Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Just Call Me Your Highness

'Cause I'm Queen of for the day (otherwise known as the Featured Blogger) over at The Secret is in the Sauce. If you haven't checked The SITS girls out by now may I kindly suggest that you get your booty over there! It's a blog for bloggers to help you get more readers and comment love on your blog. Not to mention that Heather and Tiffany totally rock.

For those of you visiting, welcome to There's Always Room For One More! As the single mother of six kids ages 21 to 20 months (all currently living at home) two dogs and a whole host of extended family and friends, there's always a lot happening around here. But not to worry, there's always room for one more! My youngest three children are adopted from China and Vietnam and they have filled our home with much joy and a boat load of adventure. Or is a butt load?

One question I get from new readers is how did I get to be a single mother? My husband Darrell died 3 years ago from burn injuries he suffered in a single engine plane crash. You can read more about it here in the post Our Story. I lost the love of my life with Darrell's death not to mention my best friend. And after I went through a rough six months I realized I had two choices. I could sit around and feel sorry for myself or I could decide to go on with my life. At that time I had 4 kids and I knew they needed me to go on, for their sake as well as my own.

Although we've had our share of hardship, I try to find the humorous take on life and with all my kids, and as most of my readers know- especially my youngest Emma, there's plenty of material to write about. I call it total Blogging Job Security, baby.

So sit back and I hope you enjoy reading. If you want to check out some additional posts here's a list below:

Today's SITS Featured Posts:

Tidy Tuesday
: where I dress like a June Cleaver wanna be and clean my older boys' toilet.

The Dishwasher Repairman Cometh... Or Not: when I realized that we were being held hostage by Best Buy

Alone: my first night in my bed alone since my husband died

Additional Posts You Might Be Interested In:

I'm Being Stalked By Build-a-Bear: imagine my alarm when I found out that not only was Build-a-Bear following me on Twitter but also talking to me!

Life Lesson Thursday: lessons I've learned and oh so generously pass on about my early eHarmony experiences as I try to re-enter the dating world. Yikes!

The Vietnam Series: a five part series about my Vietnam adoption experience, or should I say nightmare? This is a serious series.

Oh, and will you be my friend??? Befriend me on Facebook! Denise Grover Swank.

171 comments:

Megan said...

Woohoo!! Congrats on being Featured today!! You rock! =D

Jennifer said...

Happy SITS Day! Great blog! All of your children are beautiful but with 6 kids I sure hope you were able to get that dishwasher fixed! (Says the person who has a hard time keeping up with the dishes for two people without one..I should be ashamed of myself) You got my respect!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

I just swung by the SITS site and was so excited to see you as the featured blogger. I'm so excited for you! Congrats!

Will you still remember me (the little people) when you are famous and inundated with comment love?

Have a great day!

Heather said...

Happy SITS day to you, special lady!! Loved the posts on the SITS page. Toooo funny! Have a wonderful Wednesday and rejoice in your special day as the Queen Bee!

Sara said...

Congrats on your special day, Yeah!
I love your blog!
Have a great day
Sara

TuTu's Bliss said...

Congrats!! I will be back..right now you caught me on task overload but when I get a bigger slice of mommy time this is where I'll be!!

Turtles In Northern Florida said...

Congrats on being the featured blogger.Now I am going to go get my box of tissues cuz I think I may need it. You have 6 beautiful children.

Ellie Jacobson said...

Congrats on being the featured blogger...you have such beautiful children and I will be back to read more!

Thank you for sharing your life..

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Happy SITS Day - enjoy it!

Shara @ Blissfully Chaotic said...

Congrats on your SITs day! Cute blog!

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy SITS day!

Dee said...

Your post brought me to tears. What an amazing woman!

Congrats on being featured!

Robin said...

Happy SITS Day!
Cute blog.....and just by the titles alone, I cant wait to go read your other posts.
Hope your day is a most beautiful one.

Queenie Jeannie said...

Over from SITS...

Congratulations on your special day!!! I hope you enjoy every bit of bloggy goodness of it!!

Barely Domestic Mama said...

Congratulations on being the FB today!

You know I'll be back since I'm already a follower. I sent a friend request on Facebook. :)

Alex the Girl said...

Have a Great SiTS day. I'm really enjoying your blog.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being featured!

cat said...

Happy SITS day! i have enjoyed reading your posts and will pop in again. I am so sorry to hear that you lost your hubby - my dad passed away when I was just 7 - I always feel a kinship with other in a similar position. Love and light to you.

