It's a special week, people.
Yep, it was Mother' Day this week, which is one of my favorite days of the year. My sweet husband's birthday falls on this week as well. Lots to celebrate.
But it's also a special week for a different reason. It's the third anniversary of this blog.
I've written 291 posts. Lots of life lived in the Wolfe household in the past three years, and I'm so very glad it's documented in this very small space on the big world wide web.
I have to be honest. Sometimes I think of giving this space up. I don't have many readers. I don't even have a lot of time to dedicate to it. And most of the time, I don't even have that many words to say. I mean, what has to be said that hasn't already been said? What could little old me add to the thousands of other bloggers and authors who say it much better than I do?
My husband is my biggest encourager in this blogging thing. I just recently was convinced that I should quit doing it and he talked me back into it. He likes that I have an outlet for writing and sharing pictures, and that I'm beginning to have friendships with a few women out there in the blogosphere.
If you know me in real life, you know that I can be quiet. I'm not going to be the one who talks in a big group. I'll let other people do it. I like to listen more. So I guess this is my way of talking. Of telling my story. Of telling our family's story for any who might care to read.
To you, my dear readers. I thank you for reading. I thank you for any and all time you have spent here. Because it has been you listening to me and you encouraging me with your comments. That means more than you know.
Soooo....
....to honor this special week, I want to give something away.
I did this same thing a couple years ago, and it was fun for me to be able to give something to you.
I have a total of SIX Starbucks gift cards. One has $25 on it. The other five cards have $5 on them. I don't know about you, but I love to have gift cards for small things I wouldn't normally buy for myself. Sometimes it's the small things that make my day, even more than the big ones. Like a fun drink can really make an errand more enjoyable... why is that???
To win, leave a comment on this blog (NOT on the facebook comments) and tell me:
1. What your favorite kind of blog posts are OR what you might want me to post about in the future.
2. Tell me something about YOU, especially if I don't know you very well. I'd love to hear.
I'll post the winners on Friday, so we'll wrap it up on Thursday at midnight.
I look forward to your comments :)
40 comments:
I love reading your blog. You share from your heart and that is what makes it so special.
I am thankful that we became friends 18 years ago. I think it was this week that we headed to South Africa. I am so glad that we got to experience that adventure together!
Michelle B.
First of all, my comment is that you look amazing in yellow!! My favorite blogs of yours are the every day things that you turn into beauty. It reminds me to slow down and savor the moments. You 'get' your boys and celebrate them each so well, and I love it. Keep lighting up your corner of blogosphere! Happy 3rd!
1. I actually like the short posts. I know I have time to read them right then and not wait to read a novel (my posts are always long--I like to hear myself "talk" I think:))
I enjoyed living vicariously through your home building. Some of those design ideas (built-in bunks, HUGE mud room, gorgeous kitchen!) were really fun to see.
I like seeing your kids grow up. And I appreciate your real-ness and honesty about life, struggles, discipline, raising Godly kids and home-schooling. So...that probably doesn't help you narrow things down, does it?
2. I'm still holding out hope that we can arrange a marriage between a few of our kids...That's only sort of facetious.
Love you, Sarahhh, despite the fact I haven't seen you in years.
I just found your blog (somehow, through Instagram - and, I don't even really understand Instagram!) I love your pictures but mostly the baseball posts! (I grew up going to Ranger games, and now my lone boy in a house full of sisters is getting into little league). Thanks for persisting - New Reader, Kaitlin
1. It's hard to choose a favorite blog post type. It's a toss up between your photojournalism (you're excellent at catching those shots and arranging them in just the right way so they narrate the story) or your practical ideas of things you're doing in homeschool or crafting or celebrating. I am always looking for ways to better organize our schooling and fun things to do.
2. Something about me? Hmmmmmm...I have loving relationship with lemonade and the older I get the more attractive moving away from it all and simplifying my life seems to get. I can think of nothing better than to live on a large piece of property with a little stream, a big garden, chickens, goats, a classic red barn and a giant porch swing, spending my days savoring time with my hubby, playing pranks on my kids and listening to quiet. I think I'm a retired soul in a 37 year old's body.
Sarah, I am so happy you write your blog. I know we live relatively close, but our busy lives don't let us hang out as much as I would like and so I love seeing what you all are up to! I love to see what God is doing in your life.
