Passing it on

Amy from
Laughing Through The Tears passed on the Blogger Reflection Award to me. This is what she had to say, "Michelle is the best. I came across her blog because of her beautiful daughter Kayla. I love children, even more than laughing. She posts so many pictures and videos of Kayla. We are invited into her world as she writes about Kayla. She shares from the heart and is real about life with her daughter and husband. Michelle writes the best Grains of Gratitude every Sunday. You can tell that she is truly thankful for the good and even the trials she comes face to face with. She's such a loving wife and mother too. She's a faithful friend and always leaves uplifting and encouraging words. Once you've visited them you'll never forget them. I would love to meet her, Joe and Kayla someday. I feel honored to have them in my life."

Thank you Amy! I was so touched by your words!

Here are the rules for passing this award on: The reason for the title is because this award should make you reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them.
1. Copy this post.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write a least a paragraph about each one.
3. Make sure you link this post so others can read it and the rules.
4. Go leave your chosen bloggers a comment and let them know they've been given the award.
5. Put the award icon on your site


So here are my 5 choices for passing this on:

Jennifer from Pinwheels Jennifer is a mom to 3 boys, including a set of twins (and one who has that extra chromosome). She's also a writer and I just can't say enough about her writing! I love reading her blog and how she can take the small, every day things, and write about them as if they were the most important things in the world. I enjoy reading her weekly posts at ParentDish

N from Mayhem and Miracles - N is one of the bloggers I was lucky enough to meet on our vacation...along with her 3 great kids! She is just as sweet in person as I thought she would be from reading her blog! I enjoy reading her posts and she writes with such passion and honesty and bares her heart and soul. She is definitely someone I would like to have as a neighbor!

Andrea from Sgt and Mrs Hub - When I visit Andrea I feel like I'm visiting an old friend! Her husband is also in the Air Force, and our daughters are the same age. She has 2 kids (home births!) and a 3rd on the way. Her husband is currently serving as a recruiter and I admire them for that - I'm not sure I would be able to handle that assignment as well! As a recruiter in a remote area there isn't a military base nearby and I've grown quite accustomed to the perks of living on base! Maybe one of these days we'll be stationed together - I would enjoy getting to know this family in person!

Overwhelmed With Joy - The first post I read of hers was about a conversation she overheard between her husband and son via her cellphone. Unbeknownst to her husband, he, or their son, accidentally called her cell phone. He didn't realize his phone was connected and she got to listen in on a small part of their day. Then I started reading her adoption story and was hooked and couldn't wait for the next installment. I've also been lucky enough to meet her twice now! She is just as friendly and down-to-earth as she comes across on her blog.

Karen from Karen's Ramblings has given me two awards so it's about time I have something I can pay back to her! Karen lives in New Zealand, and I recently blogged about how sweet she was to send a birthday package to both Kayla and me! Just spend 5 minutes on Karen's blog and you'll see how dedicated she is in her faith. It's like a breath of fresh air stopping by there!

Ok on to more awards! Time for the

I'm not sure where this one originated from, but it looks like you pass this one on to 5 other bloggers as well.
I was just given this award by 3 bloggers:
Karen, who I just mentioned above, said this, "this lady is beautiful inside and out, there is a wonderful 'aroma' that just emanates from her writing. Her daughter is gorgeous and I love hearing and reading their journey. You just fill the pages with a fragrance that is glorious and uplifting!"

Renee from Renee's Ramblings said this, "I just love this blog! Michelle's daughter, Kayla, is absolutely adorable and I just truly enjoy "visiting" with them and reading about their life. They just came back from a vacation and on the way there and back they visited several of their blogging buddies - it sounded like so much fun! Happy upcoming Birthday Kayla!

Cindy from Still His Girl said this, "...is a blog I have just fallen in love with. Take a look at the photos there and you'll see why. Michelle inspires me. Her love and care for her beautiful daughter will get you, too. And her man is in the service... I can't say enough about families like that!"

Thank you so much ladies for thinking of me and for your kind words!!

So now for the 5 I would like to pass this on too:

Tammy from Praying For Parker - anyone who has read Tammy's blog knows that she deserves a Rockin Blogger Award! She is an amazing mom with an even more amazing son. He has fought and fought every medical hurdle thrown at him and come out kicking and screaming. He's a fighter that's for sure! Tammy is someone who I would love to just head on over to her house and give a great big hug too! They've been dealt a bad hand, insurance-wise, and she handles it all with such grace!

Eden from Once Upon A Dream is also another Air Force spouse. They have an adorable daughter Olyvia who is growing up so fast! Her husband recently joined the service and she just made the move to CA to be with him as he goes through training to be a translator. It sounds like they've made a smooth transition to the military life, which I know isn't always easy to do!

Christine from Prince Vince Meets The World - I so enjoy reading about their life in Europe! I love the pictures she posts from over there - it makes me miss it (I used to live in Germany). Vincent is such an adorable little boy with a contagious smile! Christine is in the process of opening up new Vincent shoe store and I'm so excited for her on this journey!

Dori from The Ups and Downs Of Our Life - Dori's daughter Aviva is too cute! She was born premature but you wouldn't know it by knowing her now! She sure has come along way from where she started and is a smart and spunky girl. Dori is going to school and hopes to be teaching kids with autism soon. She's also been going through her share of medical problems, but keeps on keeping on. She always has a kind word for anyone!

Janeen from Our Story has 2 adorable boys, one with food allergies. Reading about their day-to-day life has sure made me more aware of what it is like to live with food allergies and to be more aware of all it entails as well. She posts such wonderful recipes that have been adapted to her son's allergies, that I know if I'm ever in that situation I'll know where to go to make some food-safe dishes!

Ok ... as if this post wasn't long enough can you stand a quick meme?
Amy from Amy's Random Thoughts and Omahamama both tagged me for the 8 Things About Me meme so here goes:

1. I don't like coffee - hot or cold.
2. I don't like sea food. Even though I used to live in MA and MD. Although I don't recall if I've ever actually tasted any seafood before, but for as long as I can remember I've had a dislike for it; I think it's the smell.
3. My birthday is August 1 - I was pretty much born on my due date (Aug 3rd).
4. My name isn't pronounced Michelle. It's pronounced Meechelle - like the Beattle's song, "Michelle, My Bell"
5. The first car that I owned, and bought for myself ($2000 cash!) was a black, 2-door, no power-steering, no air conditioning, 1988 Ford Escort. I bought it in 1992 and it was a great car, but I finally traded it in, in 1996, for a Plymouth Neon - 4-dr, power-steering, and AC. I didn't realize what I had been missing out on!
6. As far back as my memory goes I have lived in 20 different homes.
7. I eat and write with my left-hand.
8. My teenage crush was Kirk Cameron.

and 8 people to tag for this one:
Raising Joey
Super Duper Jack
Living My Dream
Kittyhox
Just Another Mommy Blog
Gigis Little Blog
Gabis World
The Amazing Ella Grace