent.

edie said...

Kristen, It was so nice meeting you at Blissdom! This is such a fun idea. I linked up last night to an old post but figured out how to respost the whole thing. Can you delete my entry#26 and I'll redo it with the new one? Thanks and happy kissing!

Proud Mommy said...

I just read about the kissin' challenge......it's never too late to start right?!!!!
Thanks for hosting the carnival!!!

Short Stop said...

I think this is such an awesome carnival! Thank you so much for hosting. Looking forward to sitting down with a cup of hot chocolate and reading through the links!!

Thanks, again! SUCH an a great idea! :)

Kristin said...

This is such a great carnival!

Alicia said...

I'm really enjoying this carnival. What a great idea to honor those we love most! We often forget to do that.

D... said...

It's so important to be married to your best friend. Ya'll are blessed in each other!

Jaden Paige said...

That is so sweet! I wish I had the nerve to do the kiss challenge, but I think my hubby might think I was crazy... lol!

Happy Carnival everyone! :)

Courtney@Booksnboys said...

I can't wait until naptime so I can read everyone's posts!

Nikki said...

This has been fun!
Girls, let's keep on lovin' those special husbands of ours!

Nise' said...

Thanks for hosting! My kissing has been put on hold as my hubby has been on a golf trip this week. But it does make me appreciate him!

Anonymous said...

These stories are so sweet! So glad you set this up, Kristen!

Ve said...

My husband and I just got back from a Do-It-Yourself marriage retreat weekend and are still in that frame of mind thinking about how to grow our marriage. This fits in quite nicely!

Kim H. said...

This is so fun - I am so glad you did this carnival!! :-) I can't wait to read all the other posts!

Lynn said...

Such fun! I added my link and started telling our love story. Thanks for hosting!

Mr. and Mrs. Nurse Boy said...

This is such a great idea! I can't wait to read everyone's stories!

Mrs. Nurse Boy

na said...

I have already read some of these stories and I love this idea! Thanks for hosting this carnival!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Thank you!!! for hosting this carnival. I cry when I read the post I wrote about my hubby. He most certainly deserves this "moment in the sun" and I'm glad you reminded me of it!

Though he *did* look at me like I was half crazy when I layed a good one on him in the middle of the street a few times. Cuz, ya know, those are like the four minutes during which I see him most days. ;-)

Anonymous said...

My husband has thoroughly enjoyed the kissing challenge. I love kissing him and after 16 years of marriage, he still makes my heart go aflutter!!

TV Watching Mama said...

I am having so much fun with my memories of my husband! I am so glad you started this.

Kaycee said...

This was a great challenge, I loved writing a post about my husband and I am planning more.

Anonymous said...

Hey, sweet new friend. I think you're just great.

Mishababy said...

See I told you I would participate. :-)

and yes the weak-kneed kisses are still coming. *sighs*

LOL!

Anonymous said...

This has been lots of fun! Thanks for inspiring great memories.

Anonymous said...

This has been lots of fun! Thanks for inspiring great memories.

Jesica said...

Thanks for doing this! It was such a great reminder to me how much I really love him, (and how much fun it is to kiss more).

Anonymous said...

I did this one and I don't want anyone to be jealous when they read my post...sorry, he really is that wonderful....lol

IE Mommy Blogger said...

I can not thank you enough for creating such a great idea. This has been a blast. I've enjoyed reading the "tributes" to the guys and I hope that everyone will swing by the IE Mommy to read about my guy...and not for the hits, just because I really want everyone to know how blessed I am to have the husband a I do. I want to brag on him today and on the Lord and how He has blessed us!
Praise God for all these wonderful men in our lives.

IE Mommy Blogger said...
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IE Mommy Blogger said...
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Robin said...

I'm all linked up. And thanks to you, we can't kiss without laughing now!

Rita T. said...

This is wonderful. Such a great idea!

MyLinda said...

Thank you for doing this carnival. It has given me warm, mushy, lovey thoughts about hubby to think back over the past 18 years!

Beth W. said...

Thanks again! I love reading everyone's stories. I'm not a blogger yet...but maybe someday. Until then, I'll just appreciate my husband in person. He never fails to make me feel imporant to him, he makes me laugh when I feel like crying, he knows when and what to say....he is a truly great guy.

Amanda said...

What a great carnival, Kristen. Thanks so much!! I LOVE all the door prizes and can't wait to read everybody's entries.

Heather said...

I can't wait to read everyone's stories!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I was not going to post but after meeting you at blissdom I had to join. It actually has been really fun to write out my story, almost like therapy!
Toni

Queen of the Misfits said...

I love this idea!!

TidyMom said...

Thanks for doing this! I really had fun writing this post, and of course, I made my hubby cry.

I have to admit though, I haven't been too good keeping up the kiss challenge....but I'm working on it

~TidyMom

Cascia Talbert said...

Looks like fun. I'll have to visit some of the sites participating.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is going great. Time to go read the other submissions!

tammy said...

Oh my! I am cracking up at your sexy picture, cuz I have a similar one on my site....


http://momofjstk.blogspot.com/2008/12/really-is-there-anything-sexier.html

Ok, going back to read some more on your blog. :)

Unknown said...

This is great. I'm going to spend some time with the hubs now and read some more tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I, too, have been so excited about this carnival!! I can't wait to read everyone's love stories. And, even more, I can't wait to try out the kiss challenge when my husband returns home for a visit in just two weeks! Yay!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristen! I haven't written about my hubby in ages - this was a very nice treat this afternoon. I just sat down and wrote my first memory! It was very fun. THank you!!! :)

PS - are you still on Blogger??? You should see me at DesperatelySeekingWordpress!! :)

Cathy

Erica said...

