5onFri(6)

today i thought i would pay homage to my top five favorite blogs. this is in no particular order.. they all mean something different to me and i love them all.

it's kind of like when we used to have artistic competitions as children and then force our  mom to determine who's was the best... she always copped out with a ...
"yours is the best for a seven year old... yours is the best for a 10 year old.." etc. i was the oldest and consistently felt jipped because clearly mine was the best overall and i felt strongly there should be some sort of recognition of that fact.
i was kind of a punkface.

so on that note...
my top five favorite blogs
(and i'm not including family/friends... since that just wouldn't be fair ;))

1. clover lane

sarah is my secret mothering mentor. when she says something i listen. she has wisdom and grace. strong opinions wrapped up nice and tight with humility. she is the neighbor i would love to have next door. she has given me courage with mothering instincts that are not always 'normal' or popular. she is old school and i absolutely adore that about her. she is the real deal. a lost art. a gem.

2. enjoying the small things

kelle is bigger than life. reading her blog is an experience onto itself. her writing takes you right there and her pictures surround you until you are quite sure you live in her living room. her journey with her daughter nella has opened my eyes and soul to a world i never thought i'd hold in my heart. special children. a magic chromosome. what it means and what it doesn't.  plus she is a good time. a really good time. she reminds you to get the black stilettos out of hibernation every once in awhile and i need that. she is a picture of balance in process... and i get lost in each and every post she gives.

3. from the natos
 

jami... oh man. this girl is funny. from the very first post i read i wanted to stalk her in real life. i have told her this fact so it's not weird. ;) she has this realness that is effervescent. yep i used effervescent. good word. :) she lets it all out there and trusts God to hold the pieces.. she has encouraged me to be an encourager .. and now watch out i'm leaving comments all over the place and trusting her that it doesn't make me annoying. ;) i appreciate her honesty, her humor and the fact the girl knows how to use a well placed cuss word. she is great. the end.

4. under the sycamore

ashley is crafty maccrafterson. incredible. her photog skills. her originality. her creativity. she has an attitude that gives away all these beautiful parts of herself and her how to's when others seem to want to keep it to themselves. she is a river that runneth over with amazingness. i dream of attending one of her photography conferences. no seriously.. i had a dream about it and it was sweet. :) i love her heart for her family and all things unique and beautiful. she stands amongst a picture of who she is and lets others be there too. she's a brave girl.

5. flower patch farmgirl

shannon is a weaver of words. she can pluck words from way up high and bring them down to where i can touch them and see them. she has strung my heart along a path that leads to a baby birthed in your heart instead of your womb. her adoption series was better than a good mini series. she asks the questions and lets God give the answers. she is a spring breeze. refreshing. honest. ready for the day that breeze brings summer behind it... waiting in anticipation for Him to move her. i love it. 

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so that is my list. i have several others that i love also...it is beautiful to me that women i have never met can speak words into my heart that God uses to refine and sharpen.. loosen and purify. our stories are worth something. when you write it down and release your grip on this journey of love and family and faith.. heartbreak and truth... this magical life. you become part of a bigger picture. you allow yourself to be used in ways you could not design yourself....
you become something real to yourself and to others... and that really is special.