The Sunshine Award

I was nominated for the Sunshine Award and am so glad I was. The purpose of this award is to "positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere." I definitely like being inspired and encouraged. Who doesn't?  A big thanks to Meredith at http://www.themomoftheyear.net/ for nominating me for this award.  Check out her blog if you haven't already.  She is funny and her posts are always entertaining to read and I can relate to so many of her posts.

The requirements of the Sunshine Award (as Meredith outlined in her post ) are that I need to thank those who nominated me and link back to them (done).  I also need to post the award on my blog (done times two), answer 10 question, and pass the award onto to 10 other bloggers.

Now onto the awarding.  These are ten blogs that I check out regularly, they inspire me to become a better blogger, make me laugh, or are very informative (or a combo of all three of those.)  These aren't in any particular order either.

1)  Growing Up Geeky  This blog is awesome.  I love linking up with the Toddle Along Tuesday blog hop.  Occasionally Melissa's husband will guest post on her blog and he is hilarious.  She is funny and very honest about motherhood.  

2)  The Adventures of J-Man and Millerbug   This blog hosts the Finding New Friends weekend blog hop and I have gotten a lot of new followers from this particular hop.  This particular blog also has tons of good product reviews that I have gotten great info from.

3)  Me + the Moon    This blog hosts the Find and Follow Friday blog hop.  Can you guys tells I love blog hops?  I just find so many awesome new blogs and gain followers this way.  She also does a monthly product I love post which I really like reading.  

4)  Jellibean Journals  This momma is living in Costa Rica which makes her super cool in my book since I honeymooned in Costa Rica and loved it.  She posts very creative ideas and recipes and has an adorable little girl.  

5)  Eloping Stethoscope  This blog has a number of link ups and I have gained a lot of followers from them.  You guys should definitely check this blog out.  She sells jewelry on it that is just gorgeous.  She also post up lifting things like her recent it's okay Thursday post.  I really enjoyed that one.

6)  Clairejustineoxox  This blog has a creative link up which I love to link up my crafts I do with my son to.  She is also a very talented photographer and has some amazing pictures on her blog.  Plus the blog has recipes.  What's not to love?

7)  A Day in the Life  Mary of this blog is am amazing momma raising twins.  She and I have a lot of things in common and recently both wrote posts about the moms we thought we would be compared to the moms we really are.  This blog is honest and fun to read. 

8)  Mama to 4 Blessings Our Homeschool Blog  This blog has some great crafts and teaching ideas.  She also hosts a Wordless Wednesday blog hop that I always link up with.  There are even product reviews and recipes as well.  It is a well rounded little bit of everything blog and she homeschools just in case we decide to go that route.  I can pay attention now!

9)  Smiles n' Snuggles  I love this blog!  I got one of my son's very favorite new things to play with from her (colored rice.)  Her posts are realistic and I love how she has been tracking her pregnancy each week.  I plan on doing that if we have another baby.

And finally, 10)  Local Sugar Hawaii  Nicole from this blog is so sweet and always comments on my blog which just makes my day.   She also hosts the Aloha Friday blog hop and we all know how much I love blog hops.  Check out her blog for some yummy looking recipes as well.

The questions Meredith asked me are below.

1. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
  Umm Lexington, Kentucky.  I would love to be right in the middle of thoroughbred breeding country.  Or maybe Costa Rica.  We really loved it there.

2.  If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would you go?
I would take any vacation right now.  My child is wearing me out.  Oh but my family has to go so I have built in babysitters.  Ahh peace and quiet.

3. What's your favorite part of blogging?
The positive response to things I post.  I had no idea if my writing was good enough to get people to read, let alone comment and follow me.  At first I was mainly sticking to informative, facts based posts, but recently have even started just blogging about thoughts and feelings more.

4. Coffee or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate.  My acid reflux hates coffee.

5. How do you take your coffee?
Mocha flavored with ice

6. What do you do to relax?
Here recently blog, but in the past watch birds, read, search the internet, or walk my dog.

7. How do you keep calm in stressful situations?
My success in remaining calm is entirely dependent on two factors: how tired and cranky I am and how tired and cranky the kids.  (Meredith's answer is so true just for the record.)  I try to find the humor in situations which helps me not lose my cool.

8. Beautiful skies or clear with stars?
Stars.  I love stars.

9. Dogs, cats or fish?
Any of them.  I love animals.

10. Be honest--which name do you like better, maiden or married?
By far married.  It is literally half the length with no Z.

Happy Sunshine Awards fellow bloggers!  I hope this brightens every ones days.