Beyond flattered... Beautiful Blogger Award

I'd say I'm at a loss for words, but after a few days of working on this post, the one thing it is not lacking is words...

In getting caught up on reading a few of my favorite blogs, I found the most flattering bit of information... a fellow blogger nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award!  The idea behind the Beautiful Blogger Award is to recognize some of the blogs we read and recognize the bloggers for their hard work and inspiration.  Seriously?  Me?  Wow!  Talk about compliment... huge... HUGE compliment!

So here's how it works...

*Rules*

1) Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.

2) Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

3) Tell 7 things about yourself.

4) Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award, and comment on their blogs to let them know.

So I begin with a huge thank you to Tonya (Tee_2_Run) for the nomination!  You are, indeed, a beautiful blogger!  Your determination and strength continue to inspire me!  Keep up the great work and best of luck with your fall racing schedule... I can't wait to hear about all of your accomplishments!

As far as 7 things about myself... here goes nothing...

1) I'm a nerd... more so than I like to let people believe.  I love reading (I started a book club last year and it's quickly become one of my very favorite things) and math (I love any project that allows me to use an Excel spreadsheet).  If I can turn it into a checklist or spreadsheet, I'm a happy camper.  Truth be told, I'm not sure I can put into words how much of a nerd I really am... so we'll just leave it at that.

2) I'm gearing up to volunteer for Girls on the Run this fall.  It's an amazing organization focused on girls 8 to 13 years old and teaches them to be confident and healthy while incorporating training for a 5K.  I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful program and will most definitely be posting about my experience in the coming months.

3) My husband is my hero.  He inspires me daily, whether he knows it or not.  I'm not so great at always telling him this, but I suppose he'll know it if he still reads my blog :)  He's a hard worker, incredibly smart and an amazing father to our son.  This Sunday we will celebrate 8 years of marriage... it's hard to believe how quickly it's gone by!  Through the years we've found that marriage can be a lot of work... and very much worth the effort!



My husband, my hero!

4) I have a two and a half year old son named Collin.  He's a handful!  And I love almost every minute I get to spend with him (I say almost because, let's be honest, we could all do without the tantrums of a toddler).  He is constantly entertaining us with the crazy things he says and does and, while I don't doubt that the stresses of parenthood will age me beyond my years, I wouldn't trade the experience of motherhood for anything.  Even at his very worst, he is absolutely the best!



At Disney World eariler this year

5) I'm currently obsessed with home projects and all things craft related.  I imagine many people in my life are getting tired of hearing about it.  I fully blame pinterest for this recent obsession.  My current projects include: redecorating our spare bedroom into a reading room (nerd alert), repurposing some canvas wall art, framing our bathroom mirrors, making a felt board for my son, and so many other little crafty projects that I couldn't even begin to describe.  Not only are there not enough hours in the day for all of these projects, but I also have one serious problem with all of them... I'm actually not all that crafty.  DIY is not really my thing, so it's hard to say if any of these things will ever get done.  The planning I'm great at... the execution... well, that remains to be seen.

6) Everything scares me.  When I think about facing my fears and trying something new, it doesn't have to be anything extreme.  Sure, I do want to jump out of an airplane (which is insane given my serious fear of heights), but I'm also afraid of not jumping out of an airplane.  Odd as it may sound, I truly fear reaching the end of my life and feeling like I hadn't done everything I could have.  Then again, it scares the crap out of me to tell someone I plan to do something and then not end up doing it.  There's a little bit of fear in almost everything I do (or don't do) which means I feel like I'm facing my fears all the time.  But that's a good thing, right? 

7) I've never been happier!  A lot of people say it... even me... when they don't mean it.  But this year, for the first time in my life, I'm comfortable in my own skin.  I wake up happy (well, maybe after a cup of coffee) and I go to bed appreciating just how good I have it.  I'm surrounded by people I care about, I have a good job, my family is healthy... and I wouldn't change a thing.  It's nice to sit back and give thanks for all you have from time to time... this was my excuse to do just that :)

 

My amazing family!

Nominating 7 others for the Beautiful Blogger Award... well, that's a bit more difficult.  Truth be told, I'm not a huge follower of blogs.  I have a handful that I follow on a regular basis, but this particular 'award' didn't seem to fit.  There are, however, 4 that stand out in my mind, so rather than getting carried away with the 'nominations' process, I thought I'd just pick the ones that were most inspirational to me.

...And the Beautiful Blogger Award goes to...

Kristy (Inspirunning) - you are my hero when it comes to all things running!  Without you, I don't know that I would have been able to complete the Marathon in May.  Your guidance and encouraging words during my training were invaluable and I can't thank you enough.  Keep up the amazing work!

Jackie (jackie's joy) - a dear friend, fellow mom, amazing photographer (jreissphotography) and all around wonderful person - your blog inspires me daily to do more.  It's a beautiful reminder of the simple joys in raising children and trying new things and is 100% responsible for me starting my own blog.  I've rediscovered my love of writing and have you to thank for that.

Becky (Deep Thoughts by Beck) - I know it has been some time since your last blog post... but I check back from time to time just in case you've decided to update the world on your life :)  I recently read your book "Me and the Ugly C"  and found myself both laughing and crying at the same time.  Your strength through such a difficult time inspired me in ways I never imagined.  And I keep my fingers crossed that, one day soon, you'll get back to your blog and enlighten the world on where you've been and what you've been up to... and I'll look forward to reading all about it.

Lydia (Lydia Netzer) - I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago when a friend shared one of your posts on facebook.  After reading it, I immediately shared it again with my friends.  It's a must read for any married couple (15 Ways to Stay Married for 15 Years).  Your advice was both entertaining and insightful and I found myself suddenly inspired to be a better wife and mother.  In reading further, I discovered that you were a writer and that your book "Shine, Shine, Shine" would soon be released (it was released on July 17th and I can't wait to read it!).  I've always loved reading and secretly (well, maybe not so secretly anymore) always wanted to write a book.  Your success has inspired me and I hope to one day turn the book writing itself in my head into one I can put on a shelf.  Furthermore, seeing your picture in a recent People magazine made me suddenly feel like I knew someone famous... let's not focus on the fact that we don't actually know one another at all.  Just know that you've inspired me to pursue one of my dreams :)

Thanks again Tonya for the wonderful compliment and, had you not already posted this to your blog, you most definitely would have made this list!

Happy blogging everyone!