Kreativ Blog Award

Angela sent me this Kreativ Blog Award. Thanks, Angela! Now I get to share 7 things that I love and pass the blog award on to 7 other bloggers whose blogs I enjoy reading. (It was so hard to choose only 7, so I selected a variety. Please don't be offended if you were not chosen. I have many that I love.)

Seven things that I love, in no particular order:

1. Music/Singing - This has always been a passion of mine. I love really great quality music, whether it be a choir, an orchestra, an ensemble of some kind, or a soloist. I absolutely love to sing, especially when there is a challenge. I am a pretty good sight-reader, so I enjoy singing things that challenge my sight reading skills and make me think. But I also love to sing anthems, hymn arrangements, and beautiful pieces as well. I have really missed singing lately, and I'm glad to be back in the choir at church. I hope once my voice is back into shape to sing in a local choir as well.

2. Making Memories - It doesn't really matter what it is, I just want to do fun things with my family and make memories. That is really important to me. It can be playing in the back yard or going to the Creative Discovery Museum. I don't mind bending over backwards and going out of my way to have these special moments because it's not going to be the trouble that we remember but the fun activities and good times we had that will remain in our minds and hearts. Which leads me to...

3. Photography - OK, I'm a total novice, but I love taking pics of my kids! And if we are doing something fun I will definitely have my camera. I just wish I knew more what I was doing, but I'm learning. Now that I have a pocket camera I really should have no excuse for not having a camera even though I don't lug my DSLR everywhere.

4. Being a Stay-at-Home-Mom - When we were expecting Rebekah's birth Darrin and I both felt that we were called for me to stay home with our children. Actually, I think we both felt strongly about this well before we had children. Although days can be very rough mothering all day I wouldn't trade my days at home with the kids for anything. I feel extremely blessed that Darrin has a good job that allows me to not have to work for a paycheck so that I can devote my energies into our family and home.

5. Games - I LOVE to play games! Darrin is not a game player, so we don't play much at home except that I play Candyland and other kid games with Rebekah. I've already told Darrin, though, that when Joshua is old enough to play games I want us to have a game night. When I was a kid we went without T.V. for a while, and we had so much fun playing Scrabble and other games as a family. It brought us closer to one another because we were spending time as a family instead of watching the tube. I also love game nights when I get the opportunity. It's always fun to get a big group of people with all kinds of personalities to play games. I have many fond memories of our church single's group playing all sorts of games. Fun times!

6. Christmas - This is my very favorite holiday. I love the music, the lights, the decorations, the scents, and most importantly the reason we celebrate - the birth of Christ. Now, I'm not crazy about the hustle and bustle of the season, but giving presents is fun too, and I love spending time with my family to celebrate the holiday.

7. And last, but certainly not least, Jesus - He is the reason why I am who I am. He is why I live and why I have meaning in my life. I want to know Him more and grow in the knowledge of His grace. I want to know His Word and to teach it to my children. And I pray that Rebekah and Joshua come to know Him as their personal Savior so that they too may walk in Him and have a relationship with our Creator, the God of Love.

Seven Bloggers whose blogs I enjoy reading:

1. Becky at "Life with the Bell Boys" - Becky and I met at Breastfeeding Support Group when our oldest children were infants. We later became part of a playgroup that branched from BFSG and have become good friends. Becky's oldest son Max is so funny and always saying "the darndest things". Becky also has a baby boy Wesley who is growing up before our very eyes.

2. Candace at "His Mercy is New" - Candace is a friend from college. She and I were both music majors and we sang in the choir together. Candace has a sensitive heart for the Lord and is homeschooling her 3 children. She has such amazing ideas and does a great job! It's obviously a passion for her.

3. Candy at "Our Life with 3 Daughters" - I met Candy on BabyCenter, a website for parents, particularly moms, about baby updates, information, advice, and encouragement. I discovered the message boards when I was pregnant, took a break close to Rebekah's birth, and returned after Rebekah's first birthday. Candy was posting on a thread for Christian Mommies, and we quickly became friends. Her middle daughter and Rebekah were born the same month, and Candy has an older daughter and younger daughter just two months older than Joshua. I love reading about what they are doing all the way up in Wisconsin. They are always doing fun things with their family.

4. Carrie at "Oh Taste and See..." - Carrie is my sister and my best friend. We don't get to see each other nearly often enough, but when we do we always have a good time. Carrie has a daughter Taylor who is only 6 weeks older than Joshua, and she is expecting another little girl in May.

5. LeeAnne at "This is the Life..." - LeeAnne and I also met at BFSG, like Becky. We got to talking one day and realized we had so much in common. LeeAnne grew up close to where I went to college, so we knew quite a few of the same people. A number of people that she attended high school with went to college with me. Our girls were also born the same month. We also joined the playgroup together and our friendship continued to grow. LeeAnne's daughter is Maggie, and she has become a good friend of Rebekah's. Maggie is also a very intelligent little girl and will blow your mind at some of the things she says.

6. Stacie at "Life to the Fullest" - Stacie attended the same college I did my senior year. She had attended there several years before, took a break, and returned for two more years. She and I were also in music together and sang in the choir together. Stacie has been through so much in her lifetime and has endured much more than most of us could ever understand. But once she had a true relationship with the Lord she has been on fire ever since. She has an incredible faith and is such an inspiration.

7. Tina at "The Cabush Family" - Tina and I have known each other for a long time. She and Carrie became very close-knit friends when we began attending Woodland Park as children. We all grew up together, so we have many memories over the years. Tina has a little boy Caleb who is just precious.

So, bloggers, if you accept this award you can share 7 things you love and award other bloggers out there as well.