{ on awards and speeches }

{tap. tap. tap.}  "Yes. Thank you.  I am so honored to be here.  I can't tell you how many times {wipes tear} I have dreamed of this. And you, my sweet fans, have made this {shakes award in the air with fervor} possible.  I know I only have a minute, but I want to shout out a huge thank you to my fans, friends, Ryan Reynolds, the producer and director of this latest achievement, and {places hand on heart} my family - my support crew.  Thank you! {Blows kisses and waves}"

So, that was my speech I wrote out for when I accept my Emmy, Grammy, or whatever award I will receive when I am rich and famous and in a movie {with Ryan Reynolds}, or a singer or something.  You know, Just. In. Case.  I feel everyone should have a speech tucked away in a file somewhere for such an occasion. You never know when you'll need it.  When writing yours, feel free to add my name among those people you will thank.  

You're welcome.

Why am I whipping out my acceptance speech?  Glad you asked.  It's all because my dear friend of don't ask how many years, Mindy, who has awarded me the Liebster Blog award.  {Go check out her cute teaching blog and TPT shop!} Ready for a vocab lesson?  Liebster, in German, means "beloved" or "dearest".  {Oh, the knowledge one gains while reading these posts. Again, you're welcome.}  

>>> my re-designed liebster award <<<

The Liebster Blog Award is kind of like a pay-it-forward type award that recognizes your favorite smaller bloggers {ones with less than 200 followers} to help them get a little bit more recognition.  Mindy was able to create a Liebster posse and now it's my turn to create a 'beloved' posse of my own.  So here's my five posse members that I think are a pretty big deal on their blogs. ;)

01. Carrie from Rowdy Stroudy's 

02. Kayli from This LDS Military Wife

03. Em from Inspired Coincidences 

04. Larissa from Papa Is A Preacher

05. Camryn from Mean Mommy University

Alright dearest nominees, go forth, award 5 more bloggers {remember to let them know about it}, and spread the Liebster Love.  

And while we're on the subject of acceptance speeches, this blog would not be possible without these:

01. chairs. 02. the alphabet. 03. vanilla coke zero aka heaven on earth. 04. my computer. 05. photoshop. 06. night-time so I can blog uninterrupted. 07. my favorite my kids' favorite fruit snacks.

So thank you.

{Insert applause here.}

Hope you all have a great weekend! -xoxo

{ things that make me happy }

I was tickled pink when I received a message from Joni over at Six Cherries On Top telling me that she had an award for me.

*squeal*

I am so flattered that she thought this little ol' blog was deserving of this:

Isn't it sad when a simple little picture makes your day?

It did mine.

So here's the rules for accepting this award . . .

1. Copy and Paste the award on your blog.

2. Tell who gave you the award and link to that person's blog.

3. List 10 things that make you happy.

4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.

Easy, right? So here I go.

10 Things That Make Me Happy.

{ 1 } Rascall Flatts.

{ 2 } My kids being polite and respectful without me even telling them to be - a.k.a. proud Mommy Moment.

{ 3 } Cadburry Mini Eggs.

{ 4 } Texas Sheet Cake.

{ 5 } Horse back riding.

{ 6 } Singing when no one's watching.

{ 7 } Open windows.

{ 8 } Meadowlarks.

{ 9 } The color Green.

{ 10 } My religion.

The Pickings.

Mean Mommy University

{stop giggling - you knew I would}

Surviving a Family of Nine

Handprints of the Heart

Emmy Mom - One Day at a Time

For The Love

Oh, there are so many more blogs I could mention, but I have decided to put a limit on my computer time, and well, it is *that* time. Plus I need to take care of the putrid smell that is coming from the overflowing dishes in my kitchen sink...

*sigh*

xoxo

jordan

{ more little snippets into my life }

So Amy at handprintsoftheheart.blogspot.com gave me the coveted Honest Scrap Award. Even though you can't see me, I'm still doing a little Improvisational Riverdance Jig. Trust me, you should be thanking your lucky stars that you can't see me. It's quite embarrassing. And rumors are floating around my family that there is actual video footage of this monstrosity.

But I digress...

I usually don't pass on awards {one, I'm lazy busy, and two, there are too many great blogs to choose from, which makes me feel guilty if I leave someone out}. But I feel that every now and then, the situation arises where blogs should be named. And awarded. The rules? State 10 Facts about yourself that people don't know, then tag 10 people {let them know by leaving a comment on their blog}, and last give credit to the person who gave it to you! Now let's begin:

1 | I did not graduate from high school. WHA?!?!?!? Nope- 'cuz I was home schooled from 3rd grade on. How's that for shocker? {And yet, I can navigate my way around a computer way better than Mr. Smith, who like, did. Graduate that is.}

2 | I've been asked if I am related to Naomi Watts. You be the judge.

