The Cherry On Top Award

Lou from Bloggomy has tagged me to receive a Cherry on Top Award!    So in accordance with rule number one of thanking the blogger that tagged you...thank you Louise, a wonderful friend who spans both my real and virtual life!

Next I have to say three things that I love about myself.  Now, this is not as easy as it sounds.

1:  I don't want to cheat and say I love my children because they are not actually 'me'...but I do love how I have chosen to parent the five remarkable little people that I am proud to call my children!  I pride myself on having always put them first, taking their lead and enjoying the martyr-ish self-sacrifice which has defined me for the past 24 years!!  They are my life and they have taught me what unconditional love means.

2:  I love that I can be strong.  I have made brave decisions and done things to protect my loved ones that really defies my usual laid back attitude.  In fact, I am working on a big, brave decision that will affect me and my family right now (so watch this space!)  I have fought back against problems and adversity...and will continue to do so.  I come out fighting when the chips are down (even though it can sometimes take a while to gain momentum!)

3: I love my body. But not in that way!  I love that I could get pregnant.  I love that I could carry and nurture my five children inside my body.  I love that I was able to breastfeed them for as long as I wanted to.  My body may be carrying extra pounds, it may bear the scars and stretch marks from a life well-lived, but it has done me proud.  I won't ever be a super-model, but I'm sure that is an over-rated lifestyle anyway!

Next I have to post a picture that I love.  There are so many pictures that I could have picked but I wanted one that had all my babies in it, and Ian is there in spirit as he was the photographer.

Lastly I have to tag five bloggers that I love.  I've been a bit out of the loop for the last few weeks and it is amazing how fast you drop out of things.  But here are my five, who have all been there for me this month sharing the love :)

Susan Mann
Sarah Mum of Three
Blog By Baby
Squeaky Baby
Circus Mums

Good Bloggers Pay It Forward

The lovely Liska from New Mum Online has awarded me a Pay It Forward tag.  I feel very honoured to have made Liska's list of 5 taggees!  I am so happy to have made so many real, genuine friends through the medium of blogging and tweeting...and Liska is right up there as one of those people on my fabulous friend list!!

So here are the rules:

1: Put the award badge on your post.
2: Refer to the blogger who tagged you.
3: Pass it on to 5 others.

So these are who I am paying it forward to:

1:  Working London Mummy ...lovely lady, foodie and thought provoking blogger!
2:  The Crazy Kitchen ...friendly, fun, toy-loving and leaver of comments that make me laugh out loud!!
3:  Mummy, Daddy and Me Makes 3 ...someone who makes me smile and is so very kind.
4:  Emma and 3...fellow member of Team Graco!
5:  Bloggomy ...real life buddy for 15 years and the Louise to my Thelma!

So..the tag is in your hands ladies...pay it forward!!

Making Smiles on Faces Award

Thank you so much  to QWERTY Mum for honouring me with this reward.

Not only is she my wonderful sister, she is also my best buddy!  I love reading her blog and watching her totally creative and beautifully edited videos.  I appreciate all the film making advice she has given me since we started our journey into our cyberspace adventure, and I look forward to finding out where this path will lead us. So back at you sis!

Now I am passing the blog love on.  My brilliant daughter Not Met Megan has already been acknowledged by her proud Auntie, but how could I not also pass this award on to her as a proud Mum.  She is a newbie to the blogosphere, but already her blog shows such promise.  I am so proud of her dedication and committment and her posts make me smile, giving me another link to my  little girl since she left home for university :)  Keep up the good work my darling girl.  I love you!

Next I'd like to award this accolade to Super Lucky...A Comper's Blog.  Di's blog was one of the first blogs I   followed as a fellow comper.  She was a real inspiration to me as I entered the unknown environment of internet comping, and she soon became a cyber friend.  Her bright and breezy posts giving advice and keeping us in the know always raise a smile.  It's lovely to read about her experiences and she gives us all hope!  Thanks Di x

Mummy From the Heart is someone who brings cheer to us all weekly by hosting Reasons to be Cheerful.  She's helped me find grace in small things and joy in the mundane.  She's brightened up January and deserves to be honoured.  Thanks Michelle x

A big special smiley shout out to my two youngest girls who fill me with delight and pride everyday:
Just Simply Ella    I love her beautifully quirky style and her music video posts.
A Calm Zoned Kid  I am so amazed that at 8 she is blogging and inventing memes.
They both make me smile and make me proud :)