On My Blog's Birthday--Encouragement for You

Although this blog has really only been active for about two years, it was exactly three years ago today that I sat down and wrote my first blog post.

I was living in a haze of new-baby-in-the-house fatigue, combined with the fact that I was also mothering the world's most active two year old. I was exhausted, but also slightly aghast over the fact that I had a lot to say, but no one to really say it to. So I created a quick blog, no fancy background or banner, and wrote my very first post.

And then I pretty much forgot about my blog for the better part of a year.

It wasn't until I started reading other blogs and saw how much fun they seemed to be having that I was really hooked. I knew I wanted to put my words, thoughts, experiences, and projects out there for others to see. I wanted feedback. I wanted interaction.

This is where my encouragement to new bloggers comes in.

Most bloggers don't wake up and find that their Followers list leaped to 1500 members while they were alseep or that they went to cook breakfast and had 300 people subscribe to their site. Please don't stress if you're a new blogger and you're discouraged by the numbers you see out there. Good things come to those who wait!

Some bloggers are truly shining stars; their work gets featured all over Blogland, and their blogs seem to explode overnight.

Most bloggers start small and build their blogs slowly and steadily, relationship by relationship, post by post. By interacting with other members of the blogging community and setting goals for myself in terms of consistency, I've been able to grow my blog from 1 or 2 original Followers (not even my mom read my blog!) to where I am now.

My blog is still tiny. A speck under a microscope in comparison with some of my favorite "mega-bloggers" out there. I won't ever be the biggest or the best or the funniest or the most talented. But that's okay.

I'm grateful for each and every single person who clicked that "Follow" button on my right sidebar over the past two years. It means more to me than you probably know. This blog doesn't fit into a traditional niche, so that anyone at all would care to continually click back over here to read what I have to say is immensely humbling as I think about it today. Thank you.

738 posts later, I'm still loving sharing with you all. I appreciate those of you who take the time to comment and let me know what you think. Your words uplift me and make me smile. They encourage me to keep posting!

I'm going to include my first post here...I think it's pretty neat that my original intent of finding a place to share what's on my mind hasn't changed.
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Look, Ma, I'm Bloggin'

My very first entry. Maybe you're wondering why a stay-at-home mom with a two year old and a newborn would take the time to post on a blog. When you stay at home all day with two little ones, it's hard to find an audience to discuss your ideas on politics, literature (yes, I am counting chick-lit and Cottage Living because that is all I have time to read these days!), current events, home life, and more!

It seems like most of my discussions involve a two year old and include stimulating topics such as Elmo, crackers, baby dolls, Elmo, doggies, juice, and did I say Elmo? My husband, bless his heart, isn't much of a conversationalist. I like to talk. Period. Although we share the same religious and political views, most of his free time is spent with his butt plastered to our leather couch and his eyes glued to the TV, so having a meaningful conversation when he is just off of work is sort of a lost cause. I've learned to wait until after he has finished watching The History Channel or Fox News before I make an effort to engage him. This blog is my attempt to branch out a little before insanity takes over. 

As Frank Costanza would say, "Serenity Now."

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Here's to another fabulous year and some more Serenity Now! I hope you'll be here to share it with me.

*Come back tomorrow to link up your best post of the week to Weekend Bloggy Reading:

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**Don't forget that Monday morning begins our first "I {Heart} My Crafty Cutter" linky party for all of your tips, tricks, and projects that are Silhouette/Cricut/Sizzix/Cuttlebug, etc. related. Anything pertaining to die cutting or die cutting machines (or even stenciling) is welcome! Click the button below for details.