Wednesday, July 21, 2010

5 Year Blog-iversary

Yesterday marked 5 years since I sat down at my desk and started this blog. As I pecked on the keyboard during nap time there were three little monkeys in the next room who typically greeted me this way.
It was scenes like this that prompted my tag line...My hands are full, but so is my heart.
Hot July afternoons that are now spent making up silly jumps to try off the diving board were spent cooling off in a different way back then.

In the last 5 years, I have written 1629 posts ranging from rants to recollections, silliness to sappiness, photos and points to ponder. I can't even begin to summarize all these years have brought and what I have been taught (sometimes time and time again!)

The evolution of this little corner of the world wide web has been a complete and total God thing. During my trials in the ICU, my father in law used his personal website to update people on how to pray for our little fledgling family. As time went on, I wanted a way to keep those prayer warriors up to speed on how these miracles were growing and thriving. I considered a newsletter, but thought a blog would be much less intrusive--I could ramble and proudly post photos, interested parties could check in on us as little or often as they desired.

I had no idea how therapeutic writing these daily entries would become for me. I am REALLY not a routine person. I like order, yes, but my left handed/right brained self likes creating new systems and ideas much more than actually sticking with them. The fact that this has become a daily discipline amazes me to this day.

What started as a periodic update evolved into a daily recap--examining the day through the lens of what I wanted to remember. Sometimes it was cute, sweet or sappy, but often it has been lessons I might learn for the next day. The compartmentalizer in me LOVES this! It has been a huge reminder of God's Grace, that we can admit when we blow it, seek the lesson and cling to His promise that His mercies are new every morning.

The fact that people started reading all of this and responding with their own testimonies was absolute icing on the cake...a beautiful reminder that God is alive and active in the hearts and lives of those who love Him.

Know that as I write, I am aware that my chief end is to bring glory to God. I pray about this little blog. I ask God to filter where I might write things that would cause another to stumble. I get it wrong sometimes. I am not a pastor or a theologian. I am a sinful Mama, saved by grace, trying to walk through the roles God assigns me in a way that honors Him.

Thanks for joining me!

29 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

Happy blog-iversary! I love reading your blog and seeing how you and your family live out Christ-filled lives. Thank you for sharing. :)

ShaggaBear (Linda) said...

Congrats on five years. that's amazing. I'm almost to four but not nearly that many posts.

have you tried out windows live writer yet. simplifies the whole bloggy process. i've been using it for about a month and i love it.

`linda

Love Being A Nonny said...

I have been with you since those early days. You minister to this Nonny's heart in so many ways....Not to mention how adorable your kiddos are!

Debra said...

Jennifer,

I am a mama to three WONDERFUL 20-somethings. I'm not sure how I stumbled onto your blog, but I am blessed every day when I read it. Your writing is full of wit and humility and your testimonies remind me to seek God and his will for us in the most everyday happenings. Thank you for the gift of looking at life through the eyes of children. This is an unbelievably precious heritage you are documenting for your whole family! ~~Many blessings.

Heather said...

Happy Blogging Anniversary! I have really enjoyed reading your blog and following your family. Here's to another 5 years! :-)

Julie said...

I'm so glad you blog. I read it every night after I put my four kiddos to bed. (And sometimes before!) I enjoy seeing how you bring everything you face in your day right back to God, and how He wants us to live our lives.
Thanks for writing!

Deidre said...

Wow, five years? I have enjoyed every post - not always commenting, but always reading. Thanks for writing.

Anonymous said...

When I first started reading your blog several years ago, I had no idea that my own little family would be expanding with a set of multiples. Your words have been filled with encouragement and wisdom and for that I am thankful.

I think of your saying, "My hands are full, but so is my heart," many times throughout the day.

Thanks again for blogging! I don't always get a chance to comment, but your words have been a wonderful Blessing to me.

dee said...

Congratulations! And thank you for allowing us to read - from another left handed/right brained sinful Mama saved by grace! :-) Love it!

