a big blog thank you!

I wanted to say a big huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted for me in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Most Inspiring Mom Blogs for 2012!!! It really is such a cool thing to even be on the list along with so many other incredible and inspiring stories, but to make the #1 spot is beyond amazing! I am so grateful for yet another way to reach others and watch Jeremy continue to change the world with his life and his love. A million times, thank you!

If you'd like to check out my interview from the top 25 blogs, click the link below. Also, look around while you're there....there are so many amazing and moving woman changing the world with their stories too!





I'd also like to announce that I've been invited to be the newest weekly author of Widow's Voice, which is an amazing blog and resource for those in grief. This blog was one of the first resources I found after Jeremy died and I literally became obsessed with it for weeks, trying to soak up other people's experiences to somehow explain my own. It continues to be a healing place for me to connect with other people in this huge community I never knew existed. Widow's Voice is read in 147 countries, and viewed over 35,000 times a month!! It's compiled of multiple widowed people from different walks of life, with someone different writing each day. My first post will be next Thursday, and I will continue to post every Thursday after that. This is an incredible honor, and I see how God has given me the opportunity to continue using our story to show His love and mercy to others who need it. While I still struggle with this concept as a whole, I'm taking every chance to use what God is putting in front of me.

Thanks again for all your support. You all rock!

Versatile Blogger Award

A new blogger friend, over at One Brownie at a time, gave me this sweet award today! If you haven't checked out her blog, you should. It's the I can't come up with anything to write about so I write about everything Versatile Blogger award!

Okay, this is how it works: I tell you a few things about myself and award some new blogs I'm following.

7 new things about me? I don't know if I can come up with that many.

1.  I have anxiety about being late. I HATE it. It's one a few things that can really get my temper going, and my heart rate up. Needless to say, I have kids, so I'm anxious a lot.

2. I have a few nicknames I go by (Vee, Veron) but it makes me so mad when people call me Ronnie, or Virginia, or worse, Victoria. All of these names are associated with people in my childhood I didn't like.

3. I am not an animal lover. I love little baby kittens, puppies, etc. but overall, I just don't really like animals. They make me nervous. If that makes me a horrible person in your eyes, I apologize.

4. My past occupations have included: Sandwich artist, photography framer, waitress, dish washer, babysitter, singer, performer, bartender, preschool teacher, and child center worker.

5. I can do vocal percussion. That right, I can beat box. I learned it when I was in an all-girl's Acappella group, and got pretty decent at it. I likely won't do it for you if you ask me to, but I promise I can.

6. I absolutely DESPISE the scent 'Love Spell' by Victoria Secret. It makes me sick to my stomach, and smells like literal vomit to me. 

7. My favorite evening involves putting the kids to bed, curling up with the hubs with a snack, my cozy blanket, and watching Friends. 

There ya have it. I can't even remember if they are things I've shared on this blog before. And I'm too lazy to cross check it right now.

Now, I will pass on the nominations:

It's "A" Sweet Life

The MVP of Mesa Town

The Mommy Mambo

Minivan Mommy

Check these ladies out!

Honest Scrap Award

Took me a bit to finally post this, but a sweet blogger from Mommy's Sippy Cup, gave me this awesome award, so I gotta share the love.

So, here's how it works: I have to share 10 random things about myself and then pass this award on to 1o of my favorite bloggers.

I know how much you LOVE reading random information about me! Here's 10 more:

1. I love love LOVE (did I mention love?) foot rubs/foot massages/pedicures!

2. I think one of the sexiest things on a man has to be toned shoulders/arms.

3. Today, one of my preschoolers said in the middle of a center "Miss Veronica, I was just staring at you." To which I replied, "Why?" "Because I love you!" - seriously, does it get any cuter?!?

4. I have become obsessed with Glee. It's the only show since Friends went off the air that I HAVE to watch. The writing is brilliant, it's such a great show!