Thank you for the reminders of what's important. My husband is also my best friend, but we've been so busy lately that sometimes kissing goes by the wayside. I don't want to ever let our marriage go by the wayside, though, so again, thank you for reminding me that I need to make the time for the things that are worth it. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the carnival, great idea. Hope your family is better soon.

Grateful for Grace said...

My husband is THE BOMB!

Jerri Ann said...

Check me out Kristen

Anonymous said...

er...maybe you need the link
http://www.momecentric.com/2009/02/11/the-best-husband-evah/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this carnvial, the door prized look GREAT! I'm crossing my fingers for the house cleaning! :)

I love listening to the way you talk about your husband. It's heart-warming. Keep it up!

Unknown said...

It's been hard for us too since my man has been out of town all this week. Does making out with the phone count?

Thanks for hosting this. I just posted! : )

Elaine

Sarah said...

I love this idea and motivation! I started pushing my husband's lips OPEN the past few weeks! We kiss constantly, but the passion needed to be able to escape even for a moment as I cook dinner or ignore the corner of my spying a child being disobedient! :)
Thanks so much for this great contest! We are in full swing!!!

berrypatch said...

While I didn't join the kiss challenge - need to though I think - I did join up for the SWAK carnival. Posted mine tonight. Thanks. I'm sure it will be a surprise to hubby tomorrow when he checks in at my blog. ;-)

mommy4life said...

I had to link up a follow-up post and tell you what a great time I am having reading everyone else's stories!

Poppyseed said...

Again, thanks for hosting this great event. It's so rare these days to find women who want to honor their husbands! I appreciate you creating a forum for us to do just that.

CC said...

My post is a tribute, but still pretty depressing. You can see it here. Should I link it up? I'm hesitant...

Crayl said...

Hubby likes the SWAK challenge, not that he knows...but he is enjoying it. :) Thanks for inspiring it.

Lori said...

I don't want to leave a redundant comment (apparently I'm commenting all over your blog tonight re: this contest!) but thanks for inspiring me to spend an hour remembering how God brought my husband and I together. :) And fingers crossed about the giveaways because they're awesome - you've outdone yourself!

Wifeof1Momof4 said...

Kristen,

I am hoping to put up a post by Friday for the carnival. I have had two of the most "We are THAT Family" days in a row!

I'll explain later, but let's just say I'll be at the DENTIST w/ the 2year old later this week!!!!!

I got up to wash clothes, I know @2am, but this is the ONLY time I have FREE to do ANYTHING aloooonnneeeeee!!!!

Kit Kat said...

Love reading all the posts!

Anonymous said...

What a fun thing to do...glad I found this and participated. Love the kiss challenge. Although my love isn't here everyday I think it is a cute idea :)

Heather said...

This is such an awesome idea! And it coincided perfectly with another idea I had brewing for my man. Thanks for such a fun carnival!

Sarah said...

Update on my True Love story-- he wrote it on the wall of a restaurant that part of their decor is to write on the wall so everyone does it. He wrote ours on the wall thinking of it in 2 minutes. He is great with words! :)
Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

Anonymous said...

I like that - you have a lifetime of kisses.

Paula Reece said...

Thanks for hosting this. What a great idea! I can't wait to read everyone else's posts! It's nice to take the time to honor your marriage... we don't do that enough in our society!

Tamara B. said...

Isn't love inspriring? Love the romance in the air for everyone and thank-you for the givaway.

Unknown said...

This is so neat, never done anything like this. I better get the kleenex out and prepare tomelt into a puddle of goo after reading the sweet stories! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Nurse Boy said...

Thanks for encouraging me to honor my wife in the bloggy world!

Mr. Nurse Boy

Melissa said...

My very first Blog carnival! It wasn't as good of witting as some of the other ladies but I am so grateful to God for a story to tell and a man who loves me unconditionally.

Jane Anne said...

It was so much fun to compile lists this week of what I love about my husband. I posted my tribute today. It was just heart-warming for me to remember how much he changed my life. This was truly a fun carnival! Now... I hope I win something!!

Allison said...

I heard about this bloggy carnival via Darcy@Such the Spot. I hope you enjoy my little love story!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Sandy~ said...

This is great! I love reading everyone's stories :O)

Anonymous said...

What a fun carnival. I found you over at Darcie's place and joined in the fun!!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! How great to have a specific opportunity to bless our hubbies. Thank you!

The Domestic Diva Wanna-Be said...

Thanks so much for coming up with this idea. I wrote a letter to my husband for my entry that I will show him on my blog Saturday. I hope that's OK. I don't have many blog readers so this will be a real treat for me.

Thanks again for letting me participate.
Tammy

Sarah Mae said...

This is such a GREAT idea! Thank you so much for hosting it!

:)

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful idea. I agree, make it a yearly thing! I enjoy reading all the posts.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Aubrey said...

My husband has really taken notice of the kissing challenge! I am still dealing with post-partum haziness a bit, and those kisses are especially sock knocking to him just now. Thanks for the fun!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

I look forward to reading these entries. What a great idea, Kristen! You're so creative. I'd love to enter the giveaway too.

Heathahlee said...

I finally got mine posted! Thanks for the prompt to put our story out there. I've wanted to do that for some time.

Decor To Adore said...

I can't wait to read all of the stories!

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

Better late than never, so I just linked. ♥

The Peacock Pearl said...

just found out about this... i love it! just put up a post too! thanks for encouraging us all to let the sparks fly!

Kimba said...

What a great idea! My husband thanks you.

I'm off to read some posts.

Kimba

Wifeof1Momof4 said...

I know it is too late to win a prize, but I was DETERMINED to write a post about my hubby!

http://wifeof1momof4.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-husband-rocks.html

Thanks for the carnival. I am sharing posts w/ friends.

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