Your blog always makes me think about starting my own blog because it seems like it would be a really good way to look back on our life, but then I never think I have much to share right now.
Hope to see you after our trip and we can talk about all the baseball parks with the boys and about our time in Minnesota with you! I'm glad you blog and I get to learn from you!
I enjoy homeschooling posts, since I homeschool my 2 sons.
Something about me? My first language was Spanish but I'm ashamed to say I haven't taught my kids Spanish. My daughter knows some Spanish from watching Dora.
Thanks & happy blogiversary!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Oh, I am glad you aren't going to stop posting, Sarah! I really enjoy reading your blog. For whatever reason I've not had much of a chance to get to know you and your crew, but I feel like I know a little of you since reading. I love your honesty and sharing your heart. I love the way you've embraced the life of a mom with lots of boys and how much you really seem to enjoy your role as wife, mother, teacher, etc. It is encouraging and convicting at the same time. :) I have also really liked the house updates...SO fun!!
I grew up the opposite of your boys. I am the oldest of LOTS of kids, but my mom and dad has six daughters together (always trying for the elusive boy). After they divorced, my mom went on to have another girl (so, she birthed SEVEN girls!) and my dad finally got his boy. There is a almost 20 year gap between myself and my little brother. :)
Sarah! I have found out so much about you and your heart and love for your Savior by reading your blog..when I get the chance! Bummer we haven't talked really in person that much but we must work on that!;) I've enjoyed seeing how you love and embrace a house full of adorable boys and how you savor those sweet tender moments! Your house is beautiful and your life is filled with love and joy! Thank you for sharing pieces of your life with your readers....love all your pics! Your truly capture those mental images that we as mommies will always remember from the season of life were in! Such a busy one but one full of blessings and sanctification!! Hope we can get to know one another better...
In Christ
Emily Shaw
Trying to think my favs: loved the cookie/craft ideas, seeing how you decided things for your new home, how you do...well, whatever it is you're doing at the moment! Schooling stuff...even though mine are in a different model. And, most recently, your vulnerability in sharing your life and heart with us.
Now what do you need to know about me? Hmmm...well, I just had a birthday, too! 38. And I don't drink coffee, but I love hot chocolate. And I'm glad you're still blogging. And you will have such memories going back through these posts over the years!
1.) I love reading your posts on your boys & the little things in your life that matter & you take notice of. Your honesty in cherishing the moments you have with your boys as they grow up IS simply precious! As our own family is beginning to grow-as you learn, I enjoy learning from you!
2.) I, myself have been going back & forth about starting my blog back up (The one I started when I left for Uganda. Yep, that was almost two years ago). But I have been hesitating and a bit unsure. But you inspired & encouraged me that yes, there may not be very many readers, but you are sharing your world with us. I appreciate you doing that! So glad Chris talked you back into cause I LOVE reading about the Wolfe pack!
Oh Sarah. I love all your posts. I think my favorite have got to be the random ones about your boys though. They are so very cute and I can sense your love for them in every word.
As for me... I started my blog because of you. I loved your blog and just the everyday posted. The way you make the simple things seem so exciting! :) You are a wonderful mom and I look forward to getting to know you better. :)
I tried to post earlier it didn't work, so here it goes.
Happy Blogiversary! Yeah for Chris talking you into keeping it up, I love you blog! Yeah for Starbucks too!
I love your posts about your house and what you are doing to it, (it gives me great ideas! =) Also, I love all the pics of the boys and the occasional series you do like the month of cookies, and the posts about recipes. I love that you mix it up and write about different things. Your blogs helps me know more about you and I love that!
Something about me??? When I was younger I wanted to write children's book's. I actually wrote a few rough drafts but never had the courage to do anything with them. =) And, I have a love for dill pickles. Funny I know!
Love you and your precious family and your blog! Melissa Gose
Please don't ever stop blogging-I'm with your husband on this one. I love your blog and your simple little updates-you might not think they are all fancy but I love them. Happy Blog-aversary or however you spell that!
I love reading your blog! I feel like I've gotten to know you more! I like the everyday posts, what you do in everyday life (and I've loved the house posts). I've been blogging for 6 years--started as a way to document Aubrey's life for out of town family. I've thought many times of giving it up too and the hubbie keeps encouraging me.
