I've Been Nominated - The Liebster Award

 

I'm honored once again to have been chosen for The Liebster Award (received in August & February 2012). Each one has been a bit different, but definitely fun to participate in! Many thanks to Homeschool Mom: Denise of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Exchange for this nomination.

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Liebster is German for:  “sweetest”, “kindest”, “nicest”, “dearest”, “beloved”, “valued”, “endearing”, and “welcoming”. 

The award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

And there are questions to answer…and others to suggest for nomination, so let’s get to work!

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Rules for the Liebster Award:

1. List 11 things about yourself

2. Answer the questions the nominator has posed for you

3. Nominate 11 up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers

4. Create 11 questions to ask the nominees

5. Go to the page of each nominee and tell her about the award.

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So here goes...

11 Things About Me

1) I gave up wearing pants for Lent this year (w/ the exception of PJs). This might turn into a regular thing for me!

2) When I first heard about homeschooling (in high school), I thought it was the strangest idea. Now that I'm a homeschooling mom, I KNOW it's a wonderful thing for our family!

3) I love shopping in thrift stores, esp. for books & clothes.
4) I love to rearrange furniture, even if it's just for two pieces to trade places. There's just something that makes a room feel newer.

5) Since we started trying to eat more whole &/or organic foods several months ago, fast food restaurants that I once craved have absolutely not appeal for me anymore. I've also lost about 15 pounds!

6) One of my tricks to not getting upset over various situations is to ask myself if it will matter in one week? one month? one year? It doesn't work all the time, but it's definitely cut down on a lot of unnecessary stress!

7) Another trick is to remind myself that God never promised us an easy life, but He did promise us eternal life w/ Him in Heaven so long as we follow His Son, Jesus Christ. I've found that each struggle has drawn me closer to His loving arms!

8)  I love blogging & have many ideas for posts running around in my head. Someday, when I have the time, I will get them all down!

9) I'm so excited for my Mothers' Day gift (yes, I know it's not until May!) Unoffensive & clean comedians Tim Hawkins & John Branyan will be appearing locally in May & Matt has graciously said that he will take me to see them.

10) I tear up quite easily...I teared up just waiting for the announcement of our new pope on Wednesday, then even more when he came out for his first blessing!
11) You know that question, "If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book (besides the Bible) would you want to have w/ you?" My answer, after our most recent family read aloud, would be The Swiss Family Robinson. What an AWESOME book! They found a use for everything they came across. It's a handbook & adventure novel, all in one!

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The 11 Questions Denise Asked of Me

1) What is your favorite color? As most of my friends & family know, I love most shades of purple. It was even one of the colors for our wedding almost 15 years ago...purple, gold, & ivory.

2) What's your favorite cheap product? My homemade laundry soap...I've saved so much money over the past few years by making my own.

3) Your favorite devotion? Praying the Rosary

4) Your favorite saint? St. Gianna Beretta Molla...I first heard of her shortly after Pope John Paul II named her as Blessed. In 2004, she was canonized a saint. She is a true example & inspiration for the pro-life movement...sacrificing her life to save the life of her unborn daughter.

5) What season are you? Spring...I love the newness & rebirth of nature during this time.

6) What number sibling are you? or only? I'm the oldest of two girls & of the two of us, we've given our parents eight grandsons & one granddaughter (I have the girl!)

7)Were you a convert or cradle Catholic? I'm a cradle Catholic. I never left the Church during college like many people do, but I never really embraced my Faith until later in my life. I'd always done the "church thing" because that was what I was raised to do. It wasn't until my mid-30s, when going through a big questioning period, when a friend suggested that while I'd done what I was supposed to all my life, I hadn't really "chosen" the path for myself. Since then, I have grown so much in my Faith.

8) If you could get to anyplace in the world easily, where would it be? The Mediterranean...on a cruise enjoying it's beauty & food

9) What's your favorite flashback cartoon? I'd have to say the original Looney Tunes, esp. the episodes w/ Mortimer the red monster!

10) Were you baptized as a baby, child, or adult? Child

11) Are you steak or chicken? Years ago I would have said steak, but these days, it's chicken.

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Now, I'm cheating a bit on this next part. I always feel guilty tagging others for these memes...either I miss someone I should have tagged or I tag someone who doesn't like to participate. So, this time around, anyone can give it a go! If you do feel compelled to participate, please make sure to leave me a comment so I can check out your blog! 

11 Questions I Have for Others

1) What is your favorite way to relax or wind down?

2) If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

3) Where was the last place you went on vacation?

4) Do you have a special prayer area in your home?

5) What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

6) Are you a "stick-to-a-schedule" or "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" person?

7) Blogger or Wordpress? Why?

8) What is your favorite easy to prepare meal?

9) Do you like your handwriting?

10) What is your favorite of Jesus' parables?

11) If you could meet anyone from the Bible (besides Jesus), who would it be?