5 Things I've Learned Blogging for 5 Years

In 5 years...

667,412 views
612 posts

• ►  2015 (7)

• ►  2014 (12)

• ►  2013 (19)

• ►  2012 (123)

• ►  2011 (316)

• ►  2010 (134)

Can you tell when I started homeschooling? aka #timeforwritingkiller

I tried to write every day during the fall of 2010, and through out the year in 2011, and in the summer and spring of 2012 before I officially started homeschooling. Obviously, it was either sleep or blog.

At first I chose blog, but then I felt a slight tinge of regret after being a cranky, overly tired teacher. I cut back to writing once a month, I missed it a lot, but wanted my family to always be first.

I kept the name "Curious Georgi" for almost 4 years, but finally bit the bullet and changed it to "Candra Georgi" as many bloggers and writers I know have gone from a cutesy name blog title to a blog title that has their name.

Ironically, [I am going to go out on an apple tree limb here and assume it has to do with the title I picked], my post Apple Bottom Genes had over 169,521 views! I'm going to assume "a few" from spam. Half a dozen other posts I have written each had tens of thousands of views each, those were mostly my Pinteresty My Father's World Kindergarten craft posts like M is for Moon & one post about how I met my husband. 

Probably the neatest thing that came out of writing, was I re-discovered a love for photography and out of that started a photography business! Who would have thought? Taking pictures for the blog each day, great my desire to improve my skills and one thing led to another and now I have a legit part time business. I love it. 

5 Things I've Learned Blogging In Five Years

1. Write What You Don't Want To
It's easy to blog about your accomplishments, but I've found that people have most respected and been ministered to when I write the raw, real, uncut truth. The things it's hard to write about because there is some potential judgement to be followed. However, I have found, it's less "how could you" and more "I'm right there with you".

2. Homeschool Daily or Blog Daily
You can not write a blog post everyday, or apparently even every week [and takes a short miracle to even every month] once you start homeschooling, unless you want to trade your sleep. I know this isn't true for everyone, it just so happen to be true for me. I take serious the responsibility to educate my kids, and it can't come second to anything. I love to write, but my time is limited these days, and so I do what I can, but my people come first, before you people. I say that in the nicest way possible.

3. Appearances Aren't Everything 
People will learn to see past your papyrus font, non-DSLR photos, grammar and lack of spelling skills if you are slightly funny and occasionally say something meaningful. Thank God!

4. Your Family Really Does Matter More
I mean, I love to minister to women, but my first ministry is to my family. First my husband, and then my kiddos. I will not have to give an account to God for all the women in cyber space I did not do a good job discipling, but I will have to give an account to the little disciples He gave me. It has been a struggle at times, but I am happy to report, I come back to this--- my family gets the first and best parts of my time, period.

5. Don't Reinvent The Wheel
If someone out there in cyber space has already done it, don't try to do it again. Find a new nitch, find a new corner, find something new to say. I could have blogged about all our homeschool weeks all these years, but you know there is already plenty of My Father's World or Classical Conversation blogs out there, but there isn't someone just like me out there sharing their heart... because I am the only me. Be you, write you, share you.

It's Hard To Say: I Have Something To Say

I meant to write this post yesterday because it was going to really kill my personality to not have written even ONE post all of May. I went to log into my account and I could not remember my log in and password---that's how bad I've fallen off the blogging wagon. I'm going to make this post appear written on May 31, because technically I wrote it in my mind yesterday, but until my web designer kindly reminded me today I was just able to log back in.

I don't really write much anymore for two reasons.

One, I find it hard to find the time. Two, I don't feel like I have anything to say.

Lately---Potty training, mobile nursing infant, finishing up one homeschool year and prepping for the next, exercising, adjusting schedules, possible baby blues, and cleaning for what feels like every moment of my day. Add in all the rest of the regulars and my day is full with little time left for personal endeavors. I do not think this is ideal, but it is what it is for now.

I would probably abandon this blog altogether if it was not for a super tiny voice reminding me that there's a slight possibility God's called me to write. My heart is to encourage other woman, namely in this season in my life---mothers. Although I find this ironic, as I do not feel I have much to offer. After all, there are plenty of other bloggers out there you can find just about any answer to any question you have. Why be redundant?

It is this incredibly weighted resistance to me writing that makes me curious. Why is the enemy trying so hard to keep my fingers from the keys? [if that is what it is]

Truth be told, I'm not sure how transparent you should be in blogging. Enough to be real and help others, but not so much everyone in the world is in your business when really only a handful of people should be. I've recently written many many posts in my mind, but wasn't sure how well they would translate to print.

