8.08.2016

8 Year Blogoversary + $100 Target Giftcard Giveaway!

Today is my blog's "Golden Birthday"
8 years ago on 8-8-08, I was 8 months pregnant with Claire, watching the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and I decided to start a blog.
I had been wanting to start a blog to document our family & I decided to finally start a blog that day because the date was cool 08-08-08 .
 I am a math teacher & numbers nerd, bear with me ;) 
Here I am 8 years later with a 9.5 year old Kate , almost 8 year old Claire & soon to be 4 year old Luke (tomorrow!!!!) and I'm watching the Olympics in Rio.

I had no idea how much blogging would enrich my life.
I have meet & become friends with people because of this blog.
I have had a lot of neat opportunities because of this blog.
I have loved having this blog as a creative outlet for sharing recipes, printables & parties & other randomness!

In honor of my 8 year blogoversary, I have a fun week of giveaways planned as a THANK YOU for reading my blog!
 Before we get to the giveaway, I thought I would recap some memorable moments over the past 8 years.
 The most viewed post on my blog is my "Easiest Dinner Ever"

 This recipe has been viewed almost 2 million times. WHAT?!?!?
And, it is my most controversial post....it is the post I have gotten the most negative comments on. You either love this recipe or you hate it. 
We love it...It's one of my go-to recipes. And, it's the easiest!

In the past 8 years, I have posted over 150 recipes (!!!!)
You can see all my recipes in my Recipe Box tab or click HERE

The most "popular" party that I have thrown is Claire's Cowgirl Party.
    I must say, that is probably my favorite party I have thrown also.
It's been almost 5 years since I threw that party and I think there is still some hay in our backyard from all those hay bales....Sorry Kevin ;)

 You can see all my party posts HERE on the party tab!

 In the past 8 years, I have made over 30 free printables.
The most popular downloaded ones have been my Christmas Cookie in a Jar Printable  
A close 2nd to my most downloaded free printable is my Thankful for You Pumpkin Bread Printable:
Other memorable posts over the past 8 years:

When I wrote about Working Mom Guilt....HERE

I wrote about being The Best Mom Ever. Then having kids....HERE

My most embarrassing moment....read about it HERE

 My grossest moment as a Mom....read about it HERE

One of my favorite posts...when I won Blogher's Voice of the Year in 2013:
Yes, I am one of THOSE Moms....read it HERE


 I am curious, since I have never asked....what things do you like me to blog about?
Recipes? Parties? Printables? Shopping? Fashion? Parenting? Randomness?


 To kick off the week of giveaways, I am giving away a $100 giftcard to one of my favorite places...TARGET!
  Oh, Target....how I love thee.
What would you use the $100 Target Gift Card for?

***Use the Rafflecopter below to Enter!***
This giveaway ends on Monday, August 15th

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my blog, listen to my ramblings, try my recipes, use my printables, look at my pictures & comments.
It surprises me that people actually read my blog.
I am just a normal girl who loves Jesus, my husband, 2 girls & my sweet Luke.
I appreciate the time you take out of your day to read & comment.
Thank you for reading my randomness!
 
It has been such a fun experience these past 8 years! 
Good luck & come back tomorrow for another giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

272 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the chance and happy blogoversary :)

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  2. Following on BL as https://www.bloglovin.com/people/lisabrown748-1344076

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  3. Happy anniversary!! I love the realness of your blog!

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  4. Happy Blogoversary! I love reading your blog - I get so many great ideas! If I won the gift card, I would use it for some back to school clothes for me and my kids.

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  5. Happy Blogoversary! I'm 6 months into my first blog and I love it!

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  6. Exciting! Eight years is a long time! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. This gift card would help a lot toward back to school shopping!

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  7. I love the Thankful printable! So cute! Happy 8 years! :)

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  8. Happy bloganniversary! I also love reading your blog. Thanks for the chance to win. I would buy new clothes for our new baby that's coming soon. :) Hope you have a great week.

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  9. Target is the best! Always enjoy your blog, recipes and party ideas!

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  10. Happy blogging-birthday! Target is always the best way to celebrate!

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  11. Happy 8 years! I love all of the birthday parties you throw!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  12. Happy Blogiversary! I just love your blog! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. Happy anniversary!! I've always enjoyed reading :)

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  14. My favorite things about your blog are your recipes and seeing a California lifestyle (I'm on the East coast). You also seem full of joy, and I like to read positive things!

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  15. Mel! I found your blog years ago and it quickly became my favorite one to read. Guess what? It is still my favorite. You always inspire me to get real....become more creative and to try that recipe out. I love everything you blog about- you always leaving me wanting more blog posts. So what more do I want to read? I love all of it- please just blog more often :)

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  16. I love reading about your garden, your style, your family, your recipes, and your teaching experience! I basically love your blog. Happy birthday!