Life with the Lees said...

Happy SITS day! You totally deserve it! I had never seen your blog before, but I will definitely be back! I just added you to my blogs to follow! Congrats again!

Donna@www.bethanybeachboutique.blogspot.com said...

Hey Denise...Enjoy your day in the SITS sunshine! Great blog! I will browse more after I drop my daughter off at school.
Have a good one!
Donna

Rebekah said...

Yay!!! Enjoy your SITS Day!!!

Dumb Mom said...

Congrats on the SITS feature. I wanna read more, but you are making us late for school! Must. Tear. Self. Away!

Christina Lee said...

Happy SITS day- off to read more!!!

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Wow, I can't wait to read more of your stories! And what beautiful children you have!

Congrats on being the blog of the day!

Jingle said...

Congratulations on your SITS feature today! You have a truly beautiful family!

Ann said...

Congrats on being the SITS feature!

Jennifer said...

Great blog. Congrats on being featured.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

Happy SITS feature day! I hope you enjoy it :)

Shelley said...

Happy SITS day. I hope you get all kinds of saucy love today.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Congrats on your SITS Day! I am enjoying browsing through your blog!

Bobbi said...

Congratulations on your SITS day.

I liked your featured posts. So sorry on the loss of your husband.

Unknown said...

Congrats on your SITS day! I've been meaning to go over there and get "connected", lord knows I can use more bloggy love!
Have a super day.

Kelley with Amy's Angels said...

YEAH! Today is your day for a little comment love! I'm so interested in reading your adoption stories as my future husband and I would like to adopt! I'm off to read. If I have questions, I hope you don't mind if I drop you an e-mail?

Have a great day!! : )

bj said...

WOO HOO...CONGRATS on being NUMBER ONE, today...
HAPPY SITS !!
xo bj

Anonymous said...

Hello your "Highness"!!! Your family is absolutely beautiful!

jules1219 said...

Congrats on your SITS feature today!
You have a beautiful family!
Have a wonderful day,
Julie
http://fashformom2boys.blogspot.com/

Dina said...

congrats on your sits day, i love to get connected to great blogs like yours

Unknown said...

Congrats on your SITS day! Your family is beautiful!

Unknown said...

Beautiful blog, enjoy your day!

Melanie said...

Congrats on your saucy day! You have a gorgeous fam and your blog is so pretty too!

Brandy said...

A special poem for a special lady on her special day...

You call this place "There's Always Room for One More",
Telling tales of Trace, Ross, Julz, Jenna, Ryan and Emma,
Who's spoiled to the core.
Guaranteeing that your posts are never a bore.
From your love for Starbucks and recaps of Lost,
Your addiction to crack bars, and commercials at no cost.
Posts about cleaning with pearls,
And singing in Price Choppers aisle,
All your adventures never fail to make me smile.

~Hey I never said it was good!~ Congrats!! And enjoy!

Rhonda said...

Good morning from SITS! Have a great day!

Denise Grover Swank said...

Brandy, that's the most beautiful poem I've ever read! Because it came from YOU and it's full of love! You're my girl!

Lani said...

Happy sits day! You are supermom!!!!

Jodi said...

Hi Denise,
Happy SITS day! So glad it's your day, you deserve it! How's your little Jenna? Mine is crazy as ever!

Kristin said...

I love it when one of my regular reads is featured. Congrats and enjoy your day.

Kristin said...

Congrats on being the Queen today!

jen said...

I can tell after reading your entry about your family and your first post about cleaning that this may become I site I frequent. With seven of my own children, one of whom is a foster child and a spread almost like yours, I can see we will have things in common. Looking forward to more visits!

Donnetta said...

Congrats on being featured!!! Going off to read!

mommy4life said...

Congrats on your feature! I'm so glad for you! I love your blog and you deserve the love!

Brooke said...

happy sits day!! :)

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

Woo-Hoo! Congrats on being "The Queen"!

I couldn't think of a more deserving lady (except maybe ME)! Have a Happy SITS Day. See you again tomorrow... as usual.

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

I am visiting from SITS and wanted to say that I think you are fantastic. I think we all need role models that inspire us and your it sista. I am off to read everything else about you!!!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Happy SITS day.

Your children are beautiful.

And I see you like Lost! I love that show.

Unknown said...

Happy SITS day!

perpstu/Poppingbubbles said...

