A good friend...

A good friend... Is honored when you call them at 3am because you "just needed someone to talk to."

(Passionately) protects and defends your name if they hear someone else talking negatively about you.

Comes to your house two days after you had a baby just to help clean up, make food, and hold the baby while you sleep.

Does your dishes just to help relieve some of your stress.

Writes encouraging words in your birthday cards (more than just the simple "happy birthday!").

Comes over in their PJs to curl up and watch TV with you (like when you were kids) even if they have a husband at home.

Brings dinner and a movie over when your family has had a rough weekend.

Let's you move into their house for a week when the power goes out and actually enjoys your company the whole time.

Calls you just to encourage you after they read your down and out facebook status message.

Drives across three state lines just to make it to your baby (or bridal) shower.

Wants you to stay at their house instead of a hotel when you are on a trip to their town.

Signs up to run a half marathon with you just so you don't have to do it alone.

Stays up late to talk to you online until you really are feeling better.

Walks with you through the hard times and celebrates the good times.

This:

"Oh, the comfort -- The inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, Having neither to weigh thoughts, Nor measure words -- but pouring them All right out -- just as they are -- Chaff and grain together -- Certain that a faithful hand will Take and sift them -- Keep what is worth keeping -- and with the breath of kindness Blow the rest away."

And this:

I have had the honor of having real friends in my life. Without these ladies I would have shed many more tears and felt heartache for much longer periods of time. I love them and have incredible gratitude for all the love they have shown me. I hope to both spend many years returning their love and continuing to make the effort to pay it forward for the rest of my life.

I wanted to also say thanks to all of you for your incredibly encouraging words this past week. (With Sunday's sleep habits, preparing and then experiencing the half marathon.) I am beginning to understand the power of blogging and the awesome blessings it brings to both writers and readers. It's hard sometimes to share so much, but at the end of the day, I am always glad I clicked the Publish button. Thanks for being here, for listening, for encouraging me and for not judging my terrible grammar skills and overuse of the comma. I hope to be able to do the same for you in the coming years. :)

Much love today, friends!

5 reasons why you should survey your blog readers

So you can feel good about yourself! I kid. :)

But seriously - I just finished reading through your responses to my survey for oh... about... the 10th time. The next time I hit a writer's block I'm just going to reopen the results and read through them again.

Thank you so much!

I really had no idea that you guys were so interested in my personal life! I honestly thought those posts bored you. Goodness - was I wrong!

So I am working on gathering my thoughts and making a plan. I will be bringing in more posts about my personal experiences with products (of course it'll be the things I love: cameras, baby stuff, and other products that enhance my life), a lot more Crossfit chatter, tips and tricks for the beginner  photographer, more pictures, and personal updates. And of course I'll still have all the normal stuff I blog about.

In short: I'll be making this blog more of a home. And I'm feeling... a bit nervous... a little scared... a lot excited. You have to take risks to make big things happen! Right?

Speaking of risks. That's exactly what posting the survey was for me: a risk. A big part of me was really afraid that NO ONE would respond. I am so glad I got over my fear and posted the survey anyway. It was hands down the best thing I have done for this blog so far. A lot will come from our combined efforts!

Here is why I will do it again:

5 reasons why you should survey your blog readers

1. Surveys connect the blogger and his or her readers. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking into the air here. And I think sometimes you guys don't know that I really want to be talking to YOU. Creating the survey and relying on you to fill it out completely removed the invisible wall between us. I needed you. And you stepped up. And it was incredible to hear from you guys!
2. Surveys help you tailor your blog content to what your readers want to read. This helps encourage readers to come back, which is always what you want.
3. Surveys help you gain a better understanding about your readers: Who they are, why they read your blog, and what they want/need.
4. Surveys help your readers feel valued. As much as this blog is about me, it is really because of you that I feel accountable to post. And I am so grateful because I have a wonderful record of some of the best things that have happened in my life right here.
5. Surveys help give your readers ownership if your site. Your opinions and wants/needs are what drives my blog. As much as I am writing to document my family and our life, I am also very much writing for YOU. And surveys help get that point across.

Around the Web | Personal

Confession: I have been fighting the term "computer nerd" since the 7th grade. Back then, I was the first of my friends with an email address, an online diary, and an AOL screen name. I know... my friends didn't know what to do with me. I was a well-socialized (ahem, that's debatable I guess) pre-teen at the time, and when my friends found out I was spending my evenings plugging in AOL Keywords and reviewing the results, I think they were a little concerned about my future.

Well, well, well... looks who's the computer nerd now? Hah. Everyone. :)

I love it! I love catching up with old friends on Facebook and reading blogs of new friends! I love that we have the world at our fingertips with our ipads and smart phones. Friends moving away? No worries! No longer do I think  "I don't know when I will see you again!" I love this thing we are all addicted to... the internet. That said, I am excited to share with you all that in recent weeks I have expanded my website wings. Right, I know, I needed more on my plate!

In addition to this blog, you can now find me on other blogs on the web:

Beginning in October, I started writing a monthly column titled Point of View over on the Hill City Bride blog. The goal of the column is to share with future brides how they can make the most of their wedding day photography. You can check out my debut article here and my latest one here.

As of November 1st, I am the official "Director of Social Media" over on The Creative Mama website. I was really excited to be invited to join the the team at TCM. They are a fabulous group of women and I am honored to be associated with them!

I hope you will go check out both of those sites. They are awesome resources for both brides and creatives, alike. Again, I am proud to be a part of what they are both doing in the online community!