Things Im loving....

♥ Things I'm loving ♥

Being thanked.
I had my workplace appraisal this week, and at the end of it my boss thanked me for the great work that I am doing. That made me blush and then a walked out just a little bit taller. When I'm a boss one day...I'm going to make sure my employees are thanked for the work they do.
Loving mini-me Father and son shots. I can't see any of my genes in this little fella at all. He is all Dadda


Loving the school holidays. No where to be, nothing to do, just a restful couple of weeks for the kids to recuperate and be raring to go come monday. Especially Joe who starts school. What will I do with myself all day! By the looks of the background of this shot...perhaps I can try and stay on top of the washing pile.


Loving that Miss Joy let me get her hair cut into a reverse bob style. She would always get a bit grumpy at hair brushing time before school. And she loves it!



Loving First tastes for Zak-zak... in this case...Chocolate!

And finally loving that today is the day we watch our beloved Prince William wed his bride. Its amazing that we are all enchanted by the whole affair. God save the Queen!

Linking with the lovely Paisley Jade..who is making it a Friday institution to be Thankful.

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Gutted

Either Im really clumsy or they just don't make things like they used to!

Exhibit A

The little plastic part on my new kitchen whizz broke off as I was putting it back together! This is part of its safety lock system...so now that its snapped off the whole thing won't work! I'm not the best at keeping receipts and thought for sure I would have to pay something exorbitant for a new lid, but I just rang Breville Customer Service and they are going to send me out one for free because its still under a year old. Good on ya Breville.

Exhibit B

My Samsung front loader broke down a couple of weeks ago. Its done pretty well, 4 and 1/2 years without a problem. I called in some appliance guys and they decided the pump was broken because one of Miss Joys hair clips had stuffed it up... cost of hair clip 20cents. Cost of repair bill... $300. Ouch! Almost the price of a whole new one! Ah well you gotta do what ya gotta do.

What do you reckon? Do the electrical appliances they make these days seem to last as long as the old time stuff? It seems we are becoming a disposable society perhaps because spare parts and labour almost cost the same as buying a whole new one. Weird huh? I'm no greenie but all this crap and rubbish has to be put somewhere?

Jacksta B's guide to.... training your "baby daddy"

Jacksta B’s Guide to training your Baby Daddy.

You may be pregnant with your first baby, filled with anticipation of seeing and meeting your new bundle of joy. What will he/ she look like? Will the birth go according to plan? How will I get the hang of breastfeeding? What kind of mum will I be? These are all valid questions but one of the most important questions to ask yourself is… will my “Baby Daddy” (father of the baby) cope!

Feel free to disagree, but I feel that in most mothers there is an inbuilt mothering instinct. We carry our precious offspring around for 9 months and after we give birth that bond just seems to be established much more definitely than for the daddy.

I have a fantastic husband, and he is a great father to our kids so I thought I would share some ideas to get that baby daddy in your life primed and ready to go with the huge life change that is about to happen in both of your lives.

1) Encourage Baby Daddy to attend as many appointments during the pregnancy as possible. We were really blessed in our first pregnancy that we both worked shift work. So I would try and pick times for our appointments when we were both free so we could both hear that precious heartbeat together. If he can’t attend them all I would recommend the minimum to be the ultrasound. There is something special about seeing the intricate details of your baby’s anatomy together that makes it so real and exciting.

2) Make your birth partner your Baby Daddy. Give him and only him this task. Some mums do themselves a disservice by picking their mums or best friends over their own baby daddy to be their birth partner. Why? You are pretty much saying from the outset that you don’t trust them to be there for you at the biggest event of your lives. It sets a precedent for the rest of the time devaluing his input as a dad. He should be in awe of what you go through during labour, because it is amazing and amazingly painful! This alone will always be great leverage for a multitude of future squabbles.

3) Give Baby Daddy dibs on the first bath. The sooner he gets used to handling your new baby, the sooner he gains that valuable confidence. Many dads are afraid they are going to break them or drop them somehow, so encouraging him to “get in there” really helps. I would recommend getting him to do it regularly. Make sure baby is well fed and in a happy mood. Set the bath up and clothes to change into and let baby and baby daddy bond in a nice relaxed way.

