I am so excited about the start of a New Year.
It's like clean sheet day on a grander scale! Or new car smell piped through your A/C vent in your house. Or--
Well, you know. I'm not big on resolutions though. They just make me feel guilty. But I am into revelations...what is God trying to say to me today?
For the past several weeks, I've been feeling pulled to make some changes on my blog. Nothing big, just better. I want to be the me I'm supposed to be.
I have a heart for marriage. God saved mine and my hubby and I have a story to tell. My hubby is partnering with me and we will be doing several posts/vlogs a month called He Said/She Said. I'm so excited about this! We'll be looking at challenges in our marriages from both perspectives. (If you have topic ideas, please let me know. We've created a list, but are open to ideas!)
I have a new giveaway policy too. I enjoy giving things to my readers, especially if the item comes from one of my favorite places. I love seeing my readers squeal on paper when they win. It's so rewarding. But I don't want my content to only be about that, so I've made some changes. You can read them here . But I'm really excited that the giveaway fee I charge will go entirely to Compassion International!) I have some amazing giveaways planned already, happening on most Tuesdays in a future near you.
One of the very best things about my blog is you. Gosh, I love you guys! I want to build my community so that I can get to know you better, individually. Once a week, I'll be hosting a Q&A on the forum on my sidebar. I'm hoping to start with the amazing (and home-altering) book Have a New Kid by Friday 
. I'd love for it to be a open discussion- a little like a book club! I most certainly don't have all the answers (just ask my kids), but if we partner together, we can help each other be the best parents ever!
. I'd love for it to be a open discussion- a little like a book club! I most certainly don't have all the answers (just ask my kids), but if we partner together, we can help each other be the best parents ever!Next, I'm altering my DIY projects that I usually post every Friday. Let's face it, my house is decorated. (I will leave up the link on the sidebar to the DIYP Directory of all 75 of my projects). I will still share big projects or cool ideas; I just want to refocus my efforts and instead of doing projects for me, do them for others.
You can read more about it here. But every month, I will be posting a non-sewing, non-knitting project that we will do together as a group. You will mail your item to me during the month and I will send it to the charity who needs it. (If you can sew, knit, quilt or crochet, you MUST participate in CraftHope's projects for charity!) I will be posting this months project later this week!
I'm taking a break from THAT Family Tree Society for a bit, and will be posting some of my favorite links each week.
I'm also working on an inspirational book for Moms-half of it will come from here and the other will be totally new material--if it finds a home in 2010--you'll be one of the first to know (or you might recognize MY SCREAMS OF JOY). Maybe.
And last of all, I PROMISE, it is my goal to make you laugh so hard that coffee (or tea, preferably) shoots out of your nose at least ONCE a week. Because it does us good.
Did one of the above features strike a chord with you? Do you have a marriage question you'd like tackled on He Said/She Said or a parenting book you want to discuss on The Blog Frog? If so, please let me know in the comments!
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37 comments:
Wow! Exciting stuff taking place here! I can't wait for the vlogs!
Here's a question: How does your husband feel about the time you spend online? Mine seems to have a love/hate relationship with my computer time. He loves my blog, but not the time I spend managing it.
He said/She said sounds exciting! What a great idea!
Kristen I sure hope that when I visit y'all ,I will spit my tea out!! LOL.
I look forward to reading about He said/she said.
As well I'm interested in Do it projects for others..
I am off to read all about everything :0
I am beyond excited for you, this blog - and all you (and God) and your husband -- will be offering in this space. What amazing ideas. I most look forward to the wisdom learned regarding marriage...as d mine is in a very bad place atm.
God Bless!
So excited for you! All awesome changes!! Love the he said/ she said and the charity projects! SO much fun!!
Sounds like all good changes to me! Can't wait! I look forward to reading your blog every single day. You are an amazing woman!
Changes sound great...can't wait!
It is exciting and refreshing when you change things up - it is wonderful that you are following the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I love the He Said/She Said idea!
No, MILK through the nose is best. Preferably chocolate.
kristen,
I'm excited for you. I like the fact that you take your blog seriously and have developed a plan for the new year. I love that you are following your convictions and making some changes.
It's great that blogging has become a business for you (i'm assuming, anyway)... as a writer in my previous life (before kids), I'm hoping I can get to that point someday, too.
I think you are setting a good example of how to positively influence others through blogging and take yourself seriously with a game plan for what you will include.
=] emily
I am new to crocheting--just learned in October--and I'm excited to learn about CraftHope, and I think the Do It For Others Projects sound AWESOME! Thank you!
How exciting, Kristen. It looks like God has given you a few revelations about your blog. Not that we thought you needed to change any of it! But good for you, wanting to refocus and make it even better! It is obvious you are wanting to help others through sharing - He Said/ She Said - wow what an awesome thing to actually have your husband participate in your blog.
Looking forward to every bit of it!
I love every one of these changes. I'm not yet a parent, but I sure hope to be one someday and there's no time like NOW to prepare. As far as marriage goes, I've been married 3 1/2 yrs and I feel like we've got ourselves figured out. I feel like we communicate well, I pray each morning that nothing hurtful would come out of my mouth and that I could be an encouragement to him and to serve him like Christ called me to has his wife. However, we have some friends that are newlyweds and I feel like I'm watching a horror movie watching them try and figure it out. They're hurtful to each other and talk horribly about each others families and the wife will declare what he can and cannot do. My husband and I have discussed wanting to be an example and a light and support for them (not that we have it all figured out, but I feel like we're getting there) but I'm not sure how to "mentor" them when we haven't been asked to take that role. If you could touch some on how to come along side other couples and really help them figure out God's purpose behind marriage and the communion of fellowship we're called to have. I would love the advice!
