Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Last Saturday morning, before the sun came up, I finished a book.

Not just any book.

A book that I feel one day, I'll be able to write myself, somewhat.

I finished this book with tears streaming down my face.
Two minutes after I finished it, I crawled back into the darkness and pile of pillows and blankets that is our king sized bed, and snuggled into my favorite place in the world.

Michael's right shoulder.

I shed a couple of tears on my favorite quad's chest.

You see, it took me weeks to finish this book.
Because I had to keep putting it down.
Some parts of it were just too real, too painful for me to read.

Like this, about Ken adjusting to living and loving someone with a disability:

"It took a while to separate himself emotionally from what happened in the bathroom, but he was able to shake it off. With God's help, he believed he was up to the task. She believed he was too. But it didn't take away the fear."

When Joni and Ken met and fell in love, she was already paralyzed. Living in a wheelchair and all of that was already a part of her "normal" life. Ken was swept off his feet by Joni. I can't blame him. She is breathtakingly beautiful, and full of God's grace. Who in their right mind, with the chance, wouldn't be swept away?

I was swept away with my quad, too.
I remember those days of simultaneously falling in love, and swimming in fear.
But the sweetest part of it was being able to trust God, and trust Michael.

Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story takes you through their journey of meeting and falling in love, and getting married, and then, the part that made me cry.

When they fell into the routine of everyday living/caregiving/working/marriage and keeping a house, and before they knew it...

"It was like climbing a mountain where you took one step ahead and slid back two; instead of making progress, you felt like you were going backward. No matter how diligently you worked at it, you were never 'done.'

Sometimes he found himself asking, How did I get here? Why is everything so hard? Why don't things ever get better?"

Joni and Ken have had additional and different struggles than we've had. Joni has had to deal with chronic pain, and breast cancer. Ken had to learn what it's like to be married to a famous person.

But, there is so much that we relate to, and so much to learn from this treasure of a book. I encourage anyone who is married to read it, especially if you juggle a disability in your marriage.

My favorite line of the whole book? It's from the beginning, when they were out on a boat, just the two of them, during their dating days.

"Ken spoke up. 'It could work, you know.'"

Joni and Ken are 30 years into their beautiful marriage. That's almost 10 times as into this as we are. We're thankful to have them as great role models to look up to. I am personally grateful that they decided to peel the veil back, and let us in. I'm also grateful for their ministry, Joni and Friends, which we've both been blessed by, and had the opportunity to serve.

We're so blessed that we've been able to meet them and get to know them.

I'd like to bless one of you with a copy of this book. Please share this blog post on Facebook, and you'll be entered to win. I'll randomly pick a winner, and contact you via Facebook to let you know you've won by Sunday, May 12th.

You can buy the book here.

Giveaway: Thirty One Large Utility Tote

Hello, friends! Remember when I wrote my eBook, launched it, then completely fell off the earth?

Yeah.
About that.

I'm sorry.
You know that phrase, "you bit off more than you could chew?"
Welcome to my life.

Anyway.
I'm back!
And I have a really fun giveaway to share with you today!

It's a Large Utility Tote from Thirty One.

I actually have one of these bags, and it is great! I've used it for trips, moving, groceries, you name it.

It's big enough to hold lots of stuff, but it also collapses for easy storage!

I have to thank my friend Heather for sponsoring this giveaway. Heather is a caregiver to her boyfriend, Colin, who is a paraplegic.  We had the honor of meeting them last year and they are a great couple.

You can check out Heather and Colin's blog here.

And Heather's Thirty One shop here.

Now, here's the deal with this Giveaway.

All you have to do is buy the eBook (it's totally fine if you've already bought it) and send me a receipt to my email: danabrownritter@gmail.com.

You can buy the book here.

I'll keep this giveaway open until 12:00pm on Thursday, April 18th, and I'll announce the winner on Friday, April 19th. 

I will just choose the winner randomly.

If you've participated in other eBook related giveaways, that's totally fine! Feel free to enter this one, too!

I want to thank y'all so much for all of your support with the eBook project, and these giveaways are just a fun way to do that.

GIVEAWAY: She Knew That She Was Blessed and Highly Favored

I'm so excited to announce this next GIVEAWAY, in celebration of the eBook, "We Are: A Caregiving Manifesto."

This is a little sign that will bring a smile to your face, and hopefully some encouragement to your heart.

I got this little 5x5 sign in my gift bag at the Allume Social Conference last October. I immediately fell in love with it! I don't know about you, but I constantly need to be reminded that I am blessed and highly favored, and that the God of all is on MY side and loves me!

The sign, produced by Red Letter Words (click on the link for complete details) inspired me to do a cubicle makeover at my old job before I left DC:

And then, after we moved, it was the inspiration piece for my little home office!

I know you will love it.


