A Fabulous Award

Debbie over at Children Grow, Children Explore, Children Learn passed an interesting award on to me, this week. Thank you Debbie!

I hate to say it, but I'm terribly, terribly behind on accepting, and passing along awards. So, if you've given me one in the last little while, please know I do appreciate them, I just haven't taken the time to truly discover new blogs to pass them on to.

The rules of this award are a little different:

1. State three destinations you'd like to visit, and tell why.

2. Pass the award along, if you'd like, to as many blogs as you'd like.

I'll opt out of officially passing the award along for now. I'm up to my chin in books, and supplies tonight, trying to prep for the "official" beginning of our winter term (it's a lot less formal than that sounds, but I do like to make sure we have a good supply of books, games, software and such on hand, and ready to go).

As for the places I'd like to visit, narrowing them to three is extremely difficult. There are so many interesting places out there. I can name three places I'd like to visit right here in Montana.

1. I'd like to finish visiting the museums on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, for instance. So far we've been to five of the fifteen, and they're spread all over the state, so we could be at it for a while yet.

2. Pompeys Pillar near Billings (pictures from Wikipedia). It's 200 year old graffiti, from the Corp of Discovery. I worry about rattlesnakes, but walking in the footsteps of history might be worth the risk.



3. The Ringing Rocks near Butte. Watch the video, they are so cool.

So, what three destinations would you choose?

It's great to be a homeschooler.

The Versatile Blogger Award

I received the Versatile Blogger Award from Phyllis at All Things Beautiful, and from Jolly Green Mommy a couple of weeks ago. I hope you'll take a minute, and check out their very fine blogs.

The conditions for accepting the award?

1. Thank the person/people who gave it to you. Yes, of course, thank you, thank you, thank you!


2. Tell 7 things yourself.


3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers, who you have recently discovered, and think are fantastic.
   

So, let's see...7 things about myself...hmm.

1. My father died when I was 9, and that event has had a major impact on who I am today.


2. I graduated from a small private high school, which not only did not allow dancing, or movies, but also had a six inch rule for boys, and girls (you weren't to be closer than six inches to the opposite sex - and yes, they checked it with a ruler!).


3. I'm really looking forward to turning 40 this year. So far, each decade has been better than the last.


4. Douglas Adams is my favorite satirist, I'm especially fond of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, though I generally don't recommend him, because he borders, too often, on sacrilege, but his humor is very sharp.


5. I'm one of those silly, middle-brained people, who can't decide if they like math or literature better.


6. My favorite Jolly Rancher, or Laffy Taffy flavor is green apple.


7. I wear my hair in a bun, because early in our marriage, my husband and I agreed, I wouldn't cut my hair short, if he wouldn't shave off his beard - and I really like his beard.
   

As to the 15 bloggers I've just discovered, but think are fantastic:

Dagmar's Momsense - She posted a picture of her son in front of a fortune teller machine (like from Big) recently, with a caption, that made me chuckle.

Moonstruck Mommy - You absolutely have to read her post entitled, "Um... Who WOULDN'T Want a Koala??"

Hallee The Homemaker - Who suggests three chores you should do every morning before your first sip of coffee, and I couldn't agree more (except I'd add a fourth - throw a load of laundry in).

Joy of Desserts - Need I say more?

Wholesome Womanhood - Written by three sisters, with the fresh perspective of young adults.

Minivans Are Hot - Almost (almost), made me wish I had watched Lost.

Sunny Day Today Mama - If her beautiful photos don't make you want to spend more time outside, then nothing will.

Clay In His Hands - Made a trip to Walmart, and the grocery store with her three daughters, ages 2 and under, and still had the energy left to post about the experience!

Stacy's Random Thoughts - Because, I'm always happy to meet other people who also went to small, private, high schools, were dancing was forbidden, and proms were unheard of.

Not So Ordinary Girls - Just started a new tradition of Ice Cream For Dinner, to celebrate the end of the school year/beginning of summer - what fun!

Stacy Says - Has a fantastic, "Friday Films" feature, I've really been enjoying.

Into the Wind - Had a nice post recently, that made me look for the positives during these dreary, gray, spring days.

Many Little Blessings - A homeschool mom of three, with a wealth of household tips.

Jodilightful! - Find out what happens when you put homemade laundry soap (you know the stuff), in a front loader machine.

For the Love of Naps - From whom I got the idea to cut pancakes for children quickly, by using a pizza cutter - brilliant!


It's great to be a (mommy-blogging) homeschooler.

Read Across America Award

Debbie at Children Grow, Children Explore, Children Learn has awarded me the Read Across America Award.