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  17. Thanks for sharing your ideas and fun things with us on your blog!

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  18. Happy Blogoversary and thank you for the giveaway!

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  19. Exciting! Happy Eight Years and I think your blog is great and a fun place to visit!

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  20. I love your parties and your recipes. . .keep em coming!

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  21. I think I just like the randomness-the kids, 10 on 10, the parties, your fashion posts, your fun adventures, the reading lists. Thank you for sharing it all with us. :)

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  22. Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog because your content is so varied, and you just seem so down to earth and easy to relate to. Oh and fun too! :)

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  23. Thanks for hosting this giveaway and happy 8th blogiversary! I LOVE your recipes and parties! My kids devour your banana muffins weekly and your bacon in the oven method changed my life- that BLT salad is AMAZING! I'm just getting back into blogging, and I also appreciate your link-ups! Have a great day celebrating!

    Allie http://agalnamedal.blogspot.com/

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  24. Happy 8th Blogiversary!!!! I have been enjoying your garden updates, pizza recipes & just the randomness of everyday life :)

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  25. Congratulations! You have a lot of cute posts. :)

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  26. Happy 8 Years!! So exciting and hope for many more!

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  27. Happy Anniversary! I love your blogs...it's one of my favorites!! Thanks for a fun giveaway!!

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  28. Love your posts about parenting, recipes, and your remodeling projects!

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  29. I love just reading about what you guys get up to as a family, the recipes and the parties. :) happy blog anniversary

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  30. Happy Anniversary! I'm going to have to try the Mexican Crockpot meal :)

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  31. Happy Blogiversary... I love your blog

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  32. Happy Blogiversary! You are my creative inspiration!

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  33. Been reading your blog for 5 years. I enjoy all your recipes!

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  34. Happy blogiversary. You are creative and intentional as a mom.
    Kelly Sites

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  35. I love your blog! You're my favorite!! Keep up the good work :)

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  36. Thank you so much for sharing all your fun recipes and party plans! It is fun to read your blog knowing you are showing Jesus' love to so many people :)

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  37. Happy Blogiversary, I love reading your blog!

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  38. Happy blogiversary! I love your recipes the most!

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  39. I would use the giftcard to buy the ice cream maker attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer 😛

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  40. Happy Blogiversary! I really enjoy reading your recipes (and I do make them at home, too!) and just day to day things! With a Target giftcard I would probably buy more school supplies for my little girl starting Kinder this year. We are homeschooling for Kinder, so I can never have enough markers and paint, lol. :)

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  41. I love to plan my kids' birthday parties and give teachers fun gifts so I love your creative printables and party posts! Happy anniversary!

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  42. Happly Blogoversary!! I love reading it.

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  43. Happy blog anniversary! I love you recipe box!

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  44. Happy blog anniversary! I love you recipe box!

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  45. Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy the mix of everything that you post. It's not all about one thing... it varies, which I like. :)

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  46. I love your blog and am so happy I stumbled across it a couple years ago. I like the variety of posts you have. They are all good, but I especially love your outfit/fashion posts and your recipes.

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  47. I also love the variety-I think too much of one topic would get boring-but I love your mix of parties, teacher gifts, recipes, fashion...

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  48. I read this blog daily and am very dissapointed when there isn't a new blog post up! You are an incredible writer and I get so many ideas from you! I've tried many of your recipes!

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  49. I love following along! Happy Anniversary!

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  50. My daughter started daycare last week and I am having "working mom guilt". Thank you for that post!

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  51. I love following your blog! I love reading about your creative parties and teacher ideas, and your recipes are amazing!

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  52. Love your blog...you have a little bit of everything and are very relatable :) I especially enjoy party posts and recipes. - Christy

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  53. Happy Anniversary!! Love your recipes! Thanks for the chance! :)

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  54. Happy Blogiversary!!!! I love you and your blog and I'll follow you forever! And TWO MILLION TIMES for one post?! Holy MOLY, girl! That is incredible!! #BloggerGoals ;o)

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  55. Love the saloon party, my daughter would love a cowgirl boot cake & it's something I never would have thought of!

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  56. Happy blogiversary and thank you for the giveaway!

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  57. Happy blogiversary, cannot wait for the next 8 years!

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  58. When I first found your blog, I loved it because we both had girls about the same age and were both teachers. I found it so easy to relate to. Now I have a little boy, too. I love your posts about life, the random posts, and the parties. The Easiest Dinner Ever recipe is one of my favorites to make!

