Awhile back, one of my favorite bloggers, Elizabeth, nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. Now, before you get all impressed and feel the need to congratulate me, it's not really an award. It's more like one of those chain email questionnaires that got forwarded back in the day. Nonetheless, I was honored that she wanted to learn more about me (thanks, Elizabeth!) and happy to answer a few blogging-related questions!
Here are the rules for this award:
1 // Provide a link and thank the blogger who nominated you for this award.
2 // Answer a few questions about yourself.
3 // Nominate 5-10 blogs that you love.
4 // Include the award logo within your blog post.
Here are the questions Elizabeth asked of me:
1 // What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?
There isn't much I want to "accomplish" with my blog. For me, blogging a way to document my life, journal about my thoughts, and record milestones for my babies. And that's it, really! My goal has never been to attract a bunch of followers, be the most popular blogger, or host giveaways...and I am a-okay with that. Blogging is truly a hobby, something I really love doing, but mainly because I love sharing my life with others! It's therapeutic, makes for a good scrapbook, and forces me to reflect upon my daily occurrences. Except I don't like to use the word "force" because I truly do enjoy it! Now, I will say, my blog has opened doors I never thought possible. I have connected with so many people through blogging and made a number of blogging friends (who I would love to meet in person)! It was also because of my blog (and their blogs) that I met two of my good friends right here in KC!
2 // What have you learned about blogging since you started?
I'm not sure this qualifies as 'about blogging' but I've learned a lot about photography through blogging. I'm constantly inspired by others' photos and my ongoing goal is to improve upon my photog skills!
3 // Provide a link to your favorite blog post.
I mean, how do I even pick a favorite?? I'm a sucker for birth stories, for which I have two of (Brantley | Holden), pregnancy announcements are always fun (also two: Brantley | Holden), then there was the time I blogged about our prayers being answered when Brantley's hydrocephalus normalized five weeks before he was born and the time I reflected upon that a year later. But then I love the less serious posts, like birthday parties and my favorite things posts, I enjoy recapping our vacations, I love my year-end reviews, and there was the time I talking about breastfeeding and how it failed me big time. Like I said, how do I pick just one??
4 // Have you made virtual friends because of blogging? Have you met them "in real life"?
Yes and yes! I feel the biggest connections with the bloggers who have kids around the same age as my own and bloggers with either Iowa or Kansas City connections. Some of my faves have both the kids and connections! I met up with Brittany earlier this year after following her blog for nearly three years and I hang out with Vanessa on a pretty regular basis, as we live only a few blocks from each other! There are quite a few other bloggers scattered across the country who I would love to meet!
5 // Does your family read your blog and if so does this affect what you say or how you say it?
Well considering one of my sole purposes of blogging is to keep friends and family updated on our lives, I hope they read it! I know my mom and mother-in-law both read it occasionally. My Aunt Debi and Grandma are probably my biggest fans! I feel like I'm pretty true to myself and have nothing to hide, so knowing my family reads this has no effect on what I say!
6 // What's your favorite thing to eat and drink in the summer?
I love me some grilled food! Ribs, steak, kabobs, summer fruits and veggies...summer eating is just so much easier. And prettier! My favorite summer drink is probably a Blue Moon (with an orange slice), but that's true year round!
7 // Are you a nail polish fan? If so, what color and what brand are your favorite?
My toes are almost always painted--something bright and seasonal. My fingernails, on the other hand, go in phases. Typically, I like more natural colors for my fingers, but I'm not opposed to a little color either! (Right now, I have a Barbie-doll pink on them!) I love OPI. It's a bit more expensive, but I feel like it goes on the smoothest and lasts longer. I maybe buy 5 bottles all year, so paying $9/bottle, doesn't break the bank!
8 // What is your go-to meal for dinner?
One of my specialties is fish tacos. They are de-lish. Better than any fish tacos I've tried at restaurants. Try them--you won't be disappointed!
9 // What is your favorite holiday and why?
I love Christmas--with the 4th of July coming in a close second. I think the reason I love Christmas so much is that it's a whole season and not just one day. I love all that it entails--the decor, the shopping, the food, the meaning behind the holiday, the activities, the music, the magic. I mean, what's not to love really? I love the 4th because it brings such happy feelings of summertime, hot weather, good food, fireworks, and freedom. I love both holidays for very similar and very different reasons! Luckily they are spaced pretty evenly so I get to celebrate a favorite holiday every 6ish months!
10 // What is one piece of advice you would give fellow bloggers?
Make your own rules! You don't have to blog every day. Posts don't have to "go live" every morning. Blogging isn't all about being the most popular. And at the same time, be your own person. Form your own thoughts and ideas and opinions and blog posts. Although flattering, nothing is worse than being imitated and copied all the time.
Now for my nominations, I'd like to nominate these bloggers. I'm lucky enough to call the first five my real life friends, and consider the last five my blogging friends!
1// Brittany @ Just Another Day in Paradise
2 // Vanessa @ Sunflower State of Mind
3 // Erin @ The Hyde's
1// Brittany @ Just Another Day in Paradise
2 // Vanessa @ Sunflower State of Mind
3 // Erin @ The Hyde's
7 // Courtney at A + Life
8 // Ashley at Words About Waverly
9 // Traci at The HALLway Life
10 // Staci at Miss Bloody Mary
8 // Ashley at Words About Waverly
9 // Traci at The HALLway Life
10 // Staci at Miss Bloody Mary
Here are your ten questions if you choose to participate :
1 // When and why did you begin blogging and what do you hope to accomplish with your blog?
2 // What have you learned through blogging?
3 // What five words do you think your readers would use to describe your blog?
4 // What is your favorite thing to blog about?
5 // Provide a link to your favorite blog post.
6 // Have you met any of your "blogger friends" in real life?
7 // Does your family read your blog and, if so, does this affect what you say or how you say it?
8 // Do you think you'll still be blogging in 5, 10, and 20 years?
9 // What is your favorite season and why?
10 // What is one piece of advice you would give fellow bloggers?
