I'm {NOT} Back & Taking Care of Business

Hello again blogosphere!!! Oh, how I missed you. I'm back just in time for Not Me! Monday so let's get started...

I am NOT super neurotic and paranoid about being home alone at night. That is NOT the reason I've kept it quiet that I've been living alone with the kids for the past 5 months. My husband has NOT actually been away since December at a training academy for his new job as an air traffic controller.

My recent blog refriction was NOT a last-ditch attempt to catch up on household chores (wash the car, make room in the closet, bathe the dirty kids, etc) in order to convince my husband that I spent our five months apart responsibly caring for our children and home. I did NOT actually spend most of his time away parked on my fat butt in front of the computer blogging.

I am NOT secretly kind of sad that hubby is coming home in a few days because I am NOT disappointed that I'll have to spend my evenings with a flesh-and-blood person instead of with you, my pretend Internet friend.

I will NOT be having a huge giveaway in a few days to celebrate my husband's homecoming, and inside will NOT actually be celebrating mostly because I'll finally have some much-needed help with laundry, dishes, bathtime and bedtime! No, really honey, I missed your cover-hogging and snoring, and my excitement to have you home is all about you and NOT just about having someone to share the load with!__________________________________________________________________________________________
Taking care of business in my real life made me realize I need to do a little blog housekeeping too. First, I've been meaning to post the pictures of all the items I donated on your behalf to Operation Homefront. You left me 161 comments, and here are the 161 items sent in care packages to our hardworking soldiers.


Also, I have been collecting (hoarding) awards for the last couple of months and I think it's about time I bestowed some! First let me say how grateful I am that so many of you visit and comment on my blog regularly. I am thrilled that anyone reads it, let alone likes it! Thank you! Please let me take a minute to recognize my most loyal commenters and active followers.

I hereby bequeath this Super Follower award to these bloggers for following me, but also for their frequent comments and exceptional support of Two Under Two. Whew! Thank you! (You can right click the award and save to your computer if you'd like to post it on your own blog.)
Stefanie of Lexie Loo & Dylan Too
Alicia of More Than Words
Alicia of My Three Bs and Me
Kameron of A Wrinkle in Time
Alexia of The Mommy Rambles
Mighty M
Christina of Rant-Rave-Roll
Sally of Sally’s World
Heather at Sugar and Spice Mostly Nice
Susie of Susie’s Homemade
BlogBaby
Kelly of Two Kids, A Minivan and A Lot of Love
Brooke at Dinkypops No More
Shelli at I'm Too Busy To Blink And I Need A Pedicure
Courtney and the Boys
Keri at Life of Logan
Megan of Infertile Myrtle
Tim of Fort Thompson
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Tim of Fort Thompson and Heather of But I Don't Want To Be A Cowboy awarded me with this I'm A Fan Of Your Site award, (what a coincidence, I'm a fan of their sites too!) so I'm paying it forward to a few of my favorite blogs. If you're listed anywhere in either of my sidebars, I'm a huge fan of your site! (Email me at cari_berry@hotmail.com for the award's HTML code so you can post it in your sidebar - or just right click and save it to your computer!)
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I also received this Sisterhood Award from Brenda Lea of The Purple Lady's Art and Life. (Thanks Brenda Lea!) I'm passing it on to some "sisters" in the bloggy world that inspire me, impress me, and entertain me. These women also deserve my Loyal Followers award above, so go ahead girls, take it!(Right click the image to save it to your computer, then upload it to your own blog if you'd like!)
Lolli of Life is Sweet
Melinda of Bloggin it from the Burbs
Heather at But I Don't Want To Be A Cowboy
Maryanne at Thrifty Craft Mama
Heather at Adventures of Aidanpod
Rachel of Once Upon A Miracle
Elaine at Matters of the Heart
Rhiann at Through the Garden Gates (my real-life BFF)
Heather at Lack Therof (my real-life sister who just joined the bloggy world a few days ago! Please stop by and welcome her.)
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Most recently, sweet Maryanne of Thrifty Craft Mama gave me the “Premio Dardos” award for "bloggers who distinguish themselves for showing cultural values, ethics, great and fun writing skills, as well as individual values, through their creative writing." This is the second award Maryanne has given me, and she is both a loyal follower and frequent commenter on my blog, so I want to take a moment to give her a special shoutout! Thank you so much MaryAnne. You've been with me since the beginning, and I really appreciate you!

Thrifty Craft Mama is a blog focused on affordable craft and activity ideas for children. Maryanne is a creative and fantastic mommy of two (soon to be three!!!) with awesomely inspiring ideas that you absolutely MUST try with your own kids. If you haven't already, stop by and say hi, and pick up some tips for new and fun ways to connect with your kids.

That about covers it for housekeeping. Thanks for putting up with it, and with my recent blog refriction. Please be aware that Heather at Adventures of Aidanpod is doing some behind the scenes housekeeping - actually a full remodel! - of my blog. There is going to be a new look - and new title here at Two Under Two. Whew! very soon! So stay tuned for that!