Sunday, August 23, 2015

Why I Blog

I really love blogging.

I have been blogging since early 2010 when Jonathan proposed. Here is my very first blog post.

The blog has evolved a good bit since then…as have my reasons behind blogging.

It has been so much fun to document our lives here & look back through the pictures & memories. Plus, I love to write. I’m not the best by any means, but this is my “place.”

I started out as “Goin to the Chapel” to document our engagement & to keep friends and family who didn’t live close in the loop. After we got married it turned into “Happily Ever After” and I shared about some of our adventures as newlyweds. It was really more of a journal at that point. When I transitioned the blog to “Butler Party of 2” I started really developing a love and passion for fitness and nutrition, so I began sharing what I was learning in all my research. I also grew tremendously in my walk with Christ during that time frame and started sharing more faith- based posts. In some ways it became almost like a ministry for me. I really enjoyed connecting with other bloggers and blog readers. But if I’m honest, I also wanted my blog to grow at that point. It felt good to see the number of followers increase, and I even monetized the blog and put ads on it (for about a week before realizing that just wasn’t my thing). When Jase was born, I shifted big time from posts about running marathons to posts about my sweet baby. (Hey marathonners- did you know that less than 1% of the entire population will ever run a marathon in their life? You are a rare breed and you are AWESOME!) I posted pregnancy updates and baby updates (which have seriously been SO helpful to look back on), and still included some goodies about faith, fitness, & nutrition. More than anything though, it became a way to document our little family’s life and I started printing all of the posts into blog books.(I use Cutest Blog on the Block when they send out coupon codes- they are so user friendly!)

Now, as we are making a transition to Butler Party of 4 soon, I blog for a totally different reason. I have almost made the blog completely private multiple times, and for multiple reasons, but then I get an e-mail from someone who is encouraged by something or found something helpful, so I decide to leave it. Plus, this blog has seriously brought so many INCREDIBLE people into my life- many who have become some really great friends. I am forever thankful for that! And I can’t tell you how uplifting and encouraging everyone was during some tough times.

However, as I’m sure you can probably tell, I’m not in it for the followers anymore. I’m not in it to please anyone. In fact, I’m quite sure lots of people have stopped reading all together (maybe because I’ve offended them, or maybe because they find it boring to read about how many times a day Kade is eating…haha!). Maybe just because I’ve grown up, but in the past I looked at blog stats. I would get upset over losing a follower. (That is embarrassing to even admit now.) I still love to journal what’s going on in our lives, and I love to share when I come across something cool. I love to share fun things my babies are up to, new recipes, and whatever else the Lord lays on my heart- usually what he is teaching ME at that time.  But here is why I blog.

Jonathan and I have experienced some tragic, unexpected losses over the last couple of years. It has been heartbreaking. We are so thankful for the Lord’s comfort and peace, but if there is anything I have learned from those losses (besides to make every day count, as cheesy as that sounds), it is to really think about my LEGACY. What will be left behind when I’m gone?? That is a huge part of what this blog is for me. That is why I blog.

If something were to happen to me, I want my boys to have this. I want them to hear their mama’s voice…to know my heart…to have access to some of my thoughts and views on different things. (Even if they aren’t popular.) Lord willing I’ll be around for many, many years to teach them and share all of this with them myself, but what if I’m not? No one is promised tomorrow, and I want them to have this piece of me.

I still have voicemails on my phone from my brother and a book Jonathan’s mom recorded for Jase so we can hear their voice. I wish we had more of them. More pictures, more things with their handwriting, just MORE of them. I would LOVE to have a journal with their thoughts & favorite memories. Wouldn’t that be a special thing to have to remember them by?

Honestly, I feel like I’m giving my boys and future children a gift with this blog and the blog books.

I know I have some people who still consistently read this little ole blog, and I felt like I owe y’all an explanation. I wanted to let y’all know the WHY behind my blogging nowadays. I wish I had more time to blog because I have more on my heart than I have time to get into posts. Life is busy with an awesome hubby and two precious boys! (Mostly the daily grind of, well, you know…dishes, laundry, changing diapers, running through the sprinkler, blowing bubbles, catching lightning bugs, building forts… that type of thing.)  So if you’ve been following along with us for awhile, thank you. If you’re new here, welcome. If you don’t like what you read, see ya later. And if you’re thinking about starting a blog, DO IT. Who cares if anyone else reads it? If you ever have a post go viral? If your blog is cute with all these fancy headers and sidebars. Just blog! (or journal, scrapbook, whatever.) There is someone who will be thankful to have that piece of you…

And now to get myself together enough to get this bad boy transitioned into Butler, Party of 4…

19 comments:

Lindy said...

Thanks for this Danielle! I love your blog and you are such a great encouragement to many! Keep being you, bold and courageous! You know I've been on the fence about blogging for quite some time and after reading this perspective I feel like you were speaking right to me! Xoxo!

Lifeonephoto said...