4) Don’t criticize the way he does stuff. There is nothing a baby daddy hates more than hearing… "you are doing it all wrong!”, pretty soon he will give up, thinking well I can’t do it right so I won’t do it at all. Not good for his self esteem and not good for you because you’ll have to do it all yourself. Try encouraging him instead. Even if he puts the size 2 jump suit on your 6 month old baby; and backwards to boot. When he uses 20 baby wipes to clean up smelly number two’s, praise him for a clean, clean baby. Eventually we all become more adept at these all too familiar tasks and pretty soon he’ll be showing you how he can clean the worst baby explosion with a single wipe! Men are competitive…and thrive on encouragement and challenges.

5) Let your Baby Daddy feed the baby at times, either expressed milk in a bottle or formula if that’s what you do – they secretly enjoy snuggling up with a content child. It sure beats being constantly being handed a screaming baby to try and soothe when you’ve reached the end of your tether.

6) Make sure Baby Daddy has a little time out of his own. He will soon become resentful of the fact that his day is working and then coming home to family to do more “ work”. Encourage him to have some time out doing some exercise or pursuing a hobby or familiar interest. He will be happier for it.

7) Throw Baby Daddy in the deep end from time to time. Sometimes you just have to leave him to it, give him all the things he needs for a couple of hours and head out for a little a time out of your own. He may surprise you and himself. Let him know that you need some time out too.

8) Make sure Baby Daddy still feels loved and appreciated. In those first months you may feel like you have nothing left to give when you are giving it all to the little one. He can feel a little left out when your focus is not on him, so a little hand squeeze or a thank you lets baby daddy know that you still love and appreciate him.

9) Baby Daddy loves to show off his precious offspring in public. Let him do the honours of pushing the pram or carrying them to see friends and work mates to ooh and ahh over. He’ll love it. If you need to rescue your child from an obviously struggling baby daddy, do so discreetly and with a ‘thanks for giving it a go’ attitude. Never Ever undermine his parenting in public. Baby daddy’s confidence will disintegrate before your eyes.

10) Let your Baby Daddy be the dad. Our job is to nurture, organize routines, and make sure they are eating healthy… etc… all the boring mushy stuff. Dads just want to get in there with a bit of throwing in the air, rough and tumble play, and kick a ball around. Just let him get in there and do it. Of course he might need reminding that the 3 monther might not appreciate his first fishing trip yet… and that he might like to wait a little longer to take him paint balling, but when the times right, just let him do what he know best, which is to be the dad.

There you have it, my top 10 tips on how to train your baby daddy. Don't forget parenting is a learning process for both you.

Thanks to my Baby Daddy, my consultant on these tips. All the best on your parenting journey ahead.

Jacksta B

Easter Passage

The Easter Passage I'm meditating on this year....

"...Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:24-29 (The Bible)

Luscious Lemon Coconut and Merringue Slice

Do you try food from cafes and restaurants and then try to recreate them home? Renette from South African Kiwi and I were FB messaging each other about this delicious slice you can get at our local library cafe. So I googled a recipe for us to replicate. Then Neetz from Bassets Blurbs and Banter answers the call about the fact I was missing a key ingredient lemons! and delivers me some the same day..despite her super busy day...Some people are just too kind!

For once I did my best to actually follow the recipe...So here it is for you to try!
From www.food.com

Lemon Filling

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 3 tablespoons lemon juice

* 1 tablespoon grated fresh lemon rind

* 2 egg yolks

* 2 tablespoons butter

Crust

* 1/2 cup butter

* 1/2 cup brown sugar

* 1 1/2 cups flour

Topping

* 2 egg whites

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 2 cups coconut

Method

Combine the filling ingredients, cook, stirring constantly until thick and set aside.

For the crust, cream butter, add brown sugar and beat well.

Blend in the flour and press into the bottom of an ungreased 9" square baking pan.

Bake at 150°Celcius for 15 minutes.

Allow to cool, then spread with cooled filling.

For topping, beat egg whites, gradually add the sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Fold in 2 cups coconut and cover lemon filling with the topping.

Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes longer or until browned.

Cool and cut into squares.

