Sandy and Ruth have both blessed me with the "You Make Me Smile Award".    They've made me smile, too!!  Thank you, ladies!

This is what the person that created this award says about it:  "The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you."

I'd like to pass the award on to.....(insert drum roll here)

Melissa - a real-life friend who always makes me smile, whether I want to or not.  She's the one I call on those days when smiling is hard.  She's a wonderful friend and a great encourager.  Reading her blog should make you smile, too!

Nancy - another real-life friend who makes me smile with all the sweet things she does for me.  Her computer expertise makes me smile, too.  She's the one who helps me figure out everything I need to know or want to know about the technical side of blogging! 

HomeschoolingMommaOf4 - makes me smile because of all the great ideas I find on her blog.  I appreciate all the time she puts into sharing her ideas and unit research.  You can tell she makes her children smile, too, with all the fun things she does with them.

Michele  - because of how many times she's said sweet things about my blog.  Her blog is a treasure with all sorts of ideas, pictures and inspiration.  Her smile comes through in her writings which makes her blog a very friendly place to be.

Dawn - because of all the practical ideas she's given me through her writings, pictures and tutorials.  I smile everytime I see her blog highlighted in my Bloglines account.  I open her blog with great anticipation of what treasure might await me!

As usual, I could give this award to so many more.  If I'm your "friend", you've made me smile!  Feel free to take the award and say, "Cindy gave it to me!"