Where I've Been & An Award!

Before I really begin, I must say that I've enjoyed your comments on my previous post.  I realize I haven't posted for a month (or more?) but even so, I visit my blog to view other blogs on a daily basis and it's been funny to stumble upon yet another comment on the same post over the course of that time.  Usually a post receives comments for just a few days within it's posting but it seems that Teryn's sleeping chronicles have provided great entertainment.  I'm glad =0)

So where have I been for the past month?  Well.  I've plans to report on that soon enough.  Lots going on over in my neck of the woods.

But I've been in touch with the outside world?  I have.  Every night before I go to bed I pump breast milk to add to my freezer supply and while one hand is full of pump, the other is a social media butterfly.  So I've been in touch, just without words.  It's difficult to type extensively with one hand.

Tonight, however, I need to pass on a little goodness that I've recently received.  My good friend Kayli over at This LDS Military Wife so thoughtfully gave me an award this past week. 


The award is given by a fellow blog writer to blogs they love with 200 followers or less.  Not many of us are world-renowned bloggers, but that doesn't mean we don't matter to anyone.  That's what this award is all about.

So as a pay-it-forward, I'd like to give the Liebster blog award to the following five bloggers.  (Although I know each of them personally I'll use their blog names where applicable, as I assume they use their blog names in public for a reason.) 

1)  Jean at Slice of Jean.  Oh, how I love her!  She is witty, real, honest, and such a clever writer.  If I get on the computer and only have time to read one blog update, it's always hers.  Love, love, love her.
2)  Tiff at When Skies Are Grey.  We've known each other for 7 years- -only having really interacted in person for 3 or 4 months of those 7 years- -but she is such an inspiration to me and one of the best friends I've ever had.  She lives such an active, fun-filled life and her blog is always entertaining and inspiring.
3)  Jill at The Strobelt Times.  If I ever need to know that someone is experiencing what I'm experiencing, she's my go-to.  Her two daughters and my two sons are almost identical in age (and probably just as identical in personality and attitude!) and it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who gets frustrated and tired sometimes.  Plus, she's one of the funnest people I've ever known and I love her energy!
4)  Carolyn at Carolyn and Ryan Stubbs.  She is so funny!  I admire her ability to just jump in and write everything that's on her mind.  I'm such a technical writer- -I have a hard time just vomiting my words without particular flow and wording- -but I always enjoy reading what she writes because I can sense her personality and flare in everything she says. 
5)  Fig at Dizzlefig.  If Fig and I were to sit in a room, categorized by things we think and believe, in most cases we would likely be on opposites sides.  Yet complicated as it may be, that's why I love her.  She opens my mind to consider things from a point of view I've never peered from.  She broadens my perspective and I enjoy it.  She is an incredible writer. 

And even though I'm supposed to only award five bloggers, I have to throw one more in!

Mim at Mad Mim.  Oh my heck, she is the queen of creativity.   I just die when I see the things she comes up with!  She is an incredible seamstress and she makes a lot of her own and her children's clothes (if not all?)  And she is the definition of hilarious.  Mim, is AMAZING.  Look at her blog and you'll see what I'm talking about.  She never ceases to amaze me.  Ever.  And I know her.  That's awesome. 

(A few of you girls may or may not have more than 200 followers.  I wasn't going to let that stop me from sharing the love.  Now it's your turn to share it too!)