A Smile Award!

What a surprise! My first blog award :)

Thank you from an amazing "Mom of Many" who has an incredible China adoption story I followed for quite some time. Her blog, a place called simplicity is a continuation of where they left off after returning from China with their most adorable little boy Isaiah. If you have a chance, you should take some time and read their journey to Isaiah and see how God moved mountains to get this little guy home. Now, at a time when most families would be winding down their family size, this Mom and Dad are continuing to grow theirs! Next, it is a girl! Read all about it HERE!
Ketchikan, here we come :) :)

So, now, I can pass on the honor to 5 others who make me smile. There are so many wonderful blogs and sites that would be deserving of this award it is difficult to pick, but my thoughts keep going back to several families that have shown incredible positive attitudes and patience with the ever so lengthening wait to adopt from China. Keeping this in mind, here are my picks:
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I'm going out on a limb here and giving Angie at my hearts giving birth TWO smile awards!!. Angie smiles when she cries. Her eyes say it all when she speaks of her daughter she hasn't met yet. Angie is a single Mom adopting from China and when she started her process, the wait was in the single digits. Needless to say, she has been very saddened by the wait, but always tries to find the positive in the process. Her desire to follow God's timing and not her own is chronicled in her journal HERE. Be sure to check out her wonderful pictures of the Harvest Moon Fest. as she lights the lantern and releases it. Hang in there Angie. F.R.O.G.

Then, there is Michael. I hope he reads this :)... Michael and Starla have an imminent referral from China and very sadly, Starla's Mother passed away this month. Once again Michael and Starla have waited a VERY long time for their daughter. Michael has been journaling his thoughts as a first time Dad-to-be, throughout the process and I know they will make a wonderful set of parents to this little girl they are just about to meet!! Hey, I just might pretend these awards are candy and give Michael and Starla TWO of them as well!! :) :) Pop over and share their excitement as they are as Michael puts is "within striking range" of their referral for Mikayla!!

Lastly, so many are familiar with Lori @ a journey to our daughter. Her blog is filled with yummy and beautiful things. I could spend MUCH time :) simply scrolling through the archives looking at her beautiful pictures and celebrating life with her handsome boys. Lori also has been swept up in this waiting process for their little girl. Her patience and attitude to not let the grass grow under her feet during all this time is truly inspirational.

Okay ladies (and gentleman:) this is what you need to do....
Here are the Smile Award rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator.
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude (not necessarily at all times--we are all human).
2. Must love one another.
3. Must make mistakes.
4. Must learn from others.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
6. Must love life.
7. Must love kids.