If saying here how I feel or how I've been doing helps someone, I suppose it's worth it.

My life is beautiful and I really have no room to complain, but I find myself lately being pretty overwhelmed, angry and ungrateful. Jesus, sunshine, Vitamin D, exercise, sleep [well I could use more of that!] and comfort from my husband doesn't seem to completely cure it either. I've never had baby blues before, and I'm not even sure if having an 8 month old qualifies for that, but either way--- I just want to wake up and be thankful. Smile. Laugh. Be light-hearted. Have fun. Enjoy.

I don't want to be Martha. I want to be Mary.

I don't want to fuss and clean, and stress and yell, and miss the moments I'll never get back from today. More than ever I feel like I don't have much to say here, but here I am. Walking on this journey too. It's not as beautiful as Instagram makes it. Ha. It has a child who has accidents in their pants, a nursing baby who cluster feeds at night, a child who probably needs more time with me, a child who is still being trained to do things the first time their asked even if it requires every hair on my head turn grey first and me, who, when it comes down to it has a pretty selfish attitude.

But...I'm writing...and...

"He hears my voice...He bends down to listen...[He's] kind, good, protects.."

-Psalm 116:1-6

I Blog In My Mind

I blog in my mind...is it just me? I've gone from blogging almost daily to once a week. Part of me is wondering how I'm suppose to become the next great blogger with a track record like this [joke]---or---I just really miss writing about what I think/is happening to me.

To break the silence since Thursday---[annoying to some, or one] Papyrus font is making a come back on the blog.

Would you like a run down of my last month? 

Of course you don't, here goes

[insert list long list of complainants]

....included, but not limited to pregnancy nausea, family stomach virus, and several reasons to be on amoxicillin...

[realizes I have too much to be thankful, aborts this list]

I'm so thankful to be 9 weeks pregnant, although it's been nothing of the "death like symptoms" I've previously experienced in pregnancies, any all day nausea while chasing 3 little ones is challenging. I'm hopeful I'm around the corner---for several reasons---including our current family diet.

[included but not limited to]

-me cooking rarely, us eating out a lot

-child recognizable brand boxes of breakfast & snack foods that my children can open and feed themselves that I've kept them from eating their whole life

-personally having an aversion to most meat, veggies, and fruit [unless you include fruit cups in syrup] ieatcarbsonly.com

-me ordering food and then just looking at it

In my case, during the first trimester, I have to eat anything to try to get calories in. It's not always my mental preference for health, but I'm hopeful by the time my midwife starts her visits with me next month I can report I'm eating a steady diet of only spinach. 

Call me Popeye.

Or still be my friend, crunchy mommies.

Don't look in my pantry, re-fridge, or car.

Please, don't judge.

Pretend with me.

Yell at me if I'm eating like this after 12 weeks.

Did I mention I have an aversion to chocolate too?

Y'all know this is serious.

Why My Blogging Has Slowed Down...

...mainly because I sleep now.

Honestly, though. I have been trying to keep my New Year's Resolutions, one being, 8 hours of sleep. And with the new---

"Bun in the oven" [don't worry, my husband didn't get it either when I broke the news to him.]

Me: Come down here and look at the oven, something is wrong
Him: What? There's a bun in the oven.
Me: Uh Huh...........
Him: What's wrong with it? It's just a bun in the oven.
Me: Think about what you're saying
Him: [Finally got it]

So, if resolutions didn't motivate me to sleep, a poppy seed size child in my uterus has.

I've just been really focusing on trying to cook more, sleep more, and spend time with my family. Charles started a new part to his business at the turn of this year and it's going to be a busy month with 70+ hours and 6 day work weeks. Even if from home, I'm kinda single parenting it. It's just a small season, and sacrifice, not that it's easy, but I believe his desire to do this will pan out.

Some days have been easy.
Some days I've cried.
Some days I've wondered if homeschooling Nation has brought us closer or farther.
Some days I see that all the work to be done is...also in me...not just in my oldest only.
Some days my husband has gotten of work an hour early.
Some days he's gotten off work 6 hours later.
Some days the kids have almost died being boys.

It's life. I'm so thankful though for my God, my husband, my family and my church friends. All of them have brought [as corny as it sounds] sunshine into my life during this busy and transitional start to the year.

