A Major Prize

A Christmas Story is one classic movie with a host of great lines that are good in any season. I just received a major prize - feels like a great big wooden crate marked "FRAGILE".

It seems appropriate to share a movie quote, as Shelly nominated me for this major award. Shelly and I go way back to 8th grade band, which consisted of approximately 14 flutes, 6 clarinets, 2 saxophones, 2 trombones, 4 trumpets, and a couple percussion players. (Yep, half flutes, and not always in tune. Yikes) Through high school I listed Shelly among my top five friends, as did, I think, scores of others. Shelly treated me to the life-necessary experience of sluffing school about two weeks before we graduated - at which point we went to her house, chatted with her parents, and then returned for our after-school practices or meetings or whatever. Now Shelly has 3.75 beautiful kids and a husband and a house and a life in Montana. I love reading her blog because she still cracks me up on a regular basis.

In order to claim my prize (the jpeg above), there are some rules with which I am happy to comply.

1 . Name 5 things you love,

2. Pass the award on to 5 blogs you love, and

3. Link back to the giver's blog and tell how fabulous they are.

So.... what I love... in no particular order...

1. I love watching Lizzy discover the world. "Yooka Dat! Mommy! Yook!" Can you beat discovery on top of vocabulary development? I totally love whole sentences, of which Lizzy has produced about three so far.

2. I love a cup of hot lemon and honey when I feel totally sick. (I've got one right now.)

3. I love knowing that my husband is at work until after 7 on many nights. Really I'd rather have him home with me; but I love that there is no doubt about where he is, what he is doing, who he is with, why he is there, and where he wants to be. Inexplicably, he loves me completely. Go figure.

4. I love being kicked from within. There are plenty of pregnancy features that I complain about, but the kicking is beyond description. It's a whole new life, straight from God, who's going to be the joy of my life forever. She's healthy, she's growing, she's tap dancing and kick boxing and telling me hello. She's a miracle and a blessing. She's a delight.

5. I love my Savior. I try to not get all preachy on this blog; but my faith gives me the foundation of every other good thing in my life. My faith defines me more than anything. I love my Savior who forgives, teaches, and inspires. I love the beauty of the plan that he facilitates.

OK -- Now for five of blogs I love. I will not circle back to Tara, since she awarded Shelly. Again, in no particular order:

1. Emily Robinson has been the most consistent blogger over more than a year. She provides a healthy mix of long and short, funny and uplifting, personal life and randomness. When I decided that I was going to commit to blogging, it was largely because of Emily.

2. Bird Droppings is hilarious. Kelly and Amy both take turns at the blog, so you get both their styles and both their humors. They are good people, the kind you just don't compare yourself with if you want to avoid depression. And they are also about as authentic as you get.

3. And speaking of not comparing, A Bit of Everything is maintained by my old roommate, Diana, who is completely intimidating in every possible way. She's fun to keep up with, and the only way I could keep up with her is to read the blog, not try to actually DO any of those things.

4. Simply Marvy belongs to Clinton's sister, Aleigh. I can't see Aleigh posting this major award; but I could be wrong. I love Aleigh's sense of humor; it is a little like her brother's. Simply Marvy isn't like most other blogs; it is refreshing, funny, and well worth the read.

5. And ultimately, I'd have to say, Heather's Blog must be among the blogs I love. While a baby, a surprise move, and other large events have impacted this blog, if you check out the spring and summer posts, you'll understand. I guess Heather isn't my cousin, but she married him, so that's good enough for me.

And finally, task number three, explain why Shelly is so fabulous. If you know Shelly, then "duh". If you don't know Shelly, then you should. Shelly loves to be the center of attention, loves a good joke, loves to perform. Unlike so many that love the light, though, Shelly never steps on anyone. If somebody probably ought to be stepped on, she builds that person up. She inherently knows that when you are surrounded by happiness and beauty, you are happier and more beautiful. And I love her blog because she is hilarious. I love a good laugh, and she provides plenty of that.