a little anniversary crept by yesterday, so quietly i almost didn't realize it.
i've been writing "so much shouting, so much laughter" for two years.
when i started, i didn't know a thing about blogging. i didn't even read any blogs, except for an occasionally updated one by a former pastor.
i didn't know anything about html or widgets or seach engine optimization. (not that i know much about that now.)
i just knew that i needed to write.
one night, i came home from a weekend away, and started a blog. just like that. if i had to do it all over again, i probably would have imagined a shorter title, but i'm not changing it now. it's a line from an ani difranco song.
i had a baby who wasn't quite three months old. i needed a place where i was a mom, but not only a mom.
because i was still so many other things.
a woman.
a thinker.
a christian.
a writer.
i wanted a place where i could articulate my passions and wrestle through life and faith. and i wanted to share about my family with loved ones who are too far away.
this place began as a journal of this moment in time. Lord knows i was never going to scrapbook;)
a felicitous and unforeseen benefit of blogging has been connecting with other women: misty, michelle, penny, dorothy, tami, kelly, kelli, jenney, becky, heather, and more than i'm sure i'm forgetting.
if you had told me two years ago that blogging would create relationships with strangers in other parts of the country and across the world, i would have told you that was insane.
what kind of creeper becomes "friends" with people online?
um, apparently me, and i'm grateful for the connections, especially during a season of life that can be achingly isolating.
being home all day with tiny people is lonely. and wonderful. but lonely, nonetheless.
this space has made the distance seem narrower.
thank you, friends, for journeying along this pilgrim's way these past two years. i'm so grateful for your company.
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)
17 comments:
I have to admit I've been creepishly following you for a while now. Your posts are always refreshing because your perspective on life leaves me feeling encouraged without fail.
So keep writing what you're writing. I'm sure there are plenty of us creeping. :)
It does seem kind of weird to me when I say, "I have a friend who..." and people in my life ask, "What friend?" and I have to say, "Um, I read her blog."
But there are so many fantastic people in this big ol' world and I'm happy to have found really cool and inspirational people (like you).
Hey, Katie Jones! I have a friend named Katie Jones whose daughter is Katie Anne Jones. Isn't that neat?
happy 2 year anniversary suz!
i have loved reading your blog because it has allowed me to reconnect with you after years of separation (haha did that sound too dramatic?) and it now closes the gap of our distance between PA & IN.
i want you to know that God used you in a huge way in my life as my youth leader in high school. you made me comfortable to ask the big questions i was afraid to ask because i thought i would be judged. you helped impact the desire to grow in my relationship with Christ and you were supporting, loving, refreshing, and fun.
reconnecting on your blog has been another blessing, because i love reading your insight. i love reading about the kiddos and the trials of being a mom (which i can't wait to be one). i love reading about your passions and what you're learning. i love reading about what God is doing in your life.
so thank you. i love you dearly, appreciate you greatly, and feel truly blessed to be able to reconnect with you one here.
Yay!!! Congrats on the anniversary :)
Lots of hugs!!!
(and no, you are not creepy or strange in anyway for making friends with others online)
Congratulations! I just had my 2-year blogiversary on Feb. 2! (but I totally missed it and didn't write a post about it) I have been so blessed to re-connect with you and get to know your family. Here's to two more great years for both of us!
Congrats on two years! I'm a creeper too, and I love that you used that word.
Congratulations on your 2 year blogging anniversary! It's amazing to me how much comfort and support can be found within the blogging community. Between getting thoughts out in your own writing, to reading what so many other fabulous bloggers have to say...it's really quite incredible.
Keep up your fabulous writing! And thanks for mentioning little old me in your post! : ) I always enjoy reading your blog!
That's the same way I got into blogging. I couldn't agree with you more. Simply amazing the "relationships" I've gained through this silly creative outlet.
P.S. Thank you for the encouragement and prayers-- they are much appreciated. :)
Side note, my creeper friend: I've given you an award. :)
This is such a neat post. It is fun to see how and why people started blogging...I'll have to keep that idea on the back burner.
I have really enjoyed getting to "know" you through your blog. I was disappointed our camp didn't go to "camp day" at Cedarville Universtiy again this year because I was going to look up your husband. That is how I started reading you one year ago-he saw me wearing and cloth diapering Jack and said we could totally be online buddies!
Keep up the posts, and thanks for making this work-at-home mom feel not quite so isolated.
Just found your blog..and thank you for stopping by mine!! I love the name of your blog and I look forward to reading more! Congrats on 2yrs!! Our journey to the blogging world sounds very similar:)
love love LOVE this post. can i just copy and paste it into mine? it resonates with my soul so SO much. i love what you write about creepers, being lonely, scrapbooking (not for me, either), and feeling less naked when people respond. i'm glad we've crossed paths in the wide world of the web. really glad.
Happy blogoversary!
I really love the connections that can be made through the social web. It's also fun to meet the people IRL.
I enjoy hearing about what you are up to on the other side of the world, the family stuff, the Christian stuff, book things etc... it's all good. I think for many mothers, having an online community make the burdens lighter and the joys greater because they are shared.
Happy anniv! Hope you don't mind me creepin on ya =)
Happy 2 year aniversary! I completely identified with everything you wrote. I never imagined when I first got into bloggin how important it would become to helping me feel more connected and grounded. These online friendships are fun, and they help keep me going when I have doubts about parenting differently than the "normal" people in my part of the country.
So, I appreciate you, everything you write inspires me to live my life to the fullest.
Thanks! And here's to more and more blog-iversaries...
congrats on 2 years zan! i love hearing your beautiful voice and spirit through your writing. its a gift you give to "your readers" too! love you.
Is it wrong that I always come back to your blog b/c of the Ani quote? I've got a 3 yr old daughter, and you're so right about the wonderful and the lonely times with tiny people. :)
Thanks for writing!
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