[Currently my 1 year old is chasing my 3 year old with a cheese grader around the house---should I stop blogging? Is this terribly unsafe?]

So I might write, I might not, I hope so. But at the end of the day if I've done what God told me to and I don't have time to share---it's a small sacrifice to be obedient to what He's called me to do with the precious few hours I have to fit it all in everyday.

Tonight, I feel that all is well with the world. Even if my kids are chasing each other around with kitchen supplies. It could be worse, I could be working out instead of blogging.

What transitions has your new year brought you?

First Blogiversary

365 days

335 posts

169 google followers friends
124 twitter followers friends
75 Curious Georgi facebook friends
18 feedburner subscribers

61,000[ish] page views

It all started one year ago, on our business trip to Ohio. Just wanted to say a big *in person* thank you to all of you who have read, shared, commented and just plain loved on me! It's been a pleasure & treat to get to know all of you. I recorded a Vlog below. You know I love you if I put makeup, fix my hair, and get out of my PJ's on a Monday. I did one take because that's all I had time for---excuse the double chin---note to self I'm going to use 5 cookbooks instead of 3 next time!

Love y'all!

If you'd like to "return" the thank you---please share my blog with your friends
 & family today via email or facebook or twitter or good old fashion word-of-
mouth! Thanks!

Have y'all had fun this past year?

Blogging 202

I recently wrote about Blogging 101 and had 20 tips

...it was overwhelming...so I've split it up now. 

Blogging 202 

10 more tips:

1. Use Blogger 

Okay, so you don't have to, but I think Wordpress is a little more difficult...from a readers perspective...and I also think it's harder to figure out how to "follow". If you don't use blogger, at least figure out a way to easily explain to readers how to comment and follow your blog.

2. Get a professional looking design

Nothing is more annoying that fiddling with free background quirkiness. Or...reading great content on an unprofessional-cheesy-distracting site. 

3. Get rid of Word Verification

Just go here and do it. It can annoy some readers & I've gone 6 months without it and never had any spam. When people would normally comment & connect with you...they won't...because they will be too lazy to fill in all those characters. 

4. Create Pages

These are like tabs to help your readers navigate easily to different subjects on your blog. For example, "About Me" or "Homeschooling" or "Contact".

5. Set up Feedburner

This is a free service that allows your readers to get your posts sent straight into their email every day.

6. Set up a StatCounter

Or really any site meter program that will calculate your traffic. Otherwise you figure that 1% [yes, it's a true statistic] of readers that are commenting must be your only readers. 

7. Mobilize your blog

Recently listened to Scott Stratten speak at Blissdom [watched keynote online] and learned that a large number of blog readers now read majority on their mobile devices. Making your blog available in an easier format for phone devices greatly increases your traffic [especially long term].

8. Use Twitter & Facebook

I'll be the first to admit, I was against ever ever ever having a Twitter account, but I can assure you those who read blogs and those who blog use Twitter. I know we're almost all on Facebook, so that's not new news to you, but did you know you can create a Page for you blog? It will be linked to your account, however you can make it private enough so that blog followers can follow your Page and not your personal account.

9. Amazon Associates

You can hyperlink products you mention on your blog and when people buy them, or really anything after clicking your link from Amazon during that session...you get a percentage from it. I love telling my readers where I got my favorite things, and it's a total bonus to get an extra few pennies for sharing. Hey, it adds up!

10. Understanding the Times

In general Saturday's [and Sunday's] aren't huge blog post reading days. That's "in general". So, I suggest saving your more favorite content for Monday-Friday. In regards to blog hops, people generally start at number 1 and read in order too. So I try to figure out when the blog owner normally posts the blog hop and be one of the first 25 [or first 50] to make the list. I find I get an extremely higher traffic volume doing this. When I comment on the blogs on blog hop, I start at the bottom of the list and go backwards. Blogs at the top get so much traffic they are less likely to follow you back to your blog, whereas the guys at the bottom will be grateful for your time you made to comment and most likely follow back.

Blogging 101

Six things I've learned after Six months of blogging:

1. Sometimes blogging is more appealing than sleep

2. You end up reading more blogs than blogging yourself

3. Eventually you'll idolize another blogger

4. Few things get you more excited than comments

5. You check your statcounter an unhealthy amount of times

6. After much effort you loose complete faith in topmommyblogs.com

...in all seriousness...