Stopping buy from SITS! I'm glad you are the featured blog because I've stopped by before and then couldn't find you again to put you in my Reader!

Jenna Cox said...

such a precious blog. i love it!! :) you have a drop dead gorgeous family! Congrats on your feature. :)

Becky said...

Happy SITS day! Enjoy it girl!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Denise! Imagine my complete surprise when I popped over to SITS this morning and found YOU as the featured blogger!!!
YIPPEEE!!!!!
Happy SITS day!!!!!
Jill

Casey's trio said...

Happy SITS day! I will have to come back tonight and read all your featured posts:)

Ronnica said...

You have such a cute and fun blog!

Marrdy said...

Congrats on yours SITS day! I like you already and am looking for to doing a lot of stalking!! Get ready.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Happy SITS Day! I am so sorry for the loss of your husband - I read the Our Story post and it brought tears to my eyes. I have witnessed the passing on from this life with both of my parents - dealing with all the stuff that comes before that, then the actual moment of the last breath and heartbeat is difficult enough, but the aftermath of sorrow can just be so devastating, sometimes for years. I'm glad that God brought all of these beautiful children into your life to help pull you through such a time. God bless you and keep you.

Mary

Debbie said...

I hope you have a great SITS day!

Amy said...

Happy SITS day to you.

A Psych Mommy said...

Happy SITS day to you!

Dana Tate said...

Wow! Your blog is great. I have booked marked. I want to spend time reading your adoption story. I have always dreamed of adopting.
Congrats on your SITS day.

Unknown said...

I am so glad that SITS highlighted your blog today!! I am hooked now, you are amazing and truly an inspiration to us! :) Thanks for sharing your life with us.

Tiffany said...

Wow. You are an amazing woman AND an inspiration! God bless you.

kel said...

Nice to meet ya! Visiting from SITS! Can't wait to get to know ya better! Now, I am off to read those posts you linked!!

love your blog!

Shannon said...

New to SITS. I thought I would stop by and say I'm glad you're featured today. You are inspiring and have beauty within and out. You have a gorgeous family and I will be sure and stop by often. Congrats on being in the spotlight today!

Gamma Sharon said...

Congrats on being the FB!
Your blog sounds fun, I am following... but with six kids how do find the time?

Annie said...

Great Blog. Had fun reading. Congrats on your SITS day. I dont know how you do it with SIX kids!! I have ONE and cant keep up with everything :)....I'll be back!!

Mama-Face said...

You really do have a beautiful blog and you write so well (and funny) about things we can all relate to.

Congrats! have a good day!

(The dishwasher post...so sad and so true. XM radio held me hostage for 6 months with me trying to get back $300 they had overcharged me. Needless to say...no more XM radio.)

Bren said...

Visiting from SITS and can't wait to go back and look at your recommended posts! Congrats on being the featured blogger today! An wow - 6 kids - that in itself is amazing!

DawnS said...

Happy SITS day! I had bookmarked your blog before to get back to, but now I'm following. I want to read it all :) I'll friend you on FB too!

Vickie said...

Congrats on being Featured Blogger.
Enjoy your day:)

Susie said...

Congratulations on your SITs feature!! I hope you enjoy your day in the sun:-)

shaka said...

Congrats on being featured, you have beautiful kids!

Anonymous said...

So glad that you are the featured blogger today!

When I am feeling sorry for myself with two wild Indians - running crazy and hectic - people like you inspire me....

I am loving your posts and your amazing life full of love!

Clare said...

Happy special SITS day. I am in awe of you. What a strong woman you are. I am happy to be your new blog friend and now follower. Please come over and say hi to me. I have a 3 year old daughter,married and live in ca

Anonymous said...

Your stories and your struggles are amazing. What a strong and beautiful lady you are. I enjoyed reading your posts. Happy SITSa Day! have fun being saucy!

Nicole said...

Congrats on your day in the sun! I certainly enjoyed mine last week - what fun!

I am impressed that you are trying to respond to all your comments. I started to - then kind of gave up because it was so overwhelming. It's a wonderful problem to have, though!

Now I'm off to check out your blog...

Michelle said...

Congratulations on being Saucy! I love the look of your blog. :) Enjoy your day.

RebeccaMom said...

Happy Feature Day at SITS! Hope it is a great one :)

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Congrats on your sits day!! Wow you are one busy mama! Such an inspiring story.

