first things first.
i'm trying really hard to engage with y'all. i love when you ask questions and leave kind comments---so i have a reply button in my comments section (finally---i'm such a professional blogger if you couldn't tell).
SO, if you leave a comment with a question, check back there. i really want this place to be full of back and forth dialogue, and i haven't been good about always carrying on the conversation. but it's important to me!
also, for the record, i'm dropping back on the amount of times i post in a week...so that i'm not always posting 5 times. even though i love y'all and want to be here everyday, it's just not happening for me right now, thanks to 6 little people.
i've always really enjoyed posting consistently, 5 days a week...and my grandparents love it too.
but, i just can't do it right now. some weeks i might (these are usually the weeks when i get some alone time at starbucks), some weeks i may not.
just think of it as a fun surprise if you drop by and there is a post!
and can i just give a word of encouragement today---i've been feeling heavy hearted for some of you who think you're not good enough at this blogging thing. who think you have to change your blog, or who you are, or the way you write, etc. so that people will "like" you or "follow" you.
friends, that is so missing the mark. it's easy to get caught up in what other bloggers are writing about, dressing like, taking pictures of, etc. but where are YOU in all of that?
you have a story to tell...and it's all yours. nobody else.
be proud of it.
seriously. go be proud of your story. and tell it like no one else can.
Need to hear it sister. Thanks.
ReplyDeletewe all need to hear it.
Delete:)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-Men. I have unfollowed so many bloggers who have all of a sudden decided to change the reason why I liked reading them in the first place because they are trying to "fit in".
DeleteThis post made me cry. So needed to hear this. Sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing blogging my heart out, but God put a song in my heart and I'll keep on singing to whoever is listening :) It's encouraging to hear that you are cutting back on posts, it shows just what caliber of a momma and wife you are :) All the wonderful things we all love about y. o. u.! Enjoy soaking up that life of yours!
ReplyDelete"god put a song in my heart and i'll keep on singing"...one of my favorite lines ever!
Deletelove you and your encouraging words!
Toes! Toes are my faaavorite!
ReplyDeletemine too! so scrumptious.
DeleteYour blogging advice is PRO. Good to hear!
ReplyDeletethanks elisha!
DeleteThank you for this post today. I've just started blogging and have no clue what I'm doing but I figure it will all come with time :)
ReplyDeleteit totally will come with time. i don't even like to read what i wrote 5 years ago---i've changed so much! but, it's fun to look back on, and we have all those memories recorded. keep it up, it's worth it!
DeleteAmen! You are such a wonderful person and I am so thrilled to have been a follower of your blog for so long. Take less time for blogging and spend more time with those AMAZING babies of your... I guess they arent all babies ;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
hugs!
thank you for these sweet words!
DeleteHow adorable! Thanks for the kind words! I feel like I am still figuring out this whole blogging thing and why I even do it.
ReplyDeleteBest blogging advice ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this!
Oh, and of course Olive is just precious!
Kari
ryanandkari.com
First. She's a doll! Perfect in every way!
ReplyDeleteSecond. You are so right. I'm gonna keep on keepin on with my blog. And if nothing else, it's a little virtual scrap book for my family to enjoy. And I pray somewhere along the path, someone, stranger or family, will see Jesus and be changed!
Thank you for writing this! I think that bit about blogging is just what I needed to hear today.
ReplyDeletei love your little olive. what a beauty.
ReplyDelete& thank you for the encouragement at the end.
definitely something that I needed to hear & remind myself of.
XO.
Oh my gosh! That face in the last picture...so LOVE it!
ReplyDeletegood to hear. and happy that you are taking time away a bit for yourself and your family. SO. important.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading your blog over the years! Your kids are so cute!! Great encouragement!! :)
ReplyDeleteaww, that was for me today:) Thanks so much. And I'm so glad I found out you blogged. Makes me happy. Hope you have a lovely weekend with your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteI don't blog, but goodness, those pictures are adorable! I love absolutely every picture of that little nugget.
ReplyDeleteYou post when you want to. No rush. The fact that you had a goal of posting 5 times a week with 6 little ones at home is just incredible. And thank you for reminding us what we have to say is unique and, therefore, valuable. Even if our readership is lower than we may like. So sweet.
ReplyDeletewell, it wasn't so much "a goal" but more of just what i liked to do. this blog is such a fun outlet for me. but, i do need to cut back!
Deleteand yes, each of our voices is our own.
Thank you for writing this post! It means a lot to hear it from someone who is such an inspiring blogger, has so many amazing readers + who knows some great bloggers, too. Staying true to myself was something that I have struggled with (and sometimes still do) in this blogging world that can be full of so much comparison and jealousy. Thank you for reminding me to blog/document my life how He created me to do it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there were lovely words in this post, but I'm so happily distracted by the bebe pics. She is the opposite of birth control.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I'm not a blogger, but I'm always impressed by Moms like you. We will enjoy your posts whenever & however often they appear. :)
cutie pie!!!! I just love her drooly little lips!!
ReplyDeleteloving this. I've seen other blogs with the reply option, and it seems soooo much easier! especially when the person commenting has a noreply-comment account and it's so hard responding back. it makes me sad.
ReplyDeletethank you for the encouraging words, it's easy to get caught up with all the trends but I do have to keep reminding myself that. I am unique, I have a story. thank you for being a genuine blogger who sees that. you have a super kind heart! blessings to you and your family!
yes look! i'm replying back to you :)
Deletelove this option--and you're right about the noreply thing...so frustrating!
That baby is divine... and Emily, the fact that you blog so consistently is incredible. Thank you. I love catching up with another Anderson crew, the craziness you must live with some days makes me feel better about my own. (I only have four... and they are getting older... no more nappies!!! or daytime sleeps:( ) And I loved your comments about readership and being something we're not to gain followers, and your words are encouraging. Be blessed x
ReplyDeleteSecond photo she looks just like Kohen :)
ReplyDeletei know! i thought that too!
