When I started blogging, my intentions were pretty simple:
to document my adventures as a first time mom. I didn’t like keeping a baby
book, and though photography was a glorified hobby of mine, the thought of
arranging pictures chronologically in an album was too daunting of a task for
me to undertake.
So, I blogged. I put my words onto paper, hit publish and
hoped that someone out there felt the same way I did—was as unsure and scared
as I was (and still am), who ran into the same road blocks and challenges I did
as a mother.
Time passed, and as my daughter grew,
and so did this blog. I learned so much, not only about blogging, but about
parenting in general. And what astounds me is that my most treasured parenting
knowledge came from the very people that I wished for when I started—moms who
were just as scared, just as unsure. Moms who were going through the same
journey I was.
I can’t say it enough, but I love the community that I quite
literary fell into. I’ve grown so much while being in it.And aside from my chronicled memories of motherhood
with my daughter, what I value most through this blog is the people I’ve met.
What they’ve taught me and how they’ve helped me grow.
So to say that I’m honored to be co-hosting Shine Blog hop
for the very first time this week is an understatement. I was no more than a
participant a little over a year ago. Jennifer commented on a post I’d shared
and within a few clicks I discovered SHINE. I was an avid blog hopper, but I
knew instantly this was something special. The content was valuable, helpful,
encouraging, and the people that I’ve met, especially Jennifer and Tiffany,
were so encouraging and supportive. This fact alone made me come back week
after week, after week. I was (and still am) proud to belong to this community
that was so carefully honed and crafted by these two lovely ladies. They quite
literally, with no pun intended, made me SHINE as a blogger, as a writer, and
as a mother. And I owe them a debt of gratitude for that.
I know it’s customary for the host to say “welcome” to a
blog hop, but seeing as how much SHINE impacted me, I want to take my first
time up here to say thank you to Jennifer and Tiffany for allowing me to spread their this wonderful message
they’ve crafted. I know no one’s perfect, but I’ll try my hardest to contribute
the best to this community that so graciously embraced me.
And to the SHINE participants, old and new, I express my
gratitude as well. For your kind words, support and contributions to this blog
hop. It is due, in part, to you that I’ve learned so much, and I can’t wait to
continue this journey with you, and hopefully make you SHINE brighter as well...
Now let's SHINE!
The SHINE Blog Hop is a weekly link up of family friendly posts that have been posted on different websites around the internet. You can add your links (if you’re a blogger). If you’re a non-blogger, then please feel free to visit the featured posts and/or visit any of the links that are of interest to you. Comments on this or any posts are always welcome!
We would love to connect with you on social media!
Tiffany | A Touch of Grace can be found on:
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom can be found on:
Maria | Collecting Moments can be found on:
Feel free to grab one of our fancy buttons too!
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