It’s difficult for me to believe that six short months ago, I just started reading my very first blogs and now I “think” in blog posts (and have written gazillions in my mind.)Can you relate?
I guess it’s time I come out of the closet and actually tell my friends IRL that I have one. 🙂
I’ve realized that unless someone has a blog or follows a few closely, they just don’t get it, do they? It is quite a surreal experience to feel close to many of you that I have never met.
If you had told me six months ago that I would actually type a sentence like that, I do believe I might have scoffed at you…hee hee.
You have all become such a unique part of my life, and I am so blessed with how you have enriched all aspects in my attempt at balancing beauty and bedlam.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, and your desire to grow with me as we passionately pursue this adventure of womanhood.
The fact that you keep coming back to visit – even when you know how little I edit, as well as how much bedlam comes with the package, continues to marvel me.
So invite your friends, the more the merrier.
I desire this to be a safe haven.
A small little corner in this Blog sphere where we can take off the masks, and know that there are many others on this same journey.
Let’s live Life to its fullest in 2009…together!
The fact that you keep coming back to visit – even when you know how little I edit, as well as how much bedlam comes with the package, continues to marvel me.
So invite your friends, the more the merrier.
I desire this to be a safe haven.
A small little corner in this Blog sphere where we can take off the masks, and know that there are many others on this same journey.
Let’s live Life to its fullest in 2009…together!
(Be thinking about posts for two upcoming Mr. Linky parties…a Beauty and Bedlam party where we share the true bedlam moments that arise amongst our typically beautiful posts. And a “God watch” party, where we either share the God Watch that we are on right now, or one where He already gave you the answer in His perfect way. Thanks to Kimba and Emily for those suggestions)
So from my family to yours on the eve of ’08,May you fully understand the grace that only He can give.
And when that balls drops and the song is singing, may you get lots of these. 🙂
Hoping to meet many of you IRL this year.
(I enjoy that so much more).
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Love you,
Jen
And I didn’t even apologize for the fact that every single family picture we took, my youngest dd did NOT have her hair bow in. Yes, even the eternal optimist can sometimes let the little, superficial things get me down. 🙂 hee hee
Happy New Year to you and yours! What a beautiful family, hair bows or no!
God bless!
Hey, Jen, am I first this time?! What a good-looking family you've got & holy-cow I just realized you have a LOT of kids. No wonder there's a bunch of bedlam at your house. I too have so enjoyed getting to know you & many others this year. I'm coming up on 2 years of blogging & this past year has been the best & much of that has been meeting women like you. I can't wait til Blissdom either to meet you IRL! Happy New Year!
I am proud to call you friend.
May God richly bless you and your little flock as you pursue Him this new year.
It is evident that He is a mainstay at at your home.
The “bubbles have worked their way to the top”
Cheers to you and your bedlam and beauty!!!
From our house to yours, washing machine and all.
What ever became of it?
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoy the holiday with your wonderful family. (And I look forward to the Mr. Linky parties!)
Happy New Year to you! Love all the pictures..what a beautiful family you have!
-sandy toes
What a great post to end the year! I have absolutely loved reading your blog posts! I hope y’all have a great new year!
Happy New Year to you! And I am thoroughly impressed that you have that many pictures where every family member looks great! That must be a record of some sort.
Wishing I was going to meet you at Blissdom…
Dear Jen,
You are such a blessing to me! Your blog has been fantastic to read and I love how you keep it all real. Gosh, you just don’t know how much! :o)
What neat ideas you have for a blogging party. Oh boy, after the year we have had, I have plenty of bedlam resources to pull from … ha ha ha ! :o) Plus I am looking so forward to reading others.
Have a super New Years!! It has been so awesome getting to know you in 2008!!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Hi! I discovered your blog from the Christmas Tour links, and I loved reading, so I went back to the beginning and have read almost all of the archived posts…I’m up to November now! You have a beautiful family, and I love all of your coupon shopping tips and humorous, yet sweet posts…love the pet goat too. 🙂 I will keep reading. Happy New Year!
What a beautiful family! I know what you mean about thinking in blog posts!! My sister and sister in law think I am nuts, especially when I talk about swaps or blogs friends….oh well!! Happy New Year to all our nuttyness!!
What fantastic photos!!
I just started blogging this year, too – after having a skateboarding accident that left me in the hospital for five days, two operations, 6 months of physical therapy and more … pretty much out of commission with extra computer time! SO SO SO glad I found blogging – wish I would’ve found it earlier! Glad to be hear together!!
What a beautiful family you have Jen!
Just precious!
Happy 2009 to you all as well.
