My First Blog Award

My friend Kristy sent me this award. Kristy and I have never actually met in person, but I feel like I have known her for ages. We met through the blogosphere (am I using that terminology correctly?). Someone had tagged me for a meme and I had to tag seven people. I think at the time I only had one friend who had a blog so I started randomly clicking on people who had left comments on Beth Moore's blog. Kristy was one of those people and we have been friends ever since. She and I did a Bible study together this summer. You know you put your insides out there when you do an in depth study. That is a sure fire way to get to know someone. Kristy is also a military spouse. Her husband is in the Coast Guard. For those of you who are not military spouses, you should know you have an instant sisterhood of sorts with any other military spouse you meet. She loves her kids and strives to be the best Godly mom and wife she can be. She also has started a new jewelry making hobby. Pop on over here and here to see some of her creations.

Part of accepting the award is:

*displaying the award
*linking back to the person who gave it to you
*paying it forward and nominating 7 blogs
*adding links to those 7 blogs
*leaving comments on their blog telling them you gave them an award
*enjoying the award!!!!

My 7 awards go to...drum roll please...in no particular order

The first award goes to Kari. Kari and I met not too long after we had moved to our previous home. P.K. was geo-batching (lived on base during the week and made the two hour plus commute home on the weekends)and I really needed another adult to talk to. I joined a MOPS group and the Lord put Kari in my path immediately. Our oldest girls were in the same class at school and were already friends. Kari really got me started on this blogging hobby. She had been talking about setting up a blog so I started researching it. Once she got her blog off the ground I jumped right in. I'm so glad I did. I now have memories preserved and since she and I don't get to have our weekly coffee dates, I can keep up with what is going on back at the old homestead. Kari wears many hats. She is a mom, wife, daughter, dance instructor and room parent just to name a few.

The second award is presented to Happi. Happi is actually Kari's sister. Kari's list of actual blogging friends isn't much longer than mine and she should probably get dibs on her sister, but I'm going to give Happi the award anyway. I never actually met Happi, either. I knew of her through Kari before our blogging days. Happi had a blog before us. Once I started blogging it was just a natural progression to check Happi's blog. She is a homeschooling mom of two sweet boys. She is very talented. She teaches voice and piano lessons. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, so you can imagine my envy of her is great. She loves making her house a home and her love for God and her family pours out through her writing.

The third award goes to my cousin Melissa. She has been commenting on my blog for a while and I just found out that she has one. Since our big move, we live a bit closer to Melissa and are waiting for her to come visit. Melissa if you come, I will make that cake with the "bump" again. It has been fun catching up with her via the blogs and email.

The fourth award goes to Marine Wife. Yes, I know her personally and she has a real name. She tries to keep her blog safe for her family as I do mine and I respect that. She and I met when we were stationed in 29 Palms in California. I knew her before Aaron was born so we've been friends for over 7 years. Wow! We were walking buddies and I so miss our morning walks with our babies in their strollers. Those are precious memories to me. If those mountains we passed every day could talk, they would have some very personal things to divulge. Obviously from her screen name, she is married to a marine. Her marine has deployed to Iraq, more than once. She handles his absences with grace and strength. Not to sound too much like a Hallmark card, but I am very proud of this friend. She loves to scrapbook and is very organized.

The fifth award goes to Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing. I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie at the park near our previous home. Kari and I had met there for a little coffee, conversation and playdate. We were talking about our blogs and Kari was sharing that she had bumped into a blogger at the library the day before. She glanced up and there was Stephanie. Kari said, "And that's her." Stephanie is a talented writer and posts on several blogs. Hop on over to Adventures in Babywearing and you can find links to her other spots. It would also be worth the trip over to her blog to meet her sweet new baby girl, Ivy. She also has three little boys. She is more techno savvy than I will ever be, so if you really want to learn more about blogging, go to her blog. Amazing!

The sixth award goes to Amanda. I basically lurk around her blog. I've left a comment now and then, but not many. She is a gifted writer. If you read her blog at all you will find out that she loves Jesus, her man and her son. Amanda, please do not feel obligated to play along. I'm a rule follower and the rules say to give the award to 7people. I unfortunately don't know 7 people personally who blog. However, I really do love your blog and you deserve the award!

The seventh award goes to The Thrifty Momma. I don't know her either. Some of you may know I have gotten into using coupons a lot lately and she has a lot of great information on her blog. Thrifty Momma...thanks for sharing all of those great money saving tips. I really do love your blog, so this award is for you!