Blogging 101 

10 Tips:

I liked what Pioneer Woman had to say

I liked what Confessions of a Homeschooler had to say

I liked what Adventure in Babywearing had to say

I liked what A Holy Experience had to say

I hope you like what Curious Georgi had to say...

1. Write often

Personally I enjoy visiting the blogs more that I know will post daily. It's something to look forward too.  It doesn't have to be a lot, or fancy, but just something to make me smile, laugh, think, or be inspired by. I'm not suggesting quantity over quality, but I'm suggesting writing less randomly so your readers keep checking in.

2. Use pictures wisely

Again, it's a personal preference, but in-as-much-as-possible try to use your DSLR camera shots verses your iPhone 4 shots. Of God forbid...no photo. *shutters in disgust* [pun intended] Use Picnik collages. Know them. Love them. Free or spend $25 for a years membership that includes bonus options. As much as your readers love pictures of your kids, it's less annoying to see your 20 shots of the same facial pose in a collage verses a list of 20 in full size resolution size.

3. Blog Carnivals

[A.K.A. Blog Hops A.K.A. Photo Challenges.]

Simply put, people put a link on their post offering you the option to post something similar on your blog and then link back to them. They are wonderful. For sure the #1 reason why my blog sees 3-5,000 unique visitors a month. I participate in several blog hops a month as well as host on on Thursdays myself. To set up your own blog hop, check out the McLinky. The service use to be free, but is not $25 a year. My blog friend Ashley has an amazing list of several [of the photography nature] I suggest. I started with YouCapture.

4. Comment

The #2 reason for my traffic [I think] is because I visit others blog sites and comment. Typically they follow back from my comment to my site. Don't annoy them with your web address, they can find you without it. Say something you mean, actually try to make friends and don't just do it to get "followers". 

5. Predictability

For me, it not only eases me up to have some "easy" [not so time consuming] posts through-out the week, but it [I think] gives my readers something to look forward to. They know what to expect. More than likely, I'll always have a few same types of post on the same day every week. It's like laying your clothes out the night before...you're laying a theme out for yourself so when Thursday arrives...you have a general idea of what your blog post will wear that day. [That analogy went a little off course, but I'll leave it for kicks and giggles].

Mine lean more towards photo themes, but yours could be topic related. For example, I typically do Scripture & Snapshot picture post on Sundays, Wordless Wednesdays [although I am incapable of being wordless because I talk too much, thus I write too much], and Thankful Thursdays where I list my ten things I'm thankful for that week. The rest of the week I just write about what I feel led too. 

6. Schedule Posts

Learn to love them. Don't live by them, but learn to use them. On blogger, under "Post Options" at the bottom of your post you can schedule a post for any date or time. So...if you know you'll be out of town or having a busy week. Schedule some posts to post when you can't write everyday. It will save them like drafts until then. 

7. Share your struggles

It's a process. I'm not saying it came quickly, or I even completely honest yet...but I know that self bragging and my glory stories never encouraged any mom out there. It's been my raw, real, open heart surgery posts I've gotten the most gratitude for.

8. Stresses To Avoid

It's been nice to get the traffic from Topmommyblogs.com and I've enjoyed the businesses who have found me there and contacted me for compensation, reviews, giveaways, and such, but at the same time...they have made blogging slightly less what-it's-suppose-to-be-about. I have a love hate relationship with voting and those types of sites right now.

9. Remain in Reality

Me, typing this blog post at 1:08 AM is a classic example of how to not do that. Ha. I do have the permission of my husband to be up at this hour as we just finished a movie together, but always remember to put God & family first. As amazing as blogging is [and those you impact out in cyber world]. Your home is your first ministry. Let's just say, blogging has been a real opportunity for me to train my flesh, or better I should say, has shown me where I lack self discipline. 

10. Upside Down Blog

When we use words to encourage, bless, fill—we are feeding the poor in spirit.

When we give hope, present truth, cover with love—we are clothing the naked.

When we offer grace, tear down walls, replace lies with truth—we are setting the oppressed free. 

-Ann Voskamp

***

Blogging 202 can be found here

Thanks: Up

Dear Curious Georgi reader,

You!

Yes, you.

Thanks.

Just wanted to say...

 Thanks for reading.

Thanks for putting up with all my grammar errors.

[spell check just fixed "grammer"]

Thanks for sharing my posts.

Thanks for voting.

Thanks for reading "okay" posts.

Thanks for commenting.

Thanks for giving me an audience to create for.

