Recently I read a message board post. The author was asking if personal blogs were a thing of the past.
My first thought? I sure hope not!
My second thought? I have no idea.
I mean…I initially wanted to shout NO WAY!
But then I realized that I honestly don’t know.
There aren’t as many comments anymore. But that extends to all blogs. All galleries. Things just aren’t the same. Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to myself.
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One of my creative resolutions for 2014 (besides MAKE MORE) is to comment on blogs more often.
I feel like Feedly makes it easy to just look…but not to look through and comment.
I’m a lazy blog reader. I like to read, take inspiration, and leave.
And that’s okay sometimes. But not all the time. Blogging is a lot of work. It’s the best kind of work in the world, if you ask me. But it’s work nonetheless. And this year I resolve to leave more comments.
Back to the matter at hand. I know I’m not the only “lazy” blog reader. ๐ I think most people are like I am.
And it’s totally FINE. I don’t do this for the comments. That would be kind of gross, anyway. Though I do see how that would be really easy to get caught up in/sucked in to.
I blog because (as I’ve said a million times before) I LOVE IT. It is my therapy. My voice and my saving grace. There have been many lonely times where it has been my only connection.
But I often wonder if I should be sharing more crafty projects. Those take the most (and best!) work, but seem to get the least feedback. Travel posts are the same.
I think Instagram and Pinterest are a big deal right now. And I LOVE those two places. Facebook? Not so much. I’m pretty disenchanted with FB these days.
Okay. Rambling over.
With that being said…who are you?
If you are reading today, tell me about yourself. Where are you from? How long have you been reading? Tell me anything.
Tell me if you think blogging is a dying art form. Do people still read? Do you just look at photos? Do you just immediately press that “x” on your browser or feedly feed?
I’d love it if you’d join my roll call today. ๐
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xoxo
S
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Long live blogs! ๐ xo
Im here!I’m Margaret, aka wildcatmom and I found you from 2peas. I’m in West Texas and I’ve read your blog for quite a while (how technical is that?! HA!). I know I’ve read since before your twins were born.
I love to read blogs but rarely comment. I’m lazy like that.
I started out reading your blog because I’m a scrapbooker, but I’ve been captivated (and amused!) by your life with 4 little girls and your soldier husband–and let’s face it, a little envious of Italy! I do frequently just browse the blogs I read, but I don’t read that many “personal” blogs these days. The ones that have stayed on my feedly are there for a reason.
I will read as long as you keep writing. Happy New Year, Stephanie!
I am her in Vermont. Love reading your blog (about 2 1/2 years)–love the pictures, the stories and the scrapping.
Steph, I’ve been a reader for years, Sadie and my little one are just a few months apart, and right after she was born was when I started reading. You are the one who got me hooked on Studio Calico. I’m from Colorado originally, but have bounced around a lot the last few years. We are heading to TX after my husband graduates in July! I love blogging, I’ve been added more sewing and other crafts to my blog besides scrapbooking, along with designing free printables for PL.
I don’t think blogging is dying, but I think it’s changing. I think Instagram is almost just as important as having a blog, I think that instant connection is what people are searching for. I need to be better at commenting as well.
๐ I read yours and the PW and Donna D. That, with facebook and Pinterest are the only things I really have time for. I wish I did read others more. And I really wish I made the time to post on my own but I don’t.
This year, my resolution is to create more. Whatever that may be. I’ve started a list of projects I want to complete this year. I’m planning materials, things I need to order, buy etc. I hope you never stop blogging. I’d miss you. ๐
I still read, and it definitely helps when there’s a link to Facebook. I’m in Arizona. Still scrapping. Still a regular on Studio Calico. And like you said, I am bad about visiting blogs and not commenting. Usually reading from an iPad, and my typing skills are awful on the little screen.
I’m Beth….I live in NJ….I have 2 kids….Ryan, 7, and Emily, 3 1/2. I’ve been reading….well….for a long time….since 2009…or 2010….I’ve read about your last 3 moves, at least…and I remember when you had 2 kids….I guess I originally got the link for your blog through 2peas…..I thoroughly enjoy your posts and seeing your kids and your adventures. My first college roommate married a West Point graduate and has 4 kids and is always on the move (they now live in Germany) so I always felt interested in your story as well. I guess…I should comment more often (I also follow your instagram and enjoy that as well)!
I’ve been following you for about two and a half years. I love your family and I love watching them grow and your amazing adventures!
I read! I don’t often comment, though. I try to make a point to reciprocate comments left on my own blog, though. I think the blogging world has shifted a bit, but I do think it is still alive. I still get a good response on mine and that makes me smile. I also read many blogs each day (or when I can), so I know I’m still out there reading! I am in Massachusetts… currently in the snow! LOL! I’ve been reading your blog for a VERY long time! You are such a fun person and that shines through your posts! I hope you keep writing! Happy New Year!
I’ve been an avid reader since Sadie was little. I love your writing style and reading about your adventures, and trials! I seldom comment, but please don’t stop writing!
I can’t even remember how long I’ve followed your blog, but I definitely fall into the lazy blogger category. I read in feedly and usually don’t leave comments. I sure hope blogging isn’t dying, I love getting my daily dose of inspiration.
I’m Kabrina from Virginia and love love your blog. I have been reading your blog since before the twins were born. I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t read it. I first came for the scrapbooking but will say your kids draw me in first and all of your adventures. I feel like you are so down to earth and could be best friends if you lived next door. I am living vicariously through you and seeing Italy and all of the gorgeous pictures. I admit I don’t read that many blogs but I do like them and don’t think they are a dying art.
I’ve been following for a couple of years now. I’m in Arlington, VA and work for DoD PT, since my big (6) started kindergarten last year. I read lots of blogs, and I agree, it’s soooo easy to just scroll through, but I do try and comment on stuff that I love when I see it, probably not as often as I should. I feel like I’ve been crafting my whole life – but these days it’s mostly layouts/cards. I love your blog for the mix of crafty and real life and because it’s funny. Great photos, and you are so real…..in an industry where it seems like we worship the perfect (layout/card/photo/recipe/product/etc.) I love that you share the real along with the beautiful things you make.
I am in Ontario Canada. I am a mom to 3 (2 teens & an eight year old), a school bus driver and a scrapper when my mojo sticks around. I am also a blogger, but I am really bad at keeping up with it. (Actually right now, I don’t really care to, either.)
I have been following you since well before the twins were born. I think I found you via 2 peas. I love your stories & they way you tell them! Your writing style had often made me both tear up, cry & cheer!!
Hi Stephanie!
I’m Michele, from Chicago. I’ve been reading for about 4 years, although I don’t remember how I found your blog. I read almost every day, in fact checking my blogs is one of the highlights of my day. I’m crafty and creative, and although I have never been a scrapper, I would like to document my life more. I look to blogs for creative inspiration, I love any kind of paper craft. Thanks for the inspiration! ๐ Happy New Year!
For me, it depends. There are people whose blogs I follow and only look at the pictures and there are people who just “get me” and whose posts I always read. God, I even close those posts and save them for later to read them when I’ve got more time and enjoy them ๐ You are one of those people, by the way ๐
Talking about me *lol* I’m Sandra, 30 from a town somewhere in Austria. Happily married, no kids yet, planning on building a house this year. I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I’ve been a reader since it was only Harper…gosh..and that’s great. It seems like I really would know you somehow. I love reading about your family, your challenges as a Mum, an Army-wife and so on…all these stories make you so more human, touchable, real.. I really want to try and write more personal posts myself, but it’s hard writing in a language that’s not your mother tongue and I often wonder if there’s even anyone out there that’s interested in all these things.. *sigh* I guess what I wanted to say is that I understand what you mean ๐ But I don’t think blogging is dying..no way..I hope I’ll be able to watch your kids grow, and Elise’s and so on..love that blogging can connect us on such a deep level ๐
Wow..uhm..didn’t mean to write such an essay ๐
Greetings from the North ๐
xoxo Sandra
My name is Yvonne and I have been reading your blog for a long time. (Since well before the twins were born). ๐ I am wife to 1 and mother of 2. ๐ I love Project Life and the simplicity of it and this year my goal is to be more intentional with it. I don’t comment because I really don’t think you want to have another comment from some stranger you’ve never met but I guess you do. ๐ I don’t know if personal blogs are becoming a thing of the past but I hope not. They are my favorite ones to read. I really appreciate your blog and I thank you for keeping up with it. You are real, fun and crazy and it’s always a joy when I see a post from you pop up in Feedly. (I agree, it does make it really easy to be a lazy reader). My favorite color is red, I love to read and I spent Christmas 2006 in the hospital because my daughter is a Christmas Eve baby. ๐ Happy New Year!
I Steph, Elizabeth here (Vancouver, BC-Canada)….I have 2 boys, and Early Childhood Teacher and have been scrapping for a looooong time. I have been reading your blog for years and years….love your style, honesty and your beautiful family. I have always wanted to start a personal blog…me bad…never made the time to commit….and to be honest, it scares the **** out of me. I’m a nervous-nelly and an overthinker, so I think it would just stress me out to no end. Ha! As for commenting….I try and make an effort in commenting on the blogs I read, only because I appreciate the time and effort you all put into your blogs and for sharing with us. I am a stalker, lol, of sorts and check yours regularly, mainly for your scrappy shares and of course, updates on your FABULOUSO family! Cheers to the New Year, and may it bring even more awesome adventures your way!
I’m Kristyn and live in South Mississippi. I have been reading your blog for years (5 or 6 maybe?). I was “introduced” to you by Noell Hyman at Paperclipping. I, like many others, read faithfully, but rarely comment. I love your blog because it is honest and real. you don’t sugar coat life and I appreciate that. I also follow on instagram and LOVE seeing Italy through your eyes. I enjoy all of your posts – the scrapbook pages, thoughts on life and raising girls in today’s world (my daughter is about a month older than the twins), and all of your adventures. I appreciate your courage to be you. Your blog is one of only 3 that are in my “must reads” section on feedly ๐
I don’t think blogs are a thing of the past but rather the comments. I do follow a lot less than I did before but time is precious.
I too love my blog it’s been an avenue for expression, adventure and self discovery for me.
Katie in Indiana
I am in western WI. I do still read… your posts come in my email. ๐ I have been reading your blog since Sadie was pretty little. Harper and my youngest are about 6-7 mo. apart in age. He just turned 7 in mid December. I enjoy all of your stories.. crafts, your fun, cute little girls and other family stories, your travels. I enjoy it all. Please, keep writing!! And yes, I totally get it being lonely and it is your only connection. I am not a military wife. But I do have a husband who works A LOT. It is mostly just me and my two younger kids. The internet/blogs has made the world seem not so lonely and big.
I’m Rebecca. I love blogs. Like love them. When my favorite blogger shows up in my feed I get excited. I don’t comment much, but I miss them (you) if they don’t post for a while. That being said – I love Instagram – and if I don’t see an Italy pic from you and your girls when I wake up in the morning I notice.
Please keep sharing. I am a blogger as well, but not as consistent as I would like to be. Maybe in 2014.
I’m Mariah. I have been married to my husband for 12 years. We’ve been together since we were fifteen, so that makes 17 years total. We have three boys. They are 6, 8, and 10. We live in New Mexico. I’ve been reading this blog for a long time. Way before the twins were born. I’m a teacher, and while I really love scrapbooking I don’t have a ton of time to do it. I do photography on the side, and market one of our family businesses. That keeps me pretty busy. I’m going to make an effort to create more this year. I read several blogs every day. I love blogs, and I love blogging, but I don’t always leave comments. So, that sums it up ๐
Hi Stephanie…. I’ve been an avid reader since before the twins were born… I initially started to read your blog through a shared love of scrapbooking, … Haven’t scrapped for a long time, but still read your blog daily as the girls have captured my heart… Being a twin myself C & L make me laugh lots…. I’ve travelled across the USA and through Italy… So love reading about your adventures as well… Wish you & J and the girls an amazing 2014. Teresa xx
I’m Andrea from Switzerland and read your blog through feedly. I never just look at the pictures. I always read everything. I’m not a commenter, just a reader. And I really love what you blog.
I have been reading your blog faithfully for the last few years but don’t think I’ve ever left a comment. It’s kind of weird because Even though we’ve never met I feel like you are my friend. I usually just skim through blog posts and look at the pictures but always look forward to reading yours in therir entirety to see what new adventures you are up to and all of the insightful things you have to say. I also love to read so we’re friends on Goodreads and it’s always fun to see what you’re reading!
Hi Stephanie! I have been reading your blog since we met in 2010 in GA, lived on the same street, and you were pregnant with the twins! Your blog is the ONLY blog I read regularly, and I think it is because yours is a personal blog. I love how you really put it out there in a very thoughtful manner, sharing your experiences and feelings with us. Keep it up!
Hi there, Stefanie here from South Africa.
I am so guilty of reading and exiting as well, but then have almost given up blogging myself because of lack of response. With teens it gets harder to share when the things they say and do aren’t that cute anymore – or when you face really tough stuff that you’d tell you bestie about but not really everyone on facebook.
I know that I have been reading you for years, well before the twins were born.
I love your take on Italy and the Italians having just got back from a med cruise and three days in Rome. I still snigger to myself when I hear your voice saying they don’t queue as much as cluster. Perfectly Italian to a T.
Wishing you all of the very best for you and your sweet family in the New Year.
I think I commented when you posted a similar post, but if not I’ll say it again. It’s because of you and through your blog that I’ve gained an entirely new perspective/appreciation for military life, military wives, and as a result I’m much more genuine in my gratitude (and patriotism) toward the military. I try to say thank you whenever I run in to military personnel while out-and-about, and I have to say that’s because of you.That’s not something I’d done before reading your blog. Your words, your blog have really been an eye-opening read to see Sadie born without her daddy there, and to get to live vicariously through all your new homes and travels, to see the ups and the downs. I truly appreciate your outspoken-ness (making up my own words now) and your willingness to be transparent, to show that you DON’t have it all together and that’s OK. It’s something that I can relate to. It’s something I definitely appreciate. And the fact that you’re a scrapbooker makes it all the more special. Yes, I’m a lazy blog reader. Yes, I should comment more. But thank you for continuing to reveal to us who you are and who the Lord is creating you to be all through the avenue of your blog. Keep it up!
Love reading your blog…and many others. But I lurk…ha! I love the stories, the photos, and the beautiful projects!
I have pretty much abandoned my blog…but I refuse to let it go completely…I still have hopes that I will return to it…it was my therapy as well. Such a treat to go back and look through the moments that the year brought, and my thoughts at those moments.
So I HOPE it isn’t dying out…to much good inspiration would disappear!
Have a beautiful day and year!
Hello, I’m Diane and I’m originally from Germany but have lived & worked in the UK for more than 7 years now. I have been reading your blog (and every now and then also commenting on it) since Sadie was a baby and J had just left for his long deployment. In the beginning I was mainly here for your pages but have enjoyed the transition to other topics as well. I like that you are not just showing a perfect world but rather reality.
I tried blogging myself for a couple of years but it just isn’t right for me. Nevertheless I am continuing to read personal blogs and am often on the lookout for new ones to add to my feedly. Come to think of it, I actually prefer personal to company or otherwise professional blogs and often stop reading if things get too commercial (sales, advertising, pushing producs constantly). I also most definitely read, with photos playing more of a secondary role.So that’s me ๐
I’m Debbi from Wisconsin and I’ve been following you since Sadie was a little thing, it has been exciting to watch your family grow. I love your style and wit and heartfelt posts, especially the pictures! I’m a card maker and a scrap booker and I think blogs are still going strong but I also agree that it’s too easy to breeze by and be gone. I think it’s a good idea to take time to comment, I am going to try to do the same! And can you please share the name of the beautiful FONT you used for the words ROLL CALL? I love it! ๐
Hi there … I’m Jen from Washington, and started reading your blog through scrapbooking. I use Feedly, and follow way too many blogs, so am guilty of just reading and not posting. Unless I’m asked! ๐
I do the same thing…all the time…I felt a bit guilty reading your post today! haha!
my name is kat. I read every post you publish. I love your crafty posts but im interested in your life, in general. my family is a military family so I love that aspect of your blog. hopefully even if personal blogs are dying out yours wont!!
Debbi-
Its Janda Stylish Script!
Hi Steph! I’ve been reading over here since a few months before you found out you were pregnant with the twins. Hard to believe they are so big already! I agree with you about being a “lazy blog reader.” I’m the exact same way. Lately, I’ve even been a lazy blog WRITER!! Need to work on that in 2014, I think.
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Ok I’ve followed your blog since Sadie was a newborn. I’m in the Dallas area and sadly don’t scrapbook anymore though I keep saying I will. My husband is a retired Marine.
I’m horrible at commenting on blogs FB posts twitter or Instagramjust tend to favorite or hit like. My way of saying I’ve been there.
I love reading your blog about life with the girls, being a military wife (the differences and the sameness) and your a huge inspiration on your creativity
I live in Florida and found your blog via another pro scrapbooker. I started reading around the time when your twins were born. I am not a scrapbooker anymore, but I am a mom to three young girls about the same age as yours, have military family members and have lived abroad. Thanks for sharing your stories and travels!
Hi Stephanie! I’m Jenn. I have a blog with two friends called leona lane. I’ve been reading your blog since 2009 (ish?) and have always loved it. I don’t think blog reading is dying but I tend to read mostly on my iPhone now using bloglovin and I think it’s a little harder to comment, at least you have to take one more step. But I still read blogs regularly. I have noticed that personal posts are more interesting to me, because I have my own style of scrapbooking and don’t take as much direct inspiration from others as I used to. But I still like to share on my own blog. Who knows? Maybe no one reads those posts. But I, like you, mostly blog for myself and my enjoyment. It is nice to get comments though, I really love the community.
Hi Stephanie! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. I love reading blogs – its often my “treat” for the day. I am fascinated by what keeps me reading certain blogs. I’m usually brought there by scrapbooking but I stay because the blog speaks to me. I like a mix of content; scrapbooking, personal life, big thoughts, little thoughts, family life etc. I don’t often comment because I figure my one thought about something probably doesn’t mean that much to someone I don’t know in real life – even if I wish I did! ๐ Your blog today has made me resolve to comment more to let bloggers I read know that I appreciate what they are willing to put out there and share!
I read your blog and Elise Blaha Cripe’s religiously. I have been for years and almost never comment. (sorry!) I enjoy these two because no one is shoving a product down my throat or doing incessant promotional posts. You’re very real and I like reading each of your posts whether travel, kid or scrap booking related. As a military wife with two young kids I feel like I relate to your posts. I also follow you on Instagram but don’t do Pinterest.
Hi Stephanie,
I read about 99% of your posts and have commented a few times. I don’t blog, nor do I use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram – I just keep up with a few blogs that interest me via Feedly. If I see something on your blog that has touched me and about which I could make an appropriate comment I post it, but I never waste time just commenting for commenting’s sake. Don’t have that kind of time to waste.
I’ll share something from the perspective of the “average reader on the street” if it helps.
Maybe you could try to read & give a short reply to comments once in a while. One thing I noticed is that often when I do take the time to comment on someone’s blog, if I go back and never see a blogger replying to comments (mine or anyone else’s) I think “well, she pulled us here to her blog, but she’s not really interested in engaging her readers or what we have to share.” I know that time is short – but when you’ve left a little bit of your heart on someone’s blog it is nice to know you’ve been heard.
That being said, I live in Michigan, and I am currently trying to keep my sanity between my family obligations, my vocation and arranging care for my elderly father who has been in & out of the nursing home/hospital over the last six months. When you did “blog your heart” a bit ago I borrowed your corner of the Internet to blog my own heart, because it was breaking under the strain and I needed to put it out there somewhere!
God bless you – I really enjoy reading about your family’s adventures in Italy, although I started reading your blog when you were still in Savannah.
Hi Stephanie! I started reading you blog the year I was about to have twins and four kids total! I knew you’d be someone I could relate too. (Also your friend Kimberly in Houston said you had an awesome scrapbooking blog).I think personal blogging is alive and well, though I am guilty of clicking and going on. I enjoy what I can when I can – pictures, words, videos. I need the space to write, think, and reflect on my life. I fear it will all pass me by so quickly and I won’t have stopped every now and then to be grateful for all the good things in it. Currently, I’m focused mostly on project life. I often wonder how you juggle your four children and create beautiful scrapbook pages. I try to keep my 4 busy every now and then so I can have fun with my paper products. I wanted to let you know I find your words inspiring!
I’m Alison from California. I too started because of the scrapbooking connection and stayed because I enjoy your writing (you make me laugh and sometimes cry) and fell in love with your family. I’ve been reading for over three years. My three girls like to keep up with your girls’ adventures, and even my husband gets updates occasionally. I don’t use a blog reader, I just check my favorites every day and they are all personal blogs, mostly from other crafty people. Thank you for taking the time to share all that you do. Best wishes to the Howells for 2014.
Hi! I have been reading on and off for a couple of years! But I guess I follow you more on Instagram! I’m Kristin, an Aussie living in Switzerland with my Swiss husband, two kiddos and 1 on the way! I love all things creative but have had a couple of slower years recently. But this year Determine to document more and take more photos with my real camera! Love how motivated you guys are to explore Italy!! You must come up and explore more of Switzerland!!! Happy new year! Kristin (aka swisskris on lnstagram) ps totally a lazy blog reader since I use my iPhone more – harder to comment than when reading on a computer!
I’m Sandi from California. I’ve been reading your blog for many years. Before the twins were born. I love the scrapbooking, LOVING all the travel photos, but mostly the army posts hooked me. My brother in law was in the army, and I felt like I was constantly nodding along every time I read something you wrote.
I don’t think personal blogs are dying, but I do think you are right about being “lazy.” It’s just too easy to read on bloglovin’ (and others) and then scroll to the next blog. I love the idea of commenting more on blogs because who doesn’t love comments? I hope you don’t stop blogging, because I’m not going to stop reading it. Happy New Year!
You know who and where I am ๐ I’m a disenchanted Facebiok user too. I go months with out using it but I use Instagram everyday ๐ I’m a lazy blog reader too. You have a great blogging “voice”. I feel like I’m listening to you talk ๐
I’m a lazy blog reader too. From Google Reader to Feedly, it definitely makes it easier to read and look and then move on without commenting. But I definitely don’t think blogs are dead or dying, at least I hope not. I don’t know what I’d do without my daily dose of inspiration. I’ve been reading your blog since sometime before the twins were born and have enjoyed following you guys to Savannah, Rhode Island, and Italy. I am a Project Life-r so I enjoy the crafty posts, but your Italy and daily life posts are my favorite. I enjoy keeping up with you guys on Instagram too. It makes my mostly boring Indiana days a little brighter. ๐
Hi! I’m Molly from Austin, TX. I’m 29 and just moved a couple months ago. I have been using my blog to keep my family updated on my life there and what’s going on with me! I also share my craft projects and photos.
I have been reading your blog for a couple years now. I think you guys were living in Savannah at the time, or were about to move there. It’s fun following your adventures!
I agree, with the Feedly reader, I rarely click out to comment. And with Pinterest, I just pin things I like, rather than comment saying I like it. That needs to change!
Absolutely.
If anyone makes conversation or leaves a comment I always respond. Without fail. The thing is that these responses are usually private. In other words, I respond directly to the commenter through email instead of via the blog. Typepad now has a glitch and it sends all the comments I make on my own blog to spam. Meaning they are never published on the blog at all. Because of this I respond directly through email. Hope that make sense. I am always reading and responding. ๐
Sent from my iPhone
I am going on 5 years of reading and being inspired by your blog. There is a truth in your “voice” that won me over from the start and your scrapbooking always seems perfect to me. While I have never met you, I feel like I am catching up with a friend daily and look forward to your blog posts and Instagram pictures. I want to thank you again for sharing your life with us. It is a gift.
I’m Olivia a 37 year old wife, mom, and middle school librarian from Central Arkansas. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time, can’t remember exactly how long. I think I originally found you at Cocoa Daisy years ago. I’m still there and it is a great community. I used to comment a lot more often on blogs and message boards, but last year we had a third little boy (our other two are 10 & 7, so we kinda started over…yikes!) and it has become harder to find time to comment or get anything accomplished for that matter. I have a blog too, but it is very hit and miss. It seems when I am all organized I have more time, but organization is rare. I should take more time to make connections with people, but most of the time I just read and go on. I read your blog a lot & I love seeing the world through the eyes of a military spouse and crazy mama who is making it all work with grace and love. You make me more appreciative of my country and the freedoms I often take for granted. Thank you for blogging from your heart and for sharing your life with the rest of us. I will make it a point to comment more. Not because you were asking me too, but because I almost always have thoughts/opinions after reading your blog and others, & I should be sharing those with others. I should be cultivating my life with women who are going through similar experiences of being wives and mama’s and who are trying to make it work, make it be worthwhile, and make it full of traditions and memories. I don’t want blogs to die. I want them to be rich environments full of love and support of each other.
I started reading your blog when Sadie was very small. I found it through scrapbooking. I follow three blogs faithfully – yours, Dear Lizzy and Teresa Collins. I love that you seem so real and you tell it like it is. I love your pictures and the antics of your girls. I live in OK (born in TX – spent most of life in Kansas City). Love the Lord, scrapbooking and paper!
Hi, I’ve been reading your blog since before Sadie was born and found you through scrapbooking (love your style!) Love reading about all your Italy adventures & how open you are with your emotions and how you love your beautiful girls! I hardly comment on blogs but wanted to say hi since I imagine you want to know who is out there reading your blog ๐ I live in Hawaii and have 2 daughters (3 yo and 9 months old). Happy New Year!
Lazy Feedly reader here in Oregon. I’ve been reading your blog and many others for years, would hate if they all faded away! I’m a military wife & mom, my husband was stationed in Vicenza in the years just before we got married. I’m loving your pictures and stories from there, as they are all the places he told me about, but now from a woman/mom’s perspective instead of a 20-something soldier boy’s.
Happy New Year!!! I’m Mel , from England. I’ve read your blog since Harper was small and love it ๐ I have commented a few times but not often, although I sometimes concoct comments in my head while reading that I never post! (Lazy!) I love to follow your adventures with your beautiful girls, especially recently in Italy. I think you are incredibly brave, with a husband in the army and travelling all the way to another country so different from your own with your sweet family. Keep on blogging! xx
Hi there. I found you blog and began reading when you just found out your were expecting twins. I was hooked to your blog immediately and have loved following your grand adventure. I’ve been married for 11 years to my very best friend. We have a 3 year old daughter who keeps us fully entertained and on our toes. We live right outside of Austin and love to travel any chance we get. I started a blog years ago and posted religiously on it for years when I was an avid cardmaker. I then had my daughter, stopped stamping and left my blog for over a year. I’m back now, but I have definitely noticed a huge difference. I hardly ever get any comments or feedback, which is fine. It won’t stop me from sharing, but it’s interesting to see the change. I get a lot of reposts on Pinterest but usually just 1 or 2 replies. Oh well. I try my best to comment when I can on my favorite blogs!!
Hugs and happy new year!!!
(Kauai17)
Hey! I totally agree… I’m a lazy blog follower… I read in feedly but don’t come out often enough to comment. It’s funny I don’t get many comments on my actual blog but I run into people I know and they tell me the love what they are reading and they definitely follow along! I think most of us are lazy readers… the convenience of reading and pinning makes it far too easy ๐ As far as me? I’m from California, Monterey area to be more geographically specific and I work as a business data analyst by day and craft in my spare time…. when my husband and pets aren’t demanding attention! I’ve read your blog for more than a few years and I think I started reading you initially for your scrapbook blog posts. Love your work! I love reading along about your Italian adventures too! ๐ Happy new year to you and your family!
I’m k8 from Virginia and I think I’ve been reading since Sadie was a baby! I rarely leave comments (unless you’ve made he cry) but I love following your adventures both craft and familial.
Like a lot of people, I’ve been reading for years! I found your blog through scrapbooking, but I’ve stayed for your beautiful honest writing and to “keep up” with your gorgeous girls. I too have two older children and then a set of twins, so it’s nice to know I’m not the only one living in wonderful chaos most of the time ๐ I admire your grace under pressure and your unfailing sense of humour. I don’t comment very often at all but I love to read! I used to blog very regularly but took a long break after my babies were born. I’ve just started my blog back up this year to help me document our lives better (“document” is my OLW). I know blogging isn’t trendy or whatever anymore but I love it!
Ashley here. Been reading your blog since back in the 2Peas Pub Board days. Old school. (Insert secret handshake here.) I don’t think blogs are dying, but I think peoples’ interests change over time. I used to follow almost all scrapbookers and then I stopped ‘crapbooking and only follow a few of them now that I have a personal connection with. You and two others. You and I are a lot of like personality wise. ๐ Now, I follow more fashion blogs, because I’m shallow. Clearly. I’m guilty of looking at the pretty pictures and not commenting. But, I’m here. Loving your pictures of the girls and your adventures.
Hi Steph! I have been following your blog since Sadie was born. A long time!! Yours is the only blog that I still follow. I used to follow a ton of scrap booking ones, but not any more. Blogs do seem to be a dying breed. I used to have my own blog, back when I was designing and selling my digital scrap book products. It was a lot of work to post anything and yet I felt that no one was reading it, so that came to an end. I do miss blogging though. In fact every time I visit your blog, I get all inspired again to scrap book, something that has also left me. I too love Pinterest and other social media, but it has taken over the good old days of blogging and chat rooms. I am a stay at home mom of three kids (including twins), I live in Minnesota, I have been scrap booking for close to 10 years, and I trying to get myself back into the workforce after being gone for 10 years. I am scared!!! LOL!!! But PLEASE don’t ever stop blogging!! I absolutely love to read your blog and I am very guilty of not always commenting. But I actually read every post, well almost always. If you stopped I would always wonder how you and your family are doing, where you are, what exciting adventures you are taking, etc… ๐
I don’t remember how I found you, but your blog saved me from the borings at a job I couldn’t stand! My name is Jill, Mama to 1 precious girly (22 months), wife to a great guy and lover of paper goodies. I reside in Kansas. I live for blogs and definitely hope they aren’t dead! I adore your crafty-style and honesty. Keep on keepin’ on, sister!
i read a lot, because i’m nosey ๐ i don’t write in my own because i’m awful at the troll and hate nonsense that seems to come with putting your heart on the line. i’m a lazy reader too though, using bloglovin to scroll through. i don’t comment often and i probably should because a lot of people ARE putting their heart on the line and they should know it’s resonating with someone, somewhere.
hugs ๐
Hello Stephanie, I’m Rachel! Checking in from Colorado. I’ve been reading your blog for several years-I think I “met” you through Studio Calico. My kids are similar in age to yours and we are a military family, so I feel I can relate in many ways! Please don’t stop the travel posts as I am trying to live vicariously through you with all your wonderful Italy adventures! ๐ I enjoy your honesty, your beautiful decor and crafty posts, and hearing about all your family adventures! Happy New Year to you and your family!
I’m Shanan…. I’ve been following your blog since Sadie was a toddler. I began because of your scrappy goodness but continued because I felt a connection with you and your personal life… my husband was in the Navy and my sister’s husband is in the Coast Guard and they travel a lot… your family stories remind me of my own (sometimes I feel like we might be in the same family and just aren’t aware of it) and I really enjoy the WAY that you write… to us all as though we have known you personally for years… Having said all of that, I don’t often leave comments, not for any real reason just don’t…. there are several blogs I follow only for the scrappiness and those I tend to look for the photos and move on. I pray God’s guidance for you and yours this 2014, may you be blessed greatly!
Hi Stephanie
I’m Abi from the UK. I have been reading your blog for years. Before the babies were born. I started blogging when I was fifteen and searched out blogs to follow. Yours was one of the first I found. I liked your style of writing and you totally made me laugh. Your photos were and still are beautiful too.
I feel like blogging has changed recently. I am still so excited to blog and personally really value bloggers who share their heart and are just plain honest. There have been many blogs I have followed over the years and dropped out of simply because I felt like the blogs were becoming a gallery for the authors art work. There was none of themselves left. What has drawn me to your blog is that through what you write I feel I get to know you and appreciate the layouts you make and your photos better!
I am afraid as a student I am very lazy and often just click through and read and don’t comment! So here I am changing that!
Thank you for sharing here. It always gives me encouragement both into faith and on general life! Keep blogging your heart!
God bless
Abi x
Hi Steph, I’m Peggy and have been reading since before Sadie was born. I sent the book, Miss Harper Can Do It. I’m your Mom’s age – no little kids. I comment now and then and read through Bloglovin. I think folks are turned off by blogs becoming big business with the sponsored posts. I don’t mind because real enthusiasm shines through. I would be the same way. I enjoy hearing about your adventures and your family.
Hi there! I would say I’m a new reader (within the last couple months), and I think I found you from Elise Blaha’s blog. I’m not a scrapbooker, but I do like seeing all your photos, and the posts about life as a mom / living in Italy are what I really love.
Hi Steph!
I’m Amy from So Cal & I have been reading your blog for a long time. I love seeing all your adventures & that you share the ups and downs of life. 2013 was a crazy year for my husband and I. We experienced insane lows with enduring a failed adoption of a baby girl and then monumental highs when we were able to successfly adopt a baby girl in July. I took the school year off from teaching (I teach jr high special education) to be home with our little one and now have to face the decision of returning to work and such. Never a dull moment!!
I’ve noticed the same thing lately, I very rarely get comments even if I spend hours and hours typing something up. I stopped caring quite a while ago tho haha. I still go to blogs all the time almost exclusively although I’m like you and rarely comment either (tsk tsk to me). I would if it was a simpler thing on BlogLovin, but it’s such a pain and I also really hate that so many blogs have those little codes you have to enter before commenting. Not a big deal on a computer but hard to do sometimes on my phone. Enjoying reading about your adventures in Italy- what fun ๐
I’m Heidi from Tulsa… I don’t know how long I’ve been reading but I think I was directed to your blog from something else scrapbook related, maybe 2Peas? When I started readong you only had Harper. I always loved your layouts, but then hearing your family story with military and little ones and moving different places was always interesting to read. I comment every now and again.
I have a blog. My goal is to revamp it this year. Blogging was a lot more personal a few years ago but now I think it’s so bogged down with sponsored posts, giveaways and daily outfits (Where the clothes are all bought at Target. Not that there’s anything wrong with buying clothes at Target, I buy my clothes there! I just think we’re all good at putting leggings and boots and a sweater by now, no need to make it a daily post thing. I’m rambling.)