May it behold marvelous things indeed!
Cheers~ Les
Happy New Year, Jen! I hope 2009 will be a blessed year for you. I am so glad that I met you here in the blog world.
Your family is BEAUTIFUL! I am so glad you started blogging and I cannot wait to meet you at Blissdom!
Blessings in 09!
Melissa
Happy New Year and thanks for blessing us all with fun tips.
Happy New Year Jen!!! And ps ~ my IRL friends don’t know I blog or “get it” either! 🙂 Love your sweet family pictures… what treasures. Wishing you blessings in 2009!!!
Yes, I agree that it is hard for people who do not read or write blogs to “get it” but it’s really quite a positive experience and a mind opening one, in fact. There are so many caring and wonderful friends in bloggyland, and it is a joy to follow you and them. Happy New Year!
Suzanne
I am always encouraged by your beauty and bedlam by the way!!!
Happy New Year Jen! It’s been a wonderful journey into blogland so far hasn’t it? I love all the encouragement, laughter and tears, everyone has shared along the way and it’s why I enjoy blogging so much. No one in my RL (real life) gets it, this intense need to share pictures of our less than perfect lives and the thrill of receiving comments! But it’s all part of the journey, towards living our best life right now and embracing the joy of simple things shared with others… and that’s what it’s all about. May God continue to bless you and yours in this New Year *smiles*
Happy New Year to you Jen!
I have SO enjoyed reading your blog this past year and I look forward to all the funny, inspirational, and real posts for this upcoming year. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your family too. Blessings to you!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Lisa Q
What a lovely post and your family is beautiful. I can so relate to the bedlam and cherish every moment because in a blink of an eye they will be grown and on their own.
I have enjoyed popping in every once and a while and also reading the comments you have left others… You are an amazing woman, mom, wife and friend. Women like you have have boosted my spirits and I have enjoyed so getting to know so many dear friends.
I am looking forward to your Mr. linky parties!
Happy New Years!
Beth~♥
Jen, I have so enjoyed getting to know all my favorite bloggers, and you most definitely fit in that category! Looking forward to blogging with you in 2009!
Happy New Year! You crack me up! The sewing machine might fit…Can’t wait to meet in real life!
I love your family photos! Happy New Year to you too. Looking forward to meeting you at Blissdom:-)
Just wanted you to know that I started a new photography sharing site with a friend of mine. Would love if you would check it out and let me know if anything is too confusing. We start on Jan. 12, but are having a great giveaway now.
Thanks!
http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com
Happy new year. Great looking family and no wonder you’ve got bedlam with so many children and so much to do.
What fabulous pictures :)!! Love those! And a wonderfully Happy New Year to you :)!!!
Yes, we’ll have to make plans to meet sometime…too much fun!
BLessings,
Stacey
Thank you for sharing your life with us and your beautiful family! I wish you health, happiness, and peace in the new year. May many blessings be yours in 2009! With love from Colorado, Denise
Ummm Coffee, no need sleep! LOL stopping by from SITS :).
Visiting from SITS and wanted to tell you that you have a gorgeous family!
And, yes, i think in blog posts, too. lol
Happy New Year to you! What great photos 🙂 I’ve been blogging for 6 months now too, and it is so much fun!
Hey Jen,
I am new to blogging too! It’s only been a few weeks now since I started my blog. I didn’t quite understand why people blogged at first, so I decided to give it a try. I understand how it can become an outlet for many women.
God bless you and your beautiful family. Janie is right (beautiful with or without bows).
Your’s in Christ,
Bren
Hi Jen, me again! :o) I had to laugh about your Prayer of Jabez mix up and using Murphy as your middle name. I’m tellin’ ya! :o) I had to share something my husband said that had me laughing so hard that I almost cried! He said that when his hood blew up it was so fast and so loud that his hiney and the seat became one! Intense pucker factor! :o) Usually I would think that sounds gross, but not right now!! Especially how animated he can be in his explanation!! Oy!! :o) Truly, I am looking forward to the new year, I can not be surprised by anything at this point! :o)
Your family is beautiful! I have enjoyed getting to “meet” you, and I look forward to getting to know you better in 2009. I can so identify with all of the remarks you shared in this post. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone visits my blog, but especially that people leave such kind comments. It is amazing how much a blog can mean to our lives. My family is shocked that I have become so connected to my computer! They, like me, never thought they’d see a day when I would be on the home computer so much-especially since I’m on one all day at work! It also amazes me that I think in “blog” too. Everywhere I go; everything I do, I wonder if I could turn it into a blog! Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2009. laurie
Over from SITS…Happy new year..Lovely family