Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Thank You

Sometimes I think I spend way too much time in the blogging world. My kids and husband probably agree. However, if we, as women, can learn to moderate our time on the internet wisely, blogging, whether it be writing them or reading them, can result in such a wealth of good ideas, inspiration, knowledge, and even friendships. I truly felt this in regards to the post I did on my packing list for when I give birth in a Mexican hospital. I honestly thought this post would be a bore to most of you, but many of you seemed to have read every single thing on my list, and showed such concern, especially over the fact that I would not be allowed water during my labor. What I loved the most was that you added valuable things to my list I had forgotten!

Jessica reminded me that perhaps I should bring a boppy pillow for nursing the baby and some lollipops.

Ritsumei reminded me that I would indeed be ravenous after giving birth. As I've mentioned before, my labors are very long, and I know that when that after-birth high hits as a result of going through an unmedicated birthing process, the word "ravenous" will be a perfect adjective to describe how I'll feel. And because this could occur at 3:00 in the morning, and there are no restaurants open at that hour in the town where I will give birth, I will need to plan ahead and bring something.

Cheryl B, as always the faithful blogging friend, reminded me that I hadn't thought to bring a contact list. Great reminder, Cheryl! And as luck would have it, a friend came over today, who happens to be a professional massage therapist, and volunteered to come to the hospital after I give birth to give me what will be a much-needed massage. I will definitely need to add her to that contact list! And chocolate....thank you for that reminder as well, Cheryl! The only problem is, I will have to remind John to bring some from the states when he comes in from out of town this weekend, as Mexican chocolate just doesn't do it for me.

This is what I mean when I say that being a part of the blogging world, if moderated carefully, can have such advantageous effects! I often find myself having a deep desire to meet those of you who regularly comment on my blog, but for now, I will have to settle for the "pen pal"-type friendships we have now.

Thank you, all of you, who ever comment on my blog, and also those of you who read it regularly, but are only "lurkers", as you contribute to my being able to help support our family via the "pay per visitor" ads on my blog. I don't say it enough, but without you, this would have little satisfaction for me. When I first started blogging and John would read all the amazing comments you would leave, he commenced calling this the "mutual admiration society". It's wonderful to come here and be uplifted by your comments and I hope I can do the same for you in my writing. I love you guys! {tear, tear} :) Have a great day!



On 365 Days of TV-Free Toddler Time today:
It's Rolling Cookie Dough Time! Click the pic to see.



On life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day today:
{a tree house}

23 comments:

Kristin said...

What about me? Aren't you grateful for my support? Sheesh!

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Kristin, if you are my sister, because I don't know since it said your profile wasn't available, I do wish you'd call more! But I know you are there for me in spirit, cheering me on, so yes, I appreciate you to the utmost!

Jessica said...

aren't sisters the best ;)

isn't it crazy the things we have to bring/and forget to bring...to the hospital when we have a baby! good luck

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Okay, Kristy, judging from all of the other comments you left on my other posts you were obviously trying to get caught up on, I see that you are, indeed, my sister. And about your comment on my packing list post, don't be jealous. Robyn won't be able to be there. The doc will only allow one other person besides John, and that will be my additional labor coach. He wants to take lots of extra precautions because of the fact that this will be a vaginal birth after ceasarean (VBAC). Oh well, she said she would come later in March, so I have that to look forward to! Wish you could come too! Love you. :)

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Thanks, Jessica, and in a Mexican hospital, I was told they don't supply things such as pads, diapers, and the like. It's a lot to think about!

Lynn said...

I'm one of those "lurkers" Jen! LOL! Just had to put my toothbrush down and type that. I should let you know more when I am here.

It's just that I am usually doing something with my hands while I read.

Thanks SO much for your awesome blogging. I appreciated this post. Those are my sentiments about blogging exactly!

I am cheering you on and wish you the most blessed, peaceful, as smooth as possible, soon to be delivery! Can't wait to find out how it all went.

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

Someone suggested bringing granola bars for snacks at the hospital and they worked out great- easy to pack and super yummy in between marathon nursing sessions.

Btw, I agree 100% with your sentiments about the relationships we build via the web. I just started my blog recently but have many friendships built via other online venues and I treasure them.

Amy Snow said...

You are so sweet. You are a bright spot in my day. I enjoy reading an uplifting blog that is written by another Mom. I know I won't have to filter what I read on your blog. Thank you for sharing your life.