Thanks for challenging me.

Thanks for understanding when I never replied.

Thanks for encouraging.

Thanks for listening.

Thanks.

***

P.S.

[P.S. is a section of the blog where I write un-edited for 5 minutes flat about whatever is on my mind. Enjoy. Or don't. Either way, here goes nothing. Or something.]

I should really use my iPhone stopwatch more. Come to think of it the last time I used my stop watch on my phone was probably when I was running intervals. That was fun. That was nice. Running was cool. It made me feel really strong and really powerful. I felt accomplished. I almost made it through Couch to 5K. Almost. I may or may not try that again. The running was actually getting easy, but my knees weren't so much enjoying it. Maybe after I lose some more weight it won't be so bad? I think I'm going to focus mainly on cutting back the calories and less on the cardio for now. Although, I do want to add in some P90X, I know strength training is good for fat burning. Working out at home will be nice. The gym is nice, but it's childcare center has more germs than the church's nursery. Ugh, if only it didn't. Actually, if only both didn't. Love those places, hate the germs.

New thought. 

Blogging. Again, in researching, studying, and listening about it all, I'm inspired and discouraged. Inspired to learn more, try more, practice more. "Get out there and do my thing", but then I look around at all the amazing blogs and sites and think...what's mine?" I don't suppose the point of anything we do in life is to necessary "make it to the top of the list", or "be the best". Isn't that what we teach our kids? Maybe I should remind myself. Being creative means being creative. It doesn't mean you have the be the-most-creative-one-out-there. I do so enjoy writing though. I have thirty seconds. What do I want to say? 15 seconds. 

I hope I can stop looking around, and just keep looking up.

***

Struggles of a Blogger

Do  you hear that sound? The sound of rain falling on a very cold Atlanta day. The sound of a toddler playing too loud. The sound of a baby waking up too early from their nap. The sound of a boy clipping his own nails. The sound of my Chai being warmed up [again]. The sound of the washer.

We've been playing outside everyday [despite the cold] for 1-3 hours, not always by choice, but being cooped up inside isn't their favorite either. Nation always loves it. Solomon, not so much. He needs more convincing, but once he's out and can't see me anymore he's off in his own little world for a good hour.

Since returning home, I'm trying to average just two playdates a week. Mixing in Wednesday morning bible study. That pretty much takes up our mornings lately. I'd like to get the kids back going to indoor play places, but have still be using most of my time to unpack, organize, and clean. 

I usually try to blog the night before or earlier in the morning, but I just didn't know what to blog about today. Let me rephrase that, I know what to blog about, but I don't have time to blog about what I want to blog about. That's okay. It will be good for another day when I don't have a baby in my lap and a toddler on my arm as I write to you.

I keep telling myself consistency and character development is what makes a good blog. Oh, and Jesus. Oops, I mean, exactly. Blogging fascinates me in so many ways. I'm learning a lot about obedience to the Lord, hearing His voice, seeing His heart on a matter, and trusting Him to do with this what He wants.

The temptation to pour more of myself [than allowed] into it is there. The temptation to make a name for myself [if that's even possible] is there. The temptation to get rich with gifts, gadgets and ads is there. I keep coming back to home plate. 

Why blog? What's the point?

Keeping Him in focus despite the world calling...it's definitely a place of growing.

I'm committed this year to be an upside down blogger.

Join me.

My Blog Emailed To You

If you like reading my blog, but would like a more convenient way...

...you might enjoy FeedBurner's [free] email delivery service. 

Every time I post you will get a copy sent straight to your email. 

Got 3 minutes?

I'll walk you through the 3 step process below...

***

STEP 1

Enter your email

Enter your email on the top right hand corner on my blog where it says 

"enter your email address" then click "Subscribe"

STEP 2

Word Verification

You will see this screen next and you'll need to type in a funny set of letters in that blank and then click on "Complete Subscription Request". 

[This is a preventive measure taken to avoid spammers.]

STEP 3

Email Verification

Log into your email and look in your Inbox [or Spam folder] for an email from FeedBurner with a subject that says "Activate your email subscription...". This is the most important step because if you do not verify by clicking on that link you will not receive the posts. Open your email from them and click on that long blue hyperlinked "http://...." link.

You're finished!

If you see this screen below...you did it!

[I used my sons email as an example]

I hope this helped. I personally don't use GoogleReader [yet], so I enjoy having my favorite bloggers posts delivered right to email so I never miss one. Let me know if you have any trouble.

Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#22]

Thankful This Week For...

...all of you that make up ME

[Ten women from 2010]

[oh and I shuffled the "order" so these really are random]

1-Naomi Shedd

I met her in middle school youth group [she was a leader] and haven't seen much of her since then, but she's recently come back into my life and I believe she'll be a vital part of my mentoring in 2011. [Or so I hope this blog post buys me a ticket.] There are just some people you meet and they have a lasting impression on you. Once in youth we anointed each others head with oil...just one greasy finger print...not Naomi...she looked at me and said, "Pour the whole jar on my head." She's wildly desperate for Him. [And she's wild.]

2-Elizabeth Rowell

She's prayerfully intense wrapped in hospitality [and sugar]. She bakes delicious calories. My new years resolution is to stay away from her. She and her husband are our small group leaders. We met just about a year ago, but she catalyzed and counseled Charles & I through an intense time in our marriage. Her prayers were felt in dark hour and if ever I felt alone, I knew I wasn't. She's Proverbs 31, straight up.

3-April Davidson

There was a time this year she fought for me so hard, she prayed herself [accidentally] right into the mens public restroom. "Going to bat for you"...has been replaced by "going to the men's restroom for you." She's that amazing pillar of faithfulness that has stuck with me through it all and although our lives are often opposite [and out of state] we find a common ground, or room, the CanApril room. Okay, so only she'll get this, but that's okay.

4-My mom

She's that friend you wish you had. You know the one you can call for anything, depend on for everything and talk to about all things. She's not jealous, competitive, or condemning towards me. She lifts me up. She loves me. Oh and she watches my kids when I need a break. Ha. She lets my family be who we are and she loves us just so. We don't always agree, but I'm so thankful for her help, especially this year.

5-Amy Heifner

In the spirit, she's famous, I'm sure of it, okay maybe even in Atlanta I feel like she's "Who's Who Among Godly Women" [if that exist, but she doesn't care, she's not like that]. She's got class, grace, and a presence about her I want to absorb from across our lunch dates at Houston's. She's hilarious, sharp and confident in her Savior. God strategically placed her in my life at the beginning of college and she's mentored me ever since. Sometimes more than others, but she's always there to bring me up higher, break me out, and this year...wake me up.

6-Sarah Martin

How could I not love the person whose life so similarly mirrors mine? Her last three kids are literally weeks apart from mine. Our daily conversations about diapers, destructions, and discipling have been a daily life saver for me. She's hilarious, prayerful, kind, and a down to earth woman. She's honest, grounded, and wise. This year I called and she answered. She was a real friend when I needed one. I've learned it's not so much what we have in common, but Who we have in common that makes me love her so.

7-Beth Moore

I'm not going to lie, I thought maybe I was too un-Baptist to participate in her studies, and maybe for a few pages every once in a while...I am. Yet, her studies this year [Revelation, Proverbs & Breaking Free] got me back into the Word. God has used her studies to grow my roots down deep once again. I'm also thankful that she loves me so much. I know you think I'm crazy, but she does. She doesn't know me, but I feel it through the screen on my TV and her words on the page. I also wouldn't mind if I met her this year...just sayin'.

8-Margaret Parham

Margaret has been my homebirth midwife for my last three children. I can not begin to express to you the relationship that has grown between us over the years. She's become very dear to my heart and I greatly respect her and the work she does. I am so thankful she gives of herself to offer me the blessed opportunity to birth at home [like earlier this March] with a Christian professional watching over me. She's hard on me about diet and exercise, but I've got three great births to thank her for. She promised me at least room for 5 more births in my file so you'll be hearing more about her...maybe 2012?

9-Luci Galloway

Luci is my pioneer woman. I feel like God has set her out before me to pave the way...to lead, guide and promise me I can make it where God has called me. She actually is the one who introduced me to Margaret. I'm hoping for her luck with number four [GIRL!] as she started off with three boys as well. She leads our local homeschool co-op and reaches out to me often even though I'm always traveling. And whether she's enjoyed it or not, she's been my go-to person over the years for all things organic and homeopathic. She's taking a liking to me [I think?] and I'm humbled...excited...and hopeful for more time with her in 2011.

