Liebster Award winner...who? ME?!

For as long as I can remember, just when I start to feel completely overwhelmed, overworked and just dog-ass tired - the universe throws me a bone! I haven't always seen this pattern as clearly as I have in the last few years, but if I dig deep and think about the milestones in my life there is a definite trend of barron, dry patches followed by rich abundance.

Today, I stumbled upon this dusty old neglected blog of mine to find this recent comment waiting for me...

"Sadly, I am no longer making snacks for the after-school crowd, but what a great idea for fresh ideas for healthy fare for the tots! I have awarded you with the Liebster Award on over at my blog, and appreciate the encouragement I received from you early on in the A-Z Challenge to keep going! Glad to see you still have steam to keep up the posting!"

WHAT?!?!? So I ran (which I can do now since I've finally upgraded from dial up) to her lovely little blog & did some digging.  In Carrie's post, she says,

"I met Julie at From the Compound through the A-Z Challenge (and no, I didn't choose recipients based on whether or not their first names began with "J") and was drawn in my her beautifully designed blog, her early commenting on my blog and her wit.  She is pretty cool, if you ask me."

Umm...Holy crap! 

Cool & witty, that I understand, but did she say "beautifully designed blog"- Carrie is my new best friend! 

So here's the lowdown on the adorable Liebster Award:

Liebster in German, means Dearest, Beloved, or Favorite, and it's for bloggers with under 200 followers. There are 5 rules for accepting a Liebster Award:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog.

4. Reveal your 5 picks.

5. Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

I whole-heartedly accept this award (& the notoriety that I'm certain will follow - sure to propel me into blogging greatness). I want to sincerely thank Carrie from The Slow Dipped Life for thinking of me and From The Compound, in the same vein as words like Dearest, Beloved or Favorite. 

Seriously...THANK YOU! This could not have come at a more perfect time to keep me energized and excited about blogging. I just hope my comment has given you as much joy as this award has given me! 

To Be Continued...

Z for Zero

days left in the April A to Z Challenge. I had a blast finally putting some energy into this blog. I love the relationships I've built through social media and feel strongly that  this blog has helped me become who I am today, and is leading me down the path to the awesome future that awaits. 

If you are sad to have this 30 day challenge come to an end, no worries! In just a matter of days I will be part of a whole new 30 day challenge at Kickstarter. I'm so excited to finally launch this project and would really love your support!

Y for Yummy

The kids and I explored the 2012 Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship last weekend, held right here in good old Mineral Point.  It was a really good time!

Sophia was getting a little annoyed with the people standing in front of her, as she watched the competition. 

My friend, and fellow school board member, Lisa took 2nd place in the Amateur Classic round, using cheese from right down the road. 

X for eXtremely Close To Alligators

Although, I had no intension of molesting an alligator, I did get off a bit when I saw a guy walking off of the trail with his giant lens...if ya know what I mean.

Seriously, though his GIANT lens makes me hot!

W for Waves

The kid's first trip to the ocean was wonderful. They loved it so much! We went in the late afternoon and stayed until dark. They built castles in the sand, found shells and tackled the waves while shouting, at the top of their lungs, "BIG KUHUNA!" It actually sounded more like, "BIG KUHUnuakhh" ending with a gargle, a spit of salty sea water and a precious 'first time in the ocean' laugh.

     

V for Valor

Right before spring break, Owen participated in the 4th & 5th grade choir's performance of Joust! It was a really cute musical about how King Arthur, his Mighty Medieval Men and the rest of the kingdom were brought together by music. 

Owen was unbelievably excited when he was voted, along with a 5th grader named Brady, to 'star' in this very exciting & violent jousting scene! 

I love to see Owen try & enjoy new things. I hope he never loses his love of exploring...whether inside the halls of his school or outside in snake country. These diverse experiences help kids absorb information and give them a depth that even the best parenting cannot teach. 

U for Unbelievably Tall Texan

T for Tarantula

S for Snakes {So many snakes}

We saw most of these guys at the beautiful Houston Zoo. Owen could spend all day & all night in the reptile house. Sophia was good to go after about 5 minutes...

However, this one was just 2 feet away from us at the Brazos Bend State Park.  

I wasn't getting any closer!

R for Rose