Wow! I'm an old lady but I am excited to see the changes you are making because I will be able to pass your blog on to the younguns in my life! Keep up the great work
Your changes sound very exciting, and I'm happy for you, but I have to admit, I'm a little dissapointed in some of things you are cutting out. Some of those things are the very reason why I enjoy reading your blog so much.
Kristen, all if this sounds WONDERFUL. It sounds as if you're hearing your purpose and going forward with it! I love that you make us laugh, but I also love that you are a REAL mom with a REAL marriage and REAL issues. And you are using your gifts to glorify Him and be His hands and feet with your new "crafty" feature. Can't wait to participate in that with my family. Don't let others tell you how to be. . .follow the Spirit and be who He is molding you to be. . .changes can be hard. . .and sometimes they are hardest on those who rely on you to bring them happiness. That is not your job! Anyway, here's to a GREAT 2010 for you and your blog! I hope to get to link to some of your things on my blog :)
Love, love, love all the changes and new things!! Very exciting! Like the marriage thing and I might even be able to join in the craft thing! I've always come here because of your heart and your humor and that is not changing. :)
Kristen, I love the changes. I am really excited to read the He Said/She Said stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds great! We also have "Have A New Kid By Friday" and have learned a lot from it!
Great changes! I am really looking forward to He Said/She Said. I am fortunate to have a good marriage and would like to share the ups/downs, but hubby is not there yet. Maybe this can help him want to share more openly or at least pass the segments on to friends.
I am so excited to your upcoming book club discussion. I read that book and would love to ehar how others are implemnting it in there homes :)
Love that you are going to focus on Marriage! My husband an I are in marriage ministry and have a huge passion for it. I blog a little bit about it at http://markandchristinesatterfield.blogspot.com/ but my husband has a great marriage blog (if I do say so myself!)at http://crossingmark.com. He actually just posted about New Kid by Friday. And, he's coordinating a new event called Love and Marriage with the same little girl/guy symbols you used on this post. Sorry to be so "promotional" on this comment. I've never done that before. Just wanted to let you know there are some resources out there if you are interested!
lots of great things coming up here at WATF!! feeling the need to sit down and make some revelations. thanks for the inspiration!
see ya soon!
Loving all your changes!! I hope to be inspired here to be the ME I'm supposed to be! We're starting a new series at church this week called "The Me I Want to Be" based on a book by John Ortberg. I'm ready...!
Very exciting, Kristen!!!
you are an inspiration. I love reading your blogs and I am going to love it even more with all your changes! I also joined swagbucks under your widget so I hope we both get lots of points (and gift cards for Christmas shopping) thank you for inspiring me to be what God made me to be!
OMG! How is it possible that this is the first time I am finding your blog??? Love the new year revelations!
And I couldn't agree with you more about the reviews/giveaways. Ever since I started them on my blog, I posted a "pledge" to my readers that those R&G will never be the focal point of my blog--the content will speak for itself.
And community! How we love this blogging community! I never would have imagined the amazing people I would meet through my own blog.
So glad to have found you and look forward to blogging with you!
I have the same feeling you do about the new year- very excited and motivated to do all kinds of good things God wants me to do.
I'm new to your blog, but your new plan sounds fabulous! Can't wait for the "He said, she said" reads.
:)
Sometimes you just need to hear it... You are a beautiful woman, inside & out. You are an exquisite mother, who can make a way out of no way. YOU ARE A GREAT MOM !!! You are doing a fantastic job and are very loved!!!♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ post this on the blog of moms...Mom's who always put their kids first and who balance it all. I just did!
Wow! It sounds like you have some excellent stuff in store for us! Thanks... I can't wait to read more on-line and in a bookstore near me. :).
I am so looking forward to He Said/She Said. Our pastor is starting a series on Sunday called the Naked Truth relating to the same. It is needed. Most homes, even "nice Christian" homes need restoration in some way or to some degree. We can rescue ourselves if we are brave and honest and open to extending grace and receiving mercy. Thank you for contributing to helping us heal our wounds both big and small. Destiny
My personal favorite: the coffee shooting out my nose once a week.
seriously. I like to laugh.
...and you just got one!
All the topics sound entertaining, I'm looking forward to browsing in the coming year :)
Amy in Peru
http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com
I'm looking forward to these improvements!
This all sounds great, Kristen! I can't wait to hear about your marriage, and I'm interested to hear what everyone else has to say about that parenting book. I read most of it a couple months ago and got frustrated. My choir director and his wife read it, and they said it was LIFE CHANGING. But I just couldn't figure out how to apply it to our life with a 2 year old!
love your blog; hate it's blocked at work. topic for he said/she said=when one spouse is content/complacent and how to make the marriage grow. my husband (bless his heart)never thinks about the future because he's fine with things now, but i'm not. anyway, happy 2010
Kristen, Thank you so much for telling us about Craft Hope, I am joining them this month and knitting a scarf for The Orphan Foundation.
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