I love a good party (and by good party I mean, one where I know at least 25% of the people there). Surprisingly enough, I get really nervous meeting new people if I’m not with a few people I already know well. That’s why 5 Minutes for Mom’s 2010 Ultimate Blog Party is such a great party. I can get to know other bloggers (and more of my readers) without any of those awkward moments (I hope). This is my first Ultimate Blog Party! The 2010 Ultimate Blog Party is hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. I was privileged to meet the sisters behind 5 Minutes for Mom at Disney’s Social Media Mom’s Conference in February. The idea behind the Ultimate Blog Party is to introduce yourself to other bloggers and get to know other bloggers as well! Make sure you visit the Ultimate Blog Party 2010. You’ll get a chance to read some other great blogs and they’re giving away prizes!
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while (or if you start reading about me and your eyes glaze over), feel free to scroll past the “all about me…blah blah blah” right to the good stuff…the $20 Target Gift Card Giveaway.
My name is Lisa and I’m 33 years old. I’ve been married to my amazing husband Fred for 5 years. Our lives have been insanely crazy during those 5 years and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Six years ago, I met my husband on eHarmony. He’s incredibly awesome and I knew I wanted to marry him within the first month of meeting him!
Five years ago, we got married and began our life of wedded bliss in warm, sunny Phoenix, Arizona.
Four years ago, we moved to warm, sunny Fort Wayne Indiana. During that year, we also met and fell in love with an 8 year old girl named Khrystyna who lived in an orphanage in Ukraine. We immediately began the process of adopting her.
Three years ago, we got our approval to travel to Ukraine to adopt Khrystyna. While in Ukraine, we met and fell in love with an 11 year old girl named Amina. Five weeks later, we were the official parents of both Amina and Khrystyna. We have been so blessed by them! I can’t even begin to imagine life without them.
Two years ago, we decided that we wanted to move closer to the school our daughters attend and so we bought a major fixer-upper and moved from Fort Wayne to Auburn. We also realized we had a ridiculous amount of debt (partly due to the adoption and partly due to not living within our means).
One year ago, I started blogging at savingmoneylivingbetter.blogspot.com as a way to stay financially accountable and as a way to share the things I was learning about saving money and paying off debt!
Three months ago, I moved to WordPress and SimplifiedSaving.com was launched. I love to share deals I find, freebies, and tips and tricks for saving money. I also like to review books and products and do giveaways. Although you will primarily find deals, reviews, and giveaways, there are also quite a few posts on weight loss and fitness since I am currently a contestant on Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner, a weight loss competition similar to The Biggest Loser. We’re only in our second week of competition, but during the first week I lost 5.8 pounds.
I have tons more to share with you, but I know you have other things you’d like to be doing, so I’ll wrap it up!
Giveaway
As a way of saying “Thanks” for visiting and/or subscribing to Simplified Saving, I’m going to be giving away a $20 Target Gift Card.
Want to Win?
Leave me a comment! Don’t just say something boring like I want to win…Be original! Tell me something interesting about yourself (or your blog) or tell me what you’d like to see in the future on Simplified Saving.
Additional Entries: Leave a comment for each.
1. Subscribe to Simplified Saving by Email.
2. Subscribe to Simplified Saving in a Reader.
3. Follow @LisaAboutLife on Twitter.
4. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect (in the right-hand sidebar).
5. Become a Fan of Simplified Saving on Facebook.
Winner will be chosen on April 17th at 8 pm Eastern time. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
Visiting from the UBP!! So cool about your daughters! I’d love for you to visit my blog, frugalfanatic.wordpress.com I am new to blogging, but having fun as I learn. I blog mainly about ways to save money!
Lisa,
I have really enjoyed watching your blog develop into something that is both helpful and used to serve others.
Kiki
I Subscribe to Simplified Saving by Email.
I subscribe to Simplified Saving in a Reader.
I follow @LisaAboutLife on Twitter.
