A Bloggin' Award

Guess what...my sweet friend Miss Sniz, awarded me with a little surprise...she nominated me (and my blog) for the "Nice Matters Award." I am blushing as I really am surprised that anyone thinks I am nice. That may sound weird, but honestly as I shared with Miss Sniz, I haven't really felt nice lately. Actually, it has been awhile, I haven't had much time to do the things I used to...I used to be thoughtful and go out of my way to bless others, in the last year my life has taken many adjustments, with adding 3 children at once, to our hearts and home. Now some of you are saying, "That's so nice." Well, really we didn't do it to be nice, we did it because we knew it was what God wanted for us and for them, we loved them and it was easy. Love is nice-I know that, but I guess I just have felt that I haven't quite been my "old" self.

I am blessed by the kind words and the time that was taken to assure me, that my friend thinks I am nice, and that indeed it matters in this blogging world and in our daily lives. I hope I can be 'used' on a daily basis to be nice and to not live in a bubble called, "self." Life is short.

The awards "official definition":

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 4 others who you feel are deserving of this award."

My four friends that I am passing the Nice Matters Award torch to (and cute button for your blog display!) are:

UKBob at the Estate Gardeners Diary...The Gardener to the Big House! If you haven't met Bob, then you are in for a treat. He is such a great guy, hard working, artistic, quick with a kind word, loves his wife (who is a florist!), his dog (he found by the roadside) and the chap lives in England (you must LOVE that!) Check out his blog- it will be the best thing you did all day, a breeze of fresh air and a new friend for sure! (sorry the award is so "pink" Bob...please know I'd send it to you in blue if I could!)

Sue at Praise and Coffee- the girl's blog is inspirational. Her life is cool- she has been on the road this summer-whereever God sends her and her family, ministering his Love. She has a beautiful adopted daughter who was, "made in China." (I have seen the sticker on her foot when they adopted her ;-) Sue's love for family, God and others, shines as bright as the sun on the day you "wished" you chose to go to the beach. Flip over and check my sweet friend out.

Randi at I have to Say, Randi is one of those people that you meet and are changed forever. I honestly think she is not of this world. The girl is a giver and continues to bless me as she again and again blesses those who are less fortunate. (She is currently raising "shorts and shoes" for children in Africa!) She is talented (she can sew anything!), creative, kind (when I was recently diagnosed with anemia...she sent me a huge personal letter with all kinds of helpful ideas to get me back on the mend with natural ways of boosting my iron...she took the time to get me all kinds of info...(thanks again Randi-I love you!)) and just plain wonderful. I KNOW you will love and adore her!

and last but certainly not least...my friend Jules at Everyday Mommy, she blessed me (just because I made a comment on her site that made her laugh) with my beautiful header. She is kind, sweet, thoughtful- is a wonderful cook (and quick to share her recipes), loves her son (enough that she has thought about retiring from the blogging world ;-( don't do it Jules) and has a big heart for others. Jules is very smart and if you ever need to update your blog with a new look...she's your gal (Jules has a business with just such stuff!) (Jules, I want you to know that I decided to give this to you before I read that you thought you'd never be nominated for such an award...the Holy Spirit had already put your name and blog on my heart for this...so I hope you are blessed!)

Now though I haven't met any of these people face to face...I just wanted them to know that they make my world a better place and certainly the blogging world a nicer place, just because they are offering themselves to us.

hugs and blessings...certainly there are more than 4 who I know who could receive this award (read any under Ode to my friends on my sidebar...they got there because they are nice and are each special to me!) There are also many more, but in my lack of time, I just haven't put their names up officially yet...to be continued!