3-Night Hotel GIVEAWAY in California!!!

What a fun week! I hope you had an opportunity to get to know the creative, awesome, talented and beautiful contributors in the Contributor Q&A Blog Hop! I know I did. I love getting to know people and learning more about what they love to do, what they love to eat, and how they like to fill their time. If you hopped around, I hope you were able to make new friends, find new ideas, and gather new recipes. Everyone loves new recipes! How many times, in your stressful life, have you dreamed about laying out on the beach with a great book? 'Or so she says...' to the rescue! So, to further expand on our favorites, all of the OSSS contributors got together to give away their favorite books, perfect for summer reading! The coolest part is, one person will win EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. That's right, the whole bundle! That's 15 books, yo. Oh, but it gets better. Get Away Today, the greatest travel agency ever and 'Or so she says...' contributor, offered another winner a 3-night hotel stay in Anaheim or San Diego (winner’s choice) with their choice of two adult theme park tickets... PLUS, they get the 15 book bundle too!

Lets go over those prizes again:

Grand Prize Winner: 15 'Contributors' Favorite Books' Bundle PLUS a 3-night hotel stay in Anaheim or San Diego (winner’s choice) with their choice of two adult theme park tickets! Vacation courtesy of Get Away Today. Runner Up: 15 'Contributors' Favorite Books' Bundle (details of books below.) Ready to enter? So, all we ask is for you to follow 'Or so she says...' and the contributors on Pinterest. We are all pin-maniacs and know you'll love the great ideas we send your way. After you enter, be sure to scroll down and check out all the books included in the giveaway. It's so fun to see what each contributor picked as her favorite book! a Rafflecopter giveaway Want to know which books are included in the bundle?? What are the contributors' favorites?? Check 'em out! . 1. Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley ~ "This book was not what I expected...it surpassed what I was hoping for. Mystery, romance and intrigue. Great characters and an interesting plot. It was a great read and perfect for summer reading!" Jana of Double the Deliciousness 2. Plate to Pixel by Helene Dujardin - "This book is a favorite because it teaches how to not only how photograph food, but how to do it beautifully!" Gina of Kleinworth and Co. 3. These is My Words by Nancy Turner "While I'm a country/ farm girl at heart, I can't even begin to imagine what the early settlers went through! I love how they worked the land, built their own homes, and made everything from scratch! And I'm always up for a good love story! Jack and Sarah's won't disappoint!" Brooke of Blissful Roots 4. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino - "Aw, I love this book! It's a super unique book, in that it's a parable, teaching you how to be a better person, but also an activity book. Each chapter, you read over and over, until you master the character trait. It's a great story with lots of great thoughts. I think I highlighted half the book!" Mariel of 'Or so she says...' 5. Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray "Eat Cake will make it's way into your list of favorite books, it's a quick and enjoyable read. I love this book for more reasons than the fact that the main character shares my name! It'll have you laughing and crying- all at the same time! If you're like me and have a unexplainable urge to bake... you'll totally connect with Eat Cake!" Ruthie of Cooking with Ruthie 6. Wonder by RJ Palacio - "My 9-year-old daughter recommended Wonder to me and I enjoyed it just as much as she did. This is a compelling novel that is fun and easy enough for summer, but also intelligent and thought-provoking. Share it with your family when you are finished!" Allison of Tips for Family Trips 7. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin - "I love this book because it is getting me to think deeper about what I do to bring happiness upon myself. I am a happy person, but am loving the new outlook and am loving making new goals to make myself really live a happy life." Kiki of Kiki and Company 8. Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar - "It's easy to think that once a certain thing happens, I'll be happy. Well, this book provides little life secrets to be happier each and every day. It is applicable for every life stage. It has changed my way of thinking about happiness." Melissa of So Festive! 9. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson - "Sometimes a mom just needs a good, quick, easy summer read to distract her from doing more laundry or to keep her busy during swim lessons. If you love a good Jane Austen romance, you will love this book! Set in Jane Austen's English countryside of 1820, this romance will keep you quickly turning the pages as you watch Kate's struggle to learn to follow her heart!" Veronica of Lolly Lu Designs 10. Leadership and Self- Deception - "Do you want to know the secret to having a happy and successful family and marriage? Want to know how to have successful relationships with anyone you come in contact with? Leadership and Self-deception holds the key to mending, strengthening and flourishing in all of your relationships. This book is a life changer- Promise!" Heather of Family Volley 11. Surprise Inside Cakes by Amanda Rettke - "It's a beautiful book of cakes and it's full of cake decorating tips for the everyday bake. Amazing cakes for every special occasion, all with a little surprise on the inside." Zainab of Blahnik Baker 12. The Child Whisperer by Carol Tuttle - "It taught me how to parent my very determined toddler (at the time) based on her personality type." Amy of The Connection We Share 13. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaleo Hosseini - "I read this as part of a book club and it has stuck with me ever since. It is a beautifully written, emotionally gripping story of two Afghan women's suffering, strength, and resilience. What I love most about it is the way it celebrates the strength of the human spirit - a beautiful thing!" Cathy of Lemon Tree Dwelling 14. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - "A light, charming book by the author of the popular Shopaholic series. This clever romantic comedy makes for a fun and easy summer read, by the pool or on the beach!" Samantha of Five Heart Home 15. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale - "I loved this simple story that has some fun little twists. My favorite part is that my daughter loved this book as much as I did. I love being able to enjoy the same books as my daughter. This is one that was enjoyable for us both!" Holly of Bits of Everything Longest post of your life? Maybe! But, it's worth it. Good luck to you!