The rules for excepting are -

1. Thank the person who gave you the award. Well of course! Thank you very much Debbie.


2. Pass the award on to three other bloggers, who read to their children. I'd like to pass this award on to:

Michelle, at A Mommy's Adventures, who hosts a weekly story and art link up, inspiring other parents to read to their children.

Amy, at Hope is the Word, who hosts Read Aloud Thursday, which invites parents to share the books they are reading to their children (very much like the What My Child Is Reading link up, at Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns, but she already received this award.)

And, Emily, at Arters Family Blog. I was very inspired by a couple of book review/projects she posted recently, as a guest poster on Little Page Turners.

3. List three things your children like to read about. This one was harder for me, because I have six children, all with different likes, dislikes, and interests. After some thought, I'd have to say:

• They all like to read books about children their own ages.


• While they don't mind a little fantasy in the stories, they prefer books that are grounded in reality, and might actually happen.


• And, they like modern stories, that sound like they might be taking place today.

It's great to be a homeschooler.

Honest Scrap Award

Julie over at My Book Retreat very sweetly gave me the Honest Scrap Award.

The rule of the award is to share 10 honest things about yourself. So...

1. As a whole I don't care for Dr. Seuss books. This is something I just realized, while thinking about whether to do a project with the children, to mark the author's birthday.
   
2. I love to bake goodies, but I'm not crazy about cooking, you know, regular food. I do cook, because the children have to be fed more than cookies, but I don't enjoy it. Happily for me though, the man of the house loves to cook, and takes over dinner duty quite often.
   
3. It's now been about two weeks since I've had a cup of coffee. I was finding my two pot a day habit was making me a little edgy, and irritable - not the best thing with six children, in my care of.
   
4. I am extremely non-photogenic, and I have the pictures to prove it - but you won't see them here :)
   
5. I have never ridden on a roller coaster, but I have been to Disney World.
   
6. Personality wise, I can totally identify with Walter Mitty.
   
7. I'm a cat person, which is sad, as I live in a state known as a dog state. Which is just as well, because with a decade of diaper duty behind me, the last thing I want is a litter box.
   
8. Every year I homeschool, I edge closer to the unschooling philosophy.
   
9. I have a frizzy curl to my hair, that puts the members of the 80's hair bands to shame.
   
10. William Shatner makes me smile.
    

Whew, if that's not a strange hodge-podge of information, then I don't know what is! And, what an awful lot of I, I , I's!

So, how about making it your turn. Feel like sharing? Here's the deal - there doesn't seem to be anything in the rules about passing this award on, but I thought maybe I would - sort of. If you've read this far, I have to assume you are a regular reader. As such, I'm curious to know more about you, too. One of the things I've really enjoyed about blogging, is getting to know other mom-bloggers.

So, if you want, snatch the award above (just left click, save it as a picture to your computer, and then add it as an image to your post), and then leave me a comment to let me know you did, so I can visit your blog, and learn more about you, too.

Don't have a blog? How about just writing your 10 things in the comments - just keep 'em nice please, this is a family blog, after all!

As always, it's great to be a homeschooler.

Beautiful Blogger and Sunshine Awards

Stacy from Bubbles, Balloons, & Blessings was sweet enough to give me the Beautiful Blogger Award. Thanks Stacy!

The rules for accepting the award are kind of fun:

• Thank, and link the person who gave you the award.


• Pass this award on to 15 bloggers you've discovered, and think are fantastic.


• Contact your nominees, and let them know they've won.


• State seven things about yourself.
  

Hmmm...well:

1. I'm a Baptist-Mennonite, or would that be a Menno-Baptist? Either way, I'm a Bible believing, follower of Jesus.


2. I have a bachelor of arts in international studies, focusing on German, and minoring in English literature, but I can barely read German anymore, much less speak it :(


3. I worked as a medical software support tech/trainer, before quiting to stay home with the babies (although there was only one baby at the time).


4. I'm the youngest of seven children.


5. I've lived in Colorado, Oregon, Saskatchewan, and Montana.


6. I have never been able to do a cartwheel.


7. And, I haven't had a cup of coffee in a week!

And, as for my nominees...

WhiMsy love

Reading to Know

Delightful Learning

Seizing My Day

The Fantastic Five

Educating Crumpet

Mind Games
Mom's Memories

Creative Mess

Mozi Esme

Scribbit - Motherhood in Alaska

Not So Humble Pie

The Decorated Cookie

Creative Jewish Mom

5 Orange Potatoes

And, I also received the Sunshine award, from Penniless Parenting, so thanks again!


The rules for the Sunshine award are the same as above, minus the the seven things about yourself, and instead of passing it on to 15 bloggers you've discovered, it's 12 who brighten your day.