I follow this blog on Google Friend Connect
I am a fan of Simplified Saving on Facebook.
Just popping in from the UBP! Great site – I bookmarked it! Stop by if you can… http://momof2boyswifeof1.blogspot.com
I blog about whatever – mostly reviews/giveaways.
I am a fan on Facebook:)
I just signed up to get your emails:) Have a great day!!!!!
Whaaa! You are younger than me you little stinker!!! Boooo
LOL – great contest!! I wanted to be a part of the partay but couldn’t stay awake that long…loser, I know! LOL 
Love ya Lis!!!
I am a subscriber!
I follow you on Twitter friendy
Hi! I’m just visiting from the UBP….well, I used to be a bomb-loader for the Air Force Nat’l Guard, and now I’m a stay at home mama for my two crazy boys. I am enjoying looking around your blog! Thanks!
Hi! I am stopping in from the UBP! I have been a blog reading for about a year and I love roaming the blog land!!! I have learned so much and saved even more!! I am loving this UBP because I am finding so many more blogs I never knew where out there!!
I subscribe by email!
I follow on twitter!
I follow on google friend!
I am a FB fan!
Thanks for sharing some information about yourself! That’s a wonderful life story!
I’m an email subscriber
I’m following you on twitter
I’m visiting from the party. Wow, I admire your desire to have an instant family. How blessed you all are to have each other. I’m a mom of 2 who are almost grown. Indiana is home and right now it is sunny……..and that makes me smile!
Hi there, it sounds like you are blessed with a wonderful family. I am the mother of three beach boys, and they sure keep me on my toes.
Frugality Is Free
in to say hello and happy blog hopping. I previously entered your whats in the bible DVD giveaway.
you are number 18 in my blog party searching, I am a published writer from Newsblaze and other sites..
nice to meet you, following you now!
Stopping by for the party! Love your blog! About me… I bake lots and lots of cakes!!!
I follow!!!
Facebook fan!!!
Subscribed via google reader…
Coming from the UBP — I have met so many new bloggers out there! Hi there and you have a wonderful blog here, I am having tons of fun surfing through it! I am #986 Blog, #734 Twitter & #462 Facebook
I love your site – its so cute! And good luck on the Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner contest!
I subscribe to your feed
I follow on twitter @smash906
I follow on google friends connect (ash9)
I am a facebook fan!
Hello there!
How fun! i’ve been a follower for awhile now. Love your blog!
I follow your tweets
I follow you…
I am now a facebook fan!!
Hi there! I’ve found you through the party. I’m having such a great time meeting new people and finding great new blogs. I’m from Orlando, Florida but it’s a small world because my Mom was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Great to meet you!
I’m following you via GFC.
I’m following you on twitter. @thisishowtdo
Became a fan on FB!
Lisa, so fun stopping by. 2 years in the working and last month we just launched our site InspiredGifts.com. We’d love to have you come by and take a look. If we can answer any questions, tweet us at @InspiredGifts
Something interesting about my blog . . . I just posted cupcake softies for sale in my Etsy shop!
http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/fresh-baked-cupcakes-now-in-my-etsy.html
Happy UBP 2010!
Deborah
comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com
comfortjoydesigns AT gmail DOT com
Hi ~ Just stopping by from UBP. Loved reading about the adoption of your 2 daughters. Congrats on working hard to retire your debt!!
Happy Ultimate Blog Party 2010!
Alicia
http://www.kramercottageschool.blogspot.com
Hi! Visiting from UBP10. I am a SAHM who enjoys baking, sewing, and blogging. I hope you can stop by and visit my blog.
Hi! Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog today. I will be coming back
I’m a SAHN of 2 boys. I don’t have much spare time for myself but when I do I love spending time outdoors going on “adventure walks” and reading and spending time with my friends.
Hi Lisa,
Just dropping in to tell you that you won the 2nd prize in my Weight Watchers Jolly Time giveaway
http://aproverbswife.com/2010/04/1-year-weight-watchers-subscription-winners.html