where is this blog going?

Honestly, I'm sort of laughing at myself for even doing this post. I've been thinking a lot about my blog lately, which I admit is pretty nerdy. And I'm not sure why I feel the need to acknowledge to you what will soon become obvious: I'm going to switch things up on this blog.

Here's the thing. I started this blog as a very practical solution to family members' desire to read about Silas and see pictures of him, since everyone lives far away. In case you don't know, Nathan's parents are missionaries overseas in Albania, and the rest of our immediate families are split between the towns of Archbold, OH, Greenville, SC, and Upland, IN.

But now, other people read my blog. Friends who want to keep up, yes. But also people I barely know or have never met who hear about it from someone else or stalk us on Facebook. (More about stalking later...) I never expected to have such a wide audience, because I had no idea that Silas' pooping patterns, trips to the doctor, developmental milestones, and excessive pictures would be so fascinating to random people. Haha...

I used to only post when I had something worthwhile to say about Silas or when I had cute pictures to post. But the feedback I'm getting is telling me that my readers (you) actually enjoy blog posts that DON'T include pictures. This kind of takes the pressure off, because the hassle of downloading pictures from my camera and onto Nathan's Mac (when he's not using it) forced me to post so infrequently.

So...if it's okay with you all, I think I'll start posting more regularly. Like...my new goal is twice a week. BUT don't expect pictures every time. Got it???

I think I'm going to start writing about different stuff. I mean, there's more our life as a family than our baby, cute as he is. Actually, I like my husband even better, but I don't think many of you would be interested in this blog anymore if I started talking about Nathan's pooping patterns and posting pictures of him eating cereal. So instead, maybe some before and after improvements around the apartment (I'm really in a crafty mood these days), some humorous things that happen to us (never in short supply), and some serious stuff now and then. How am I going to justify spending more time doing this blog? Well, I love to write. This is a creative outlet for me. After changing diapers and wiping noses all day, it's really satisfying to sit down and write something I know others will enjoy.

But I'd really like the blog to be more interactive. So I need your help. Please post comments. I know that I could wind up looking really silly for saying that, especially if a few posts go by and no one posts anything...You all might start thinking, "Gee, her blog must be really unpopular." But the thing is, I KNOW it's popular, because I'm tracking how many hits I'm getting and from where. So why don't I get any comments? Well, I think I have shy readers. :)

And that brings me to my next point...Some of you are stalkers. Don't feel ashamed, we've all been there. Chances are, I've stalked you on FB a time or two. But I know some of you would be embarrassed if I found out you are an avid blog reader of mine, because we barely know each other or have never met. NO WORRIES!! I embrace you as my stalker! (Unless of course, you're parked in a Ford Taurus outside our apartment right now, watching our every move. In which case...please stop reading this blog. And go home.) So feel free to comment anytime; I'd love to hear from you!

That said, here's your first chance to comment. Give me some ideas of what you'd like to see on this blog. More pictures? More stories? More Silas or less Silas? Serious stuff? If you really like a past blog post, or if this blog has been somehow encouraging or entertaining for you, please share that, too. And if you're a closet blog-reader who has felt ashamed all this time, consider this your chance to come clean. :) I'll look forward to hearing from you all!