Off to go check out more of your blog.

Life, Love And Lola said...

WOW! You are a strong woman! Happy SITS Day!

MJ said...

Over here from SITS (And I'm new over there, so just getting in the groove!).

Love your blog! I can tell from your writing that you are a very strong woman. Kudos to you, hon.

Call Me Cate said...

Enjoy your SITS day!

Serenity said...

Congrats on your SITS day - My first time here and I am loving your blog!

Jules said...

ha! I had missed the Build-a-Bear stalking post . . . .hilarious and definitely disturbing! The SITS site looks cool-I'm going to have to keep back and checking it out!

Jolene said...

Here from SITS...very nice to meet you!

Angelj052@gmail.com said...

Happy Queen for a day, Denise
wonderful blog!

Helene said...

Happy SITS Day!! It certainly sounds like you've had rough time these last 3 years but you have an amazing outlook on how you've handled it all, which is very admirable!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on being featured!! I'm loving your blog!!

Crystal Renee said...

Loved the OUR STORY section! You are a strong woman and CONGRATS on your SITS day!

Candace said...

You pull off the June Cleaver very well!!! I have one and have a hard time! The last pic on your Tidy Tuesday is me and my little one trying to do anything!!Hehehe! Just saying hi from SITs!

monica said...

Ocngrats on the SITS day! You seem like a very strong women and looks like you have wonderful family!

Karen M. Peterson said...

Wow! What a beautiful blog you have. Thanks for letting me stop by. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

Courtney said...

coming at ya from SITS!

Star Forbis said...

Congrat's on being featured! You so deserve it! Wow 6 kids, I only have 4 (and the help of a husband) You are an amazing woman! God's blessings on you and yours.

Ali said...

Happy SITS day! Just read all the posts from SITS and now looking forward to the ones you've listed here!

Reeni said...

Enjoy your day of being featured on SITS, you deserve it!

angie said...

Happy SITS Day!

Vintage Romance Style said...

Have a wonderful SITS day!

Valerie said...

Happy SITS day! Love your blog I am going to have to come back and visit a while. Have a great day!

Ashley said...

Congrats on your big SITS day! Love your blog!! I'll definitely be back!

Chatham said...

Happy SITS Day!

Your blog is so easy to read, what a joy!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your day!

AP Mommy said...

Happy SITS day! I LOVE your layout!

Kate said...

Happy SITS Day! Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss but you seem tohave handled it so well.
My dad died last year and so I am going to pass your blog on to my mom. She just started internet dating so I want her to read your post about it!

Have a great day!

Jen said...

Congrats on your SITS day. You have a great blog here.

Our Crazy Life said...

Stopping by from SITS to say have a great day!!

Summer said...

Hey there....found you through SITS! Very cute blog...I look forward to reading more and getting to "know" you.

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Blessings,
Summer

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS on being featured blog. I love your blog.

The Royal Family said...

congrats on your big day. But I was already adicted to your blog because of Brandy U.

See you around.
Brandy

Andrea said...

Congrats! Your blog is great.

The Majors said...

your blog is great...i especially love the stories about emma...it gives me an idea of the fun i have to look forward too when my 5 month old gets a bit older. congrats on being featured!

La Pixie said...

obviously, Im here because you are Queen today. I totally LOVE your blog, and Im gonna follow you and add you to my blogroll. I see that you are a fellow Lost fan. YAY, I only know one other blogger who likes Lost.

The Farmers Wife said...

I loved your june cleaver wanna be post, and still love it today! Happy SITS day! Yay!!!

Katie Lane said...

Yay!

Miranda said...

Congrats on being the featured blogger. I'm off to read more on your blog. You seem to be a kind hearted, strong woman. :) Congrats again.

TTYL

Kally said...

Happy SITS day :) Enjoy a day of comment love!!!

MyLinda said...

Congrats on your SITS day! I have really enjoyed "looking around" and learning about your family.

It looks like maybe we are both KS girls, nice to meet you!

Lynda said...

Congrats on being our saucy SITSa today!

Melissa said...

Congrats and have a wonderful day! Your blog is beautiful!

Melissa said...

Congrats and have a wonderful day! Your blog is beautiful!

beth said...

wow! you are super impressive. your family is beautiful! happy sits day! (ps - i am a total facebook addict. i will look you up.)

The Brady's said...

Congrats on being the featured blogger. Can't wait to read some more of your stories.

RamblingMother said...

