Leibster Award

At a time when I was starting to question if blogging was the right move for me as I already have so much on my plate, I received notification from RVA Urban Mom that I had been nominated for a Liebster award! I am so honored and can't tell you how this came at a perfect time! Do you ever have one of those days where you question everything you are doing? Yeah, me neither (wink, wink).

What is a Liebster Award?

It's basically a chain letter, but in a blog post form.  Once someone awards it to you (again, thank you Sarah), you have to answer certain questions in a blog post and pass the love along to a set number of blogs who you think deserve recognition and exposure.  I'm going to take this as a compliment and I intend it as a compliment to those I honor with the award.

 

Liebster Award Rules

• thank the person that nominated you and link back to the their blog
• answer 11 questions from the nominating blogger
• provide 11 random factoids about yourself
• nominate 11 small blogs you feel deserve the award
• create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer

My Questions to Answer

1. Why did you start blogging?

I talk more about this here, but I really wanted to document my life so that one day my daughter could see what life was like for me at this time. When I became pregnant with her, I thought a lot about my own mother and wondered what life was like for her when she was my age. I considered keeping a journal, but I have a tendency to lose things, so I thought this route worked better.

The second reason why I chose to start blogging was that if I helped someone along the way, that would make it even better!

2. What is your favorite food?  Why?

I love pastas! Spaghetti is my go to meal and we have it all the time (ask the hubby, as he likes to complain about how often we have this meal). I don't really know why I like it so much, it just tastes delish. When I was pregnant with Payton, we seriously ate spaghetti a couple of times a week during my last trimester (sorry hubby)! My taste buds were going wild at that time and spaghetti seemed to taste so amazing during that time.

3. The mountains or the beach?  Why?

This one is a tough one, because I would do either. I have enjoyed trips to both. Lately, though, I really want a vacation to the beach. The mountain vacations are more for camping, hiking, and being on the lake. Overall, they are more active vacations. The beach, on the other hand, is more for lounging, laying poolside, and drinking delicious alcoholic beverages. Yeah, I could go for a beach vacation.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I actually want to be where my family is! Right now, we are within 3-4 hours of our immediate family and I definitely don't want to increase that distance. We would love to get even closer in distance to them, but are happy where we are at!

5. If you had a magic lamp, what would you wish for?

This is a tough one! I think I would wish for my family and friends to find happiness in life.

6. What is a quick and easy dinner recipe you enjoy?

Sloppy Jo sandwiches. They are so easy, cook hamburger, drain meat, add ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce (eyeball amounts, no actual measurements), and mix. Serve on hamburger buns.

7. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Flying! I used to dream all the time about flying when I was a child. I also love the Harry Potter series, which involves people flying.

8. What was one of your favorite movies as a child?

I loved Disney movies but I remember watching My Girl all the time! This movie is about a young girl and her life. Her mother died giving birth to her and she was raised by her father, who runs a mortuary. He starts dating for the first time since the loss of his wife. Her best friend, Thomas Jay, is with her 24/7 until something tragic happens (won't spoil the movie). This movie is also a book and I have read it almost as many times as I have watched it! I also really loved the movie Now and Then.

9. What is your favorite book?

I hope you are getting the general idea that I love to read! The books are almost always better than the movies (that doesn't stop me from seeing the movie though)! I have always loved the book A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin. This is a tear jerker!

10. What is your favorite quote?  Or, what is the best advice you have received?

"Learn to live in the moment." A college professor told me this once. He was teaching about mindfulness (I touch on how to do this a bit here), which focuses on being fully invested in what you are doing, within that moment. I  still work on this everyday, but I used to constantly be thinking/planning my future. That caused a lot of stress in my life. 

11. What is your favorite post that you have written?

I would have to say this post on my child's first birthday! I don't necessarily think it was my best work, but it was a day I documented that meant so much to me. I still can't believe she is 1 year already! We were so blessed by such a great party and a house filled with family and friends to celebrate!

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I loved high school. Many people seem to not like looking back at this time period, but I had a blast at this age. 

2. I am very afraid of many animals. This includes many bugs, mice, rats, snakes, coyotes, badgers, spiders... The list goes on and on.

3. As much as I fear animals, I love being outdoors! Camping, sitting around a firepit, walking, playing at the park, and lounging on a blanket or hammock are just a few of my fav outside activities.

4. My husband is my better half. Hands down.

5. Instead of putting corn and mashed potatoes separately on my plate, I routinely mix the 2 together. Others have thought this to be weird!

6. I get my hair cut 2-3 times per year. Honestly, I just don't make time for it.

7. I take the longest showers. I also have the tempurature very hot!

8. My first vehicle was a Pontiac Ford Escort. It was bright green. 

9. I do not like pickles.

10. I love to dance.

11. My name would have been Kelly regardless of me being a boy or a girl, although there was no significant reason for my parents picking this name. 

My Nominees

The blogs I nominated are ones that I LOVE and am currently reading everything they post! I believe I am following blogs that are 1) going through similar life stuff (ahem, having/raising kids), 2) can decorate like nobody's business, or 3) have style and a fashion sense that I only dream about. Here are my nominees:

1. Mallory @ Mal Smiles

2.  Cait @ Fierce, Fabulous, and Fit

3.  Penny Chevalley @ The Real Housewife of Caroline County

4. Tenns Reid @ New Mama Diaries

5. Jennifer @ Mommy Life After Ph.D.

6. Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures

7. Kelsey @ Organizing Life with Littles

8. Julia @ The Everyday Momma

9. Pamela @ Macdonald's Playland

10. Kelly @ * View Along the Way *

11. Jessica @ Sparkles & Glue

Questions for the Nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What is your favorite memory?
3. Tell us about your best vacation.
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
5. If you had a magic lamp, what would you wish for?
6. What is a quick and easy dinner recipe you enjoy?
7. Name one item we can always find in your refrigerator. Why?
8. What was one of your favorite movies as a child?
9. What is your favorite book?
10. What is your favorite quote?  Or, what is the best advice you have received?
11. What is your favorite post that you have written?

I can't wait to see everyone's responses!