I WON! I WON! I WON!

I won the first award of my life from my dear friend Kristi!! LOVE YA KRISTI! You inspire me in ways I can't express...you're a great Mom, wife and friend. Your cards, scrapbook pages and blogs are THE BOMB!! (I know that expression went out with the 80s, but sometimes it just is the best description I can think of) AND, you are the only person I know who uses the !!!!!! as much as I! So, here's more about the incredible award (did I mention I got this award myownself?)

It's the "SMILE AWARD!"

The purpose of the smile award is to pass it along to those people whom you feel represent what a big ol' smile is...it's someone who:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times–we are all human).
2. Must love one another.
3. Must make mistakes.
4. Must learn from others.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
6. Must love life.
7. Must love kids.

The "official" rules are:

• The recipient must link back to the awards creator (The Babblings of Mere--you gotta check out this young lady's inspirational blog--it'll renew your faith in the young 'uns)
  
• You must post these rules if you receive the award.
• You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
• You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award (see above).
• You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
• You must create a post sharing your win with others.
• You must thank your giver.

OK, now I usually can get by with a big 'ol smile, but I'm not so great at rule #5...I promise to TRY to be a better blogger. Especially ONCE I get my new camera...if you buy more stampin' up, I'll have more to blog about, OK? :)

Now the hard part, to nominate my 5 own recipients...but in no particular order. It's hard enough to come up with only 5, don't ask me to rate, too (did I mention I got this award myownself?)

1. Sally at Never Say Never (sallydavidson.blogspot.com)
She is the most awesome scrapbooker I have ever known!!! Don't even think you can compete, but you can definitely get inspiration. Sally is the reason I am a blogger, her blog inspired me to click on "create your own blog". She is also a great writer...she'll keep you laughing! Thanks Sally for inviting me to my first crop. It changed my life here in Kerrville...got me out of my funk and got my creative juices flowing again.

2 and 3. Kristi, of course! You changed my life in so many ways!!! I love your blogs. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for introducing me to stampin' up!!!!! I'm totally hooked, but I sure do miss our monthly workshops in my garage. They're a LOT MORE FUN when you're doing them. Kristi's blogs are: richardsfamilyfour.blogspot.com and her creative card blogspot is the best--wonderfullymadewithkristi.blogspot.com Thank you for sharing your beautiful girls with me. Thank you for calling me for nursey advice. Oh, just thank you dear friend.

4. scrapsofsara.blogspot.com
My on-line friend Sara, who organized the first crop I ever attended. She is the group moderator for the "kerrville croppers" and the heart of the group. She home schools, scrapbooks, keeps her family together, is very involved in her church, and still has time to inspire the kerrville croppers with her wit, and with her "sale notices" (aka coupons from michaels, hobby lobby, joann, etc.) Even though we have only met once in person, I feel like I know her in this blogging world.

5. Colleen Richards (Kristi's SIL) who has the cutest little boy in the world, Adom. She's the only one I know who can make me laugh with a story about peas...you gotta take a look at her blog. As Kristi says, Colleen just up-n-moved to Arlington (the BIG CITY) from Kerrville with her hubby. It's a brave new world out there, but LOADS OF SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES, am I right? Visit Colleen's blog Venturing into the Unknown at sovereigncreator.blogspot.com

(did I mention I got this award myownself?)
I love all you guys!
Thanks for blessing me every day when I log on...blessings back atcha!