The Best For You, Adoption Book Giveaway!

Been WAAAAY too long since we have done a giveaway, and I am in a really good mood so why not? It's a week of celebration for many, and for others a time to reflect. Whatever it is that you do with your Mother's Day this year I hope you will be celebrating the woman that you are!

Let's leave this post up until Monday, May 14th sot that there is plenty of time for all who wish to enter, can! What is it that you will be entered for? Why this of course ....

 
You see, I am a birth mother ... have been for over 20 years. I tried to find a book that would explain my point of view in adoption to help my children understand why it was that I chose adoption for them. I searched. And searched. Finally, after 15 long years of hoping I could find what I was looking for I decided to just bit the bullet and take a stab at what I wanted to see in a children's adoption book. The result? The Best For You, written and illustrated by little ole me!


So, here is what will put your name in the hat (literally, a hat. That is how I chose my winners ... old school style :) 

1. Leave a comment wishing anyone you want a Happy Mother's Day!

2. Retweet this post, then comment & leave the Twitter address where you posted.

3. Like my Facebook Page and leave a comment on this post that you were there.

4. Become a Follower of this blog & leave a comment on this post letting me know.(Right side of this blog for Follow box.)

5. Visit Adoption Voices Magazine, then leave a comment on this post telling me what you thought of it.

There you go! You can do all 5, you can do just one. No matter what you do, know that every time you comment on this post you will be entered to win one of two copies of The Best For You.


May your heart find peace and love this Mother's Day.

Adoptions From The Heart Giveaway!

I have come across many people in this world of adoption who are pretty incredible. One of those contacts I have is from Adoptions From The Heart. They have a great blog and website designed to help all that are in adoption. My friend there emails me from time to time and asks if she can use my posts to put up on her site, and I am more than happy to oblige her because I believe in the voices who have lived the life and are willing to put themselves out there to help others understand a little better.


If you would like to check the site out, please follow this link to Adoptions From The Heart. 
If you are interested in their blog, please follow this link AFH Blog.

I tell you all of this because today she was kind enough to share my post Holidays In Adoption on their blog. In honor of her doing so, I am hosting a GIVEAWAY of two of my books just for the Holidays. There is more than one way to enter the giveaway, so please look below for those chances.

1. Comment on this post and tell me what your favorite Christmas tune is for one entry.

2. Click on this link and like the Kelsey Stewart Fan Page on Facebook for one entry.

3. Explore the blog and if you find another post that you liked reading, comment here as the what the post was for one entry.

4. Follow Adoptions From The Heart Blog for one entry.

5. Share this Giveaway Post on your Facebook, Twitter or Blog for one entry.

Please leave a separate comment for every entry and don't forget to leave your email address in your comment so that I may contact you if you should win!

This Giveaway for The Best For You will end this Sunday, Christmas at 11:59 pm PST. 


So feel free to share this information with anyone you know that might want to enter to win this book! And for those of you  who have ventured here from The Adoptions From The Heart site, I welcome you to the blog and encourage you to read on!

Facebook Exclusive!

Want to win a copy of The Best For You? Head on over to my Facebook Fan Page and comment on the status to enter for a chance to own your copy! It is a simple question, and you are more than welcome to share this info with anyone you know ... there may be someone on you list who might be looking for a book like this!


You have until NOON PST on Friday, December 2nd to enter. This is one of MANY giveaways I will be doing throughout the Holidays so be sure to check in regularly for more chances!!!!

Thankful GiVeAwAy!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me what you are most thankful for this season for a chance to win a signed copy of The Best For You!!!! Yup, that's it! Just a few words about what makes you thankful this season, and you could be the owner of a brand spanking new copy of my children's book on adoption, The Best For You!

Enter until 11:59 pm Saturday, November 26th ... and if you do not win this round then keep checking back throughout the week for a chance to win!!!!!!! Black Friday is going to be celebrated here all week long!

Want to tell others about it? Feel free to, they may want this book as well!!!!!

Last Day to Enter!!!!

This is just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the current giveaway of The Best For You! Please click on the link below to read how to enter. If you are not familiar with the book, please click on the Articles/Reviews of The Best For You tab at the top of the page.

