It’s official! I have been blogging, ranting, enabling for about a year now and thought I would document this occasion with a few thoughts about what I’ve learned and enjoyed so far about this little experiment into the public journaling world.

1. Writing about my experiences and adventures has brought about a great sense of peace and understanding…..there is something very therapeutic about processing one’s own thoughts through writing. Thinking about our struggles and our joys in a “big picture” kind of way when trying to put them into words has helped me gain insight and perspective into our family journey (particularly the struggles with the foster system that have irked me throughout the past year).
2. As a follow up to #1, my irritability level has significantly decreased because I have something (someone??? all you readers) to share my emotions with and release those stress hormones through the creative expression of writing. I’m sure my husband and wonders definitely appreciate this one throughout our daily life.
3. Keeping up with posts can be hard at times….I feel like the thoughts in my head are not all that exciting or I struggle with how much to share publicly. But once I realize that those thoughts about what others will think is really just about my own perception and not rooted in the WHY of this blog, I can move forward and more ideas flow into my brain.
4. I hope that my blog has highlighted some of the joys and the struggle of fostering little ones. There are no two foster situations alike so our journey as Team Brave Dinosaurs is not an example and highlight of what it could/should like…..but I hope this blog (and however I choose to publish it) will be a solid document in years to come for WonderGIRL and WonderBOY. I hope they get to read it later and hear my thoughts, my love, and my passion for them as we grew our family through this process.
5. One of my favorite lessons learned from this blog is something that I have been very much missing from my scrapbook days….and that is the ability to pay attention to ALL the moments with my family and document them. The big exciting adventures are great and I want to remember those forever…..but the tiny, funny moments and quotes???? Those are the ones that fill my heart with such immeasurable joy and contentment with my life that I can’t wait to look back on and relive….like WB modeling his new vest or meeting my new neice for the first time. All the feels over and over.

Coming later this week – a request for suggestions on what to blog about next AND a giveaway with two of my favorite “game-changer” products that I want to pass along to two of my readers who I appreciate so much!