Friday, January 18, 2013

So I started a blog...

I resisted initially. And really, it's only been recently that I've even been a reader of blogs. But I've stumbled across a few I've found very helpful & plugged them into one of my favorite apps- flipboard. It's the "mommy blogs" that I find the most helpful, but even as I read them occasionally I wonder "how does she do it?  How does this woman with many children homeschool, care for her husband & home, run her business from her home, grow all her own produce, spend negative amounts of money by using coupons AND find time to blog about it all?!?" Okay, I was being a bit sarcastic, but that's how it feels sometimes when I look at the beautiful blogs with their nice pictures and nifty tips. Then I look across at the couch almost hidden under the laundry and think how I'd like to get it all folded and put away and have supper ready to serve when my husband walks in the door, but the baby fusses every time I put him down and when he's asleep I spend the time meeting need after need of the other four children and that is just normal LIFE! I don't have a special Pinterest project to blog about today and I didn't make homemade laundry soap and I don't have any coupons (although I would love to be doing all those things). What do I have to blog about? And how can I justify blogging when I'm struggling to get my first priority responsibilities taken care of?

(Okay, that sounded pretty negative. I'm sorry. It gets better, I won't stop until it does. )

Well, my husband helped me out with this. He gave me quite a list of reasons it's a good thing to do. And I thought of a few to add to the list.

1. It's a way to encourage. Stay at home moms have found a voice through blogging. We can encourage each other, learn from & teach one another.  Moms from all over the world can fulfill the Titus 2 call without ever leaving their homes & -with discipline- without neglecting first priorities.

2. It's a way to have a community. Moms who may never meet face to face can be in a community together. Moms who have met can keep in touch. Motherhood can be lonely even when we are NEVER alone. It helps to know we aren't alone in the daily uphill battle that motherhood sometimes feels like. We are all facing similar days, or we have or we will.

3. It's a way to remember.

4. It's a way to share Christ and His story for the world. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

Our youngest two-the "babies" (note the perpetual laundry couch in the background:-)


So those are some of the reasons I decided to take the plunge and start a blog.
 
My blogging friend Emily has a lot to do with it too:-)

17 comments:

  1. I'm proud of you! You're going to do great!

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  2. Beth sent me here :) Great start!

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  3. Those sounds like great reasons. Especially the community one - I have found a great community among bloggers, and it has been a real blessing.

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    1. Thank you Tracie! It's awesome to have community even when it's almost impossible to get out of the house.

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  4. When I started blogging several years ago, I became friends with several wonderful women that I eventually met in real life. I still correspond with them, and am thankful that God sent them into my life through blogging. I haven't blogged regularly in a few years, but you are motivating me to get back in it!!

    To be honest, my favorite blogs are written my women who do NOT have it all together, because it is an encouragement to me as I live my completely not together life. I'm actually a little suspect of bloggers who always appear to have it together. Love you sweet friend, and am proud of you for taking the leap!

    Xandra

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    1. Thank you! I definitely do not have it together, although I sometimes like to appear as though I do;-) Looking forward to your next blog post!

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  5. I've found that the community of bloggers is a great way to meet new people and interact when you can't get out to meet 'real' people. Take it from me, the virtual family that lives in this box have been, and will continue to be, an uplifting inspiration over the years. :)

    Congrats on your new blog. You're babies are beautiful. The little one even seems to be cheering you on. :)

    Best of luck!

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    1. Thank you so much Joni! Yes, he is a very encouraging baby:-)

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  6. Followed Beth's advice to stop by and check out your blog. You're off to a good start. Enjoy it!

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    1. Thank you so much for looking and commenting Stacy!

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  7. I came over from G+ with recommendation of Beth. I've been blogging since 2006 but it really didn't get noticed until about 2009. I was using the flawed thinking, "blog it and they will come". There's too much social media out there to have that work. Why blog? (my opinion) To share your ideas. To get feedback on your writing or photography. It's a creative outlet. It's also dominated by women which I didn't expect. Now it makes sense because women are typically more sociable than men.
    The toughest part is keeping it going when you don't get the feedback. Many visitors will read but not comment. The comment sections can be more interesting than the post at times. Join a blog challenge/meme/game. It's a good way to get your blog noticed. I like Friday Fragments by Mrs. 4444.
    all the best.

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    1. Thank you so much for the tip about the challenge/meme/game Bill! I see what you mean about feedback and so I really appreciate getting some!

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  8. This is a beautiful post. I'm very glad you've started a blog, for all of the reasons mentioned. You will love the sense of community. Here's my advice to you--Let blogging be an outlet, not another thing on your to-do list. It need not be a commitment--You don't owe anything to anyone, and we all appreciate what it's like to be a parent in your situation. It'll just be nice to see you when we see you :) And yes, feel free to join up with Friday Fragments--It's a simple, yet satisfying way to blog. To learn more about it, click on the Friday Fragments post at the top of my blog.

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you so much Mrs4444! I looked at your fragments and it looks great. I really appreciate your advice, something to come back to and read again as I get into this blogging swing of things.

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  9. Love reasons #1 and esp. #4! This is great. I will enjoy reading this for encouragement, community, laughter, edification, and teaching!

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    1. Thank you Maggie!I hope y'all are doing well:-)

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