10-Ann Voskamp

I don't know Ann personally, but her blog [Luci introduced me to, because she's good like that...always telling me about great blogs] has greatly ministered to me over the last several months. She's been inspirational as a disciple, wife, mother, educator, and writer. I admire her heart, respect her work, and am constantly awestruck by her writings. She paints images with words and weaves together heaven and earth in a practical-tangiable way for me . Somehow across that screen, she's daily causing me to rise up and never become settled with myself, my life or my God.

[and since 2011 is around the corner this list will include 11 instead of 10]

11-You

The women readers who humored me by reading my ramblings these past few months. Y'all have encouraged me, laughed with me [at me!] taught me, and inspired me. I'm thankful for your time. I'm committed to honoring it's value in 2011.

[If you aren't on the list, don't fret, if you know me, 

you shaped me for the better, and I'm thankful for you.]

***

Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#20]

This snow picture [taken by iPhone] is for You Capture's Photo Challenge

Thankful This Week For:

[For All My Ohio Favorites]

[1] Elizabeth Kilby

I'm so thankful she invited us to her daughter's first birthday even though I was a stranger. She has befriended me each week since...playdates, meetups, and our date night babysitter. She's a wonderful wife & mother, but also has such a sweet heart towards all those around her. She especially pours herself into girls transitioning into womanhood. We could all learn a lot from her hospitality and genuine love.

[2] Attractions

The kids & I go to see and experience so many neat local places & events I can hardly believe it's all going to fit into one scrapbook. I'm thankful that even though I always said I'd never want to come "somewhere boring like Ohio", I came to realize that there are places in "those states" that actually have lots to see and do. I will always miss driving down the highway and seeing all the gorgeous barns and fields too.

[3] The Lofts @ Willow Creek

I didn't want to mention it before [for safety reasons], but our apartment complex has been the best one we've stayed in yet. It was safe, gorgeous, full of things to do [pool! pool! pool!] and all the residents were really kind. [Well, most of them.] I'm going to miss my playroom and extra 500 square feet most, but I suppose my fenced in backyard will make up for it. No, it won't, but I will tell myself that anyways.

[4] To-Go Food

It was nice to have wonderful [for convince, not so much for calories] food around-the-corner. We ate House of Thai & Don Pablos many a nights...because I don't make Thai & Mexican like they do. I'm not even going to go into how much money we probably spent at the Chick-fil-a in Beavercreek. At least it's a Christian company, ha.

[5] Cincinnati [the mall & downtown]

It was the prettiest mall we visited in Ohio and our anniversary in downtown Cincinnati was magical. A must see fountain [at night].

[6] The Greene 

It's where my kids played in the water one month and where we froze our tushes off looking up at the snow covered Christmas tree another month. Caribou coffee gave me my first coffee drink I actually liked. And many much needed date nights. Oh, and let's not forget Noodles...best-mac-and-cheese-ever.

[7] Chicago

Okay, so technically this isn't in Ohio, but I'm thankful it was close because I've fallen in love with this city. I was already planning a trip back before we left. Perfect food, perfect attractions, perfect art, perfect entertainment, perfect architecture, perfect.

[8] Dayton Daily News

I'm so very thankful that after a very slow and unusual finance year we've been able to not only be provided work over the last 5 months, but provide work for many people as well.

[9] Parks

I feel as though this one should receive more than just one thankful mention because these parks in Dayton have been a saving grace for my boys and will definitely be the hardest thing I will have to leave behind. We have amazing parks in Atlanta, but I'm not sure I've ever been to anything as practical and gorgeous as this park. I will miss thee, for all occupying my kids while I cleaned out the car.

[10] A Reason To Blog

I'm thankful that this season in my life provided me the opportunity to start a blog. It started off as a way to keep up with everyone back in GA while here in OH, but has turned into a real outlet for me and [I hope] ministry...to those who read it. 

Be it...

a ministry of humor

a ministry of comradery

a ministry of advice

a ministry of love

I've enjoyed sharing what I believe God has given me and enjoyed receiving from all of you as well. I've fallen even more in love with God's creation of women. We are a special, precious, beautiful thing He has made. I think so many of you are fantastic and hope to continue to have the opportunity to watch God change us from glory to glory...one dish and sock at a time.

After leaving Ohio this weekend, we'll still be on the road [and living out of suitcases] for the next 4 weeks, but will return from our many adventures on [one month from today]...January 16th.

Look forward to my stories of: a week in GA for Christmas, a week in Houston, a week at my dad's ranch, and our cruise to the Caribbean.

***

Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Linking up at The Tarr Pit

***

Because you're thankful for me right? [ha!]