1000 posts and counting!
My very first blog post was in August 2005. Byron called me to the family computer and proudly showed me the family blog he had created. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about and had never seen or read one before in my life. He kept persuading me I would love it but I wasn't convinced. Who would want to read about our boring day to day life? Like many attempts at journals in the past would I keep the momentum going for more than a couple of months?
We were in the process of getting ready to emigrate to Australia from our home in Northampton, England and I didn't know if this new blog would be way down the list of things to do during this crazy time. But here we are, 1000 posts strong! I no longer write this blog exclusively for friends and family in the UK and Ireland. I write it for us, as a creative way of displaying our photos of days out, a way to preserve the details of memories and to look back on way into the future.
I also write it for our kids, so they can look back at what they looked like when we first arrived here in Australia, for them to relive the funny moments and the sad ones too. It is still a happy photo album, filled mainly with our good days and with a very occasional glimpse into the not so good. We are a positive family and we try to turn things around and find the good in them. Sometimes we mislead people into thinking we have a perfect life and perfect kids but we just like to pretend we do to annoy our normal friends!
Along the way many people from other countries have tagged along. A year ago we started to register the numbers of visitors to the blog and it amazes us that in the last 12 months we have had over 7,000 visits from people in 38 countries! It has been like a geography lesson to the kids with them looking up the world map to find where these countries are. Today Sian spent ages making a map and dropping pictures of push pins on the countries we have had visitors from!
We love the comments, many of them from people we have never met. It is a bonus to me in particular as the main writer to know that people of all sorts of different backgrounds and countries have stopped to read what I have written. It has been an exciting journey since that first post about our family holiday in Ireland back in August 2005 and one that we are loving every minute of.
If you haven't commented before maybe I can persuade you to celebrate with us today and say "Hi" in the comments section below. Let us know what you like reading about so we can keep our blog a place you enjoy coming back to.
Thanks for coming along for the ride!
I just started blogging myself this past March and had my doubts if I would keep it up.....but like you, have found it as a way to preserve what is happening and to meet new people. I don't recall how I found your blog now that I think about it.....perhaps a comment on another? I'm so glad I did because I have enjoyed it! I have yet to finish reading all of the archives, but I always thought you very brave for moving so far away from your home to start a new life. Congratulations on the 1000th post! May we have many more to read in the future!
Congratulations on your 1000th! I've been at this for a little over a year and wasn't sure about keeping up with it...but it's something I've really found helps me to see the blessings in my life...and I'm working on posting #250 now. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's been great to follow your family through your adventures...and it feels a little less lonely knowing that there are others who travel far from their homelands, too! Here's to 1000 more!
Congratulations!
Gina, you are a fantastic writer mainly because of 'why' you write, it's a natural process for you therefore it reads so effortlessly. I wish I'd found your blog sooner!
Keep doing what you're doing, you have a great vibe. x
Congratulations on your 1000th post. Well done. Not commenting much these days but had to congratulate you today!!
Hello. You left a comment on CJane about your ruby red hallway. I liked it, so I checked out your blog on a whim. I like the posts I read. I think I'll follow so I don't forget your blog.
P.S. I live in the US in southern California. You can add me to your map!
Wow look at you. I was all proud of my 200th post I guess I have something to look forward too! Good for you! Since I have only been visiting for a few days I like that you include your family history and culture along with your posts! Keep it up!
Brandie