Weary of Winter

Last summer, we began a tedious journey through a difficult season in our lives: family trials coupled with unprecedented numbers of illnesses in our home have just about driven me batty.  So, after a frayed rotator cuff in my right arm (why i don't blog as often anymore), the discovery of a couple of possible learning disabilities in my kiddos (not covered by our insurance, naturally, so we're on our own), two stomach viruses (TWO!!), possible RSV that led to pneumonia (myself and the Littlest Princess), bronchitis (hubby), and an ear infection (the Man-Child)... i was deeply touched to be sent the "Stylish Blogger Award" by a friend from my reviewing days on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Homeschool Crew!  Wow! I needed that reminder that there is life out there and i used to be a part of it!!

Thank you, Heather!! :^) Check out her awesome site at http://faithfamilyandfun.com/
I don't know how she does it, but there is always something new and inspiring going on over there!

The rules for this award:
~ Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
~ Share 7 things about yourself
~ Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (not gonna happen here, unfortunately)
~ Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

Okay, 7 things about myself...
... i recently discovered that i am an idealist, which means it is hard to tackle normal things like parenting and homeschooling because i can see a bigger, brighter concept and i try to aim at it - only to get disappointed when i achieve something not-quite-so-stellar. {sigh}
... i am a servant most of the time, but i get crotchety on occasion and forget - that's never good when i am coming back down the other side of Me-Me-Me Mountain (oh, the guilt!!). :^)
... i always wanted a half-dozen kids - up until i had one and realized that i can't possibly stretch myself that thin (remember the idealist, folks!). Now, i try to remember to enjoy the three i have!
... i successfully managed my own home garden for the first time last year and am looking forward to doing more this year. (yup, surprised a few people who had watched my earlier attempts, i can tell you that!)
... i really like to read, a passion that began when i was in 7th grade (i devoured most of what my school library had in the mystery section by the time i left for high school). I now use PaperBack Swap to procure my books at a more reasonable price (though parting with good books has been a challenge i have finally begun to overcome!).
... i love to sew and a dream home for me would have space for me to store all my sewing materials as well as space for me to leave projects laying about while i am working on them.
... i have a nephew in Heaven with Jesus and i can't wait to see him again (will he still be 4months old in Heaven, i wonder, or will we see the young man he would have become??).

And the "Stylish Blogger Award" goes to (i'm breaking the rules because i don't currently follow 15 blogs and some of the ones i do follow got this award already):
~ Tonya Lee over at Homeschool or Bust - she amazes me with her homeschooling, and i know we only see a glimmer of it on her blog.
~ Caitlin at Welcome to Normal - what an inspiration she is! I get caught up in her blog and have to limit my visits so i can get other stuff done.
~ Loving Learning at Home - there is so much going on over there, i seriously think she has a clone!
~ Just discovered Encouragement Along the Way (again), and i am loving her wisdom and honesty!
~ Debbie over at Debbie's Homeschool Corner amazes me again and again. She is a remarkable woman and Homeschool Mama!!

Okay, sorry, folks, that's all i've got; I need to get off the computer!!