"And the awards go to...Mommy Wemmick!" HUH???

When I received notice, from my new (& FABULOUS I might add!) friends-in-training, Julie at The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here and Misty at Miss Fit, "HUH???" was exactly the expression of the moment.

"Me?"

 (in disbelieving shock)

You've probably already figured out these are my first.

Sweet Friend Award

Honest Abe Award

Put the two together and you get an "honest, sweet friend".

What a most humbling, beautiful sentiment.

 

A big part of me wants to scream out, "But I'm not worthy!"

They might not know that.

And you might not realize it.

But God does.

And as His willing servant, I know these accolades rightly belong to him.

For it is His Spirit, in me, which is shining forth.
After all, every good and noble thing comes down from the Heavenly Father.

Separate from Him, I am completely, utterly lost.

I'm not a very nice person.

Actually, I can be quite impatient, judgmental, irate, temperamental, discriminating, controlling...basically all things BAD.

Ahhhhh...but GLORY BE TO GOD for sending His one and only Son to save me from myself!

In lieu of this, I believe some recognition is deserving of the two special ladies who recognized Christ's handiwork in the life of one of their sister's. 

Thank you.

I believe this to be the start of two wonderful friendships. :)

For the Happy 101 Award, I've been instructed to list 10 things that make me happy.

1)  "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." Psalm 98:4. Whether it be singing (which the dogs love to join me in), playing handbells or calling out to Him in prayer, happy am I when praising and worshiping my Savior!

2)  The homestead clean and organized.

3)  A good book  The genre's not particularly important: can be a devotional, documentary, various fiction, bible study, etc.  As long as it's rich in plot and characterization, I'm in it!

4)  The "love look" and accompanying remarks from Sugar.  Not the "bedroom" eyes (although that can be quite nice as well!).  Am talking about the appreciation-filled stare backed up with a, "You're a good, Mom.", "You're a hard worker.", or  "I don't see how you do it.".  Ocassionally these sentiments are expressed in a card that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. 

5)  Hard work and sacrifice paying off.

6)  Encouragement

7)  My children...my children...my children.  Did I mention, all things, my children???  Yes, all.  Even the puke and backtalk.  Not to mention the sibling fights and whining. (And that's just naming a smattering!)  For it's in those challenging moments that I tend to turn more to my Lord.  How can one not cherish the person who helps you keep your eyes trained on our Savior???  And then there's the rest of the "all".  The many easy reasons "my children... my children... my children" make me happy: an out-of-the-blue hug, tinkling laughter from the girls, robust guffaws from mySamuelson, contagious excitement over a "Family Day" activity, soft-spoken & sincere prayers, "mothers r the best" note (compliments recently of mySamuelson), watching the light bulb go on, and "playing" to name but an extreme few.

8)  A "sweat-the-Devil-out-of-you" run... followed by a bubble bath with candles, soft music, #3, & #10 in this list.

9)  The great outdoors: fishing, bird watching, gardening, hiking, etc. God's handi-work is AMAZING.

10) Sugar just informed me (and can't believe I almost let it slip by), CHOCOLATE!  

 
Please take a moment to visit the following blogs that I've passed the "Sweet Friend" award along to.

Lisa at Advent's and other Fine(nell) Adventures

Kayce at Our Boy And His Cricket

Melodramommy at Melodramommy
Julie at The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here 
  Donna at Double Happiness!
{AWARD-WINNING LADIES: Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog, list who gave the award to you and create a link to her blog (or hyperlink), list 10 things that make you happy and pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.}  

 For the Honest Abe Award, I've been asked to share 10 honest things about myself.       

I do realize I have the right to remain silent...for I know what I say here will probably cost me a few "followers". ;)
 

1)  My father spirited my brother and I off to the backwoods of the Last Frontier (Alaska) for 3 1/2 years.  I say "spirited", for "abduction", even though theoretically that's what it was, seems more fitting in describing a "stranger" abduction.

2)  While in college, began working on a memoir of the many experiences I encountered while in Alaska (see #1 above).  Harper Collins Publishers replied (still have the letter) with interest in viewing the entire book.  I had only managed to write 6 chapters when I sent the letter of inquiry, which happened to be immediately following my graduation.  Was hired for my first teaching job shortly after graduation, with mySamuelson's pregnancy nipping at its heels.  The unfinished book has collected quite a bit of dust over the past 7 years in storage.  Perhaps one day...

3)  Wrestle daily with extreme OCD.

4)  Have been labeled "adventurous": rode in a hot air balloon, climbed a coal chute, partied in the in-field at the Kentucky Derby, deep sea fished (see recent post: Wordless Wednesday: Out of Hands), driven a dirt bike, panned for gold and was part of a high-speed pursuit police chase where the speedometer moved into that 100 mph+ nether region (YES...was part of the good guys team!)  Have to say though, it's no misnomer that as you age, you slow down.  And not unintentionally either!  I look at this incomplete (yes, there are others!) list and shake my head at myself; "What was I thinking???"  I have a deeper appreciation now for the grandmother driving 5 mph under the speed limit!

5)  I like guns.  Am a huge NRA supporter.  Just ask Julie.  My first experience with one was moose hunting with my father in Alaska.  Shot our pastor's AR-15 last year.  Too cool!  Currently working on my Concealed Weapons permit.

6)  Went into the Army immediately following High School graduation.  Took me 6 weeks to get the #%+$  OUT!  General discharge.  NOT MY CUP-OF-TEA! 

7)  After Miss Gracie was born, joined a fitness kickboxing class.  Fell in love with martial arts.  Sugar and I recently enjoyed our first MMA/UFC Event (Mixed Martial Arts/Ultimate Fighting Championship)...ringside I might add!  We had a personal interest in the main event: mySamuelson's Kempo (karate) instructor fought!  And before any of you start pointing a finger and going, "But you're a christian!  That doesn't sound very "christianly!"", keep in mind, the Apostle Paul regularly enjoyed watching feats of physical skill.  And I dare say you won't argue his salvation?  This is one of the many reasons he is my favorite Apostle!   

8)  Best surprise of my life: Punk's gender.

9)  I believe in miracles.

10) Had some trouble deciding on a major in college.  Went from wanting to be a Geologist to an FBI agent to a Psychiatrist to an Ambassodor (International Studies)...  finally settled on Teacher.     
***I just couldn't pass up sharing the following two, for they're humdingers.  And I have edited the above 10 as much as I can.  So consider the following a Bonus!
Lived through a volcanic eruption and earthquake (4 on the Ricter scale) while in Alaska (see #1 above). 

Hardworking blogs deserving of the Honest Abe Award:

Dina at 4 Lettre Words

Leah at Funny is the New Young
Me, Myself and Aphrodite at Me, Myself and Aphrodite
Carla at Writing to Distraction
Stephanie at A Pocket Full Of Buttons
{AWARD-WINNING LADIES: Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog, list who gave the award to you and create a link to her blog (or hyperlink), list 10 honest things about yourself and pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.}