Post #500: Can it really be that many?

Seven years ago, I began blogging. A friend once said, "You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Mommy Blogger," and seven years ago I became one of the many. A lot has happened in those seven years, and much of it is documented right here in this blog. I am grateful. Grateful for the medium with which to tell our family's stories. Grateful for a place to give voice to my thoughts. And mostly, grateful to you, those who read and enjoy.

This is the 500th post.

Wow.

That is worth celebrating, I decided! When I began, I never dreamed so many people would want to read my essays. Really, I thought it would be just my kids (and probably not even all of them) and Gerald. Maybe my brother, occasionally? My two best friends? And that would be just fine because my goal was to do my part to preserve some family history. Plus, writing is therapeutic for me and far cheaper than a psychiatrist, so there's that.

But how to celebrate? I decided the best way was to look back and attempt to pick my favorite post of each of the seven years. Every year, I have my posts published into a hardback book, so I've been leafing through the many pages of those books, trying to chose my favorites. It's not easy. I  will link each of my choices, in case any of you would care to reminisce along with me.

For 2009, I chose my Christmas post. It was last Erichsen-Webster Christmas before people started getting married, and I remember so fondly sitting in my living room the night after, so joyous, so content, so thankful for my sweet family. 

For 2010, I chose an essay I wrote in my mind as we drove home from Salt Lake City after marrying off our only baby girl: Wasn't it just yesterday? I penned it the very next day as I remembered some of the earliest experiences of "The days of me and Shulamith."

For 2011, ah, okay it's a tie. I couldn't choose. Sorry. First is this post, "Wealth" because it highlights my sweet Isaiah and his understated yet strong character, and at this moment he is on the other side of the world (Australia), so very far away from me. And I miss him. But then there is this other one about Eli and leaving my baby at college, and, well, go ahead and read it if you want. And cry along with me.

For 2012, I chose two posts about Seth, our funny and fabulous 15-year-old, who, just the other day, was an equally funny and fabulous tween: Tweens and Planners are a Waste of Time and Space. I've said it so many times, but if you decide to have a "capstone" child, seven years after the others, be sure Heaven sends you one as amazing as Seth.

For 2013, I picked two again. Yes, this is becoming a habit. It's hard, though. There are so many. This one, because it still cracks me up everything I think about it (think Matt and Seth) and this one because it speaks my truth.

For 2014, so maybe three this time? I know, I know; this post is spinning right out control. But it's my blog and my 500th post, so whatever. I couldn't leave out my essay about bringing our missionary home after two years: You came home. You really came home. Or the one about our trip to Indiana to celebrate the first "doctor" in the family: Dr. Luke Erichsen. But then there's this other one which highlights the crazy, beautiful dysfunction that is our family.

And for 2015, we shall return to just two, Friends are friends forever and You might cry a little. Just because.

So there you have it. Post #500. Eli just came in and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he said, "That's a lot of writing!"

Indeed. A lot of writing. A lot of joy. A lot of memories. I may be one of the hundreds of "Mommy Bloggers," but my stories are all mine. And my family is all mine. I love them so very much.