It's My Blog-i-versary! I'll Party if I Want To {Giveaway}

Way back in 2007, I loved reading blogs.  I spent nap times at the daycare where I worked reading blogs and making lesson plans.  There were a few I checked on every day and some I just tripped across once or twice.  I started noticing the same names cropping up over and over in people's comments.  I realized that these people were forming friendships and meeting new people all through the magic of blogging. Also, every time I wanted to leave a comment of my own, I had to skip over the section where you could put in your blog address if you wanted one.

It got me thinking about starting my own blog. I figured, I like to talk, and blogging is just like talking, only in written form, right?  Plus, I'll be honest, I had dreams of getting insanely popular and having people all over the place think that I am supremely cool.

One December day, instead of doing whatever cleaning or decorating I should have been doing, I sat down and created this blog.  I didn't spend much time coming up with a really creative name or an amazing layout, I just put up a picture of Frances and Henry, wrote a few sentences and then sat back to wait for the adoring fans to show up.

That's obviously not what happened, but little by little i got to know people and started interacting with them.  I shared my posts with family and friends and I entered the address in for that section when I commented on someone else's blog.

Along the way I {mostly} dropped the dream of hitting it big and really started enjoying myself. I remember the first time someone I had never heard of commented on my blog and how cool I felt.  I remember the first time I was speaking with a person face to face and they brought up something I had written on my blog.  I remember the first time someone quoted me to me. All very awesome feelings!

I have gotten so much out of blogging. It has been a place for me to share my life with family and friends. It has been a way for me to think "out loud" and figure out a puzzling situation.  It has been a way for me to keep track of things that have happened in the past and to have a permanent record of how our life has changed and grown.

This week is a time for me to give back.  My actual anniversary is coming up on Saturday, but that's not a day I normally post, so I am dedicating this whole week to celebrating right here on my blog.  Today, I have this little walk down memory lane followed by an awesome giveaway.  Tuesday, in typical 10 on Tuesday style, I'd like to share my 10 favorite things about blogging. On Wednesday, I am opening the comments up to a free for all of sorts. I invite you to leave a question for me. I will answer as many as possible (and appropriate) on Friday as my own little version of Ask Away Friday.  That leaves Thursday for my first ever link up.  I invite you all to leave a link to your own favorite post from your own blog (if you have one) or someone else's blog (if you don't have your own).

And now for the giveaway: One lucky person will win this amazing jewelry set from Premier Jewelry (earrings, bracelet and necklace) called "Seaside," a $50 Discover gift card to use anywhere that accepts Discover Card, and a fun craft kit for a special kid in your life.  This is over a $150 value!!  I call it a "Night on the Town" giveaway!  You can get all dressed up with your fancy jewelry, leave a fun craft kit for the babysitter to have to deal with, and go out for dinner. *Date not included*  Good luck and don't forget to check back the rest of this week for other celebratory stuff!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I am also running a 2 for 1 special on sidebar ads.  If you purchase one month, you'll get the second one free.  Subject to availability.  Please email me for more details if you are interested. rabia.lieber {at} gmail.com.**