Favorite Fall Things + A Mug Exchange

Although I love me some summer, fall ranks right up there!  There's just something special about it after a few months of pool days, tank tops, and 90+ degree temperatures.  In honor of a fun fall-themed exchange (keep reading!) I thought I'd make a list of my top 10 favorite things about fall!  Spoiler alert: pumpkin spice lattes are not included!  Though I like them a few times throughout the season, I don't live for them like some people!

1. Fashion

Boots, sweaters, jeans, leggings, scarves, jackets, layers, etc.  I feel like fall is really the best season for fashion...perhaps because summer is just so basic?  Anyway, fall just makes me want to shop.  Every year.  And I know I'm not only one.  Love me some fall fashion!

2. Football

It's no secret I'm a college football fan (go Hawks!), though not nearly as die-hard as I used to be  thanks to kids + being removed from Iowa for almost ten years.  (Although who said that's a bad thing?  Iowa losses used to ruin my days.)  Nonetheless, I still love a good football game, whether it's high school, college, or NFL.  Plus, football often couples with friends and good food and that I'm always a fan of!!

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3. Crockpots & Soup

Fall goes with slow cookers like peanut butter goes with jelly.  I know I could use my Crock Pot year round, but for some reason I have to dust it off come fall.  Ditto with soups!  Ain't no one want a hot bowl of soup when it's 90+ degrees out, so I welcome my soup recipes with open arms once September arrives!  (Side note: I love my new programmable Crock Pot.  It was my one and only Amazon Prime Day purchase--and a good one!  If you're in the market, this one can be purchased for a great price and can be set to change to "warm" after a set number of hours.)

4. Lenexa Chili Fest

 My favorite fall activity is hands down our local Chili Fest.  We've gone every year for about five years now and it's just such a fun fall family outing.  There's live music, beer, and face painting for kids.  Not to mention, all the samples of chili you can handle--for free.

5. The Pumpkin Patch

 No fall is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch!  The pumpkins may be overpriced, but the donuts and kid-friendly activities make up for it!  See old trips to the pumpkin patch here--2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

The photo I accidentally deleted from my memory card last year.  And spent hours trying to recover.  Only to find it was blurry!

6. The Weather

As much as I'm a hot weather girl, the chill in the air come fall is very refreshing.  Not to mention, the sun actually feels good once again rather than feeling like a sweaty-hot mess like it does for much of the summer!

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7.  The Colors

Is there anything prettier than fall foliage?  I remember being on maternity leave with Brantley and taking photos of the trees around our old neighborhood.  Craig made fun of me, but seriously, how can you not enjoy them?  Prettiest part of fall!!

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8. Caramel Apples

I've always loved these things.  Here's proof.  Ugh, can we talk about how horrible that photo is though?!

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9. Family Photos

Okay, so maybe not my favorite thing when it happens (ultra stressful).....or leading up to (the outfit planning), but I do love looking through the photos we take each fall, replacing photos around our house, and choosing one for Christmas cards.  I also love seeing the photos other families take!

10. Halloween and the Start of the Holiday Season

Halloween is just so much fun, and as is almost everything, it's even more fun with kids!  The costumes, the candy, the parties--I love it all!  And let's be honest, I'm usually ready to decorate for Christmas the moment the calendar turns to November...definitely another fall fave!

What are YOUR favorite fall things??

...

And now for a fun announcement.  Together with a handful of other bloggers, I'm hosting a fall mug exchange--because let's be honest, hot drinks just taste better from a fun mug!  Am I right?!  Buy a mug, send it to your partner, and receive a new mug in the mail?  Sounds about perfect, huh?

The details: 

\\ Mugs should be $10-15 before shipping.

\\ Sign-up closes on September 14.

\\ Partners will be matched (emailed) on September 16.

\\ Deadline to mail your mug is September 30.

\\ Share the mug you receive with the world (and us) on October 10--either blog post, Instapic, or both!  Use the Instagram hashtag #MugLoveExchange.

To sign up, click here and complete the form.  It will take you one minute or less.  U.S. residents only please.  And don't forget to check back on October 10.  We may or may not be hosting a fun mug-related giveaway. ;)

The Liebster Award

Another day, another "award"!  The fact that these are called awards makes me laugh, but they are super fun to do, so I suppose I'll oblige.  A big thank you to the two bloggers who nominated me: Marette at Floradise and Leslie (pronounced with an S, not a Z) at This is for Keeps.  I'm flattered to know that each of you enjoy my blog so much--both of yours are two of my new favorites!