Jacksta B's guide to... feeding your new sprog

Today I'm wearing an under wire...yes that's right...time to hang up the maternity bra for the third (and hopefully final) time. A week and half ago the bubba(9months) and I came to a mutual agreement that we were both done. I had been slowly weaning to a bottle anyway...having headed back to work part time for a few months anyway. With the last two feeders I would usually cut down to a couple of feeds and then finally stop by around 11months. So the sudden stop has been a bit painful. But all done now!
I have a love-hate relationship with breastfeeding. Some mums love that little bond that only they get to share with their little bubs, and I get that. But for me...it was just a means to an end. The baby needed to be fed and I had the "equipment". So after a little reflection on the whole topic...I thought I would share some of my personal thoughts on the matter.

Jacksta B's guide to... feeding your baby...
What I wish someone had honestly told me in the beginning.
Top 10 tips...First five on breast feeding and second five on formula feeding

1) It takes two to tango. There are two people who need to figure breastfeeding out. You may have read all the books but the baby hasn't. Learning the process between you both takes time, a good 6 weeks to 3months by the time you might feel might feel comfortable feeding in public.

2) Sometimes it hurts. I hated the way midwives or the books stated "It's not supposed to hurt". "Well it does!!!" I felt like yelling back. You are made to feel bad because of improper positioning etc...I think that some of us just have extra sensitive "areola", so they should just say that! Try some different positions, dose yourself up on as much pain relief and and nipple cream and try and push through. Again this may take a while.

3) Be discreet in public. Not every cafe or restaurant patron appreciates seeing boobies flung around. Not everybody thinks its as beautiful and natural as you do, so for their sakes have a little consideration. Just take a little muslin or something handy to protect from the inevitable flashes.
If you are keen to have a coffee somewhere, time it so you give bubba a feed before you head out. He sleeps dreamily while you relaxingly sip your mochacinno. Win-win! My first baby had her best sleeps in the cafe...obviously familiar sounds.

4) They leak at the most embarrassing times... So wear a breast pad. Even during *ahem* "getting your love on". So you might want to keep your bra on or have a towel handy.
It took me a few months to figure out how to control a "leak". When you are having a let down the other one starts to leak too! Annoying! So I eventually figured all you have to do is apply a little pressure right on the front on the breast and wait until the let down passes.

5) Sometimes no matter how hard you try...and how much you want to breastfeed...for what ever reason it just doesn't work out. And that's okay. Don't ruin your own mental health or the health of your baby just because the ideology of breastfeeding that's rammed down our throat makes you feel guilty for wanting or needing to formula feed. I read somewhere..."Breast is best, but bottle can be beautiful"

6) Formula feeding tips...try a different teat. There are a range of shapes and sizes, you may need to try a few to find the one your baby likes the most. Have a good supply of bottles so that you always have one handy, clean and ready to go.

7) Formula is expensive, so work it in the budget. Poorer families have been known to water down the feeds to stretch it a little longer. This is not a good idea. Follow the instructions on the tin precisely to avoid bubba getting sick.

8) Plan, plan, plan. Keep a rough idea of when your feeding times are and plan accordingly. Always keep yourself a tin of formula ahead of what you need just in case. A storm or power outage or earthquake, who knows what other natural disasters lurk around the corner in these unpredictable times. So be ready with some bottled water and extra tins so your baby is able to be fed what ever the case. Store extra supplies in the car for unanticipated stops away from home too.

9) Health professionals are on a push to encourage "breast is best" so don't have or provide information about which specific formulas are best etc. It all comes down to personal choice and personal research and trial and error. Google is your friend and a few brands have sample sized sachets to try. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

10) Ditch the guilt. As far as I'm concerned if your baby is fed, clothed, warm and loved...you are probably doing more than 50% of some of the mums in the world. Plenty of people have been given formula and survived till adulthood...happens everyday. I for one was formula fed. Before formula was invented in the 1970's, infants drank a evaporated milk substance...see history here so the modern day stuff is probably miles better, as long as its done with safe drinking water and sterilized etc.

What ever you decide breast or bottle, its okay! You are in control of your choices and that's nobodies business. Make an informed choice with you and your partner and get on with it. Keep in perspective. There will be a million choices you will face as a parent. This is just one.

