i've never been so great at saying thank you

or maybe i do an okay job with it, but i just never feel like i am adequately conveying HOW thankful i am and how lucky i feel and just how very, very blessed.....because i am...but the words just don't ever seem to be enough. or right.

i've felt this way ever since i was little. i never wanted to open my birthday presents at my party. i think i didn't feel worthy or something? and opening the gifts was almost embarrasing to me...like really? me? YOU got this gift for ME?

not much has changed. i still don't like opening gifts in front of people. i'm a much better gifter than i am a giftee. but some occasions just call for a really extreme amount of THANKS. and this is one of them.

last week, one of the sweetest people i have ever had the honor of calling my friend and one of my FAVORITE bloggers ever, ashley from hudson's happenings hosted a giveaway to celebrate 500 followers to her blog. first of all, i want every single one of the 7 of you who are reading this to go to her blog right this second and follow it. that is really important to me. i would never lead you astray. she is magic.

look how pretty she is. look at her sweet little boy. honestly. my heart, these two.

anyway, so she hosted this giveaway for this gorgeous dress from shabby apple and cross my heart hope to die i never in a million years thought i would win. first of all, she has FIVE HUNDRED FOLLOWERS so, as if i had a shot, and really, i only entered so she would know i was celebrating with her and cuz... well... cuz also, the week before she held her giveaway, she posted this picture and i kept getting hysterical every time i thought about it....

not that only 12 people would ever enter her giveaway....it just kept cracking me up thinking about it....i reserve the 12 person giveaways for ME!! wait till i hit 100 followers people....it's on!

anyway, so i entered, cuz i loves her, never thinking i'd win....but guess what?

i won!!!!!

this dress is so pretty. i needed to feel pretty so badly. i have been feeling like a real pile of poo lately in my janky sweats and my husband's pilled up fleece half zips.

basically? i love it. and "thank you" just doesn't even touch it...

sweet ashley, you made me feel pretty. for the first time in a long time. and i love you for it more than these silly little words can say.....

and more importantly, HAPPY 500 you little rock star MINX you!!!!

p.s. shabby apple is fantastic. have you shopped with them? they contacted me the day after i won and my dress was shipped a day later! the quality is amazing. it's lightweight, but still elegant and more gorgeous than pictures could ever do justice...

p.p.s. speaking of pictures....sorry for this ridiculous myspace style photo collage hot mess. i tried to get my husband to help me with this photoshoot and.....no. just no......so....it was just me and my iphone. i apologize. a lot. believe me.