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My {Favorite}Blog Friday

favorite

Before I go into my {Favorite}Blog Friday....I need to set the "scene". Let the truth be known...I am not a reader. I have never been. YES! I am a teacher and I like to read to gain knowledge. However, you will never find "Sandy Toes" sitting at the beach reading "Twilight"! I love magazines.! When people tell me about a great book they read...my first response is "Are there pictures?".

My {Favorite} Blog Friday is one with pictures but her gift for writing and expressing her "journey" as a mother and wife is what stands out. Sometimes, when I see a new post of hers pop up for the day. I wait to read it when I can "soak"in all her knowledge and insight.

"Straight From The Heart"

If you do not read her-Start today! Her love for her girls shines everyday. She has even written journals on her journey and memories as a mom-

Keeps her girls artwork from the past and her words express how much she cherishes every piece-

Some of her posts are so funny and heart wrenching- especially with her dog....

Her words on homemaking, cooking and dealing with her daughters new "beau" are full of inspiration-


I asked "April" a few questions...

What is the "best" thing you love about blogging?
Well, I have to say that there are many things I love about blogging. First of all, I'm very much a "people person", so I enjoy getting to know others a lot. I've been so amazed and blessed by the friendships I've formed through blogging! I've met such interesting people across the country and the world. I've learned things I may never have had the opportunity to learn had it not been for blogging. Also, I love the fact that blogging allows me the opportunity to offer words of support and encouragement to my fellow bloggers. I like to think that I can lessen someone's load by saying things like, "You can do it", "I'm praying for you", or "Hang in there!" Plus, there's a lot of gratification that comes from finding others who have walked a day in your shoes. It's comforting to know that you're not alone, whether it's dealing with raising a teenager, grieving the loss of a parent, or just trying to figure out how to put one foot in front of the other. To me, blogging is all about connections with people and really caring about what happens in their lives. I think when you've been a stay-at-home mom for as long as I have (17 years), it's often easy to lose your sense of self. Thanks to blogging, I've rediscovered who I am and what I'm about, and I'm happy to say...I like being ME!

What does your family think about you and your blog?

Well, I know that my family loves me dearly! They know that I enjoy writing...always have! At first, I don't think they quite understood the whole blogging idea. However, they've since read many of my posts and have seen the awards I've been given and they're very proud of me...they've told me so! There's nothing I like hearing more from those I love the best!

Her blog is a keeper and I cherish each word she types!



38 comments:

Wendy said...

I am like you...I really enjoy magazines more than books. I like to be able to "digest" what I'm reading in one sitting. And I'm a very visual person, so the photography sucks me in!

Thanks for sharing this great blog! Love this series of posts!

Anonymous said...

April is the greatest!! I look forward to her posts every day. She is truly deserving!

I laughed at your book remark.... does it have pictures. You are too funny!

"Hello... It's Me Again..." said...

I, too, prefer magazines over books. I love April's blog too! I enjoy her posts, as well as the sweet and encouraging comments she leaves on my blog. She is a real treasure!

I enjoy your blog too!!!

Have a great weekend!
Jamie
www.oktxok.blogspot

AndreaLeigh said...

thanks for introducing me to some new bloggers, my friend!

Tim said...

April was a great choice Sandy for a guest writer if thats what you want to call it. I have followed her blog for quite some time now, as she has mine, and I love the anticipation of getting to read her new posts!

Tim

Julie said...

such a fun idea... thanks for introducing us to her...

April said...

I cannot thank you enough for choosing ME to feature today on your "Favorite Blog Friday"! You don't know how much it means to me and it truly warms my heart! You did such an awesome job...I, actually, got all choked up when I read your post! Remember...I'm very hormonal these days! :)

I enjoy blogging a lot and there is nothing quite like the satisfaction you get from knowing that readers appreciate you. I try very hard to be as open and honest as I can be about my life as a mom and a wife, but I try to do so with a sense of humor.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my day...you are such a blessing to me! ♥

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I love April's blog!!! You are SO right when you said, her love for her daughter's shines through her blog!!! You can just feel how close they are when you read about them and see the photos!!!

Great choice!!

Unknown said...

stopping over from april's blog to say hi... and cute place you've got here! great blog and what a great blogger to feature!! congrats, april!! you deserve it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Stopping over there now.... this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing. Happy Weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Me, too! She's a Gem, our April... She's so full of encouragement and wise words, and I love hearing from her; I've known her through the blog world for less then a year, but she feels like a dear, old friend.

