Sunshine Award :)

I realize I caused some panic when I posted on IG that I had a surprise!  Oopsies:) I am NOT pregnant, yet!:)

I am completely and totally honored to say that I have been chosen by my sweet friend Allison over at Eggs Over Easy blog to be a nominee for the Sunshine Award!  This was a pleasant surprise during these dreary snow days we have been having:)

I am humbled that I have been able to make an impact in anyone's life, especially someone as sweet, courageous, and kind as Allison.  It truly is a blessing to have made a friend like you in this trying time!

So, what is the Sunshine Award you may be asking?

It is an award given by women in the infertility community to bloggers that they feel bring sunshine into the lives of others.  I am in awe of the support and the love that pours into my life from this community.  It is definitely not a community that I ever thought I would be a part of, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of these women's lives.  They are truly amazing people inside and out.  

Because I have been nominated for this award I will be answering ten question from Allison about myself.  I will then have the chance to nominate five ladies of my own for the award as well!

Here goes nothin'.

1. How did you know your husband was "the one"?

I wish I could say I knew my husband was "the one" the first time I met him, but I was young and silly.  The first time I met Todd I was absolutely infatuated and I knew he had a warm smile and a caring heart and that is what drew me to him in the first place.  Our story is a little different than most, but its a good one.  When we first started dating it was short lived. A whole whopping 3 months to be exact.  I would say now that I loved with him then I was just too dumb to see it.  We both dated a few people in between, but a year and a half later I found myself slowly become closer with him again.  In the "break" of our relationship I went through quite a bit and had  a lot of crappy guys in and out of my life that chose to take advantage of me and hurt me.  I became a little closed off and started re evaluating what I wanted.  As we began to go on some dates together and talk more and more often he asked if he could be my boyfriend, and of course I said yes!  It seems maybe cliche or not a big deal to some people, but to me, the night I knew he was the one was a big deal!  The exact moment I knew he was the one was a late night in my parents driveway when he made a move and I declined.  I told him I was not ready for that and I couldn't believe it... he actually said okay and did not whine or moan and groan about it, he just said "okay"!  He didn't pry and bug me at all again like every other guy had and to me that it a huge deal for a 17 year old boy to take those words and accept it.  I knew then that he was someone special!  Not to mention my parents loved him from day one and that says a lot when Daddy likes a guy! ;)

2. How far (if at all) would you continue fertility treatments?

Good question! I go back and forth on this one.  As of right now I think we have set a goal of doing two rounds of IVF before we would move on from treatments.  It is a tough call to make when to "give up".

3.What are you most looking forward to as a mommy?

I think watching Todd interact with his little boy or girl and seeing him experience all of the firsts and being born is going to be amazing to watch.  I am looking forward to the adventure, and believe it or not the work it takes to raise a child.  There cannot be anything in this world more fascinating than a child's imagination and watching them grow.

4. What is your happy place?

Just being at home just spending quality time with my Toddy and pups!

5. What is you biggest pet peeve?

This is easy. Loud mouth people!  I literally cringe when people say things just because they can.  The people who say "I know I am blunt BUT I speak my mind" or for those girls out there who say "I knowwww I am a Beep, BUT i speak my mind", ugh. Just ugh.  There is a difference between speaking your mind in certain times when necessary and speaking your mind 24/7.  If I said everything I "could" say I would be a very unhappy person I am sure of it.  I just wish more people thought about what they were going to say before they say it.  I know, wishful thinking, but I try and remind myself that these people are probably just hurting inside and that is how they are handling the pain.  Trust me it is so very hard at times to accept that. Haha!

6. Biggest life lessons learned?

Oh gosh there is not enough time in your day to listen to all the lessons I have learned in life, but I will say one in particular really strikes a cord with me. I have learned through all of this time and waiting and struggling to just lift my worries and doubts to God!  I have learned to talk to him when life gets me down and trust him when I feel everything is breaking.  When I re built my relationship with him it changed my life in so many unbelievable ways!