3 | I would kill to be 5'4". Sadly, I never reached 5'1".

4 | I still own and wear a pair of pants from jr. high. Black nylon athletic pants with a white stripe down the sides aren't too out of style, right?

5 | I'm obsessed with refinishing furniture. Here's a few before and afters {excuse the blurriness}:

6 | I heart me a good book. C.S. Lewis just happens to be my favorite author.of.all.time.

7 | I also 'curl up' and 'hang out' with books I have multiple copies of.

{idea from here and here}

8 | Even though I love all animals, big and small, I am a dog person. And even though I love all kinds of dogs, big and small, I am a BIG dog person. My dog of choice? The German Rottweiler of course. Seriously people- we owned one. {Had to get rid of him before we moved and I STILL cry when I think too much about it. But he went back to live with his mommy, so it was good.} I have never met a dog so loyal and loving. Mr. Smith said we could get another one when we get our own house. Or a yard.

{The photos of our dog are stuck on my mom's computer, but he looked just like this one [found here]. As soon as she is able to get those pics to me, I'll switch it.}

9 | You will never meet anyone with worse car luck than me and my hubby. Two Octobers ago, we were on car #19 {used Acura Integra} in our almost 7 years of marriage. It was leaking oil into the radiator. Bad sign. So me being the GENIUS that I am, said I want to go down and buy a brand new car {even though car #17 was brand new- just happened to be a Toyota lemon} so we don't have to worry about fixing it or having it breaking down. And I insisted on either Nissan or Subaru. We got a Nissan Frontier {love}. Went to start it yesterday. Wouldn't even click. Lights worked, so battery wasn't dead. It's not even a year and a half old yet. Called a tow company to take it to the service department. Diagnosis? Battery is bad. And they don't know why the check engine light is on. Sweet. Starter? Ignition? Electrical? Who knows. All I know is that we're cursed. And here's proof: Car #18 {used Toyota 4-runner} blew a head gasket 3 days after we bought it. Car #10 {used Chevy Suburban} got stolen. And was used in a hit and run. Car #9 {another suburban- I used my angry eyes on Mr. Smith} was a scam. Car #12 {used Ford F-150} was returned to the dealer because they "accidentally" wrote down an extra $2000 for the down payment and then a month later realized this and demanded that we pay it. ?? Okay- here's the truck back. Car #17 {used Honda Civic} got broken into and gutted in a Walmart parking lot. Car #14 {Isuzu Trooper} decided to have steering wheel problems a year after we bought it- of course it manifested this problem while I was driving. Almost lost control of the car. And my bladder. And the list goes on. All the other cars {with the exception of one Toyota Tacoma that was a dealership scam- do NOT go to Brent Brown Toyota in UT. They twist their words and paraphrase contracts so you think you're getting something else when you're not}, where little tuner cars 'cuz Mr. Smith has a really bad addiction hobby of tinkering with cars. Which has put us and saved us in our Car Conundrums- seriously. Our luck could be worse. Thankfully I have someone who knows his way around an engine. Until yesterday. Pray that my baby's problems will be covered under warranty, ok?

10 | I am a firm believer that if fact #9 is really long, it counts as two facts.

And here are the lucky bloggers I picked, in no particular order:

1 | Glamazon

2 | Wym @ Texas Britches

3 | I'm NOT a Volcano! . . . and other such stories.

4 | Jess @ All Tied Up

5 | Mindi's Manic Meanderings

6 | Cassity @ remodelaholic.com

7 | Kristi @ Your Sugar Rush

8 | As Sistas In Zion

9 | Julia @ Everyday Mom Ideas

10 | Heather @ Step Inside

Now you lucky 10-ers, feel free to accept the award, or not, but we'd love to get to know you better and see who you would nominate, but no pressure, k? And now I bid you all a fond farewell- we're off to Texas for a week! I may post something tomorrow before we leave, but also remember to check in Monday over at MMU to see what Cam has in store.

xoxo

jordan

{ a little snippet of my life }

Dear diet:

You say that I can only eat half a grapefruit.

FINE.

I'll ONLY eat half a grapefruit.

And this is awe.some:

And speaking of awesome!!!! My sweet cousin over at MMU, you know the one, kinda crazy, blonde, hilarious??? {And I say all of that with LOVE} She was thoughtful enough to bestow upon me this super awesome award:

Now I must list 7 Interesting Things about me. Good. Gosh. I don't think my life is that interesting, but how 'bout I list 7 Things About Me....