Here's how you can enter the giveaway: Purchase the eBook! You can go to the website Michael built for the book, and if you have a Kindle or a smartphone or a tablet with a Kindle app, you can buy it through the Amazon link. If you don't, and you'd like to read it on your computer, or print it out, you can buy it as a PDF.

Once you do that, just forward me your receipt to: danabrownritter@gmail.com.
Put the title of the giveaway in the subject line of the e-mail.
If you've already bought the book, and want to enter the giveaway, that's totally cool!

I will use random.org to choose a winner, and I will announce the winner on Sunday, February 24th! (in the evening) You have until 8:00am Sunday to enter.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'd really appreciate it if you spread the love on this giveaway, and help us get the word out about the eBook!

GIVEAWAY: Let it Be Wooden Sign

Okay you guys, I'm ready to host my first giveaway in celebration of my first eBook, "We Are: A Caregiving Manifesto."

It's been so fun to pull these items together, my friends have been so supportive of me and this project, and I'm so grateful to them!

The first item is this super-cool sign from The Orange Leaf.

It's a wooden sign that says, "Let it Be."

I absolutely love this Etsy shop, run by one of my good friends, Becky Rogerson. Becky is a talented artist with a good eye. She makes these signs by hand! We have one in our bedroom that says, "Always Love," and it's one of my favorite details about the room!

Here's how you can enter the giveaway: Purchase the eBook! You can go to the website Michael built for the book, and if you have a Kindle or a smartphone or a tablet with a Kindle app, you can buy it through the Amazon link. If you don't, and you'd like to read it on your computer, or print it out, you can buy it as a PDF.

Once you do that, just forward me your receipt to: danabrownritter@gmail.com.
Put the title of the giveaway in the subject line of the e-mail.
If you've already bought the book, and want to enter the giveaway, that's totally cool!

I will use random.org to choose a winner, and I will announce the winner on Thursday, February 21st! (in the evening) You have until 8:00am Thursday to enter.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'd really appreciate it if you spread the love on this giveaway, and help us get the word out about the eBook!

iBloom Book Winner & Saturday Morning Post

Last weekend, I challenged you guys to enter a giveaway by commenting. The winner is getting a copy of the iBloom book, and the winner is CINDY NOEL PEJSA.

Cindy, I sent you a message so we can work out getting the book to you. Yay!

If anyone else wants to jump in on this journey with us, please do. I'm looking forward to a year of choosing to love my life!

Now, Saturday Morning Post time...

Yesterday was my last day at work at CBN News in DC.
You guys - I was blessed and overwhelmed with love and flowers and video tributes, and Georgetown Cupcakes and gifts and people saying crazy nice things about me!

The night before, we were blessed to get together with friends at Busboys and Poets, and it was the most interesting mix of people we love from all areas of our life - work, former co-workers, blog friends, a softball teammate, members of the White House Press Corps. It was so much fun. Even two people I hadn't met in person before!

I had lunch Thursday with David (my correspondent/work BFF/brain mate) at the same restaurant where I had lunch during my job interview to come to DC in the first place - another freaky full-circle moment.

We are leaving DC with a rush and a push of love and encouragement. I feel so loved and favored and blessed.

The state of this apartment makes me sick to my stomach! I can't wait to get settled in our new home in Virginia Beach, unpack, organize, and hang pictures! I love order! It feels like our apartment threw up all over itself.

Last night, Michael told me the clutter is even making him anxious and driving him nuts.
Good to know I'm not alone, and you have no idea how proud I am of him for saying that! :)

I'd like to give my mother-in-law a major shout-out for all of the help she gave us last week. She cleaned and packed and took care of Michael's morning care for four days. It was so nice!

I feel good about where we are. We have three days until we roll out. We are on track, though! And I'm so happy to not feel completely overwhelmed.

Now, to make a list...

Caring for the Caregiver SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!

My heart is so full this morning.
I'm so happy to know some very, VERY generous people who want to help caregivers.

A few weeks ago, a good friend - who will remain anonymous - but just know I love this woman! - had this idea. To help a caregiver. To give a caregiver a break. She gets it, because she is a caregiver herself!

So, we put the "Caring for the Caregiver" Scholarship together.

I couldn't wait to bless someone with this awesome opportunity.

Then - something amazing happened! Another amazingly generous woman - who will also remain anonymous - told me to give away TWO scholarships!

I'm not even done, y'all!

Not long after that, another friend told me she wanted in on the giving, too! So, she is contributing a manicure/pedicure or some other sort of spa treatment of their choice to a third winner!  She will also remain anonymous, but she gets it too, because she is also a caregiver!

I'm surrounded by anonymously awesome friends! :)

It is with much joy and anticipation that I announce the winners of the scholarships!  This is a $400 value. It can be used all at once, at a hotel for four nights at up to $100/night, or one night at a time, also sticking to the $100/night price point. You can stay at the hotel, or you can put your loved on up there. You are responsible to make sure their care is arranged for while you are on your getaway.