I think your blog has always had a great balance of everything. Your sponsored/giveaway posts aren’t too much or too often, and they are relative to your content. I absolutely love seeing glimpses of your family life in Italy. I have a 5 month old baby and we’d love to travel abroad with her someday, so seeing your photos and travel stories is inspiring. I like looking at your scrapbook and craft/home decor posts, too. As a patriot, too I am thankful for your husband’s service and for your family’s service too. I’ve always wanted to say that to you. ๐
Hi Stephanie I am Alissa and I currently live in Fredericton, NB Canada. I’ve been enjoying your blog for about 6 years now and I love it! I love watching your chicks growing up and I live everything you share with us. You make me laugh, you make me cry and I pray you don’t stop blogging!!! Thank you again for being you and for sharing!!
Hi from Finland!
I’m also a scrapbooker and I’ve been reading your blog for years.
Wishing you a great 2014 in beautiful Italy!
I’m Allison from Michigan. I’ve been reading your blog FOREVER. Like since Sadie was a baby. I too, read and don’t comment all that often…but I do comment. My six year old used to love Harper’s ‘ashion videos. Even made a few trips to old navy to pick up dresses so she could dress like Harper. Personal blogs are my favorite, and I totally understand that it’s so very difficult to keep one up. Mine is quite neglected. Please keep on blogging…please encourage others. Nothing brightens my day more than seeing that one of my “ladies” has a new blog post!!
I love your blog, Stephanie. The experiences you have and your values and beliefs are something I like too. Love hearing all your stories and seeing your pages. You create beautiful projects/memories. I am from New Zealand and should comment more on your posts. I mean, I always look forward to new ones, so why aren’t I commenting more!!
Happy happy 2014 – don’t go a changing.
Tracey ๐
HI, I am Rhian, married mum of one boy (8) step-mum of two boys (18 & 21) full time microbiologist, part time scrapbooker / card maker / knitter / baker from north west England. I have been reading your blog since you were on the SC design team, I love reading about your travels, everyday type stuff and your crafty stuff. I don’t blog myself but love to read them, I read yours and a couple of other blogs daily but don’t always have time to post a comment.
I comment very little. If I think I have something ‘useful’ to add I look first and it has probably been said. If I see a million comments I think it is ‘more work’ for you to look at one more that probably doesn’t add much. THat’s what I do. This is how I got here: I follow mostly scrappers OR people that used to scrap. I got hooked into your style and into your ‘personality’ and love for your family. Now I come for the family stories and Newport and Italy and ______. Not just because you are scrapping less, so am I. The majority of blogs I check regularly (that used to mean daily–now weekly) are people that I admire their talents but also admire them. Your blog makes me think I should comment more. . .
I’m Vicki and living in Christchurch, New Zealand. Have been reading your blog for a number of years and yes, am a lazy commenter. I love reading blogs but generally just comment on those people I know. I must do better this year with the commenting especially on the manufacturer blogs where the DT’s put in a lot of work for them. Most of my friends went to facebook and gave up their blogs. Still got mine as I love it as somewhere to rant and rave, and share. I do reciprocate if someone new comes along though and comments. Instagram is new to me but I love Pinterest. ๐
hiya from the UK I started following your blog as I love your scrappy style probably 3 or 4 years (pre twin era!) then I fell in love with all your family stories, the love you share with J and the girls and I have loved following what you have been doing as well as what you have been making xxx
Hi! I’m Amy from Ontario Canada. I found your blog when I was just starting project life and was looking for
Inspiration! I enjoy your posts!
Hi Stephanie!
I started reading your blog because of your scrapbooking, but stayed because I feel like we could be friends in real life. I know, kind of stalkery!!! But I have a daughter whose age is between Harper and Sadie so your little girl stuff is right on track. Plus your girls are just so adorable, who wouldn’t stay to read their antics???
Your scrap style is very much like mine, and I appreciate that you are a busy momma just like me. I love how honest you are about your successes and failures and it is just real which makes this a blog that I love to follow because I don’t feel like man I should be more like her, I feel like – good, she is just like me!!
And now you are living my dream in Italy!!! I am dying to go and I am living vicariously through you right now. We are a military family now, my hubby and two of my brothers were in the military, still have one more brother and two sister in laws who are still in the military, and I get it and love to read about others who live that crazy life!
I read and love every post. I do not comment nearly enough, but I talk about you and your family and the things you do like you are friend. I agree, Pinterest and Feedly make it tough to comment. I would love if Feedly could somehow work in the comment feature and I think I would comment more. So I will follow your lead and try to comment some more. I know you are not doing it for the comments, but I know it is nice to know what resonates with others so you can do more of that.
Happy New Year!!! (and if I get to Italy while you are still there, we are totally going to have a playdate!! LOL!!)
I’m here!
I’ve been here since not long after Sadie was born. I don’t think blogs are dying but like you, don’t often comment, half the time I’m on my phone and typing in boxes on that is no fun.
Love your blog ๐
Hey there! I’ve been reading for a couple of years, but never comment for the reasons you mentioned. I tend to click through and comment to the bloggers that I have established relationships with over the years- just so they know that someone IS reading. Ha! But, like you, comments tend to keep me encouraged and keep me going. A lot of the blogs I love to read have gotten less personal and mine has gotten less personal, but I still post a lot of updates and recaps and what we’ve been up to type posts. Anyway… I’m Erin and I blog at Blue-Eyed Bride about our home and my family and the occasional project, but mostly about my heart. ๐ I love your blog!
Oh. I’m in Columbia, SC
I’m from Singapore and I love your blog. I got to know your blog from studio calico. I have been following you for 1 1/2 years. I have 3 kids myself and love reading how you managed with 4 on your own.
Please continue to blog. I look forward to reading yours everyday.
I’m from Texas and I follow through Feedly. So I guess that makes me a lazy blog reader. I’m a super stressed working mom of 2 so I’m often reading late at night as my eyes are closing, I do appreciate you as a blogger. You are one of the few bloggers that I feel is real. I love your style and the ability to relate to you. And that makes your blog one of my favorites. Knowing this, I will make more of an effort to comment.
I’m Aimee. I have been reading since 2010 and I am from Arizona. Who am I? That’s a deep question. I originally came here for the scrapbooking but I stayed because I admire how much you share of your heart. I don’t know if blogs are dying but I haven’t gotten as much inspiration from blogs like I used to. I mostly search out Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration these days. I have long contemplated being an avid commenter but don’t know that my comments matter. Love seeing your words and pictures! Hope you and your family have a great 2014.
Can’t remember how I found your blog. I click through to your blog at least once a week. Love reading about your experiences in another country. I am from Cairns, Australia but am currently in Edmonton, Canada on a 12 month exchange with the family. I scrapbook also ๐
Elizabeth. From Canada. Been reading your blog since you were pregnant with the twins. Found you through scrap booking, but stick around because of your authenticity, because of your outlook on life. I sure hope your blog isn’t becoming a thing of the past, because I still love visiting!
Funny… I’ve been meaning to do this for awhile because I felt I couldn’t/shouldn’t comment on your IG photos until I “introduced” myself. Weird, maybe?! I “found” you when I took a photog class via SC. Saw you on the message boards, found your blog, enjoy your words and photos. My brother is in 160th SOAR in SAV, so I followed your move since that was familiar! Then found you on IG and just adore your little family, adventures and realistic take on life. (Thanks to you, I know what to do when my 2yo takes her diaper off repeatedly at bedtime!). LOL! Unlike most of your followers, I don’t scrap, but I appreciate your creative side. The longer I type this, the more stalker-ish I feel, but I promise… innocent admiration and inspiration here. ๐ Happy New Year and thanks for having all of us weirdos in your life! ๐
DON’T STOP! I love to read about all your adventures!
Hi, Stephanie! My name is Krys and I’ve been reading your blog for years – I’ve lost count but I think I’ve been reading since right around when Sadie was born… I don’t leave comments often, although I know we’ve exchanged comments a couple of times! I started scrapping in 2003 which is when I “found” scrapping blogs, but currently I’m more into Project Life, mini books and the occasional 12×12 page. I LOVE your girls! More, I love your relationship with Jimmy and the girls. THAT is what I come to your blog for: to see the love, to watch the girls grow. What you have with your family is what I was brought up to believe is the way it should be. Family first, the world later. I know there are people who don’t think the same way, but I’m just going to take this opportunity to say thank you! Thanks for sharing your wonderful family with us all!
I’m married with two adult stepchildren who I love with all my heart. My husband is retiring soon, and I’m hoping to win the lottery so I can retire early and spend time with him. We have a lake house we go to every weekend and if you follow me on Instagram, there are a lot of lake pictures – it’s so beautiful there!
I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I’ve been reading for a few years.
I am living vicariously through you & your travels around Italy. You have to let me know if you ever make it to Slovenija, b/c I lived there for 18 months as a missionary for the Mormon church. It’s a gorgeous little country.
Thanks for blogging, and I hope you don’t quit! ๐
Me? Busy mommy of 4 boys (planning to marry them to your four girls, HA that would be fun), loves paper and all things scrap related (like your blog), passionate about her family and photography (talking photos of her boys), just plain old me. I too love to blog, and hope to keep on blogging and telling more stories. I too am guilty of not leaving comments though I still LOVE reading blogs (yours in particular). I’m ready to keep blogging alive. Off to comment on some of my favourite blogs …..
Hello my name is Jennifer. I am married to a sweet hubby for 10 years and have two girls 7 and 3. I have been reading sometime after I started receiving Studio Calico kits and that has been at least 4 years??? I am from Missouri and blog also at http://thecowanlife.blogspot.com/ but I don’t really have any followers other than friends and family. I definitely am a lazy blogger, just reading in feedly and never clicking through. But I love reading your blog….kids, travel, military life and scrapping…its all good!
Hello from Nashville! Though when I first started reading your blog over 4 years ago I was living in Chicago. I read your blog because I’ve always felt I relate to you and have enjoyed following along with your journey. I typically read each weekday though rarely ever comment. Sorry for that! I’ve always enjoyed it, just never join the conversation. Guess I should jump in. ๐
Thanks for putting in the work and doing what you do!
Tracy
Hello from Insta! I’m CalleLillyCafe on just about everything! Yes I think personal blogging is going away. Sort of. I have asked this before too. Why does everyone think or do what the next one is doing? Many blog for $$, many write sponsored posts or it’s all about promoting a device etc. I would love for it to go back to when you wanted to read about someone’s life and see what they were up to. I have met many people via blogs & Twitter. I love the homespun take on blogs, DIY handmade, crafty, scrapbook, PL pages, etc. Not so crazy about the push push on certain brands… AND many bigger blogs turned into HUGE and have 4 contributors. I’ll stop it there. I wish too that all would just slow down and not have to be the best at this or that and just be real. Share real stories. Happy 2014!
Great topic! I have my own blog, and I don’t get many comments, so I have wondered who is listening? I enjoy it either way, but I do wonder. I also use Feedly and I wish they made it easier to comment, since I’ve started using it, I am super lazy about commenting.
Your blog, for example, I read every post! It’s been months since I commented, which is so lame!
Thanks for sparking the conversation, I’m going to go thru and read the comments that others have shared.
Hi Stephanie. I’ve been reading your blog for about 7 years I guess. I connected to your blog easily since I was a new mom at the time and was interested in scrapbooking and lived in Texas too.
Anyway, I live in the Dallas area with my awesome little family. My hubby works in insurance and we have 2 girls (7.5 years and 5 years) and a 6 month old baby boy. I love reading your thoughts and I love how real and authentic your blog is…the realities of life with kids. ๐ Keep on writing!
– Alyssa
Hi there! I’m also guilty of reading more than I comment on blogs – – but I will join with you in making the effort to comment more often. It is so easy to “like” posts on FB, <3 posts on Instagram, and pin projects that I think we often forget to connect with the artists who created those projects in a deeper way. Thank you for the reminder, and I am glad to join your Roll Call!
I’ve been reading since (I think) you had the twins! I love following your journey, your pictures are so appealing to the eye (translation: you’re a great photographer!). I am from Oregon and just recently adopted 2 babies! I think you are sweet to wanna comment more! You once commented on my blog and made my day!! I agree people should comment more… instagram has sort of taken over because its quick and easier (not that im complaining i love instagram). I love all your creativity. But I think i just love your heart and your sweet family the most!
Love, Naomi (Corvallis Oregon) ababysentfromthestars.blogspot.com
I’m a lazy blog reader too but I love your blog! I love all of your pictures and you have me dying to visit Italy!
So, I have wayyyy tooo many blogs in my feed (Bloglovin) & I read some all the time (mostly the personal ones). Others, I save for when I am in need of inspiration (crafting, photography, fashion, etc). I am very bad at commenting, though.
Hi stephanie, I have read your blog for about 6 or 7 years? Around that time I was crazy into scrapbooking and started looking at scrapbooking blogs. Then one blog led to another and another and suddenly I had 50 or so blogs in my reel, maybe even more. About 4 years ago I cut most of them out and now keep up with 10 or so. The ones I keep up with are ones that keep telling me the stories of their lives. I no longer read any blogs for any sort of craft inspiration. I read to decompress and for me it is like flipping through a few pages of a good book (that never ends!). I quit teaching last year to stay home with my 2 girls and open a daycare. Once the kids are down for naps, the first thing I do is check feedly and check out for a bit. It’s my selfish part of the day which is why I don’t leave comments.
Hi Stephanie, I’m Sinead from Ireland and I’ve been reading your blog for a while and love it. I love blogs that are personal (like yours!) and give me a little window into the reality of other people’s lives. I love the mixture of posts you have on here, from scrapbooking to family life to bella Italia (I visited Sorrento during the summer and LOVED it!). I definitely sometimes feel that I don’t comment on blogs enough, don’t share me appreciation for all the wonderful people who inspire me and make me smile through their writing. Thank you for sharing your experiences and just keep doing what you’re doing! Wishing you a brilliant 2014 xxx
I am Chelsey from South Mississippi. I have read for over a year and love to hear about your family and travels. I found you through studio Calico and always read but never commented! Please continue to share!
I’ve read your blog off and on for years. I used to frequent Two Peas back in the day when I scrapbooked and that is when I started reading your blog. I read it now more as a “lifestyle” blog and hello…pictures of Italy!! ๐ Love your pictures and tales about your girls too. ๐ I live in Virginia and I personally don’t think blogs are a thing of the past. People will always blog because they want to write and document their lives. I blog for myself, just to document my life. The only readers I have are my daughter and husband, and that is exactly the way I like it!! ๐
Hi! I’ve been reading for a while. We are a military family as well, my husband recently retired from the Air Force. I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your scrapbook layouts. Loving seeing Italy as well. We spent 4 years in England when I was also active duty. My son was born there. Enjoy your time overseas and keep writing and creating!!
I read and love your blog! I don’t think blogging is dead, but I think (like you mention) that there are lots of competing forums, and it’s not always easy or convenient to click through and comment. I DO click through on blogs to pin inspiration, so I think it’s a great goal to click through and comment more often.
It makes me sad to hear that creative posts get the fewest comments, because scrapbooking is how I found you and why I subscribed in the first place. I ADORE your layouts and love to see when you post your work.
I’m following since just before the twins were born..I found out your blog searching for some scrapbooking idea but you caught me with your passion, your fun and your travel.
Although I recognize I don’t comment so much, I read your post and I always smile, please keep sharing!
I follow you with the feed sistem from Italy ๐
Buon Anno!
I used to read a lot of blogs yours included. Don’t read many blogs anymore, started reading your blog again this summer. I started reading your blog when you were pregnant with Sadie I think. Things are changing don’t think many people blog like they used to. Instagram has taken over.
Fun comments! I think I’ve been reading for 3 years or so, via Studio Calico at first. I love your blog, and think you should keep it however you want! I’m a paper crafter and mother of 2 boys (4 1/2 and 14 months), married, living in Seattle. I follow your blog because of your positive energy and laughter – just what I need to keep me going through the early years with two very energetic boys! ๐
A few weeks ago I saw an article pronouncing the blog “dead,” and this morning on Two Peas, there is a thread asking whether blogs are on their way out. I do read blogs, but only a few, and yours is at the top of my list. I just love how REAL and honest your posts are. Though I may not always comment, I always read. From Hawaii to Italy, Happy New Year!
I’m Marianne. I live on Long Island in NY. I have 2 daughters, 18 and 15, and am still in love with scrapping 15 years later. I’ve been a fan of yours ever since I saw this layout in a magazine…
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/04/f1/36/04f136dceeb597b8cf78cd478b564e71.jpg
so that’s how long it’s been ๐
Hi Stephanie, I am blessed to live in the beautiful country of New Zealand (it is currently Summer yay!). I have been reading your blog everyday since well before you were pregnant with the twins. I cannot remember how I happened upon you. I am a scrapbooker too so it may have been a link. Your blog makes me laugh so much some days with your amazing photos of the girls, especially “wordless Wednesday”. I am really loving your Italian journey and I can imagine that some days it must feel like you are talking to yourself! But no by the look of the other comments there are a lot of us out there! I NEVER comment it has to be said, but today you inspired me to do so. I wish you and your family all the very best for 2014 and look forward to dropping in everyday to see how you are doing x Sara
Hey Steph! I’ve been reading for a long time……I think since we met at a scrap event in Alabama. I love your blog and your stories make me laugh at times and tear up at others. I totally relate to military life since as you know my hubby is a retired Army MSG. As for the blogging question……I hope it is not dying buti do think that blog readers do make us lazy. Sometimes time is short so you read and go. I try to comment but am not always great about it,
I live right outside of Nashville and have been married for 28 years today, 2 grown kiddos – Lauren is in Italy and Scott is a chef is Chicago. Both are married and I have one spectacular grandson who is the apple of his Nana’s eye.
Love to you all and Happy 2014!
I am Heather R and live in Illinois. I have “known” you since Harper was a baby and we did a scrap contest together. I have been reading your blog for that long and enjoy all of your posts. I love blogs because it helps me to feel connected with other moms, when in reality i spend my time stuck at home or schlepping my kids around.
hello! I completely agree with your post. it IS a lot of work to maintain a blog. i love looking at blogs but am ashamed to admit a lot of times i am very much a lurker. most of the time i dont comment because i guess i really dont think most of the comments get read. i love reading your blog. i always pop in when you post a new entry on FB. i dont just read crafty blogs. i love photos of people, sneak peeks into lives im not living (ok that sounds bad) but just the idea of living vicariously thru others. ive been interested in a lot of your posts on italy because my oldest (she’s 11) is going on an educational tour next summer with my parents and 2 of the stops are florence and rome. i also love design posts, organizational ideas…just lots of things. i dont maintain my blog that much cause frankly no one reads it or comments. (no pity party, just truth lol. i was also an army wife, now just a regular i guess lol. we live in TN and i have 2 girls, with my 3rd on the way in february.so right now i have a LOT of time to read blogs, mainly from my phone, which usually doesnt allow to me to leave comments. ok enough blabbing! love your blog!
I read your blog daily and follow you on instagram. I’m 38 and live in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, with my husband and four daughters-14, 11, and 9 year old twins. Your youngest remind me of how mine behaved when they were that age. I’ve never completed a project life album even though I’ve started one each year since 2010 and only a december daily in 2010 and do not make 12×12 layouts but enjoy seeing yours because they inspire me to be grateful for all the little moments that I tend to miss when I’m hiding in the bathroom to get away from the fighting for just five minutes. I do tend to finish tons of books and love seeing what you’re reading. Thanks for taking the time to share your life good and bad-very courageous. I feel like I’m writing blog posts in my head all the time but not sure I’m brave enough to actually publish one. Love touring Italy along with you so keep posting!
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now. I’m not entirely sure exactly. I think your twins were just new maybe…I also follow you on Instagram. Love seeing your photos of Italy almost as much as the funny pics of your babies! LOL Your twins look like they are so much fun!
Anyway; I’m from Ottawa ON. Very happily married. I met my husband when I was 18 years old and the rest as they say is history! We have two girls (15 and 12 already!)! I am married to a RCMP officer so I feel like I can relate to a lot of your fears about his safety.
I started scrapbooking when our oldest daughter was born. Still going strong; I’ve been using the Project Life system for 6 years now! Started at the very beginning of it and LOVE the simplicity of it.
It’s a pleasure to meet you! ;o) Theresa
Hello Stephanie,
I’m not sure what I can add except to say that I’ve been reading your blog for awhile – SC led me here and because of your very honest voice I haven’t gone away (I realise that that probably sounds quite creepy). I leave the odd comment when I feel like I’ve got something interesting to add!
Thanks to you I’ve finally watched Breaking Bad (ok also thanks to one of my sisters and a good friend) – I blasted through seasons 3-5 in the last week & boy am I drained! It’s definitely the best tv show of 2013 for me. Any time you’d like to talk/rant about it let me know.
As for blogging, I don’t acutally blog myself – mostly because of a fear that I don’t have anything of interest to say. I’m hoping to change that soon (maybe my OLW should be ‘courageous’ too) but until then I’ll continue to read other people’s:D
I’m Joy. I’ve been cheering you on since the early 2peas days. I was messimom over there. I’m a Navy brat, mama to six (eleven and under, four boys, two girls), and I’ve been blogging since 2006. I remember back before Sadie was born and Harper was just a wee thing. It’s been so fun to follow along with your family over the years, through the highs and lows, the scary and the good. Personal blogs are about all I read anymore, so it’s been so interesting to read everyone’s comments. I got really tired of the packaged, marketed voice that so many old favorite blogs took on. When I weeded out my Feedly at the end of the year, I found what was allowed to stay was people who wrote genuinely, generously, courageously, and authentically. I totally agree with you. I want to make sure I’m commenting at blogs more to say thank you!
Indeed, sweet friend. Thank you so much for your voice and creativity. You are a HUGE inspiration to me.
Hi Margaret! It’s nice to meet you!
Happy New Year, Jori! Thank you so much for your comment!
Thank you, Kristine! I’m so bummed I never got to visit Vermont when we lived in RI. I’ve wanted to for sooooo long!
Holly! I’m so happy to see you here today, friend! Where in TX are y’all moving?? xoxo
I’m a lazy blog comment giver too and also have a “personal” blog of my own that I adore for the same reasons as you. I cannot settle on one thing to narrow down on … and why should I have to? It’s MY SPACE. I suppose if I were doing it to make money (which is awesome too!) I’d need to really commit to a category, but for now, I want to write about what is on my heart. Whoever reads, reads. I adore the comments, but it is mostly for the “free therapy” I feel from writing. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading! ๐
Hey old friend. I sure hope your resolution comes true this year! xoxo
Hi, I live in Tampa. I’ve been reading your blog since sometime before Lucy & Cate were born, but this is my first time commenting. I first began reading.. probably through Studio Calico.. because I was inspired by your layouts, but then also became hooked by your heartfelt writing style. Recently I began following your instagram, too. I just bought my first set of project life pages so I may need some ideas! I teach third grade and keep a class blog of photos for the parents. Five other blogs about teaching, style, and interior design are my regulars but yours definitely has the most personality :). I’ll always be a fan! Wishing you and your family a happy year together!!
Commenting from iPads/iPhones is the WORST!!!! xo
Beth, I barely remember when I had two kids. HAHA! Happy New Year! xo
Thank you, Megan! Happy 2014!
Hi Stephanie,
I live in Southern CA and love reading your blog. Sadly I am one of those people who read blogs, but do not comment. Which is a shame because there must be a lot of work that goes into blogging, taking pictures, making projects, etc. (Something that has slowed down any ideas I have of starting a blog.) I love seeing pictures/stories of your family and travels! Whether blogging is declining in popularity, I have no idea….I just know I enjoy reading scrapbook blogs and will make more of an effort to comment.
SO jealous. I sure miss that New England snow.
Hi, I found your blog through scrap booking a few years ago and as I am ex British military, I was thrilled to learn you are a military wife. I’m not a frequent commenter, I’m afraid, but I promise to do better.
I live in London with my husband, son (who has autism) and dog. I blog about my every day life at http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com.
Would be lovely if you stopped by to say hi!!
Hi Janet! Thank you so much for stopping by!
I found your blog in the last few months. I had an injury that required me to stay off my feet so I’ve been doing a lot of reading. I’ve commented a few times I think. I enjoy your Italy pictures and follow you on Instagram. I think there are still plenty of people keeping blogs. I know I’ve found a ton in these last few months!
Oh, hello there old friend of my heart. Thanks for stopping by today. xoxo
Stephanie — I am one of those *very* guilty parties. I take such joy from your blog and don’t know if I have EVER commented to let you know. I enjoy everything you write about, even though my life is so different from yours (I’m an early 40s married-with-no-kids). I love your enthusiasm for life and for your girls, your decorating and scrap booking style, and I especially appreciate your insights into what it is to be a military family in this day and age. Your reminders to us of what you go through and the sacrifices that your family and your soldier makes are hugely important to me because I feel like so many of us these days are so divorced from any experience of our military,
I’ve also felt guilty as I’ve watched you move to Italy and express a little bit of sadness that you haven’t/hadn’t really found those female friendships at this station (and hopefully that has changed by now). When you call out — hey, those of you on Europe time, drop me a line — I should be responding!!!!!
So — YES I love your blog and your voice and your spirit. Thank you for sharing with us (in the midst of everything else you have to handle!!!!)
I sure hope your blog isn’t a thing of the past! I love coming here and seeing what’s new and following your journey!
I’m a British girl living in Ontario, Canada, I started following your blog around 5-6 years ago and have been an avid follower since. I found you through scrapbooking and stayed a reader beacause I love your enthusiasm for life and your beautiful family! I don’t comment very much but do so hope you keep going. Your real ness is what keeps us coming back.
Hi Kabrina (love your name!)-
I would love to have a friend next door. The old Italian lady that lives there does NOT like our big American family and all the racket we make! haha! xoxo
Hey Miriam!
Thank you so much for being such a wonderful encourager/supporter and friend over the years!
Vivian-THank you so much for your sweet comment! xoxo
Hi Michele! Thank you so much for taking the time to check in!
I love your blog! I love the crafty parts and the family/travel parts! Please don’t stop blogging. I’m guilty of looking at blogs and going to the next. I’ll try to leave more comments on the blogs I read. Oh, and I’m from Michigan. Thanks.
Oh Sandra-
What a lovely reply. I wish I could sit down and have a cup of coffee and chat with you right now!
oxoo
p.s. I think we might try to do a little Austria trip next week!!!
Hi Stephanie.. (as promised via instagram) .. I found your blog via a recommendation from Cathy Z’s blog on your honest blogging … and have been following you since before the twins were born (a day before my son’s 13th birthday). I’m a Brit (Swiss by Marriage)living near Zurich, Switzerland and got into scrapping after living in the States for over 8 years, we were married in NY and both my kids (now 16 & 17) were born there. It helped with my ‘homesickness for the States’. Although I haven’t scrapped in ages, I still make cards & love the ‘friends’ I have met through scrapping – some I’ve been lucky to meet in real life. I love reading blogs (all sorts), but confess I’m not good at commenting. I appreciate the work involved !! I have to say I love Instagram & Pinterest too – it works for me & my lazy streak & it gives instant gratification ;). Back to your blogging I love reading about your adventures with your family – especially your travels in the States & now Europe – and admire how well you seem to cope ( I know you must have stinky days too – you’re human). I will try to be better at commenting in 2014! take care, love Alison x
Happy 7th Birthday to your sweet girl! xoxo
Hi sweet Elizabeth.
Thank you so much for being such a good and supportive friend over the years. You are the best! xoxo
Wow- Thank you so much, Kristyn! Happy 2014! xoxo
Hi Stephanie! I’ve read your blog for a couple of years now. I initially found it as a scrapbooker, but love your wit, sense of humor, honesty and strength. I’m a mom of 2 Irish twin boys (now 8 & 9) so many posts hit home. My husband and I have been married 15 years and we live in the suburbs of Chicago.
I have never left a comment on your blog not because Im lazy,but because i feel like I “know” you but you don’t “know” me. You give us a glimpse into your life and beautiful family, but us non blogging readers can’t return the favor. I guess I feel like why would you want to hear from a stranger…does that make sense?
Please keep writing and sharing!
Shawn
Sorry, my name is Kathy, and I’m a lurker! I love reading your blog and how you talk about your children……and the fantastic pictures of the girls!I sure hope blogs stay!
Sorry, my name is Kathy, and I’m a lurker! I love reading your blog and how you talk about your children……and the fantastic pictures of the girls!I sure hope blogs stay!
Katie, you are right- i agree! xo
It really has, hasn’t it? SO grateful for that. xoxo
Hi Rebecca!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Happy 2014!
Holy canoli, Miss mariah!
You are a crazy busy lady- so inspiring!! xoxo
Right back at you, Teresa. Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Hi Andrea! Thank you so much. I hope to be in your neck of the woods VERY SOON! xoxo
And yes, what Helen said: ” I admire your grace under pressure and your unfailing sense of humour”
And as someone mentioned above, the dreaded iPad is so guilty of enabling my blog consumption while making me feel like it’s “too much” to write/comment. And I DO hate all the stupid sign-ins one has to do these days just to leave a comment!!
Ok bye from Paris for now!
Hi Colette!
Thank you! BTW getting better at using Goodreads is at the top of my 2014 list. ๐ xoxo
Oh Sonya-
I miss you. Wish I could give you a big hug. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jen from CT here… I’ve been reading your blog since you were pregnant with the twins! I love reading everything you post, in fact I have your blog in a special folder marked favorites in my bloglovin feed so I read them first! I don’t comment very often but love what you write!
Ha! Would love to! ๐
You should definitely try to visit Vienna while you’re this near! It’s beautiful and there are a lot of things to see. But Graz is awesome, too.
Hi Stephanie! Just thought I would try to overcome my blog laziness in the new year. I like your crafty posts, but I loooove your other posts about the girls, about Italy, etc.
As Elise said, Long Live Blogs!
Hey there,
Stephanie!
My name is Katharina, I’m from Germany and I started reading your blog looong ago…2008 or earlier?
I always LOVE reading your stories!
If you EVER come over to visit the Black Forest Region here in Germany let me know (;
Hugs
from over the alps! (((;
kat (;
Hi!
I’m Stacy (shackett at Two Peas and Stacy/CA on other scrapbook sites). I found you years ago through Two Peas. I used to work quite a bit in the scrapbook industry, teaching and designing for Flair Designs (gosh I miss them) and a local store. Lots of life changes later, and I don’t scrap much, but I love looking at other people’s projects and keeping up on their happenings. I love blogs but don’t comment often. I also LOVE Instagram. I don’t do Twitter (I’m an old lady that way).
Commenting more on blogs is a good resolution, and I think I’ll adopt it, too. I hope you keep blogging. ๐
Hi, I’m Natalie in California but formerly living in Russia. I’ve been following your blog for about a year now…..I think I found it through a scrapbooking link but I am enjoying your life in Italy. It reminds me of the first few months when we moved to Russia 8 years ago.
I enjoy reading blogs and do comment once in a while. I don’t think blogging is a dying art form but I do think way too many people blog…….and that’s fine. I follow on Bloglovin’ and honestly if the topic doesn’t interest me, I don’t click over to go to the blog page…..and I’m not necessarily talking about your blog just all the blogs I follow.
Keep it up!!!
I am in SE Pennsylvania and southern Delaware.
I do try to comment on the blogs that I read โ once a week or so.
I get a lot more page views than I get comments on my blog. I do not really care if I get comments or not.
I get the most comments when I write about cancer.
I started my blog years ago, mainly as a repository for my photos (as you know, we are a photo-crazy family). Then, when I got sick, I thought it would be a good way for people to be informed about my treatments, etc. and told all of those with whom I correspond about my blog. Well, can I tell you how annoying it is when I get an e-mail from someone saying “I have not heard from you in so long and was wondering what was happening”. GRRRR
Hi Steph! I’m Jung from TX. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now. I felt very connected to you because there have been a lot of “it’s a small world” moments. I’m originally from Killeen, I went to Baylor for a year before I transferred, and then later on in life I moved back to Waco for a year, my daughter’s birthday is within weeks of Harper’s, I love scrapbooking and taking pictures and reading…see what I mean?
I love reading your blog, and have especially been enjoying your Italian adventure!
It’s me Ginny & I’ve been reading your blog forever(& loving your adorable girls). Sometimes I’m lazy & don’t comment. One of my 2014 resolutions is to comment on blogs more.
I am a lazy blog reader from Minnesota. I love following your blog and watching your kids grow. Your Wordless Wednesday makes me spit my drink out many times. Your daughters are hilarious. You touch my heart often when you talk about your husband in the military and what he does for our country. Feedly does make me lazy at not commenting, it is just so easy to breeze through them. Thanks for all your inspiration. I would rather see Facebook go away before blogs. ~Ann
Lindsay, from Ohio, here! I have been reading your blog since I started subscribing to SC a couple of years ago. I adore the posts about your sweet daughters, your move and of course your lovely work. I am terrible at commenting on blogs, and feel the same way you do, I need to do more of it! I really hope blogs aren’t on their way out, I just love them! Keep up the fabulous posts, even if it feels like no one is out there!
I’ve read a long time and also got hooked on Studio Calico because of your scrapbooking style and the heartfelt journaling. I love reading about your adventures and am loving seeing Italy through you. I don’t think blogs are going anywhere anytime soon. I also enjoy Pinterest and Instagram but not Facebook. I do try to comment on most blogs as long as it doesn’t make me jump through hoops to do it. Yours just lets me comment. Love that.
Hi! I’m Jenny. I have been reading for a pretty long time. I have two little girls ages 1 and 3. Your pictures and posts remind me that they grow up so so quickly!
Hi! I’m Pam from New York. I’ve been reading your blog for about 2 years and I LOVE it! I think I started from 2peas and was instantly hooked. Commenting is something I do occasionally. I just love the stories and pictures you share. Those 4 girls are amazing, hysterical, beautiful … but then you know that. Keep posting – I promise I’ll keep reading.
I’ve been following your blog since the babies were little. I read your posts, almost every one, and pore over the photos. Yours is one of my favourite blogs, I think because it is a happy and real place. You show life as it is, warts and all, and you share your joy for it. That is what I take from here most. Joy. You do joy so beautifully Stephanie. I follow lots of blogs, and I often comment. I started blogging in March, and suddenly I was connecting with people with similar interests, which has been wonderful. Before, I knew a bit about other people’s lives, but they knew nothing of me. Now it is a two-way street. I don’t think the personal blog will disappear. It’s so enjoyable to find like-minded people. In my real life, I don’t have people with the same interests as me. On-line I do.
hi, i’m bev. i live and have a cattle farm in rural alberta, canada. i own a small paper shop called Black Ink Paperie. my blog has the same name. my blog started as a crafting blog and then grew into a more personal storytelling thing. i recently lost my husband to cancer and trying to find my way. my word for 2014 is “LIVE”. i will live my life for our children, our farm and everything that was important to us throughout our marriage.
i cannot tell you how much i enjoy your blog. your heart shows through in every post. i love it all – the crafty stuff, the kids, the travels… please keep it up!!!
