Believe it or not, I've been playing around with this blog for nearly seven years now. Every once in a while I ask myself, what in the world am I doing? After all, there are so many beautifully crafted blogs floating around cyberspace that this homespun site can feel quite paltry in comparison. Every once in a while I'm tempted to upgrade: tantalizing recipes, chic design ideas, artsy photos, cute crafts--all while developing my own unique niche, of course. A couple of weeks ago Jason lighted upon the perfect name for my new-and-improved-blog: dezionmom. (Just in case there is anybody left in this wide world who doesn't already follow her blog, this is a Southern Utah twist on the popular site designmom.com.) I'll become instantaneously idolized, every stay-at-home-mom will know my name, millions will follow me, and voila--we'll make our fortune, move to a farmhouse in the French countryside, and travel the world with six well-dressed kids in tow. (Wait, maybe we'll have to rethink the latter.)
Dezion Mom. Conceptually, I like the idea. Enough so that I actually reserved the blogger site just in case I work up the nerve to try in the future. A cool blog. I could do that. I think I could do that. Could I?
However, this blog is different. It's all about keeping it real, even when "real" means suffering through yet another round of vacation photos or laundry list of childhood milestones. Because hey, while such chronicles may be a bore for most, this blog isn't designed for the world--it's written to connect us with the close friends and family who might actually care.
This blog is not about appearances. (Obviously. Are you bored with the 2008 slide show yet, 'cause I sure am. And what about the snazzy layout? Riveting.) Despite its lack of panache, you still might claim that this blog is self-centered in its own way. After all, it's unabashedly all about us. And I guess I've decided that's okay. After all, this is our family record. This is where we capture the present to relive in the future when all that remains of now is past. On a more practical note, it is also likely to take the place of our classic photo albums. I'm simply out of time, energy, and shelf-space to continue keeping up both. So we hope you'll understand if we torture you with more photos than you'd like--if they don't get posted here, they may not get recorded anywhere.
Besides, should we deeply annoy, there's always designmom. Until then, my hat goes off to all the mundane, day-to-day family blogs of the world. Thanks for keeping it real.
5 comments:
Pretty, namby-pamby blogs are a dime a dozen. There's only one Wheeler blog.
I hear you, Kara. I've wondered the same and come full circle back to your conclusion concerning my own blog. I guess it all boils down to our intended audience. I like/love/adore my audience - it being one comprised of family and friends. My purpose is as yours: chronicle and share our family's life experiences with other family members and friends. The blogging forum is such a great tool for that. Ben is so right (except I happen to know of two Wheeler blogs... )
I love your blog. I agree...mine is even private, because I love to share it, but I really want it as a record for myself! I have actually started a recipe blog that is private with 3 readers...I just wanted a place for MY recipes:)
Besides mine, I think your blog is the best out there. I always love reading your posts (I read all of them), and marvel at the beauty of the pictures posted (both of your children, the sites, and what you spend your time doing). Really, a clean house is nice, but a messy home indicates FUN!! And like you said, what is more important, family time and happy kids, or cleanliness and no chaos. I would choose chaos everytime (of course this would explain itself if you saw that state of my house currently:)) Love you, and miss you dearly.
Huh, I'd never heard of designmom.com. Hence my confusion with the clever twist of "dezionmom." I just thought it was a word you two smarty pants knew and I was about to head on over to my trusty webster.com. I do however, LOVE reading your blog! (I cracked up at your 2008 slideshow comment and had to read it aloud to Shea. He doesn't usually care when I tell him all about how the person he doesn't know is so funny, but I do it anyway ;) I never noticed it was from 2008, either. I do wish I could write like you though! I just simply report on what we've done with detail excruciating for everyone but myself. So, I don't plan on following design mom or any other fancy blogger, (I make an effort to avoid them,) but I will keep reading your blog, it's one of my favorites to read! PS I totally wish I could visit all those fun staycation places you went to!
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