Ashley said...

Thank you so much for your faithfulness in posting, I have followed for over 4 years now! Cannot believe how much the trio has grown, I have shared your blog with some of my friends starting out with families. You really have a wonderful perspective, I think you should write a book. Happy Blog-iversary! Blessings, Ashley

k and c's mom said...

I'm so glad that you are marking this anniversary: that is pretty significant! Your blog has been such a joy for me. What a wonderful way to chronicle the life of your three precious children. Here's to five more...at least!

Perri said...

Congrats! I've enjoyed every moment of it.

Liz said...

Happy Blogging Anniversary! I also read your blog every night after putting my kids to bed. Your blog is so encouraging and has offered me so many parenting ideas and techniques throughout the years. I also appreciate reading your entries with the scripture quote to summarize your feelings. Thank you for sharing your words and wisdom over the years! Congratulations on 5 years of beautiful writing!

nen said...

Happy 5th! Thank you for opening your heart and your life up to us through your blog. I know it is to give glory to Him, but I am glad to be a witness!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Congratulations! Blogging is an expected joy for me as well. And I'm so glad you have stayed at this. You encourage me, make me laugh, give me stuff to chew on -- sometimes all in the same post.

(Now I feel compelled to go back to your early days and look at those babies! So. Cute.)

~April~ said...

I absolutely LOVE to read your blog. You have given me so much encouragement in my own life and with my children. You try to put God first and that is AMAZING! Happy 5th blogging anniversary!

Kristin B. said...

yay! PLEASE keep it up!

Vivian Richmeier said...

From one Journaler to another, I love reading your family journey! Writing is therapeutic and a great way to preserve precious moments for your children to read when they are older! Thanks for sharing!

Jill said...

Happy 5 years!

Arlene G said...

Happy Five Yr Anniversary Jmom....I have been reading for at least three of them and have enjoyed the journey!

Emmy said...

You are a blessing to all of us! I am so thankful God has given you the gift to write so beautifully... and even more thankful that you are my next door neighbor!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog-iversary!
I love your blog and your children.
I have written a few comments to you in the past few years.
I pray for you and your family.
Have a great day Jen!
Love in Christ,
delee

As You Wish said...

Congrats on your 5 years! I thoroughly enjoy reading your little corner of the blog world everyday and am truly blessed by your writing. Thank you!

katie said...

love it!!
and love you and those kiddos! so sweet.

Pam said...

Congratulations, sweet JMom on your "blog-iversary"!

You have been an inspiration and a joy to get to know via this forum and running into you occasionally at WalMart is the "icing on the cake" for me. : )

Keep on blogging, recording, ranting and sharing your heart. It is a wonderful way to see how God is growing you and in turn allowing all of us to grow along with you.

On His Adventure~
Pam

Malu said...

Congratulations on your blog , it is a pleasure to read it day by day,as a Presbyterian is also a way to share the words of God and inspire others, too. God bless you,your beautiful family and your inspiring writings.

Adam and Kimmy plus Reese! said...

We enjoy reading your blog so much and you've had such a positive impact on our lives and how we raise our daughter. Keep on keeping on because we look forward to the fun posts that prepare us for our little one growing up and the inspirational posts that help US grow up.

Keri said...

Congratulations on this milestone! Thank you for blessing us with your thoughts for five years now. Many of us are better moms, wives, and daughters of God because of the time we spend here.

Daree said...

For one of few I hold so close to my heart...you are one I want to have a daily devotional, coffee, conversation etc. with DAILY. Thank you for taking the time each day to blog about you, your children, friendships, marriage and your spiritual journey. Although it is not actually having coffee, talking on the phone or praying with you I sure am glad to know what is going on in your life each day (and I miss when you don't post for a while). You impact me, just as you did when we did have time to spend each day for 4 years together. I have to say...I knew our time would be little to none together when you announced (showed the ultrasound in that email) that you were having triplets. Glad I was wrong! I love you and your family so much! Do