An Award...And a walk back memory lane

I just am in a bloggy fog this week. Between the rainy weather, a headache yesterday, hormones and, well, Election Day...I've been in... hey, I've just made us up a new phrase: Blog Fog. So, when I saw that I was given this award from e-mom over at Chrysalis, I felt so blessed.

If you haven't stopped by there yet, you're in for a treat. She always brings up such fascinating topics and has such words of wisdom from the Word. She is also our "home base" host for the monthly "Marriage Monday"! Thank you so much, e-mom!

Here are the rules:


1. Only five people are allowed.
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be a new follower of your blog, or live in another part of the world.

So, though it's hard to narrow this down to five, but this time, I'm choosing:

1. Mamaology
2. Susie's Space
3. Country Girl at Home
4. Dawn Writes
and a new friend,
5. Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

And here's a meme while I'm at it...

I'm not exactly sure if I did this one already a long time ago...but then, I'm in a Blog Fog and all... so I'll go ahead anyway:

Where Were You?

20 Years ago:



I was working as a preschool\ day care teacher and absolutely loving it, while living with my mom.
Dating now and then, but not a lot.
I had just lost my father in June of that year, so still grieving and helping my mom through her grief.

15 Years ago:

Just met the man I would marry and we were in the process of falling in love!
Yep, things were pretty exciting for me 15 years ago this fall...

10 Years ago:



It was in in this month of November- ten years ago- that my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child!
I remember though we had prayed and planned exactly for this, some nervousness was mingled with our excitement. My husband had just left the Navy and was still seeking employment. Not to mention, first time parent jitters!
But we were praying and trusting God, and very thrilled over it all.
Although my mom already knew, we announced the news at our big Thanksgiving gathering.

5 years ago:

Well, this gives my age away, but I was 40! Knowing I've always loved nostalgia and the 1940's era, my husband gave me a 1940's birthday bash and it was truly one of the best birthdays I've ever had!
(He even wore his sailor uniform!)


And hitting this milestone was also made easier because I was still nursing my second baby, who was nine months old. You just can't feel over the hill when you're nursing a baby, somehow!

One Year ago:

Well, pretty much exactly what I'm doing right now. Homeschooling my girls, attending the same church, and trying to keep the socks in the laundry from multiplying faster than bunnies.

And like last year, I'm trying to be the woman God wants me to be, sometimes falling short but glad He still loves me...and working on relaxing and appreciating all those "little moments" in life.


If you would like to do this meme, especially if you find yourself in a BLOG FOG...please do...I tag YOU!
And feel free to take my new, hip phrase I've invented because I know it will be sweeping blogland in no time!

Blessings!

Tag...you're it!

Leigh Ann from Living to learn and learning to live tagged me along with this award...

Thank you, Leigh Ann! (and to think it even has some of my favorite colors and everything!) :)

Here are the rules:

• Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you've posted your award
• Publish these rules
• Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support
• Grant the prize to 6 people

6 Things I Value:

It almost goes without saying that I value my relationship with Jesus above all else.
And my family is what I hold dear above all on this earth.
Followed by true friendship- something sometimes hard to come by but so worth treasuring.

So, I'm going to jump ahead to lesser things on my list...

1) A nice, tall pumpkin latte just as the first leaves begin to turn color.

2) Time alone to read a really good book. (Currently reading the book I won over at Jill, Inc called "A mile in my Flip Flops"- about a single gal who's addicted to watching HGTV and decides to try flipping a house. I am so enjoying this light read!)

3) Vegging out occasionally with an old movie...or HGTV

4) Listening to romantic music, alone with my husband (it doesn't happen that often with the business of life, but when it does, it rates right up there- yes, even higher than the pumpkin latte.)

5) Being able to be home with my children during the day - and more precisely, to home school them. Although it has it's challenges like any job, it is truly one of the things that gratifies me the most and that I'm thankful for.

6) Last but not least...(well, alright, I guess it is least...)
Chocolate anything.

6 Things I do not support:

1) Any bug or insect's right to take up residence in my home.

2) The way that gravity is not a gal's best friend.

3) Surprise crumbs on the sheets when I get into bed. (It's not always hubby...sometimes little munchkins were there...)

4) People who use foul language in public places. (Especially where there are little ears!)

5) Having "alternative lifestyles" popping up more and more on channels like my HGTV

6) And finally, (sorry to any friends on the "left")
I do not support the Democratic candidate.

Now, I have to award and tag 6 people. It's hard to keep track of who has done this one, so if I tag you and you already did this, just be glad you're oh so popular.

So...

Dawn at Dawn Writes.

Michelle at Big Blueberry Eyes.

Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

Susan at Learning for a Lifetime.

Mary at Mary's Writing Nook.

Lisa at A Place to Land.

I know sometimes tags are hard to find time to do, but if you accept this award which you all deserve, then let me know so I can come read your answers!

And speaking of Michelle, whom I listed, I was lucky enough to win a sweet Precious Moments figurine from her. It's so adorable- thank you again, Michelle!

She also tucked in a surprise chapter book for my girls called "Precious Girls Club" and I just finished reading it to them last night. They were entranced and didn't want it to end!

They even a new website that I thought a few you others with girls under ten might be interested in...they are still working on it, but you can still go by to play games, print out coloring sheets, ect.

OK, I just looked at my calendar and realized that it's the first day of FALL!
This northern gal can't really say it like they do in the south, but...

Awards Night...

I feel a little strange, mentioning in one full swoop being nominated for the two wonderful awards going around right now! But since they both came my way within days, then I guess I will go ahead...