Okay, so 12 more nominees coming up:

Our Turn To Dance

Simply Sweet Home

The Activity Mom

A Mommy's Blessings

Bitter Sweet

Garden Mama

Journey Into Unschooling

That Artist Woman

Nap Time Journal

Art Projects For Kids

Little Page Turners

The Magic Onions

Now, I am very aware of the chain letter nature of these awards, so please don't worry if you don't want to accept it, I will understand, but I am still happy to nominate all of you.

And thank you again to Penniless Parenting. and Bubbles, Balloons, and Blessings, I really appreciate it!

Lemonade Stand and Sunshine Awards

I was so honored this last week to receive the Lemonade Stand Award, not just once, but twice, first from Julie, at Just Playin' Around, and then from Ticia, at Adventures in Mommydom, and I want to thank both of them.



The rules of the accepting this award are:

• Put the lemonade stand logo on your blog, or in your post.


• Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude, or gratitude.


• Link the nominees within your post.


• Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.


• Share the love, and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I also received the Sunshine Award from Tinkr at Living With Fairies.

The rules for accepting it are pretty much the same as for the Lemonade Stand Award, minus the bit about attitude, and gratitude.

I was concerned at first, as to whether I was familiar with enough blogs, who had not recently received these awards themselves, to pass the awards along to. Then, I realized the answer was in my side bar, with my 51 wonderful followers. You people make my day, and have added a lot of sunshine to my blogging experience. Some of you are new in the last few days, and some of you have been hanging around for a while. I appreciate so much, the fact, that at one point or another, you've found this blog interesting enough to follow. Thank you!!!

Some of you followers of mine do not have blogs, and some of you have inactive blogs, or I couldn't tell which of your blogs to link below. And finally, some of you have just received one of these awards yourself, or I gave you an award within the last few months. If you don't fall into any of these categories, then I'd like to nominate you for one of these awards. You can pick the one you want, or take them both if you like.

If you follow this blog, and don't fall into any of the above categories, and I missed linking you below, then please know it was purely by mistake. I consume large amounts of caffeine, and sugar, which offer no assistance in the area of concentration. So, if you don't see your blog, and you should, let me know, and I'll fix the oversight immediately. Or, if I missed it, and you just received one of these awards, then I'll leave it up to you, if you want to pass on it, or pass it on.

Also, I'm very aware of the chain lettery quality of these awards, so if you'd rather not accept one, don't worry, it won't hurt my feelings (too much). But, whether you take the award, or not, I hope you'll accept my gratitude for your presence on my side bar.

The nominees in no particular order are:

Our Wonderful, Beautiful Life

Mint & Clandy

Pick Some Creativity

Secretitos De Mama (pretend there's an accent over the the last a in Mama)

Muddy Bare Feet

The Rasta Family......x6

Homeschool/Home Educate in Italy

noggins & NONSENSE

Just Another Day in Paradise

Thyme at Home

Ambitious April

Susie's Homemade

Rainbow Rivers Journey

The Cajun Hillbilly Housewife

The Sunny Patch

Chrysalis Island

The Cyber School Mom Diaries

Mille Idee In Una Tazza

Bubbles, Balloons, and Blessings

Ainda Nao Sei... (pretend there's a ~ over the a in Nao)

Thanks again to Ticia, Julie, and Tinkr for the awards.

It's great to be a homeschooler, and a blogger :)

A Prestigious Award

Chris at Pickup Some Creativity has sent me the "One Lovely Blog" award (big thanks Chris!).





The rules of the award are:



"Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they've been chosen for this award."



Some of these blogs I've become acquainted with over the last few weeks. Some are brand new to me in the last couple of days. With that said, I'm not sure of, or endorsing, all of their philosophical beliefs, but rather, enjoy their styles, crafts, and love of parenting - or grand parenting, and hope you might too.

If they choose to accept, I'd like to award:

4 Crazy Kings

A Foothill Home Companion

A Mommy's Adventures

Chrissie Grace

Curly Birds

Kez's Blog

Fun With Mama

Homeschooling in the Rose Garden

Little Hands, Big Work

Made With Love and Glue

Not So Idle Hands

Smashed Peas and Carrots

The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

Wee Folk Activities

Whispers Whispering



There are others I would love to award too, but I can't quite fit them into the "newly discovered" category. So, if you don't see your name here, don't be hurt - it just means you're an old friend - but no less appreciated.

For those I've awarded - I just copied the picture of the award, but there are better instructions, for the techno-savvy, on how to capture it, here, on Chris' blog.

Thanks again to Chris at Pickup Some Creativity - it really is such an honor.