Good Luck to you all, and thanks for reading!
~ Kelsey

Enter GiVeAwAy! 

Summer GiVeAwAy!!!!

It's time for another GIVEAWAY! That's right, you can enter right here for a signed copy of The Best For You, a unique children's book that is from a birth mother's point of view. The premise of this book is to help children understand what one mother was thinking and feeling as she makes her decision to place her child for adoption. Written honestly and with compassion, The Best For You can help children talk openly about their feelings about being adopted. Many people have embraced this book for what it has to say...

“This book offers a perspective that no other children's adoption book offers. The view of the birth mother.”
~ Adoption News




“Kelsey's courage to write this beautiful book impressed me. The message to her adopted children is clear and simple. She wants all of them to know that they are very loved, and she always thinks what's best for them. This book is a well-written legacy from a brave mother to her wonderful children. It also brings me tears and smiles.”
Tenny Kusuma ~ Simply A Mom

“This little book, targeted for the younger child who was adopted (ages 4-8) packs a big and positive message; one that answers the common questions: "Did she love me?" "Why did she give me away?" and "Does she think about me?" The Best for You is a joy to read and look at. The broad scope of the book is perfect for children who are fostered as well as children who were adopted through foster care, domestic adoption, or international adoption.”
 Judy Miller ~ Story Circle Book Reviews



To enter, please do the following (and remember to comment telling me which option you chose!):
 
* Follow this Blog for one entry (hit follow button at the top of the blog)
 
* Become a Fan of Kelsey's on Facebook for one entry http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelsey-Stewart/120778465527
 
* Follow Kelsey on Twitter for one entry http://twitter.com/#!/bestforyoubook
 
*Follow Kelsey on Networked Blogs for one entry http://networkedblogs.com/followblog.php?name=the_birth_mother_voice
 

* Tell a friend about the Giveaway for an extra entry
 
* Simply comment below for one entry
 
You can enter once with these options, or do all of them for more chances at winning!
 
 

This Giveaway will be accepting entries until Friday, July 22 2011 at 11:59 pm. The winner of the book will be announced next weekend.

GiVeAwAy Starts NOW!

Well, I am ONE WEEK AWAY from stepping on Colorado soil for the Families Supporting Adoption Conference in Littleton, CO!!! I heard there are more birth mothers registered to attend than ever before, and that just makes my heart sing! If you are close to Littleton, please try to come out! Not only will I be speaking at the event, but so will the lovely Jessalyn Speight ~ Author at Birth Mothers 4 Adoption Blog. Also there, Kirsten Daynes ~ Author of Infertility: Help, Hope and Healing!


So, here is the info as to how you can enter to win a signed copy of The Best For You, my book explaining adoption to children from a birth mother's point of view.

1. Leave a comment on this post saying you would like to be entered (1 entry)
2. Like the FaceBook page Kelsey Stewart (1 entry)
3. Become a follower of A Birth Mother Voice (1 entry)
4. Tell a friend about the giveaway, have them mention that you sent them. (1 entry for you and one entry for them!)
5. Follow the Birthmothers4Adoption blog. (1 entry)
6. Tweet about the giveaway, then let me know your twitter address where it is. (1 entry)
7. If you are registered to go the the conference, just let me know that as well (1 entry)

This contest is open from Friday, April 1st (NO JOKE!) until the day before I leave, Thursday April 7th at 11:59 pm. Depending on the entries, there will be the possibility of several folks winning this book! For every 15 entries, there will be another book GIVEN AWAY!!!

So enter today, no limit as to how many times you would like to enter ...  just type away and have fun reading all about Jessalyn and Kirsten!

The Winner Is......

Thank you to all who wrote in telling me about their Heroes! I sure did enjoy reading your responses. And now, the winner is ....

Heather! who wrote:
"I have so many heroes for different reasons. My best friends... a dual certified psychiatrist, wife, mother, "sister" to me, active in her community, her mother's sounding board(this one is a killer) and such a fun and generous person. She came from a really rough family and is so successful but she doesn't see that. I love her!"