DeleteThanks for posting this. Lately I'm not feeling it with regards to blogging, and it's totally reflecting on my posts. I think I need to stop feeling like I need to blog five days a week, and just blog when I have something I feel God wants me to say (or when I take a really cute picture of my kid).
ReplyDeletebrianna, that sounds like the best plan for you. take a step back and refocus. i think you (and your blog) will benefit from that!
Deletei really respect you for realizing your limits and priorities! i'm sure you have a lot of pressure on you and honestly, that could be a tough burden to carry. in fact, it might even rob some joy if you felt like you didn't have time. i cannot imagine blogging 5 times a week! heck, i'm lucky if i do 2 a week:) 3 if i am super duper lucky. hahaha.
ReplyDeletethanks for your words today. and sharing your heart. you are an encourager!
What are the chances you'll give her to me?;) she is edible with those eyes and the little teefers:) I think of you often friend.
ReplyDeleteoh siobhan...miss you! and sorry, she's all mine ;)
DeleteAmen to that! My heart hurts when women say they can't "be like me" or "blog like me". You couldn't have said it better! Love you! And your little nugget... :)
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are killing me! Absolutely adorable.
ReplyDeleteAlso, amen.
wise words that i can never get enough of.
ReplyDeletexoxo
I'm not an all-the-time commenter, but i am an all-the-time reader. i love your blog and think it's totally you..though i don't actually know you. :) and i also think you are a rockstar that you blog as much as you do all the while taking care of 6 sweet babies, so way to go.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more! My blog is for me, and for my kids and if people like what I'm doing, that is fantastic, but if not, tough beans!
ReplyDeleteamen amanda!
DeleteI needed this today. I want to start logging again after almost a year of nothing. Thank you for the encouragement, Emily! You have blessed my life via the interwebs and for that, I thank you.
ReplyDeleteyou are so welcome :)
DeleteLove this & love your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletewell said.
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that life is seasonal, cyclical, and you'll have the most joy in going with what your heart and the Lord want you to be doing. Looking forward to hearing more about your takeaways from Influence...
ReplyDeletewe need more voices like you, emily anderson. just write what God's doing in your life, people. that never ever gets boring.
ReplyDeleteand keep playing music you like. on your blog.
and center your text if you want.
hell, quit looking like everyone else.
done. done. done. and done.
DeleteHah, couldn't have read this at a better time. I believe everything you said above, but sometimes those "not a good blogger" and "why would anyone want to read this" and "who really cares" creeps back into the thoughts. I'm a firm believer in being YOU and telling YOUR story, so why I struggle with this is a good question. Thanks for the encouragement Emily!!!
ReplyDelete~Melissa
Hi,
ReplyDeletei'm going to miss your daily posts (sorry for my english, i'm french), i adore your pictures and your posts. But i understand... well, i only have 2 kiddos and i work all day off but i understand that your days are busy busy with your big and beautiful family...
A big hug to you
This post spoke to me. It was just what I needed to hear. So thank you ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this! Lately I've had to unfollow some of my previously favorite blogs, because they had completely changed direction. Not for the better, and (most likely) not for themselves either. Thanks for posting!! I hope many people take this advice!
ReplyDeletei've had to do the same. it's just sad to see that happening. i understand people want (and or need) to make money, but i wish it didn't have to be all business, ya know?
DeleteIt was nice to read this! I can't remember if i have written to you yet, but I have been following your blog for a few months now and I LOVE it! God has used you a lot to put a smile on my face, and in recent months, to start my own blog :) I love writing but never blogged because I didn't see the value in it, but your blog had refreshed me so much that I wanted to "pay it forward". I think so far blogging has been more beneficial/reflective for me but hopefully it will eventually leave a legacy. Also, side note, I really wish I got to know you better when you lived in Orlando!!! (I am one of Howard and Laura's babysitters and met/saw you guys a few times.) REALLY bummed about that--so if you are ever visiting please let me know! Anywho, you are a blessing! Keep doing what you do!!!
ReplyDeletehey joan! wow, what a small world! i can't wait to check out your blog...that is so cool that you've started one and understand the importance!
Deletethanks for saying hi!
I love this! I want to be more proud of my story. I want my words to be my own, and the words that I feel I need to share. xoxo
ReplyDeletei needed to hear this. i often compare my blog to other peoples - which is dumb. can i ask you a question...a technical question? when i comment on your blog, you once emailed me back (which was strangely thrilling, i might add)...how do you set it up so you can email a person back directly? i replied to a comment on my blog and the email went to ME saying I had responded but i don't think it went to the person commenting. does that make sense? also how do you play music on your blog? do you know that i've downloaded a ton of new songs to my itunes be/c of your playlists and Jami Nato's??! i love your music. okay i'll stop talking now.
ReplyDeleteokay, well it has to be set up in that persons profile that they can receive emails. for instance, you have your email linked so i was able to email you directly. lots of people don't have their email linked and it says "noreply@blogger.com" or something to that affect, and you can't email them. insert sad face here.
Deletealso, head to mixpod.com and you can create your own playlist to play on your blog!
Yay! Thanks so much! I kept searching and searching for how to reply to people so I'm glad it't not me!!! also thanks about the music. you are the best. ever.
DeleteLove this! I have no idea how you have time to blog with three but I am very impressed. I struggle with just three.
ReplyDeleteWell said, and much needed to hear for many, including me! I just started my first blog and have been struggling with how to make it into one of the blogs I love and follow (like yours!) but realize it needs to be my own and run on its own path. Thank you!!
ReplyDelete