Hello I’m also a Stephanie who loves to play with paper. I too need to be a better blog reader and stop lurking and try and contribute to the conversation.
hi i’m amy, i live in the suburbs of chicago, i’ve been reading your blog since sadie was small, and i am a lazy blog reader ๐
I’m the reluctant blogger from One Beginner’s Place simply because I do prefer pen and paper. I follow the blogs of daughters and daughter in law -all quite lovely. I’m hoping to make more effort this year but I’m not too optimistic!!
Hi Stephanie , I LOVE reading your blog ๐ I’ve been reading it for the past few years . I’m a nurse in my mid 50’s married to a doctor from Malta , a beautiful little Island in the Mediterranean , just under Sicily . We go back to visit the family there a few times a year We live just outside London , UK, and i have 2 grown up sons , 24 & 26 , my younger son is getting married this fall , and my older son is buying a house with his girlfriend ,so an exciting year .I love hearing about your gorgeous children , your brave husband , but most of all about your life , especially your time in Italy , the culture there is soooo like Malta .They really cherish children , which is so lovely .It’s easy to see that you are a wonderful mum .Hearing about your day to day life bringing up your family really takes me back to when my sons were little .I know so many people must tell you this all the time , but cherish every second , as they grow up so fast , as I’m sure your do . I love scrapbooking , and started project life last year , and will carry it on this year too , together with my scrapbooking .Thank you for all your past blogs over the last few years and l look forward forward to this years blogs .I’d like to wish you and your family a wonderful ! Happy New Year in 2014 ,Dawn x
I’m Gina from MA (also enjoying the snow) and just started reading your blog last Spring, shortly before your move. I think I found it from some sort of scrapbooking blog hop or something related. I have loved reading about you, your family, your move and living in Italy. I’ve commented before because your posts are very real and down to earth and because just as you were moving, we had just returned from a trip to Italy and I just loved it. You seem like a very nice, fun person and your photos are fantastic and your girls adorable. I love reading about your life there and it makes me feel like I’m still there!
I follow a bunch of scrapbooking blogs and only a couple of personal ones. I tend to get a little bored with them after a while.
Hi,
I’m from Sydney Australia. I’ve been reading your blog from when I was very into scrapbooking and you just had “one little chick”! Now I continue to read but with different interests… I no longer scrapbook but I now have three little girls of my own and love reading about your move to Italy and all your family posts. Your girls are gorgeous! I’m a slack commenter!
Hi Stephanie! I’ve been reading your blog for about 4 years. Maybe 5… Wow. That feels like a long time. As to you question, I do still love your blog, but don’t read any blogs as much as I used to. I sorta gave up after google reader went away. I don’t care for the current feed options out there. I do however follow you on Instagram and then when I have more time I jump over and read up on a bunch of posts. You are still my fav and I hope to meet you for real someday and not just be a bystander in you life.
Hi Stephanie, I have been checking in on your blog for a couple of years at least. I also married a West Point grad and have moved every couple of years, so I can relate to your life a little. We have one son (although we would love to have more), so most of my layouts are masculine in nature. I love your fresh feminine style and your adorable family. Reading your blog makes me smile and sometimes cry. I don’t often comment on blogs because I feel like others have already said what I would have and on so many blogs (not yours) my comments just get lost in the sea of voices. I should take the time to comment more on the few personal blogs I read. Thanks for all the inspiration and allowing us to live vicariously through you and your Italian adventures!
I read your blog regularly, but don’t comment much, because I am a busy Momma, and know you are a SUPER busy momma…and if it isn’t going to be useful, or helpful, I don’t want to waste our precious time.
Hello, nice to meet you, and thank you. Thank you for your honesty, and for your inspirational life and scrapbooking.
xoxo
Hi, I am Claire from Australia. I have been reading your blog since before Sadie was born. I enjoy all your posts, I am a scrap booker and Project Lifer but really read your your blog for the updates on life with four kids. I appreciate your complete honesty in both your personal and creative life.
hi Stephanie, I’ve been reading and loving your blog (and IG profile as well) for a long time now, you were pregnant with Sadie when I ‘found’ you and this corner of the internet is one of my favorite ones. I really read only a few, maybe 10 blogs daily (I just scroll through others in my Feedly and check the photos, mostly) and yours is among my top 3 – love your scrapbooking style and your family stories, but I rarely comment and I am sorry for that. I’ve been thinking about that and I believe it is essential to reach out from the other side of the screen from time to time as well. it is funny how sometimes I feel as you and a few other bloggers I follow are my friends (oh, does this sound totally weird?!?) and I will do better and comment more ๐ happy New Year to you and your family!
ps-I am from Slovenia, not far away from your current home ๐
I’m Linda from Connecticut and have been reading your blog for the past year or so. I really enjoy reading about your adventures and the pictures of your kids always make me smile (especially the twins, the faces they make are just priceless!) I’ve loved Italy since my parents took me when I was a child and finally got to go back again a few years ago, needless to say, you can’t post too many pictures of Italy for me. I know things seem to change so quickly these days but please keep writing, you would be missed should you stop. I’m also one who reads a lot and comments less.
Hi – Louise from Essex in the UK, been reading since before you had twins and at least three house moves ago. I found you through scrapbooking but love reading about all your adventures and travels, blogs are like books, they expand your knowledge and your experience, they inspire and comfort. I say don’t be a stranger say hi once in a while ๐
Hello , my name is Fran Camero , and I live in Houston, Texas. I read your blog almost daily, but as you, I don’t leave a lot of comments. I am a scrapper, (layouts mostly with a few cards and crafts). Although I love to see your layout ideas, I read your blog mostly because I love the stories you post of your little girls. They are so precious and I feel as if you share your family with us (me) when I read their adventures (Harper’s ashion, Sadie’s unique personality and the twins love for one another). I love, admire, and respect your look/opinion on our military men and women. I had 3 brothers in the military (one has passed on) and I share your opinions. God Bless you and your family…and..I will try to do better in posting comments on blogs.
I’ll raise my hand to being a lazy blog reader too! All so often I read an never comment. Especially when the blogger makes you jump through hoops to get your comment on their blog (speaking of, I really need to review my own security settings). I am an Australian wanderlust scrapbooker who has been reading your blog since Sadie was a baby, and I can say that there isn’t a post I don’t think I have liked. They are all real and from the heart which is very important to me as a reader. I quiet often find myself talking to other people about your blog, your life and travels and have been known to refer to you as a friend as we have all gotten to know you and your gorgeous family so well over the years. Thank you for sharing so much with us!
Tess xx
http://www.tessatmybest.blogspot.com
I’m Jennifer from Houston. I’m 30-something, Happily married to my high school sweet heart x 10 years, and momma of a 7 year old boy and 2 year old girl. I’ve been reading your blog since you were pregnant with Sadie…don’t remember how I even came across your blog (probably something scrap related), but I’ve been reading it ever since. Your’s is the only blog that I read daily, as well as following you on Instagram.
Please keep blogging! I love to read your ideas and view your photos! I have been following for over a year. I maybe have only commented once or twice and I am sorry for that, but with my crazy family life( I’m sure you understand:) )somedays your blog is my only creative thing of that day. After I read, I always feel inspired by you to be nicer to my kids, enjoy life that day, and to be more creative. Having kids, I enjoy your posts and photos about kids and family life, but I also very much enjoy your projects! I have also just switched to Project Life, to make things a little easier on the scrapbook front, and like you there are days I make it just a little more creative. Enjoy your children, mine now range from 6 to 16, and I can tell you life gets away from you and goes by way to fast! To have more time for my kids I have narrowed down the blogs I follow to just 3 and you are my favorite one!!!
I think I came to your blog through Elise’s? I am a teacher who lives in Chicago (currently experiencing a snowstorm!) … I love blogs more than anything, visit my Feedly several times a day… But rarely comment. Your post inspired me to think more about that ๐
Hello , my name is Fran Camero , and I live in Houston, Texas. I read your blog almost daily, but as you, I don’t leave a lot of comments. I am a scrapper, (layouts mostly with a few cards and crafts). Although I love to see your layout ideas, I read your blog mostly because I love the stories you post of your little girls. They are so precious and I feel as if you share your family with us (me) when I read their adventures (Harper’s ashion, Sadie’s unique personality and the twins love for one another). I love, admire, and respect your look/opinion on our military men and women. I had 3 brothers in the military (one has passed on) and I share your opinions. God Bless you and your family…and..I will try to do better in posting comments on blogs.
I’m Angela. ; ) I started reading when I met you in Waco. I even went back through all of your archives b/c I love your style (writing and otherwise). I do NOT only look at the pics, but I do love that your pics aren’t overly “perfected” – they’re in the midst of life. I usually only comment when my heart starts pounding, i.e. when I want to encourage. But I rarely ever just compliment, even though I’ve learned a TON about blogging from you and I’ve lifted a few of your scrap pages. I hope people still read personal blogs – those are the only ones I read. My favorite thing about your blog (and the reason why I keep reading) is b/c it’s authentic. Funny, beautiful, heartwarming, heartwrenching, embarrassing, happy. I look forward to it and remember specific scenes, specific photos as if you’re a cousin. I think “more commenting” in the sense of giving back is a great resolution. I’m on board!
<3 love this. You are totally just capturing so many of my thoughts and realizations lately, it's been really nice knowing that even people with super disparate lives still hold some of the same core beliefs in their hearts.
I totally agree with the reduction in commenting due to feed readers -- this post inspired me to set up the 'today's links' app in my chrome browser. This way I can open up the actual blog pages each day and then I'll have no excuse not to comment. One of my 2014 blogging resolutions is to be present more -- actively reading and participating instead of passively scrolling.
I love all your posts. I love love love the travel posts. I need to go to Florence now, all the art from my art history classes -- right there in your photos. I need to see it all in person now. You captured the realness of it all so well. Also loved your 2014 olw post, super inspirational -- especially the part about having the courage to not worry about offending others with your thoughts and words. I so needed to hear that. So thank you for that as well.
I'm Kristin, I'm 27 and I live in the metro NYC area, but I'm ready for a change. I've been reading for at least five years -- that makes me seem a bit stalkerish, but whatever -- that's just how it is. I guess I probably also shouldn't say that I force my boyfriend to look at your adorable instagram photos as well. I definitely don't think that blogging is dead, I think as long as people have stories to tell, we'll have a place to keep telling them. Comments might seem fewer and far between, but as long as the quality of comments remains good, then communities and friendships will continue to thrive.
Thanks for being awesome :)
Hi Stephanie… I am a newish reader to your blog, maybe less than a year? I don’t know how I found you, but you just have a way with words that I find captivating and makes me want to follow the adventures of you and your family. My name is Crystal, and I am American married to a Brit living in southern England. I have been here for just over 7 years and love it! I work for a major arts and crafts chain in the UK, which is awesome (most of the time ๐ ). I am mostly a paper crafter, but do dabble in most other things as well. Except sewing…every time I sit in front of the machine it goes wrong…my husband is brilliant on a sewing machine and it always works for him, so I have no idea what I do wrong! ๐ anyway, I just want to say don’t stop writing and sharing. I find you and your little family so inspiring! And your creations are gorgeous! So thank you for what you do. I have a half hearted attempted blog myself…I know how much work goes into it! But we are here and reading! ๐ *big hugs*
I read, but sometimes feel a little stalker-ish when I comment. Does that make sense? Anyway, I totally enjoy your blog and the adventures you have with your family.
I started reading your blog after finding a link on the SC blog. I keep coming back because I have 4 boys very close in age to your 4 girls. We live in Orlando, if you’re ever looking for a free place to crash & visit the Mouse, we’re your insane asylum (um….I mean crash pad). ๐ I love seeing your crafty projects, but also reading about the antics of four girls. I do check your blog daily, but don’t comment very often because I figure it must be weird for you to have total strangers acting like personal friends. I do think we’d be best buds,though. I hope blogs aren’t going anywhere soon….it’s hard enough that there aren’t really any more scrapbook magazines! Thanks for sharing your stories with all of us lurkers and non-lurkers alike!
Ever since I read your first blog, I wanted to be your friend. The way you look and deconstruct your feelings is a thing of beauty. You have such a way with your expressions, and your “voice”/words touch my heart and soul. You inspire me, make me laugh, make feel like I am with you on your journey of life. I am not the least bit crafty (however I can color a coloring page with “the best of them…” ha), and with my ADHD I wouldn’t even try it. I love the special notes you write on the pages. I wish I had positive memories like the ones you are giving your girls as they grow. I don’t have children (beyond my students who are my kids..ha), but I have used some of your ideas with my students. I know how much it means to them as well as how much it means to me to create them.
Thank you for allowing us into your brain (a humorous, smart, witty, addictively wonderful brain) and soul as you share your thoughts. Not everyone can share what you do, and it is greatly appreciated!
I am a 62 year old scrapbooker that lives in the middle of the country and looks forward to when you post on your blog. I have followed you since Harper was wee and love reading about you, your family, your adventures and scrappy stuff. No pressure but I expect you to take me on a little adventure every now and then and the Italian one is a grand one indeed!!! Thanks for sharing yourself!
Gosh, do you really read all the comments here? I know sometimes you respond, but not to every comment. So, to your questions… I am not sure what roll call is, I am in Seattle and read your blog every day. I have lived or visited all over the US and have visited many countries in Europe and Asia. I started reading your blog while you were pregnant with twins. And I am an introvert, hence no blog. I am a scrapper for boys (no doilies) and a card maker. And you are everything I cannot be, so it is so fun to visit every day. I am also an out of work scientist looking for a job with two guys in college. So no girls to dress up, but is fun to see yours all dressed up. I don’t know what a feedly feed is. I get inspiration from blogs and so I have direct links on my computer desktop to about 50 blogs and I visit 15 specific ones every day. Of course, then nothing else gets done. lol!
Hi Stephanie! This is Angie from Texas. Still reading and so are both my girls. I must say that I am a lazy blogger. I even started a blog and have not posted in a year. Life is crazy! Thanks for keeping up with your blog. Love y’all!
PS: Going to miss you at CHA ๐
Hello from Northern California! I found your lovely blog when you were pregnant with the twins. I love your honesty in your writing and it kept me coming back. ๐ I am so enjoying all of your travel adventures. You inspire me to want to take my little guys on more adventures. I don’t comment often but I sure love what you share here on your blog. There are only a few places I frequent in the blog world and yours is in my top three! Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!
I found your blog via Pinterest! I’m Stephanie, I’m a Canadian scrapbooker and card-maker and I am equally guilty of reading, taking inspiration and leaving. You’ve inspired me with this post & I too will try and comment more in 2014.
Hi Stephanie. I am Megan in Auckland, NZ. I have been reading your blog ever since Sadie was little. I love your honesty and your humour and all the adventures you go on as well as your layouts. Definitely keep on blogging ๐ I read on my iPhone so don’t always comment as I read through feedly and commenting can be a pain. But I will try to comment more.
Hi Stephanie, I have been reading your blog for years now. Like you, I’m a memorykeeping Army wife and mama. I have a daughter that is the same age as Harper, so I find your adventures and layouts pretty inspirational. We did put Vicenza in our wish list for our move last summer but HRC had other ideas for us. So I was bummed I will not get to meet you in real life. ๐ I have a personal blog but I post less and less just because things are so busy in my life and I find that I am craving more tangible (paper and photos) ways to memorykeeping. It’s true I don’t always comment but I just want to let you know that you amaze me with your beautiful layouts and the time and love you spend on this space. Like Elise said, long live personal blogs!
I have been reading your blog since before you found out you were having the twins. I am from Delaware.
Amy
Hello ๐ I’m a fairly new reader, and enjoying your blog. Recently had this very thought/conversation on my personal blog, and agree with you, Long live personal blogs that are about real life and all its ups and downs, they are just what the big impersonal world needs – real contact.
I’m in England, with two big kids and two small kids, three chickens, one cat and a ponyโฆ
keep writing, you aren’t talking to yourself
melanie x
Hi Stephanie! I am Claire from New Zealand and living in Singapore. I have been reading you for about three years and I think I discovered you through Studio Calico. I don’t go there often anymore but I still love reading your updates. I really enjoy your travel posts and family posts – that isn’t to say I don’t enjoy your crafting posts but as an expat your stories of living overseas with your girls really resonate with me. I am using your posts to encourage my husband that Italy would be a fun place for us to visit with Miss Nearly Four.
As for blogs, a lot of blogs I really enjoy have stopped entirely or definitely reduced the frequency of their posts. There is a lot of trolling out there and I think that really gets people down. I don’t blog nearly as often as I used to – in part because I am not doing as much scrapbooking (it seems to be PL or layouts with me I struggle to do both). I do agree with you that feedly does make commenting hard and there are some blogs that I simply cannot comment on no matter how hard I try which can be intensely frustrating.
Reader here! Though I guess you could through in lurker! Sometimes I comment, sometimes I don’t! But, I’ve been a reader for a couple of years…maybe close to 4 or 5 years?!? Since google reader went away and I started a “real” job blog reading has been sporadic! I just can’t get used to the other readers and some blogs don’t do email following and if they do its not frequent! Thank goodness for fb, that way I can stay in touch! ๐ Blessings to you & yours in 2014!
Hi! I still read them! I think I started reading here in 2006-7. We ‘met’ on the Scrap Etc. Message boards. I love reading blogs but rarely blog myself anymore. I love to see the bloggers projects, new clothing posts, their kids pictures. It’s like I know them! It’s like reading a good book that never ends, but it comes in a few words here and there. I love it!
Hi Stephanie! I’m in Houston. I’ve been following your blog since 2010 or so…I think. Blogging…yeah, I’m not sure if it’s a dying concept or not. But I have one! I update it semi-regularly. I don’t get many comments but I’m ok with that. I see it more as a scrapbook resume/resource than anything. I pretty much only share my paper projects there.
I love seeing your posts! I love seeing the girls and reading about the awesome things they say. But I’ll confess I don’t read every word every time. I do appreciate the cadence of your posts. I like the spacing vs huge paragraphs! It makes it sooo much easier to read.
Oh, and I loved seeing that you and Paige met up in Italy…although that may have been on your instragram feed. I follow you many places friend =) Happy I finally said hello. I think its a wonderful idea to comment more. I’m guilty of pinning and running. I’m convicted to comment more.
I’m Heather from Wisconsin, and I’ve been reading your blog for about a year. I have three kids – the oldest is the same age as your oldest. My youngest is almost two. I NEVER comment on blogs, but you have inspired me. Maybe I’ll start commenting on them too!!
I’m Brenda from California and love reading your blog! I can’t remember where I found it from but have been reading (but not commenting a lot) since before you started at My Minds Eye. I love reading about your travels and seeing your layouts (I’m not a project life girl just a traditional 12 x 12 scrapper) and I love how real you are and that you share the good and the bad!!
Hi Stephanie, I have read your blog since years. Actually since just before Sadie was born. I love your scrapbooking and it has been an inspiration for years. I live in Geneva Switzerland and am from Bosnia so i pass by Vicenza once or twice a year on my way to visit my family.
I love your honesty and just no b……. approach to blogging. It takes a lot of courage to do this. But please go on as you have always done.
Take care
Tamara
I love reading blogs, it is like reality TV but with normal people ๐ My plan is to do more of my own creating this year in addition to admiring others, after taking a break from scrapping for a few years. I have read your blog for a while, not sure how long. We live in Vegas but would love to be in Oregon with big trees and green grass!
Stephanie, I check your blog every day, and I will continue to do so! I am your aunt . . . but no bias! I think I would enjoy your blog regardless. Your blog is in a group of tabs I open every morning to look at while I drink my coffee. I have really enjoyed reading about your travels in Italy! And I always love following the growth and development of your precious girls. Much love to all 6 of you!
I promise to comment more; I read EVERY post!!!
Hi Steph, I’m a luuuurker too. ๐
Used to write SB books and travel to all the tradeshows. Now I design digitally for DD.
I also have a son apply to the service academies, so following Jimmy through your blog gives me a look at where me may end up someday.
This was a really enlightening post for me. Thanks so much for putting it out there. I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now (probably about two or two and a half years). I can’t remember how I found you but I am so glad that I did. I read quite a few blogs but rarely if ever comment on them and that’s not really fair of me. You put a lot of time and energy and thought into what you do and I should put a little effort into letting you know how much I appreciate it. I live in Ohio and have two boys (6 and 2). I thoroughly enjoy your stories of the girls and the photos – Lucy and Cate crack me up with their expressions! I enjoy your crafty posts as that is what I was originally drawn by but I enjoy your stories and general “life” posts more than anything. I’ve thought multiple times about starting a blog for some of the same reasons you mention – sometimes I just feel alone and it would be really nice to have a “community” of sorts of people that are similar and be “friends”. The idea of blogging is really intimidating to me and I may never get the nerve to start but I sure do appreciate those of you that do and enjoy following along.
This reminds me of the Doctor Seuss book with Horton hears a Who and all of the whos are screaming we are here, we are here, we are here! hehehe! Well I’m here, and I must admit I am very guilty of reading and leaving. I actually get your posts in my email, so I usually read them in their entirety there, but I do read them! I feel the same about comments, usually the blog hops are when i finally see any on blog and usually I have the same “regulars” as I call them taht leave me a comment and I do the same for them. I must said that I absolutely love your blog posts especially your ones about your everyday life… they almost make me feel like I am able to experience Italy too! : ) Anywho, I am a SAHM of two from Ohio and I just love your work… my blog is: http://www.lisascreativeniche.blogspot.com
Hi, today’s my first day reading your blog so I hope to hang around for a bit! I hope personal blogging isn’t on the decline as I’m just getting into it and getting addicted – I don’t comment on the blogs I follow much but totally get it must be like talking to yourself if no one comments, and that can’t be right so I’m going to be braver!
I think I have been reading for 4+ years. I came because of the scrapbooking inspiration, but stayed because of your fascinating family and your honest approach to blogging. I used to follow lots of blogs, but with my kids getting older I have less time to read them and find that the content can get redundant or the blogger changes the format of their blog which forces me to have to click on a link to see the full post (hate that!). I hardly ever comment and I would guess that’s because I don’t particularly think anything I have to say is any different or better than what someone else has already put up in the comments section. For people like you or Elise Blaha or Ali Edwards, I can’t imagine how my little “love it” or “so inspiring” comment would do anything more than clutter your inbox. Perhaps I undervalue the power of a blog post comment. I hope that blogs are not going away. I would for sure be sad if yours did. I’ll try to keep in mind to comment more when a blog post touches me, as most of yours do. ๐
Hello, Stephanie! My name is Ashley- I am married, have been happily serving in the US Air Force for eleven years, and my husband and I just bought our first house (my job in the AF doesn’t allow for much moving). I have been reading your blog, I think since before Sadie was born or at least since she was a baby and I love following your family and your scrapbook style. ๐ We vacationed to Rome + Pompeii last April for ten days and man oh man, what I would give to be stationed in Italy!
Hey steph! Like I said you are one of maybe 10 blogs that I read and yours is probably the one I check most often! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of your adorable girls and seeing updates on them the very most, but I love scrappy pages a LOT too! I just love what you have to say. Keep blogging! I need to blog more this year, I am going to share more of our lives and what’s going on because it’s so hard for people to understand and comprehend and I think it will help me emotionally as well!
much love to the Howell Family always!
tara
Hi Steph! I’ve been reading for 3 years- about as long as I’ve been blogging! I’ve never had a lot of comments on my blog, which sometimes irks me, but I’m not a good commenter either, so I guess it’s fitting! Like you, I want to leave more comments on other blogs I read (yours included), so I’m hoping that in turn, others will comment on mine too! One thing I just changed in my blog settings is to be emailed when someone comments so that I can approve & immediately reply to them. I know this is something you do, and it’s nice! I hope blogs aren’t dead! I love blogging, but I agree that Feedly makes it easy to just ‘read ’em and leave ’em!’
Ciao Stefania, I’m Marina from Australia & have been reading your blog on & off since your Studio Calico days.
Since you’ve moved to Italy though I’ve become a stalker!
You see, My parents & inlaws migrated Downunder from Italy after the war. My parents are from Les Marches & my sister now lives there & my FIL comes from around where you are living & my MIL from Venice.
I have been to Italy countless times but can never get enough of it. Dd is going on exchange to Milano soon & so I have been studying your travel posts, as we are planning to visit her for Easter.
So, yes, I love your travel posts but I love your crafty posts as well.
Hi Stephanie I’m a reader from New Zealand. I’ve been reading your blog for a number of years now. (You even helped me out on a DT challenge a few years back).
I fit into the lazy blog reader category. I love reading your blog – maybe I should start commenting a bit more ๐
I’m the laziest blog reader of ever. I do “the old reader”, I read through… but I don’t click through to comment. I also get a lot of blogs via email and no, don’t then click and comment on those.
I think the lack of comments is because so many people are getting the info in that way, and just speaking up if they have something to share. I’m ok with that.
I HEART blogs + blogging. forever and always amen. I’m coming up on my decade-long blogger-versary….
Hi Stephanie. I have been reading your blog for a long, long time. I think I came across it while on Two Peas [maybe], noticed you were from Texas and have been following along ever since. I am always in awe of your wondramous scrapbooking style, your views of mommyhood and military life and just love that you are down to earth. You’ve got a beautiful heart.
My own blog has been sorely neglected, but I hope to carve time out this year to revamp it and start writing again. I miss it.
Wishing you and your family a happy new year from central Texas!
Hi Stephanie,
I started reading your blog in 2010 because I was an avid scrapbooker, back when it only showcased your “two little chicks.” I have continued to read it because I enjoy seeing how you celebrate the moments in your family’s lives and maintain a piece of yourself creatively.
Just keep writing. I’ll keep reading and work to start commenting (instead of just thinking to myself ‘gosh, that was beautiful. She just brought tears to my eyes.’) I think you are very strong and your honesty is refreshing.
Me? I am a 26 year-old newlywed. I work full-time, am getting my MBA at night in Chicago and read your blog as part of my creative habit. I have a ‘fur baby,’ a little Collie named Stella.
Thank you,
Catherine (Cat)
Oh boy I hope not! I confess I stopped blogging last year and I’m not sure why. I want to get back at it this year. I could literally sit at my computer all night reading blogs so I tend to stick to a favourite few. I’ve been reading since miss Sadie was just a wee baby ๐ I don’t always comment but I think I read every post and comment when something touches me. Sam, Canada’s capital.
Hello! I’m Kirstie and I live in New Zealand with my partner and 17 month old daughter. I love reading everyone’s blogs so I hope that they aren’t dead! I’m not much of a commenter, but it’s probably a good goal to set… People put the effort into writing them so I could make the effort to comment, you know? Anyway, I love reading your blog and your truthfulness, it’s refreshing to hear that life isn’t perfect and polished as some put across.
Keep it up! And I will make an effort to comment! ๐
HI Stephanie, this is Carol aka Liteng. I am from Singapore. I started readng your blog a few years back when you are in the SC design team. Your layouts of Harper and Sadie caught my attention and ever since I am really hooked to reading your blog. sorry I am also a blog reader too. I don’t really leave comments but most blogs do left me smiling when I am reading their stories and inspire me. Do keep on writing cause it is really interesting!!! I hope to visit you someday and talked to your lovely children. They are oh so cute!!!
Hi…I’m from New Jersey and have followed you for years. I don’t remember how I found you but I absolutely love your blog. You are genuine and honest about all aspects of your life and I enjoy the mix of what you write about. I love all the posts about the girls the most and how you write about their personalities,etc. I also love to see your SB pages and am so happy that you are back in the groove. I don’t comment much because I have your blog posts sent to my email and I can’t reply from there. But I will read your blog as long as you continue to write!!!
I found you through IG. I must admit, if a blogger has an IG feed, I look at that more often than blogs. I’ve actually been making a point lately of following links and checking out the blog. I’ve found some good ones. I’m enjoying your adventures in Italy. So brave! Courageous even. ;0)
Dawn
dmg314
I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading your blog but I know that I’ve seen you move about 3 times ๐ and as a fellow military wife that’s how we keep time right by our moves! I love reading your blog. Your layouts are beautiful, your pictures are stunning and I relate to your stories about military life. I use to have a blog but got rid of it after Facebook came along cause I seemed to get the connection I wanted being far away from friends and family. I’m thinking of starting up again as an outlet to write more. Keep writing!
I am Carol, (Carolyn), from NW Arkansas. I read your blogs every time you post them and I must tell you that I enjoy them all! In fact, look for them as I don’t want to miss a one!
Love your tour of duty in Italy and you sharing your experiences you have.
The girls are little dolls whom I have grown to love.
I don’t read every blog I have signed up for, it is just yours and one other.
So, keep up doing what you do best which is sharing with us your humor, your seriousness, your angst, and pics of the girls….
Ginger here! I’ve been reading faithfully for years….pre-twins! I love hearing your thoughts and fears and joys. I admire the life you live with J and your girls and the sweetness of your relationships make me smile. I get excited when you move because I’m going to get to experience new places along with you. I would miss you if you didn’t blog and I’ll read as long as you write! I only read a few blogs and rarely comment, but I don’t think they are dying….words have so much power. Don’t feel like you are only talking to yourself…..there are hundreds of us out here….listening.
I get your blog feed in my email and forget to comment most of the time. Nice to hear we should! I will try to make more of an effort this year. I love the blogs. It is funny how you get to certain blogs. All the links to things you did not even know were out there. I have not been following for long but I love reading your blog. Nice mix of crafts, travel and personal posts. In this day of hitting ‘Like’ on everything, I find myself looking for the Like button on blogs! Please keep doing what you are doing.
I am Lisa from Kansas City. I have been reading your blog for awhile and really enjoy it. The way you tell about your life, the pictures of your family and information on scrapbooking is so wonderful. You are very down to earth and I can imagine being friends with you. You seem like you are so easy to talk too.
I am one of the lazy ones and don’t always reply to blogs. I am going to start answering more and try to let the blogger know how it touched my life. That is what bloggers do, they touch the life’s of others. Seeing the adventures of your everyday life let me see the world. Who knows when I will be able to travel, but the pictures you take are beautiful and are a nice greeting in the e-mail. Please keep blogging.
Hi – I’m Ruth and living in Hong Kong. I found you from http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/ and I’m actually not into scrapbooking but just love to read your adventures. I don’t think blogs are dying, there are tons of personal ones in Hong Kong and Asia… and I’m also running my own blog (bluebalu.wordpress.com) about living in Hong Kong and travelling in Asia. anyway, Happy New Year Stephanie!
Hey there gorgeous, I’m definitely here and I intend to stay!
I found your blog maybe..hmm, 2-3 years ago? Cate and Lucy were only liiiiittle when I found you and I was immediately smitten with you and your style. (scrapbooking AND blogging style).
I’m Australian and I live in Perth (pretty weather, DULL city!) I have a blog of my own. its 99% craft-related but that’s because whenever I write something life-related I feel like I’ve upset someone coz there isn’t a single comment lol.
I love love LOVE getting comments but they’re pretty few and far between. Feedly/readers and ipads are to blame for that in large I think. But having said that, I rarely comment myself. Mostly because I read blogs on an ipad when I’m nursing my baby/at 3 am. Hard to be lucid then ๐
I love the way you blog, I love the honesty, the rawness, the fact that you get upset by people who are mean (i dont love that you get upset, but I love that you SAY when you are, kwim?!)
I hope blogs stay, I love reading them and feeling like I’m not the only one in the world who feels like >>insert various stay-at-home-mama-thoughts here<<. As someone said above? I'm here till you stop writing. but my goodness there will be a hole in my life when you do ๐ I love being a part of your world, (even if it's just a reader) and I love having you be a part of mine
Since the death of Google Reader I don’t interact as much with the blogs I read. But I love them and I hope they will all be around for years to come! I found your blog after following your Instagram feed, and I’m so glad I did!
I’m Angela from Florida and I’ve been reading/following your blog since before the twins ;0). I too am a lazy blogger still here reading and loving everything you post. I came for the scrapbooking but your heart and beautiful family are what keep me coming back to share in your adventures, watch your beautiful and fun girls growing up and see you all enjoy your time with Jimmy. (My hubby is Navy and I know how precious the time with them home is) thank you for still blogging and sharing your family. I also follow you on Instagram but dispise FB and twitter.
Hi Stephanie! I’m Claire from Perth, Western Australia and I have been following you since the twins were 1 – and I have NO CLUE where I found you ๐ I always read your posts, but everything gets sent to me through email, so I don’t often click through, unless I want to comment – which I have a couple of times. I follow you on Instagram and love to see how your family is going! Take heart, there are MANY people reading your blog – your roll call will show you that, I am sure (roll call takes me back to boarding school …)
Personally, I like your everyday life – not so bothered about the scrapbooking (I AM a scrapbooker and love your style but I enjoy your outlook on life, too).
Hi Stephanie! I’m Natalie, and I live in the Baltimore area of Maryland. I have a blog that is not very up-to-date (I’d like to fix that, but I have to prioritize my time for other things right now.)
I follow/read a TON of blogs. There are definitely blogs in my Feedly that are scroll-through-the-photos-and-click-the-X blogs, but yours does NOT fall into that category. In fact, I will often wait to read your posts until I’m on my computer so that I can take more time with them. I’ve gotten bad with commenting, too, but I try really hard ๐ I have been reading your blog for a LONG time… (and I’m one of those hopefully-not-too-creepy people who once I discovered it, I actually went back and read your archives because I liked it so much. Wow, I hope that didn’t weird you out!)
I am glad you blog your heart. I wish I was that brave! But… I blog my heart about the crafty stuff when I can! ๐ I love your crafty posts (which was why I first got started on your blog… and then your heartfelt honesty converted me to a true-blue follower), and I love your travel posts. I don’t know when I’m going to get to Italy (hopefully someday!) but until then, I can live vicariously through you ๐
I am from Brisbane, Australia. I read blogs in bloglovin and don’t always leave comments. I have loved seeing Italy through your eyes as well as seeing your gorgeous scrapbooking. I have a blog but as I don’t scrap as much anymore and resigned from my DT position, I haven’t updated it in a long time. I love your Blog your heart posts and have done these a couple of times too. I will endeavour to comment more as I know the effort it takes to post.
Hey! I’m Shereen, from Illinois. I’ve been reading since Sadie was a baby. I love hearing about your family and seeing all your photos.
I don’t read as many blogs as I used to, and I never comment ๐ I originally started following you through Studio Calico but what made me keep coming back was the fact you lived in Savannah Georgia where my daughter and son-in-law were getting ready to move with the Army. You are one of the few blogs I read regularly. These are the reasons: your posts are easy to read, funny, poignant and enjoyable. Also, your posts are emailed to me which makes it easy to read wherever I am. Thanks for letting me share in your lives ๐
Hi Stephanie!