I hope I have given a balanced view and some helpful tips on the topic...and all the best!

image from here

thefastertimes.com

VOLCANO CAKE FOR BIRTHDAY BOY

I'm not sure where this birthday cake making "thing" has come from but I'm starting to like it. You see, I don't make a lot of stuff anymore. My creativity seemed to have died or has lay dormant since child number one and two. The moment child number one started to pull my scrapbook and card making papers off the dining room table, out went my creativity and in came preschool activities and encouraging creativity within her instead.
So after all these years I have found a new outlet...I'm not sure how long it will last...but here's the latest cake pic for you to ooh and ahh over.

I'm pretty stoked with it. I googled a few other volcano cakes. They some how had dry ice coming out of the top, we had 5 sparklers left over from Guy Fawkes.

Joes 5th Birthday Volcano Cake

Things Im loving....

Here are a few other things Im loving this week...linking in with Paisley Jades Friday regular

Well I have had a busy week...Saturday- Triathlon in Auckland, Monday-my 30th Birthday, Tuesday- Bloggy meet up, Thursday- Joes Birthday, Today I have a few things to do and Tomorrow we do a Maccas party for Joe with his little mates. I need to make a cake tonight..I will attempt a volcano...if it bombs I know where the Cheesecake shop is ;)
And in amongst this my washing machine broke down. Not good for this family of five! I visited the laundromat for the first time ever..thankfully they do a drop off service for a couple of bucks extra. I feel so New York!
Phew! Maybe the school holidays from next week is just what we all need!

Here are a few things that I AM loving!
I bought myself another tooth....that will be four baby teeth down! This last one really bugged me before it came out. It was on a funny "Nanny McFee" type angle and was taking forever to wiggle out. Fortunately her Bestie accidentally bumped it out during a Maori action song..I couldn't help but laugh.
Loving our new trampoline mat. We bought our trampoline off Trademe, quite a few years ago and the mat was pretty worn way back then. It was definitely time for a new one. We found this site online,Apex Trampoline Mats and nice older couple who have set up their business on their property in North Shore. Highly recommend them for great price and service.
Loving that my thoughtful friends "shipped" this baby all the way up from Kaikoura, the crayfish capital of NZ. I added a little garlic butter, chili, and parsley and warmed it in the oven until done. And ate it all up myself! Hubby has developed an allergy to them...Ah well..more for me!


And loving our trip to Auckland last weekend. We played spot the famous person! I spotted Former Prime Minister of NZ Jenny Shipley at a cafe. I was trying really hard to a secretly paparazzi her...I think she might have been on to us!
We also saw one of the NZ Masterchef 2010 contestants at a Tepanyaki resturant and Jeremy Corbett at my triathlon. And a couple of Maori TV presenters. What a couple of country yokels excited about NZ "celebrities"

Happy Birthday Joe!

My Joe is five today...can someone please tell me how this....


turned into this...

He was born Good Friday 2006. He "whooshed" into the world at the crack of dawn and changed our lives forever. And by "whooshed"...I now understand how some people have their babies on the side of the road...or in taxis on the way...because in some labours, once the pushing stage is "on" its over in a matter of a couple pushes. It went this way for us that time. We had him at the hospital and walked home a couple of hours later...We lived pretty close to the hospital!

This guy keeps me on my toes. He lives life on fast forward...a lot like his entry into the world. Forever bumping into things and man can he cry when he gets hurt. He has my laugh...loud and proud. He is an amazing imitator and is funny like his dadda. He appears to be showing some good leadership skills and is very social. After years of jumping on the trampoline he seem to be developing quite a bit agility.
He is so looking forward to school. There is only one more day to go before the school ends for the term, so he's just going to start on day 1 of term 2...Im sure he'll be fine without any school visits! He'll fit right in...here's hoping!

Happy Birthday Little Man.

I'm off to cook the special birthday dinner. He wants Chicken Curry with roti...roti?! Hate rolling out roti!

Trying out the new trampoline mat. Thanks Grandma and Poppa

Birthday drinks and tappas

For my birthday I gathered a few of my besties for a night of drinks and Tappas...who new so many of us had red wallets! Paisley Jade sneaked in her pink one on top...close enough!

