blogging answers

Thank you to everyone for your questions and helping me celebrate my one year blogging anniversary. It will take me a few posts to answer all the questions, but I will do my best to get through them this week.

There were 23 of you who asked at least one question. I am disqualifying one - my brother (sorry, bro!), therefore 22 names went into the hat. And the name drawn was Amber @ Crazy Bloggin' Canuck. Congratulations Amber. I will email you today and get your prize out to you this week. And I will start with your question.

How did you choose your blog's name? My very first post explains my love for the sun and how I've always equated the sun with God. It also answers this question in more detail than I'm giving here. Shorter answer; from the first time I heard the John Denver song, Sunshine on my Shoulders, I felt a connection with the words. In a way, I took on this song as my personal anthem. So when I started this blog, it seemed like a natural name for it. Added note; I want this song played at my funeral.

Just Mom asked: Why do you blog? I've always said that I blog for two reasons. One, to allow myself a place and opportunity to voice all the thoughts that ramble around in my head and to record interesting things I come across. Two, by doing the first, I'm hoping that the generations that follow me will be able to read my words (I plan to publish it on a yearly basis) and know who I was and what life was like for our family.

Those are the main reasons. But I have come to enjoy the friendships I've made and therefore have found another reason to blog and comment others, and that is to grow and nurture those friendships, as well as make new friends.

Heidi Jo asked: Do you ever question whether or not blogging is a 'good' thing? Yes, I do. I can see where one can get addicted to it and I don't think addiction to anything is good. As in everything, balance is key.

I think for moms with young kids it can be a double edged sword. I think it's a great thing because they can record their everyday life for future reference and enjoyment. How I wish I had the opportunity to blog when my kids were young. I would have taken more of those random shots and included them with a short bit of how my kid flushed a toy down the toilet or drew a pretty picture on the wall. Last July I wrote a post that explains exactly how I feel on this topic.

I would encourage any mother to have a blog for this reason. But if a mom doesn't set limits, she could spend too much time on the computer and then the kids, family, and home suffers. Obviously, that's not good. I've admired moms who have openly said that the blogging was taking over and they needed to pull back.

I also think blogging is a good thing because it give readers the opportunity to learn about, and from, fellow bloggers. The more we understand or can see things from a different perspective, the more compassionate and understanding we are of people in general. How can that be anything but a good thing.

more answers to come....