Nat's said...

HI
I have been reading your blog for a while, and can't believe how caught up in the blog world a person can get.
I was drawn to your blog by the Mormonism.My father inlaw is a practising Mormom, but not the rest of the family and the subject has always been taboo.
I have always wondered about why my father inlaw does certain things and have found answers to many of my questions.It has made it alot easier to understand him and respect his choices.

I have recently started my blog, after threatening for ages!!!
The one thing I cannot grasp is how to monetise my blog.
I have two children who have special needs, and have recently stop working to stay at home with them. We have struggled for a long time to find help with the boy's but care takers are just not trained in South Africa for this kind of work.
Without my salary things are tough,and being able to earn money doing something I enjoy would really be fantastic.
You mentioned pay per view advertising in your last post. What is this and how does it work?
I would really apreciate it if you can point me in the right direction.

Best wishes
Natalie

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Amy, it is such an honor to be able to help you understand Mormonism a little better, thus helping you to understand your father-in-law. You have made my day!

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

The Mom,

There are two ad companies I am currently using that pay per impression. They are BlogHer.com and JuiceBoxJungle.com. If you can get enough traffic, having ads like this on your site is a good way to make a little extra money each month. I can't say exactly how much each company pays me, due to signed agreements, but with those ads, the affiliate ads, and the private ads I have, with my blog having about 22,000 views a month, I am making around what it will cost to send my son on a mission, which is about $450 a month. If you'd like more information, you can google "how to monetize your blog", you could join one of the forums I am on, called The Blog Frog, http://theblogfrog.com( then sign up for premium membership and join The Blog Star group, which is where I have gotten TONS of my ideas for improving my blog, increasing traffic, and the best way to monetize.) Let me know if you have any other questions. Oh, and I also did a post about this a while ago. It's here...

http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/2009/09/thinking-of-monetizing-your-blog-some.html

Let me know what else I can do to help!

Cheryl B. said...

Morning Jen :-}

You are just so darn complimentary to me and yet I always feel like I need to be thanking YOU for accepting my friendship!

I don't know if you've stopped by my blog recently - the out of town kids are here - total surprise to me :-D Stop by and see the pic. of my precious grand daughter ;-}

My "boys" love (actually that should be L O V E !!!) to tease me about my "blogging friends" 'since the real world isin't good enough for mom'. Or about how I use to tease them for their make believe friends (which I didn't). Or ... I maintain that they are just jealous o;-p

~ Still hoping this one comes whizzing out fast as can be!!!

~ how is your practing going? o/~

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Cheryl, the practicing is going great! And funny what your boys say about your imaginary friends! Coming over to see your grandkids!

Momzoo said...

I am one of your devoted lurkers. I love your blog, and because of you we are working on having more babies, thanks for your example.

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Aimee, I know you've commented before, so I don't consider you a "lurker"! The compliment you gave me is one of the best I could ever hope to receive. I would love to know what I said that encouraged you to work on having more babies!

Brownie Bites said...

You're such a great lady. I read more than I comment. Thanks for working so hard to make your blog a worthwhile place to visit. (all ov your blogs.:)

Livinginlilliput said...

Blogs are wonderful and encouraging and so so much more! I wish I had more time to read them..

Freya said...

Just thought I'd wish you good luck for your VBAC, I dearly hope it works out perfectly for you, John and, of course, little Daniel. I can't wait to see some pics of him. Man, baby photos get me every time...!

Best wishes!

Freya said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Freya said...

Oh dear, I just noticed that I STILL had that Christmas profile picture up. This one's the only other I have of me on my computer at the moment. It isn't exactly flatering, but at least it's less season-specific!

lfturpin said...

I'm another devoted lurker. I found your post several months ago while I was looking for blogs about food storage. I try to read your blog every day so I can find out about your kids and how you manage everything. Thanks for writing your blog. looking forward to reading about Daniel.

Anonymous said...

I am a lurker- mother of 2 (17 & 12, but find your blog very interesting. You are very interesting & uplifting. I am Catholic, but find Mormanism interesting to hear about. I LOVE your home and find living in Mexico interesting to read about. I am from northern WI and have only been to Mexico resort area once.
Best of luck on the new baby!
Tracey/WI

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Hey Lurkers! You can't imagine how fun it is to hear from you! Thank you and it's great to "meet" you!