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  59. Happy blogoversary!!
    kayleefaith1228@aol.com

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  60. Happy 8 Year Blogoversary! Congratulations and to more years to come!

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  61. I have really enjoyed your blog over the years. I feel like I have a friend in California! :)

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  62. Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway.

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  63. I'm checking out the easiest dinner ever post now....might just make it for dinner tonight.

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  64. My two year blogoversary was August 1st and I still haven't gotten my post and giveaway up and running!! 8 years! I can only imagine and how fun to have so much documented for your kids. and 2 million views!!! Holy moly..I can only dream. So glad I found you in my 2nd year of blogging!

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  65. I miss seeing the posts you used to do about outfits you pinned and then created similar outfits. Haven't seen one of those in a while. I also like your 10 on 10 pictures.

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  66. I can't even recall how I found your blog, but I love it! I have enjoyed watching the kids grow up, trying out your recipes, and checking out your fun parties! Thanks for all the hard work you do keeping your blog going!

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  67. I have really enjoyed following your sweet family over the last year!

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  68. I LOVE all of the party ideas, recipes and especially your running updates!

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  69. Happy blogiversary! Love reading it.

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  70. Please blog the senior prom lice story. Love your blog!

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  71. I haven't shopped for myself in a very long time. This gift card would be great to get out and by myself something nice from Target

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  72. Happy blog anniversary!! Love your blog!

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  73. Happy 8 year blogoversary! Thank you for this awesome giveaway!

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  74. Eight years, I was playing Tales of Vesperia when you started your blog.

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  75. Congrats! I love reading your blog....I'm a working mom too and I love reading your easy recipes, home decor and your party planning!

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  76. I look forward to your party posts. You make it look effortless and adorable at the same time!

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  77. Happy 8 years of blogging. You're party posts are some of my favorite! Here's to 8 more years!!

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  78. Thank you so much!
    Keep up the great work!

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  79. Happy anniversary! I love your blog!

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  80. I like the variety! You mix it up well!

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  81. Very happy to have found your blog last year! Happy bloggerversary!!

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  82. Congrats on the anniversary! keep up the good work!

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  83. Very happy to have found your blog last year! Happy bloggerversary!!

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  84. happy bloggerversary!!! yours is one of the blogs that's inspired me to start my own :)

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  85. I was going to comment anyways ;)

    Today is my husbands and mine Golden Anniversary!! We got married on 08.08.08, it's a very good day!!

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  86. Congratulations on 8 years! I love reading your blog!

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  87. Happy Blogoversary!! I would buy makeup and nail polish at Target!! I love all of your recipes! Especially the pizza ones!

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  88. Holy cow 8 years!! That's amazing. And here I was just celebrating my 100th post! Love everything you post. Congrats on another great year!

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  89. Congrats! Love your blog & the parties you throw!

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  90. Happy Blogoversary! I love your recipes and cute ideas. I'll spend the card to get new backpacks for class.

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  91. Happy birthday to your blog! 8 years is an amazing accomplishment :)

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  92. Happy anniversary! I make your banana chocolate chip muffins a lot. Yum!

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  93. Thank you, and congrats on your success!

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  94. Happy Blogoversary!!! Eight years is a long time...I'm in my 8th month. Love reading yours. We have a lot in common and that's always fun! Keep up the good work :)

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  95. Love your blog! I would use the gift card toward baby items! Due with #2 in a month!

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  96. I love your blog!!! I would use the gift card toward new school clothes for my oldest daughter who is starting Kindergarten!! Eeek!!! :)

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  97. Love the recipe, home and parenting posts! Happy blogaversary!
    -Mara Kreiling

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  98. I could not be more addicted to Target! I just bought the cutest kimono there last week

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  99. Congrats on 8 years. You'll always enjoy going back and reviewing it. Love your blog!

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  100. I love most everything about your blog but especially favorites and parties. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  101. Congrats on 8 years! That's incredible!

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  102. congrats on your anniversary! this is an amazing giveaway!

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  103. I like your faves and parties the most!

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  104. 8 years...wow! That is so neat that you were watching the Olympics when you decided to start your blog! Happy Blogoversary!

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  105. Congrats!!! Thanks to you I started a blog about 4 years ago. Thanks for the inspiration! If I won the gift card, I would modernize my gallery wall.

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  106. Happy anniversary! We love all of your recipes!

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  107. Congrats on 8 years! I love reading your blog, especially the recipes you share! :)

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  108. i love hearing how you come up with creative ideas to be a fun mom! happy 8 years!

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  109. Happy blog anniversary!! More power!! More blog post please :) God Bless you

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  110. I love reading your blog. You have the best recipes and I must say that visiting Tahoe is high on my list now.