I love this! I have followed bloggers for years now and I love having a glimpse into someones life and the dynamics of their family. Sometimes you just need to hear that others struggle with life and the little things. Life on Facebook (which I love) seems so fake at times as everyone wants people to think their life is so great. I love when bloggers share a variety of life within their blogs...not entirely focused on one thing. I realize a lot of people earn a living through sponsorships/ads etc and I totally get that and not turned off by it at all......but I do the average everyday craziness of life posts. I too started a blog, but didn't get too far and still have it, but will pick it back up one day. Just wanted you to know that we love your blog and love exactly what you're doing! Blessings to your family!

Lisa
Virginia

Natalie said...

I really enjoy your blog. I may not agree with all that you say but I respect your opinion enough to not write mean things about you. Your boys are SO cute! I had my first little girl a week after Kade so I enjoy seeing your updates and getting an idea of what's coming next. Let the haters hate, and just do your own thing! I think having something for your children to look back on is great too. My mom died last October so will never get to meet her granddaughter so whatever you can do to keep your memory alive I think you should.

Unknown said...

I have enjoyed your blog for about a year or so now! I have gained a lot of encouragement from your post about faith, nutrition, and parenting ( I also have a 2 year old little boy, so it's nice to have that mommy connection). Thanks for always sharing your heart and being so transparent. Can't wait to read more! :) God bless!

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog about being a mom and share very similar values and views as you. Your blog is definitely an encouragement to me!
~ Brook R.

Meet Lindsay said...

Exactly! Love this and it's a lot of my reasons for blogging. I print them into books each year so it's like our family yearbooks! And I hope my boys love them!

Unknown said...

Thank you for your blog! You are an encourager who I look forward to reading about what you have to say. I enjoy reading about your family,healthy eating and you values. Please be encouraged to continue to blog with your heart. I have been reading for over two years now.
I love that you are doing this for your children,its beautiful. God bless you and your growing family.

Amanda P. said...

I love your blog!!! I blog for the exact same reason! Do you mind explaining the blog book? Is it just a notebook you put your printed blogs in? I would like to do this and would love some tips!! :)

#mommylife said...

Keep blogging! We're reading!;) xoxo and I love reading how many times jase's eating!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your blog posts, Danielle! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your family! I feel like I connect with you even though I'm only a 20 year old college student. Seeing your posts make me look forward to what my future my hold in hopefully a few years. I have been following you for about a year and I found you because of your post on being a Godly wife. Even though I'm not married, I feel like those traits definitely pertain to women who are not married yet but plan to be a Godly wife one day. I also keep up with you on Instagram and my goodness are your boys precious! 😍😍

Also, like I said before, I am 20 but have a serious boyfriend of a year and he is a true man of God and I truly believe he is the person that God has chosen me to be with for the rest of my life. With that being said, I think a lot of us unmarried ladies would greatly appreciate if you did a blog post about dating. Maybe focusing on dating with a purpose, being a Godly girlfriend, and setting boundaries in order to stay pure until marriage. It would be so awesome to hear some insight from a Godly woman like you!

May God bless you and your beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your blog and have been following it since I found your Godly Wife post through Pinterest! Please do NOT make this a private account. I love reading about your testimony, your love of our Lord and how you raise your family to love him. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful things :) :) You are an amazing writer and someone I look up to.

Anonymous said...

Danielle- I am one of the readers who found you through your "Being a Godly Wife" post. I found it from a "pin" on Pinterest I believe... I have never stopped reading your blog since. I look forward to your new posts and updates & coincidentally Kade & my new baby girl were born around the same time so I enjoyed reading your weekly updates on his development up until birth :)
Keep blogging, you haven't lost this reader. "Yay" for Butler Party of 4!

Cindy said...

I will be so sad if you ever go private. Please don't. I discovered you through your "viral" post. I looked around on your blog a few times and decided I would start from the beginning. I enjoyed reading about your journey. I look forward to your posts. I sort of see it as part of your ministry, so I hope you will blog even more!

Anonymous said...

Danielle,
I found your blog on through Facebook when someone shared your "Being a Godly Wife." I have followed your blog ever since. I love everything about it. I am married with no kids (yet), but when the time comes I'm glad I have this a resource. All the books you've read, knowledge you have, situations you have experienced, and trust in God, I know it can help myself and plenty other ladies. Thanks for your love of blogging.

Stacy said...

I absolutely love your blog, and looks forward to reading your posts when you update. You always keep it real, and that's what it's all about! Thanks for standing up for what you believe in!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for continuing to blog & keeping it public! It's been such an encouragement to read over the years. You inspire this young woman to follow in your footsteps of trusting in The Lord in the good times & bad. So thanks!

Lauren said...

Don't stop blogging! I truly enjoy reading each update you post. You're such an inspiration and encouragement. You've helped me grow in keeping my faith in the Lord above and I thank you for that!

Heidi said...

I absolutely love reading your blog!! I started following after reading your "Being a Godly Wife" post through Pinterest. That happened to be when I was pregnant with our daughter (who is about a month younger than Jase). It's just so refreshing and encouraging to hear from another momma about your love for God, family, and real life. May God continue to bless you and your family! And please keep on blogging! :)

Haleigh Collins said...

I love reading your posts. I have been following your blog for a little over 3 years and, coincidently, today is my third anniversary! You have taught me so much about growing in the faith and working diligently to strengthen my marriage. Thanks for the encouragement!