An award? For me? Yay thanks to Kelly for surprising me today with this Sunshine Award. I've been feeling little dumpy lately so this was a great way to help kick start my day.

So here's what I have to do...

1) tell you 10 things about myself
2) spread the Sunshine to 10 other blogs
3) let you know you've been awarded!

#1 I always knew I wanted a big family. I grew up an only child so I was determined to have more than one for sure. Originally 3 seemed like the magic number. But when Kyle turned 2 I longed for another sweet squishy smelling good baby. So along came Ryan...and same thing happened again when he turned 2. Well you guessed it baby Chase is 2 1/2 and that same feeling is coming again...I want to smell a yummy little baby...but since we haven't won the lottery I will just have to keep washing his hair in baby shampoo and baby wash.

#2 I want to live in the country with chickens, horses, and a huge garden.

#3 I want to be able to wake up early and go for a run before starting my day. But since Chase has recently decided he doesn't like sleeping through the night anymore it's really difficult to want to get up at 5:00...which leads to the next thing.

#4 I really wish I didn't have to work. I want to be able to do more and spend more time w/ my family. I want to give them everything and not be so worn out each day. It leads to a cranky mommy when I don't get my own time and I am working so hard to give to others.

#5 I have always wished I went to nursing school. I would love to deliver babies!

#6 I am super proud of all of my children and I feel so lucky that I was chosen to be their mom. They are truly to BEST children in the whole wide world. They are so well behaved, super smart, and I get compliments all the time about them. I try to keep those compliments in the front of my head instead of the ones like "are they ALL yours", "are you done?", "you have your hands full"...and so on and so on.

#7 I am always trying to lose those same 10-15 pounds...but I truly think I look pretty good for having 5 kids. And my husband tells me all the time I look great so I guess that's most important.

#8 I hate cleaning, but LOVE a clean house! It puts me in a great mood when it smells good in my house and I love to open the windows and the fresh air comes in.

#9 I leave secret messages for my kids around the house. If they are struggling with something or having a bad day I will leave little post-it notes about how special they are and to let them know they can do anything. I write on the chalk board in our kitchen each morning w/ a little quote for them to see right before they leave for school.

#10 I am not very organized and really wish I could afford for someone to come professionally organize my house...I can keep it that way if I could just get it together.

Oh and just for fun a few secrets...I'm secretly excited about Eminem being on the VMA's tonight b/c I'm a closet fan. I LOVE the Jersey Shore (my darn husband got me hooked). But there is also a movie on Lifetime about a student being in love w/ her hot male teacher. And I should really be reading a lot of books I have stacked on my night stand.

So now I have to send this award to some other bloggers who bring me Sunshine!

Kelly - Even though she was already awarded I wanted her to get it from me too b/c she completely inspired me when she had to be a single mom after her husband was transferred and they couldn't sell their house. She had to raise her 2 children by herself while not getting to see her husband except for the weekends.

Melissa - her weight loss journey is so inspiring! She has helped me to become a runner and her eating tips have helped keep me on track even when I wanted to cave. She works so hard at her job and raising her kids and can still keep her journey going.

Tyly I have recently found Tyly through another blog reader. I am inspired by here because she has finished the 30 Day Shred, she teaches 2nd grade, and and has goals set to lose 29 pounds before her 29th birthday. I'm excited to read more about her life.

Tami - Tami inspires me b/c she is setting out to set such a good example for her daughters through her healthy eating and awesome workouts. And she is super funny and the stories about her daughters crack me up!

Happy Sunday everyone!