Nice Matters

I am honored to receive the "Nice Matters" award from Robin. She has worked with Grant since before we were married and has always been a smiling, welcoming face when I go there to visit him. She is an amazing woman, mother, and grandmother. She is a cancer survivor. She has been a good friend to Grant and to me for a long time. She has been motherly to Grant, encouraging him to finish his schooling, and she, like many others at Grant's work, has become an honorary aunt or grandma to Eleanor. (Eleanor walks around Grant's work as if she owns the place.) Plus, Robin always makes it a point to say, "Oh yeah, good to see you too, Jocelyn," once she's done fawning over Eleanor ;) So I am honored to receive this award from her-- my first blog award ever!

The requirements for the award are as follows: “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 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

Here are the seven people (and their blogs) who I think easily qualify for this award:

• Kat for pasty IS pretty. Kat is Grant's cousin. She's a wife and a mother of two. I love her writing on her blog; she is so witty! She writes letters to her children that they will be able to read when they're older. She also makes really cool crafts like baby bibs and vintage aprons. I wish I was brave enough with my sewing machine to try different things like that. I'd like to give this award to her three sisters also (because they are equally deserving), but I have a feeling I know who she'll give it to anyway.
• Care for The Matthews Family. Carolyn is my sister-in-law, married to Grant's brother. She is also a mother of two. She brought the second Matthews miracle into the family (a girl). She's quite the fashionista if you ask me. She is extremely talented and creative. She is an amazing pianist and can decorate like a professional. She just started something she's going to do monthly called, "Fun Finds," where she tells about the cool products, etc. she has discovered. I can't wait to see the September edition of this feature on her blog. She can find the coolest stuff!
• Kari for N & K Caulder. Kari inspires me in so many ways. She is one of my closest friends. She has an amazing testimony of the gospel that you can see in her countenance at all times. She is a loving mother to her daughter. She teaches middle school, which, that alone makes her a saint! She updates her blog every day, isn't afraid to tell the truth about her feelings or her life, and she even comes up with great themes for certain days such as "How to be a Lady" and "Fabulous Friends." She can take on any task given to her and accomplish it and about five other things at the same time. She has brought me strength when I have needed it most, and she has trusted me to try to help her in return.
• Daphne for Crook Family. Daphne has always been a fun friend for me, even though we haven't always kept in touch. She and I had some really good laughs when I lived in Corvallis. I admire her dedication to reaching out to family. She used to send out e-mail updates about her family every week with pictures and details about their lives. Now, she has started blogging, and I couldn't be more happy. She is also a mother to a darling little boy. Daphne has done something I could never do: she has committed herself to loving one color. She loves the color orange. You'll see it in her home, her clothing, her blog, and even on her son. I am fascinated by the fact that even through all the years I've known her, the favorite has never changed. It has always been orange.
• Arin for Bub, Arin & Family (it's a secure blog, so only those invited can see it). Arin is a mother of two, and she goes to our church. She is a confident and cheerful woman, who rarely doesn't have a smile on her face. Her husband is our home teacher. They are currently remodeling a huge old house, which I am sure will turn out to be an absolute dream house. She is a laidback, easy-going mom who finds joy in the little things. She records her childrens' milestones on her blog and funny conversations she has with her son, including stories he makes up. I admire how she cherishes every moment- even the ones when her kids wake her up in the middle of the night for a snack.
• Kelli for The Pinkerton Clan (secure also). Kelli is a very strong person and has made it through some challenges I don't know how I would handle. She is married to a police officer and has a little girl, Larissa, who is just a day younger than Eleanor, so she and I were waddling around together while pregnant and competing for who could deliver first. She goes to our church and assists in the nursery, so I know Eleanor will always have a familiar face when she goes there. Kelli has been wonderful about arranging play dates with other moms who have children close in age. I think these play dates have helped all of us involved. They were a great help to me personally to get me out of the house and give me some adult interaction.
• Alicia for Willis Family. I don't really know Alicia quite as well as I know some of my other "award winners." But we have been acquainted several different times, and we share common friends. I have been reading her blog for a while, and I admire her depth of character. She is really a humble follower of the Lord. She is willing to serve wherever needed, whether it be in the church or to help family or friends. She is a mother of two, and often welcomes other children into her home to help their parents while they are working or spending some much needed time together. She is also a domestic diva. She is a fun and creative party planner, can plan a gorgeous meal worthy of the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, and makes cakes of all different sizes and shapes that are decorated perfectly.

Robin had some very kind words to say about me, and I really appreciate it. I just hope I can live up to all the wonderful things she said.