One year ago today I published my first blog post (it took me about a year after I thought of starting a blog!). I take my time thinking things through, what can I say? One thing I didn’t have to think long about was thanking my readers for being loyal, for commenting, for liking, and for coming back. If you have a blog, you know how scary it is to write that first post. You know how exciting it is to get your first subscriber, your first comment, and to suddenly start feeling like you have a sense of community.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started blogging, but I wanted to write all the thoughts that flow through my head as I shower each day or drive down the road. I had put writing on the back burner for a long time to deal with two young kids who always needed a snack, something from the top shelf, or something wiped. I desperately wanted to write again and for some reason, I wanted to do it publicly. I think I thought blogging would force me to write every week and work at it. It has, and it has never felt like work.
I’ve pushed myself in ways I didn’t think I would. I’ve been inspired by other bloggers I’ve met along the way. I’m thrilled to have all of you here. I just wanted to stop between posts and say thanks for reading every week. Thanks for giving me an audience.
Mom in the Muddle 
Yay! Congrats! My one-year anniversary is coming up at the end of July. I’ve been thinking and planning a lot. Looking forward to it. Enjoy your day (or week or month!!)
Congratulations! I am a novice compared to you!
Congratulations on your first year. Thanks for the laughs and memories.
Congratulations! It seems that 2011 saw the beginnings of some wonderful blogs. When I started mine in late May 2011, I looked around unsuccessfully for good blogs to follow and it took a couple of months to find them. Apparently I was just early!
I’ll look forward to your next year of fun.
It’s true. It seems so many wonderful bloggers started around the same time. I’ve had such a great time getting to know everyone and being inspired. It’s been a wonderful trip. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring!
Congrats! Isn’t it amazing how quickly a year goes by? I’ve started following your blog recently and enjoy your writing very much.
Thank you so much! It’s comments like that that truly inspire. I have so enjoyed the sense of community here. I think that has been the biggest surprise of blogging. Everyone is so kind, supportive, and really positive. I was really scared when I first started. You just don’t know what you’ll get.
Congratulations on your one year – mine is coming up next week! I have very much enjoyed your blog and am surprised you have only been blogging for a year, it seems so well thought out and organized (and beautifully written.)
I have enjoyed getting to know you and your family and look forward to many more good reads from you. Blog on! 🙂
A lot of folks started around the same time. It’s been a fast year! I think blogging has sucked some of my time away. 😉 But I’ve loved it. I’ve loved your blog too. Happy anniversary a week early!
Karen, it’s hard to believe it’s been a year! I’ll be celebrating my 1 year next month, too! Congrats, on doing what you set out to do..keep writing!!!
I started blogging today … 5 minutes ago in fact 🙂
Yours is the first blog i’ve read and it has certainly encouraged me because like you I have lots to say, but have thought long and hard about saying it in an open forum.
I hope I will be as happy at it as you are in 1 year and this time next year we will both be celebrating anniversaries 🙂
Awesome. I don’t think you’ll regret it. Congrats and best of luck to you!
Congratulations! I’m grateful to get to know you through your blog. And I’m looking forward to more. I’ve had the same experience of community and a whole new world opening through blogging. Thanks for paving the way!
The sense of community is the truly surprising part for me. It’s what I longed for, but it’s more than I could have expected! Congrats on your blogiversary!
Congratulations!! I love your blog. It was the first blog I ever commented on when I entered the blogosphere and I created my own blog. Cheers to you!
You’ve been here since the beginning and I remember! Thanks for staying with me. It won’t be long before you reach the end of your first year as well.
Congrats! I’m coming up on a year as well. It does take time but it never seems like work.
Congratulations on your anniversary.
May your dreams always come true. MoM
I’ve only been on WP for a short time, but you are one of my favorites thus far! Thanks for all of your great posts and information!
Thank you. That is a really great thing for you to say. You have truly made me smile. 🙂
Yay! Congrats on a great first year, Karen! So funny that several bloggers I follow are celebrating their first year around this same time. I started my blog July 1. Too much wiping of noses and butts is what got me here too 😉
It is really crazy that everyone started around the same time. What was WordPress like without all you great bloggers a year ago? Maybe they boot us out after a year and we don’t know it yet. I’ll let you guys know tomorrow. Or maybe I won’t!
Been nice knowin’ ya!
Congrats on the one year! It’s so great to look back and think about how different things are now (hopefully) compared to when we first started out! I’m not a mom yet but I appreciate good quality writing and good stories, both of which you’ve got going on here so I’ve definitely enjoyed reading. 🙂
Thanks! You made a great splash with your one-year mark. Still reeling from it?
I keep waiting for someone to tell me that it was all just a bad joke or for that one morning when I wake up and realize it didn’t actually happen.
Congrats! I hope that I can achieve the same amount of personal success after one year as you have!
Thank you!
I can remember when you were little and you saying you were going to be a writer. You go girl! I love getting your blogs through my phone. Brightens my day because I always stop what I am doing and get a smile from reading your writings.
Aw, thank you!
I am starting to notice how everyone is so connected. Now when I read others comments on post through out wordpress I am seeing so many familiar faces. It seems that we are all connected in some way or another. Your post have been an inspiration in my corner and I always look forward to reading them! Thanks for sharing!
We blog for similar reasons, it would seem–maybe that’s why I so enjoy your posts. Congrats on one year!
Uber-Congrats! You have done such an amazing job of letting us into your world!
Red.