Congratulations to you! I thank everyone who read about My Hero, and a very special thank you to all who entered the contest! There is a monthly giveaway so be sure to check back from time to time for another chance to win!

Hero GiVeAwAy!!!!

Today is the 40th Birthday of someone very special in my life. My husband's family is one amazing group of people who grab life by the horns and hold on for the ride. Adventurous to the core, every one of them has an insatiable appetite for life, love and laughter. My sister in law Shannon happens to be one of my favorite people in my life.

I met her in high school when we were in the same French class together. I could not have known then that she would become not only a wonderful friend, but a family member through marriage that was crafted beautifully by the powers that be. When I started to date her brother, she and I slowly but surely started to become more than friends, more than casual classmates. Along the road, little by little we learned more about each other and the more we learned, the more we liked what we saw before us. Then in 2004 I convinced her to meet me in Vegas for some much needed girl time, away from the kids time, not thinking time with some gambling and Australian male stripper time. (That show, The Thunder From Down Under, was attended to celebrate my cousin's 40th Birthday, the reason for the trip to Sin City.) That weekend was what solidified our relationship, rather it catapulted us into more than just in laws. I boarded the plane that Sunday evening knowing the true meaning of having a sister in life.

Thanksgiving week of 2006 was spent with my husband's immediate family on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Neither my husband or myself had been out of the United States before, much less been on that large of a ship. It was the trip of a lifetime, spent lazing around with family ... watching fantastic memories unfold right before our eyes. Our first stop on the jaunt was in Nassau, Bahamas. It was the perfect island day with sun, clouds, warmth and amazing arrays of color everywhere the eye could see. After sightseeing, the kids could not wait to get to the beach and hang out in the ocean. The beach was bizarre to me because instead of sand it was more like tiny broken shells rolled over the landscape. It was sometimes sharp to step on leaving all of us to walk cautiously towards the brilliant teal water. I could tell that the ocean was rough that day, even making a mental note that I could physically see the tell tale signs of rip currents. Bodde and my niece were both 6 years old and skinny, and Chase at least a head smaller at the age of 3. Living in California, I respect the ocean. She has a mind of her own and you never know what is happening under the surface so I made sure to caution all the adults of the dangers and the need to keep the kids safe.

Most of us were in a group standing about 10-14 feet away from the water. My husband and father in law were in the water and we could all see that even they, grown men, were having difficulty standing knee high in the water. The ocean was churning something wicked. The younger kids were playing on the beach just to the left of where I was standing, and Chase was literally about two feet to my left, far away from where the waves were lapping the shore. Suddenly and with urgency, Shannon leaped between myself and my mother in law, sprinting towards the water. I turned with camera in hand and was thinking I should capture the spontaneity of her spirit when I realized Chase was gone. I heard her shouting over the loud waves ... "Bruce! ... Chase! ... Get him!" I followed her calls to the wave and saw nothing but feet and hands turning over and over again in the cylinder that was churning violently. I was frozen. I could not move even though I was screaming at my body to go to the water. I watched as Chase's body flipped over and over again at the mercy of the ocean.

She never stopped running, right into the water with no regard as to how she would fair against the mighty waves. Finally my legs heard my brain and I ran to the water's edge watching as my husband and his sister tried desperately to grab Chase's body. They got a hold of his arms but the sunscreen made his skin as slippery as an eel and just when they both got a hold of him, he slithered from their grip and went back under. Finally, with all of their might, Shannon took one arm and my husband the other, they threw Chase as hard as they could towards the beach. I prayed that Chase would be breathing when I grabbed him from the water. I was terrified that it had been too long, that he was not able to hold his breath as long as he did. Coughing and scared, his body met my hands and I held on and backed off the water as fast as I could. He looked at me and started crying and all I could do was say ... "Thank you God! Thank you God!" As tears filled my eyes I realized that my sister in law had just saved my son's life.

This is why I call her my hero. I know that she would do anything to help her family, her friends and her kids. She thinks of everyone else first, never selfish in her kindness. She is beautiful both inside and out and always counts her blessings. She is just an amazing person and I know that I hit the jackpot when she came into my life.