Both bloggers asked 11 questions and many that were different, so I'll do my best to combine and answer most of them!

Why did you start blogging?  How long have you been blogging?

Easy--I wanted to document our lives!  I had seen pregnancy blogs and I knew I wanted to do that when the time came, so instead of waiting until I got pregnant, I started this blog about four months into our marriage.  Besides, I needed a new hobby since my time was no longer spent thinking about all-things-wedding.  I've been blogging since fall 2010, so 5 1/2 years!

What topics do you like to blog about?
Since my life revolves mainly around being a mom, most of my posts are about motherhood or my kids!  It's easy to write about the things you love so much!  I also love sharing recipes, clothes, recaps of our days, and recommendations to others.

Which is your favorite post of those that you've written?

Oh gosh, I have no idea!  I love looking back on vacation posts and I love the boys' birth stories (B | H), but this one is also sticking out quite vividly in my mind.

How much time do you spend on your blog each week?
It all depends on the week and/or the month.  Some weeks, I'm lucky to spend one hour total.  Other weeks, I'll spend between 7 and 10 hours.  That's the great thing about my attitude towards blogging.  If I'm not feeling it, I just don't do it!

What blog do you read the most?
My favorite blogs to read are those written by girls I know in real life.  Brittany @ Just Another Day in Paradise, Vanessa @ Sunflower State of Mind, Jana @ Just Jana, and Erin @ The Hyde's.

How did you and your significant other meet?

The short story - we met through a chain of mutual friends while drinking all day and simultaneously curing cancer. ;)  You can find the long story here.

If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be?

Growing up, I always said I would live somewhere with palm trees where I could be tan year round.  And then I graduated college and started making some of those life decisions.  I realized I didn't want to venture too far from my family and quite honestly, I love the Midwest and all that it offers!  To compromise, I moved south about 5 hours (it really is warmer here!) and here I am nine years later!  So long story short, I would live right here in Kansas City.  I love this city so much.  I love the people.  Love our friends.  Love the sports.  Love the seasons.  And I love our life here!

What's your favorite room in your house and why?

This is going to be a bit of a stretch since it's not technically a "room", but I love our outdoor areas - both our covered deck and patio down below.  Our deck includes a t.v., outdoor couch & chair, coffee table, and some pretty fantastic string lights on a dimmer, while the patio houses our outdoor dining set and a toy box with all of the boys' outdoor toys.  Spending time in one of these locations on a warm day is truly my favorite!

What do you do to relieve stress?
Sleep!  Or blog.

What is your favorite social media site and why?
Easy--Instagram.  I love pictures.

What is your favorite TV show right now?

This should be of no surprise to anyone who knows me - The Bachelor!  Although it's going to be a long two months waiting for The Bachelorette to start...

What is your favorite thing to shop for?
Clothes.  For myself or for my kids.  Both are super fun!

What's one random talent you have?

I don't know how random this is, but I can twirl a baton.  I started taking lessons in third grade and twirled all through high school.

What's your favorite meal?
This is a hard one for a girl who loves to eat!  You can't beat a summertime meal on the grill - steak (with a loaded sweet potato), kabobs, or ribs (with cream cheesy jalapeno corn) are my faves!

Where would you go on vacation if money was of no object?

Just take me to a beach and I'm a happy girl.  So perhaps Fiji or somewhere exotic sounding like that? 

What was your dream job when you were in high school and/or college?

In both high school and part of college, I was dead set of becoming a pharmacist.  Although the money would have been nice, the hours are definitely not those of a teacher, so I'm glad that didn't pan out!!  However, my non-realistic dream job was to be an assistant to a celebrity (ahem, Jessica Simpson).  Currently, I think my dream job is to do something social media-related for a company (and still get summers off).  I mean, I think I'd be really good at it and who doesn't want to sit on Instagram all day?!

What was the last thing you ordered online?
Some K-cups form Amazon.  Real exciting, huh?