As someone who the "awards parade" occasionally passes by, I can honestly say I was both completely surprised and blessed this week in blogland.

I was first honored by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee by her nomination of the



Now, coming from Linda, who I have dubbed the Queen of Humor with her Dave Barry-isk style, you can imagine how thrilled I was to be one of her nominees.
Now, my husband's mouth will probably drop open at this title, knowing me as his old-movie- buff, born old-fashioned, Nat King Cole-kinda' wife. (Does my singing The Partridge Family hits on the monkey bars in third grade count?) Hey...I rock.

And here's a few other rockin' girl bloggers:

The Woman. She is not only funny, fresh and real...but truly rockin' with her latest trend of posting great vintage rock and pop clips! She is truly so much fun!

Meredith from Poppy Fields is an American living in France, and like me, has two little girls. She has such a gift for writing...sometimes laced with sharp wit, and I love seeing life in Province through her eyes.

Anyone who knows Melanie from This Ain't New York knows she is truly a rockin blogger, with her tongue in cheek humor. And if you listen really hard, you can almost hear her southern accent...

Corrie, from One gal's life in the raw, is also a riot. I haven't known her long, but I wish I could just sit back over coffee and let her tell me stories. She's that much fun!

And someone who I don't even remember how I found...(I could be wrong but I don't think she makes the blogging rounds all that often) is a delightful first-time 40-something mom, whose blog is entitled Growing with Julia. I haven't stopped by nearly enough, but whenever I do, I am usually left smiling.

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And now, I was extremely touched to have two special people nominate me for this next award...

This award amazingly was started by a sixteen year old girl, who wanted this award to be passed with much thought to those

"...who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them."

I was first nominated by a dear blogging friend, Dawn. To think someone with her life experience and godly wisdom could be positively affected by someone like me was truly amazing.

Here's what Dawn said:

Tammy at Family Doin's is a home schooling mom of two adorable little girls. She is doing a great job. She had her children later than some and is enjoying every minute. I love her take on life, and her writing is exceptional as well. She does great fiction, which is a skill I definitely do not have, but admire greatly in others! I'm glad we met somewhere along the line, Tammy.

Thank you so much, Dawn...your nomination meant so much and I am so very glad we met, too!

Then, I was completely surprised when someone else whom I admire greatly... someone who writes with such beauty and intelligence, also nominated me. Grafted Branch is also currently home schooling her girls...and though I'm sure they aren't perfect, they all model such purity and what I consider true girlhood. So you can imagine how I felt when she said these words:


Tammy from Family Doin's sidebar is conspicuously void of awards and I don't "get that" because I know her traffic is steady and respectable. And I know that because on the occasions when she has linked me for whatever reason, I see a fair increase in my traffic. Which is to say it doubles. She's always got a good attitude about things, she relishes her family, respects her husband, honors her mother, loves her adorable daughters (who would be playing with mine if she didn't almost live in Canada, and I almost in Mexico) and is just. a genuinely. kind. blogger. An accolade is long overdue this sweet woman. So, Tammy, thanks for being one of the nicest bloggers on the block! And in being so affable, reflecting Jesus' concern and availability to everybody.

Um...I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say I was so affable- at least not all the time- nor do I always have a good attitude! (My family might beg to differ with you, especially before I've had my morning coffee...) But my love for this blogging community is genuine...and your recognition meant so very, very much, GB! Thank you!

*Edited to add that I just found out that e-mom from Chrysalis also has nominated me...I am truly overwhelmed! Especially when her site is one that I go to for inspiration on a regular basis. (If you haven't stopped by there, be sure to- you will be blessed!)
To be nominated by three women whom I greatly admire is just unbelievable for me!

So now, I get to nominate five others for the Blogger Reflection Award who have touched me...I can so easily find them...the problem is narrowing them down to five! But many whom I am choosing are newly discovered gems...


A new blogging friend, Juliet Echo Mike at Holding Short@33 and Bravo
has blessed my spirit so many times- especially with her "thankful" posts. She seems to have such a pure heart, and sweet spirit. She and her husband are about to become parents...any day now, I think! Her enthusiasm not only about this, but about life in general, is contagious.

Another new friend, Nadine from Just Being Me, ministers along with her husband- and is a published author. She obviously has a heart for God and for others...and can speak simple truths that we all need to hear with such clarity! In the short time I've known her, she has quickly become a blessing to me!

Yet another new friend is Myrna from Cherish...The Word.
She is truly a woman of grace...she has been faced with many hard challenges in life, yet she radiates her steady positive outlook, which she bases on Christ alone. She is truly an inspiration of faithfulness and a wonderful model of a woman of God.

Becky from The Butler's Wife, has also been an inspiration to me. She has such a tender heart and is so real...and one minute I can be visiting her and laughing...the next, she has me reaching for the tissues. More than this, she has become a blessing and a true blogging friend in the short time I have known her.

Another new friend and published author who has quickly become an inspiration is Sandy at Reluctant Entertainers.
She eloquently shows us how everyday people (even the ones not bestowed with the gift of hospitality!) can overcome our hurdles and begin to reach out to others in small but tangible ways. The family photos she shares always so wonderful, and I always come away from reading one of her posts feeling edified. She is someone who freely bestows hospitality...and then freely shares her wisdom and tips with us!

These women are truly people whom I admire and have been blessed by. I hope that by visiting some of the ten people nominated for these two awards, you will end up feeling blessed, as well!

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Saturday is my oldest daughter's 8th birthday party, held at a Tea Room, and there are still a few things to get ready! It should be very proper, don't you know...and a lot of fun! I'll be back at the end of the weekend, complete with photos!

Blessings!