1 | I've had a gerbil and a horse named after me. I've decided that a complex about this would be unnecessary extra baggage, so I have just accepted it without thinking too much into it. ;-)

2 | I shave my toes. Now before you go all "ewwwww!!!" and "groooossssss!!!!" I must say that I'm not all neanderthal or anything. I just like really smooth toes. And yes, I have sliced a toe or two in my lifetime- that hurts like the dickens!

3 | I used to do dressage, hunter and jumping with horses. I've ridden in a few horse shows back in the day. I made Mr. Smith swear on his life that someday we will have horses. And I will put on my riding boots, helmet and tan stretchy pants {with a really long shirt to cover up the ghetto booty I am currently sporting} and jump them all over the countryside. No, I will not french braid my hair and place an 80's style poofy scarf clip at the bottom.

4 | I am scared to death of driving a manual. I can do it, I just am super lousy at it. And then I stress out, which makes me drive even worse. So I made Mr. Smith VOW that I would only have to drive an automatic. He can own all the manual cars he wants to.

5 | I make Mr. Smith promise me a lot of things.

6 | In the 8 years of marriage, we have owned 21 cars. This is due to the fact that my hubby is obsessed with cars. It's his hobby. My little grease monkey. I am perfectly happy with my Frontier, but he has Massive Plans in the making for his little Honda Civic. Which, I am okay with him keeping because he gets over 50 mpg in that little piece of tinfoil.

7 | The summer of my senior year I had the opportunity to sing in a choir that toured Europe for 3 weeks. One of the most amazing times of my life. We were in each country for about 3 days, so I didn't get to fully soak in everything, but I wouldn't change it for the world! And since I'm tooting my own horn, singing my solo there in the middle of the Alps was one of the highlights of my high-school music career! {Although, the next summer I sang, played the piano and danced in a hotel bar- it was the only place that had a piano so we could practice our church songs.... that comes in an extremely close second... yes. I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus performed in front of a bunch of drunks. Sooo awesome. Did I mention that I got a few bucks in tips?}

Anyway- there's some things that you don't know about me! I won't hold a grudge if you decide right here and now to stop following. I would totally understand...

But here's hoping you stick around!

Now I'm off to drool over this guy:

xoxo

jordan

{ stay tuned... }

So I want to give a exuberant shout-out to Amber Lynae over at Seriously Amber Lynae!  She has said such kind words in her comments here at MMA, and now has been so generous as to pass on a Truly Amazing Award.  In fact, I feel that I really don't deserve it, BUT in light of the past week's trials, I am going to be greedy and take it and hoard it and love it!  It Is Mine.  So Amber,

Thank You.

You're timing is impeccable.

Here are the rules- I know, I know... but we gots ta share the love, right?  Make someone's day?  Brighten a week?  {My weeks would be a lot brighter if my kids didn't NEED a snack every 30 minutes... and ironically I just heard the fridge open and shut.} 

1 | Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
2 | Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
3 | Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
4 | Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
5 | Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

See?  The rules are a must- I didn't just make it up...

So here are my nominees for the 

Superior Scribbler Award:

1 | Mindy over at The Daily Sumens 

2 | Cat over at 4 Nuts in a Nutshell 

{give her some love as her sweetheart is serving our country}

3 | Camryn over at Mean Mommy University

{you were just waiting for it- hey- what's mine is hers, this is a partnership thing we've got going on- and she gives the greatest plugs.  AND did you know she's writing a book?!  Sorry, but I got first dibs when she gets published...}

4 | Gramee over at A View From Gramee's Porch

5 | Megan over at Married In Single Momland

I have loved reading these blogs and even though they remind me of my poor writing abilities, I can't help but go back and read...

Check them out!

AND please don't forget that tonight is the last night to enter this week's giveaway {posted here at MMU} because tomorrow is our Grand Finale!!!!!  Last giveaway of the summer- sisters, I'm telling ya, it's like Goosebump City!  {As in 'excited' goosebumps and not the 'creepy books' goosebumps.}  

{ fancy - FREE friday! }

Okay- so I am INSANELY under the weather, so in between puking sessions, I type the winner of last weeks amazing Twilight necklace!

The lucky number from Random.org is:

Congrats Chrissy!  Please email me at jordanriverblossom@yahoo.com to claim your prize and to receive the html codes for one of our lovely Mean Mommy Awards of your choosing!  And now, I must return to the bed of comfiness.  Remember to check here to see this weeks obnoxiously adorable giveaway at MMU!

{ camryn's corner }

She Cares!

{*sniff*}

Camryn {wipe tear} truly and deeply 

c

a

r

e

s

!

These are not only {blow nose}

Tears of Joy,

But they are also {tying to control breathing}

Tears of Laughter.

------------------------------

Go to Mean Mommy University and find out why she totally

made

my

day

.

Ya gotta love FAMILY.

