Oh, the thinks you can think.

What a week of blessings. For one (as you know), I just celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary. I also won that very cool Philips digital photo frame from 5 Minutes For Mom. And then there were the nominations for the Thinking Blogger Award. Yes, you read that right. I'm pullin' a Noah and bringing 'em on two-by-two, as I was nominated twice in the same week. Now for those three people who regularly read my blog, you already know I'm completely just having fun with the fact that I was blessed to be nominated twice. Oh and for those who have never read my blog, I'm not bragging (stop, I am not). I really just hope to make you laugh a little since you're, you know, spending precious time reading my blog and all.

In all seriousness, I was nominated by Mayhem and Miracles and Blessed With Olive Plants Around My Table.

Mayhem and Miracles truly shares from her heart. And folks, she is a most incredible prayer warrior for fragile children. Her passionate prayers undoubtedly began with her own precious niece, Ashley. But if you look down the right sidebar on her blog, you'll see many more "little hearts in God's hands."

And then there's Becky over at Blessed With Olive Plants Around My Table. The name alone grabbed my attention as a new reader. Once there, Becky reeled me in with her spirit, sense of humor, commitment to God and family, and encouraging words (both her own and from God's word).

Thanks so much for considering me, ladies. I'd also like to thank the Academy and...sorry, got a bit carried away there. Let me interject here though. I know I stir those closest to me to think. A little. Just check out my 7yo daughter's anniversary letter below. Notice she signed her name, "Olivia H."
See how she's thinking already, adding the "H" in case we didn't know who she was (like there are so many other Olivia's in our life, lol).

Now it's my turn to tag 5 other bloggers who make me think. And this is tough because there are so many thought provoking writers in blogland, but I hope you'll enjoy checking out the following nominees who make me think;

• My Best Investments
  Okay, here's a dad blogger with a really funny sense of humor. Anyone who can make me laugh this hard and be this kind of father definitely makes me think.


• Our Seven Qtpies
  This lady is a hoot. She's got seven kids and a paintballing husband, wants a tattoo, loves the Lord and she's funny, folks. Really, anyone who can get their mother to start her own blog called Bring Your Own Cheese (the whine is free) is alright by me.


• Jeanine over at Roots.
  What can I say? Jeanine adopted a beautiful bunch of children so our hearts immediately have that connection. Jeanine takes so much delight God, her marriage and in her children that I feel uplifted every time I read her blog. As I strive to look at my own life as glass half full, I find am encouraged by Jeanine.


• Sue over at Praise and Coffee.
  Now I know Sue was just recently nominated. But as she inspires me to think deeply so many things (the freedom of forgiveness, for example), I couldn't resist nominating her again (and besides, I have no doubt she'll be nominated many more times in the future 'cause she reaaaally makes ya think).


• Beth Moore at Living Proof Ministries' blog.
  Okay, need I say more? I'm not even sure if it's "legal" to nominate someone "famous" (not to mention Beth surely must have at least a thousand such nominations already). But for those who know Beth, her ministry and her books, she needs no introduction at all. She's an incredibly gifted teacher of the word and she also happens to be (yep, you guessed it) incredibly funny.

So ladies and gents, here is what you need to do, if you want to participate:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the “Thinking Blogger Award” with a link to the post that you wrote. (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

Toni