I'd love to hear about it when you go!  I will e-mail all of you with details on how we are arranging payment.

The winners are....

JULIE PERKINS and ALICIA BARNES! :)

And our third winner - who will receive a manicure/pedicure or massage/facial (any spa treatment you'd like, up to $75.00) is...

AMY LINDMAN!

Look for an e-mail from me very soon, and we'll stay in touch.

CONGRATULATIONS to the caregivers who won, and THANK YOU to our generous sponsors and a big thank you to ALL of you who entered. I loved reading all of your stories. I love every single one of you, and I'm so thankful that we are all in this together.

Caring for the Caregiver SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

You guys.
I have an AMAZING opportunity for you.

If I sound like a crazy sales lady on an infomercial, good.
That's what I'm going for.

Because this opportunity is that good.

Do you know my heart?
My heart is for you.
You, who gets up four hours before you leave for work, because you take care of your husband or wife. You, who never get alone time, so you cherish the time in the shower or the car, because that's all you have to yourself.

You, the caregiver.

An awesome person who totally gets this, has anonymously offered to give one of you caregivers a beautiful gift. Some time away. Some time to yourself. Four nights in a hotel up to $100/night including fees/charges. You can decide how to use this. All at once for a four day stay, or one night a quarter.

We want you to go to the hotel. Or send your loved one there, so that you can enjoy some alone time at home. You're responsible for arranging the care for your disabled loved one. But, you've got that, right?  Talk to your loved one. You can figure something out together.

Because, my dear friend, you need this.
Trust me.
You need this.
Your marriage needs this.
Your partner needs this.
Your life needs this.

Because this life we lead? This crazy life of juggling marriage and a disability, it's insanely hard.
And it's not going anywhere.
So, it's always hard.

You know what else?
A lot of marriages - they don't make it.
The numbers are heartbreaking.

People who dearly love each other, are breaking up all the time, because the chronic stress of this life we lead is just too much.
On the body.
On the mind.
On the soul.
On the checkbook.

So, do this for me, will you?
Do this for yourself.
For your marriage.
For your future.

Click here to fill out a little application.
Send it to me (my email address is on the application) by December 23rd.
I am working with the generous person who came up with this idea and who is sponsoring it to pick the winner. There is no magic formula. Just tell us about yourself.

We hope this is just the beginning of a change for the better.
That this will help you to learn to say yes to help, to take a breath, and a nice hot bath, and charge your battery.

We'll announce a winner the week of Christmas.

Messenger Bag Giveaway WINNER!

Happy Friday, everyone!
Thanks so much for participating in the messenger bag giveaway from 3E Love!

MORGAN, you are the WINNER! :)

I am e-mailing you with details so you can get in touch with 3E Love, and get your bag!

Messenger Bag Giveaway!

Have you guys heard of this company, 3E Love?
Well, you have now.

Recently, a blog reader sent me a picture with some of their products (Hi Lena!) and I fell in love with their message.

So, of course, I went online and got this T-shirt. Because if I'm anything, it's a Proud Wife!

3E Love doesn't call themselves a "company," though. Rather, they call themselves a "social entrepreneurial experiement to change the perception of disability." The company was started by brother and sister, Annie and Stevie Hopkins. Annie passed away in 2009, but Stevie has been working hard, spreading the message of 3E Love, and this beautiful symbol.

From their website:

"The symbol is an attitude and a lifestyle. It's accepting one's abilities and rallying around that diversity and turning it into strength. It's loving and living life to the fullest no matter who you are and what you look like, no matter what you can or cannot do."

Isn't that great?

I'd like to do my part in spreading the word about 3E Love. So - how about a fun giveaway?

See that super cute messenger bag up there? It can be yours! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by Friday, November 9th at 10:00am, and I will choose a winner randomly from the comments, and I will announce the winner by 5:00pm Friday, November 9th.

Here are some specs about the bag:

Messenger Bag w/ Wheelchair Heart. An Anvil Messenger Bag with our trademarked Wheelchair Heart symbol printed large in white ink. Get this bag in black or navy blue. Put your books in it for school, your work files for a big meeting, or even use it as a laptop bag.


Dimensions: 14-1/2" x 12" x 5"

ITEM DETAILS
•600 Denier ployester
•One front adjustable clasp closure
•Main compartment has inside slip pocket
•Laptop and PDA friendly
•Front panel has zipper compartment
•Black trim around interior and exterior edges
•Adjustable 2" shoulder strap

Have fun and good luck!
Go ahead and like 3E Love on Facebook and follow them on Twitter, so you can keep up with what they're doing, and the cool products they have to offer.

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS, SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!**