So, in honor of my hero's Birthday I am hosting a giveaway of my book The Best For You. I know that there are everyday heroes that do not get world wide recognition but mean the world to someone, like Shannon means to me.

Here is how to enter..... tell me who your personal hero is. If you would like to explain why, I would enjoy that. If you choose not to, that is fine too. I would just like to spotlight some folks who have put themselves aside for those that they love.

 Giveaway will end this Sunday, February 6th at 11:59 pm.

 

Happy 40th Shannon! May you always know just how much you are loved by all who know you!

The Holiday GIvEaWaY Winners Are.....

Thank you all who came by to enter for your chance to win The Best For You. First let me say that I loved all of your answers about the Holiday song! I agree with all of you, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be O Holy Night. Brings tears to my eyes when I hear it, just love that song! (I also love "Baby It's Cold Outside", but that is not a traditional Holiday song, I just like hearing it on my favorite Christmas album by The Brian Setzer Orchastra!)

So, here are your winners ....
Stephanie Nichole Pavey from Facebook

Carol Lozier from the Blog


Michelle Weber Mussachio from Facebook

Amanda Negley from the Blog

kgtang70 from the Blog


Sterling Bo from the Blog
 
That's right! I am in such a giving mood this Holiday Season I doubled the number of winners because each comment made me smile! Thank you so much for reading the blog and the fan page, how can I not be in such a giving mood with such fantastic follwers?!
 
Merry Christmas to all ... or what it is that you celebrate this season! My Best to all of YOU! ~Kelsey

If you did not win and are interested in the book, it can be purchased at the link below.

Holiday Adoption Book GiVeAwAy!!!!

So, I should be taking a long winters nap after all the writing that I have done over the last 30 days, but I just realized that I did not do a giveaway during National Adoption Awareness Month! What? Was? I? Thinking????

December has begun and I think it is time to gift THREE readers with a copy of The Best For You!!! There are a few ways to enter, and you may choose all of them if you wish ... that I will leave up to you!!!! Since we have all had a month full of adoption talk, let's do something just for fun! The big question is this:

What is your FAVORITE Holiday song?

Here are the ways you can enter ...

1. Answer the question above, and you can tell me why you like it so much if you like. I always like to get to know my readers ;) and leave your email so I know how to get a hold of you should you win.

2. Tweet about the giveaway to your friends and family, be sure to leave your twitter address here and your email so I know how to get a hold of you should you win.

3. Become a fan on Kelsey's Facebook Fan Page and leave your email so I know how to get a hold of you should you win.

4. Follow Kelsey's Blog if you do not already and leave your email so I know how to get a hold of you should you win.

This giveaway will be open to all until 11:59 pm (PST) Sunday December 5, 2010.
Feel free to spread this far and wide, I  can think of no better time than Christmas to share a book that could help so many families open up that sometimes difficult conversation about adoption with their children ... not to mention help kids understand that they are loved a thought of more than they could ever know.


HO! HO! HO! ~ Kelsey Klaus

Giveaway for September!

It's that time again! I am preparing to go to the Southwest Regional Families Supporting Adoption Conference in Arizona later this week and thought it would be the perfect time to do another Giveaway of The Best For You!!!!

For those of you that are new or not aware, I am a birth mother who wrote and illustrated a book called The Best For You that explains why one birth mother chose adoption for her child. It is honest, heartfelt and unlike any other children's book about adoption.

To enter, please do one of the following, or to enter more than once....do a couple of them!: (please make sure to leave your email address in your comment so I may contact you if you win!)

1) Leave a comment telling me what adoption means to you.

2) Become a follower of this blog then comment here that you have done so.

3) Become a follower of Kelsey's fan page on Facebook then comment here that you have done so.

4) Tweet about this giveaway and then comment that you have done so.

5) Tell a friend about the giveaway and have them enter and have them comment that you sent them (I will enter you twice if you are the informer!).

One winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 10th 11:59 p.m. PST, after I get back from the conference. I thank you all who have been following so far, and I sure do hope that I will meet some of you at the conference!!!