Tell me about your pet(s), if you have any.
We have a 7 1/2 year old miniature schnauzer named Kinnick.  He's the sweetest dog.  He loves to sleep under blankets and behind pillows and he's scared of about everything in life.  He really is the best dog (minus his schnauzer guard dog tendencies) and sadly he doesn't get much attention anymore. :(

11 Facts About Me:
1. I'm a high school math teacher.
 2. Unless it's sunny and 80 degrees, I'm probably cold.
3. I struggle to drink enough water throughout the day.
4. I graduated in the top 5% of my high school class...and then I went to college and my priorities changed significantly.
5. I love to sleep.
6. Messes stress me out.
7. Blue Moon is my favorite beer.
 8. I am really shy in new situations and around new people.  Craig tells me it comes across as rude and stuck up, but I'm really not, I swear!  It just takes me awhile to feel comfortable and be myself.
9. I always thought I'd be a girl mom.
10. My typical Starbucks order is a grande, extra hot caramel macchiato.
 11. I weigh less now than I did pre-babies. I swear having babies upped my metabolism.  Either that, or chasing kiddos is a really good workout.

And for my nominations:
Brittany @ Just Another Day in Paradise
Liz @ Chasin' Mason
Jana @ Just Jana
Erin @ The Hyde's
Vanessa @ Sunflower State of Mind
Amy @ Keeping Up with the Smiths
Mackenzie @ Baby by Oakley
Megan @ Positively Paliks
Stephanie @ Run Knit Hitched
Jamie @ The Jamies +1
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
Staci @ Miss Bloody Mary

Here are your questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. How has your blog changed through the years?
3. What is your favorite post and why?  Provide a link to it!
4. What have you learned through blogging?
5. If you could meet one blogger friend in real-life, who would you choose?
6. What is your favorite social media platform and why?
7. What was the last thing you ordered online?
8. What is your favorite place in your house and why?
9. What are you most looking forward to this summer?
10. What is the last vacation you took?
11. If you could choose another job different than what you have now, what would you choose?

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If you've never heard of the Liebster award, it's an online recognition given by bloggers to other new bloggers for enjoying their work.  The intent behind it is to award awesome, new, up and coming blogs within our community.

Official Rules of the Liebster Award

Thank the Blogger that nominated you in your post and link back to their site

Display the Liebster Award logo on your blog

Answer 11 questions from the Blogger that nominated you

Tell your readers 11 random facts about you

Nominate 5-11 Bloggers with less than 1000 followers for the Liebster Awards

Ask your nominees to answer 11 questions

My 5 Ws of Blogging

Yesterday, I posted a little re-introduction of myself.  Today, I'm talking a little bit about blogging's current role in my life!

| WHO do I blog about? |

 I blog mainly about my family.  My husband (Craig), our oldest son (Brantley - 3 1/2), and our youngest son (Holden - almost 2).  Occasionally, our miniature schnauzer (Kinnick - 8) makes an appearance, as do our extended families, friends, and neighbors.

| WHAT do I blog about? |

 I blog about our outings as a family, our home, and our life - the vacations we take, the food we eat, the toys we play with, the crafts we create, the teams we cheer for, the DIY projects we conquer, the photos I take, the weird stuff my kids say, the holidays we celebrate, the things I believe in, and the random thoughts that flow through my head on the daily.  This blog has served as my pregnancy journal (x2), a baby book (x2), and a scrapbook + diary of my life.

| WHEN do I blog? |

 With a full-time job (9 months out of the year anyway) and two boys under the age of 4, finding time to blog can be a challenge.  During the school year, I will blog after my kids go to bed (7:30pm) and/or during nap time on the weekends (and sometimes at school - shhhhhh).  During the summer, I will use the 2-hour span of nap time to blog.  But not every night and/or day.  It truly just depends on how motivated I am and how much I have to blog about.  Sometimes (usually in September) I go weeks without a single post.  During that time, I tend to be so exhausted from the start of the school year and the last thing I want to do is stare at a computer screen and expel any energy to put my thoughts into words.  Other times, all the time in the world isn't enough to blog about everything I want to!  One thing is for certain though - I've never, ever considered blogging a "job".  I really, truly enjoy blogging (you could say I'm passionate about it) and I never, ever put pressure on myself to compose a post.  If I'm not feeling it, then I just don't do it!  It's easy to spot a transparent post and I never do I want to blog because I feel like I have to.