Fine print: Must be U.S. resident and 18 years or older to enter. Vacation package must be booked at least 60 days in advance and is subject to availability and some blackout dates. This post contains affiliate links.

Getting to Know...

This year I have had the opportunity to regularly contribute over at "Or So She Says.". It has been such a positive experience. If you don't already make the site a daily stop, you should. The contributors are amazing and their ideas are fantastic. Today, all the contributors are participating in a blog hop. We all answered the same 10 questions. You can hop around, meet each of us, and get to know us a little better. I hope you will play along. And stay tune, because coming up is an amazing giveaway. Think family vacation and taking a trip. Stay tuned.

What inspired you to start your blog (or shop?) 
Starting FamilyVolley wasn't my decision. There was a much Higher Power in control. It hit me one day that it was something that I HAD to do. The material I was able to learn in graduate school, and was teaching at BYU was changing lives, and the feeling kept coming that more people needed to hear the message I was sharing in the classroom. I would lay in bed every single night, unable to sleep, and unable to shake the thought that I needed to start blogging. There was hesitation. I didn't know anything about blogging. I knew it would be a time commitment, and with small children, I didn't have free time. The list of "why not's" went on and on. Regardless of the excuses I came up with, I couldn't shake the promptings. Finally after months and months of no sleep, I brought it up to my husband and asked what he thought I should do. He gave me the obvious look.  He said, "You know what you need to do. I can't believe you waited this long to start." He gave me a big hug and that was that. We laid in bed each night trying to come up with a name. You can read about my very first choice for a blog name here. And why I didn't use it. After much thought, FamilyVolley was it. "Family" because it is all about family, and "Volley" because I played lots of tennis in high school and loved to play the net.

Our last formal family picture. Two years ago. We really need to get a new one. 

Our newest edition. Born last December.

What's your favorite and least favorite thing about blogging?
My favorite thing about blogging is getting a comment or email telling me that something they have read on FamilyVolley has helped them, and their family. That makes all the long nights worth it. Making new friends is a very very close second place.

My least favorite thing about blogging is the guilty feeling when I am not blogging regularly. I feel guilty when I don't post, when I don't attend events, pretty much all the time. I used to stay up all night if that is what it took to publish. When it started to take over life, I had to scale back. And now, even though there is still constant guilt and nagging in my head, sometimes a few weeks will go by when I don't post. I have had to get over it. The constant guilt is my least favorite part about blogging. The pressure I put on myself. Yuck.

