Beautiful Blogger Award

Thank you to Marie @ My Expected End for giving me this award!

Here's the so-called rules. I am to post 7 things about myself, and pass the award along to 7 beautiful bloggers. But I'm all for breaking the rules tonight. I'm not going to share about myself but share 7 memories from the time of Carleigh's birth.

1.) The staff at the cafeteria made homemade muffins and bread for my family and also brought them drinks the morning of my induction.

2.) I was able to eat 2 cherry popsicles during labor. Flavored ice never tasted so good.

3.) My friend, Ashley, came and took pictures during my labor and the delivery and even after. It was actually the first time we ever met in person but it felt like we'd known each other for such a long time. The moments she captured are priceless. And she held my leg that was dead weight for a little bit for the nurses as they set me up to push.

4.) I had KLOVE playing on the radio in the background during labor just like I had during Kyndra's labor.

5.) Almost everyone who came down to be with us that day stayed the whole time. We had over 20 people (family members and a few friends) there to support us. Our support team took up a couple waiting rooms! They were quite the troopers sleeping in chairs and sticking it out with us.

6.) The day after Carleigh's birth I walked the halls of the mother baby floor with her cradled in my arms so that I could get out of my room for a little bit.

7.) I'll never forget the moment she was placed in my arms. While I was gazing at my beautiful daughter, my nurse was checking for her heart rate with a tiny stethoscope. But she couldn't hear anything because she was already gone. I wasn't really aware of anything else that went on around me because I was so focused on her.

Seven people I nominate for this award. (I can only nominate seven, so I will try to nominate people I have not nominated in the past, but to all my readers consider consider yourself nominated!)

1.) Trisha @ Looking for Blue Sky
I first met Trisha when she visited my blog and then I visited hers. The first post I read of hers was her Drowning post, which is excellent. Trisha's son Nate was born with a heart defect and graced the earth for 25 days before leaving for Heaven. She's given me a lot of support and for that I am so thankful!

2.) Jenny @ His Grace Is Sufficient
I met Jenny through Walking With You (hosted by my #3 person!) and began following her journey. Jenny has a son, Isaiah, who went to Heaven on August 3, 2008. You can feel the love she has for her son in her words. Plans are in the works to meet some day!

3.) Kelly @ The Beauty of Sufficient Grace
Kelly's ministry (Sufficient Grace Ministries) is one that is close to my heart and helps so many grieving parents. Her words are always so comforting and well written and the love behind them always shines through. I had the privilege of meeting Kelly over the summer. She is mommy to twin girls, Faith & Grace, and to a little boy, Thomas, in Heaven.

4.) Mary @ Our Angel Amiee
Mary and I met on the anencephaly yahoo group ABFA. She has a beautiful daughter, Amiee, who was born with anencephaly on July 25 and lived for 43 hours. We were able to meet in October and it was wonderful! I feel a connection to Mary as we have a lot in common so hopefully I haven't annoyed her yet! lol

5.) Caroline @ The Croley Gang
Caroline has been a part of my journey since the very beginning as we were both in the same due date group. She's given me a lot of support and shown me much kindness over the past year and has become a great friend. Her daughter is even named Carly too! She has 2 little angels that await for her in Heaven.

6.) Kate @ Called Out One
Kate is my cousin so she is automatically cool. :) She is a pastor's wife and has an adorable little girl named Molly. She's down-to-earth and very lovable and I'm not just saying that because I love her and she's family. Watch out for her because she's gonna do great things for the Lord!

7. April @ Desires of the Heart
I found April through Lynnette's old meme Wednesday Walk Down Memory Lane and I couldn't help but love her! She's a beautiful mommy to her little boy, Jackson. She makes some really cool hats and jewelry too! She's a mommy I can relate to so well and is a great mommy/blogging friend.

There are my 7 fantastic nominees!