She picked me! She picked me!

Sweet Amber nominated me for an award! I’m very excited because, well, who doesn’t like getting awards?! Thank you, Amber – you’re too sweet, and I’m very honored!

Like most things in life, there are some stipulations…..so here are the rules that accompany this particular accolade:

Rules:

1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

7 things about me that people may not know:

1 – My husband and I grew up 4 houses down from each other. His older sister and my older sister were the same age and best friends, but Scott and I are 6 years apart so we never spoke. We didn’t get to know each other until we both started attending a young adult Bible Study after I graduated from college.

2 – I studied in Spain for about 5 months when I was a junior in college. While abroad, I met two of my best friends, got attacked by pigeons, was punched by a homeless man, spent a homeless night in a marina ticket booth, saw a chapel made entirely of human bones, paid to use a toilet, trembled in fear as men with M-16s searched our tour bus, ate an entire artichoke (leaves and all), danced traditional dances with a Spanish man, and got left in the middle of nowhere (or so I thought) by an Elvis-loving Spanish cab driver. Good times. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.

3 – I was in seminary for two whole semesters until I realized I must have misunderstood when God called. I am not cut out for pastoral counseling.

4 – I used to be a youth minister. It was a terrific experience, and a fantastic season in my life, but not something I can do forever. Those kids are incredible, but it’s exhausting!

5 – I took piano lessons for about 8 years, from 2nd through 10th grades. I had a crazy-enthusiastic teacher – he was also a concert pianist – who had me compete in local and state-wide competitions. I won a few times, which was great, but ultimately I wasn’t having any fun. It kind of put a bad taste in my mouth, and I have barely touched the piano since. I kind of regret that…..but kind of not.

6 – I love cycling. I’ve done road biking and mountain biking, and love both. There’s nothing in the world like that incredible fatigue after exerting physical energy like that.

7 – I worked in a Chinese restaurant in high school. I was the only American and the only English-speaker there, and everyone requested me when they called their orders in. That part was nice, but not understanding when the Chinese cooks stared at me and said things in Chinese? Not so much.

Now…..the un-fun part. I love spreading the award love, but I hate having to choose. Off the top of my head, here are the deserving parties:

1 – Becca, at Enamorada de Jesus. Brand new mom of a beautiful baby girl, incredible teacher, strong and inspiring woman of God…….she has a lot of wealth to share.

2 – Jessica, at Life As I See It. I had been reading Jessica’s blog for awhile – and she had been reading mine – when all of a sudden we realized we lived in the same town! We met about a year ago, and though we haven’t worked it out to get together again, we will – I know it. She’s uber creative and phenomenal at finding bargains.

3 – Birdie, at Scenes From The Crooked Maple. This lady is awesome. She’s so creative and funny….there’s always something neat waiting for you when you visit her. She’s such a great friend.

4 – Katie, at Mama Tembo. Another great blog friend of mine. I’ve never met her in person, but if we lived closer, we’d be terrific friends, methinks. Hmm…..we’re already terrific friends…..but anyhow….

5 – Jennifer, at The Days I’ll Remember. I’ve made a lot of new bloggy friends lately, and Jennifer’s blog is always one of the first I read. Great lady, and awesome photographer!

6 - Mama Kayla, at A Baby Story. She, too, has a beautiful baby girl – really…..you have to see her – and always makes me feel like I’m not the only one going through…..whatever I’m going through. That’s always nice.

7 – Jen, at Mommy Brain. This girl is hilarious, and has a way of making those “mommy moments” we all have seem, well, funny! She also has a way of making you want to tell people about those moments, whereas before you might have wanted to hide in the closet and never mention them again.