The Smile Award

Awhile back, a friend Karen, awarded me "The Smile Award!" I didn't even know such a thing existed. :) My mom and Karen's mom were really close friends in high school and still are today. Although we really haven't seen each other much throughout our lives, we always hear updates on how each other is doing through our moms. She has two darling little boys, Drew and Bryce, and I love reading her blog to see how they are doing, view pictures with humorous stories to go with them and she even posts yummy recipes! So, thanks Karen, for the award and I'm finally doing my duty by passing it on!





This is what Karen had to say about my blog... "Sarah at Emma and Luke is a friend of the family. Her mom and my mom have been super close friends since kindergarten! Even though our families didn't spend much time together growing up, we have always heard about one another because of our mom's closeness. Now that we are both bloggers, we have been able to keep up with each other's lives. She has two adorable children, Emma - 4 1/2 and Luke - almost 2. Sarah has a zest for life. She is very sweet-natured & caring and always has an encouraging/sweet word to share. She loves her family, and her kids."

These are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator the babblings of mere

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.

3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)

2. Must love one another

3. Must make mistakes

4. Must learn from others

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world

6. Must love life

7. Must love kids

Here are the 5 people I chose for "The Smile Award!" (In random order...)

1. Elissa at The Bastinelli Family ... Elissa and I met the day we moved into SPU and have been friends ever sense! We have experienced SO many things together... heck, we lived together in college, what else can you say?! We don't get to see each other nearly enough, since they live in Oregon, but I love reading her blog. She has 3 precious little kiddos and since I can't be there in person to watch them grow up, watching them grow up on blogspot is the next best thing! Elissa is a kind, loving person who always has an ear to lend... she has been such a supportive friend over the last 13 years, couldn't have asked to make a better friend that first day!

2. JulieAnne at Roses Will Bloom is such an inspiration! I also met JA the first day of college as she was my randomly assigned roommate! We made great roommates and lived together for 2 years in the dorm. She has lived in state, out of state, and is now back in state so I once again get to see her in real life! She has two darling little boys and reading her blog is purely inspirational. She not only posts about their life as a family, but also puts inspring words/quotes/stories/thoughts down for all to read. She has a way with words, and I love reading her blog!

3. Suzi at Redman's Journey is a family friend. We have known each other for years (possibly since birth?!) as our parents were friends and we grew up going to the same church. We later taught at the same elementary school for 6-7 years where we became friends. She has a handsome little boy and last year she and her husband adopted a beautiful baby girl from Ethiopia. Their blog documents their journey to Ethiopia and has given updates about their family of 4 from the point of adoption, on. It has been so much fun to watch their family grow through their blog and I've actually started following some of their fellow Ethiopian adoption families through her blog!

4. Okay, so I don't know if it's cheating to give the award back to the person who gave it to you, but I have to! :) Karen, at Doubly Blessed is such a fun blogger! She has two darling twin boys who are always up to adventures that keep her busy! :) Her stories are priceless... being that I have one busy boy, I can't even imagine have two but Karen's blog stories and pics. give me an insight into what that would be like. She is such a loving mom and has inspired me to try out some new recipes! (For those of you who know me well, I HATE cooking and am a super picky eater...) She posts family favorite recipes and they are so delicious that I often have to try them out. :)

5. Jen, at Laugh Often, Love Much is TOO funny! I met Jen 3 years ago when I started teaching at my current school. Right off the bat, she was the only person I really connected with and had things in common with. Our friendship has developed over the last 3 years and she has truly been a support person to me at work. This past spring, Jen decided it was time to take her career path in a different direction and she left me and moved closer to "home," back to Minnesota! She started her blog before she left to document her move and so those of us back here could keep tabs on her. Her blog cracks me up as it truly has Jen's voice and shares her passions (and non-passions!) and stories. Jen wears her heart on her sleeve and I love the honesty she displays in her blog.