1000 Followers and Some Fairy Hobmother Goodness

It's not that I ever thought I wouldn't reach 1000 followers.  I knew it would happen eventually, you know, after like ten years of blogging.  Imagine my joy and surprise to reach the milestone in a slightly shorter amount of time.  I'm thankful to all of you who read my blog on a regular basis and even leave thoughtful and inspiring comments.  One of the best parts of blogging is visiting your blogs and getting to see your lives and homes and sources of creativity and happiness.

Good things are happening lately all because you read and follow my blog.  You may have noticed, but I've started to write a few sponsored posts.  And I couldn't have reached this point without your support!  While I don't talk about it too often, our budget has been really tight since I decided to stay home after the twins were born.  See, our mortgage was signed at a time when both my husband and I were working full time, so it was really designed on a two person income household.  I don't regret the decision to stay home - not for a second - but there have been times when I've made do with pantry items for stretched out days rather than buy fresh groceries, because our finances were so tight.  But with every sponsored post opportunity, it makes trips to the grocery store just a little less painful.  By reading my blog, you're helping, in a sense, to support my family.  So thank you, dear readers.

I want you to know also that I won't represent products or brands I don't believe in, no matter the profit.  I have already turned down a few opportunities where I didn't feel like a product matched my own life philosophy.  I hope I can continue to share with you about products I love, but you will never see me posting on something that I wouldn't feel comfortable using myself. 

Another example of something exciting that happened because of your support and readership, is that the Fairy Hobmother paid my blog a visit!  I've long heard of the Fairy Hobmother, and let me tell you - she does exist!  She said that she found my blog and enjoyed it (and she might never have stumbled across it without you, my readers, following and building me up).  She wanted to grant me a wish.  And, as a typical mother, I thought of my kids instead of myself.  I thought of Pierce, who has reached a deep fascination with Legos.  He recently worked hard (for a month) doing chores around the house (and even helping me to clean out the car) to save up for a Lego spaceship.  Since then, he has wanted the Lego Space Center, but let's face it.  Legos are expensive.  We just couldn't pay for it.  And while normally I can find the toys he wants used (eventually), I have never come across full Lego sets at yard sales or thrift stores or on Craigslist.  Now I certainly don't think children should get every toy they ask for, but Pierce doesn't ask for much, and he is a really great kid.  So thank you, Fairy Hobmother, for granting Pierce's wish for a Lego Space Center.  I have fond memories of building an intricate Lego castle with my Dad as a kid, and I hope that Pierce will have sweet family Lego memories as well.  If you're curious, the Fairy Hobmother comes from this site - http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/

So thank you again dear readers.  You all mean so much to me.  Even when I'm nowhere near the computer, I often find my thoughts straying to your lives, as so many of you have befriended me and moved me with your eloquent words and amazing pictures. 

Do tell....if you were granted a wish with the Fairy Hobmother, what would you ask for?   You never know - she might visit your blog next!