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  111. I'm just getting started in my blog... 8 years is awesome!

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  112. I would use the gift card for new bedding for our master bedroom! Happy anniversary to you and your blog! :)

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  113. Love your blog! Keep up the good work :)

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  114. That cowgirl party is what first brought me to your blog years ago and I look forward to every new post. Congrats on 8 years!

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  115. I would buy some pjs and probably a bunch of other stuff I "need". Lol

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  116. What I love most about your blog is the recipes you post! I would love it if you posted more low calorie recipes! Congrats on the blogiversary!

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  117. Happy Blogiversary!!! Thank you for all of your great recipes. I recently made your zucchini bread recipe and my boys love it!! Thanks again for sharing your ideas:)

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  118. Happy Bloogaversary!! I've always enjoyed reading your blog, you are always so positive and upbeat.

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  119. Love your 10 on 10 series. I always think about doing it then forget lol! I would buy some booties for me a couple things from Targets new Cat and Jack line for the kids and round out my purchase with things from the $1 spot if I won the giveaway.

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  120. I can't wait to use this gift card to purchase new materials for my 4th grade classroom!

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  121. Love all the fun you have with your family and share with us!

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  122. Happy Anniversary! I've enjoyed reading your blog over the years& use your Thankful printable every year!

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  123. Congrats on 8 years! One of my favorite things to read on your blog is when you do Stitch Fix reviews. I love seeing what people got, even though I don't subscribe (and currently don't plan to).

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  124. Your blog is just plain fun. I like that you post about just what's going on your your life and if a printable works its way in then, Yay for me!
    Happy Blogaversary.

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  125. Love your blog and a good giveaway! Katie B.

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  126. Thank you for the giveaway! Love reading your blog!!

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  127. Wishing your blog a Happy Birthday!

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  128. I love all your posts. I really like when you post about your StitchFix deliveries too. :)

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  129. I love reading your blog! I would most likely use the Target gift card for OLLY vitamins or back to school supplies as I teach 4th grade and always need things for the classroom.

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  130. Happy Blogoversary! Target is my FAVORTIE store. 4 kids in 4 different schools= buying out all of Target's supplies!

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  131. I love your simple and yummy recipes. I think I made two last week alone. And always using the printables for my girls teacher gifts or holiday parties!

    If I won the gift card I'm sure I would spend it on back to school clothes and shoes for my kiddos. And throw a bottle of wine in the basket for myself!

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  132. I always love your recipes! They're always delicious!
    If I won I'd buy something for my house, because I usually buy necessities instead of fun stuff at Target :)

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  133. Happy Anniversary! Love your blog it is one of my favorites--your recipes never steer me wrong! I would use the gift card on storage/ decor for the playroom I am working on :)

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  134. I've read your blog for a long time and still love it!!!

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  135. Target is my favorite, I always end up spending so much money there!

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  136. Happy Blogiversary!!! It's actually almost my 4 year blogiversary at the end of this week :) I never knew what to expect when I started blogging, like you said, but it's blown me away and exceeded my wildest expectations! I can't remember off hand how I found your blog but I love the recipes you share and have made quite a few of them! So keep sharing please :)

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  137. Happy Blogoversary! Thank you for the giveaway :)

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  138. I'd buy something fun for myself: clothes and more nail polish

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  139. I would buy a new rug and curtains for my bedroom.

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  140. I love your blog because it's so diverse. There are family stories, gardening, parties...It's just fun to read!

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  141. I love your recipes and party planning posts. Can't wait to see the pics fom Luke's party as I am about to throw a construction theme party for my 2 year old soon.

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  142. I like the variety of your posts...so real life♡

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  143. I like the variety of your posts...so real life♡

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  144. Thanks so much for the chance! Your photos are cute and colorful!

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  145. Happy Blogiversary, thanks for doing such a great giveaway. This is really going to help a family out.

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  146. I love your blog because you have the BEST ideas.. AND you make them look so easy:)

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  147. New pjs! Or home decor:). Or a new board game for my family

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  148. Great giveaway , and I love many of your recipes and use them often thanks:)

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  149. 8 years!! Congrats!! I love the recipes you share - so easy to follow and don't require crazy ingredients!! ;)

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  150. Happy anniversary - I would love to win gift card it's my bday tomorrow 8/11 need some new fall clothes

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  151. I love that Target delivers to Canada now! last year my son wanted pokemon t-shirts and the only place I could find any was Target but they didn't deliver here then.

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  152. Thank you so much for sharing all your fun recipes and party plans! LOVE TARGET!! Thanks for this opportunity! :)

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  153. Happy 8 Year Blogoversary and thank you for the great giveaway!

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