So I’m left with the question of what this space is going to be.  Recipes?  Stories about my kids?  Money saving tips?  I never wanted to be a generic “mommy blogger” but I feel like that’s kind the direction I’m headed.  And to be honest, I’m so short on time these days that it sometimes feels like a chore just to get over here and try to write something…because those highs and lows are usually the impetus to come and post.  To get out my stress, to get out my excitement, to let go of the feelings that are keeping me up at night or bouncing around in my head and preventing me from concentrating on my homework or the article I need to write.  Unfortunately, this blog can’t be my therapy any more.  I’m sad about that, but I feel freed in simply making this decision.

Bear with me as I try to straighten it all out and figure out where I’m going.  Not only with this blog, but also in life.  There are good things happening that spell success for me in a place I never expected to be.  Real estate is picking up and that means good things for us financially (I hope!) so I am seeing the sun coming up on what has been a very dark time for my family.  Everything is still in the maybe stage, but there are a lot more maybes out there than nos (noes?) right now.  I am very optimistic about that aspect of life!

So let’s head down this new road and see where it goes.  I really hope you’ll join me on the journey!

I changed the About Me page.  My new picture is there (Thanks to Laura at Somethin’ Blue for the great portrait!) and I updated some information.  I have some other things I’d like to add to that page but it will have to wait.

I’ve also added a Links page.  My blogroll is destined for that page, but I haven’t had the time to do it just yet.  For now, leave a comment if you have a blog you’d like to add to it.  I’m always looking for new ones to read!

My life is all about changes lately, so I felt like reflecting that here, too.  I suppose change is inevitable, but I really wish I could slow it down for just a little while.  The kids are growing up too fast and I feel like I can’t do anything but watch helplessly.  At least I still have control over what happens here!

How perfect is that?  I am definitely ready for some more permanent sunshine and warmer temps!  This will do for now, though.  I’m honored that Kelly chose me and touched by what she said about me…I do not feel like I’m doing a good job with this mom business most days.  Today is NOT one of those days, though.  It’s been one of those days where I am confident and secure in my supermom-ness.  Don’t worry, that will surely change tomorrow when the clouds roll in and we have to worry about being stuck inside all day!

So, here are the rules:

1. Put the logo in your post or within your blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award.

These folks bring sunshine to my life. Go check them out — you won’t be disappointed!  (It goes without saying that Kelly is included here, right?)

1. Emily over at All I hear is blah, blah, blah.  She’s someone I “met” locally through blogging.  We now go to the same church and I respect her for SO many reasons.

2. Sarah at Growing A Little Ivy.  God brought us together, I am sure of it.  She is an amazing friend and an awesome mom and I can’t say more because I will start crying.  Seriously, her reflections on mothering and faith move me to tears regularly.

3. Kim at Kim’s Thoughts.  LOVE her movie reviews.  We have very similar taste in movies, so it’s nice to get her perspective.  I don’t get to see movies in the theater much, but I definitely make decisions on rentals based on what she has to say!

4. Jamie at Mama to the Drama.  Funny, funny, funny.  My younger son is about the same age as her son so I can always relate to anything she has to say about the age!

5. Susannah at Painting Chef.  I relate to so much she says.  But she says it much funnier than I would.  I mostly just cussed and whined.  She has a sense of humor about it all that is inspiring to me.

6. Liz at The Suburban Bohemian.  The way we met is what I love about blogging…she sent me an email asking about Sanford because they were moving here.  I hesitated, but decided to answer it because I wish I’d had someone to help me figure out details about the area before we move her.  I’m glad I did, because she is super cool and brings a different dimension to the friendships I have.

7. Melissa at Binkies and Bandaids.  A hard working mom, she is the only person on this list that I haven’t actually met.  But I love reading about her and her kids!  She totally gets the chaos that 3 kids bring like few other people I know.

Sorry, 7 is all you get.  First of all, I’ve exhausted my list of frequently read blogs and second of all I’m starting to hurt.  Plus I need to get in the shower for a meeting tonight at church.  If you have a blog I might enjoy reading, let me know in the comments.  I can always use more reading material for the times I actually get possession of the laptop!

Anyway, this week’s MM is to work on your kitchen.  My in-laws bought us a 48″ wide pantry cabinet to put in our kitchen and store my couponing food stash.  It’s huge and holds SO much food.  So all of my kitchen cabinets need to be rearranged now that I have this big cabinet to use for storage.  My goal is to go through each cabinet, move things as necessary, pull stuff out to sell or give away, and get everything put in a convenient place.  When I was a kid, my mom used to do this every 12-18 months.  I’ve lived in this house for 2.5 years and have never done it, so it’s about time for me to do some reorganizing.

I’m also challenging myself to sit down here every day and write a little something.  We’ll see if I can make myself do it.  A month or so ago, I was bordering on internet addiction.  Now it’s something I have to force myself to do, and that’s a good thing.