I do read-but I don’t often comment. I started following your blog at first simply because you were another scrapbooker with twins. I came for the layouts and you drew me in with your heartfelt posts and stories. And I am loving all of your Italy posts-it is a dream of mine to visit there one day, so I love all of the photos of the amazing places you visit!
Was it the post at 2ps? If so I commented on it there.
Oh and my name is Mary Jo and honestly I can’t remember when I started reading your blog. It was definitely before Sadie was born and before you were on the Studio Calico team I think. But that is how I discovered your blog. Through scrapbooking. And I am more of a lurker. I tend to only comment on the blogs of people I know. But I have left a few comments on your blog in the past ๐
I think as far as blogging, it takes a lot of time to write and read posts. But I still enjoy both. I try to blog 2-3 times a week and read a few daily through bloglovin. I have several blog friends and we are always commenting on each other’s blogs. So I hope blogs aren’t going away. I am actually doing a project with some crafty friends this year called Lists With Friends where we are casually going to document the year in lists. Looking forward to that for some fun blog posts. ๐
And I do enjoy reading your blog and love hearing about your experiences in Italy and as mom. Plus I have pinned some great party ideas from your blog as well. So I hope you keep blogging!
Love your blog! I am a military spouse and I believe that is how I found your blog, through another military blog. I love seeing all of your travels and especially everything about Italy….it looks like such a beautiful place to be!
I used to blog myself but haven’t in forever….I miss it though!
Hey Stephanie – it’s Allison Hartgrove Ferguson…I’ve been reading since you lived in Waco with the bigs. I love following your life. You are so upbeat and an awesome momma. Most blogs I read I don’t actually know the person behind the words. With you, I know the sweet personality behind the words. It is hard to believe it has been almost 15 yrs (eek that sounds like ages ago). Keep doing what your doing because I know you are an inspiration to a lot of woman. ๐
Hi! Brenda here – known mostly as blbooth! I’ve been reading your blog forever and pop in every couple of days. I haven’t been blogging much in the past few months (mostly due to wine spilled on my computer and a few key keys not working!), but I try to once a week normally. Happy New Year!
Oh – I’m in MA – just outside of Boston!
Hi Stephanie,
I’ve been reading since Sadie was a little one. I am from Australia. I originally came across you via scrapbooking though I don’t scrapbook anymore I still find myself here ๐ I love your honesty and stories. And I never comment. I should make that a new years resolution. Monique x
GIRL! I love blogs. Wish I had motivation to write one myself but the tech side of it says me. At any rate, having read you for years now, I feel as if I know you. Freaky-ish when I show my husband a pic of Italy on Instagram and he says who took that? Uh, this girl, I don’t really know…your blog is a fresh light to me. You get the reality of living, you get on your no and wagon as needed, you cry, you laugh at Jimmy Fallon and JT, you love pics of scenery and beautiful things, you adore your fam, and you share the hard with us. Thanks. And I do lurk and promise to not be one-sided anymore on Feedily anymore. Lol hugs.
I am Jennifer H. from Arkansas. I have 3 little girls under the age of 5 and my husband was in the Army. I read everything you post but don’t comment much because I too am a lazy blog reader. I scrapbook also. Love seeing all of your post. Hope you have a great 2014. Keep sharing I don’t think blogs are dyeing. I have been reading since Harper was a little one.
My name is Shantel and I live in Bismarck, North Dakota. I happened upon your blog of the blog of a scrapbook store owner I know (sadly her store is no longer open). You were listed as one of her favorite blogs and I read entries for over two hours. I instantly subscribed to get your updates e-mailed to me and every time I see an e-mail I smile! When I first started your twins were just babies and I had a baby girl of my own. I love the pure honesty that you share with your readers! I LOVE your blog and have shared it with many! Please keep being you….you are wonderful!
Hi Stephanie,
I’m a bad commenter too but do read. Love your IG too. I’m from metro Detroit but now live in Knoxville Tennessee. I blog about paper and ink at pearlgateway.com. You are living my dream in Italy and your IG feed is probably a great source of contention to my hubby because I would really like to live there for at least a year someday ๐
I look forward to reading feebly each evening when I settle in for the night but I rarely click through and comment.
Hi Stephanie, I’m Tammy from Grandville, Michigan were it’s a balmy 7ยฐ today! I’m the mom to five kids, Rachel 19, Max 17- who is a Marine poolee leaving for San Diego June 16 ๐ Sophie 16, Levi 13 and Jackson 11. I have been following your blog for at least 5 years now! I joined Studio Calico because of you and all of your beautiful pages! I love to follow you and your adventures ๐
Hi! I live outside Boston & have 2 girls similar in age to your oldest. I love reading about your travel adventures- I grew up an Air Force kid living in Germany and love seeing all the places you go. I do lots of crafting and read several blogs through feedly, but hardly ever click through to comment. Just not enough time! I used to have my own craft blog, but found it was becoming less fun & more like work. Now I just craft for myself. But still love getting inspiration from blogs & seeing what others are inspired by!
Hi Stephanie-
I’ve been a lurker for over 2 or 3 years and believe I have commented here only once. I began reading your blog for the scrapping, but I have stayed because I enjoy watching your girls grow up into sweet young ladies. Now, I love seeing Italy through your eyes. I read mostly crafty blogs — scrapbooking, card making, cooking and baking. I work long hours at a stressful job and I look forward to escaping into the blog world when I come home at the end of the day. I hope blogging is around for a long time!
I have been reading your blog for years, I don’t comment often though. I love all you pics if the girls and how “real” you are. Love
Reading about all of your adventures as we’ll. also, jimmy and I have the same birthday!
Jan from Canada! Hi Stephanie. I have been getting your blog in my inbox since you were pregnant with Sadie! I am very guilty of not leaving you comments probably since you moved! I love seeing all the beautiful places where you have lived (very much), and often wonder more about the differences, the prices to do the same…luv seeing Italy! Wow! Love to read your experiences in all your new places you call home! And of your beautiful daughters. I can’t believe how big they all are.
I’m not a scrapper, I’m a card maker. My reasons for not commenting would be… that I signed up for too many blog posts incoming, and get sooo behind, been lazy, tied up with health issues and a sick parent. Sooo many times I have meant to leave you a message since you arrived in Italy.
I hope you keep blogging, and post about all the neat places you go, no matter if across the ocean or around the corner. Happy New Year! Luved your precious Christmas pics! Italy pics! ๐ J.
Hi, Kathy here from Ontario Canada. I started reading your blog because of scrapbooking, but now it’s to read about your lovely family and your adventures in Italy. My husband and I took our 2 girls to Italy 2 years ago and absolutely loved it. We spent time in Milan and Cinque Terre, as well as Paris, Nice and Provence. How wonderful this time is for your family. All the very best to you in 2014!!
Hi! I’ve been reading for several years (discovered through Studio Calico, I think). I hardly ever comment (unless you ask us ;)) but I haven’t missed a post. Please continue to carry us along on your adventures (and throw in some of your creative awesomeness whenever you feel like it!)
I’m Courtney from WA with a husband and daughter and admittedly a lazy blog reader. I use Feedly and almost never comment. I also use an iPad and no keyboard so it is a pain. I do love your blog and following the adventures of your beautiful family. Your daughters are precious!!!
X
Hi stephanie,
My name is Katie, i am a scrapper (when I have time), I work for the Navy, my husband is a retired Navy Chief and I am a grandma! I have been reading your blog since harper was tiny. If i had only one blog to read it would be your blog. I love your honesty, i love following all of your adventures, you have a great sense of humor, i so admire your style – as a scrapper, a mom, a military wife. I honestly do not comment on blogs much because i often think “oh, she doesnt know me, she doesnt want me to post” (i feel that same way on that message board where you saw the same post i saw). I do not think blogs are going away. I think some (NEVER YOURS) have become too commercial- all about making money. I have a set of about 15 blogs i read and they are people who I feel I connect with in some way. Stephanie, you inspire me day in and day out. You inspire me to be nicer, to be more creative, to say its about life and great memories, not clutter and dirty dishes. So please, keep sharing your stories. The good and the bad. Tell us when you are angry, scared, delighted….just keep sharing for those of us who want to live vicariously through you and your family!
Katie Bartlett
P. s. Excuse all my typo’s
I mean I read them with enjoyment.
Hi, Stephanie. I check your blog regularly. Some of my family in Texas know your husband, and one of them suggested I might like your blog during the summer you were pregnant with the littles. I rarely leave comments, but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the blog. I don’t think personal blogs are over, but I’m generally not an early adapter (I finally got an iPhone last year). So, you probably shouldn’t listen to me! I love seeing your family grow, and I have to admit that now you’re in Italy, I’m totally living through you. ๐ Take care.
I’ve always been a commenter on blogs to the point that when people mention it, I sometimes feel embarrassed. But usually it’s because I’m the ONLY consistent commenter (these are mostly my friends’ blogs). I feel like blogging is not as widespread as it was, but I’m still here- reading and commenting from feedly.
Hi…..I’m Alana from toronto, canada and I have been reading your blog since before your twins were born I can’t even remember how I found you….I think I was searching for scrapbook pages to get my creative juices going and came across one of yours with Harper and she was wearing a cute knit hat. I loved your style and found your blog and the rest is history, I am a momma to three little ones, two boys (7 and 5) and a little 10 month old baby girl! I think you are a great writer….you have often brought tears to my eyes…..but I am a very lazy blog reader! I also love reading about your new life in Italy…..I travelled Italy with my husband for our honeymoon 10 years ago and totally fell in love!
I’ve been following your blog since it was just 2 chicks… I definitely fall into the lazy blogger category, but I read every post!! I like that there is a mix of family, travel and crafty-ness – keep it up!
My feedly list isn’t dying at all!
I love blogs! I mostly read scrapbooking/crafty lifestyle ones and my goal this year is to write one of my own and be more involved in the community in general in sharing my creations. I definitely look to you for inspiration, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with this year!
Hi Stephanie, I’m Jackie from Indiana! I have been reading your blog for many, many years. I first started reading it when you only had harper and Sadie. I love scrapbooking, and I LOVE your layouts. I felt a real connection with you when you had the twins (because I have twin girls too). mine are 8 years old, but I still feel like we have a motherhood connection. I enjoy reading your blog for many reasons. you are awesome! please keep blogging.
Hi! I found you via 2peas. i’ve been following you for maybe a couple of months? Not sure. I love reading blogs and finally started my own last year. I love seeing crafty projects and reading about crafter’s lives. I’m making it a goal to share some more personal posts on my blog this year!
My BFF is Shelly Jaquet. She turned me on to MME and you!! I love to read your blog and your journeys…it helps that your kids are so adorable! ๐ I admire your talent and creativity so I continue to tune in. I only have a handful of blogs that I follow regularly and you are one! I admit I rarely comment on a blog…my bad! I’ll resolve to be better. Fran
Hi Stephanie. I was a follower right around the time you were expecting your twins and for a while during their first year or so. Then I changed to bloglovin’ and I had a few problems and didn’t get all of the blogs I was following switched over. But finally I found my way back. Hearing you on an older PRT helped me remember. I love the way you write and how honest you are with your feelings. I find it refreshing. I live in Arizona with my hubby, my son and his four children, (all in one big house). I do try to comment on blog posts, especially if I can relate to something said or shared. But many I do stop and go. I have really been enjoying the photos you have been sharing of where you live,and I always enjoy the photos of your girls. I mainly blog to share layouts that I’ve created, but sometimes I would like it to be more. But as you said, sometimes it seems like your talking to yourself. I hope it’s not a dying art, because I do have a few that I really do enjoy reading. ๐
Hi…I’m Bridget from Long Island, NY. Been following for a little over a year and I love all your posts (those girls are just too cute). I’m catching up on some of my favorite blogs tonight as the Blizzard conditions set in.
Hello Stephanie! I’m Robin from Charleston, SC. I read your blog posts… Always! I rarely comment (I think I have comment a couple of times). I’m not sure where I discovered your blog, but I started following you when you were pregnant with the twins. I have considered starting a blog… Just can’t seem to make it happen. I have recently started to work on the Scarlet Lime Design Team and feel like I should have one. I love to share my Project Life, scrapbook and art projects and I love to see others inspiring work, but I mostly just do that on Instagram (rmblackman). Anyway, I love your blog! It’s one of my favorites!!
I tend to surf my favorite blogs on my phone while waiting, so I don’t often leave comments because it’s a pain to type with your thumbs, lol. I love personal blogs… just the connection it gives to everyday life, the uniqueness of each life, and all the similarities all at the same time. I’ve been reading your blog since Harper was small. She is just a few months younger than my oldest, so we’ve gone through similar phases at the same time… and since I have boys… completely foreign phases, and I love watching them through a different set of eyes!
Hi Stephanie! I’m Lisa, currently living in Los Angeles. I love reading your blog – it’s kind of amazing how I feel like I know you and your family. There is something about your writing and honesty and photos that makes me check back regularly. Plus, I love watching your girls grow up and all their silly faces =). I think I’ve been reading for two years or so…I found your blog through another blog that I found through tastespotting. And I’m completely guilty of just being a blog consumer and not posting comments. So, I just want to let you know that I appreciate all your work and please keep doing it – I’ll keep reading (and maybe even comment!).
Now that I use Feedly, I hardly comment. I read fewer blogs too- yours, Angie Lucas, Elizabeth Dillow, and Cathy zielske are the only ones I still read. You all talk about crafting and your lives (joys, challenges, big moments and little ones).
I am Brenda and I am from Colorado. I don’t usually comment because well I feel like a stalker if I comment. Crazy I know but hey what can I say. I came across your blog right before you moved in 2013.
Long time lurker here. I use bloglovin so have to click thru to get the original blog and comment…which is too much sometimes with a 4 month old…how you manage to blog and comment and reply to comments with 4 kids is amazing!!! I have a blog but haven’t posted in a long time. Planning a wedding, then finding out I was pregnant and all that while working full time really didn’t give me much spare time. I can’t remember how I first came across your blog but I’m glad I did…I love the way you write and how hilariously cute your girls are. (Also follow you on instagram… Just this year decided to take a year off Facebook). So there you have it. ๐
I’m amyrjoy. We met at SC years ago. Your blog is the only blog I read faithfully! Actually, I don’t read ANY others at all anymore. I am so glad you still blog. I don’t! I’ve had a rough year with insomnia for MONTHS and months and other health issues. And recently, my beloved grandmother died just hours before my birthday. The ebb and flow of life- this one was hard. She was my last living grandparent. I am thankful that I was there the very moment she went to be with the Lord. She was more to me than a grandmother..
I don’t feel like keeping up my own blog and have struggled with the basic task of reading books until just recently. I’ve appreciated your suggestions as of late. My mind was on “disconnect” but I can enjoy For some reason, I’ve been able to piddle away at my writing though. My spare time has been spent writing …. ahem…. fanfiction for Star Trek (based on the reboot by JJ Abrams). I fell in love with the story of the characters this second time around (didn’t get too into the original series) and had some ideas of my own. I’ve had two full length fics written that got a really good response, and in turn, it has helped me see what I need to do with the things I can actually publish someday. It’s been a fruitful experience- and I hope soon I feel up to returning to some works for the real world. Meanwhile, your blog is the only one that feeds my soul. So I thank you. I love to see where you are in this world, how much your girls have grown, and your heart. God bless. Pardon my long winded-ness…You’re easy to talk to. ๐
Hello! My name is Jemima from Sydney, Australia. I’m a 25yo prfessional who dabbles in scrapbooking, I struggle with the cost most of the time actually. One day I’ll accept that I don’t need the latest trend, piece of equipment (die-cutting machine is the top of the list at the moment but would i use it enough to justify the cost?). I am totally a lazy blog reader as well. I’ve been reading your blog since Sadie was about 1-1 1/2? Isn’t it interesting how most of the comments seem to base their reading time on your girls ages, births, etc. Shows how much we really enjoy seeing them grow. I love how you don’t just post craft posts. Don’t get me wrong I love them but it is also nice to see an honest life blogger. Sometimes I feel that scrapbookers feel the need to project and image of the perfect family life. I know mine certinaly isn’t (amazing, full and lovely but not perfect) and sometimes it’s nice to see that yours is wonderful but not perfect either.
Sorry, I’ve talked your ear off, I’ll leave you to go and read the rest of the comments. Keep up the wonderful work and I love seeing the Italian sites.
Hi there! Stephanie I have been following you for a long time! I am so inspired by your creativity, the way you live your life with such grace and honesty and I adore seeing Italy through your eyes! I read every single day but the ease of having your blog delivered to my email box makes comments few and far between but I will do better. I know as a fellow blogger we don’t do it for the comments but they sure are nice ๐ I hope you will visit me over at scrapperonthestreet.com and keep those photos of your adorable girls coming!!
Ugh. I just typed a really long post and hit some wrong button and it all got deleted, which is frustrating, but triply more frustrating and depressing after I also completely wiped out all of our taped shows on our DVR by again pressing a single wrong button. Sigh. So I thanked you for bringing me many smiles over the past few years since before the babies were born. I also asked if they were identical or fraternal twins because I’m fascinated by multiples and I probably wonder this every time I see a picture of them! Anyway, I am Kathy from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, where it has warmed to a balmy -12 C. For the past month, the temperature has hovered around -30 C, so please send me your pity and some warm Italian thoughts!
Stephanie, after reading this post I knew I needed to say Hi. ๐ I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading your blog (maybe 9 months?) and I’ve truly enjoyed it. I actually wrote you an email when you were asking for advice about picture printers over the summer, and you wrote the sweetest reply. ๐ I’m an active duty Sailor, married to a Sailor, with a 2 year old son. We live in VA. I don’t know anything about Italy or the Army, but I DO know about living overseas. I love your posts and pictures. You add a bright spot to my day. I will make sure to reply in the future, so you don’t think you’re talking to yourself. ๐ I have a personal blog, but don’t update it as frequently as I should. If personal blogs were a thing of the past, then why is Bloglovin’ so popular??? Blogs are here to stay!!! ๐ Take care!
I read about ten blogs faithfully and yours in one of them! ๐
Hi Stephanie – I am a SAHM of 3 living in Southern California. My oldest is in High School and my youngest is in 2nd grade. I started blogging 7 years ago because I love to write. I need to write. My blog is my space to share our story. I’ve been reading your blog for many years. You are an honest, creative and inspiring mom, wife and woman. Thank you for continuing to share your story. I don’t know if blogging is a dying art but I plan to write my story for as long as I can.
I’ve been reading your blog since Harper was a baby. From the first time I read your blog it has been my favorite blog and the first one I check every day. I love your honesty, your humor and following the antics of your beautiful girls.
I live in a small town in Michigan and have 4 sons and 3 grandbabies with one more on the way. Scrapbooking is my creative outlet and I’ve been scrapbooking since the early 90’s.
Thanks so much for inspiring me.
I have been reading since before the twins were born. I check your blog first thing every morning and look at instagram. I love reading about all your adventures. I live in southwest Michigan in the lake effect snow area. Thanks for the time you put into the blog. I love reading and seeing what you are doing.
Hi Stephanie! I’m Jennie from California and I love reading your blog posts. I love the photos, but I also enjoy reading your words. I’ll be honest: I don’t comment all that often. Which is really kind of ironic because I have a blog of my own, and love getting comments from readers. I enjoy seeing what you create, but the posts that stay with me the longest are the ones where you talk about being a mom and wife. I love how honest, open, and self-effacing you are. Several of your posts have literally made me laugh out loud. I also adore seeing your photos of Italy; sure makes me want to go back and visit. It’s such a beautiful country. Six years ago, my husband and I took a 15-mile bike ride through the hills outside Florence and although I was in “granny” gear the whole way up, the food at the winery was outstanding (I don’t drink, but the wine smelled amazing), and the way down was, of course, a breeze. ๐
Stephanie Howell, I read your blog! It is one that I look forward to and miss when you are absent. My favorite is wordless Wednesday and anything about the twins. I live in Victoria Tx but currently I feel like I am in Italy with you! I really enjoy your post and you have taught me some Italian too. I have a great respect for your husband and what he does and have much admiration for the role of a military wife. I have little to no military in my background so it is all very interesting to me. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family.
Not sure why, but I like hearing about your life…I am the oldest of four – both my sister and brother have four kids (I have two). I have been reading your blog since your move to Savannah and chatted with you via email when we lived in Orlando. Moved last summer to Nashville. Love that your little family is all together…
Hi Stephanie – I’m Chastity and I live in Northern Virginia, just east of Winchester. I have been a blog reader for years…I know way before your twins were born. I am a lazy blog reader, love reading them but never really felt comfortable with leaving comments. I have to say, I am loving learning about your time in Italy. My bucket list contains lots of travel, one day. Keep blogging girl, you have readers! Many blessings!
Kelli from Lynchburg. I’m so bad… I’m a constant read and go’er. But I love all that I read. I should comment more and tell people how much I love their stuff! Thanks for your inspiring words of wisdom, for you laughter in photos of your gorgeous girls and for making us all jealous for the opportunity to live in Italy…if only for a moment in your lives. What a blessing! God bless you!
Hi Stephanie! I have loved reading your blog since the twins were born?!? Your blog is the first blog I ever subscribed to. I know, I’m way behind BUT I am so glad I finally did:). I was drawn by your awesome scrapbook pages and then your everyday life and just how real you are. I am a lazy commenter but hope to do better in 2014!! Have a wonderful 2014!!!
I have been reading your blog for years now. I feel like I can relate because we were in the military and I love scrabooking. Everytime you PCSed I felt exitement for you and your sweet family. Keep posting the photos. I loved it when you lived in RI because I could revisit our family’s first duty station. The one thing I regret not doing is living abroad when we were in the Navy (we are retired now since 2011). Hope you and your sweet family have an Amazing 2014!
I couldn’t find how to subscribe to your blog, but since I could “like” you on Facebook, when I see a new post on Facebook, I pop over here and read the whole thing, every time. Only reason I’m still on Facebook, or at least the major reason. I am a lazy reader most days. I read about 10 different blogs, and my inbox is always full. It could take all my time. But I’m so glad I found you. I love reading about your travels, seeing your photos. I have only been to Canada and now, Israel. Just got my passport in 2013. But I have dreams of traveling more, so love to hear how you are doing. I also love your scrapbook layouts. I just want to get my photos in an album, but your pages are inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll try to comment more often in the future., promise.
That’s weird you posted this. I was literally JUST thinking this. I only thought this because someone mentioned everything’s Insta-gram time now. We look at the tiny snap shot. Just boom, comment, thumbs up and go on. But back in the day, I’d read blogs (like yours), comment, look at your blog roll, check out some of those blogs, comment, check out their blog roll, rinse , repeat. And before I knew it, 4 hours had gone by lol. Now i’m trying to cram tiny snippets of ideas, instead of taking time to get to ‘know’ someone’s blog.
Please please please don’t stop blogging! :). I have been reading your blog for at least four years now. I can’t remember how I stumbled on it but I’m so thankful I did. I started following you regularly because your scrapbooking style got me back into the hobby after a few years of being bored and uninspired. I stayed because I love your honesty, humor and adorable children. I’m even more enthralled with your blog now because I am a wannabe Italian. I am 27 years old and in 2007 while I was still in college I studied abroad in Paderno del Grappa, Italy which is not far from where you are living now. Those four months I lived in Italy were some of the best months of my life, hands down. I love loving vicariously through your travel posts and pictures, and all of your comments about the good and bad of Italian living. I can so relate! The no line formation thing bugged me the most! ๐
I don’t know why I don’t comment more. I usually only comment when you post topics such as these. Or the one a few years back when you asked how many followers you had. I often think of commenting about travel or restaurant recommendations from my travels throughout Italy and the neighboring countries but often talk myself out of it. Maybe because I think you have so many followers that my comments won’t be read or responded to (which is totally understandable!) or maybe because I would find it random myself if someone I never met commented on my blog. Either way, now that I know that you appreciate it, I may start to comment more!
Thanks for sharing your life with us. I got my mom and sister hooked on your blog not long after I was and we oftentimes refer to your blog and your adorable kids as if you were a long lost friend. I pray for you and your family and am so excited for your many Italian adventures ahead of you! Can’t wait to hear about them.
Wow! This is fun. I have been reading your blog for years, before twins… I really love your writing style and your cute family. I don’t think blogging is dying, but I do go on Instagram more now than read blogs. I rarely comment. I have 2 kids, 12 yr old girl and 9 yr old boy. Been married 18 yrs, jeez I sound old! I used to look at my favorite blogs almost daily but now it is once a week. I have started and stopped 3 blogs myself! Keep writing, I am having a grand italian adventure through you!
Hi there! After multiple failed attempts to comment from my iPad today~grrr~I am finally getting this posted from my computer:) I’m Kirsten and I live in West Tx with my husband and three girls ages 8, 10, and 12. I certainly don’t click through and comment as often as I would like~see above iPad issue. Ha. I have been reading since Sadie was little and I love reading. I find the personal aspect of your blog refreshing. Such a great mix of honest everyday life, travel, and crafty inspiration. I say keep writing whatever makes your heart sing and have a fabulous 2014!
Hi Stephanie! I remember finding your blog back when J was in Afghanistan and Sadie was a baby. Someone posted a link to your blog, and I read your words and you just struck a chord with me. More than once, I’ve cried just reading your posts, and a couple times just laughed looking at your girls’ cute photos!
I don’t blog myself, but I followed you and a few other fun folks through google reader, and now through Feedly. I usually read blogs on my phone, over a cup of coffee in the morning, or just waiting for my kids to finish various practices/lessons, etc…so yes, I’m one of those who’s guilty of not always leaving comments because it’s sorta hard over the phone – sorry!
I do hope you continue blogging, because you’re a great writer, and I love living vicariously through you: not only the fact that you’re living in Italy (wow!), but also I do miss the days when my kids (now preteen and teen) were young and NOT camera-averse like they are now (sigh!).
Thanks for posting! ๐
Hi Stephanie, I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and without a doubt you are my favourite. I use feedly and usually just look at the pics except for you, as soon as I see a post from you I have to click through. I love how you write so honestly about your life both the good and the challenging. As I have 2 small kids (2 &4) I can relate a little and it is nice to know that someone else has day to day struggles as sometimes it seems that people have postcard perfect lives. Also, your girls are just the cutest , those facial expressions……….. I love hearing all about your travels and am looking forward to hearing about all the places you will visit over the next few years. We travelled a lot before kids and I love Europe, your travel posts inspire me and give me hope that it is possible to travel with young kids, now if I could just face the 24 hr flight to get there (I live in Australia).
But I never comment, kinda feel like that’s invading your personal space but perhaps should see it as encouraging. I hope that personal blogs aren’t dying, they are far more interesting than company/ design team blogs.
Keep doing what you are doing X Maria
Hello Stephanie! I have been following you for quiet sometime and I plan to continue. I enjoy your voice and your so funny and true…love both those things. Thank you for sharing so much of your life and your big family. I’m a TX girl as you are and now live in AZ. I don’t often comment on blogs and I have stopped following many. I will continue to follow you ๐
And yes, commenting from an iPad is terrible! Ha Ha!!
Hello I’m Andrea from Auckland New Zealand and I love reading your blog, I started following you for the scrapbook posts but now I’m just as happy to follow your amazing adventures with your beautiful family. You seem “real” and I like that so please keep sharing.
Hi Stephanie! I’m Melissa(Lissa for short). I live in Washington state. I LOVE your blog and enjoy following you on instagram!I can’t remember when I started following you but I do believe it was right before you had Cate and Lucy. I love blogs and don’t think they are a dying art. You are such a inspiration to me!=) Thank you for sharing your life.=)
I have been checking in on your blog almost daily for quite some time and I love it. Even though our lives have little in common (I’m a nana, I live in Canada, none of my family is in the military) I enjoy reading about the topics you blog about. Your kids are a hoot, Italy is so interesting, your scrappy projects are great and I love when you sink your teeth in an issue and speak your mind. Your pictures are wonderful. I used to me a magazine hoarder, but with the evolution of media such as Pinterest and creative types who kindly share their talents, I would rather read Blogs! So, I hope you continue to share (which resulted in me buying a Canon Selphy “love”) the stories of your life and adventures with us.
Yep, read in Feedly, and rarely comment. Found you years ago (Where were you before Georgia? Can’t remember now, but I remember your move to Georgia, so it has been at least that long. Before the twins. I found you through scrapbooking somehow, but that isn’t why I stay. You are quite inspiring in your strength and heart. The deployments, the kids, the adventures, the humor… One of the few personal blogs I read, and you make us feel like we really know you.
No, personal blogs aren’t a thing of the past for me anyway. I am selective about what I read due to lack of time. Yours is one of the few personal blogs that I still read. I too am a lazy reader though and don’t take the time to comment often (sorry).
I’m Erin, from Michigan (yep, we’re freezing here right now). I’ve been reading your blog since J was deployed after S was born. I first found through another scrapping blog (I think) and just kept reading. Your personality is that of someone who would be a dear friend if we knew each other in person. Love seeing your girls grow (the twins are so very much like my own almost 3 yr old).
Keep writing and I’ll keep reading (besides, I’m totally living vicariously through you in Italy right now). ๐
Have been following you since the twins were babies I think. Found you through scrapbooking links. Love your writing style, love your adorable kids, love reading about military life and now especially about Italy! I have a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son so enjoy reading about moms going through similar years. In awe of your ability to handle your 4 including twins!
I’ve known about your blog for years but have only started reading it maybe once a week to catch up on your travel news…and I think you twins are cute
I don’t feel I ever want to comment because I really have no comments. I figure my clicks to the site are an indirect message to you that someone is reading.
Hello….I`m Monica from Mexico….I don`t remember how I found your blog (almost 3 years ago). I love scrapbooking and everything crafty, but then I fell in love with your family, life and all the moving around. (I love to travel and have a 6yo girl and 4yo boy).
I check on your blog daily, I enjoy a lot your adventures in Italy, photos, tips, and the scrapping. LOVE ALL YOUR POSTS. (BTW I just bought my Selphy because of your comments.)
I never comment because I`m lazy to translate everything I want to say (Sorry for my bad spelling and grammar)
I admire you a lot, not just because of your scrapbooking, but for everything!! You are a great mother, wife and person. Wishing your the best for 2014…
Please never stop writing!!!
Carla from Utah here,
I follow a lot of blogs
and don’t always leave
a message, but I do try
to comment when I like
something. I’ve enjoyed
your showing of Italy
as I’ll never go there.
It’s lovely to see it
through your blog. So
thanks and I’ll keep
checking in with you.
Carla from Utah
I’m Tina. I live in Olympia, and was introduced to your blog through Cathy Killough. I have been reading since Sadie was a baby. I have 24 year old twin girls. I am a Miemie to a darling 14 month old. You have lived all the places I want to visit. I like reading your blog, cause it’s real. You don’t seem to do it for all the free stuff, you don’t post about the gazillionth free vacation you have just had, and you seem like someone I would like in real life. Your family is darling, you are a great mama, and reading your blog just makes me happy. Keep on!
Im Mandy from NZ (aka New Zealand)…..think down under….near Australia…no hang on keep going east….a bit more…a bit more BOOOMMM there i am!!
one of the first places to see the new day…. (
think Lord of the Rings/the hobbit/avatar- Peter Jackson the director
we are known as kiwis (birds) not Kiwifruit…we eat that!!!
i found your blog from my SC days…since left when shipping went through the roof!!!! have loved watching your kids grow up over the years (blog/layouts and IG)
i too am a lazy blogger…last blogged april 2013…kinds lost the love for writing posts!!!
but i do read a lot ….and yes Feedly has made me lazy…i read and dont always comment!!! i need to make more of an effort!!!
thanks for blogging…feels like we are all in Italy with ya!!
I love reading your blog. I am bad….I read and don’t comment much at all. I have been a follower since after Harper was born. I have enjoyed reading your blog for years. I love experiencing Italy through your posts ! Love your beautiful girls and have enjoyed watching and hearing about them and you and J. Thank you so much for bogging!
Hi, Stephanie!
I am Jessica from Connecticut. I’ve been reading your blog for years and years, since Harper and Sadie were itty bitty. I’ve read all your posts, but I’ve only commented on a handful.
I so enjoy reading about your family and all your adventures, so I hope you’ll keep updating us. I’ve certainly let my own blog fall by the wayside, but I’m hoping to rejuvenate it this year…even if it’s just my grandma reading! ๐
Happy New Year!!!
Present! Sort of. I’m Jill. I love blogs. I am guilty of reading and not commenting. I get lots of joy from your blog and many others. I got into blogs from scrapping sites, but I am drawn to sites that are more than just crafty goodness… I love blogs that are full of heart and real and not just the highlights. I am a mom of 2 little girls (5 and almost 3). My husband is a graphic designer and I am a banker. We live in Wisconsin and are loving (and completely jealous of) your Italian adventure.
I’m Sara from New York… A scrapbooker/card maker. Been reading your blog since Harper was a baby… Your is the only blog I read religiously. I love hearing about your travels, the kids… I tried to blog but I just csn’t keep up with it!
Sars
I’m a lazy blogger too (as in leaving comments)…I read your blog daily via Blog Lovin. I love reading about your adventures with your family…being mom, wife to a military man, and crafty stuff too. Your blog always make me giggle and feel happy! I have 2 fun and crazy little boys and pregnant with a little girl due in February. I love how you make motherhood joyful and happy!
I think that all the time. That it must be harder when they are older. Hopefully we will be traveling and having lots of fun adventures!
Hi Deanna!
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment today!
Happy New Year, Stacey!
I hope blogging returns to you in 2014. <3
I agree. The over-commercialization of blogs ruins them for me!
Hi Jen!
So happy to see you here today. xo
Hi Kat!
So glad you are here. And NO guilt!!! ๐ Xoxo
Hey sweet friend!
Great to see you today. ๐
xo
Hi Becky!
Please tell your husband THANK YOU for his service. Oh, and have some Tex-Mex for me. I miss it terribly. Sigh. xoxo
Hi fellow girlie mama!
Hope you have a wonderful 2014!
The community is the BEST. Absolutely. xoxo
P.S. Leona Lane is just fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Comments ALWAYS matter and are so appreciated. I have each and every one sent to my inbox! xoxo
I try hard to keep a good balance, and I’m so glad it shows. Happy 2014 AnnElise!
But I absolutely should get better at just saying hi. Add that to my 2014 “to do” list. ๐ xo
Oh, i DON’T find much time. Hence the reason I never make anything anymore. HA! Ohhh you know sweet Kim? Love her. Happy New YEar! xoxo
Hi Alison!