Thanks Gals for helping me celebrate life as a 30 year old. Love you guys
xxx

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday...Me!

I turn the big THREE-O today. Thought you might like a picture of what I looked like 30 years ago. What a cutie!

I'm really excited about turning 30 for some reason. As if three kids and a mortgage doesn't make you feel like a grown up...turning 30 sure helps this along.

Have a great April 11th bloggy friends!

I did it! Triwoman *ticks off the bucket list*

Well I'm on my come down after an epic day. Way back in October I registered for the Point Chevalier II 2011 Triwoman. I just figured I'd iron out the details of learning to swim, ride and run later...I left the older two in the capable hands of Grandma and hubby took the day off work to come support me. Even while we were excitedly driving down to Auckland (2 hours), at the back of my mind I had the what ifs about it somehow not happening.

I woke up feeling a bit worse for wear. The baby had had a crappy sleep not used to rooming in with us. I lost count how often he woke last night. Hubby ended up sleeping away on the couch. My stomach was a bit crook, and I generally felt bloated, tired and "heavy". We headed to Starbucks for a caffeine pick me up and headed across Auckland arriving nice and early. We found a found a nice close carpark, unloaded and headed for the "Transition" area. Hubby advised having a spot close to the cycle exit. I eyed a spot. It was next to a 40something lady. She had two large boxes lined up which looked like a large space to be taking up. I mounted my bike and she goes "Not too close". The realization hit me then...we are in a race and some of these ladies mean business. I sheepishly dumped my little bare minimum bag and left her guarding her spot!

We anxiously waited until the race safety briefing. Jeremy Corbett was the race MC, he made funny jokes as we participated in the warm up exercises. Then we walked down the walk way to the beach. I was in wave "B" one of the first groups to start. I was relieved to find when they meant "waist deep water" it really was. I was able to stand and catch my breath if I needed to.
Into the bike leg I found my self being passed by lots of people. In the safety briefing they had warned that the road was not closed and it was extra busy at a soccer ground we had to pass around. The parked cars, the busy road and passing cyclist made it all a bit crazy for me. Being new to road biking anyway I decided the aim and goal for the ride was to take my time and stay on top of my bike.
I made it into the second transition mounted my bike and headed off for the run. Doh! I needed to pee. So I spent the entire 3ks thinking about how full my bladder felt every time I ran and how I shouldn't have had a large Mochacinno for breakfast! I ran/walked as fast as I could all the way to the finish line. Jeremy Corbett called my name as I ran through the big pink finish line. I looked for my support team..My hubby and my brother and sister in law, as I came through the finish. It was so awesome having familiar faces amongst the many strangers. I was given my towel and participant medal. Then I headed straight for the loo!
Overall I think it went well.My only goals were to do it in under an hour and not be last. I was not prepared for so many people! But...I will definitely do it again. I have to. I need to beat my time (Addicted much!). I'm looking forward to next season, but I might check out the events a little closer to home. Who's with me?! Trust me, if this cake- eating- couch- potato can, anyone can :)

The results are in already...
229  Swim time- 7:34 Bike time- 25:49 Run time- 25:23 Overall time- 58:46 Placing 189/231.

Almost the big day...

I can't believe its nearly here...I've been looking forward to doing this event for the last 5 and half months. I paid my registration fee way back October 2010...and decided to figure out the logistics out along the way. I had a 5month old breast feeding baby, no bike, could barely swim one length let alone 15, couldn't run, had a big fear of riding on the road and of the deep end in the pool.
Over the last 5 months, I have changed. My attitude has changed. My fears have been conquered. My body shape has changed a little...not a whole lot...me and my body fat are still on that journey... but I'll get there!

