Month-o-Love Day 18: I'd like to thank the Academy...

Day 18: I heart...

Awards

I wrote my very first post on September 17, 2007, admitting to the world that I bribe my child with Pop Rocks for Breakfast in an effort to get her out of bed in the morning. Actually, I was just admitting it to myself because I don't think a single person came to visit. My poor husband has actually been caught on more than one occasion over the past 17 months posting "anonymous" comments so that I wouldn't be disheartened by no one coming to read what I had written (and I seriously love that he would do that for me!).

I've since realized that Pop Rocks is nothing more than my diary, similar to the one I had when I was a pre-teen, just less talk of acne, and I'm only crazy about one boy now... It's just a chance for me to mull over and spit out what the world looks like from where I stand.

What I didn't realize 17 months ago is that the blog world would be the place to come during a crazy-busy day, or at 3 AM when I can't sleep, to be reassured that I'm not missing a minute of what's going on with my friends. Even during this season of trying to juggle my job and being a good Mom and trying to be a half-decent wife, I don't feel like I've skipped a beat with friends. I still feel connected.

Connected to my best friend, Becca, who now lives a couple of hours away instead of a couple of houses away...

Connected to my life-long friend, Keri, whom I adore and want to be when I grow up...

Connected to the exciting times in the life of my sister, Carie, and what those 3 kids are up to...

Connected to the thoughts of my sis-in-law, Marci...

Connected to a high school friend, Nancy, after meeting in Tokyo 20-something years ago...

Connected to a daily devotional from my friend Laura, who loves Jesus boldly...

Connected to new friends like Jen, who is inspiring and simply a lovely person...

And to another new friend, Kasey, whose sincerity and love for people is evident in her posts...

Jen has been kind enough to give me my first blog award, isn't that sweet?!

Take a look at Tatertots and Jello when you have a chance, and you'll see why I have loved getting to know her! So before I get too distracted about the fact that I have an award, let's remember that there are some rules... I actually get to share this award with some of my friends who show a great Attitude or Gratitude in their blogs. So I definitely want to share this with Becca, Keri, Carie, Marci, Nancy, Laura, Jen (can I give it to you again??!!) and Kasey along with a huge thanks for opening your "diaries" and giving the privilege of being connected with you. Okay, friends, now you get to post this award logo on your blog and then share it with 10 friends. Make sure that you link to their blogs on your post, so we all know where to find them a message so they don't miss out on the love!

xxoo

Rise and Shine!

Mornings are hard at our house. Honestly, we have not a single person who enjoys the morning living under our roof. But it keeps coming (thankfully, I suppose), and 5 days a week it looks like this: 6 AM the little dog barks because he's awake and needs to pee. 6:01 AM the big dog barks because it's not fair if the little dog gets attention if he doesn't get in on it too. 6:05 I act like I'm dead asleep, and Chris mutters that he's going to give the dogs back. 6:15 both dogs are howling and I yell at the dogs that I'm sleeping and that they need to hold it. 6:17 both dogs make it known that it is time to start the day and that if I don't do it now, my day will start with cleaning up a big mess on the carpet. So I get up. And Chris pretends that he is dead asleep. ChellBell sleeps through it all. Give her a year -- then I'll give her the "big girl responsibility of taking care of the dogs, because you are so grown up now."

Around 7 AM, it's time for ChellBell to get up. She pretends to be dead asleep, but bribing her with Pop Rocks will get her to jump out of bed and get dressed in no time. (Really Moms, you should try this!)

Not being fond of Pop Rocks myself, I have been on a mission to find something to bribe myself with in the mornings. Well, friends, I am excited to tell you that I have found it. I found the CHI. The CHI flat iron. The promise of starting the day with straight, silky hair with very little effort. How has my world of big, humid, high-maintenace hair existed without the CHI for this long? This is a Nobel-peace prize contender. I can honestly say that since my discovery, it has been like Christmas morning, and there is a little spring in my step at 6 AM as the little dog starts to bark...