5. When I was in 2nd grade, my entire family went to the ice capades without me (I had to go to school). Apparently, my mom was teaching me a lesson about lying, but I have idea what I lied about - but I am still traumatized by this event!

6. I check my blog followers every day. I know, I'm a nerd, but it's so exciting to get a new follower!

7. I love to color. Like good old fashioned, coloring book coloring! I have some of my own coloring books that I've done from start to finish!

8. I have a large birthmark on my head, just above my right ear.

9. I desperately want to travel through Europe. Such rich culture I'd love to see!

10. I can't stand the smell of Love Spell by Victoria Secret. Call me crazy, but it literally smells like vomit to me!

I'm passing this award on to:

1. http://lindsaycramp.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.mommymoment.ca/

3. http://wwwbobbypinsboardwalk.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.confessionsfromaworkingmom.com/

5. http://emilymackenzie.blogspot.com/

6. http://www.thegenerationxmomblog.com/

7. http://peaceloveandpizzadough.blogspot.com/

8. http://kitchentableproductions.blogspot.com/

9. http://www.lifeaccordingtoamanda.com/

10. http://myarmyoffive.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Blogger

Maybe when I'm a blogging veteran, blogger awards won't take over my posts. But for now, in my giddy school girl excitement, I am proud to display my awards...this is only my second:

Thanks to CA Girl for the nomination! Here are the rules:

1. Thank then link to the person that gave you the award

2. Pass this award on to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered & whom you think are fantastic

3. Contact said Blogs to let them know they've won

4. State 7 Things about yourself!

In no particular order.....

1. Outnumbered by 3 Stooges!!

2. Capitol Heights Mom

3. A daily scoop of choas

4. Live.Love.Laugh

5. Livin' the Great Life!

6. Taulman Times: Special Edition

7. Sugar, Spice, and a little bit of life

8. The Adventures and Mishaps of Mrs. Amy B

9. Kitchen Table Productions

10. Life According to Amanda

11. A Bunch of my Nonsense

12. The Transient Pod

13. The Coffee Spot

14. Faith for the Journey

15. My Southern California Life

Okay, and now 7 things about myself:

1. I was slimed on Nickelodeon when I was 8.

2. I tend to use 12 words where 2 will do.

3. I heart Gerard Butler.

4. Singing is my passion, scrapbooking is my hobby.

5. I pick my wedgies when no one is looking. Or maybe when people are looking. You can't just leave it there.

6. Anyone who knows me know that I HATE fish. Due to a series of unfortunate events in my childhood, I have a very irrational phobia of them...or anything that lives in the water. I'm actually much better than I used to be. 

7. I can beat box. I learned vocal percussion out of necessity when I traveled in an all girl's Acappella group. I likely won't do it for you if you ask, but I promise I can!

My first blogger award

I received an award and Im sharing the sunshine!

I just received my first blogger award from my new friend @ A Daily Scoop of Chaos!

I'm super excited to share my sunshine! Thanks!

Now as a recipient of this award I now have to share it with some other fabulous bloggers.
Here are the rules:
- Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
- Pass the award onto 7 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

And the awards go to...

1.  Lucy @ Lucy's Life - One of the first blogs I followed, she has a great writing style, and always have something yummy cookin' up in the kitchen!

2.  My dear friend Katy @ The Travis Family Blog She's always a ball of sunshine, and has recently committed to some amazing frugal challanges

3. Lovely Lupie - My sweet friend from way back talks about her struggle with Lupus (among a billion other complications) and how she manages to stay strong and be a great mom/wife - what a woman! 

4. Room to Inspire - love love LOVE her style and all the cool things she comes up with!

5. My Husband's Watching TV - love her style, she always makes me laugh!

6. CA Girl - Another new blogger friend, her last post cracked my up!

7. Fitness: A Journey not a Destination - LOVE this blog and all it's inspirations...totally little everyday motivations

Share the Sunshine! =]