home of the brave

we had a really low-key, simple 4th of July celebration and we loved it.  

we practiced our 2nd amendement rights in the morning by going shooting with our good friends. {which, i'm absolutely terrible at by the way....}

then we cooled off with some swimming and an indoor picnic [too hot to BBQ]

after sleeping off a hot & busy morning, Adam got me to watch the movie "Independence Day" since he told me that it was unpatriotic that i had never seen it all the way through before. 

so i redeemed myself  :) 

and then we finished off the night with some ice cream and fireworks with our friends.

it was basically a day full of Elijah's favorite things: shooting, swimming, hot dogs, and fireworks. 

he LOOOOOVED watching the fireworks and kept saying, 

"Oh, look at dat, Mom!! Oh dats a big one! Ooooohhh a green one!!" 

seriously. he was in little boy heaven.  

i am so grateful for this country we live in and the freedoms & opportunities we enjoy. 

i feel very blessed to live here and to now be able to raise my family in this beautiful land. 

i know that many people have fought & died for our freedoms and i'm forever grateful for their bravery. i know we wouldn't be here without all of their hard work, devotion, and sacrifice. 

i hope you all had a fun & safe 4th of July!! 

until next year... 

Birthday Bash: Gnarly Whale Giveaway

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! 
to continue on with the Birthday Bash fun {and celebrate the 4th of July :)}, i have a really awesome giveaway to share today. 

i have been working with Ashley of The Gnarly Whale fame for almost 2 years now, 

before she even started The Gnarly Whale. 

i have gotten to know her so well these last couple of years that she truly has become one of my dearest and best of friends. i have been with her through different business ventures and as she has worked hard on getting The Gnarly Whale started and basically, she amazes me. i trust her and her products and know that she really does work hard to make them the best quality possible. 

something i love about Gnarly Whale is that it is 100% vegan and cruelty free, with the final product testing done on humans not animals. they also are low-impact, minimal ingredient products so you can get great beauty products but with a more natural feel.  

which brings me to the giveaway! 

Ashley is generously giving away 2 Narwhal Goodie Boxes to two lucky winners! 

i have tried almost all of her products (except the body spray) and i LOVE them!! 

i use the Beach Waves or Detangler every day, my Gnarly Whale lip balms are always in my bag, and Adam even tried out the Manly Man face scrub and really enjoyed it. 

seriously. everything is awesome!

the Narwhal Box includes at least one of ALL of the Gnarly Whale products in various sizes, including at least one full-size (8 oz bottle or 6 oz jar) product. you'll receive at least one of each of the following products: 

+lip balm 

+ face and body sugar scrub 

+ shampoo 

+body spray 

+beach waves 

+detangler

pretty sweet! :)

[enter below]
{giveaway only open to U.S. residents}

and be sure to visit The Gnarly Whale here:
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

land that i love

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HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!! 
i hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July!

{and if you get a break from barbecuing and setting off Roman Candles, check back here for a great giveaway! :)}