So great you are the SITS blogger!

West Texas Momma said...

You are truly and inspiration to all women! Love your blog. You should be the SITS super hero! Have a great week!

Lizzie said...

it's so nice to meet you :) i'll be off now to check out your posts!

happy SITS day!

christyzee said...

congratulations on your special day! very nice blog, you are a very stong and loving woman!
blessings...

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Happy SITS day! i love your blog--your children are beautiful!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your day of being a Queen! Love your blog!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I just got done cruisin around your blog.. man.. girl you are amazing!! What a role model..

I am just really stunned at what a good heart you have.

All of this is really touching and warm.

I love that! oxox Rocksee

Sarahviz said...

Came here from SITs - enjoy your day!

Suzi said...

Happy SITS day!

dawn said...

congrats on being a queen for a day!!! stopping by from sits!!!

debi9kids said...

Happy, happy SITSday! Couldn't have happened to a nicer blog :)

Mommyof2girlz/StephD said...

Hi SITSta happy Feature Day!!!

Regina Moore said...

Congratulations on your SITS feature! Great blog!

CDB said...

Enjoy your day in the sun! That is amazing that you have six smiling faces around you.. and that YOU are still smiling! I have ONE and sometimes I think I'M busy. ha!

What an amazing story about the adoptions, I'm sure so many people would benefit from reading that.

Unknown said...

Happy SITS day!

Becky said...

Happy SITS day! What a great blog you have here.
You have an amazing story and are so inspirational, I am glad the girls have shined the spotlight on you today!

Margaret M said...

My goodness...look at all the comments! Enjoy your SITS day!

Bethany said...

Congratulations on your sits day! Your family looks fabulous and blessed, I'll be back!!!

Pseudo said...

Wow. You have quite a story. Happy SITS day ; -)

Kelli said...

I just can't stop reading all of your posts! I love all of them. You are an amazing woman.

Rachel Ann said...

Congrats on being a SAUCY blogger...I've been reading through the posts on the front page and love you and your family..even though I don't know you!

I really love that you declared "game on" with your little one!! :)

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

I'm new to SITS, but what a FANTASTIC story you have!

Maggie R said...

Congrats Denise being the chosen queen for a day.....
Love your blog and I admire you for all you have been through..
oxoxox
((((hugs))))
Maggie
waving from Southern Ontario, Canada....

Jan Holt said...

What a great blog. Glad I found you through SITs. I'll be back again soon.

Kristen said...

Congrats on being featured. What an amazing story.

scrappysue said...

wow. you're awesome, and your children are gorgeous. congrats on being the FB

Blessed said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Your's looks interesting - I'll be back (after I get my work done...) to look around a bit! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so pleased you've been featured on SITS! Why did that sound so formal? Pleased...who uses that?

Anyhow, happy SITS day! I'm gonna look around now!

Shelby said...

Happy SITS day! I am off to read the other posts you mention!

Stephanie said...

Happy SITS day!

Your blog is so incredibly touching. I think I just read 60% of your posts.

I am amazed at your wonderful strength and unending love.

mommytoalot said...

Congrats..sorry i'm late... i had sickies at home..
love your blog
Lisap

Mimi Head said...

Congratulations on your special SITS day! I look forward to reading your post and getting to know you.

jennifersusan said...

Happy SITS Day!!! I love your blog!

Mammatalk said...

Congrats on your big, bloggy day! I remember visiting here before. Glad I found you again! Enjoy your day. You deserve it.

Unknown said...

I am so late... But nonetheless I am still gonna make myself congratulations to ya heard! ;)

Kay Bratt said...

Congrats SITS Queen Bee!

You are the coolest, you deserve it!

Mindy Goorchenko said...

I'm late...I didn't get the email til this morning, I think. But WOW! I'm so excited to find your blog. You inspire and humble me.

Sarah .aka. Mamalotsoftots said...

Stopping by to say congrats on being featured! :D You're blog is amazing. I love reading it! ♥ Hope you enjoyed your day.

Shawn said...

Congrats! I am a day late, cause I always get the e-mails a day late---hmmmmmm---

Great blog and what a story! Cool!

Chandy said...

A late love from a fellow SITStah here...

Congrats on being featured. You do have a heart of gold for doing so much on your own...

MaryRC said...

congrats on your featurette, your blog is amazing and so are you..

tiarastantrums said...

A bit behind - but here for the SITS visit!!