Thank you SO MUCH for being here. Big hugs. xoxo
Switzerland is at the VERY TOP of our list right now. Especially Jimmy who is dying to ski. Thanks for being a great friend and encourager, Kris! xoxo
Hi Sandi ๐
It’s just nice to know you guys are here! That’s good enough. ๐ xoxo
Hi Miss Amy-
My new scrapbooking soul sister. SO glad we found each other!
P.S. Answering from my inbox and it might have sent a response to my other Amy friend to you, too. Ignore. ๐
Hi Nicole. It’s wonderful to hear from you today!
Hi Molly!
It’s great to see your cute face here today, friend. xoxo
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lora.
xoxo
I couldn’t agree more, Miss Olivia. So happy to see you here today! xoxo
LOVE that last sentence, Pat. Me too. Big hugs. xoxo
Hi Eileen!
Many of our friends are stationed in Hawaii right now. I would LOVE to visit! xoxo
Megan-
LOVE this. I’d love to hear his memories from a young guy’s perspective. Italy must have been so fun for him!
Hi Mel! Love that you concoct comments. Post them next time, okay? I’d love to hear. ๐ xoxo
Hi Kimberly! Oh, I miss Austin SO MUCH. Have a margarita and some good Tex-Mex for me, okay? Sigh. xoxo
Hi Amanda!
Thank you so much for stopping by today. ๐ Enjoy that warm California sunshine! xoxo
Hi Kate! So happy to hear from you today. :)x o
Helen-
Thank you so much for your kindness. It means so much to me, you made my day!
Oh Ashley Gailey-
I love your guts. Can we please get together one day? xoxox
You can DO it!
xoxo
Hi Jill-
Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Stephanie!! *Waves*
I started “stalking” you since your twins turned 1. Currently, I reside on the tiny little island city called Singapore.
Honestly, I don’t think that personal blogs should die out. They are an extension of our physical self and really allows us to share intimate thoughts with others. I love reading about your adventures with your adorable children and what I admire a lot is how brave you are with all the trials and tribulations that are thrown to you.
The reason why I never / rarely comment is really because there isn’t a need for it. I would really comment only when it is called for or when I do have an opinion to share that I feel would benefit the writer.
I hope that you would continue writing and being an inspiration to others! Keep up the good work! ๐ You are a wonderful mum and wife.
Troll and hate nonsense. Yes. Fortunately the longer I go on, the less I care. I can’t force others to like me. Thank you so so much for your sweet comment, Melissa!
xoxo
Hi Rachel girl!
Hope to have LOTS of travel posts to share in 2014! xo
Hi Shanan-
So wonderful to meet you today. <3 xoxo
Hi Abi ๐
Your blog is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts today! xoxo
Hi Sweet Peggy!
We still have AND LOVE the book. Thank you for being such a wonderfully encouraging friend. xoxo
Stephanie,
I’m Melissa and currently living in Portland, Oregon during my husband’s third deployment. I’m pretty sure I first found you on Two Peas looking for Army scrapbook pages. I’ve been following you for several years and enjoy reading your blog, but hardly leave comments. I enjoy your positive outlook on life! Blessings in the New Year! – Melissa
Elise is awesome, isn’t she? So glad you are here, Cait! xoxo
Oh Amy-
I’m so sorry. But praise the Lord that your prayers were answered. Adoption was the single best gift that my parents could have given to me. Thank you for opening your heart. xoxo
I don’t care mostly either. But sometimes I’m just plain curious! Happy 2014! xoxo
BAHAHAHAHA. Dying laughing at your target comment. So true! xoxo
Hi Alissa-
Thank you so much for commenting. Buon Anno!
Hi Anne!
I’m dying to make it to your area. Hopefully soon! xoxo
Oh, I miss her ‘ashion videos. Part of me wishes I wouldn’t have let ugly people/comments ruin it. But I just can’t do ugly comments when it comes to my kids. Me? I can handle it. But it’s not okay for them. ๐ xoox
Hi Tracey! Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope your 2014 is beautiful and blessed!
Hi Rhian! You lead one full and inspiring life! Happy New year. xoxo
I would love to hear your comments when you have TIME. I know life is nuts. Hence the reason I’m a bad commenter, too! xoxo
oh i LOVE LOVE LOVE pinterest. maybe the most! xoxo
Thank you so much for stopping by. Buon Anno!
Hi Amy. Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy New Year!
YES on the playdate!!! And I agree. That would be an awesome Feedly feature. Are you reading, Feedly???
commenting from the iphone is the absolute PITS!
Hi Erin! Thank you so much for your comment. You have a beautiful, beautiful blog. So inspiring! So glad you stopped by today. xo
Hey Tinie-
Thanks so much for your comment. Big hugs! xo
Thank you, Nita. I cannot imagine being a working mom. I have so much respect for you. xo
Aimee-
Each comment absolutely does matter. And each one is read. I have them emailed to me. ๐ Thank you so much for taking the time to say “hi” today. xoxo
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting today!
Hi Stephanie, Maria here from Ohio. I love your blog and have enjoyed watching your family grow and the many adventures you’ve shared with all of us.
If I stop blogging I might go nuts. I’m not going anywhere! xoxo
LOVE this. Thank you so much for introducing yourself. And LEOTARDS FOR THE WIN!! hahaha! xoxo
NEVER!!! ๐ xoxo
Hi Stephanie
I’m from New Zealand and have been following your blog for a while now. Not sure how I got started but would have been related to scrapbooking! I very rarely comment but LOVE all the content.
Hi Stephanie, Sammy here from Australia *wave*.
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now and love it. I like your writing style and that you are so honest and up front about your life. I must admit I am not much of a commentor perhaps maybe because I’ve subscribed to over 100 blogs…eeeek, just counted them…lol! The blogs I read cover all sorts of things, mostly paper crafting but also DIY projects and Photography. I am a huge looker and draw inspiration from the blogs I read, plus they keep me up to date with what is new and exciting in the world of crafting/DIY/Photography.
I use bloglovin’ because it allows me to read the blog post on the actual blog of the person writing the post. I do leave comments but only if I have something honest and meaning full to say, if ya know what I mean!
I have a blog myself, which I am a bit hit and miss with. I often wonder if anyone reads it, as I don’t think I am that interesting but at the end of the day I blog for myself!
Hehehehehe…that was a long winded answer was it! In short I read your blog…lol!
Hi Stephanie, Sammy here from Australia *wave*.
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now and love it. I like your writing style and that you are so honest and up front about your life. I must admit I am not much of a commenter perhaps maybe because I’ve subscribed to over 100 blogs…eeeek, just counted them…lol! The blogs I read cover all sorts of things, mostly paper crafting but also DIY projects and Photography. I am a huge looker and draw inspiration from the blogs I read, plus they keep me up to date with what is new and exciting in the world of crafting/DIY/Photography.
I use bloglovin’ because it allows me to read the blog post on the actual blog of the person writing the post. I do leave comments but only if I have something honest and meaning full to say, if ya know what I mean!
I have a blog myself, which I am a bit hit and miss with. I often wonder if anyone reads it, as I don’t think I am that interesting but at the end of the day I blog for myself!
Hehehehehe…that was a long winded answer was it! In short I read your blog…lol!
hahahaha…see I like you so much and don’t want you to stop blogging I posted twice! Ma baaaad I thought my first post errored, please delete.
Love, love, love your blog! I’m Vicky from NZ and have been a follower of yours since before the twins arrived. Love your everyday adventures :-). Don’t ever stop writing x
Hi! I’m Dee from the Netherlands ๐ I’ve been reading your blog for a while now. I would like to say that I read every blog on my blogroll, because I like to hear (read rather) about other peoples perspectives and experiences and get a peek into their lives. But the truth is I lack the time to carefully read each blog. So I scroll through the ones that I know are suitable to get inspiration from (through images) and I still read the ones I find inspiring in words ๐ Another thing is that I myself can’t find the time to blog, so I resort to Instagram, where I try to include some infos as I post my picture.. I see that as a form of ‘mini-blogging’. Anyway.. What I suppose I’m saying is: the blogs that matter will still get the attention they deserve ๐
Hi, I am from Ontario, Canada. I am a scrapper and have been following you along for a few years now. I love reading blogs and tollow many, I truly hope they are not on their way out, Mine is therapeutic as well. I know I should comment more about what I am seeing when I visit, but alas I am lazy as well!
I don’t remember exactly when I started reading your blog… years and years ago though! It’s been so fun to see your girls grow up, follow along with deployments and moves, and see you in real life at CHA and in Italy of all places! Keep up the blogging ๐
Hello from Australia – I’ve been reading your blog for maybe a year (but i did go way back in the beginning and read previous posts coz i hate missing stuff!).
Im pretty bad at commenting but something I have been working on. I started a blog last year to document a goal challenge I am doing (101 things in 1001 days) however I haven’t kept up with blogging regularly.
I think i may have found your blog when searching for Project Life inspiration but have enjoyed other posts because of your truthful voice – i love how you tell it how it is! Very Aussie thing to do!
I love reading blogs and I hope they don’t go away – i was very late to the blog party so had no idea what i was missing!
I’m Kirsten in Sammamish, Washington….and I try not to read and run here too often. I have way too many blogs in my feed which I don’t really love, or comment on, although I do get some quick inspiration from them. I’ve read your blog for years and years (gosh, many years…), and it’s one of 10 or so that I read with my daughter at bedtime. We grab the iPad and it’s our little winding down time, and a kind of bonding time, at that. Sometimes I’m afraid of sounding stalkerish, or too familiar when I comment. Here’s a story: I was lucky enough to have Tara Whitney take my family’s photos a few years ago, and she had time at the end of our session, so we all went and grabbed a root beer float (we were at Gasworks Park) and we were sitting, gabbing. My husband kept cracking up because I knew so much about her, and she said that’s what happens when you’re a Garden girl, and then a blogger…..so I’m glad I got to meet her in person and show her I’m just an ordinary dork.
Hi Steph, I’m in Australia and have been reading for as long as I can remember. It started with scrapping but now it is that and the absolute joy (and giggles) your writing and family bring every time I stop by. I don’t think the reading of blogs is dying, though my list of the ones I love has certainly shortened.
Now seems the perfect time to say thank you for sharing your beautiful family and your thoughts (therapy) in your writing. You have always been, and I think always will be, a breath of fresh air. Thank you ๐
Actually, I have no idea, either, what’s happening in the blog world. All I know is that my family and friends are at me all the time about posting. It’s my way of staying in touch when you don’t live close enough. It’s funny to me that even the friends of my granddaughters will ask if I’ll post about them on my blog. In reality—my blog is just another scrapbook—my every day, my loves, my life, my frustrations, my challenges, but mostly, my attempt to provide myself with a little bit of immortality. That’s why each year, on January 1st, I have the previous year’s blog entries made in to a hard back book. Oops, I’m already 2 days late on that! PS Although you are young enough to be my daughter, I love sharing in your lovely family. As the mom of three—now grown—daughters (one called Stephanie too), I can totally relate! Keep it up for your daughters!
I read every single one of your posts! But rarely comment (guess I’m one of those lazy blog readers). I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading about your family and adventures (love the pictures).
I’m a snowbird in Florida (in the winter) from Minnesota. Guess why! Love to craft, and explore blogs. I hope they are not a thing of the past. Please don’t stop sharing your life.
Happy New Year and the best to you and your family in 2014.
I love your blog – the mix of family and creative is what I look forward to reading about in yours and so many other blogs I read, but I am guilty of being a lazy commenter. I’m from Northern Ireland and things ain’t great at the moment so blogs are my little escape into other peoples lives. I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading your blog but it’s one of the first ones I turn to when I open my tablet. I hope you and your gorgeous family have a wonderful 2014 and don’t stop blogging. Love and hugs Jennifer x
Hi Stephanie,
I’m Debra. Australian. Married 18 years to my love. We have a dog who is completely gorgeous. He’s half Golden R and Andrew told me he groomed him tonight which means he cut his hair near his rear end. Looks pretty trimmed back there – it’s pretty funny. I just found out that Santa doesn’t wrap in your house (thanks for replying to that question). What were we talking about? Blogging. Is it a dying art? No, I don’t think so. I wrote my blog for over two years and barely got comments. I did it for me, but comments of appreciation are nice sometimes. I comment on blogs and videos just to leave a bit of encouragement for people or just to say thanks for sharing. Not sure if I’ve answered your questions! All I know is, the thought of blogging right now makes me want to run for the hills ie. it’s not for me right now, although I desperately miss writing. I’m not on FB or Twitter or Instagram. Have taken some Instagram photos for me, but not shared publicly. Um, I think that’s it ๐
Hi, Stephanie,
Love your blog, thanks for the inspiration! I’ve been reading for a long time. First time commenter. ๐
These are the same types of questions we’re asking ourselves in the educational blogging community. I’ve been blogging consistently since 2009, have developed a pretty decent readership, and in the past few years I can definitely say the amount of comments has dwindled. We’ve been stressing the importance of comments and discourse in our ed. blogging community because that’s where the power lies – in feedback and the sharing of actionable resources via the conversations that emerge in the comments. We’re not sure the lack of comments is due to more people blogging themselves and therefore less time to devote commenting on others’ blogs, or if it’s because we’ve grown accustomed to quick-natured bursts of info via Twitter and Google+. I agree that we take far more than we give – and in our digital culture it’s so important to be creators and curators of information, not just consumers.
Happy New Year!
hi stephanie! i’m jessica from arkansas ๐ i can’t remember when i started reading your blog, but it was before you were even pregnant with the twins. i LOVE reading your blog, your posts are always so inspiring. I do get your blog delivered by email and i think for me that makes it easier to jump over and comment. when i read blogs on feedly i’m scanning through so fast that a lot of times i even miss what blog the post is from. i have a small blog, but even i have noticed that the comments have really disappeared within the last year or so… and at the same time i realize that i’m so neglectful to go and post on other bloggers and encourage them. it’s something i could definitely step up on this year!
Still here. Still reading. (And still writing, too!). I’m also an ex-pat, though by choice and not chance. From WI, but living in London (though it was my 3rd international living place to land). I’ve only been reading for about a year, but really enjoy your beautiful stories, pictures, and words on the blog & instagram, etc.
Oh, goodness, I’ve been reading for four? years. I’m a mom of three from Virginia, and I used to scrapbook, but it fell by the wayside last year. Maybe I’ll get out some supplies and play today… Happy New Year!
I’m Michelle from Montreal, Canada. I have been reading your blog since you were expecting the twins and don’t even remember how I fell upon it. I read it all the time and admit to being a lazy reader. I don’t comment often, but I do send replies to the e-mail feed I get (and you are always good about replying). I also have some blogs that I know people visit, but rarely do they comment (they tend to comment on the posts on the pages where I let them know they are updated). Through these past few years I feel like I have had the opportunity to get to know you and often feel like I should share more in return because I know so much about what is happening in your like. I love all your stories and your layouts because you are sharing your life with us (passions, fears…everything that makes a life a life). I would love to meet you one day should you venture up to Montreal (a beautiful city).
I’m Debbie from Ohio and I’ve been reading your blog since Sadie was little and loving every word! I work with special needs preschoolers for 15 years and love that too! I’d always hoped to meet you when you lived in Texas but you moved just before I was planning a trip down. In fact, I just returned from a TX visit with my brother and his family last night! I love TX and would really love to retire there someday! I went to Savannah on vacation and visited some of the places you talked about while you lived there! I read every blog entry you write and enjoy all your adventures with your family. I truly hope blogs aren’t a dying art.
Hi! I’m in Michigan. I’ve been reading since you were pregnant with the twins. I love reading about your kids and your travels, but more than anything I enjoy your attitude. “There are times this is hard but I love my husband, I love my kids and I will make the best of it”. Very refreshing.
Last year I hardly blogged and cut back on my reading which did allow me time for other things. I’m an avid IG’er because it’s so easy, takes no time to post, and is a fun way to communicate /visit with friends and family and a great way to meet others. Having said that, I’ve missed my blog and posted for the first time in 5 months. I do want to blog and I want to read more blogs. It’s definitely a give and take because the time I spend blogging and reading blogs is time I am giving up on something else. Last night I went into feedly to streamline my reading list and I would say 25% of the blogs were inactive. I just started using Facebook again and find for me it’s purpose is more personal, a way to connect with those who don’t blog and those distant relatives I wouldn’t communicate with otherwise. As for your blog, I’ve followed you since Sadie was little and read your blog because you are authentic and although I’ve not read every post in the past year, I still do read it and I hope you never stop ๐ I also love your IG feed which made me want to come here and comment ๐
Hi Stephanie! I have been a fan of your blog since you were harpersmama over at 2peas:). I am in New Hampshire and love following your Italian adventure! I still love blogs but agree that people definitely tend to be doing more on instagram these days. I am trying to post more on my own blog and hardly ever get comments and thats ok. I really just love to go back and look at it. I need to be better about leaving comments too. I really hope blogging isn’t dying!!
I’m a little late to the party but do read your blog regularly. I read every single post. I’ve been following for many years, maybe since Sadie was 2? I used to read lots of scrapbooking blogs daily but lost my scrappy mojo and so there are only a couple that I keep up with. Yours is the only one in which I read all the posts. I’ve connected with you and your family and it now goes beyond scrapbooking (but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy your crafty posts too).
It’s a pleasure hearing all your news and watching the girls grow up. It’s just weird that I keep up with all your news but really don’t know you (or I should say that you don’t know me – I feel I know you pretty well!) That must be weird for you and other bloggers, is it?
I live on a Scottish island by the way (Shetland, home of the famous ponies). ๐
Well, okay you asked….lol. , naw really. You are living in my parents mother country. I am first generation American and my parents moved to Brooklyn New York in the 50’s. They didn’t meet until they moved to the states at an Italian/American club dance. It was very romantic. Fast forward from the 60’s until now, I am living in the Northwest now and LOVE it. Married and a couple of the GREATEST GIRLS EVER! They are special needs but keep me in smiles always!,! Married almost 26 years to an awesome man and I scrap and quilt! I have lots of family in Italy and as much as I get frustrated with Facebook , it’s how we stay connected. We will post in Italian on our pages and they use google translator to understand my English. Gotta love the internet. My Moms side is in Nola, gorgeous area of Italy and my fathers side is in Formia, more specifically costellenorad (sp on this) a small farming town north of Rome. I grew up not even knowing about Mc Donald’s until I was in my teens and that you could even make hamburgers or French fries at home! Lol. I was raised very strict Italian culture and sooooooo glad I did. Now I raise my girls with the same traditions and they love it as well, however we do have American exposure much more considering I married non Italian. I too like to grab and go with respects to blog hopping and I have neglected my blog….first I could not remember my password to my blog and blogspot wouldn’t help me recover it so I had to start another, but it’s up and running and a bit neglected…..2014 I think I am going to change that up a bit. There you have it! Felice Anno Nuovo!
hi Stephanie! I found your blog when I used to scrapbook regularly. I have been reading for a couple of years (before you had the twins) I appreciate your honestly and zest for life! and all things crafty. going to Italy has been a dream of mine. I haven’t blogged in a year or so! but trying to get back on the wagon with #listswithfrields2014. I don’t care if blogs are going out of style- but sometimes it’s the only way to keep track of life and moments. Thanks for sharing your life!!
I just stumbled onto your blog today from Pinterest. I am an empty nester with 4 grown children, newly retired at 55, and living in frigid (today) Ohio, eager to start the next chapter in my life! I visit lots of blogs and usually only comment when something really inspires me or to enter a give-away. I know it is virtually impossible to answer every comment, but It makes me feel so good when the blogger responds, so I think what you’re doing is great! Have a wonderful new year! I will be back to see what you’re up to!
Hi Stephanie, I’m Crystal. I have been following you for… well as long as I can remember! Since my girl was little, so maybe 7 or 8 years! I commented a lot more in the beginning, but over the years and especially after having another little one I have been more of a look and leave girl! I do comment when I can though. I have followed many blogs over the years, but yours is the one I will never abandon! I love all of your posts. I get so much joy from your posts, even the ones that are not crafty. I like seeing your day to day, even when there’s no scrapbooking (I think your scrappy posts are amazing too, you’re very talented). I tell my husband all about your posts as if you’re a distant friend (not trying to sound creepy) but that’s how much I love your blog!! ๐
I’m Kelley, from College Station, Texas, and I’ve been reading every blog post of yours since you were pregnant with the twins. I’m old-fashion and don’t do a feed, so your blog is one of the ones I check everyday from my bookmarks. I love what you write about, love how similar your house of girls is to my house of boys, love the creativeness, and am totally jealous of the travel (but love seeing and hearing about it!). I comment from time-to-time, but usually don’t feel like I have anything really to add. As for the question of are blogs dying- I hope not…they are what I look forward to everyday. I log-on to read my favorite blogs, and THEN check-out Pinterest, never the other way around. I value the personal touch of blogs, I enjoy the first-person narrative. Keep posting, I’ll always be here reading!
I’m reading in KS, don’t comment much–once in awhile. I started because of I too am a scrapbooker. I stay because I love your posts, your family, your insights. Keep up the good work! What draws us in are the great pages, the cute little girls, and the wonderful travels. What keeps us coming back is your honest writing about it all!!
Hi! I love your blog, you are one of the few blogs I read that update regularly. I found you on 2peas and have been reading your blog for several years. I live in PA, but would love to live in the sunny south! I have three daughters (10, 14 and 16) and though they are very messy and eat a lot (haha, typical girls!!), they are so easy going and fun! Don’t let anyone fool you by saying teen girls are monsters. They are much less moody than teen boys and girls are so easy going. No drama in our house that’s for sure. Even though we have all girls, we get to look forward to their sweet boyfriends. That is fun! My daughter’s boyfriend was always offering to help out and always complimented me on my hair and outfit (something my girls would NEVER do – haha!). I love hearing all your stories about your family and your adventure in Italy! I admire how you can pick up and move and love your new home!
Hi Stephanie! I’m still here, reading your blog whenever you post and sometimes commenting. I love the balance you have between words/thoughts, pictures, and creative “stuff”. I don’t keep up with many blogs (including my own!), but yours I always read. We are hoping to get to Venice sometime in the next year and I will definitely look you up when we do, and of course we would love to get together if your family is ever up here near Ramstein! Oh, and I’ve noticed that as the kids have gotten older, I have gotten less comments like, “wow, you’ve got a hand full!”, or “Four is a lot of kids!!”….so there is light at the end of the tunnel ๐
Hi Stepahine….I have been reading your blog since you had Me and my two chicks! I am from FREEZING Southeast Minnesota, we are expected to get the coldest weather this next Monday since 1996! Some grade schools are already being closed for Monday due to the wind chills! I don’t comment a lot like the other comments, but I too enjoy reading about your travels, how you adjust, how your kids adjust, where you go to eat, what you are just up to! I have 2 grown boys, one graduated college and is a police officer the other is in his first year of college. I work full-time at our local Technical College in the student services office and love to crochet and paper craft any chance I get! I have the best little dog in the world, who sits either on me while I crochet or by my feet when I paper craft. The reason I love to read blogs is that it is more personal for me than Pinterest (although, I am a great pinner too!) I feel like I am friends with many of the writers of the blogs I follow. Yours is one of my favorites. I like that you showed us your style when you were shopping online (I can’t remember the name of the place that would send you clothes to try), wordless Wednesday usually cracks me up, even if it is a sad shot of one of your girls and just your thoughts in general. Please know that even if comments aren’t coming your way, you are read and appreciated! Stay Warm! What is your temperature now anyway?
Hi – I’m Marian and have been following your blog since you were pregnant with the twins. I think I found you through Studio Calico. I look toward to your blog so much. I love the scrappy parts but also the family posts. I like it all really, I enjoy that you do have such variety.
Hi Stephanie ๐ I’m a lazy blog reader, well mostly because I’m clicking through when I get sidetracked from the nursing school homework I should be doing on the computer when I have the rare kid-free moment instead of blog hopping! However, I wish I commented more often because I want you to know how this effort of yours is so greatly appreciated. I love blogs and I adore yours- the scrapbooking, hilarious stories, photos, cute kiddos, everything you share! Your blog has been a stop along the hop of the blogs I like to visit daily, when possible, for the past few years. You’ve brought many smiles to my face, inspired me, made me laugh out loud, and I do believe shed tears as well. You’re an excellent writer, sharing your heart so genuinely, and it’s safe to say that you impact so many people through your place here in the blog world. Thank you, thank you and I hope that you, or any other bloggers, do not stop sharing because we are here reading and listening, even when we unfortunately don’t take the time to let you know. See, now you’ve reminded and inspired me to be a better blog reader ๐ Happy New Year!
Jenn, from upstate NY (the real upstate, not Rochester or Albany…further north, just south of Montreal). I don’t remember how I found your blog but I started reading it because I was in love with your scrapbooking style. I have been reading it since before you had the twins. All of my scrapbooking stuff is currently stashed away in a closet but I will probably always read your blog. You have a great outlook on life and are the perfect mix of positivity and reality.
Ah, from the number of comments in here, it is certain that you have hit a mark with your questions. I read your blog every time you post via my email subscription. But I don’t comment. Why? Because I just can’t keep up anymore. Too many blogs to read and comment on. Some I wish I could take the time to comment on, like yours, others, I’m just there for the eye candy. I also think that I don’t comment on my most favorite blogs because they are also everyone else’s favorite blog and I’m just one of many in a large crowd. Anyway, I like your thought provoking question today. I think it’s a great way to get a response (evidently) and to encourage interaction. I think that it’s important for women to talk about their feelings on subjects and have healthy discussions on the issues that we all face as mothers, wives, friends, employees, entrepreneurs, travelers, sisters or daughters. Please don’t stop writing. I love your blog and talk about it all of the time to my husband and friends. I love living vicariously through your experiences and travels and wish I had half the courage you have. Oh, by the way, great little word, but I already think you are one of the most courageous people I know. And yes, even though I really don’t know you, I do. Through your words and pictures and feelings, I feel like I know you and proud to say that I do! Off subject, but since I’m getting all mushy and stuff, thanks to your husband and your family, from the bottom of my heart, for what he does for our country.
-Have a wonderful day!
Christine
I’m so guilty of reading but not commenting to. I have no idea how long I’ve been following your blog, but it must be years by now. I stumbled upon it, due to the crafty stuff, but I’ve stayed due to all the personal stuff you share. I love reading about your adventures, the ups and Downs, the wonderful days and the hardships. There’s always something I can relate to, or take away and use in my daily life.
That said, I absolutely love your crafty posts as well. But they’re not the main reason I’m secretly stalking you on this here internets-thingy ;).
About blogs in general, I don’t read/follow as many as I used to. There’s just not enough daylight hours. But the ones that I’ve kept in my feeder, I take time to read and enjoy. They’re very diverse in nature, some are very ‘professional’, some more personal and some are mostly just Pictures. But each and every one of them makes me feel inspired in some way or other. With crafty stuff and/or life in general.
Oh,and my name is Lina, a working-from-home mom in Denmark, Scandinavia, who really hopes you’ll keep up blogging, even though it is hard Work. And even though I’m very bad at leaving comments…
I’m in the D.C. area and have been reading your blog for a couple of years. I don’t scrapbook, but I love your photography and reading about your life with four girls and your adventures in Italy. I’m also always inspired by your patriotism and am grateful for you and your husband’s service.
Interesting post. I still read your blog because it is still personal and and you are not being force fed by “sponsors” to hawk their goods or services. I cannot imagine the time commitment that one must make to be a blogger. However, I think that some of the most popular blogs out there started as personal interest blogs and have now turned into businesses. Please don’t think that I am against anyone making a living from blogging, but when the blog then becomes completely driven towards “reviewing” products, it gets a little boring. I still read your blog because I am a scrapbooker and I love reading about your family. I know that sounds weird, but it is real and refreshing over here. Another favorite? Cathy Zielske. Again, real people, real stuff, a nice break in my day. I love your blog, I don’t comment much, but I do look forward to your updates.
I’ve been reading your blog since before the “littles” came along…I enjoy your aesthetic, your enthusiasm and your honesty. I so appreciate that you put your feelings out there as it helps me realize that I too am human in my imperfections. I hope that you continue along just as you are…
Hello! I’d love more crafty posts. Especially ones where you take pics of a layout as you’re working on it so we can see the transformation. I just live the layered look and haven’t been able to recreate it.
Thank you for sharing your creativity and family with us!
Happy New Year!
Jess
I’m Amy, 19 & from Surrey in the UK. I started reading a couple of years ago?! I love your scrapbooking style, which is why I started reading in the first place, and those posts are my fave, both Project Life and layouts. They give me inspiration and make me want to create. Reading your posts on Italy reminds me of all the holidays I spent there! ๐
Hi. My name is Melissa. I am a mother of three. 12,9,and 7. Boy girl boy.
I am an artist, used to be scrapper. I stopped when my pages stopped fitting in protectors. That led me into photogrAphy. I am a preschool teacher.
I have been reading your blog for ages and ages. I just barely ever post. I read on the run. I enjoy all your posts, your style, and wit.
I am from loganville Georgia, just 35 minutes from Athens, Ga.
Greetings from Portland, Oregon. I started reading just after your twins were born — can’t believe they’re three! Like many others, I came for the scrapbooking and stayed for the family adventures (so envious of the time abroad, btw.) I’m a SAHM of three (boy 8.5, girl 6.5, boy 5) and understand the chaos so many little ones create. In fact, we thought our last one was twins, so I occasionally look at your kids and think “That could’ve been me.” Keep blogging Stephanie — you’re an inspiration to us all. Thanks to you, I’m doing OLW for the first time: CREATE.
Hi Stephanie!
I don’t know exactly when I started reading your blog, but you were pregnant with the twins. I read because I’m a fellow scrapbooker and Army wife. I love that you get to live in Italy and that I get to live there vicariously through you. (My husband’s chances of being assigned overseas are about zero.) We currently live in Ft Collins, CO, but because of my husband’s recent promotion (yay!) we’re moving again this summer… don’t know where yet.
Keep up the good work and Happy New Year!
I’m Kristina. I’ve been reading your blog on and off for several years now (kids got in the way during the off time). I found your blog when I was searching for scrapbooking military stuff so I could get ideas. As a fellow miltary family, we understand the joys and nerves of moving each time and how scared one can be moving to a new local where you don’t speak the language (lived in Germany 4.5 yrs). Blogs are not a dying art in my book, and I love to read them so I can explore other places without breaking my checkbook. I also read to help myself realize that I am normal, and that my kids are totally the ones driving me insane.
I hope you win it too, sweet girl. xoo
Slovenia and Croatia are at the top of our list. Probably not until next fall, though. xoxo
I hope you always blog. Everything you make is just BEAUTIFUL. xo
I can’t remember how I found your blog but I continue to love it! Maybe because I came from a family with four sisters? But also because I think you’re amazing and very brave!
I do think that blogging is slowing down a little bit. People seem to use other social medias more to keep in touch, because they’re quicker. That said, I will probably blog forever, because writing makes me happy. And I do try to leave comments, but sometimes I get lazy too.
Chicago to Nashville? Lucky, lucky girl. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m so glad you wrote this post! I tend to lurk rather than comment and I’d like to change that this year ๐
I totally agree re: Feedly – LOVE using it, but it definitely isn’t super easy to hop on over to an actual blog to leave a comment (or even to Pin something!); even more difficult when using a mobile device. I usually end up e-mailing something to myself as a reminder to leave a comment/Pin later.
Just letting you know that I’m still here! xoxo
Thank you so much for saying hi, Jennifer!
I can’t remember how I found you. Years ago. But I have quietly followed you since before my son was born. I do remember though commenting on a video of your girls singing “hey, I just met you” it was a little ray of sunshine while I was in the PICU with my 8 month old in recovery from a major surgery. You even took the time to come to my blog and read his whole story and left a comment. It felt like having a celebrity comment onto blog haha. And it definitely made my night on a tough journey. It meant a lot. That silly little comment you left. And I always remember it and how genuine you were behind it. I’ll continue watching your blog and try not to be as silent in return! Thank you Stephanie for all you do.
I am from the Pacific NW and have been reading for around 4 years I think. I am not crafty at all and admire your creativity.
I like authenticity as well. And I work for it and strive for it constantly. If this space was not real, from my heart, and authentic…it would become WORK and lose the FUN. Not interested in that. ๐
On my way to your blog, sweets. Thanks for stopping by!
I keep reading that blogging is a sinking ship but if that is the case I am totally clinging to the bow down to the last second like Jack & Rose, y’all.
I am a lazy blogger. I hardly ever comment on anyone’s blog. I guess I just didn’t realize it mattered to the blogger that much. I follow many scrapbooking blogs for the inspiration. I look forward to your posts and love following your family living in Italy. I doubt I’ll ever get there but love seeing your pictures and reading about your life there. I’ve followed your blog for a while and have loved watching your beautiful girls grow up.
I keep reading that blogging is a sinking ship but if that is the case I am totally clinging to the bow down to the last second like Jack & Rose, y’all.
Hi Alyssa!
Eat some mexican food for me, okay? I sure miss Tx. xo
Hey Linda!
It makes me so happy to see you today. Thanks for stopping by!
Ohhhh you adopted two babies! That makes my heart so so happy. GIving me up for adoption was the BEST gift my parents could have ever given me. You are an angel! xo
Well then come on over! Endless prosecco, coffee, pasta, and cheese await you!
Hello friend of my heart. SO happy to see you here. ๐ xoxo
I like that. Keep not leaving comments b/c that’s seriously a good (and well deserved!) reason! xoxo
Hi Sinead!
Thank you so much for stopping by. I have to tell you that we want to travel to Ireland in 2014. I might need your travel advice! xo
Hi Chelsey!
It’s wonderful to “meet” you. Thanks so much for your comment!
Right there with you. Clearly. ๐
Hi Gina!
Thank you so much for stopping by today!
LOL – I bet you no longer wonder if you are out here alone! I am a lazy blog reader – so lazy that the blogs I cannot miss – I subscribe to so I can receive the post in my email! Only the best of the best – of which you are one so I always forget to click through! I sure hope personal blogs are not fading away – i love the glimpse inside different people’s lives and I feel like I learn from so many people – so many things. Even if it is just a child’s reaction, a new place in Italy or what it was like for my mom when I was little! I am taking you up on your request. I am the youngest of 4 sisters. My mom and dad had 4 girls as well – now the youngest is 49! So it was a different time and a different era – but I have followed your blog for many years! Way before the babies. So when I heard about your twins, I was excited to stay tuned for what was and is to come. I said there are 4 girls – the middle two are twins. I am familiar with twin siblings! I am the proud fur mama of two pugs, Roxy and Stella. Roxy is 10 and Stella is almost 5 months! I scrap booked for many years and have found myself moving more to mixed media and cards with my scrap book supplies. You always inspire me though – I very often get ideas for cards and art journaling from your blog posts. I also have a huge respect for both you and your husband and appreciate the sacrifices you all make to protect us. I resolve to click through a lot more often! Thanks Stephanie.
