Wednesday, September 25, 2013

on blogging/not blogging


Sometimes there's just nothing to blog about, you know? And that's ok. Blogging is pretty silly most of the time anyway.

(But! Silliness aside, I am thankful for my blog. I love that I have a record of the last 9 years of my life here on this page - and most of the treats I've made, too! I used to feel bad that I wasn't writing in my journal anymore, but I've let that go. Blogging is a blessing, I am sure of it. It has helped me remember things that I otherwise would have long forgotten. It clarifies ideas and beliefs that I hold dear but probably wouldn't have recognized, let alone put down in writing. I believe blogging has made me a better wife and mother. When I say here that I do something, I better be sure that I am really doing it! It keeps me accountable, even if only to myself. That's the thing about blogging. You have to do it for yourself, I think. It doesn't matter if a million people read your blog or only one, the audience shouldn't change the content. The fact that anyone besides my grandmother even reads this blog is somewhat shocking. But I am glad you are here! I've met some pretty great people through my blog, and that is something I'll always be grateful for.)

Elliot and I have been doing a lot of hugging lately. We read books or play flow on my phone. We brave the still-too-warm sun and go to the park. We clean the house and get the mail. And yesterday we even organized the sewing room. These are the details of my life at the moment, and as mundane and unblogworthy as they seem, I know someday I'll look back on these days wistfully and I'll be glad I wrote them down.

Do you like to blog? I'd love to hear why.

17 comments:

  1. I concur. I only blog about once a month, but, as you know, I postdate so that everything is in order for my own future reference. I love our blogs! I have you, Ginger and Stephanie Nielson to thank for getting me to start one back in 2005. It's a treasure to me now, just as your blog is! Love you and that crazy dude.

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  2. I love this, Stephanie...I blog for many of the same reasons as you. I blog to remember the mundane, the ordinary, the precious fleeting days of this most wonderful chapter in my life...motherhood.

    Blogging makes certain that I will be able to revisit most all of my precious days as a wife and mother and homemaker...not just the "special" events like Christmas and birthdays.

    Blogging has also allowed me to form the most wonderful, heartfelt friendships with wonderful women from all over, whom I would never have met otherwise.

    Through these friendships, I have learned so many things about life and motherhood.

    Thanks for this insightful post!

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  3. I blog as a means of self expression. I have always been more comfortable with the written word than the spoken word and blogging it just the perfect outlet for me to get my thoughts out in a clear way.

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  4. I love blogging back when it started years ago, and I still love it. But, with all the social networking now, I feel like less people take the time to read blogs. It's hard to know what to write/post about to keep up someone's interest.

    You do such a great job keeping your posts, simple, short and worthwhile to read. You've stayed consistent with your blog over the years and stayed true to yourself and your family. I love your blog!
    Thanks for creating such nice posts with beautiful photography, that make it worth my time to stop in and read.
    I'm by far a better mother and homemaker from your blog.

    I just saw a video Elder Bednar gave about helping/serving the one. I think it applies to blogging as well.
    We can write a post to inspire just one, even if it's our grandma! (Google Elder Bednar England for the 4 min. video. it's worth listening to.)

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  5. Yes! I blog for the very same reasons! I've only been at it about a year but I LOVE having our memories right here on my computer!

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  6. Love your blog because it keeps me up with the kiddos, you and Mike. Love the recipes, the work you do on the house, the love of your children and you. Thank you for keep blogging.
    Hugs
    Grammy

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  7. My blog has evolved so much in my 6 years, and now I write pretty much for me and my little family. My husband and I always joke we are our own biggest fans :) It it so fun to go back and re-read struggles and joys we've had, and watch our kids grow. I don't blog as much as I used too (kids make sure of that!) but I still love to do it. A cool little story about our blog and another reason I treasure it . . . my husband's phd adviser started reading our blog. I never "preach" but we try our best to live our beliefs, and that really stood out to her. 3 years later, she is coming to church with us and loving the peace and comfort she finds in the gospel. Its not MY blog, of course, but the spirit, but her access to the gospel came from my silly little blog.

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  8. I've never commented before, but I've checked in on your blog over the last year, and I just love it! I think I found your blog through your sister's former blog where she documented all her cute outfits (I needed, and still need at times, major help in that area!) I was so pleasantly pleased :) when I happened upon your blog because I felt like I had happened upon a kindred spirit, and I enjoy checking in to be inspired or just feel understood and content that I'm okay loving being a mother and somewhat of a homebody in the midst of a world that often thinks otherwise! I'm grateful you continue to blog and look forward to your posts! Thanks for being you!

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  9. Amen...that is exactly why I blog...to testify, and to express gratitude, but mostly to REMEMBER. Thank you so much for your blog that inspires all of us to keep blogging.

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  10. You should never stop blogging! I would lose my best source for delicious recipes. Some of my very favorites have come from your blog: oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, your pumpkin bread - I make those over and over. I just made the soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting and I love them. Too much - I can't stop eating them. So thanks for blogging.

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  11. I blog for a lot of the same reasons. My favorite being that it really is a journal. I LOVE being able to look back through the years of blog posts and see my little family growing. It's also nice for family that's far and near to catch a glimpse of what we're up to.
    And I love reading your blog too, especially the simple every day things.

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  12. Anonymous10:25 AM

    I love blogging too! I also use it for self-expression -- I have always loved the Forster quote, "How do I know what I think until I see what I say?" and it is so true for me. I figure myself and the world out by trying to write about it. I actually prefer to think of my blog as only being read by a close group of friends; even though I know a few more people than that read it, it makes me feel comfortable saying how I truly feel to think that people know me and can put anything I say in a greater context. I gave up the journal thing too -- blogging is much more fun, I think!

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  13. It's my electronic scrapbook since I'm not into the whole paper things. Like you, it's so much fun to look back at the day to day life that is so quickly forgotten.

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  14. Your blog is one of my favorite. I stumbled across it just recently, and I love you pretty pictures and your simple and heartfelt posts.
    Blogging seems to be not as popular as it once was, but I am finding I love it more. I am so grateful for the memories I have recorded. Also, many years down the road my own children might read it and get to know me at this time in my life as a young mother. I agree...it really is a blessing!

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  15. I'm sad that I don't keep up on my blog as well as I used to. I get behind and then I feel so overwhelmed trying to catch up but I don't want to just start at the present cuz then I'll never go back and catch up. So, I don't blog at all! Doesn't make sense does it? My kids love to go back over the years too and laugh at video and photos. And ooh and ahh about how cute so and so was or how high so and so's voice was. OK That's it...I'm doing a post as soon as I'm done typing this.

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  16. I love to blog and I love to read blogs. I post something every day but often it's just a photo. And every year I make a pdf of my blog (it's cheaper than printing a book).

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  17. this last year I have found I don't blog as much but i think that is because instagram has taken a little of its place. but I've been printing my blog on blog2print and then all of a sudden my blog becomes a journal and the kids love it and i love it too. So I keep going. My parent are my #1 fan. they love to read my blog because they don't do instagram or facebook. so blogging is the only way they see whats going on with us. Don't have a million followers, which i'm fine with. i'm so glad you blog, with out fail if I'm up posting on my blog I always click to see what passionate thing you have blog about. So happy you blog. ps. I'm trying to talk eric in going to mesa this christmas with the kids. he said why, whats there, I said my parents my brother now and of course the courts!:)

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