Blog Award: Lemonade

I was given this blog award by my friend Jeannie and then by my friend Kris. Kris posted on her blog what the text says concerning this particular award:

This award is meant for people who are positive, show gratitude, and of course: make lemons out of lemonade!

The rules for this award are that you post the graphic for it, write a post that links back to the giver, and then pass it on to up to ten others.

Leave a comment on the blogs that get the award, so they know what's happened.

I am touched that they nominated me for such a positive award. I can't say I feel like I deserve it, as I totally know how much I can complain. lol! (Just ask my husband). But I do try to be positive, and laugh daily!

So, I am supposed to link back to the people who nominated me, and then suggest 10 others who fit the description for the lemonade award. Since this award has made it's rounds to all my IRL friends...I have a few (especially in the adoption community) that also come to mind. Things are always changing in the adoption arena, and you have to constantly make lemonade out of lemons!!

So without further "blablahblah" by me here are my nominations in no particular order:

Carolynn at Finding Malibu. She and her husband are hoping to adopt a little girl from Russia. They recently had to re-do all their paperwork because they switched agencies. She has had a great attitude through it all, and has managed to keep her sense of humor and encourage the rest of us as well! I hope and pray that this year she brings home her own little one, and I plan to "walk with her", (okay post and encourage her) along the way!!

Mary at Russia 2008 is another adoptive parent. She and her husband also switched agencies. I am so excited for them as they were just invited to travel to meet their referral! Waiting as long as they did at the first adoption agency, I am thrilled that they are traveling so soon with the new one! I am doing the happy dance for her!!

Carrie- At It's a Small World. Carrie and her husband live just a few hours from us, though we have never met. I have followed their blog from almost the beginning. They waited an incredibly long time for their son. They adopted a little boy from Russia a little over a year ago. He is precious! What a beautiful family who loves the Lord!

Becky at Our Little Russian Peanut. Oh boy, does this girl make lemonade! Yes, she will totally complain about the pits too...but that is what I love about her! She is REAL! She writes her blog with a great deal of honesty and of course humor! She has been an encouragement to me through this process!

Stephanie at My life in a boy's world. She has such a heart for the Lord, and is so grateful for all He has given her. She writes with such sensitivity and I love to see her wonderful accompanying photography. Life has definitely handed this woman some lemons over the last few years, but she clings to God and his grace to live life to the fullest!

Adrienne at Our Journey of Love- This mom adopted Owen from Russia. She and her husband Jim are longing to add another child through adoption. They unfortunately just had a domestic adoption disruption, and the grace with which she handled it was very convicting to read. Despite not understanding the "Why's" of God's plans, she displayed how to love and forgive in the midst of great disappointment.

Barb at Holm Sweet Holm. This is a newer blog I am following. She and her husband just adopted a little girl from Russia. I appreciate her as well, because in the midst of this incredible transition, she looks to the positive. Her blog posts are real and caring and humorous, as she diligently and lovingly helps her new precious daughter adapt to their family. I love to read her updates both the ones that are tough and the ones that are encouraging!

Rachel at Journey with the Williams Family. She and her husband adopted a little boy from Russia. He has grown so much, and I love reading her posts and updates on him. She continues to be a real encouragement to me as I go through so many similar scenarios she has walked through when they first brought Daniel home. She has helped me (even very recently) to turn some of my lemony thoughts to lemonade. lol!

Kim at The Littlest Tsarina. This gal is one hard working woman! She has 4 boys whom she homeschool's, and they just adopted a little girl. (Who by the way is adorable!) Don't believe me? See for yourself, she is cute as a button! Kim has also been so helpful with emails of packing lists and great homeschooling ideas while in Russia. I really thought we might actually meet up while we were in Moscow, but we missed each other by a day!