Hi Tracy-
Please thank your husband for his service. And I am so excited to see England. Hopefully soon!
I’m so glad to hear this because I love sharing them. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Buon Anno Julis!
Thank you so much for taking the time to say hi. xo
Hey Kim! Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE me some Instagram, too. ๐ xoxo
I miss the coffee, beer, and seafood in Seattle. Oh…and the SHOPPING! Thank you so much for coming by today.xo
I just adore you, Jill Sprott. You are one of the smartest, sweetest, most creatively inspiring women I know. Thanks so much for coming by today!
Oh, that layout makes me teary. That seems like a million years ago yet it’s so fresh in my heart. Thank you so much. xo
Sara-
I am SO GLAD you took the time to comment today. Thank you so much!
I just adore you, friend. Please tell me that 2014 will bring us the chance to hang out again? Buon Anno. xoxo
Oh Heather! Hello my old crafty friend! So happy to see you here today! xoxo
Your lucky, lucky girl! I would have KILLED for that chance as a kiddo! xoxo
Oh Robyn-
I hope 2014 is the year you gain the courage to share your heart. Please let me know if you do!
And we have the PL curse in common. HA!
Um, is BB not the best show EVER? Like of all time. Seriously. So glad you got sucked in. Hahaha!
Um, is BB not the best show EVER? Like of all time. Seriously. So glad you got sucked in. Hahaha!
So the Breaking Bad comment was NOT supposed to go to you. GAH. It was supposed to be to the comment below yours.
Anywho…here’s what I wanted to say to you. ๐
The twins ARE fun. Really. But also completely maniacial. I’m a bit envious of your PL success. I am determined to complete an album eventually!
Love your blog…been reading since you lived in Savannah. I live in South Carolina & love to read & scrapbook so that was how I stumbled onto your blog. I love to read about scrapbooking…discovered new places to shop for scrapbooking through you (husband thanks you!)& have enjoyed your writing style. Your family is darling & then you moved to Italy!!! How fabulous is that? I’m half Italian & I want to go so I am taking notes. Sorry that I rarely comment but I am still reading you and a slew of others.
Oh hello sweet friend!
I so appreciate you and the friendship, love, and creative encouragement you’ve offered over the years. THANK YOU. xo
I AGREE. Why the heck should we have to focus. I keep hearing that and i say it’s BULL. I like blogging what I want when I want. Yeah, I’m a bit all over the place, but I like it that way. ๐
um, how LUCKY are those kids to have you for a teacher?
Grace-
Thank you so much for stopping by today and sharing your heart! xoxo
On my way! Thank you so much for stopping by today!
I’m Laurie from Southern California….I’m not positive how I found your blog…but I do remember the first time I read it…You were standing in line in, I think it was Anthropologie, and Sadie was just a little one…you were holding her, feeling frazzled with Harper and Sadie in tow…and Sadie pulled your necklace and it broke and fell all over the floor. At that moment I didn’t feel so alone in my own situation. At that time I had my 2 little girls also. Mine are almost the same age as your 2 oldest. I remember the feeling reading your post gave me….I thought I was the only one who struggled with my kids. All the other moms on blogs made it all sound so sweet and perfect. YOU tell the real stories! And I love your blog and you because of it. Thank you for sharing your stories and life!
I’m Wendy from Connecticut. I’ve been reading your blog for 3+ years. I enjoy every bit of it from your travel adventures, to parenting advice, to scrapbooking projects. Your crafting style has inspired me in huge ways and allowed me to simplify and come up with my own style. I am a mom of one amazing boy and work at the elementary school with autistic kids. I love my job but also love my creative outlet at home as a way to document my family’s memories. I do Project Life as well as traditional scrapbook layouts and mini albums. I would completely miss it if you did not blog! I don’t comment a lot but I think this is a good reminder that I need to have a bigger voice so you can continue to do what you do. Thank you so much for all of the inspiration!
Hi Stephanie! I’m Terri from Maryland. I’m a scrapbooker and I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years, but I’m particularly loving your Italian journey. I honestly don’t like to post on blogs unless I feel like I have something unique or interesting to share. But reading this post, I think I’ll make more of an effort. So many of the things you write resonate and move me, often quite deeply. Now that I think about it, it only makes sense that I tell you that, even if it’s just a quick note.
Also, on the subject of blogging – I hate FB and could live without Pinterest and Instagram. My social media time is spent on Twitter and reading blogs like yours.
Hi! Michelle from WA…orginally from MI, then TN, then GA ๐ I love reading blogs so much better than facebook. Facebook is fine for sharing photos/quick status update/links but they’ve changed the ‘rules’ a bit so unless you interact with a page all the time (or they pay) you won’t see their updates anymore. I will still always go blogs for ideas, articles, craftiness, etc. I originally found your blog years ago (I think you were prego with #2??) because of your scrapiness but I’ve stuck around ever since. I love blogs that feel ‘real’ to me. There have been blogs that I’ve stopped following simply because they only share the “perfect” side. I’m sure they’re great people and that’s all well and good if that’s what they want to share (it’s really hard to be real after all!) But those kind of blogs just aren’t for me.
Honestly, I love all the posts…obviously I love when you share layouts/etc but I am also LOVING your Italy photos! I think I’m probably like most, I read something, like it and move on. I try to comment here occasionally because you’re one of my favorite bloggers ๐ Sometimes I don’t simply because I’m reading from my phone and it’s too much of a pain! But like someone else said, I, too, love the mix of content on your blog ๐
Hi Stephanie. My name is Marianne, mom to 13 year old Emma, step-mom to Jen and Jonathan, wife to Bob, Step-Nanny to 2 week old Ethan. I am from chilly Ottawa, Canada where it is -28 Celsius and -36 wind chill today. I am a lapsed scrap booker hoping to change that. I am about to retire after 35 years in the workforce (I started as a child ;-)). I probably started to reading your blog when your second child was born. I was struck by your sense of humour, your passion for life and your family. I follow you here and on instagram. There are a handful of blogs that I read regularly. Certain things might draw me to them – scrap booking, photography or craftiness in general. The ones I keep going back to include real life – joyfulness, sadness, tantrums, silliness. The list goes on. I don’t comment all that often, not that I don’t have thoughts or opinions, but I am somewhat reserved by nature. I will continue to follow you until you decide to stop. Keep doing an amazing job with your beautiful girls!
Guilty as charged!! I am a very lazy blog reader and most generally do not comment on blog posts. I find it easier and quicker to do it on Instagram. I am however reading your blog posts with great pleasure. I love your current travel and life in Italy posts and adore your Blogging from the heart posts (I can not remember the exact title but I sure hope you see what I am talking about!). I like to see your scrapbook pages because it means you are carving some “me time” to play creatively, but I am no longer really drawn to pages in general (I am trying to do project life instead!).
I have been reading your blog on and off since Sadie was little (she is a bit older than my oldest) and very regularly since the twins were born (I learned at the same time that I was expecting twins myself!).
My name is Anne and Iive near Paris with my family: husband of nearly 10 yrs, my 5yo son Gaรฉtan and my 2.5yo twin girls Amรฉlie and Apolline.
{It really is a pain to comment because my French iPad keeps autocorrecting many English words with random English or French words… BUT I will try to leave more comments in the future because you are worth it ;)) }
I am a totally lazy blog commenter. I follow several scrappy blogs regularly and have one of my ownโฆ but when it comes down to it the only time I really leave comments is if a.) I have met the author in person and feel a bit of an extra connection to them. or b.) they comment on my content and I feel comfortable reciprocating. Thats silly! I would love to hear more from people on my blog but don’t know how to get the comment ball rolling.. and I’d like to comment more tooโฆ so I started with you! Thanks for this inspiration. I’ve been following yours for over a year now and just love the things you write about as well as watching your beautiful families adventures and antics. :)– and also, I am clearly very longwinded–which means maybe I should keep my comments to myself!
Hello and Happy New Year Stephanie! Your blog is my favorite and if I do not stop often to comment on, this is … because of my English. I love to follow your adventures, see the evolution of your girls, laugh with your stories, see your findings, your achievements … Because initially, the scrapbooking drew me here. AND I return again and again because I love ALL your universe!
Hi Stephanie!! I’m a newlywed and California girl. I just began my own blog in the summer of 2013 and then discovered your blog through My Mind’s Eye this Fall. I apologize for being one of those lazy blog readers. I love reading your posts but don’t always comment. I will fix that problem. ๐ So keep those craft/travel/personal posts coming!
As for the rude people who make “interesting” comments about large families, ignore them. They have a “heart” problem. I have 6 siblings and we are a MEDIUM-sized family compared to the rest of my aunts and uncles! Big families are fun!!!!
Hi Stephanie!
I have been reading since before the twins were born. I love your blog but it is the only one I read religiously. I am in Pennsylvania. I am married and have two girls ( ages 4 and 9) and I teach second grade. I have been scrapping for 15 years but now lately I do mostly Project Life. Love your blog!!!
Hi Stephanie! I stop by here everyday, and get excited when I see a new post. I get extra excited when you start it with something like, “Sorry, this is a long post…” ๐ I’m 26 years old, have been doing PL for 1.5 years and am starting my second year of Ali’s OLW. But I mostly come to read about your family and your italian adventures.
I LOVE personal blogs. (What would I do at work without them? :P) My Aunt and I talk about all the blog we read together as if we know the people – “Did you see what Elise did?”, “Stephanie has a new post up”, “It seems like Ali is thriving to me.”
Have a happy, happy day.
-Lindsey
Hi Stephanie!
My name is April. I’m a mom of 2 who lives on the East Coast of Canada. I have a 4 yr old son and an 18 month old daughter who is also named Harper. ๐
I’ve been reading your blog since you were newly pregnant with Sadie. I don’t comment much but I do love reading your blog and seeing all the adventures you all have. I love that you aren’t afraid to tell it like it is and not sugar coat things or gloss over bad stuff and only blog the good. I also absolutely love your scrappy style. I wish I could make my pages as pretty as yours but I’m just not there yet. I did go out the other day and buy some of those little Martha Stewart doilies you hoard though..lol
I hope blogs aren’t a dying form because I really love reading them. The pictures are nice too but I just love the little glimpses into other peoples lives. Thanks for allowing us a peek into your world.
All the best
April
I feel like the Whos in Horton Hears a Who. We are all screaming , “We are Here, We are Here…”. As a long time lurker, I know that I still enjoy following personal blogs that are well written, personal and interesting. You fit all of the se qualities. Thank you for being so open and many thanks for bringing us along on your Italian adventure. I love your blog, so please do not listen to whoever is saying that personal blogs are passe. I have 2 teens, so every post about your family takes be back to when mine were younger. I love following your adventures and appreciate your vulnerability and authenticity. God bless you in this New Year.
I love following you & your family through all of your adventures, craftiness & family life. I am a lazy blog reader & recently a lazy blogger too… just feel like I have nothing worthy to share on there.
Hi! I’m Julie from Ohio. I’ve been reading your blog since way back – so long ago that I can’t remember not checking in on you, your soldier and your chicks. I have left a few comments through the years, but I guess I am mostly just a reader. (Sorry!) I am a first grade teacher with two grown kids, a wonderful husband, and a cute Pug. I love your scrapping style – that is what originally led me to your blog. Now I have less time for scrapbooking, and the scrapbooking industry is changing so much that I find it a bit depressing (just found out Archiver’s is closing! Boo-hoo!) – but I continue to enjoy your blog. You show such humor in your life reflections. I adore following your adventures in Italy and I look forward to glimpses of your style – decorating, party throwing, and photography. I think I give less attention to individual blogs now that I use Bloglovin’. It is nice to have my collection of favorites at my fingertips, but I do not look at blogs with the same intentional reading as in the past. Please know though that your blog continues to be a blog that I read purposefully. I am rarely on FB and I may be the last person on the planet who does not use Instagram. I use Twitter often (@BJacketsFan) – and my first graders even tweet – (@CAFirstGrade). My class was featured on the CBS This Morning Weekend show a few years ago. Social media is still in its infancy which means that we can continue to expect ongoing changes in how we communicate digitally. I just know that I hope you will continue to share your voice as a blogger!
Hi! I’m Julie from Ohio. I’ve been reading your blog since way back – so long ago that I can’t remember not checking in on you, your soldier and your chicks. I have left a few comments through the years, but I guess I am mostly just a reader. (Sorry!) I am a first grade teacher with two grown kids, a wonderful husband, and a cute Pug. I love your scrapping style – that is what originally led me to your blog. Now I have less time for scrapbooking, and the scrapbooking industry is changing so much that I find it a bit depressing (just found out Archiver’s is closing! Boo-hoo!) – but I continue to enjoy your blog. You show such humor in your life reflections. I adore following your adventures in Italy and I look forward to glimpses of your style – decorating, party throwing, and photography. I think I give less attention to individual blogs now that I use Bloglovin’. It is nice to have my collection of favorites at my fingertips, but I do not look at blogs with the same intentional reading as in the past. Please know though that your blog continues to be a blog that I read purposefully. I am rarely on FB and I may be the last person on the planet who does not use Instagram. I use Twitter often (@BJacketsFan) – and my first graders even tweet – (@CAFirstGrade. My class was even featured on the CBS This Morning Weekend show a few years ago. Social media is still in its infancy which means that we can continue to expect ongoing changes in how we communicate digitally. I just know that I hope you will continue to share your voice as a blogger!
Hi!
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now and I love to see all of our travel photos. I’m very jealous of your life in Italy – especially of the wine and fresh pasta! Thanks for being a great read.
I don’t have a blog, but am thinking of starting one. Purely personal, and for personal reasons. I did have a LiveJournal account YEARS ago – but that seemed more about torturous musings of a girl trying to find herself. I am not a commenter – very rarely do I comment. I LOVE the project and travel posts. I follow probably 30 blogs, and 40+ vlogs (Youtube) and I probably comment 20 times a year in total! Terrible, eh?
I LOVE your blog, and I am, admittedly, a lazy blog reader…I’ve never commented on yours, but I check it weekly, and follow you on Instagram! I adore your posts about your girls and your Italy adventures (I don’t have twins, but 2 and 3 year old boys, and my family is all military). Anyhoo, all this to say, I think you’re wonderful, I love your blog, and I’m going to add ‘commenting’ to my resolutions as well!
Hi Stephanie! I’m Colby. ๐ A loyal reader from MS. I can’t remember how long I’ve read your blog, but it’s been YEARS. I think it was just after you had Sadie. Anywho, I got turned on to your blog through scrapbooking. I used to look at a ton of blogs, through scrapbooking usually…searching for inspiration and feeding my creativity, but these days with less and less time, I only stick with those blogs that I love best…YOURS, Susan Weinroth’s, and Kelly Purkey’s. I don’t comment a lot, though I do sometimes comment. It’s just that your life is busy and you have a ton of readers, and I feel silly commenting on blogs, as I feel like i know YOU (through your stories, family pics, and humor) but you don’t know me. Anywho, I love your blog as much as always and love hearing about your travels. You crack me up and I love seeing the girls’ antics. Boy, are they girls getting big. Well, Happy New Year! And I’ll keep reading! ๐
HI! I’m Christa from Ontario Canada. I have only been reading for a few years. Right now I’m loving living your Italian life with you. It is one of my fave places and you transport me back there every time.
I can be a lazy blog reader at times too. Hoping to get better at it!
I love reading your blog ๐ I moved to Switzerland from England a few years back and have 3 sisters ( yes being 4 girls is awesome and very noisy!!) It’s fun reading about another crazy family kinda like mine!! And if you ever get the chance Switzerland is beautiful and amazing too:):) and your pictures are definitely getting me begging my family I revisit Italy soon!! Leaving your home country is not easy but it has been the most wonderful journey and I love it!!
Started following you (from 2Peas) here in England not long before you moved to Europe & having holidayed near where you now are I am LOVING all the beautiful photos & stories. As someone has already said, be sure to get to Switzerland before long, you’ll love that too. Think we’ll be back in Italy before too many years have passed (not 2014 – planning a multi-state tour across the pond!)
I really enjoy reading your blog for your great positive attitude too, not to mention seeing your gorgeous family & your scrapbooking. Please keep on doing what you’re doing ๐
I’m Janna from WA state, 35 yrs old – mother of 4…Ian 12 (can’t even believe I will have a TEENAGER in May!!! Emmi 11, Rhesa 9 and Charlie 4) and I’ve commented so many times and won a few things from you…thank you again;) (so we’ve emailed) and tried to send you knit blankets for the twins and think about you all so often I feel like you are probably sick of me. HAAA! Then I remember oh, yeah! She actually don’t know me from Adam! ๐ I’ve read since before the twins too…and can NOT believe they are 3!!!! already!!
I too am clinging to the bow all the way down if blogging really is a sinking ship! Keep the inspiration coming girl! Love your real life chat!
Hi, I’m Rebecca from Portland, Oregon. I have been following your blog for about 2.5 years. I really appreciate your honest and real posts. You have reminded many times to keep a positive outlook, set realistic goals, focus on what is really important, and to look after myself. It is hard work being a working mum and juggling 1000 things! I love your travel posts so please keep sharing your amazing adventures. Also, you have a beautiful family and it has been a joy to see your girls grow up. Thank you for all the hardwork you put into your blog!
Stephanie, you are hands down my fave blogger! I first found your blog years ago when I was getting into scrapping and I have been a loyal reader ever since. I love the mix of your blog! The scrappy stuff, your parties, home dec and most importantly the stories you share about life, motherhood, military life etc. You have given me lots of inspiration, and insight! (My best friends hubby is in the Cdn Air Force and I often tell her about your military life stories… I once said to her “my friend Stephanie” and we both nearly died laughing bc obviously, you and I have never even met. (I hope you find that hilarious…and not creepy lol) you have also helped me find some other great blogs! I am a loyal Elise Joy follower too. Thanks for sharing and always giving us a laugh and great ideas.
No, never… blogs connect me with like-minded women from all over the world. I feel so much better when I’m going through a situation only to find others are too and I’m not going crazy! I’ve been reading forever, when there was just 3 of you ๐ I live on the beautiful south coast of England, in Poole, Dorset. I have two boys aged 7 and 12, a lovely husband and this summer we added a puppy into the mix – all boys. To escape the boys world I scrapbook, create and up-cycle. xx
I’m a total lurker too – that and I have too many blogs in my feed and not enough time to read them all! Yours is one I consistently read, though. And not even necessarily for the crafty stuff. Don’t get me wrong – your scrapbooking is how I found you, and I find your style incredibly inspiring. But it’s your heart that I find most inspiring. I usually skip over personal and family posts in the other crafty blogs I follow. I don’t have kids, but what I love most about your blog is the way you express your feelings about your relationships. Most people don’t even think so deeply and lovingly about their relationships, let alone express it in writing. So we’re definitely out here, being inspired to love and appreciate our lives and our loved ones.
I’m from Kirkland WA and have been reading your blog since Harper was young and your only…. I’m probably old enough to be your mom but you feel more like a good old friend. We’ve traded emails a few times over the years (back when I blogged too)generally over scrapbooking, WA state, or antiques. We share love of Jenni Bowlin and Studio Calico. I am in awe of you and your family for what you do for our country…. Well Done, keep it up, Love your voice! Ciao Bella!
Hi Stephanie! I am Darlene from Maryland. I am also guilty of being a lazy blog reader! Ive been reading your blog for several years. I ALWAYS enjoy reading it! You are a very good writer.I used to scrapbook but have stopped due to limited time. Please continue posting pics of your travels. I visited Italy once and LOVED it!! I miss it and hope to go back someday. I also enjoy reading about your kids. They are sooooo adorable!! Like you, I hope to comment more on blogs (I rarely ever comment). God bless! :0)
I have followed your blog since Harper was an only child! I found you when looking for support after my husband enlisted and never left. Your blog is one of two that I still follow.
Hi. My name is Stephanie, too. ๐
Your blog is one of the few that I still follow, and sometimes I slip away for a few weeks but I always venture back and catch up. I love your “story” and your enthusiasm for life and documenting it! Your crafty endeavors are my favorite posts even though I love them all. I don’t comment much because I’ve felt like, from the other side of the fence, I’ve ended up talking to myself (but looking back, I think you’ve always responded to my questions/comments which makes me love following you even more..!).
Hello there, my name is Lisa and I live in Texas (red oak) I have been reading your blog for at least 4 years, I always tell my friends about your girls like y’all live next door. I absolutely love ur blog, you make me laugh a lot.. Lol!! All the silly faces they make… Thank you for blogging it really makes my day when I open it and see a new one. Esp your “wordless Wednesday” and it has a paragraph after it… Lol!! Hugs to you!! And again, thanks for shareing those precious girls with us all. My kids are 11 & 12….
Machelle from Central Texas (about an hour & a half from Ft. Hood) and I only read about 3 or 4 blogs, but usually check them every day. I have a job that is really slow & for the most part am checking from my phone, which doesn’t always let me post.
I am another that would be sad if you stopped blogging – your kids are so cute & I enjoy your family stories as much as the crafty posts. I also found you through scrapbooking but enjoy the variety of posts that you do.
Thanks for keeping us all entertained!
Hi there, I adore your blog. I started reading right when you found out you were having twins.. You seem so real and I appreciate that. My kids are grown but no grand kids, so I love seeing thr photos of your family. My youngest just returned from Italy so that is a connection too. I scrap and love to see you pages too. I hope blogs don’t die before me, as I love reading them. I am sure Facebook and Instagram have taken over more but you don’t get people’s heart like you do in a blog! That said, please keep in writing!
Linda in the northwest
I started following your blog because of scrapbooking and I have continued to
read it because you keep it real. I spent 2 years in Europe while my husband was stationed in Germany and it was the best time. Your posts remind me of those “good ole days”. Make sure you get to Munich and Garmisch (my favs) and next year hit those Christmas Markets. I think you’ll be a fan of Gluewein! I hope you continue to blog. Happy New Year! Debbie
Hey Stephanie…you surely opened Pandora’s box…yes we are here!!! We have varied lives and varied interests and a common thread…paper!!! I have followed you for??? after the babies, while still in Savannah, I have no idea how I found you but if I do not read anything else I do read your blog when it comes to me! I have loved your Italian lessons to (me) :}!
Who am I?? good question…I have had many lives, as a ceramics fan..learned back in my Texas days (more in a bit about that), took a pottery class and have thrown some pots, (there are not enough hours in the day for me to quench all my “wants to do”. I have done genealogy (before Roots) (ha, before Genealogy was cool)Sewing, made a couple swimsuits and t shirts in a class, took a Tole painting class and my teacher was a Fine arts teacher…taught me oils on canvas,I tried my hand at framing, painted on saws, slate and old barn shingles.I love antiques, have a few, love to search for bargains in thrift stores,(just never know what you may find!!)Love to paint!! Made jewelry, complete with a wire wrapping class, love to garden, photography of birds, flowers animals in our yard, love the ocean, Hatteras Island in particular. My husband have made treks there for 35 some years. We were stationed in Texas in the late 60’s, my husband prepared soldiers by running a Viet Nam camp…very realistic that they all had to go thru before shipping out., fortunately he was able to stay stateside as his brother was in Nam on a ship. That makes me an ex Army wife. I have had previous lives as a civilian employee at our local AFB, Medical Supply buyer, a Realtor, a property manager which led to being a landlord which led to me working for an eviction attorney which led to me working for Victoria’s Secret call center. (no not really, I just left one to do the other!) I do not find enough hours in the day to do all I want, I have started a blog at least 3 times and have it as my prime resolution this year and here it is 3 January….I love my cardmaking, started as a SU demonstrator, the embossing got to me…absolutely love it. I love dies, dies, dies. I do have a couple of scrapbooks that are stacking up for me to do, I teach a monthly class for friends, so I stay busy in my “golden” retirement years. Keep writing, we will read, we will learn and we will reminisce with you…you have taken me back a time or two :} Love that you are seeing and sharing your adventures with me…I have commented a time or two and will again..til then..arrevedici!!
I am guilty of being a lazy blog reader. The effort of going to each site individually is apparently too much for me to handle so I used Feedly to read what I like. I have been following you for probably 5-6 years and read every single post you write, but never comment except when you occasionally ask for readers to come out of the woodwork so you know you aren’t writing to nobody. ๐ Often times I am compelled to write a comment when a post really speaks to me, but when I see that tons of other people have commented I figure “why bother”. But, now that I know that bloggers appreciate comments I will try harder to comment when I feel the urge! I am a scrapbooker and used to be more prolific with the one page layouts but now I only have time for PL, so I love seeing PL pages on blogs. I do hope you do some more PL layouts this year so I can get some creative inspiration. ๐ I subscribe to lots of scrapbooking blogs but only have three in my Favorites, and yours is one of them. Thanks for keeping up your blog!!
Hi Stephanie, i’m Sandra from San Antonio, TX. I came to your blog for the scrapbooking inspiration but stayed for the honest heartfelt stories. I am a lazy blog reader who has been following you since before the twins were born. My oldest daughter is married to an army man as well and is currently stationed in Ft. Hood. Have loved seeing your girls grow and love seeing all your travel photos.
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for at least 4 years now and I think I’ve commented maybe 3 times. I LOVE how you are so real and I LOVE how you express your feelings. You’re a wonderful writer, you know that, right? ๐ I live in Flower Mound, Texas and your blog is my favorite. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a “scrappy” post, a travel post, or a family post, I look forward to all of your posts. Keep rockin’ it, sister!
Well… Considering that I’m comment number 536, I’d guess you’ve already got your answer ๐ but my 3cents…. Love scra pages more than anything!!! And pictures!!!
Love your blog. Much more personal than Instagram! Although I love that too.
i’m jill in minnesota! i found you at 2 peas when sadie was just brand new and have enjoyed following you ever since! my little harper turned 3 in november, right before your girlies and i love seeing what they are up to on your big italian adventure! you have a beautiful family and i LOVE that you are REAL and blog with your whole heart! please, do that always!!
I have been ready your log for as long as I can remember. Love it just the way it is.
Well, I read all of your blogs all of the time. I have for years..way before the twins were born..you lived in Waco and J.was deployed. Since J. and my son are both Army Rangers, I connected to you very quickly. I do enjoy all of your blogs but I really wish you would do more layouts. I love all of your pages. I used to enjoy all you wrote about you and Jimmy. I will say this and I know it is crazy but I really miss the fact that you are so far away right now. I know it is a beautiful place but I really liked it a lot when you were in Savannah:) Keep up the blogging and I hope you and J. and the girls had a Merry Christmas and will have a great New Year..
Have read from the beginning, and especially loving the Italy adventures. ๐
Hi Stephanie! I’m a scrapbook blogger out in the cornfields of Illinois and came across you years back…your words just grabbed me and pulled me in! YOu have made me giggle, shake my head in agreement, choke me up with tears and have me coming back every morning with coffee in hand to check on you & your family…and read your inspiring, beautiful, funny words! AND of course just love to see your photos! I, on the other hand, have lost my blogging spirit…my pitiful blog has set idle and is cob-webbed ridden for over 18 months…maybe the New Year may bring a spark!
Hi Karen!
I hope you are back to feeling healthy and like yourself soon. Thank you so much for coming by!
Kim-
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind comment. I am starting to make friends and that makes me so grateful. I just miss my true friends of the heart (from Savannah) horribly. xxo
Hi Louisa! It’s so nice to “meet” you. Thank you for your comment!
NEVERRR! And thank you for your comment! xo
Oh girl..SO many stinky days. ๐ And I hope to visit Zurich soon…top of the bucket list! xo
Hi Shawn!
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to get to know you. I hope you say hi now and then in 2014! xo
Hi Kathy!
THank you for de-lurking! ๐ ๐
Happy 2014! xoxo
Bonjour!
Thank you so much for coming by! And thank you for your kind words! xoxo
Thank you so much, sweet Jen! I hope your 2014 is beautiful and blessed!
Thank you, colleen! And…INDEED! oxo
Katharina-
We are SO excited to head that way. SOON! Buon Anno! xoxo
I ain’t going anywhere, sister. Thank you so much for saying hi today!
xo
There are SOOOO SOOO SOOO many blogs~ xo
JoAnn-
I am so happy for you and your good news. Sending you big love! xo
Jung! So happy to see you today! Thank you for being such a sweet and encouraging friend over the years. ๐ xoxo
Miss you, sweet friend. Give Bob a big hug for me! xo
Ann- YES. Down with Facebook. I really hate it half the time. Sigh. Happy 2014! xo
Thank you, Lindsay! Happy New Year!
So glad to hear it. ๐ Buon Anno, Linda!
Hi Stephanie. An interesting post….I don’t usually leave a comment at my usual haunts…except yours, albeit, only recently. I feel compelled to ‘talk’ to you. You may not have noticed. You get many more comments than any other blog I look at. I love your blogs from the heart. They are the ones that prompt me to comment. I can’t remember how I found you, but it was before you had the twins. I make cards …not as often as I did, so I was drawn to your craftiness!
Your love for your family radiates from the screen and that is what is compelling.
Continue to do what you do…it is inspiring.
Happy new year to you and yours,
Love from Deborah
London, England
I’m a lazy reader who uses a RSS feed who has been a long time reader but infrequent commenter. I’m a WAHM to 4 kids (10, 9, 8 and 6) who lives in Melbourne, Australia. I love to read your blog and love how “real life” it is.
Hi Stephanie, I have been reading your blog since around the time Cate and Lucy were born. I rarely comment and to quite honest it never occured to me that not commenting was kinda rude! So, I will make more effort ๐ I do follow you on Instagram too and seeing your darling daily makes my day. I am older than a lot of your other readers I think (I’m a Grandmama to one, Jacob, so far!) We live in a mining town in Western Australia and this year will be starting to transition to our new, and forever, home in New Zealand. This will mean my husband and I living in separate countries for most of the year. We did this eight years ago when we moved here and know we can make it work. Reading of your military experiences helps me realise we have nothing to fret about! We have been married 32 years this April and have two daughters 30 and 28. Please keep blogging, I feel like I know your family to the extent my younger daughter and I will often text or email each other asking if we have seen a photo or something on your blog. It feels like we are talking about a family we know IRL. Love you and your adorable family, love your honesty and sincerity which shines through all you write.
I meant to say I do not use Facebook at all and have taken down my page. Nothing specific occured I just didn’t feel it added anything to my life. I do use Instagram and pinterest though. Pinterest purely for ideas for our new house, fashion ideas and so on, no what I call social interaction, whereas I do interact on IG.
Hi Steph! Another fan here (as you know) that will probably always read your blog. I get yours and 2 or 3 others delivered to my inbox so I don’t miss them. I’ve tried to comment routinely; to laugh, agree, show appreciation, or just interact by showing up and making the effort. I DO know the work involved in blogging!
A while back I started with Feedly, which is really helpful to blast through lots of blogs quickly. Some are for inspiration, some are to see what others are doing in terms of blogging (techniques). And it was a rare occasion to comment on those blogs (bad). I don’t know if personal blogs are dying off or not; blogland seems to get more crowded by the minute. But I have noticed there seem to be a lot more people who have a “team” of contributors. I guess if you get big enough, you need to have “people”?! (Won’t be happening here anytime soon! Ha!)
Anyway, the last few months have been a blur as my little world crashed in around me a bit and pretty much everything went by the wayside. Just been lurking here. Haven’t even opened Feedly, much less comment. Blogged yesterday for the first time in a month (*crickets*). I’m still digging my way out, but “normal” is on the horizon (hopefully!). I need to change up some things in 2014. That’s a big ???, but I like your resolve to comment more. That’s a great place for me to start. I’m in.
p.s. You know we love your blog just as it is. Just keep doing what you do.
p.p.s. Happy New Year! xo
I am Shelle from Florida, a grandma to Ethan 5 & Ashlyn 4, a crafter and a huge reader. I have also been to Italy twice & love Venice. I love reading blogs, especially the ones like yours with your wonderful family adventures & your craft projects. I rarely comment on blogs, it just never accord to me that you would be interested in what I had to say or needed feedback. Thanks for letting me know that you would like a little feedback once in a while. Keep up the great work & continue to have great adventures that you can share with us.
Hi Stephanie, I have been reading about 18 mos…maybe longer. Love your posts don’t recall that I have ever posted a response, basically because I am lazy. (true statement). I am a SAHM of two teens and project life junkie. I also consider myself a paparazzi photo journalist since my kiddos arent’ happy about having photos taken any longer. Love your posts and creative ideas. Your voice is being heard. You are one of my “regular stops”.
Have a great day!! Keep inspiring.
Mo
Keep doing what you are doing please. I am here in fl and we have kids almost the same age. All boys in my end jake 8 josh 5 and Logan 3. And they very much resemble the personalities of yours. I discovered your blog via 2 peas and since the world is kinda small, lol, my friend Kristin Mangan is sister to Susan weinroth who I have followed for years for her sewing and quilting plus I am a gator. I thought of you dearly this weekend since my hubby is a UFC grad and they played Baylor. Believe it or not you have more than followers I indeed consider you a friend from far away. If ever here in Jupiter Florida, my house is open for the beautiful Howell family. Sending you many blessings in this new year. Xoxo Lina.
Steph, you INSPIRE me. Your family brightens my day. You make every day count, even when they must seem like a blur. Trust me, you make the little things matter to your family, therefore to everyone who follows you. KEEP BLOGGING GIRL!
mag
Hi Steph! I’m Amy….an occasional commenter and regular reader. I don’t remember how I found you – but, it was sometime after the twins were born and J was deployed. I love your writing style – it feels like I’m sitting an talking with you over coffee. You are real and genuine and I appreciate that. I’m an avid Instagram user and follow you (LOVE all the pics of the kids and your adventures). I agree about FB…major ick.
My favorite blog posts are those where you are sharing what is going on with you right now. Keep blogging for you and not for us. ๐ In fact, you inspired me to start a personal blog as a way of documenting our life. I don’t regularly post – and I post less when I feel obligated to write for my (6) readers. ๐
I live in Colorado, have 3 girls (ages 5, 2 and 7m), work full time, am a cancer survivor, love Jesus, my husband is my best friend (who is also a stay-at-home-dad). I was a traditional scrapbooker until about 2 years ago…I fell ‘behind’ and the overwhelming nature of being YEARS behind on documenting caused me to quit altogether. I’ve since fallen in love with project life and as long as I don’t get caught up in doing it like other people – I’m able to stay on-top of it and I’m documenting as we live life. It has completely filled the creative void in my life. My favorite part is that I’m writing down all the things that our kids say and do AS THEY HAPPEN!