Tell me with only 20 words, 20 things you love. 
God, Husband, Children, Parents, Brothers, Beaches, Lemon, Tennis, Golf, La Jolla, Sewing, Cooking, Reading, Teaching, Speaking, Laughing, Crossfit, Date Night, Smoothies, Learning

Us

What is the one recipe you are most often asked to share? Please share it with us! 
There are a couple recipes that come to mind, but whenever I take my Lemon Cookies to any get together, I am always asked for the recipe. The easiest cookies you will ever make and perfect for summer. You can find the recipe here.

5 favorite beauty products, right now... what are they?
Bare Minerals Makeup: Anything and everything from this company is perfection. It is all I use.

Hair Spray: I have tried ALL of them. Expensive and cheap, and this is my favorite. You will love it.

Big Sexy-Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing and Texturing Powder: This will not only volumize your hair, but it will give you a perfect day two AND three, when washing your hair is out of the question.

Sensationail-Best manicure EVER. Will last for weeks and weeks, and weeks. And you can do it yourself.

Nail Nippers: Can't live without these. The link is to a really fancy pair, but I get mine at the local drug store.
  
What's your personal mantra(s)? 
Always take the high road and treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Something you tell yourself on a regular basis?
Have Faith, it will always work out. 

What movie made you laugh more than any other? 
I am going to have to pass on this one. Nothing is coming to mind.

Our family at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club a few years ago. 

If you could recommend one family vacation, what would it be? 
Hands down, the best place to vacation as a family is The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club in La Jolla California. Our family has been going there for years. You can read more about the resort and our vacations there. If you need the best place to go if you want to take a Family Ski Vacation, you MUST go to Deer Valley, in Park City, Utah. You will not be disappointed. 

What goals are you currently working on? 
1. Get Control of the Laundry: After adding our 5th child, 6 months ago, the laundry has officially taken over my life. I am always behind and have set a major goal to stop the invasion.

2. More Speaking Engagements.

3. Sew More. I love to sew. Love every single thing about it. Plus it is rejuvenating and my favorite way to create. I have goals to make coordinating dresses for our four girls this summer and shorts for our son.

Please share links to 3 blog posts (or items from your shop) that are special to you (or favorites of yours), and explain why.
The Day I Got My Groove Back: Reading this post still makes me cry every. single. time. And women and mothers who are lost, still email me about its message on a weekly basis. It describes the day I found myself again, and I am most grateful for it. Plus, the pictures are awesome.

How to be a Happy Mom and How To Be Fun Mom. These two posts still bring in the most comments, Pins, and emails. I love them. I know they are true, and I have both of them printed and posted above my desk where I see them and read them every single day.

A True Valentine: The story of the first Valentines Day my husband and I spent together. My husband is air for my soul. He was then, still is, and always will be.

Family Fun Friday's Game and Activity Book: A labor of love, the book is filled with the very best games for families and friends. The games are fun, original, and will take all the guess work out of what you and your family can do together. Promise, you will love it. Just click on the red "Buy the Book" button on the top right of the screen. 

Help me out here. What is your favorite funny movie?

Get to know my fellow contributor friends too! They have fantastic blogs that will keep you pinning all day. (There are just a couple that couldn't participate in the blog hop, but pay them a visit anyway. You'll be glad you did! :))
  Packed with Fun
  What's Cooking with Ruthie?
  Blissful Roots
  Darling Darleen
  Prepared Housewives
  Lemon Tree Dwelling
  Tips for Family Trips
  Five Heart Home
  Double the Deliciousness
  Nine a Plenty
  Kleinworth & Co.
  Creative Carmella
  So Festive
  Blahnik Baker
  Shopgirl
  The Connection We Share
  Bits of Everything
  Kiki and Company
  Or so she says...