| WHERE do I blog? |

 I typically blog from the chair in our living room.  I will prop my feet up on the ottoman and blog using our MacBook.  My blog is housed on Blogger, but I paid the small amount of money for a custom domain (so that my blog url doesn't include .blogspot.com).

| WHY do I blog? |

Plain and simple: I love documenting.  I always have.  I was the little girl who printed her photos, captioned/dated them on the back, and added them chronologically to a photo album.  I was also big time into scrapbooking back when it was popular.  Times have changed and my blog is my current {digital} version of the scrapbook/photo album, but I love that there's a diary component to it, as well.  Blogging is very therapeutic for me.  I just love, love, love writing about our life.  I also love sharing with others.  Whether it's a favorite recipe or a favorite product, I love giving advice and recommendations to others.  Oddly enough, I have always hated writing, but for some reason, blogging feels so different!  I sometimes wonder if I will still be blogging in ten years.  I sure hope so, but I honestly have no idea where life will take me.  For now, I love this number one hobby of mine and can't imagine putting down the laptop anytime soon!


Who, what, when, where, and why do YOU blog?


Instagram / Facebook / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Twitter

A Re-Introduction

I've noticed a few new followers in recent months, many who don't know me personally, so I thought I'd take a few minutes and re-introduce myself.

I'm Sarah!  Last name = Sides, which is where the blog title comes from!  By the way, is there anything more awkward than posing alone for a blog profile photo?!  #givemeakidorsomething

I'm a 33-year old wife, boy mama, and high school math teacher.  I grew up in small town Iowa (a very unique town, actually--I blogged about it here) and headed to college at the University of Iowa after graduating in 2001.  I was certain I wanted to be a pharmacist, but two and a half years into college, I changed my mind about that.  Three years later, I graduated with a degree in mathematics and an endorsement to teach math to grades 6-12.  After substitute teaching for one semester, I landed my first job at a high school in a Kansas City suburb.  I've always been somewhat of a big city girl and I deep down I knew I'd never return to small town Iowa.  So at 24 years of age, I packed up and headed south.  I only knew of a few people in the Kansas City area, but I was excited to begin this new adventure!

Towards the end of my first year of teaching, I met Craig.  We didn't have one mutual friend, but he had a guy friend and I had a girl friend and those friends were friends with each other.  We joined said friends on the Crawl for Cancer, a pub crawl that raises money for cancer research.  I mean, if you're going to meet your husband while drinking all day, I guess that is the best case scenario?? ;)  It was a gorgeous May day, one of those first hot days of the season and everyone was in such a great mood.  I have such fond memories of that day.

A couple of weeks later on June 2, 2008, we had our first date.  It was nothing fancy (he took me to a local sports bar & grill on a Monday night), but that perfectly sums up our relationship and our outlook on life.  We've basically been together every day since.  A few weeks into our relationship, without any hesitation, I asked Craig if he thought we were going to get married.  And I only asked because I was 99% certain we both knew at that point.  That saying really is true. When you know, you just know!

A few months later, in November 2009, we brought home this little guy.  I compromised on the kind of dog we got (I wanted a furry, little white thing but we got a miniature schnauzer instead), so Craig let me name him.  Kinnick was named after the Iowa Hawkeye football stadium (I'm a big fan), so to be fair, his middle name is Allen Fieldhouse (Craig is a KU fan, Allen Fieldhouse is where the Jayhawks play basketball).  Kinnick would go back and forth between our apartments, which I should add, were only a few miles apart in the same suburb (Lenexa) in this very large metropolitan area!

10 months after our first date, in April 2009, we moved in together!  Technically, Craig purchased the house (we weren't yet engaged/married so we didn't want both of our names on the paperwork), but I was 100% involved in the search as we expected this to be our first home together.  Together, we flipped that house from top to bottom, inside and out (just a sampling here)!

A few months later, in August 2009, Craig proposed at our housewarming (turned engagement) party!  It wasn't a complete surprise, as we had looked at rings and discussed marriage on numerous occasions, but I also didn't expect it to happen then and there!

We were married in downtown Kansas City on July 10, 2010.  The day was perfect and quite honestly, it was the single most fun day/night of my life!  There's really nothing better than having everyone you love in one location and at one big party.  I did a 10-part recap of our wedding last summer for our five year anniversary.

