Lifted Up

My good friend Monica of Shine Again graciously awarded me my first blog award. I am honored and humbled. If I could give her the award again, I would! She is one of those rare people that constantly challenges, encourages, and loves you just by you being around her. I am so blessed to have her as my friend and even more than that as one of my mentors. She is a veteran mom with 7 kids and she is also a nurse – she has helped me out numerous times with medical questions. :) I was so excited when she started a blog and I love reading it! So thank you, Monica.

It is my privilege to pass this award on to some others who have blessed me through their blogging. Of the many blogs I enjoy, these blogs regularly (and lately) bless and encourage me to be the woman God wants me to be through my walk with Him, my family, my creativity, my reading, and my involvement in the lives of others. So without further ado, I award them to these 4 ladies:

Jen of Just Passing Through – Jen and I have been friends for about 11 years. She stood up with me when I got married and has been with me through thick and thin. God took her out of state a couple of years ago and I miss her! Her blog is one of the ways we stay in touch and I’m challenged by her vulnerability in sharing her heart. She shares the joys, the triumphs, the trials, and the tears with unfaltering sincerity. She has a passion to be involved in her community that is so refreshing.

Catherine of Catherine Wheels – Catherine has been my friend for a few years and I feel I’ve gotten to know her even better through reading her blog. We have many similar interests but I especially enjoy our shared interest in healthy living. She seems to have endless energy as the mom of 2 under 2 and I’m challenged by her creative talents, reading lists, frugality, humor, and her walk with the Lord.

Maryanne of Happy Helms – Maryanne was a friend of mine in high school and we were recently reacquainted through the world of blogs. She is transparent and her transparency always encourages me to look at my own life in light of God’s Word. She honors her husband and family and that comes through in her writing. She is also very creative and frugal and is even starting her own business making adorable bibs!

Barbie of Moments, Memories, Milestones – Barbie is a new blog friend. I found her through Menu Plan Monday (I think) and I love reading her blog and seeing her pictures! She is the mom of 5 and her youngest two are adopted. One of her sons also had a cleft. We share a passion for adoption. Her love for the Lord and her family are obvious as well as her love for children all over the world.

Thank you, ladies, for challenging the way I think and live, encouraging me to be creative and frugal, and for blessing my life through your lives and blogs!