Someone mentioned my blog as I walked into church one morning. An innocent bystander overheard the conversation, threw up her arms, and said, “Oh, everyone has a blog these days,” and went on her merry way. Another lady said something like, “I don’t have time for that. I think blogs are for egotistical people who think others have nothing better to do than read about what kind of coffee they are having for breakfast!” Comments like this make me smile, maybe because it wasn’t too long ago that I had similar feelings.
So why in the world do I find myself now with a blog of my own? People ask me all the time. It all started with the wonderful world of Facebook. I usually used my status updates to share funny things the kids had said, crazy thoughts I’d had, or amusing things that had happened to me. Every once in a while something would happen that I could not help writing all the details down and sharing in a longer “note” on my profile. Occasionally, someone would say that I should start a blog. I thought they were just being nice and didn’t really give it much thought.
Then my friend Rachel started her blog. She invited me to blogging meetings and encouraged me off and on to start a blog to share all my funny stories. The thought intrigued me, but the main things I write about are personal, and first of all, I didn’t think strangers would be interested in my personal stories, and second of all, I wasn’t sure I wanted the stories about my family out there for everyone to read. This went on for about a year.
Next, my husband heard that people are actually making money at blogging. That is how he got interested. Pretty soon I had my husband trying to get me to blog. He said he wouldn’t mind me posting personal stories! If you read my blog you know he’s really great about letting me tell stories about him. Well, I still didn’t really want to. I thought that even if I could overcome my first two obstacles, it would be impossible to think of something interesting to post on a daily basis.
Next, I met Alyssa from Keeping the Kingdom First at church. As a side note, I am mortified that during our conversation, I waved my hand in the air and said, “With four kids I don’t have time to coupon anymore.” Little did I know that she is a famous blogger with a specialty in couponing. Esther strikes again! Pretty soon Alyssa started urging me to start a blog and one day just sent me a link with instructions. By now I had secretly started wanting to blog, but hadn’t admitted it to anyone, not even my husband.
I contacted Revka, a friend from Fabled Treasures whom I grew up around and who I knew had been in the blogging world for many years. She answered a lot of my questions and was also very encouraging.
So one day I followed a “How to start your own blog” tutorial and here I am. I don’t know if this will ever be a money-making blog as my husband hopes, but he has promised that should I ever generate some income, I’ll be able to spend it on outings with him and/or the kids. That is incentive I’ll tell ya! But for now I am having a lot of fun sharing stories, reading stories, and even meeting a few people out there that I call friends!
So glad I stumbled across your blog! 🙂 I look forward to hearing more of your stories (and how you use your “fun money”! 🙂 Blessings to you, your family, and your blog!
I loved the line, “…by now I had secretly started wanting to blog, but hadn’t admitted it to anyone…” Very funny in its own way.
Well, I for one have enjoyed reading your many posts … Thanks for sharing this.
We’re so glad you blog, Esther. I enjoy reading about your kids’ (and your husband’s) antics. 🙂
Isn’t it funny the roundabout way most of us come into blogging? Very nice post!
Sounds like you thought about it quite a bit. I on the other hand, started mine on an impulse… and then named it “One magical moment per day,” locking me into a post everyday! 🙂 I’ve enjoyed it thought. It’s become a part of my daily routine. I’ve had many laughs from your blog. It’s a good way to document all those daily events. And your children will really love to read them as they get older too I bet. 🙂
lol… my husband was all for me making a little money too but he dosent want me posting things about him. Thats where the funny stories are! I love reading your blog – wish I had more time to keep mine updated!
Love this story! That is neat how you put so much time thinking about starting one. I started mine out on a whim and had no idea what I was doing. I am glad that you started yours, it is wonderful to read.
I am certainly am glad you have a blog. You keep me laughing all the time!
Hey, Esther, thanks for sharing your journey. I love your blog and am glad you took the plunge. 🙂 Thanks, too, for the nice mention and link. That was sweet of you.
I was interested to hear that Alyssa is in your church. My former co-designer, Linda, actually did some design work for her quite a while ago. It’s a small world. 🙂
Keep up the good work.
And I’m having fun reading your stories 🙂
Love your blog you have such beautiful family, thank you for DM’ing me on Twitter. New GFC follower I tried for email subscription but it said it wasn’t enabled, Maybe you can stop by mine to check it out~Shari
I was reluctant to start a blog, too. Now it’s one of my favorite things to do!
I love blogging, I dont know if I can ever stop 🙂
Love your blog Esther!
*hugs*
Funny how the blogging thing starts. My sister-in-law has blogged for awhile but I really never understood it. I felt exactly like you did.. why would someone want to read my stories but making money sure sounded good. The funny thing is now I have friends I would have never met if I didn’t blog. It’s all good and I enjoy reading all your stories. They make me smile.
What a fun blog! Enjoyed reading and seeing your cute pictures. Many heavenly blessings!!
I love this story of why you blog. and, what beautiful children you have. Your blog photos, pics and stories just scream, smile!”
Esther,
Ha! I just found your blog via Cat Rambles as she “rambled” on my blog. 😉
I am laughing because how/why you started blogging sounds similar to mine aka my husband thought I could make money. 😉 A few years later (and not very many posts later) there is no magic dollar tree throwing money our way, but I’ve found I really enjoy writing and blogging. It helps me “work out” what I’m thinking and hopefully will leave a legacy of stories for my kids.
Looking forward to exploring your blog! Thanks—and keep blogging. 🙂
That is a wonderful story. I am so glad that you shared that online. You would be surprised how many people will relate to you and what you are going through, have went through or will go through. Life is a blog, you might as well capture the moments as you go. I also view it as an online journal for my kids to read someday, if they are interested.
We do have similar stories 🙂 I had people who kept telling me to start one years ago and I didn’t even know what a blog was back then (5 years ago.) It is always nice to have people that will push you towards something that will better yourself (or at least have fun with it!) If those people didn’t light a fire under my tail end to start a blog, I probably would not have any today – a few blogs later 🙂
I’m happy to have found your blog. With a big family like yours, there is quite a bit to blog about. I will check back often and stay updated in my inbox for your entries. Nice to have met you. 🙂
Hello, I enjoyed meeting you and I found you through a post on the Blog called HSBA post and since I like to laugh I knew I needed to check out out. If you like to do guest posts come on over as I would love to introduce you to my readers.
You are such a nice and lovely young lady.
I really enjoy sharing you and your family life.
I look forward to your future story.
Best wishes,
Cate
Thanks so much for stopping by Cate. I love this part time job of mine. 🙂
Hi there. I really like your blogs and I was wondering if you could steer me in the right direction as to what research I should do and sites I should visit to learn how to blog.
Hi Steve. Thanks for stopping by! I would start with the last link in the post. Amy Lynn Andrews has a plethora of information to get you started!