It was three months after our wedding that I started this ole blog.  Mainly because I needed a new hobby after the wedding plans were over and done with and it seemed like the cool thing to do.

In October 2011, we found out we were expecting our first baby.  I was certain it was a girl.  I had my mind set on a girl.  I was hoping for a girl.  And then I opened a box full of blue balloons.  I was excited, don't get me wrong, but had our family and friends not been there to share in our experience that night, I might have cried.  (Just being honest here!)

Two months later, at 27 weeks pregnant, we learned of some abnormalities in our unborn baby boy's brain.  He had a condition called hydrocephalus, which meant the ventricles within his brain were enlarged.  We were told the condition could indicate a more severe condition (spina bifida) and could mean we'd have a child with special needs, it could require surgery to insert a shunt post-birth, or it could normalize and basically mean nothing.  We were sent to Children's Mercy for further testing (an MRI on our unborn baby boy's brain) and to meet with a team of specialists that included a social worker, genetic counselor, a neurologist, and a neonatologist.  The diagnosis also required monthly level 2 ultrasounds to monitor the condition.  Talk about a stressful, heart wrenching, and difficult couple of months.  We cried, we prayed, and we cried some more.

Then, at 35 weeks pregnant, during our level 2 ultrasound, we got the best news of the pregnancy.  The ventricles were measuring a normal size and just like that, things were a-okay!

I was induced three days before my due date on Friday, July 6, 2012.  My doctor induced me because, although everything looked normal via ultrasound, she preferred a few post-birth tests to confirm that.  She wanted to deliver to ensure the necessary follow-up was taken.  My body took very well to the induction meds, and Brantley Carter was born just 6 1/2 hours later at 2:38 in the afternoon.

Everything was fine and dandy until around 8pm that night when he was admitted to the NICU for some breathing issues.  Turns out, he was born with both pneumonia and meningitis.  That combination required some pretty strong antibiotics, among multiple needle pricks and even a spinal tap, and a two-week stint in the NICU.  Talk about some ups and downs and highs and lows.  First, we thought we'd have a baby with special needs, then we found out he was perfectly fine, then he was born after a very smooth labor and delivery, then he was admitted to the NICU with some pretty scary-sounding conditions (that were completely unrelated to the hydrocephalus, I might add).  We finally got to take home our firstborn two weeks later and he's seriously been smooth sailing ever since (good sleeper, easy to potty train, just a super easy kid all around)!

Shortly after Brantley's first birthday, we found out we were expecting baby #2.  A few months later, we learned it was another boy!  (I still wanted a girl, but saw some serious advantages to having another boy, so I was okay with either.)

This pregnancy was issue-free and on Friday, April 18, after teaching first, second, and third blocks (basically all day), I went into labor at school!  I didn't realize it at the time (because I was induced the first time and didn't know what to expect), but I soon realized that those period-like cramps were actually contractions!  I had also been in contact with my doctor's office that afternoon because I hadn't felt the baby move, so they told me to come in for a quick ultrasound.  I left school towards the end of the school day (during seminar) and Craig met me at the clinic around 2pm.  By that point, I was pretty certain I was in labor.  When the doctor (not mine because she had already taken off for the day) came to see me, he confirmed my thoughts on labor and said we needed to head to the hospital (across the street) immediately.  His words "Don't even stop at the gas station.  I will call and let them know you're coming."  At 6:49 that evening, sans camera, hospital bag, and everything but the clothes on our backs, Holden Beckett was born.

Nearly two years later, here we are!  Our boys are 21 months apart---currently 3 1/2 and almost 2.

 

  Last March, we sold our first home and moved into a brand new one about 10 miles away.  Oddly enough, this new home brought us back to Lenexa, which is where we each lived in separate apartments when we met!

Although chaotic with a full-time job and two toddler/preschool aged-boys, I am loving this life of ours.  We would love to add one more kiddo to our mix, and crazily, I would prefer #3 to be a boy!  Which, of course, means it will be a girl.  Only time will tell, I guess!

A few more things about me: I love fashion (though I don't believe in spending tons of money on clothes--Target and Old Navy for the win!), summer is my favorite, and The Bachelor{ette/in Paradise} is my guiltiest pleasure.  I take far too many photos (always have, always will) and have slowly learned the basics of manual mode since getting my first DSLR camera in 2012.  For a girl, I'm a pretty big sports fan - you can find me cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the fall and the Kansas City Royals between April and October.  I listen to mostly country music because I feel like I'm too old for most of the pop tunes these days!  I enjoy cooking/baking, mainly because eating is one of my favorite things to do!  And last but definitely not least, I love blogging and I'm very honored you have decided to follow me!  Check back tomorrow for a little post on who, what, where, when, and why I blog!