I was starting to secretly pray for a massive storm to hit, so that the event would be canceled and I would have a nice excuse not to do it. But the weather forecast is for brilliant sunshine, and I'm happy that it is.
So this Saturday...even though I don't feel quite ready, I'm going to do my darnedest to finish this flippin thing that has been hanging on the my mind the last 5 1/2 months and just get it done!
Baby Zak-zak has picked a strange week to stop breast feeding. So I'm hoping my boobs are going to be empty enough for the run.
Thanks so much for the encouragement and the support...it means so much. When Ive felt like quitting (or praying for a storm!) hubby has gently reminded me that I will be letting my bloggy friends down as well as myself, so thanks for being there!
Hubby is going to be my official photographer so I hope to have a post race blog post.
And....Im super excited about hitting the "Big Smoke". I think a bit of post race shopping or eating might be in order.
So if you anywhere near Pt Chevalier at 10am Saturday 9th..Ill be the one in Pink riding or running past ya.

xx

The Iron NUN

Yes I know what you are thinking...another triathlon biography. And you are right...this would be my third triathlon book Ive read. I guess its just where I'm at the moment...needing inspiration to train for the Triwoman event which insidently is this Saturday.

But this amazing lady is a flippin legend! Even though I'm a Christian, the only thing I know about Catholicism is what Ive seen on Father Ted ( not a great example!). So I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sister Madonna.

She was born in to quite a nice middle class family, with opportunities to marry and having attended university, she sacrificed it all to be "married to the Lord", dedicating her life to her faith and service to others. It wasn't until she was in her forties that she put on a second hand pair of tennis shoes and enjoyed her first run. A decade of marrathons later she was up for a new challenge and she attempted her first triathlon...in her 50's. She then went on the try her first Ironman (3.8k swim, 180k ride, 42k run) in her sixties making records as the oldest competitor let alone a female one. Others in her Catholic circles wondered weather this was nun behavior...donning the swim suits and tights in all and she writes this...

Often she completed races in pain, after many broken bones from bike accidents and other injuries. She would be asked by event organisers to bless the events and pray with other people before events etc. But the major thing I took away after reading this book was that age is no barrier. Yes, now that she is getting older it takes her longer to complete a race, but she still wants to remain active as long as she can. This really inspires me. In my line of work as a nurse I work with a lot of elderly folk, and I only get to see the sick ones. So reading about someone who is still competing at 80 is just amazing. When I'm struggling my 3k run (ridiculous in comparison!) I think if Sister Madonna can...I can!
Heres a video

If you are keen for an inspiring read give this one ago.
I'm into biographies at the moment. Do you recommend any that I should read?

Why I ♥ Blogging.

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, reflection if you will, about why I blog, and why I have become an addict. A quick sit down to check facebook and my daily blog reel soon becomes an hour long exercise...and this may or may not happen more than once in a day. How did I become so addicted to social media? What is that draws me in everyday?
So these are my reasons I ♥ blogging.

1) Blogging encourages me to pay attention to my life. Once living on auto pilot, I now see life through a different perspective..."Maybe I can blog about this..."
2) Blogging encourages me to take more photos. Not just of the big events...birthdays, first days etc...but random things like the kids lego creations, their activities, creation, scenery. Recording our life through pictures.
3) Blogging encourages me to savour what I eat and how I cook it. I love cooking and and eating, and now I think.." I gotta get a picture of this!"
4) Blogging encourages me to write. This has never been a strong point in my life. I made it through English in high school but it was never something I was naturally good at. I hated poetry, but I have written a couple in my blog...and I have no idea where they came from. The process of taking thoughts and writing them has been very cathartic.
5) Blogging encourages me to be thankful. Thankful all for the good things, the challenging things and the mundane things.
These are the things that I get out of blogging personally

The other part is reading others blogs and the amazing bloggers out there in blogland.

1) Bloggers inspire me. People who have endured personal tragedy, overcome illness, lost loved ones, have had ill children, all these and many more inspire me to love more, laugh more and live more.
2) Bloggers share great ideas. I am always learning new things. New recipes, new photography techniques, new craft ideas, and new tips. I love learning new things.
3) Bloggers make lovely friends. After meeting a bunch from our city, I have made some lovely new friends. And I am looking forward to meeting some more soon!
4)Bloggers challenge me. When you feel like quitting bloggers keep you in check to help you get to your goal.
5) Bloggers encourage me. Lovely comments left about things I have shared just encourage my heart and soul so much! Thank you for caring about me and my little part of the world. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read anything I blog about.

So there you have it. Why I love blogging.

Thank you for helping me enjoy life just a little more each day by reading my blog and writing great blogs for me the read too.
What is it about blogging that you like/love the most?