Anyway, enough rambling. Happy New Year!
Best,
Amy
I am guilty of being a lurker – subscribe to your blog and look forward to them, but never leave a comment. Your post is making rethink this and I can see that I need to “support” places where I like to spend my time. Keep sharing your life – I am totally living my dream of Italy through you! (I’ve been a blog follower of your since you were expecting Sadie).
Hi Stephanie from another Stephani here…except one without an “e”.
I confess to being another reader who doesn’t always comment, but thank you for the nudge to do that in the future!
Not a military family, but my Dad was Air Force in the US, stationed near the Canadian border where he met my mom. I live in Canada now, in a small steel town and am an RN.
I first heard of your blog through Kayla Aimee. I found out about her because of going through the world of prematurity with my youngest children. I remember hearing mention of you through the scrapbooking world after you’d had the twins and I thought okay, someone else just like me and I just had to check out your blog and the rest is history. My husband and I have 4 kids, 9 and 5 year old girls and twin boys who will be 4 in February.
The biggest thing about your blog that I love is that you are REAL. I love that part. Seriously, in a world filled with overstretched mommies with calendars filled to the brim, and the daily pressure to make heart shaped pancakes a la Pinterest every morning, all while trying to keep it together is too much for me. I do try and make the heart shaped pancakes once in a while, but can admit when life is just hard to keep up with. My kids know how dearly they are loved and in the blog world filled with too much that appears posed and fake, your blog continues to draw me in, as that is not the image that you portray. Also, I am not swamped with advertising and posts filled with you selling the latest and greatest.
Especially cool right now, is that you are in Italy. I am married to an Italian, whose parents travelled here as teens in hopes of a better life. Travelling there one day is on our bucket list and I admit, right now I am living vicariously through you in all of the fascinatingly beautiful Italian posts! I show my husband who reads along with me fondly, having been to many of the places you are showing/describing.
As has already been said here, your blogging voice is so real. It sounds like you are writing a letter to a friend!
I am happy to have found you and am here to stay.
I love, love, love blogs…the personal ones, not too commercial (though I love seeing new craft products). I have been reading yours since way before the twins, though can’t remember when I started or even how I found you! I blog too and it is like a journal for me. Writing and documenting are good for the soul and it is a part of who I am and what makes me happy! I have had a lot of life sudden and unexpected changes in the past year and I would have had a tougher time getting through some dark nights had I not had my the blog-readings of my ‘friends’ to get me through. It helps me stay connected and I love that I can smile just through looking at other’s photos and words! Ciao, sweet friend, and keep the blog alive!
Hi Stephanie,
I’m a working mom of 3 (12, 10, 5 yo) in Boston Mass… have been reading your blog about 4 years and I think have only commented once, before you moved to RI to say how fun Newport is. I read by going to your url. I’m not a scrapbooker but I enjoy seeing your beautiful kids, places, and life and enjoy your honest and funny commentary on daily life. I’m sure it would be fun to know you in real life! You’ve deepened my appreciation for our military families; thanks for all you and your family go through. Very much enjoying your posts from Italia and especially your optimistic spirit of adventure with each big move.
Keep going!
–sarabeth in Mass.
I love your blog. I’m a 30 year old single gal living in northern California. I don’t actually read my blogs, more look at photos and scroll on (through feedly)- which is probably why I like pinterest and instagram- not much thought, just a whole lot of pretty. I do though, read your blog. I think its that I have from the start. I find you hilarious and real. I love seeing what your girls are doing. Sadie slays me (maybe because I am #2 of a family of 4 girls as well). I love your trips to places. Your willingness to travel and move. The books you read. Your Kate Spade style. Your decor. Your scrapbooking. (you get it). I love the adventure that is your life. Thank you for sharing it with so many of us, on a regular basis. I will continue to read & admire for a very long time to come.
I have read your blog since before the twins were born. I don’t remember what brought me here, but LOVE your writing style, your scrapbook pages, your family stories and photos, & your travel info! Now Italy brings me here as well…so fun to see what you are all up to and what the Italian experience is like.
We are in Tennessee though I was born in Iowa and we have lived LOTS (in my mind) of places! I think we are here to stay! I am married to a college professor (now) and we have 2 sweet girls…12 and 8, but I still feel like I can relate to you & your girls even with the age differences.
I LOVE reading, but seldom comment now. I feel like I spend enough time reading if I don’t comment I can read one more entry or one more blog. I used to read a ton of blogs, but now just down to a few and once in a while a new one that someone brings to my attention.
I love reading your blog and have been doing so for what seems like forever ๐ I don’t usually comment because I feel like I don’t have much to contribute in my comment, but I do love reading. I enjoy all your posts; crafty or not and I love to see all your photos ๐
You said it perfectly: I’m a lazy blog reader. I like to read, take inspiration, and leave.
I’ve been following you for years, Sadie was a baby. I always look forward to your posts.
I am a nana of 3, I am a mam of 2, I am a NICU nurse and I am a scrapbooker in MT. I have been dropping in on your blog since before your twins were born. I love your traveling. I was married in Germany when my hubby when in the army. Have visited a lot of Europe in days past. Hope you keep your blog going. I do mine more for a personal documentation of life. Happy New Year!
Wow! Well, looks like you still have a few readers, huh? ๐ Definitely not a dying artform! I think we (I) are just lazy. I use BlogLovin and sometimes it’s a pain to clickity click on through in order to leave a comment. Or, I am reading from my phone and then it’s just a flat out pain and I don’t do it. I am in CA and I started reading…hm…way back before the twins were born at least. I knew who you were through the scrapbooking world but I don’t do much scrapping anymore. I want to attempt Project Life this year!
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for about two years or so. Love it! I love your pictures and your how relatable you are. As the mom of four kids ages four and under, I love reading about the lives of other moms with a lot of kids born fairly close together. I follow your blog and Instragram feed and I hope you keep continuing to do both. I do not blog myself, but I’m sure it is quite time-consuming. I definitely appreciate that you share personal and creative aspects of your life with all of us on a regular basis. After reading some of the other comments, I think it’s safe to say I’m not the only one. ๐
Hi Stephanie! I’m Sarah from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. I am a scrapbooker and I do blog regularly. I found you a while back through SC and I LOVE your Italy posts! They have been quite enjoyable. I am actually having to expand my online presence to include IG. I am on FB lots because of DT groups and the need to post ๐ I do comment on a variety of blogs, however, I need to keep it under control because I actually need the time for my kids/family and time to create! LOL! I enjoy reading a lot of blogs and really hope that it’s not dying! Thanks for the fun posts!
Hi, Stephanie. Longtime reader. There are some blogs I read just in feedly and rarely click through. I have way too many feeds and should probably do something about that. ๐ But I read everything you write. I’m forty-something, live in rural upstate NY, am married to my college sweetheart, Mom of one nine-year-old girl, so your blog full of sweet girls plus one soldier appeals greatly. I scrapbook, so I’m sure I found you originally through your papercrafting. I’d love to see foreign places, but am a chicken traveler/flyer, so am living vicariously and really loving the beauty you show us from Italy. I also have a personal blog, so long live blogs! Happy New Year. ~ Laura
Love, love, love following your adventures through Italy. I started as a scrapbooker but I enjoy the life posts soooo much more.
Cheers, Naomi (Australia)
Hi! I’ve followed you for a few years now and for 99.9% of it lurked. I’m from Michigan, but live in Shanghai China. I started because of scrap booking, but have totally moved away from that with the exception of Project Life. Keep doing what you are doing! Love reading about your adventures in Italy.
Hi. I’m Margaret from Ontario, Canada. Have been reading your blog for a while. Most of the time I’m a reader and do not comment.
Love all your posts.
Hope you and your family have a great 2014.
xoxo
Wow! 585 comments! I have been reading your blog for a couple of years now and comment once or twice a month but probably not regularly due to the fact I don’t get your blog in my email, I just check it once or twice a week. I first found your blog through some scrapbooking magazine, I think, but was drawn back because of your variety of posts and every once in awhile your love of Jesus came through and I really needed to see that at that point in my life. As far as who I am – I am a mom of 3 (my boy is 14, my other boy is 10 and my girl is 6), I’m a wife of 18 years, I’m an 8th grade Home & Career Skills teachers for the past 22 years, I live in upstate New York(I’m talking Canandian border upstate), I love Jesus and crafting and love when the two combine! Anyway, from someone who doesn’t blog but loves to read some, please continue! Have a great beginning to your New Year!
I have completely head-over-heels fallen in love with your family the past 1+ year… Creepy perhaps? Sometimes at night I tell Q, I just want to hang out with Stephanie and Jimmy, I feel like we would be great friends. And I’ve come up with that idea all through the world of social media and blogging, unbelievable isnt it?? We can’t wait to eventually/someday live in the same general vicinity so we can all hang out like I dream about!!! OXXOX
I’m one of your avid blog followers. I have been following and reading your blog for years now, and I don’t remember how I exactly found you, but definitely through a scrapbooking source. I’m a scrapbooker, mom of two, wife, and doctor. I read several blogs everyday and found them all through scrapbooking as well. Like you, I don’t often comment, but I felt the pull today. Love your blog and your “voice.” As long as you blog, I will read…
Hey Stephanie! I popped over to see how Italy was doing! And it looks like your blog is no sinking ship! I am also a very lazy blogger, but I do love blogging. I live in a house with all men. I can decorate my blog pink if I want. It’s my place. It is work though and I’m hoping to get some time management going in the new year, so I can blog more.
So nice talking to you!
I have to admit, I love to read and look at the pictures, but I rarely comment. Thanks for pointing this out! I, too, will make an effort to engage in blogs more often!
Hi Stephanie, I am berta from Northern California wine country. I don’t remember how long I have been following you, but I know it was before you were expecting the twins.
I try to leave comments every time I read a post. I love all your posts, I don’t have favorites. I love your decor posts, crafty posts, ones about the girls (this from a mom of 3 older boys) and those boys had no ‘ashion sense ๐ I love living vicariously through your travels thru Italy. And as a wife of Vietnam vet, I am thankful for your and Jimmys sacrifices. The missed holidays, birthdays etc. you always face.
I know time is limited for all, so I have few blogs I read often, some occasionally. But I almost always try to leave a comment. I try to limit the ones I read, so I do have time to post more often. If I just want to look at pretty pics, I can go to pinterest.
Hey hey. I am a mama from the Florida panhandle. I actually met you at a Scrap Etc. weekend in Birmingham, many many years ago. I hope that blogs are here to stay. Nerd alert, but here goes… As a stay at home mom, blogs are part of my social life. I feel like when I read blogs its like I am checking in a friend, but with no pressure on my end. If that makes sense?! Oh and to complete my stalker circle, I am purplejackmama on IG ๐ Keep up the blogging, please! xoxo, kim
Hi Stephanie! I’m Leanne and I live in Brisbane Australia. I have been following your blog since Sadie was quite little and initially I was drawn here because of your creativity with paper and glue. Now I look forward to not only reading about your scrapbooking process but the adventures you have with four children. I too have four of my own and I take inspiration from your photography and documenting the journey. Thank you for your blogging prowess in what may or may not being a dying area of cyber space. Hopefully those of us who continue to document will not let the personal blogging world disappear altogether..x
Im “listening” to you also Stephanie! from all the way in Australia! I have been reading your blog for years but just havent left comments before ๐ Keep blogging even if you are only talking to your self
Hi Stephanie, I have been following your blog for a few years now, your blog is in fact the ONLY blog I follow faithfully…I think I read every single post ๐ Initially I found your blog when I was looking for scrapbooking blogs…but funny enough, those now are not the posts I like the most. I never never leave a comment, because I actually get your post into my email inbox, so when I read the post I am not actually on your blog page. Many times I think of things I want to say, but am too lazy to bother coming over to comment. I live in a super small town (1000 people) in the mountains of BC Canada FYI, just in case you are wondering where your readers are ๐
I’m Charity from WA and I admit I am a lazy blogger. ๐ I have only about 4 or 5 blogs I follow regularly, and yours is one of them. I very rarely comment (usually reading on my iPad or phone at work and sometimes those devices don’t cooperate with commenting) but I’m a faithful reader. I’ve been reading for a while (2 maybe three years) after finding you through the scrapbooking world and have stuck around because I love your writing style and reading about your family’s adventures. I’m an Army brat turned Army wife (my hubby is a Veteran), and I appreciate your posts.
I love your blog, I found it before starting Project Life to learn more about it. I started it and got great ideas from your posts. I enjoy reading about the silly things your girls do too, I’ve also more recently liked reading your honest posts about your husbands work in the military, as my long time boyfriend has started the somewhat process of becoming an officer. Like you I am a lazy blog reader, I just seem to read get my ideas and go. I always tell myself I’ll leave some comments and love (and I fail to do so). Just know that everything you do is inspiring!
Hi Jenny!
They do, don’t they? They years are long but the days are so short. xoxo
Hi Pam! Thank you for your sweet words. I’ll keep babbling, no worries! ๐
CJ-
I feel much the same. I connect with so many people online. In person it’s hard to find many people that truly “get” me. Thank you so much for your kind words, they’ve made my heart very happy this morning. xoox
Oh Bev, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending you so much love, peace, and endless hugs. xo
Hi Stephanie!
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying Hi today! xo
Hi Amy!
Buon Anno- thank you so much for checking in. ๐
I love me some pen and paper too. ๐ xo
I’m typing this reply with a sweet three year old in my lap. She’s covering me in kisses. ๐ Trying to cherish MUCH MORE Than stress!!
When would you recommend visiting Malta? It sounds lovely.
Thank you for your input, Gina! Enjoy the snow. I miss New England so much!
Hi Jessy!
So nice to meet you, fellow mama-of-all-girls!
sending you big hugs- happy 2014!
Hi Colleen-
That would just be wonderful. I sure wish I could have a retreat or something with all of you. Maybe one day?
No way…..there are many personal blogs still around and yours is definitely one of my favorites because you are so real and I can relate to what you are saying. I’ve been following your blog for ages it seems, don’t know when I started exactly. I live in NJ and have three little girls (twins among them) and my husband serves in the military too. I too fell out of scrapbooking for a while but now trying to get back in. Happy New Year!
The weather is beautiful in Malta from late april to October .The resturants are very child friendly and the maltese people too .It has lots of history on the Island, also parts of ‘Game of Thrones’ was filmed there.
Let me know if you ever decide to visit Malta , and I can recommend some places to see , and things for the children to do .I follow you on Twitter too @DawnUk
You must be very patient to answer everyone’s comments , very sweet of you ๐
Hi Stephanie! I’ve been reading your blog for a really long time…maybe around the time Sadie was born? Longer than that? I don’t comment much at all, but have loved following along on all your adventures, and admiring your style, and generally just hearing your point of view on stuff. I live in Perth, Western Australia, and have found myself really neglecting my own blog lately, which I NEVER ever thought I would do. Guess it’s just a phase? I’m on Instagram all the time, and FB just a little…not loving FB at the moment ๐ Hoping to blog more this year, and create more this year, and be a better version of myself this year! Thank you for sharing all that you do ๐ Happy New Year to you and your lovely family xxx
I always hear (and read, and take to heart) every single comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave one!
You are never ever wasting my time. Thank you so much for taking the time to say hi!
Hi Claire!
Thank you so much for your kind words. xo
Happy New Year, sweet friend! We are hoping to come to Slovenia VERY soon!
So glad to hear it because I have taken SO MANY PHOTOS!!!
I won’t stop. I’m addicted! ๐
I love love this idea that blogs inspire and comfort. Beautiful sentiment!
Hi Fran!
What a wonderful legacy your family has created. I’m so very sorry to heart about your brother. Sending you so much love. xo
Hi Tess! Australian wanderlust scrapbooker. I LOVE that.
Thank you so much for your kindness, friend. Hopefully soon we can meet! xo
Thank you so much for saying hi, Jennifer! I hope you have a wonderful 2014!
Thank you so much, Brandy! And yes. It goes by far too fast. It’s terrifying, actually. xoxo
Hi Katie!
It’s wonderful to meet you! Hope you are staying warm and cozy! xo
Hi! I’m Ashley ๐ I’ve been reading for about 6 months now. I love your blog and inspiration! Would love to meet you someday! Waving all the way from Dallas Texas ๐
Stephanie,
I am a 61 year-old grandmother from McDonough, GA that has been following you since Harper was about four and Sadie was two. I believe I started out reading about your elf on the shelf and scrapbooking. Came to a class you offered in Macon, GA when you were stationed there and have loved you and your family ever since. Usually just stalking not really commenting too much, but I read you faithfully and love your scrapbooking style and your patriotism too. Keep blogging and I will keep reading!
My name is Kim. I live in San Diego with my husband. We’re trying to conceive our first child. I’ve been reading your blog since Sadie was very little, way before the twins. My blog has been woefully neglected in the last 18 months, but once it’s back up-and-running, I’ll add the link when I comment. I am a scrapbooker, but only read blogs of people who I think are saying important (to me) things.
I believe blogging will live on, but is evolving. It’s my (professional) job to think about and make statements like that, so I hope I’m right. ๐
Thank you for blogging and for sharing. I like all of your posts, but especially the ones where you share photos from Italy as I’m dying to go, but have never been.
I’m Vicki from southern California and I am a newcomer to your blog, about 6 months or so. I think I got your info from Big Picture Scrapbooking “bloggers we love” list. I had remembered you from your layouts in CK magazine. I read your blog all the time but I don’t comment on blogs very often. I have enjoyed all the various posts I have read from you. My husband is ex Navy so the military aspect is familiar and I love all the travel posts too. My girls are older now (21 and 16) so its fun to see little ones. I don’t use twitter or instagram or feedly, just check in via computer, usually every day or so.
Thanks for who you are and what goodness you put out there! God bless you and your family.
Imma here. You know me already lol. ๐
Hi Stephanie!
I’ve been reading and loving your blog for years! I rarely comment, but I check your blog almost every day and often “like” them on FB. ๐ I originally started reading your blog because I loved your creative style and enjoyed looking at all of your scrapbook layouts. But as I started to check your blog more often, I was inspired by your honesty and personal strength as well. I love reading about your adventures with your sweet family and I think you are such an amazing lady. I enjoy your “Blog your heart” posts, your pictures of your Italian Adventures, your beautiful girls (I have three boys :), and of course, I always love to see what you’ve been up to creatively as well. I’ve laughed and cried with you, prayed for you and your family, and always look forward to your next post. Keep blogging sister because even though you can’t see the lives you’re inspiring or touching, we’re out here! Big hugs to you!
I am definitely an avid reader that never comments (and am even late to this roll call party :)! Your posts are always the ones I read first in feedly. I have been reading since before the twins were born-not sure when exactly. I am in NC married (hubby’s name is also Jimmy and looks similar to yours), no kids, a stamper and cardmaker and keep saying I am going to start scrapbooking “for real”. I love your layouts though, I especially love hearing about the adventures of your beautiful family. Mostly I read because I love your honesty, your openness, your willingness to put it out there and keep it real in a world of blogging that feels so contrived to me at times. I would read if you wrote instruction manuals, I so love your style and voice. So keep being yourself and please don’t stop writing! ๐
I live in Vermont, and I’ve been reading your blog since before Sadie was born. I’m a crafter/scrapbooker, and I lurk on twopeas, but I found you because you and my best friend from high school have the same name and I Googled her to try to get back in touch with her (pre-FB)! How random is that? I don’t often comment, because I don’t read through a subscription so I am often late to the party. Plus I’m not shy IRL but I am shy online, somehow. I like all of what you write about. It kind of feels like you are chatting with a person when I read your blog (the randomness of the postings make it feel more authentic & like a real conversation).
And part of the reason I don’t comment is that when I do, it will be a novel, hahaha!
Hi Fran. What a beautiful legacy your family will leave behind. Inspiring. I’m so very sorry for your loss…sending you big love. xo
Hello friend of my heart-
So happy to hear from you today. Sure wish we could have had creative playdates when I lived in central TX!
xo
Thank YOU for being awesome.
Your comment really encouraged me today and put a big grin on my face. Thank you so much for that, Kristin. xoxo
Hi Crystal!
We are sewing machine failure twins. It once took me 2 hours to thread the bobbin. I then promptly cried and gave up and have never touched it since. HA!!! Happy 2014! xoxo
It is never ever ever stalkerish in the LEAST to leave a comment. I cherish each one because it’s what connects me to all of you! xoxo
Hi Miss Monica!
Never EVER weird. It brings my heart joy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your sweet comment! xoxo
Big hugs to you, sweet friend. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this note today. I hope you have an especially beautiful and blessed 2014!
Hi! I’m Jen. I’m an Army wife living in Germany. Currently waiting on orders to see where we will land next. I’m hoping stateside even though Europe has been great. But Australia is an option too this time around, so we shall just see! I found you through a friend when she posted your story about attending memorial services for fallen Soldiers. You write so well and can communicate that hard fact of military life that I had to see what else you had to say. A follower was born. ๐
Hi Susan!
I am having SO much fun sharing our adventures…I’m glad to hear you are enjoying them too! Buon Anno! xoxo
Candy-
I have never not read a single comment that has been left on my blog the last 8 years. I always read. I often respond, if a response is warranted, or if I have the time that day. What would be the point if I didn’t read every comment? I know blogging can be egotistical but I’m not interested in that. ๐
I hope that you find a job soon! Sending you big love. xo
Angie!!
So happy to see you today. Sure wish I was at CHA so I could hug your sweet neck again! xoxo
Hi Shelbie- Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope 2014 brings you many, many adventures with your sweet boy! xo
Hi Stephanie! It’s wonderful to “meet” you. Pinterest is the absolute best. SO happy you are here! xo
It’s wonderful to see you Megan. Happy 2014!
Aw MAN! How great would that have been if you could have come here? RUDE ARMY. Ha! So nice to hear from you today. I hope you have a beautiful 2014!
Just a note to say I am a reader (just not a “click through” commenter). I love following along and how you share those great “moments”.
Hi Amy!
Stay warm in Delaware~ xoxo
Melanie-
Your life sounds amazing and big and loud and full…and just about perfect! xoxo
Hi Miss Claire!
It’s wonderful to see you here! I think last time we talked you were having some tummy issues. Are you feeling better? I hope you have a wonderful 2014! xoo
Same to you, sweet friend. Thank you so much for taking the time to say hi today!xoxo
It’s like reading a good book that never ends, but it comes in a few words here and there. I love it!
+++++++++++
I LOVE this analogy, Lisa. LOVE.xoxo
Hi, darling girl. I’m so happy to see you here today. Thanks for taking the time to check in. xoxo
Hi Heather! I am so, so happy you took the time to type a comment today! Happy 2014!!! xoxo
Brenda-
So happy to see you today! Thank you for your sweet words. I hope you have a happy new year!
Next time you come through, email me first and we’ll meet for coffee! I think we are headed to Switzerland next week. Looking for a house to rent right now!! oxo
I hope you have SUCH a creative year, Kimmie. Sending you big hugs- thanks so much for stopping by today!
I love you and miss you, Aunt Suzanne. Thanks so much for always being so supportive and encouraging- you are the best. Tell E and M hi!
Hey Miss Wendy!
Wonderful to see you here today. What an awesome and brave boy you have. This makes my heart very happy! Buon Anno! xoxo
Oh Amanda-
If you ever start please let me know. I think blogging is so wonderful, but yes…can be very intimidating!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me such a kind note. Big hugs! xoxo
Hi Lisa!
Love the Horton analogy. HA!
Off to visit your blog…Buon Anno!
Hi Stephanie…welcome! so happy you are here. Thank you for taking the time to say hi. Happy New Year!
A comment is never ever everrrr clutter or stress. It’s encouragement. A connection to all of you who i value SO much. Thank you so much for saying hi today, Krista! xoxo
Ashley-
Thank you so much for your service and commitment to our country. I so appreciate you. Sending you love and hugs. xo
I love YOU. As always, thinking of your sweet family, praying for you…and sending you love.
Hey sweet girl!
How’s sweet Elizabeth Caroline doing? Thanks so much for your comment, my friend.xoxo
YAY! Love your passion for Italy. It makes me so happy!
Thanks for stopping by, Marina!
Buon Anno!
xoxo
Hi Julie!
Thank you so much for popping in today! I hope you have a wonderful (and happy) new year!
I’m okay with it too…or I wouldn’t do it so often. It’s just nice to connect and know who’s out there. I love you, sister! xoxo
Happy New Year, my sweet friend. It’s fabulous to see you today and makes my heart all kinds of happy! oxox
Hi Cat-
Congratulations on your marriage. Being newlyweds is such a special and amazing time. I’m thrilled for you!
xoox
Hi Sam!!
I hope that 2014 brings blogging back in your life and that you have a beautiful and blessed year!
Ciao Kirstie!
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop in and say hi today. I so appreciate it! Have a wonderful week! xo
Hi my friend! I’m so glad to see you today, thanks for being so encouraging and lovely through the years!
Hello my friend!
I am so happy you are still out there- it puts a big grin on my face!
xoxo
I love this post! I love your blog! Have been a long time reader (years and years) and have connected with you (personally and professionally) multiple times. From Australia, big scrapbooking nut and LOVE photography. Keep up the amazing work. Victoria ๐
I’m a retired elementary school teacher living in southern Delaware and have been reading your blog since before you decided to have your “third” child! I was first attracted to your blog through scrapbooking but became hooked the first time I saw a video of Harper being surprised with her daddy’s homecoming. I love to read about your adventures as a wife and mother and am amazed at your positive spirit and determination! I rarely comment on blogs, even my daughter in law’s, but love keeping up with you and your family. I am a grandmother of three terrific little boys – the most recent arriving on Dec. 2- and enjoy seeing a life with all girls so I can dream a little about pink and ruffles. Keep up the good work of writing and communicating because you and your family would be sadly missed!!
Hi, Stephanie! I’m Sue from Wisconsin. Long time reader, first time commenter. Yep…I’m “one of those”! I LOVE your blog. I think I first stumbled upon it because of a scrapbooking connection, but your stories about your family and your adventures are just so relatable. And, it’s the only way that I will experience Italy anytime soon, so that’s a bonus! It’s a little embarrassing when I share some funny story from your blog and someone asks, “Now, who is this?” and I have to admit that I don’t know you. Makes me feel a little stalker-ish! ๐ But I hope that you continue to share your families stories for many, many years to come!
Hi Steph. I’ve commented lots of times and you’ve often replied. Once you replied with such a heartfelt email when I asked for your advice — Thanks for that! I am not a blogger, just a peep. I find myself wondering what your little family is up to if I haven’t read for a while. I enjoy your posts thoroughly and often refer to you when talking with my “real life” friends. I envy you because you have such a priceless resource to look back on and make the memories come to life again and I admire your hard work. I admit that I don’t read as many blogs as I used to…just the ones that I treasure, and yours is at the top of that list!
I’ve been reading your blog since Sadie was a baby and I enjoy it as much now as I did then ๐ I really love reading about all your experiences over in Italy! So fun!! I started out in Victoria & Vancouver BC, then moved to California and now I’m in Chicago. I have been scrapbooking for around 15 or so years and even wrote a book on mini albums, but sadly I just don’t have time to do it anymore. I still do some crafty things though but I’m finding it difficult to get back into scrapbooking. Of course now that I finally have a child to scrapbook too (1.5 year old girl). Project Life stuff intrigues me though so I’d love to start that. My husband and I are both exotic animal trainers and we have a small zoo of about 75 animals so that and our toddler pretty much take up all my time right now.
Anyway please keep blogging – I do love your blog so much! I blog when I can, but it’s not as often as I’d like. And I’m also guilty of reading blogs on feedly (love that app!!) and not commenting.
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family ๐
Hello! My name is Christine and I live outside of Atlanta, GA. I’ve been reading for about 4 years, I think. Before you were pregnant with the twins but not sure how much before that! ๐ I enjoy every type of post you have – travel, crafting, family, army, etc. I like your writing style and honesty.
I hope personal blogging isn’t a dead art form; I have several blogs I read daily and enjoy.
I’m Bre, I’ve been married for 7 years to a retired Marine Reservist and we have a 22 month old son and another baby on the way. I started reading your blog through 2peas back when Sadie was just a little thing! I kept reading because my husband was deployed twice while we were together and I could relate to your stories about Jimmy. I love your scrapping posts but also your regular life posts. I’m a terrible commenter because I always use bloglovin but I am a faithful reader! I love blogs, I follow too many really and I hope they don’t go away because they provide me with inspiration and a break when I need one!
Lazy blog reader over here too;) *grins sheepishly* I need to read more often on my ipad or computer so my phone doesn’t tweak out when I try to comment. I have been reading your blog for 2 years. Minnesotan born and raised, recent college grad,&fabric hoarder. I love blogs. I think I need to be more deliberate about commenting:)
The trends would suggest that twitter and instagram tells the individual story that was first introduced with personal blog.
That said, I do believe blogs that are run for profit, will continue with the reader demanding richer content than other social media.
As for your blog, just pay attention to your analytics and see if your numbers are on a downward trend or ask yourself “why am I doing a blog, to impress other people, or for myself?”.
Hi Stephanie – I have read your blog since before you moved to Savannah…..I am still in Savannah,GA. I have 20 or so main blogs I read. Maybe not every day. I have a good 50 bookmarked. I do not want them to die..I want them to stay. Now that SB magazines, stores etc are going away I still find it is a place to share ideas. I love your blog, you share the world and your heart. Much more than just scrapbooking. Elizabeth loves to see where you are and your girls. She still talks about when you came to the barn. I use FB – It is my link to my family in Minnesota as I do not blog. I only leave comments on blogs when moved to although I could have a conversation with every post I read. I guess I do not want to seem kind of stalkerish. Please do not stop. You have gone to places I will never go. Absolute gift is what you share with your readers. Do not forget that.
Ciao y’all!
Robyn S.
Well, I see you got a few comments!!! I don’t remember how I was first introduced to your blog. I am a scrapbooker. I think your kids are the cutest and have enjoyed watching them grow. I have been impressed with how you have managed through Jimmy’s deployments and all of your moves. I don’t follow many blogs anymore. I just joined FB and Pinterest last January. Late to the party I know. I travelled internationally for work and have really enjoyed your Italian adventures.
I have been following your blog, instagram, and your crafting for a few years. I love that you just keep it real. As a fellow mom of four kiddos, I can appreciate the craziness that you report! I am an elementary teacher, graduate student(more licensures!), and love to work with pictures and scrapbook our family adventures when I can! PS I’m freezing in the tundra, otherwise known as MN!
Hi, I’m Deb. I am from Eugene, Oregon (the same town as Ali Edwards) sorry to name drop. I’ve been reading for about a year and I’m sorry but I don’t remember where I first meandered over from to get to you but I totally love reading your blog and I adore your little girls. I never had a desire to travel to Italy before your moving there but now I am truly curious about it. I want to thank your family for serving our country (the best of the best!) and know that my heart aches a bit every time you have to go through your husband being gone. Please know and pass on to J. my sincere thank you and appreciation for all he does! Please keep us up to date on your Italy adventures as it is a grand adventure many of us will never experience and your beautiful family is a hoot!
Dear Stephanie,
at least one regular reader you surely have in Hungary / Budapest (also worth visiting, if you are so close ๐ ). I don’t really remember when I started reading your blog, but I’ve found you via scrapbooking. This doesn’t change the fact that I read everything. I like not only your pages, but also your “crazy” family life :-D, I admire your photos. And yes, it’s true: I usually do not comment – sorry for that. I myself have a daughter (7), and also try to find balance bw work, family and hobby. I wish you all the bests for 2014 and will keep on reading for sure, even if I do not comment ๐
hey dawn!
I LOVE instagram!
Maybe 2014 will be the year you blog again!
Thank you so much for saying hi!
I love your posts. I live in Arizona, love Italy. My favorite thing is seeing pictures of places I’ve been from fresh eyes. I so enjoy the antics of your children and how you all adapt as a family. Beyond that, you are a very talented young woman. Not having you in the list of blogs I follow every week would be a loss.
I absolutely 100% need to read this. I’ve let blogging fall by the way side because I was just writing about our life. Not DIY crafts, or home improvement, just our everyday life. This has totally made me re-evaluate and know that I’m blogging for me. Who cares if it’s just a personal blog? I love looking back and reading through it. For that reason, I know I should continue.
Oh my goodness…when did I start reading?? I know it was before Sadie was born and Harper was a wee toddler…or was it when Sadie was born? Geez I don’t remember! It just seems as though you have just always been a “bookmark” LOL. Loved your honesty from the start and how you didn’t let the negative Nelly’s get you down – or at least tried not to…you’ve become so much stronger in spite of them! HOORAY!! I love following your adventures and your photos ALWAYS make me smile!!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I think you mostly know who I am:), I’ve been reading for years now–I remember when you found out you were having twins! I love your blog, it’s one of the best examples of a great personal blog I’ve read, with beautiful (but real) photos, a great voice, and an interesting mix of topics. I hope personal blogs don’t disappear–I think they’re generally much deeper and richer than facebook can be.
Hello! I admit I am a lazy Feedly reader. I very rarely comment and maybe that is because I do not have a blog myself. I’ve thought about it many times but haven’t taken the plunge. I have been following for a while but have no idea how long maybe a year or so. I currently live in SoCal but worked with the AF for 9 years as a civilian. I lived and worked in Germany for almost 5 years. I love to travel and have been to many of the places you are visiting. So I really enjoy your travel adventures. I do not have children so that aspect is fun to read about too. I hope that you have had many responses (I’ve only read the first page)showing the love for your blog. I believe that personal blogs are not fading out but people (like me) are lazy readers as you say and not showing the love and appreciation. Happy New Year and have fun traveling and documenting! Melissa
I LOVE your blog! Your were and still are my favorite SC’er. I am from Wisconsin! I read but this is my first post. I love your photos and your fun take on everyday parenting. I also love to see what you make.
Hi Carolyn!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me such encouraging words. xoxo
What a kind and encouraging message. Thank you for taking the time to send me some love. xoxo
Hi Robin!
Yes…finding new blogs is like getting sucked into an endless black hole. HA!
Chris from Virginia Beach. Mom of 3..2 girls and a boy in the middle. Navy wife, so your posts about being a military family and deployments touch me personally. God bless you and your family!
Hi sweet Lisa-
So glad to hear that you enjoy connecting on my blog. Sending you big love. Happy 2014!
elise is AWESOME. thank you so much for coming over!
Love you, friend. So glad you are in my life! xo
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. Buon Anno!
