Who knew I had so much to say?!!
I’ve been thinking what I might ‘say’ in this benchmark of posts.
I thought about reminiscing a bit …. Maybe about one of our dog’s leaping through the window as we drove…
OR
I thought about reliving the day that our family decided to climb a volcano and almost didn’t make it back down.
OR
the reason I started blogging in the first place …
Apparently, once I started this whole blogging endeavor, I was addicted! I did not expect to continue blogging past that first “family adventure”…
But…well…I sure have!
But…well…I sure have!
Then I thought about talking about how “ANDREA” has changed over the last 1,000 posts.
You see, when I started blogging….I was not as good at being ‘transparent’ or as ‘real’ as I am now.
I was several ‘Andreas’ – with the ‘right’ “Andrea” appearing in certain situations.
Now, I am just “me”.
Always “me”.
It is alot easier this way. AND, I like the ONE “Andrea” that is around all the time now. WAY easier to keep track of 😉
I NEVER knew that blogging would make ME a better person. But…it definitely has. My courage to be myself has been encouraged via your comments. THANK YOU!
You all have been here to encourage me in this “being real” endeavor and in SO MANY additional ways.
You held my hand through the terrifying accident and, now, as I fight PTSD, I know you are here to encourage and acknowledge the fight.
You, my awesome readers, will NEVER KNOW THE AMAZING IMPACT YOU HAVE AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ON MY LIFE.
Blogging has given me new, true, real friends…even if we’ve never met “face-to-face” 🙂
So, yes, I have changed over the last 1,000 posts. But so have many other things….and things will continue to change I am afraid! smile
I am terrified and excited that we all might verbally walk through…
my Chase falling in love (?) or at least getting his license 🙂
my Trey snagging his first patent on the next great invention.
my Zane opening his own petting zoo in our backyard. 🙂
my Tye JUMPING over mental hurdles that still block him but that he WILL conquer and then trying to explain to him that, even though he’s 12, he cannot marry 🙂
my Aven dancing in her first fancy recital and, eek, entering the world of being a “big girl” and all that entails…(No Aven! You cannot wear that itty-bitty shirt in public!! Nada! Never! No!)
Regardless….. Blogging about the feelings I have while I transverse different seasons in my life has been exceptionally helpful to me.
YOU ALL HAVE MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAVE ALOT TO OFFER TO THE WORLD…
….EVEN WHILE I TRAVEL THROUGH SOME UNKNOWN TERRITORIES OR QUESTION WHERE I AM IN THIS LIFE….
I LOVE YOU GUYS….I would NEVER have blogged this long nor would I continue to blog my fears, hopes, ideas, experiences, confusions, and happy’s WITHOUT YOU ALL HERE 🙂
I would LOVE to hear from you guys about this ‘benchmark’ in my blogging ‘life’. Give me some luv me friends! 🙂
Andrea
WOW girl!! I remember when you started this blog ~ I was so addicted to all things Central American! I’ve smiled and laughed and cried with you, and there’ve been plenty of times that I’ve prayed for you like crazy. I love your kids and your art and your marriage and your KBMV!
You’re blog has changed me too, sister. hugs hugs
Happy ‘1000th post’ anniversary Andrea! I echo Heidi’s comments too as I have been reading your blog pretty much from when you started and even though we’ve never met I know I’ve made a real friend…I feel like I know you SO well as you are so honest and transparent with your life and I truly value that. You have encouraged and inspired me more than you know. I value the common bonds we share of our faith, and adoption and I really do hope we get to meet irl one day:) (Its on my ‘bucket list’:)
And am looking forward to reading your next 1000 posts my friend:) Don’t give up blogging ok!
Sending lots of love your way to you and your precious family…
Anna
I remember the first time I read your blog you were in Guatemala! Everything worked out just like God planned it, and you are now the mother of 4 knights and a princess. Keep on writing!!