Honest Weblog...

When I first started blogging I had these dire warnings from people wary of the Internet...

"Don't put too much information about yourself; people are crazy out there."
 
"Don't talk too much about your faith, people judge so harshly."
 
"You're seriously emailing people back? You don't know who they are... they could be pretending to be anybody."

I'm so glad I didn't listen. Here's what I've discovered about the blogging world: it's very similar to the real world outside your door. Who you surround yourself with is going to affect who you continue to become.

I am so fortunate I've found people to be as wonderful in the blog world as I've found in every other stage of my life. People who think like me, people who don't think like me, people who make me laugh and others who challenge me.

Recently Tam, one of those wonderful people, put me in a post where she acknowledged other bloggers who she always enjoys, without fail. Tam's blog (InProgress) is one I go to every day because she
quantifies "all of the above." She challenges me, makes me laugh, incites conversation and welcomes so kindly.

Here are the rules of the "Honest Weblog" prize:

“When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back.

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or more) that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing them they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’.

List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. And then, pass it on.”

So here are seven people (besides Tam) who I visit every day and have come to admire...

Angie: Bring the Rain
     Angie is an incredibly faithful, funny, kind-hearted and honest woman. She began blogging when she was pregnant with her fourth daughter, Audrey, who died shortly after birth, and has encouraged an amazing number of people simply by being herself. Basically, I want to be like Angie when I grow up.  
Pete: Without Wax
     Pete is pastor at Cross Point church in Nashville, and I've talked about his sermons in other posts. He is a soulful and mindful person who challenges my thoughts every day on his blog.
Brandi: Brandi & Boys 
     And Brandi is Pete's lovely wife who totally keeps it real. They have three of the cutest boys you've ever seen (which is saying a lot when you consider how cute I find my nephews), and her honest, caring and fun nature comes through so effortlessly on her blog.
Anita: Mud and Coffee
     Anita commented on my blog one day and now she can't get rid of me. She's funny and sarcastic and kind and very prayerful. She's a lovely friend.
Liz: Mabel's House
     I think Liz and I might be sisters but were separated at birth. And she's talented enough that she could write a story about that. She and her husband live in a quaint little home with their dog Mabel, who might be as spoiled as Riley... and she has written a wonderful young adult book that you can download for free here: The Secret of Cold Springs
MckMama: My Charming Kids 
     Even though we've emailed back and forth I just now realized I only know her by MckMama. On her blog she gave the family McDonald-esque names, so she has a 3-year-old named Big Mac, a 2-year-old named MckNugget, and a 1-year-old named Small Fry. The newest edition to the family will be born next week and we know his real name... Stellan. He has health conditions they have been concerned about, early on saying he wouldn't make it to birth - but here he is. She is faithful, insightful, a great photographer and really ridiculously funny.
Jessica: The Life, Faith & Creativity of Jessica Turner
     I love Jessica. I love her husband Matthew. They are kind, fun, creative, talented and faithful people. And while I could gush over the both of them endlessly, you should look at her blog if for no other reason than to lay eyes on her little boy, Elias. I don't know if it's ok to describe children in edible terms, but I look at him and think, "delicious."

So, there you go... the seven people I'm giving the honest weblog prize/shout out to. Now here are 10 honest things about me:

1. I have had naturally straight hair in my life, and naturally curly hair in my life. Which makes me an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
2. I rarely defend myself, but would fight like crazy for any of my friends.
3. It takes a lot to offend me or make me angry.
4. I spent most of the 90's trying to eat as little as possible and now because of steroids I'm pretty sure I've consumed all the food I missed out on back then.
5. Pretty much everything I'm good at I've stumbled upon by accident.
6. I miss singing and dancing more than just about anything.
7. If I was well tomorrow the first thing I'd do is hop in a car and travel to see all my nieces and nephews so they'd know how important they are.
8. My dog keeps me sane.
9. When I was little I wanted to be a nun with 9 kids.
10. I eventually learned the rules, and now I am neither a nun, nor do I have kids. Go figure.