Goodness gracious! 705 comments! Girl, you got followers! First found your blog thanks to a link from Cheryl from The Scrapbook Shoppe in Columbus, Georgia. You were still living in Texas. Then {{{{SQUEAL}}}}} got to meet you when you moved down the street from me at Ft. Benning. I never got to meet the big girls (huge sad face here), but I know that J likes lemon cake. Sadly, we moved away just weeks after you moved in, but I’ve continued to follow you … so that’s four years now. Also, some of the first-ever Georgetown Cupcakes I sent were delivered to 1xx Rainbow Avenue. What I love most is your spunk. And your realness. And I love your scrapbooking and decorating style … it’s totally not me (I could never pull it off), but I love, love perusing your photos and admiring your style. And the love. The love in your family leaps off the pages of your blog. It’s seriously epic.
Still reading and still inspired here in Washington state! I don’t read as many blogs as I use to but yours is still one of my faves! Been reading since Sadie was born. Love how real you are. I appreciate you putting your heart out there for us. My favorite posts are your travel ones! Looking forward to seeing how 2014 blesses you!
I have been reading your blog since you arrived in Italy. I find your adventure living in another country very interesting. P.S. I never comment on blogs, but read them daily. My bad.
I’ve read your blog for years, I live in Texas and I am a scrapbooker ๐ I love any of your posts. I still like FB, but enjoy Pinterest as well. I haven’t joined the Instagram world as of yet. It looks like you are having a fantastic time in Italy!
Hey! I’ve been reading for a while…since you lived in Texas. I am a Texas girl too ๐ I still read lots of blogs…but rarely comment. I’m a big fan of photo heavy blogs…but I do still read. It’s probably silly…but I do fear that blogging is a dying art form. I sure hope not though!!!
I pop into your blog about once per week! Love to hear your stories about the kids! I do not Facebook or follow twitter. i do not quite understand Instagram yet. I just read your blog for ideas and love your attitude! I am a military wife, spouse on deployment, and get inspiration from your blog. Your attitude. Thank you for allowing me to learn from youโฆ.
I’m here and I’m still reading! (but not commenting, I guess! Sorry!)
I’m Jennifer from Hershey, PA. I’m a wife and a mom to a ten-year old boy and housemom to ten middle school boys at a free, private boarding school for kids in poverty. So… that’s my excuse for not having time to comment! Ha!
My name is also Stephanie, and I live just outside of Nashville (near Jenni Bowlin). I’ve never personally been a blogger, but I love reading yours. There is just something about you and your sweet family that is so endearing…seriously! Plus, I love your sense of humor and style. I think I stumbled upon your blog thru scrapbooking either when you were pregnant with Sadie or right after you had her. It has been a joy watching your family grow and travel together! I read a handful of personal blogs and always look forward to your updates. Thanks for letting all of us into your world! xo
Hi Steph, I am Jess from Toronto Ontario Canada. I have read your blog for the past 3.5 years ever since you announced you were pregnant with the twins. I love your sweet, raw emotion. I can so connect with alot of your feelings, even our lives are different. I appreciate your stream of consciousness and the way you love your husband and girls. Long live personal / scrapbooking blogs. Best wishes Jess ๐
Hi Stephanie,
My name is Josรฉ, it’s a girlsname here in Holland ๐
I’m 28 years old and been following your blog for about a year now.
I’m a lazy blogreader too, I don’t comment much. But I love reading personal blogs. My resolution is to comment more too, you’re totally right!
Your blog has been a constant for me since you were in Texas with just Harper. Scrapbooking first lead me to your blog and your stories. I have followed your growing family, J’s career and deployments, sent a couple of packages to Afghanistan to his unit, prayed for him, watched your many moves, and throughout it all watched as you hung on, stayed real and saw the good in it all. Love that you have shared so much of the places you have been stationed. Your photos on Instagram are a great way to keep up with your everyday adventures. I was fortunate to be able to spend a summer in Europe when I was in college (many years ago!) and love seeing some of the same areas again through your eyes. Hope you are able to get to Austria – loved Salzburg and Innsbruck. I don’t comment often – even less now that I use my phone for checking Instagram and Blogs – but your Blog has brought thoughtful reflection, smiles, tears and appreciation for our military families into my life. Thank you for your generosity in sharing some of your life stories and adventures:)
I don’t often comment but I look forward to a new post daily from you. I love your family from afar. I often said when you lived in Newport, that I was going to meet you someday as I live in Massachusetts, but alas that time came and went and I never got the courage to invite you to a lunch…. Don’t give up blogging ever.
Hello, I’m Natasa from Slovenia.
I’m reading your blog for some time now. Actually it’s more like here and there when I remember to check up on it. Love it and that’s why I’m coming back.
Best wishes for 2014.
Hi! I’m Rosie and have also been reading you for a couple years now. Love to read about adventures with your kiddies and see your scrap projects. I love your voice and how reading is like having a cup of tea and catching up with an old friend. I am mom to a 3 yr old rambunctious boy(in Feb) that keeps me on my toes. I work full time and try to carve out time in late night or weekends to scrap and document life. Tends to go in ebbs and flows. This year hope to be more consistent and be better about the everyday capture not just the “big” moments.
oh, let’s discuss this when we meet next fall. IN ITALY ;). so looking forward to it! emailing you now
Hi Stephanie, I read your blog a lot, cant remember how I got here, through the scrapbook world most likely. I live in sunny Brisbane, Queensland Australia with my 3 small daughters, I’m a single mum. I like your RAMBLINGS, I guess I liken you to myself with the girls and being on your own a lot. Im a lazy blogger, Im not great at getting my blog sorted and never find time to look more into it, so just random blogs here and there. I read a few blogs and don’t often comment unless it really grabs my attention. Anyway, I feel like you are my good friend as I know a lot from your blog and I get teary when I read you are struggling or unhappy….and I don’t even know you LOL, so keep blogging ALWAYS, and maybe I should try harder to update my blog more often. Thank you for sharing …oh…and I get happy for you also when I see your beautiful pictures of Italy and your family XXX
I’ve been reading your blog since before the twins and wherever you were before Savannah, but I’m a silent listener.
Truthfully, I don’t even know when and where I found you. I just know I enjoy your viewpoint and your adventures.
The crafty posts are fun to see, but since your style and mine are distinctly different, they don’t really inspire me in the sense of wanting to know how to do it. I just like to see what you are doing and enjoy it. I’m more interested in your heart and your life.
If blogging is dying, then I don’t know what it is I’m reading all the time. I have LOTS of blogs I read and enjoy. Truthfully, I think the people who are saying that are being overly dramatic and generalizing way too much.
Its Mandy, from lovely Olympia. I am a weekly reader of your blog. And a daily stalker of Instagram. I rarely leave comments, and I’m not sure why. I enjoy reading your blogs (at work usually, shhh)I always feel like I’m having a quick chat with a friend.
Hi Stephanie! I’m Ashley from Quebec, Canada. I’m a Kindergarten teacher and I have been reading your blog for quite some time (I guess I started before the twins were born). I used to scrapbook a LOT but don’t seem to find the time anymore ever since planning a wedding and getting married, then moving in to/renovating a new house. Like you, I am enthralled with Pinterest and Instagram. That’s my new method of recording I suppose. I used to blog regularly but haven’t done that in ages either. Anyways, thanks for your continuous creative inspiration, it helps take me to my happy place ๐
Hi Stephanie
I have been reading your blog for years now. Since before the twins joined your family and Sadie was still small. I comment infrequently but love reading blogs. I read via bloglovin, but wonder if google abandoning Google Reader was a sign about the end of blogging. Although sometimes I think magazines will die before blogging does.
I found your blog originally because I enjoy scrapbooking. I follow other blogs for interior design/renovations, and photography… Other hobbies of mine.
So don’t worry, you are not talking to yourself. I have read every word ๐
I am Julie, from canada. I am a guilty lazy blog reader. I started reading your blog for scrap booking inspiration before the twins were born. Now, with two boys of my own (2yrs old and 9 mo) I have absolutely no time to scrapbook. I read your blog now for mommy inspiration. When I’m having a bad day I think of how you spend so much time living like a single mom to 4 girls. My favourite story is how you had to go grocery shopping by yourself when the twins were babies– that picture is priceless! Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi, Stephanie…I’m Tinka and I live in San Antonio. I started reading your blog about the time ya’ll were first stationed at Ft. Hood but I don’t remember how I found you. ๐ I used to read my favorite blogs everyday before I started my work day but over the past year I’ve become a lazy blog reader. Now that I am no longer working, I will be getting back in to the habit of being a regular reader. I have commented a few times on your posts and even won a giveaway several years ago!
Hi Angela- Thank you so much for taking the time to pop in. Happy Wednesday! xo
Thank you so much, Claire. I hope you are enjoying life in beautiful Australia- Happy 2014!
Hey sweet Natalia.
Maybe you will be a blog your heart-er in 2014? I’d love that.
Thank you so much for being a sweet and encouraging friend!
xo
Hi Deb-
Thank you so much for taking the effort and time co comment- it’s wonderful to hear from you. Off to peek at your blog! xo
Thank you, Shereen! Here’s to a beautiful 2014!
Hi Cori! You are so sweet. And man…I miss Savannah so much. Thanks for coming by!
Hi Margie-
Thank you, friend! Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Yes- It was the post at 2 peas!!! I love blogging. Like I said- it’s the best type of work. ๐
Lists with friends sounds like a great idea!
Hi Amber-
So nice to meet another military spouse. LOVE it when we connect like this! Maybe 2014 will bring you back to blogging! xoxo
Oh! Hello friend of my heart. So happy to see you here. Thank you so much for your comment, you made my day. xoxo
He Brenda!
OH NO on the wine. That sounds like something that would happen to me! HAHA!
Hi Monique!
It’s so wonderful to hear from you. I love that I have so many Australian readers. I am dying to visit!
It’s honestly not hard. And sites like Blogger make it very easy. You should try if it’s your heart’s desire!
Thank you so much for your kind comment- I have a big smile on my face right now!
Jennifer- Hi! Our lives sound verrrrry similar, ha! Sending you big love.
Hi Shantel! North Dakota is BEAUTIFUL. And super cold right now, I’d imagine? Thank you so much for your comment, you are too kind! xo
Hi Kristina! Off to look at your blog, thank you so much for sharing! xo
Hi Rachel!
So glad to hear you are out there! xoxo
Nice to meet you, Tammy. Your family sounds just lovely. You know i LOVE big families! xoxo
Love it when people can be honest with themselves and give up things that aren’t nurturing them/making them happy. So fabulous. xo
Hi Laura-
So glad that blogs can be your relaxation! Happy 2014.
Happy Belated Birthday, Sheri! Xo
Hi Jan from Canada!! ๐
Thank you for being so encouraging always!
xoxo
Hi Kathy :)I haven’t even been to Milan yet, and it’s so cluse! We did one afternoon in Monterosso but I need MUCH LONGER to savor the CT. Paris and Provence are on our 2104 Bucket list !! xoxo
Hi, Janice! Thanks so much for taking the time to check in. xoo
Thank you for taking the time to say hi, Courtney! And I agree…replying on iPhones/iPads is the WORST!
Katie-
Your comment made me teary. Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me today, it means a lot.
xoxo
Thank you so much!
Summer-
What a small, small world! Jimmy wanted me to ask you who your family is? Thank you so much for saying hi!
That means you are an AWESOMELY supportive friend + blog reader!
Oh thank you so much, Alana! Where in Italy did you guys go?
Awwww the two chicks days. ๐ xoxo, Heather!
Ooooh let me know if you do, I’d love to see! Happy 2014!
Hi Jackie! I feel that the twins at 8 are going to be AWESOME. I can’t wait to see their little personalities develop! xoxo
Off to check it out! Thank you so much, Emily! Buon Anno!
OHHHH! I love Shelly! She is seriously the most talented scrapbooker I know. How fun it would be to hang out with y’all. So nice to “meet” you, Fran!
Hi Debbie and welcome back! Off to look at your blog, thank you so much for stopping by!
Hey there Bridget. Happy 2014. Hope you are staying warm and cozy!
Hi Robin! I LOVE Charleston. I would love to live there one day. May 2014 be the year you meet your blogging goals! And congratulations on the design team…so fun and exciting!
I hear you, sister. I HATE iphone typing. I feel like I’m pecking!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to say hi!
Hi Lisa and thank you so much for introducing yourself! I hope you are having a FABULOUS 2014 so far!
Hi Kathy!
Those are some of my favorites, too! xoxo
Brenda-
A big part of the reason I blog is that I love the connections it brings. There is nothing weird at ALL about commenting…I love and treasure each one. ๐ Xoxo
Lou-
So nice to meet you!!! Congratulations on all of the big and exciting life-milestones you’ve achieved lately! It’s wonderful to meet you ๐
Hello darling friend of my heart.
I am SO very sorry for your loss. Sending you big hugs, peace, joy, and SO much love. xoxo
Hi Stephanie! I read your blog through Feedly and I LOVE reading about your adventures in Italy. I’ve been following your blog since S was born, so it’s been a little while. =) I love your positive nature and your realism. Many of us are living vicariously through you, dear! What I wouldn’t give to go overseas for an adventure… Incredible. Please, keep on blogging!
Probably too late to comment but I’m playing catch up with my favorite blogs right now. Hi from Philadelphia! I hope blogs aren’t dying because to me they are one of the greatest things to come out of the internet. I have been following you since Sadie was a baby I believe. Your motherhood posts are my favorite, probably because I have 4 children of similar ages- except all boys. I prefer well written posts with pictures to of course. While I enjoy DIY-organizing-scrappy blogs, I hate when it’s all pictures and product links. I love to learn about how others live and what influences them, even if it’s very different from my own life. So keep blogging- I’m learning all about Italy from my suburban desk chair from you:)
Leah, from Georgia. I’m a silent blog reader most of the time. I’ve been reading your blog since before the twins were born so I’d guess about 4 years or less. Your blog is my absolute favorite. I check yours before any others &, personally, I hope blogs aren’t dying because I still LOVE them!
Hi Stephanie!
I happened to stumble upon your blog about two months ago when my fiance who is in the Army stationed at Ft Rucker was offered a position in Vicenza. I am located just outside of Baltimore so when the opportunity came up to not only have the opportunity to live together but in Italy to boot, we moved up the wedding date (February 1!,) accepted the position, and will be on our way to your side of the pond in May! It has been a whirlwind of emotions ranging from nervousness to excitement but I can say that I am eager to start a new life as an Army wife, expat! Any advice you can share on living in Vicenza would be very greatly appreciated as we are still at the early stages of all of the details like finding a place to live or phone carrier is the best choice!
As far as blogs are concerned, it is one of my personal goals to start one as part of this whole life changing experience I am soon to embark on. I greatly enjoy reading your sentiments and do not think they are a dying!
You are pretty amazing to reply to all these comments! I promise to think about doing some blogging-of-my-heart myself this year ๐
I’m Craftylou! I live in the Midwest. I’ve been reading the blog for a long time…since Sadie was 1 or 2. Sorry, I’m not sure about years…. I’m a lazy blog reader. I have a few blogs that I read no matter what (yours included). Mostly I flick through posts on feebly and rarely comment. I love your blog. I like that it’s a personal blog. I hope they aren’t a dying breed.
I am guilty!! I have been reading your blog for a few years and other than commenting for a chance to win a giveawayโฆI hardly ever comment. How horrible (and selfish) is that? I don’t have a personal blog but I can appreciate how much time and work go into keeping up a wonderful blog like this one. I have kept up with you through a couple of moves, the babies becoming toddlers and your big girls growing up and heading off to school. I cried at the video of Harper losing her tooth and my daughter watched the video of her singing Somewhere over the Rainbow a hundred times! (they are almost the same age). Anyway, I originally started reading because I am a fellow scrapbooker, but I stuck around because I love how in amongst the scrappy fun you have plenty of “real-life” posts. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I promise to do better letting you know how much I enjoy your blog!! ๐
– Leslie
Oh, my! It looks like people are definitely still reading your blog. I don’t think your blog is dying – mine is. I blamed having a baby (three years ago)… then ETSing & going back to school(two years ago)… and then moving over here to Italy (seven months ago) as my excuses for falling off the blog wagon, but you’re showing me up. ๐ I simply must find a way back to all of the things I love. I just need to do it! As for reading blogs, when Google Reader bit the dust, I stopped. I had hundreds of blog addictions. I would log in a few times a day just to scroll through and catch up on all of the crafting and chatter. Just finding your blog again a little while back made me realize how long it had been. I mean your brood had doubled! Time goes by so quickly! It looks like I need to check out this Feedly thing now…
long-time reader…probably since the two peas days. i think that is where i found you! LOL! i live in CT and will turn 31 in march. not married. no children. i have enjoyed watching your family grow, explore new lands, and create new masterpieces. i feel that blogs may be becoming a bit more about the writer [like a journal] and not as much for the reader [less advertising, less pressure to post daily, etc.]. i hope that blogs are here for a long time to come.
thank you for sharing your stories. i hope you continue to do so!
~lauren
Hi, My name is Abbey, I live in Oklahoma and have three kids ( sons aged 7 & 1, and daughter, age 4). I follow you on instagram, pintrest, twitter, and facebook. I agree that I love instagram, possibly the most, but probably only because my pinterest boards are overflowing and then hard to use. I love the travel posts, family posts, crafting posts, books, everything. I think I’ve been reading for maybe 5 or so years? Not 100% sure, but quite awhile. I do still read blogs, but you are right, I don’t leave comments very much and usually read them using feedly or through twitter or something. I feel like I am blogging less as more things are going to instagram or elsewhere, but I’m still trying to tell stories there as well as on my scrapbook pages/PL.
Big hugs and keep writing!
Hi Stephanie, I am Kathryn from Toronto Canada. Been reading for a while but never comment. Love all your lastest adventures. I hope blogging is not dying ’cause it has inspired me plenty over the years. I’m a mom of two boys and love to stop by to see what it’s like to be the mom of girls!
I’ve been reading your blog for around 3 1/2 years now. Discovered you on Studio Calico but kept reading when you left the design team which is something I have only done with your blog.
Blogging to me is my way of documenting our lives. An online diary really but with encouragement and support from some wonderful people who would never have come in to my life if it wasn’t for blogging.
That can only be a positive in my eyes.
Hi, Stephanie. My husband has a cousin named Sheri who is the one who told me about the blog. She gave Jimmy a photo of some sort that she thought he’d want. I’d have to ask to refresh the details. My husband was also born in Beaumont, so I believe there are some people in common there too. You Texas people are crazy. How it’s such a big state and yet so many people know each other, I’ll never know! ๐ I’m from Mississippiโฆ
Thanks again for your blogging. I’ve had two preemies in the last three years, and it’s been a rough road. You’ve always added some cheer–even when you’re hiding with coffee in your closet. ๐
–Summer
Hi Stephanie! I’m Corey Brock from New Smyrna Beach, FL. I hope this is not true that blogs are a thing of the past although, I have to admit that I don’t do as much “blog stalking” I used to, but not because I don’t love it! I used to follow and comment often on your blog (not sure if you remember me), but after our 4th baby was born…well you know how that goes! I am trying to read more blogs and get more inspiration this year, so hopefully I will be around checking out your blog more often! I love it and I hope its around for a long time! ๐
Hi Steph! Seems I’m late to the roll call party. I still check in here once and awhile. Life’s been a bit of a wild ride for me the last year or two, so blogging and blog reading have fallen very low on the priority list. Along with making stuff, unfortunately, something I hope to remedy this year. There’s still a handful of blogs I love to visit and yours will always be on that list. Thank goodness for IG though, because I love seeing your darling girls and amazing Italian adventures.
Hello Jemima.
I agree. You simply DON’T need the latest and greatest. It took me a long, long time to learn that. Part of me still thinks..oh! I “need” a Silhouette! Or lens or new camera or printer..and and and! I subdue it constantly b/c I’ve long learned it’s ridiculous.
Perfection? Is unrealistic. And HIGHLY overrated. Thank you so much for your sweet comment! xoxo
Hi Danielle!
Thank you for your kindness. TGIF!
NOOOOO. That is the WORST. And both of those things totally sound like something I’d do!
Hi Kathy. ๐
We are not sure which they are. They were in two sacs but shared one placenta…which means they could be either. ๐ My vote’s for fraternal!
Ashley- Thank you and your husband SO MUCH for your service. I have so much respect for dual service families. Wish I could give you a big hug! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. Buon Anno!
Thank you so much Debbie!
“I don’t know if blogging is a dying art but I plan to write my story for as long as I can.”
Just beautiful. I’ll join you in that goal.
I love this. Your life sounds so beautiful and blessed, Valerie. Thank you so much for taking the time to say hi. I so appreciate your encouragement.
ooooh, stay worm. I first experienced lake effect snow when I lived in upstate new york on lake ontario. SO SO COLD! xoxo
Hi Jennie. It’s so nice to hear from you today.
That trip sounds beautiful. I love Florence so much!
Hi Miss debra!
thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi. Eat some good Mexican food for me!
Hi Brooke! It’s great to hear from you again. Jealous of Nashville…LOVE that town.
Thanks so much for stepping out of your comfort zone to say hi. I really appreciate it! I hope you get the travel you desire VERY soon! xoxo
Hi Kelli…thank YOU for your kind comment, friend. TGIF! xoxo
Dorothy-
Thank you so much. And Buon Anno to you!
I miss RI SO MUCH! Thanks for coming by, Wendi!
Hi Lynn!
If you want to subscribe you just enter your email address in the “subscribe” box all the way at the bottom of the right column!
I had never traveled internationally before we moved here. It’s been amazing. I hope your year is full of travel+adventure!
Yes. It can definitely be a rabbit hole/bottomless pit. Hope you are able to find the balance you desire! xo
I read every single comment that is ever left for me. EVER. I have them emailed to me. ๐
Please leave recommendations when you feel led to. I would LOVE to hear them. Sending you big love- thank you so much for saying hi and for your kindness and encouragement!
Jenn- Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I hope you have a beautiful and blessed new year!
West Texas or West, Texas??? Either way- hello! I sure miss TX. Have a margarita+taco for me. Sigh.
Hi Cynthia! Don’t feel guilty! We are all busy. ๐
I am not going anywhere. Blogging makes me too happy!
Oh thank you so much! And please don’t ever feel like you are invading. I love the connections that comments provide.xoxo
The WORST! Ha!!! Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Hi Andrea and thank you! Buon Anno!
Hi Lissa! Thank you, sweet girl. xo
Thank you so much, Terry. I miss magazines but LOVE digital inspiration so much too!
oh, thank you so much…your comment made my day.
Hi Stephanie, I’m in Australia and I came to your blog through scrapbooking over 4 years ago. I’ve kept coming back because it’s a pleasure to watch your lovely family grow up. I have 2 grown girls myself, but I remember the fun!
You have such a great way of communicating, it’s like hearing a friend chatting about her news.
Have a lovely 2014.
Thank you so much, Erin! Stay warm. I’m shivering just thinking about Michigan right now! Have a beautiful weekend..Buon Fine Settimana!
Hi Sarah! So glad you are here. I hope you had a great week and that your new year is very very happy!
No worries, Linda! Just wanted to reach out and say hello. I cannot attach a name or identity to clicks so I appreciate you interacting today! Buon Fine Settimana ๐
Always reading… you are my inspiration…!!! Amy (Bee Swanky) Waco
Hi Stephanie! I am the mother of two teens from Long Island New York. We have had a crazy winter with temps as low as 3 degrees last Tuesday and going into the 50s tomorrow. I am a cardmaker and a scrapbooker althugh lately my blog is featuring a lot of cards because they are so much easier to photograph than layouts!
I’ve been reading your blog since you lived in the house in Texas where your scrap room overlooked the backyard and you had a leak in the roof. While I have switched many of my blogs to feedly so that I can read them more quickly, I have kept a number of favorites — yours included — coming to my via e-mail. I have commented numerous times over the years. You put yourself out there all of the time so I think it’s important that you know your readers are listening. While I don’t comment on all of the blogs I read, I do try to leave a comment — especially if I pin someone’s project as inspiration.
And, while I don’t have little ones anymore, I have four great nephews ranging in age from almost 5 to 3 months. Over the years your posts have given me some great ideas for gifts for my little guys. Thanks to you, I was the aunt who gave them Elf on a Shelf so that they could start a much-loved tradition! Keep blogging, Stephanie. I love the variety of your posts and I love how real you keep it. Your blog is my absolute favorite!
Took me a while to find your reply to this…this post gathered SOOOO many comments! Hope that has bolstered your confidence in the future of your blog at least. xx
Hola, Monica!
Your spelling and grammar is WONDERFUL. You should see how pitiful my italian is. HA! Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Hi Carla!
Thank you so much for taking a moment to stop in and say hi!
Buon Anno!
xoxo
Oh Tina-
How kind of you! And I miss Cathy and her family SO MUCH. I’m holding onto the hope that we will be back in the PNW one day. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. xo
Mandy!
Hi sweet friend! So happy to see you here today!! You should try Gossamer Blue. Lori is LOVELY. xoxo
Hi Dee- Thank you so much for stopping in and saying hello. Big hugs!
Hi Jessica! ๐
I will definitely keep writing. I hope you are able to meet YOUR blogging goals this year!
xoxo
Hi Jill!
Stay warm in Wisconsin and Buon Anno!
Hi Sara-
Thank you so much for your comment…I hope you have a beautiful and blessed new year!
Hi Melanie!
Congratulations on that sweet little girl on the way. There’s nothing better in the world! <3
Sherlyn-
Well I sure am happy you said hi today. Thank you so much for taking the time to do that, I appreciate it so very much. xoxo
Hi Melissa-
Sending you love, prayers, and hugs right now. Wish I was in the PNW again so I could help out. I know how long and exhausting and frankly frightening deployments can be. Hugs and kisses and may the days fly by. xoxo
Thank you so much for responding to my comment Stephanie ๐ I think you would really love Ireland, there is so much to see and do, and I think the girls would really enjoy it too! I would be more than happy to give you travel advice if I can help at all! Email me anytime xxx
Long live blogs ๐ I may get behind when my kiddies are around… But I always do some catch up reading when they hit school again!. I know I am not that good of a commenter. Maybe it’s because time is limited, but in all reality.. It would only take a few seconds.
I love blogs and your blog!! I like to grab my coffee and look through all the inspiration:-) Do whats in your heart and the rest will fall into place. My name is Georgia and my hubby is in the Air Force and were staitioned in Ok. with our 3 girls:-)
I’m still reading blogs, and hope to be a better blogger this year !I have to admit, FB has really cut down my need/desire for updating our family blog, but I regret how much I’ve let it lapse!
Ya know, I’m not sure how long I’ve been following your blog, but it is one I do read. I don’t comment often, but I read it.
I’m a Texas girl who is temporarily living in Oklahoma.
I don’t think blogging is dying, or at least I hope not. I do think there are less people blogging, and I don’t blog as much as I used to, but I want to, if that makes sense.
One of the reasons that your blog is a must on my list, is because it’s not just about crafting, although I did start following you because of the scrapbooking, but that is not what has kept me here. You and your wit and your outlook on life, and the fact that you are just so real, that is why I keep coming back!
Sometimes I am a lazy blog reader. I am a primary teacher in Northern BC in Canada. My class is very tough this year and any time I have to sit and read blogs is small, so I go through quickly. Yours is one I read through though I don’t often comment. This is because I enjoy following your adventures but don’t often have much to say! For that I am sorry. I have been following you since you found out you were pregnant with the twins. I enjoy your writing style and your girls are adorable. Know that your blog is one that I turned to for a smile last year when I went through a miscarriage and some other unpleasant things. Thank you for being here.
Hi. I’m Lisa from Colorado and I have been reading your blog long enough that I can’t remember how I got here! I know one of the things that has kept me here is that I love the little bits and pieces of your life mixed in with the crafting. Your way with words keeps me interested and your photography is amazing. The one thing that has kept me here is some of the posts you have made about the military and your husband. I choose to follow you as a small show of support for you and your family for the sacrifices and hard work you do for our country. I’m sure it’s not much and you haven’t known me personally or that reason for me sticking around but I knew it and I feel that anything we can do to support the men and women and their families who serve our country is important. I have many family members who are current or formal military members and am proud of that. Anyway, thanks to you and your husband. And by the way I am so living vicariously through you as you are living in Italy…that far off dream of mine to tour and experience Italy on my own comes to life with your photos and descriptions (and sometimes makes me whine at my husband as to why we’ve not done that yet!). ๐ Glad to be here and I say keep blogging. My blog doesn’t have tons of readers and comments are few but when they come they are very special to me. I try to remember that and sprinkle comments around as I read.
I am from Michigan, I’ve been reading your blog since before you were pregnant with you twins., not sure exactly how long before that? I think what first drew me to your blog (other then scrapbooking) was that I have 2 girls – like you did at the time. ๐ But, my girls are 18 and almost 16, so seeing all your little girl photos and adventures is very bittersweet to me. As weird as that sounds since I don’t personally know you or your children.
I am not a blogger myself, but I read about 6-7 blogs daily and love them. I am also on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration and ideas. I have zero interest in Facebook and don’t have an account – find it to be unhealthy at least for me.
I have wondered if a blogger is interested in comments from strangers and sometimes that makes me hesitant to comment. Sometimes I’m just lazy, but I realty enjoy reading my favorite blogs and yours is for sure at the top of my list! ๐
Enjoy your beautiful little girls, they won’t always be little and you will be like me with teenagers and getting ready for college. Eeek!
Hi Stephanie! My name is Maryalice and I found your incredible blog/FB page/Instagram after doing a search for ‘PCS Vicenza’. I’m a new army wife and my husband should be receiving orders between now and June. We looked at the Army tracker for his career, noticed Vicenza, and now dream about getting stationed there!! You look like you are having the most amazing time and I sure hope the army decides he is best needed in Italy ๐ Until then, I’ll continue to learn about Vicenza through your blog and remind myself that it’s only a dream and not a reality…yet!!
Best,
Maryalice
PS I am also in the midst of reading Wild because I saw it on your book list. Have you read it yet? I’m loving it! Thanks for the idea!
And we are at Fort Bliss, Texas right now.
I’m Francie, origanally from Newfoundland, Canada, and now living in Montreal with my partner and our 2.5-year-old son, with another baby on the way this summer. I think I jumped on board when the twins were one. I came for the beautiful scrapbooking (I’m an avid digital scrapbooker myself) and stayed for the beautiful family. I am not a big commenter because I tend to sneak peeks while at work (don’t tell!), but I have started speaking up a little more in the blogosphere this year. Reading personal blogs has had a big influence on how I’m choosing to parent, bigger than any “expert books” for sure, and I think Thomas and his future sibling will be better off for it!
I’m Nicole from California. I found your blog through scrapbooking when you were pregnant with the twins but I continue to follow you for your personal posts more than the scrapbooking ones. I am a Navy wife and momma of two so I can relate to the struggles of military life and I am always encouraged by your posts. Honestly, when my husband was deployed last year I found comfort in your blog and knowing that if you could survive with four babies and a husband in a very dangerous situation that I too could make it. Thank you for helping others understand military life a little better and for always showing your true colors and your beautiful heart through your blog. Your posts and pictures in Italy and your other traveling adventures have been a real treat to follow.
Hello! I am Nicole from Eagle Idaho – I have loved your blog for years! (Long live blogs, I say – at the very least what a wonderful thing for our kids to read someday!)
I found you somewhere years ago from the scrapbooking world, and my 8 year old daughter used to love Harper’s ‘ashion videos – anytime she sees your blog or instagram she says oh! that’s the ‘ashion girl’s mommy!
Now we are living vicariously through you in your European adventure!
I can’t wait to see what you think of Paris! You have to take your girls back someday – we went when my daughter was 6 and she will never forget it!! ๐
Stephanie! I’m still here. Just one of those lazy blog readers who reads, takes away and leaves. I’ve been catching up on your posts and came across this! I surly hope it isn’t dying out, or that at the very least you and some of the others I enjoy don’t stop. ๐ I LOVE LOVE LOVE the travel posts and the everyday life posts. We are hoping to get to Italy before Steve retires (8-10 yrs) so here’s to hoping. ๐ for now, we are exploring Fort Lewis and enjoying that. Now with two kiddos we are loving life and learning lots from them. Ha enjoy your babies, hubby and that beautiful country! Xoxo
I’m CoCo, from the wild west of Ireland – you really should come visit us seeing as you are this side of the water ๐ Seemingly, we Irish are terrible for making invitations which we truly believe that we will follow through with, but we are not good at following through. But if you were interested in a trip to our beautiful Green Isle, let me know. I have three little chicks myself and I’m one of four (not so) little chicks who I am very close to, which is was the reason I began to follow your blog. By follow, I mean, I google ‘Stephanie howell blog’ when you come into my head every month or so. I don’t really do the whole subscription thing ๐
Like you, I read quite a few blogs and follow where they take me but I don’t tend to comment to often. I used to blog about scrapbooking and the likes a few years ago, but didn’t do it frequently enough. Funnily, I had been toying with the idea of blogging again in 2014. So maybe I will.
Wow – I’ve kind of chatted on a bit there. Keep up the blog….if nothing else, it’ll be for your own family to be able to read back over…but I think you have 800+ comments on this post to show we are enjoying your journey.
My name is Karen and I live in North Carolina. I just came across your blog today. I have always wanted to start a blog-but don’t know what I would say. I have an amazing husband and three incredible children. I will be back to visit.
I’m Joanne from England. I’ve been reading your blog since just after Sadie was born. I love reading you blog, it’s like diving into a favourite adventure book. I check it out every couple of months and read pages at a time. I rarely comment, this is only my second in all the years I’ve been reading. You inspire in so many ways and I just love checking out your beautiful pictures and writing. I’ve read many blogs over the years and yours is the only one I’ve stuck with and still read. Keep blogging! X
I’m Joanne from England. I’ve been reading your blog since just after Sadie was born. I love reading you blog, it’s like diving into a favourite adventure book. I check it out every couple of months and read pages at a time. I rarely comment, this is only my second in all the years I’ve been reading. You inspire in so many ways and I just love checking out your beautiful pictures and writing. I’ve read many blogs over the years and yours is the only one I’ve stuck with and still read. Keep blogging! X
I just discovered your blog a few days ago and started reading because of Italy. I was just in Italy this summer, and while it doesn’t compare with living there, I enjoy reading your perspective on some of the places I’ve been as well. I’ve kept reading and looked at the other blog posts, because I like your writing style and your sense of humor. I very much enjoy reading blogs, but I usually just read. Since I’ve read more and more about blog writers wondering about who reads, I try to leave more comments. I hope people who enjoy blogging continue, regardless of who reads or who says that blogging is a dying art. I would love to keep reading about your adventures ๐