7. What is your biggest fear?

I literally hate this question because people always laugh at me, but whatever I will just throw it out there in all its weirdness....I am terrified of whales(all big animals in the water too, but mostly whales) and really big bodies of water, even pools that are deeper than about 4 feet. Oh, and yes I can swim.  I just freak out if I feel like something could be in the water.  It has gotten worse and worse over the years to the point where if a whale is on tv or a movie I can not even look at the screen.  I don't know why or remember when it began, but it is so real when the fear sets in.  I legit have nightmares about being attacked by whales.  SO dumb because honestly when am I going to come in contact with one?  I get it is silly, but I really can not even handle it!  I am probably completely goofy to be going on a beach vacation this Spring, but I think if I can see my feet and go in like knee dip I will be golden!

8. What is your dream vacation?

I would love to take a trip to Italy for a few weeks.  The food, the wine, the art, the traditions...it all is so fascinating and fun to me! One day maybe!

9. What is your favorite thing about family?

My favorite thing about family is the traditions we create and that feeling of being at "home".  It is an almost indescribable feeling of comfort when you are with your loved ones.  It does not matter where you are or what time of the day it is, it is just home when you are together!  That is the best feeling in the world to me.

10. What is your favorite book?

I have so many favorites because I am a book junkie so I will just give you my favorite I am reading right now!

"You're going to be okay" by Holley Gerth.  It is a must read for my fellow TTC girls and really for anyone going through a rough patch.

And of course the Bible.  I would have laughed if someone answered this question with that a few years ago, but it truly has become such a huge part of my life.  I never thought it to be interesting or as a book of stories and lessons until recently.  I now really enjoy reading and learning from it every day! I am so glad I have come to realize this.

Ahh done!  Now for the fun part! I get to nominate a few of my own ladies!

In no special order:

My dear friend Laura over at Andwithhope.blogspot.com
& Dessens_hope on IG 

The oh so lovely Amy over at Teambabylare.wordpress.com
& AmylynnoXTTC on IG

My sweet couragous friend Tiff over at www.tiffhop.wordpress.com
& HelloHopkins on IG

The sweetest girl ever Rachel over at Ourpumpkinseed.com
& TTC_Ourpumpkinseed on IG

The wonderful and spunky Nikki over at Journey2babyd.blogspot.com
& Nikki_TTC on IG

I love you girls with all my heart and I am so grateful for your love and support over the years!  Seeing your posts & our chats really do bring sunshine in to my life and others lives!  You all have amazing hearts that never cease to amaze me!  With this nomination you can either A. accept it and not continue from there with no problem;) or B. you can also join in on the fun and nominate 5 ladies of your choice for the award!  If you choose to accept then you will get the pleasure of answering ten questions about yourself from yours truly and then pass on ten of your questions to your ladies!! Here are your questions:)


1. What are some things you like to do as a stress reliever, if you have any?

2. What is your favorite memory as a child?

3. How many children do you want to have and is there any reasoning behind that?

4. I loved this question from Allison so I want to hear from you girls too on this..What are you most looking forward to about being a mama?

5. If you could choose one career to do for the rest of your life, money, schooling, means to do so, everything aside, what would you do?

6. How have your family and friends reacted to your issues with infertility and how has that affected you?

7. Other than your husband, who has been the biggest support for you through this time or just in life in general?

8. What is your favorite movie/tv shows?

9. Do you have plans for the future IF for some reason your plan to be a mommy does not happen with treatment? Such as, Is adoption an option for you?  I know I wonder a lot about what IF it really does not happen for us.

10. What is your favorite thing about the state you live in? If nothing, why do you not like where you are living?

I hope these questions are not too hard and are fair to ask!  I cannot wait to hear your answers!  Be sure to post on your blog and hashtag #SunshineAward on IG when you have posted!!