17 Comments

  1. Reading your blog since probably four years ago when we were brought together by hot glue guns burning our skin off? I don’t even know when I actually knew about it and started reading, but I LOVE IT and LOVE YOU! 🙂 Happy birthday Sandy’s blog!!! <3

    1. I will never forget that day, laughing so hard with my new mom-friend. I was especially excited when I found out you were a Beachbody coach, because then I had someone to talk about fitness with! And the rest is history…

  2. This is the best anniversary post I’ve ever read. I’ve been blogging since 2008, too.
    and taking care of myself and putting my family and my health I learned FROM YOU.

    lots of love, and I’m so happy to have “met” you. xoox

    1. Steph, I’m so glad we found each other…and I know EXACTLY how it was:

      I followed a link to your crockpot blog, left a comment, and you responded! I was so impressed, because by the time I found your blog, it had already taken off. “Big” bloggers had stopped responding to comments and I was just so happy that you took the time to reply with an actual PERSONAL and THOUGHTFUL response. Then I followed you over to Totally Together Journal and devoured every word. And somewhere in the midst of all of that, you followed me back. So fun.

      You are on my blog-bucket list of blog friends who I want to meet in actual real person. 🙂

  3. I love reading your blog over the years because it’s like we’re standing in the kitchen, late at night, talking about stuff. I miss that.

    1. STOP IT!!!!!! *insert a hundred cry-face emogies*

      Those are some of the BEST memories of my life. Whenever I talk about how I didn’t move out until I got married and how I never went away for college, I always, always talk about how I got to live at home with my brother, who was also my best friend, and how we’d sit up and talk and talk and talk.

  4. I can’t remember how I got here. Probably something in the Fitness Girl website caught my eye. I love blogs and I miss the good old days when there were more people writing more often. As you said, a lot of them have moved on. It’s the stories that draw me in. Good writing, a voice I enjoy reading, and more good stories keep me coming back. I’m still here so clearly you have the writing voice and stories that I like. 🙂 I have a blogger blog that I started a long time ago with stories of my kids and our travels. I recently started another blog with a different focus. I didn’t want the original blog being spread around. It’s public so anyone could find it if they really wanted to but I only ever told family and close friends that it was there. I’m letting my new blog out into the light of day even though it’s still only family and friends reading right now. lol Apparently my solution to missing the old blogs is to start one myself.

    Keep writing so I can keep reading!

    1. I miss those days, too Sheila! I love good stories and good writing too. I feel like it’s harder and harder to find those kind of blogs–mostly because there are just SOOOOO many– and I don’t really have time to look for them. I’m so glad I continue to make the cut. You can post the link to your new blog here, if you’d like. 🙂 I’d love to come over and check it out.

        1. Thanks! It’s still just a baby blog, finding its way in life… I also just started a Facebook page to go with it to have a place to post other little tidbits I found interesting but that wouldn’t get a whole blog post. (https://www.facebook.com/behindeveryday/) Because as you said, a lot of the conversation has moved to social media.

          I’m still figuring out the design and such and have problems like the rss feed signup button won’t work but hopefully I can get the behind-the-scenes setup figured out soon. That way visitors can see my blog the way I envision it rather than seeing my blog still wearing its pajamas which is pretty much how it is now. haha I am finding though that my blogspot blogging experience has helped me feel more confident as I’m starting the new site, which is nice. I’m new but not completely new, if you know what I mean.

  5. I don’t remember when I started reading or why, but I know it’s been at least five years, and it was probably me searching for help on stress management and balancing a crazy schedule with a crazy amount of kids. 🙂 I still struggle with this., and suspect that I always will. But you have given such great advice and when I have followed it consistently, I am better off! So thank you for sharing your stories and anecdotes and wisdom. And please keep on sharing!

  6. Wow! 10 years! Congratulations on maintaining it. I have many ideas and almost “start something” weekly but I’ve come to realize that while I’m a great starter, I’m a poor maintainer (for the most part).

    Now my former WordPress blog name, subscriber list as well as my personal name has become a victim of a cybersquatter. I’m just glad whomever it is only posts about kitchen remodeling. Sigh.

    1. I wondered why I kept getting kitchen updates from you. For awhile, I thought that was your new thing. I love the paintings you do now…love seeing them on Instagram. I think you found your groove…though I do miss you in the blogging world. Do you recall how we found each other? I know it was early…maybe comments on Lysa Terkeurst’s blog?

    2. Melanie, I wondered what happened to you… I was a subscriber of yours! I’m just so glad to know you’re okay but I do miss your encouragements and your beautiful artwork ( which happens to be a therapy of mine also!)
      I thought I’d searched for you on Instagram and didn’t find you, but I just found you there.. YAY!!

  7. Happy 10th blog birthday Sandy!

    I found your blog a little over 4 yrs ago — when I was in the depths of depression. I was probably searching “Christian depression” and (I think) I happened upon your blog from a comment you wrote on the “Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled” blog.

    I was desperate for transparent, non-judgmental, Christian voices on dealing with depression and anxiety and you all were truly a God-send. I’ve followed you ever since as you are truly a gifted writer. Your voice is so clear and relateable. It surely helps that we’re both about the same age and I’m also a mom.

    The vulnerability many share in their blogs is much like a support group.. so needed today. It’s sad that the church often feels like the least welcoming place for people with struggles.
    Anyway, I did start a blog of my own, but I’m not as consistent with it as I’d like to be, nor is my voice as clear and strong as I’d like. But having the blog pushes me to practice and work hard to learn to better express myself.

    Thank you so much for great advice and for all the work you put in for you readers!

    Much love from the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA
    ❤️Jamie

  8. Sandy!!!! I love you and your blog.
    I found you in 2011 when your blogger friend Tyler suggested you as speaker for our first event women’s retreat in March of 2012. Which is when I got to meet you and fall in love with you for real.
    Yours is the ONLY blog I read. I get emails from Lysa T and Pricilla S but I only read yours. It is SO good. I recommend it to people all the time. And I love that it is a bit of everything. Your humour and wisdom and love for people and Jesus makes everything worth reading.
    Your book is amazing. I’m still not done cause life but I love it. I think I’m avoiding the people pleaser chapter. Cause that’s totally me.
    Your peanut butter balls are also amazing. And your white chilli. And your chicken pot pie.
    Keep writing. Please. Cause I need it. But if you don’t that okay too. Cause it’s all about balance after all.

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