July/August Giveaway of The Best For You

There are many new followers here and you may not know that I like to do giveaways of the book from time to time. Well...it's time again! IN celebration of my upcoming milestone birthday, I am hosting a giveaway on my Facebook Fan page. Easy to enter:

Visit my Facebook Fan page. (just click the word Facebook to go there)


Join if you have not already.


Leave a comment in the Giveaway status, you'll see it if you scroll down the page ... look for "Giveaway for August!"


I am asking, what was your favorite part about your adoption, any part! Feel free to be as open as you like.


If you want more chances to win a signed copy of The Best For You, then suggest the page to friends and have them enter as well.


This Giveaway ends the day I turn 40, August 7th.

If there are 400 fans by August 7th, I will sign and giveaway THREE copies of the book!!! Hope to see you all there!

Giveaway from Birthmothers4Adopotion

Thank you Desha and Jessa for hosting your very first Giveaway, The Best For You for a lucky mom!!!! These two fantastic ladies are birth mothers who have a passion for supporting other birth mothers. Their site is just loaded with information about adoption and they are both very positive ladies ... and not to mention they have hearts of GOLD!!!! If you have not seen their blog, I encourage you to go there and check out their awesomeness!


I am one grateful gal for having the pleasure of knowing them, my fellow Bravehearts!!!!!!!!

This is a Site For Birthmothers By Birthmothers

They are also having a Vote for a Logo contest, a few of the samples are at the top of the page and here! So many things to see over there!

Campbell, Party of Three

This is a great blog hosted by an amazing mom who loves adoption. Her story is wonderful, her views are honest, her stories are sometimes funny! She is a sweet gal who is finding her way through the world of adoption one day at a time. She is strong. She is determined. She is someone whom I would love to have a cup of tea with...and she had some wonderful things to say about my book. SO many, she is giving one away, so to all of you who have entered before and wanted a copy, yet another chance to own one!!!!!!!! Thanks Mrs. Campbell for introducing me to your readers, and thank you for the RockStar status!!!!!!!!!

Campbell Party of Three

Best For You Giveaway!!!!!!!!!

Winners of the R House/The Best For You Giveaway!!!!!!!

Well, I thank all of you who entered in this round of giveaways! How are the winners picked? By the very technical process of writing names on paper and then putting into a hat for picking ;) I think picking them by hand makes it personal and also quite fair. The three winners this time around told me why they wanted to win the book, and when I went back and read their comments, I felt the need to share their words with you. All three have different reason for wanting to win, and all have wonderful attitudes towards adoption. The thing that amazed me, they all are wanting the book for three specific but different reasons. I am humbled by their words, but at the same time thrilled to be able to offer them something that may just be what they are looking for!!!

Congratulations to you all! To the others out there that entered, I thank you too! I will be doing another giveaway in about a month, so be sure to stay tuned.


FishinFamily


"I really want to win a copy of this book for two reasons. 1) My twins were adopted 5 years ago and this book is so perfect and so different from the other adoption books I have that I'd love love love to have it to read to them. 2) I work at a treatment center for teenage girls. 4 of the 20 were adopted and have significant issues with feeling like they weren't wanted or they were just a mistake. I love that this book talks specifically about that issue. I really feel like this book will be very beneficial for 'my girls' to read. Thanks for writing such a special book."


Sharon


"And finally, I would love to win one of your books because we are about to adopt a baby in about 2 months. Even though we will have a very open adoption (our expectant mom is very unexpectedly, a family member, so when I say very open, that is an understatement). It would be wonderful to have a book to read to our little girl, that explains in words they understand what adoption is all about."


Not Just a Birthmom


"I would like to win because I want to give my son a book that lets him know how much I love him, and explains to him that I didn't just "give him away", I made the best choice possible for him. I am also hoping that by giving him this book, it will prompt his adoptive parents to tell the boys they are adopted sooner. Perhaps they can use it as a conversation starter, or they can use it to help share their stories of adoption and how their birth mothers love them and did what was best for them."

The R House, Fantastic Resources for Adoption! Not to mention, another Giveaway of The Best For You Here...