I, too, love reading your blog and seeing the pictures of your precious family. I really liked seeing the progress of your house building process, but that is over. I loved reading about your thoughts and feelings when you lost your precious baby. It does give us a chance to get to know you better, because you are quiet, and also because I don't get to visit with you very often.
Something about me...you already know this, but I have seven children, I homeschool, and I too have lost several babies, so we have some things in common. I am glad we are in community group together, so I can get to know you even better.
Hi Sarah! I love to read your blog. I guess I love it because of all the boys and it helps me realize that my own craziness is sort of normal. I love the blogs on boys and on school.
You know me...so I'm not sure what to share about myself. Maybe that one day I secretly hope to have a food blog not just a family blog :) Keep up the writing, you have listeners!
Keri Osterberg
I've loved following your blog! My favorite posts are the ones about your home improvements or fun/school activities you do with your boys. We also recently lost a baby girl and I have found so much encouragement from you. Thank you for your honesty and happy bloggiversary!
Sarah, I have really enjoyed reading your blog and it helps me feel semi-connected to your sweet family from almost 1,000 miles away! You were always so sweet and encouraging to me as a single girl and I'm still so very grateful for you! Also, this may seem like a small thing but after Kyle and I first got married you would always send us Christmas cards and it meant so much to me as a new wife in our own home! Thank you for taking time to invest in me!
My favorite posts have been about your home plus seeing the boys! You take such great pictures and I love seeing their personalities as they are growing up! I think when I first met you, you had three boys. :-)
Something about me... I secretly wish I had a great blog with biblical encouragement to offer other moms, delicious recipes, fun pictures, and parenting tips... :-) I guess the Lord knows that my pride wouldn't be able to handle that! Haha...
I would love to see you post more on how you order your days to be able to homeschool and get things done around the house! Any tips on managing multiple kiddos without losing your mind would be great too! ;-) I only have two and want several more but it can be pretty overwhelming most days!
Love your blog, Sarah!
I think my favorite blog posts are when you share from your heart about life, mothering, etc. But I also like your crafty fun posts too! I would also love to see pictures of the new house once you "complete" a room.
Something about me. . .I'm an introvert and have sort of learned to "fake" it in group settings. But I usually hate being in large groups of people. I love one-on-one.
I happen to love special drinks over dessert any day. They are how I treat myself to something special. :) (Bring on the Starbucks!!)
1. I LOVE your blog. It's one of very few that I read religiously. Partly because your house full of boys is so different from mine and partly because it's exactly the same. I like your posts about the everyday. How you manage your days with school & sports, things you make for breakfast, pictures of your new house. I like it all. I enjoy getting to know you and your clan better in sweet little snippets, mostly because I always forget to invite you guys over for dinner or a double date night out whenever I see you. I love your boys, they are precious. I secretly hope/pray that my girls are lucky enough to grow up and marry boys like them.
2. Something about me... I have subscriptions to 5-6 different magazines yet I hardly ever have/make time to read any of them... that, and I hate mushrooms. :)
Sarah I love your blog! I found you through Sarah's blog (clover Lane) and became hooked when you were posting all of your Christmas cookie recipes. I think food related posts would have to be my favorite.
Oh I Love reading your blog!! Your boys are so cute and I love hearing about them.
I really enjoy seeing pictures of your home and would love for you to share easy meals? I have eight blessing and some are so picky:)
Congratulations on your 3rd:) Keep up the good work!!
Happy Blogiversary Sarah! I just enjoy keeping up on your life:) I do love the recipes you share and just how you transparently share from your heart. I first read the name I want to name our baby (due in 3 weeks) on your blog, too! We'll see if my husband comes around:)
I like your cookies recipes posts
Something about me:I am a stay at home Mom who enjoys photography and cooking
elena150980@yahoo.com
1. I love blog posts with writing about real life and pictures that capture those moments.
2. Like you, I love to listen. And so reading blog posts lets me feel like I'm listening in on someone's life even when I don't get to see the person much in real life. I also am not good at taking photos and seldom post any on my blog, though I'm trying to get better.
I too hope you never stop blogging. I love all of your posts. Especially about homeschooling, the boys, whatever is on your heart and your new home.
Growing up as an only child I so appreciate a look into homes with lots of kids. I feel like I'm screwing mine up every single day.
don't quit:0) i so enjoy your blog! i am not a starbucks drinker but i just wanted you to know that you have blessed me... so keep it up!
