Why I started, and a GIVEAWAY!

**Comments and Linky Now Closed**

Since my 1 year blog anniversary has arrived (actually come and gone, oops), I thought it would be fun to find out why you all started your blogs, what was the initial spark, and who out there in cyberspace inspires you?

And, what is an anniversary without a gift?

In honor of my little blog, and the gifts (non material) I have received from all of you,  I am having a little giveaway.

Ready for the details?
The big prize?
A surprise ☺!

But here is a hint.... there are 2 prizes and they are related to a couple of the items I wrote about in my FAVORITE THINGS post and in my what I'm into post. (I'm certain you will like them ☺)



Let me begin....

It all started when Smiley was born....................

(Cue twinkly, dreamy music and fade out present day  as I reminisce......)

It was December 2008

With my new baby girl in my arms I typed in the google search box: "20x20 frame with quote"  (something I had seen at a craft fair in the mall while Christmas shopping and kicked myself for not purchasing it then and there..... although now, thankful I didn't) It was to be a baptism gift for beautiful baby girl.

After a little searching, up popped Hope Studios.  Sure she had some cool frames, reasonable price, looked like good quality, she sold them via something called Etsy (yikes ~ another door opened, but that's a story for another day).  But what really caught my eye, were the words she wrote and the life she lived.  And it was all right there.  In pictures and words.  I went back a few days later, to look at frames again.  There were new words and new pictures.  Now, I don't remember what those words said, but it was probably something about her boys or hubby whom she adores, maybe a recipe, a cool Christmas party or a get together with her "soul sisters".  She was probably teaching me something ~ even something as simple as remembering to enjoy every moment with my children and I'm positive she was making me smile.

I'd never read a blog before, I was intrigued.

I kept going back to look at the frames.  I do this a lot when I am purchasing something.  I look at it over and over wanting it to be perfect.

When I was visiting ☺, I noticed a little thing called followers.  I wasn't one, well not officially, but wanted to know who those people were.  And thus the vacuum was turned on and I was sucked into the the world of blogging.  I would click on a follower and find new blogs to check out.  Pretty soon I had a list of blogs I liked to read that was beginning to take over my favorites folder.

I decided I wanted more of this world and signed up for my own google account.

As I read more and more, I decided I liked the idea of a blog.  Most of our family lives out of state and with Smiley (as well as Sassy and Action) changing before my eyes, what better way than this?

An idea was born!

A blog for my own life, my own kids , my own ideas, thoughts and projects.  A way to connect with our families, friends and maybe, just maybe inspire others to enjoy life, the simple, everyday, ordinary beauty of it and to create more beauty.

This is why I started my blog.

But this is what I've found.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Internet.

I "hate" it because it can be a bit of a time sucker and there are days when I feel I have nothing to put out there ~ nothing worthwhile to share.

BUT,

I love it because this is me, my life, my family, my world and through this little thing called the Internet and this teeny tiny thing called Ordinary Miracles of Life, I have found people I never knew were there.  People I now call friends.

My blog reader looks a lot like my iPod.  A little bit of everything.

A friend from college.
Friends who motivate me ~ physically and spiritually, like Nancy and Jennifer.
Those like Rhiannon and Emily who are beautiful inside and out.
People like Jami and Beth who are honest and crafty and fun.
Some who are MIA  ~ ummm Miss Treat Girl.... WHERE ARE YOU?  (ok, disregard.  After like 3 weeks of no posts she came BACK today! YEAAAA!)

I have so many favorites.  Too many to list, but I can't not mention Jen from Hope Studios.  She has all of the above qualities, and she is the one who unknowingly lit the match that started the fire I now call Ordinary Miracles of Life.  Oh, and she's a Steeler's football fan!  Now really, what could be better?

Oh, and did I mention I did end up purchasing a frame from her?  3 to be exact!

That's me, that's my story and a few of my favorites.

Now it's your turn!  Link up.
Tell me how and why you started your blog and who has inspired you along the way.

If you don't have a blog, leave a comment ~ tell me your favorite blogs you like to hang out at.  But, make sure you leave me an e-mail address so I can get a hold of you if you win!

A little incentive...
Those who link up get 5 entries, those who comment 1.

Mr. Linky and comments will close next Thursday (May 27th) at NOON.

AND, don't forget to check out the links.  You never know when you'll find a new friend.