The adoption world on the internet is a vast sea of voices and resources. There are many sites with information, but one that I find to have info for all sides of the triad is The R House. The beautiful Mrs. R is a lover of all things adoption, and she sure knows how to show it! Her posts run from the very serious to the lighthearted and most of the time, there is some humor thrown in there.

I first started reading her when she was posting about scammers that had disrupted her friend's dreams of being a parent. Her writing was so honest, so raw that I just could not stop reading. Once I finshed her post, I started to look around her site and was thrilled to see so many different blog links about adoption. She had birth parents voices, adoptive parent voices, waiting parent voices...just so many to read and so little time! I started to visit almost daily and was introduced to so many positive people who embraced adoption the way I do, which was a comfort to me. I also found many who were not as positive, but rather cautious about their journey through adoption and I found those voices a breathe of fresh, honest air because to know adoption, you have to read the good with the bad to really understand why it is such a difficult journey.

I thank the R House, and the wonderful Mrs. R, for being such a great resource for hearing about adoption first hand. If you have not been to her blog, well I encourage you to take a look. You just may find the voice you have been looking for, and let's throw in the fact that she has tons of giveaways!!!!!! Her giveaway of my book was a huge success and to thank her for introducing me to her readers, I am doing my own follow up giveaway because it is obvious that there is a need and want for this kind of book out there.

So, if you have come here from the R House, I welcome you! Feel free to look around, read and comment, or ask a question if you have one. I am not shy and love to meet new people. Once you have done that, enter for your chance to win one of three signed copies of The Best For You that will be given away right here on my blog. Here is what you have to do.


1. Become a fan of The R House, then come back and let me know you are now her fan.

2. Comment on this post telling me why you would like to win.

3. Become a fan of Kelsey Stewart on Facebook. Come back and comment here that you did so. If you are already a fan, leave me a comment on this post telling me so.

4. Let your friends, family or blog buddies know about the giveaway and have them reference you, and I will add your name once for every person you tell about this.

More ways to win the book:

Become a Blog Follower of The Birth Mother Voice - 1 entry

Tweet, Blog or FB about this giveaway - 1 entry a day (please leave link of your daily post)

(Remember that all additional entries should be left as separate comments. Also be SURE to leave your email so that I can contact you if you win!)

This giveaway will end on Wednesday June 2nd @ 11:59pm (pst).

Winners will be announced on Friday, June 4th.

Facebook Giveaway!

Just for Facebook Fans, I am doing a giveaway of
The Best For You everyday this week! Come on by for your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question of the day.
Kelsey Stewart Fan Page on Facebook

The Best For You Giveaway...from the Author!

That's right, I have decided that it is time to do a giveaway to all of my readers, and perhaps some new ones, just in time to celebrate Mother's Day.

However, I have to make room for another giveaway, so I will now end this on Sunday, April 18th @ 11:59pm EST. So, I am reposting and inviting you to come and enter and pass along, it has had so many wonderful posts so far!

I wrote The Best For You  as a gift to my adopted children, and once my daughter read it she encouraged me to share it with the world (I think she just may be one of my biggest fans ;) and that is exactly what I did. So, now as the day of all days when we celebrate Mothers comes near, I think it is time that I send it to two lucky readers. Here are the ways to enter and win:


1. Take a moment to read some of the Happy Thoughts series, easy to find in my label section. Come back and leave me a comment on this post and let me know which one you liked.


2. Comment on this post telling me why you would like to win.


3. Become a fan of Kelsey Stewart on Facebook. Come back and comment here that you did so. If you are already a fan, leave me a comment on this post telling me so.


4. Let your friends, family or blog buddies know about the giveaway and have them reference you, and I will add your name once for every person you tell about this.

More ways to win the book:

Become a Blog Follower - 1 entry

Tweet, Blog or FB about this giveaway - 1 entry a day (please leave link of your daily post)

(Remember that all additional entries should be left as separate comments)

 

This giveaway will end on
Sunday April 18 @ 11:59pm (pst). * New Date!

The winners will be announce on April 21st.