Now, can you solve a mystery for me??? The profile photo featuring feet... do they belong to the same person?... ;)

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I'll have to go check out that blog you mentioned. I always love finding new blogs to enjoy.

By the way- Twilight is highly overrated (in my opinion). I bought the second book a couple of weeks ago and only managed to read the first couple of pages.

I love pretty pictures too!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Thanks so much for sharing....you are so sweet!

LuLu said...

I have not read her blog, so thank you for leading me that way, look forward to sitting with a cup of coffee and reading. And by the way, I start my day by reading what "Sandy Toes has to say" so thanks for starting my day off right!
LuLu

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I agree-I love reading April's journey through this life-so honest, so inspirational!
Great Choice for Favorite Friday Blogs

Jboo said...

Sounds like a great blog! I will definitely check it out!

Have a fun weekend!

Janet

April said...

Let me just say here that all of your kind words are making me gush! I really don't feel deserving of it...but thank you all SO VERY MUCH!!!!

Darlene said...

I too LOVE reading April's blog. She is always so warm, caring and inspiring! Her comments always come from the heart. What a deserving blog you picked today.♥

Lindsey said...

YAY thanks for another great blog read!!!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

It sounds like a great place to check out ~ aren't bloggy friends the best?! :)

Joanna said...

Sounds like a great blog and lady (family(, thank you for sharing!

Jan said...

Bloggy love. How nice.

Anonymous said...

Well,i just met her.But...I have seen her pic around and now i will really get to know her.She also joined us today in favorite foto,so now we will be kinda close...ann

Anonymous said...

Well,i just met her.But...I have seen her pic around and now i will really get to know her.She also joined us today in favorite foto,so now we will be kinda close...ann

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love April! She is like a warm hug! And I agree with everything you said, Sandy! :-)

XO,

Sheila

Sue said...

This was the sweetest post about April....and so true. I look forward to reading what she writes for the same reasons you mentioned. However...I must say that you did AN AWESOME job describing why you chose her....you do a great job also.

Heather said...

I love April's blog too! What a great gal is she. So full of energy and a great mom! Here's to more April!

trish said...

What a sweet blog entry. April's answers touched my heart. :o) I look forward to getting to know her better. Thank you for sharing such a nice person with many of us who have not had the privilege of meeting, until now. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Unknown said...

What a great post. It was fun to read more about a fellow blogger!

Denise Grover Swank said...

I'll check it out. I've thought about featuring blogs on my blog too but how do you pick????

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Isn't April just the nicest person? I haven't known her long but she has such a warm, sweet presence that comes through in her blog.

I love yours too! Have a great day!

Jen

Unknown said...

I love April too! She stops by my blog and is so encouraging. I appreciate her and it's good that she gets some recognition. Take care!

Daphine said...

I loved this! And I LOVE April! I have followed her blog from the very beginning! You couldn't have picked a more deserving person than April! You're very kind!

Enjoy your weekend!

Jo said...

What a fun Friday you have started. I have never been to her blog befor today ~ I have some catching up to do! It's always fun to meet new people and their talents.

Enjoy your weekend,
Jo

Robin Beck said...

I love Miss April too she is an amazing woman!

Funny you should write that you aren't a big reader but love magazines... When I was young I read alot and loved it. Then I had lots of children and didn't have time but loved my magazines (In fact my husband calls them "my drug of choice" because I am so addicted to magazines) Anyhoo to make a long story longer-All my friends were reading Twilight and I told them I would go over to Forks(town Twilight is based out of) on a day trip and get photos for them. Then I thought "I should probably read the first book to know what pictures to take" Oh my goodness-I was hooked, lined and sinkered into all four books! I've read them twice and have since read 3 "other" books too. I can't believe how much I have missed reading BUT my kids are older and I do have "a little" time to enjoy it!
Now most my extra cash goes to my magazines AND books-If only there was more time in a day! :)
Have a great weekend,
Robin~♥

Unknown said...

She is my favorite too. I just LOVE her with a passion : ).

Pam D said...

I thought I'd commented on this post, but I guess it stayed in my head and never made it down to my fingers! I LOVE April! You know how you can talk to someone as you drink coffee, and the conversation is much weaker than your brew? Not with April; she's someone I feel like I could sit down with and talk for hours as the coffee gets cold. :<) I love your featured blogs, Sandy; you do a wonderful job of bringing the blogger to life.
Blessings...

Stacey said...

I agree with you 100%. April's posts are always up-lifting and personal. She's the kind of girl you'd be friends with if you lived close!