And be sure to follow all of my social media outlets:
Instagram / Facebook / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Twitter

Versatile Blogger Award

One thing I love about blogging is the connections made and the friendships formed.  I know that is probably a foreign (read: weird) idea to non-bloggers, but I feel like some of these other girls are my actual friends!  So when my good blogger friend, Elizabeth, "nominated" me for this "award", I was honored and happy to play along!  Besides, this post is all about sharing seven facts about yourself and us bloggers love to write about ourselves, right??

The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
Thank the person who nominated you.
Link back to their blog.
Share 7 facts about yourself.
Nominate up to 15 other bloggers.

So, here we go with my seven facts!

1 | For 11 months of the year, I hate wrapping presents.  It's such a hassle and if it weren't for kids who love tearing into presents, I'd put everything into a gift bag.  But...at Christmastime for some reason, I love it!  I love picking out coordinating paper (a must) and I love the whole wrapping process!  (It helps that it usually involves Christmas music and a glass or two of wine.)

 2 | I've developed a strong fear of car accidents over the past few years.  I worry about being in a bad car accident and I worry about receiving news of my husband and children in a bad accident.  I have no idea why, but I think about it often.  Like every day often.  And I pray every time we get into our car that we arrive safely!  I try to remind myself that although fender benders can be common occurrences, most people live life without ever falling victim to a bad accident.  But still, I worry! Please tell me this is a normal side affect of having children??

3 | I love pretty sunrises and sunsets.  Growing up, my sister and I used to laugh at my dad when he would point them out, but as I've gotten older, I have grown to appreciate this natural beauty in life.  No joke, I probably have 25 or more sunrise/sunset photos on my Instagram account (I should make a hashtag) and significantly more in my iPhone photo library that never made their way to social media!

4 | I can twirl a baton!  I started taking lessons in third grade and twirled through high school.  And baton twirling is like riding a bike--one of those things that once you learn, you never forget!  So neighbor friends, don't laugh if someday you see me in my backyard reliving my glory days. :)

5 | I probably have one of the most organized lists of phone contacts ever.  Everyone has a first name, a last name, a phone number, an email address, a street address, and most have birthdays!  My phone literally contains everything I know about everyone!!  One time, I accidentally deleted all of my contacts (before iCould was a thing) and I truly felt sick to my stomach!!  Needless to say, it took a good 48 hours and lots of investigating/personal Facebook messages, but I got it all back.

6 | Unless it's 80 degrees (and even sometimes then), I'm probably cold.  I'm just a cold person - always!  Which is probably why I'm such a summer girl.

7 | I have Internet ADD.  I will go onto Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/Bloglovin' for a very specific reason and then get distracted by another post and completely lose track of why I was there.  20 minutes later, I still haven't accomplished what I intended, and by then, I'm usually in the midst of nineteen additional tasks!  Internet ADD...it's a real thing, I swear!

So there are my seven!

And if you're new around here, here are a couple other "All About Me" type posts you might enjoy reading!

I Believe In...

32 on 32 

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers

Two Truths and a Lie

As for my nominations, they were hard because Liz and I follow many of the same blogs and she nominated all of them (thanks, Liz!), but here are a few extras - people I always enjoy hearing from!

Courtney at A+Life
Katie at All Betts Are Off
Ashley at Everything's Hunky Dorey
Brittany at Just Another Day in Paradise
Jana at Just Jana
Colleen at Meet the Sullivans
Staci at Miss Bloody Mary
Sarah @ Our Journey
Vanessa @ Sunflower State of Mind
Karen @ The Bishop Diaries
Traci @ The HALLway
Erin @ The Hydes

And one last thing, speaking of blogging, I'm guest posting today over at Meet the Sullivans!  Go check it out! :)

Sisterhood of the World Blogging Award

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

4 // Jana @ Just Jana
5 // Katie @ All Betts Are Off
6 // Ashley at Everything's Hunky Dorey

7 // Courtney at A + Life
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?