A Little Soiree-UBP 2009 (Updated)

Welcome to Becoming Me. My Blogger ID is MrsNaz, but many already know me as Angela. If you are participating in the UBP hosted by 5 Minutes 4 Mom, I thank you for stopping by and hope that you will make yourselves at home.

If you are a regular visitor here, welcome back. I have enjoyed sharing my heart with you over the past year. Your prayers, comments, and encouragement make me thankful that I began communicating my personal journey with Christ in such a public forum. I now consider so many of you true friends.

There are many types of parties. I'm a soirée kind of girl, so if this were a real life event, I'd invite you into my home to share some decadent chocolate desserts, a glass of red wine or sparkling cider, and good conversation...probably a little icebreaker as well, because I love cultivating friendships and community.

Since this is not a live party, I'll just show you a picture or two of my favorite dessert bites. This way we can drool together...in the name of community.

The icebreaker portion of a gathering is when attendees can better get to know one another. So, in that spirit, here is a little introduction to Becoming Me and why I blog.

Each person accumulates stories from life experiences. Some stories tell of blistering, bitter, frightening seasons when emotional fires, droughts, or floods brought devastation to a heart. Other stories derive from adrenaline enhancing joy and blissful happiness from seasons decorated with wonderment and adventure. And then there are stories that may not carry emotion but still garner enough weight to impact life. The creator of the universe is both the author of and lead character in my life story. With every experience I learn more about who I am in Christ...more about becoming me...the mature me God designed to be completed in Heaven.

You can read more about me and my family here. Or, you can visit my other blog here. The nutshell version is this: I'm a wife of a college professor and the mother of two preschoolers. Pumpkindoodle is my 5 year-old daughter and Pickle (who may be given a new moniker soon) is my 2 year-old son.

I'm flawed and forgiven. Northern bred and raised, but currently live in the South. I'm quirky, talkative, and attentive; and whenever I take spiritual gift tests, I score highest on mercy and encouragement. I'm also a recovering perfectionist, and a lover of books, sunshine, waterfalls, coffee and cupcakes.

Some of the stories I share here on Becoming Me are about my experiences as a mother...the beauty and the heartache. Last year, I wrote very candidly about my experiences with Postpartum Mood Disorder, which is often referred to as Postpartum Depressions (PPD). But not all of my posts are related to motherhood, like this one. I have written about being a wife, being insecure, and being misunderstood. My goal is to write with a healthy dose of transparency, as I believe it key to spiritual growth.

The time I spend writing posts for Becoming Me is also a time when I fellowship with God. The stories that matter most to me are the ones I write while praying and researching scripture. Because, even though this blog has me in the title...it's really about Him.

So, now, it is your turn to share. Please tell me something about yourself and blog in the comment section.And those of you "regulars" tell me why you keep reading..I could use a pick-me-up after this last week. Also, please do come again. If you, like me, love celebrating the resurrection of our King each Easter Sunday, please consider participating in the Because of the Cross blog tour starting April 5.

Blessings to you,

Angela

PS--I almost forgot to add that there are fabulous prizes being offered at the UBP. My favorites would be as follows:

#1 - Artisan Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer offered by Moms Who Think. I am a mom, and I think this prize would make me very, very happy.

#2 - A $100 gift card from Pedal Cars and Retro--Little Pickle turns 2 next month---what a delight this would be. This prize is offered by 5 Minutes 4 Mom and it is a choice of a $100 gift card from either the store above or A Rocking Horse to Love.

#3 - Any of the $50 gift Cards to Target--and I already know what I want to buy there. Swim suits for the kids. They have these great ones that include swim shirts! As far as I could tel, there are three generous sites offering these gift cards and they are: Shoot Me Now , Agoosa, and Beginner Baby Blog.

#4 - A tile Picture Necklace from Simply Precious

If I do not win my top four choices, I'd be thrilled to pieces with any of the following numbers: 5, 8, 16, 48, 49, 50, 53, 56, 60,81, 82, 77, 79, 65, 68, 69, 75, 87, 89, 91, 93, 111, 112, 113, 114, 118, 121, 123, 125.

To view the entire prize list, click here. You do not need to be a blogger to be eligible to win!!