"I'm A Beauty" Award : April

I never realized how difficult it would be to choose one woman to recieve the award for April. Each nominee has a unique brand of beauty and a story that speaks volumes about what it means to be a wonderful mother. How could I choose just one? I couldn't. So I took each beautiful nominee and assigned them to a month. Every month, the blog will feature a new beautiful mother to represent the award and what it means. This month the featured beauty is:

Azareel was nominated by her daughter, Corinne. Here is what Corinne shared about her mother and why she chose to nominate her:
"About a year and a half ago, my mom went through something a little scary called Alopecia Areata. It is a disease where you lose your hair. It came on all of a sudden. Before the diagnosis we weren't sure what was going on. Our family was very concerned for my mother's health. She was diagnosed with Diabetes 5 years ago. We weren't sure if that was causing it or she had something else going on. Needless to say, she lost 90% percent of her hair on her head. Through prayer and medicine her hair is now all back, thank the Lord.
So the reason I want to nominate her is not only because she is So Beautiful on the Outside...(that's a given *wink*) She is beautiful on the inside! She showed such tremendous strength and Faith during the whole time she lost her hair and the length of time it took to grow back. My mom is such a strong woman who never doubted the Lord for a second, never complained or cried or ever asked the question "Why me?" Instead she looked at the positive! I remember her saying once ..."Well I always liked hats and always wanted to wear them but couldn't because of my big hair...but now I can." What a tremendous example she was! My mom is beautiful on the outside but most importantly she contains a beauty on the inside...one that only comes from being a God Fearing Woman! A woman I hope to become one day! "




Thank you, Azareel for being a shining example of what a beautiful mother truly means! Your story has greatly touched me as I'm sure it will everyone who reads this.
Be sure to check back next month to find out who the next nominee is. There is still time to nominate a woman who may know exemplifies an "I'm A Beauty" role model. Simply email the name, picture and reason for the nomination to the email address in the side bar. Congratulations Azareel!

Come Spring

As spring gently coaxes open the gorgeous, vibrant blooms of her waking flowers, I am reminded of the beauty that is the journey into motherhood. I watch my still pre-pre adolescent daughter playing with her dolls and know that her childhood days are numbered. Soon she will awaken to a new stage of life, much like the once dormant flowers that blossom in the warmth of the spring. She will change into a curvaceous, delicate woman, shedding her once clumsy, scraped up shell. I will try to guide her into the enigma that is womanhood, offering encouragement and a shoulder to cry on when the need arises.

She will know the airy joy that comes with first love. She will suffer the heart wrenching blow of her first break up. I will celebrate and grieve with her. We will fight fiercely as she tries to exert her independence and have her own way. She will call me the enemy as her hormones rage. I will lay in bed and sob for the carefree days we shared not so long ago. I will sit up and worry obsessively when she is even one minute late arriving home from dates. I will urge her to spread her wings and soar. Then I will shed tears of joy and sadness as I watch her leave the safety of our nest, to venture out on her own.

I will be there for her victories and trials. I will stand for her at her wedding, as she comes down the aisle, on the arm of her proud daddy. I will look on, in complete awe, as she delivers her first child, as if I have never experienced the miracle childbirth before that day. I will revel in the sweetness of my grandchildren. I will cherish the new dimension of my relationship with my daughter. The dimension that can only come from the role of motherhood and the profound understanding that occurs when you hold a tiny baby in your arms, vowing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe and well. We will attain a deep and meaningful friendship. It will be the reward that I've waited for since holding her for the first time. It will be the bond that cannot be broken. It will be motherhood, come full circle.

Take A Peek!

Happy April Fool's Day! I am pleased to share the "I'm A Beauty" award icon that will be bestowed upon the winner of this month's title:


The actual icon that will be available to place on your own blog or website, will be smaller, but you get the idea! There are still a few submissions that are without photos. If you wish your nominee's profile to include a picture, please email it to me immediately. I am working on the post this week and will be publishing it on Friday. Hurry and get in your last minute submissions for this prestigous award! Have a beautiful April 1st!