testing one two three

Can a few people leave me some comments to see if this new format will work? After getting lots of emails and comments (which I didn't post any of those comments yet) saying you would like to keep following our family blog, I'm trying something a little different. If I can get this to work, I might be a little more motivated to keep this blog up and running and might even spring for a professional blog makeover.

I have tons of pics to share and posts running around in my head, but the spamming has been so frustrating, I haven't been very motivated to make regular posts.

So, let's see if this works. Leave me some comments to try it out.

WHERE DID YOU GO?

Does anyone know what happened to my little box that had my blog followers in it? For some reason it is blank. And when I try to edit it, there isn't anything there. Any thoughts? Are my posts still coming up on your dashboard of you who are followers?

STOLEN SCOOTER ALERT

Someone stole Chuck's blue Yamaha Zuma scooter out of our garage last night (got into his truck and used the garage door opener to get in). It is something in between a big moped and a small motorcycle. -- Street legal with license plate.

The police think it was likely taken by kids. If anyone in our local area see it being ridden or at a garage sale, PLEASE call the police! It's the only one like it that we've seen in this area. -- Praying friends, please pray with us that we get it back.

When life gives you lemons...

...make lemonade. I recently got a blog award from 2 blogging friends Cindy and Annie. Both leaving me a little sweet note about how I try to make the best of difficult situations and have a positive blog. I have to say, Annie's words brought me to tears this morning. Knowing that I have been an bit of encouragement to her as she too is going through times without her spouse by her side. I was truly blessed by her post.

According to Annie's post, The Lemonade Award is for people who have positive attitudes, are upbeat, show gratitude and when life gives them lemons, make lemonade.The rules for this award are that you post the graphic, write about the giver and link back to her, and pass it on to up to 10 others. Leave a comment for the receiver(s) so that they know what's going on.

So I want to pass on this award to Susan (HERE), her blog about missionary life is an encouragement to see the world through someone else's point of view. She has graciously handled difficult circumstances living the life of a missionary giving up all familiar and comfortable life to further the gospel in an unreached area of our world. Not only is her blog a place for other missionaries to go and relate to her vulnerable feelings, it is also helpful to see life from a different perspective.

I also want to pass on the award to Karen (HERE). I follow her blog and find that she shares her life from a positive point of view. Her words are not full of complaining but enduring life as a Godly woman. I love how she is challenging others to hide God's word in our hearts.

So pass on the encouragement to keep your chin up and stay positive. This little award was just the encouragement I needed today. =)

Why do YOU blog?

I was recently thinking about WHY I blog. It started out to be a way to for me to sort through my thoughts as we were entering a stressful stage in life (moving last year). I was also hoping to stay connected with friends and family who live miles away. I hate the idea of only getting a Christmas card once a year to hear how people are doing. I like to feel more connected to those I love.

Blogging has turned out to so much more than what I thought. Not only have I stayed connected with my dear old friends...I have made MANY new ones. I have found friendships (kindred spirits if you will). Almost like present day pen pals. People that I care about, pray for, banter with. One of the biggest blessing about my blogging friends, it that these are friends that I can take with me when we move again.

I have also found it to be an opportunity of influence. Not only have I been able to influence others, I have been influenced. I have shared my passions (ie: composting) and life interests. I have also grown in my thoughts and ideas in many areas (adoption just to name one - I would link you to all my adoption friend's blogs but there are too many {and I love that there are too many}).

Not to mention accountability. I know that you all out there in blogville will keep me accountable. I often blog what is going on or what is taking place in our life. It keeps me accountable to stay positive. To do what is right. To be a better me.

These are just a few reasons of why I have come to LOVE blogging. These don't even mention encouragement, support, ideas...the list could go on. So, why do YOU blog?

Blog Roll

I think I need to make a blog roll. Since my computer has crashed I am having a hard time checking on all my blog friends. So, if you want to be on my blog roll...leave me a comment and I will add you to my list. See you soon in cyberworld. (Can you tell I am tired tonight? I have a feeling I am going to have the Disney hangover tomorrow.)

5000

I have been watching the blog sitemeter creep up. I have been waiting for it get to 5000. That may not be a huge milestone for other bloggers, but it's really fun for me! Back when I started I wasn't sure if anyone was reading my musings or not. I began it as a way to process my thought, de-stress my life, and gain some perspective.

My dear friend (and my inspiration) found my blog before I even sent my first email to invite my friends and family to visit. I loved reading about her life and how it was a way to stay connected even though we don't live in the same area anymore. Since Chuck & I seem to keep moving from place to place, I hope my blogspot will continue to help us stay connected to the friends whose paths we have crossed along the way.

I never thought I would make such great blogging friends! I would have never imagined that I could widen my friendships to include people I have never met. I refer to you as my friends because that's what you are. I pray for you when you ask me to. I have rejoiced with you over great events and cried for you during your struggles.

And all of this leads up to The Peapod's 5000th view. I didn't add the sitemeter until a ways into the blogging so I don't know how accurate it really is. (Plus it counts all the times I visit to see my pictures again and again.)

I did think it was kind of fun that I was the 5000th visitor. So let me challenge all of you who come by for a virtual visit, lurkers included, to please leave a comment to let us know who you are and how you found The Peapod. (If you don't have an account, click anonymous and sign your name). I want to introduce my friends to each other. I would never let you be at my house without introducing you to everyone else in the room.

BTW, thanks for being part of my world!