I just love reading about other moms and thinking about how we are all connected in some ways but can learn so much from each other.
I am a mom to 3 kids...girl age 9 and 2 boys age 5 and 2.
Sarah, I love getting a glimpse into your life through your blog. For some reason I thought you had been blogging forever, probably because you are so good at it.
1) I love the posts about your struggles and when you are not afraid to write about your insecurities. More importantly I love the encouragement it is to hear you write about how God is using those struggles and insecurities to sanctify you and conform you more to His image. As a mommy of 3 little girls I have so many moments where I just want a time-out from the craziness but then God graciously allows those moments to be followed by the realization that I am so very blessed in my busyness. I try and channel you on those crazy days mainly because you are the most laid back mom I know. Thank you for sharing about your baby girl, all those posts were extremely emotional and extremely encouraging. Our kids are miracles and sometimes I forget that when the girls are throwing a tantrum or fighting. When I read your story it makes me want to go and hold all my girls really tight yet I know I have to be willing to praise God even if he decides to take one of them from me. Thank you for sharing all those personal moments, I have been blessed by them.
2) When I make the girls breakfast in the morning I love to take a familiar song tune and change the lyrics so that I have a running commentary on what I am preparing as well as singing the girls names and nicknames into my made up song. The other day I caught Claire doing the same thing except she was using a worship song from church and changed all the lyrics into nicknames and potty humor....oops, didn't see that coming :)
i really enjoy reading the wolfe pack...i appreciate how it fills me in on y'all- even though i'm only a few blocks away...besides your pics and recipes and heart sharing, i also liked how you used to point us to things around the web that you're being challenged by- i think you called it "they say it better?" you're a deep thinker- so, i like knowing things that have you thinking.
happy 3rd to you!
Whether your posts are read in mass or just by your boys one day it's a great way for you to have a history of the many memories of these years. I wish I blogged. I love your pictures that bring me to you home and life. I can hear the boys laughing and screeching and cry cry crying;). Pictures for me help tell the stories.
I'm glad you will continue to write. Chris a big hug to you for encouraging sarahhhhhhhhh.
Sarah, I love your posts! They are simple and heartfelt which encourage me to live simply and heartfelt.
I really like your posts on home management - the colored towels are genius. I would love to know how you handle chores and discipline. We are working on how to be consistent on these issues.
Something about me...gosh, you have known me a long time...I guess maybe you don't know that I'm an awesome speller. Like I went to The spelling bee. I also diagram sentences in my brain. For fun.
Please still be my friend.
xoxo
Sarah, it's been fun watching the boys grow up through your blog posts! Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share your struggles.
I'm loving being a mama to the little T. And, I still think back on those days hanging at your house chatting with you and Chris about parenting. You probably have no idea how much you've influenced the way we are raising our little guy.
Happy 3rd! Please keep writing!
Love your blog!! Your photos are so amazing and they always inspire me to slow down and document life better. A picture is worth 1000 words.
Congrats on the blog anniversary. I love all your boys. I have 2 and am the only girl in the house right now....baby due in July, and we don't know. So, we will see if I will have a "house full of boys"
1. What your favorite kind of blog posts are....just about your everyday life. I love reading blogs and knowing that others are going through the same thing as we are.
2. Tell me something about YOU.....as I said above - I have 2 boys - a Graham! and an Owen. I work, but daydream sometimes about staying at home. I just know if I stayed home - I would daydream about getting out more. I have a blog, but rarely update. I am hoping to get in more of a groove when I am on maternity leave this summer.
I love that you share your heart and faith. I too, am a mother of boys and it encouraging to know I can do it also.
I live in Spokane, wa and have been reading your blog for about 6 months now. I heard about it from a friend.
Sarah, I love all your blog posts. I have always loved your writing and your photos. I love how I can see your everyday life, even though we don't get to see each other or talk on the phone as often as we'd like. Secondly, I can't think of anything that you don't know about me. I am sure there is something, but not sure what it is : ) Chris is a good man for encouraging you to keep on! And remember, that is the first he knew of you was, in the writing of your Christmas letters. It was love at first read!
I loooove your blog!! I read it faithfully and am so thankful for all that you share. Please keep it.
(I am a mother of 3....17, 13 and 10.)
Melanie
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