Liebster

My friend Brie picked me  to get this award. 

To steal from her Liebster post, " Liebster (apparently) is German for "up and coming".  Brie, did you pick me because you thought I needed help becoming an “up and coming” blog when you saw that I have a whopping 5 followers?  Ha!  I never subscribe to blogs myself, why would anyone subscribe to mine?  I am like you and use my blog as my journal for my kids and probably post TMI for my fellow readers.  Now if I can ever get caught up on my “journal”!  Now I’ll stop rambling and get on with the award you blessed me with!

There are a couple of rules you have to abide by upon receiving the award. I now get to pick 5 of my favorite blogs (they have to have less then 100 followers) and give them the award also. Then I get to divulge 5 personal things about myself.

I wasn't sure what the rules were on private blogs so I didn't include those.

The people I nominate for this award are:

1. My sister Mandy.  Her blog is private, so this probably wasn’t fair adding her.   Oh well, she has 2 cute girls that adore each other.  She lives in a postcard… her backyard is on a golf course with red cliffs behind it.  Gorgeous!  She’s a super fun mama!

2. My friend at These Three Remain.  Amazing writer.  Loves Jesus.  Does guest posts on different Christian blogs.

3. My cousin Matasha.  She has a darling little girl and posts about life as a mama and student.  Always doing fun things.

4. My husband’s cousin Tonee.  She is a cute mama with 2 kids.  She is doing a great job as a mom and wife and isn’t afraid to say when she struggles.  I love that she is real and not just a happy on the outside kind of blogger.  And she’s one of the sweetest people I know.

5.  My friend Kylie.  Her baby is my baby girl’s bestie.  She is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia and her blog shares her journey in becoming a mom!  Love her faith in Jesus through it all!

And for fun, I’m sharing a couple favorite blogs with more than 100 followers.

She is our Angel  She advocates for orphans and shares her journey of losing a daughter.  She spends her time volunteering and doing projects to spread her daughter’s light!

All Are Precious In His Sight  This family is amazing!  They have I believe 12 kids (only 3 biological).  Most are special needs.  The 2 most recently adopted are 6 year old boys with Down Syndrome from Eastern Europe.  Their story is amazing!  And she is always giving praise to God for every little thing.  AMAZING!

No Greater Joy Mom  Another adoption family.  This lady advocates her little heart out.  She posts about her family, but also shares about other adoption/special needs families in need.  She has a huge heart for the least of these.

And now 5 things about me.

I love to look at the changes God has made in me over the past 3 1/2 years since becoming a Christian.  My how my heart has changed and continues to do so.  I get the chills looking at the way I used to be and am filled with thanks to Him for molding me into the woman He wants me to be.

My heart is being wrecked for orphans (specifically special needs) around the world.  I don’t know God’s plan for this yet, but know it is Him that is opening my eyes to these sweet orphans.  Little Artem has my heart and I pray for him often.  Maybe you are his mommy?  He has $3330 towards his adoption fund to help bring him home.  Pray, donate, advocate, share his site!

I am leading my first Bible study (online).  I saw a free ebook offered online and the study started a week after I got it.  I knew that I am really good at starting something with gusto and fizzling out shortly after.  God led me to invite some friends and start a group and it has been the best thing ever!  I am so encouraged and uplifted!  I can’t believe I am the leader, but it has shown me just how big God is and that He knows just what I need and when!  It’s been 3 weeks and we’re still going strong.

Call me crazy, but I loved the labor and delivery part of pregnancy/becoming a mom.  Everything about giving birth amazed me.  Seeing what my body was capable of, the excitement and anticipation of it all,  the joy of meeting my babies for the very first time, and getting to do it all with Luke by my side. 

My love for taking lots of pictures has caught up to me.  My blog is still stuck in February!  I feel so behind that I have been to overwhelmed to even start catching up.  I think I might have to start with current pictures and go backwards, rather than catch up from behind.  Ugh.  My brain is not what it used to be and I can feel my memories slipping already.  Especially since the kids grow so fast and learn so much so quickly!  Ah!  At least I have the pictures to spark the memories or I’d be really sorry! 

Thanks Brie, that was a fun little break in my day!  I needed to just take a break and sit back for a bit.  Now the kids are awake and we must go play!

Oh, and I promised a picture!  Brie said on her blog about me that I post a ton of pictures, so I feel like I should liven it up a little with these little beauties!