And don't forget to enter here for this week's Fancy -- FREE giveaway!

Now for some side Business - - -

MMA received yet ANOTHER award!

Fabuloso!

I'm tickled pink

and would like to thank

Whiney Momma 

for being so outstandingly generous-

Flattered beyond words.

Now to share the love:

Here are the 5 blogs that I have chosen to also receive this award.

Raising Redheads

Seriously Amber Lynae

Show Me the Mom

Here's Lookin at You Kid

And, of course

Mean Mommy University

I'm not prejudiced, it's just that I LOVE that chica!

Now for the 'catch'

Oh, you KNEW there was going to be one, so NO complaining...

Here are the rules:

* Take your award and put the logo 

on your post.

* Link the person who awarded you. 

* Put your own blog title and link.

* Nominate at least five deserving 

moms.

Simple.

Now, ready?  Set? 

GO!

{ extra, extra, and one more extra? }

So I must say that I am STUNED beyond belief that Mean Mommy Academy was given yet ANOTHER award!  Not quite knowing what "Sushi Grade" is, MMA will gladly accept it anyway!  

I would just like to thank Moon n Star Mommy for this award- Oh, look.  Now I'm blushing...  

This award just proves to my sweetheart that it IS a good thing for me to keep blogging- that I'm not just wasting time {his VERY words just this morning-grrrr}.  And yes, my children might become a wee neglected, but it's worth it, right?  Don't we mommies have to have an outlet?  So thanks again Moon n Star Mommy for awarding my outlet...

{ extra, extra! read all about it! }

So I was insanely flattered when I received an award for my blog!  WHAT?!  Good heavens.  It's nice to know that there are people out there who can appreciates my 'weird' sense of humor {someone OTHER than Camryn @ mmu *wink*}!  

So here it is, framed in ALL it's glory:

Now, I don't know if I would call my blog "lovely"- But heck!  I'll take it!  Thanks to One Cluttered Brain for generously handing me this award...  {I promised myself I wouldn't cry...}  

And now with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat {I CAN get through this *sniff*}, I have the Glorious Honor of bestowing this award to 15 others of my choosing.  

I HATE making choices.  I loath and detest it.  I could never be a judge at a contest, because I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings.  I envy people out there who can 'tell it like it is' {Simon Cowell makes me cry}.  I don't know if it's lack of self confidence, or if it's something else, but I feel that people MUST/HAVE to like me- I don't care who they are.  Sadly, this quirk can attract weirdo's.  Growing up, they seemed to follow me around- simply because I was nice to them.  In their weird little minds, they thought "She smiled and talked to me!  We will be BFF's for the rest of ETERNITY!"  And then they wouldn't leave.  Dang it.  {Like one girl whom I met just once, for like 10 minutes, all of a sudden kept calling me almost every day, and she was WAY off her rocker- not even kidding.  And NO, I did not give her my phone number. She hunted me down... luckily she lived an hour away.}  

I'm trying to learn tact.  That's my "LIFE GOAL".  To figure out a way to be nice, but not weirdo-attractive.  Even though I was glad I could attract ONE weirdo:

So now that I have finished my ramblings... 

Here are my awardees:

1.  Mean Mommy University 

{I love her!  No, I really do! I wouldn't be here blogging if it weren't for Camryn.}

2. 4 Nuts In a Nutshell

3.  Forever Clever

4. Sherbet Blossom

5. Gwen and Boys

6. A Touch of Love Photography

7. Laughing at Life's Little Wedgies 

8. I Gotta B.

9. Good and Crazy People

10. Insanities of a Stay-At-Home Mom

11. Reb and Jeb and Our Little Men

12. Cheat Day Cafe

13. The Crafters Guru

14. Mommy Diaries

15. Time Flies

Alright, so here's the catch {isn't there always?}.  In order to accept this award, you must place the award on your blog along with the name of the person who has granted the award and pass the "love" to 15 other blogs {preferably recently discovered ones- but I cheated a little}!  Leave them a comment on their blog to let them know they have been chosen and watch the Award Love spread!   This is totally just for fun- I will have no stressing during all this.  Understood?  Breathe in.  Take your time.  It really is all rather exciting...

{ the gold star sticker file }

Here are the AMAZING awards that MMA has received!

{thanks Camryn}

x's 2

{thanks One Cluttered Brain and Moon n Star Mommy}

{thanks Moon n Star Mommy}

{thanks Camryn}

{thanks Whiney Momma}

{thanks Amber Lynae}

{thanks Camryn}

{thanks Cat}

I am FLATTERED beyond words!

{ extra credit }

Do you need extra credit for being a mom?  Let us know by leaving us comments here at mma and over at mmu- we may just award you with one of these beauties...