Happy Blog-aversary...

Wow! Today marks Nitty.Gritty.'s third anniversary.

I can hardly believe that it's been that long. So enjoy something 'sweet' on me- even if it's just that fun picture of all that gorgeous candy above which came from here... yum!

In addition, here are a couple of pictures of my life from when I started this blog in 2005. Our family looked a little bit different and had all sorts of happiness, fun and challenges. Much like we do today, only we have lived more, grown in many ways, and I've shared it all with thousands of you who have joined me in the journey via this blog.

I never intended for that to happen. This blog was something I was doing mostly for myself and my family. Once I joined the scrapbook community, it grew a bit...and from there many of you have linked me up with your own blogs and shared my story/life with your own circle of family and friends. I have read hundreds of emails and comments over the past 3 years. I have responded to many of them- cried from some and laughed with others. I have been pushed to be more thoughtful and I've been pushed to be more bold. I have been blessed to share our heartaches and so many of you have reached out to my family in those times. Thank you.

I have been blessed to share our joys and all the ordinary, routine in-between times too. Thank you for encouraging me, inspiring me, sharing your perspectives and stories too, that have helped make a difference in our lives as a result.

I love that this blog has been a place for opinions to be shared, for learning to take place, and for prayer requests to be brought forward. I love that God has "shown up" here over and over and that it has nothing to do with me- but He has graciously made Himself known through words and stories and pictures.

I am humbled that after 3 years I still have readers [besides Chip,my Mom, sisters and Rachael =) ] and not only that, but that there is still joy afforded me through blogging. I have been a writer/journaler at heart since I was a kid, and this blog has been such a treat for me to watch it all unfold and to have pictures to go with the thoughts/stories along the way.

So thanks to each of you who have left comments, sent emails, prayed, been outspoken, and for those who quietly read and yet turn around and for whatever reason, after reading, you love more, Hope more, feel challenged or comforted, question your faith, laugh at the little things, let things go, hold tighter, want more, need less, feel more free, want to surrender, or simply know what a good buttercream tastes like because of this blog.

Happy 3 years, to this Nitty.Gritty. blog.

I hope to be around for many more posts. If you must know...today is post #351.