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Happy 4 yrs of Blogging A to Z! {My Blog Story}

This week marks my four year blogiversary! Oh my word!, four years?! I started blogging in January of 2008—and since blog years are sort of like dog years, that was about 28 years ago! When I began, I had no plan. No real blog goals. I didn’t even know that one should have a goal in mind when blogging! In fact, I really had no idea what I was doing or what blogging was all about. I certainly didn’t know that there were home bloggers out there, and I didn’t know that my blog would become my business. All I knew was that I desperately needed a creative outlet!

I had just quit my ten year career as a counselor, was new to the whole “stay at home mom” thing, and had just moved into our newly renovated home in a new city. It was a lot of change to deal with and I was struggling to find my role…really to find myself.

Our home right after we moved in and our “twin” which was still abandoned at the time.

I loved to write, share photos, and random tips, so I kept spamming my friends with mass emails that included copious amounts of pictures of my children, silly stories, and random tips. My little sister suggested that I stop annoying everyone with my diatribes and start a blog instead. I thought blogging was narcissistic and time consuming—but then again perhaps so were all of those emails. Hmmmm. Maybe she was on to something. I decided to take her advice and started “The Stories of A to Z”. My blog was going to be my place to share the stories of my two sons, Asher and Zephan (A to Z), and whatever else I felt like rambling about as a “not-so-stay at home mom”.

A compilation of some of my previous blog headers. I would often change them monthly!

But what is so amusing is that during this first year of blogging, I was working part-time for a house flipping company—the company who helped “flip” our own recently renovated home from an abandoned mess to a brand new beauty. During our renovation, I was completely hands-on in customizing/designing and impressed my house flipping friends with my mad skills ;). They asked me to come on board and help them with floor plans, paint colors, hardware, fixtures, and kitchen designs for other homes they were “flipping” in my neighborhood. It was such exciting work and I LOVED it! And do you know what? I rarely, if ever blogged about it! Insane.

Another property I helped with. Why didn't I do this to my own stairs? And why didn't I keep the beams in my own lofted bedroom?

In December of 2009, something horrible happened and my marriage was on the rocks. I was so depressed and things were so personal and painful that I was left with nothing to blog about and considered quitting blogging. My entrepreneurial, house flipping friends knew my personal struggles and thought I could use a good distraction. They put me on my largest renovation project to date, and I had a blast designing our home’s “twin”. It was sooooo disgusting in it’s before state. You can see all of the befores and afters here.

Kitchen Before. Ew.
Kitchen After

As the Lord would have it, with a lot of counseling, prayer, and forgiveness my marriage healed and so did my spirit. I discovered home blogging right around this same time and I. came. alive. I have always loved decorating and had no idea that this online world existed where people just talked about their homes and their current DIY projects! I decided to join the fun, but was committed to keeping my focus mainly on Asher and Zephan. I didn’t want to be a “niche blogger” and wanted to keep my variety show going.

I remember reading Layla, Nester, Sarah, Rhoda, Melissa, Melissa and Chris and saying to my husband, “They are all so amazing! I really wish I could blog like they do.” My husband looked at me and said, “Come on. You know that if you wanted to….you could.” It was all I needed to here!

In early 2010, I decided to get serious about home blogging. With 500 followers and a few years of experience  under my belt, I decided to open up my blog to advertising. I charged $20 a month for a sidebar button ad and was thrilled to have a few takers! The blog grew and my blog focus narrowed.

One of my previous advertising logos with my previous pooch, Gandalf.

In early 2011, I became the editor for Tip Junkie Decorate and learned so much from the fabulous Laurie Turk! Mostly I gained the confidence to kick it up a notch and go full force in blogging. In June of 2011, I switched from Blogger to WordPress and changed my blog name from The Stories of A to Z to Home Stories A to Z. (Unfortunately facebook won’t allow me to switch my page name, so I am still “The Stories of A to Z” over there. Boo facebook!)

So there you have it. My blog story in a nut shell. It has been a crazy four years, and I am so excited to see what the next four years have in store for all of us! If you have followed my home stories at all, THANK YOU! I love what I do and I am so grateful for your readership! Your comments over the years have been priceless. Let’s pop some champagne and celebrate home bloggers!!!

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Comments

  1. Beth! You are absolutely amazing! I love your stories, your projects, and the real person you bring to the table! It’s nice to hear that there are others (like you) that struggled when they suddenly found themselves at home. I’m not a momma yet, or even preggo, but I’ve been dealing with some medical issues lately and have taken time off work to stay home to deal with them… for this go-getter… this has been a MAJOR adjustment! I’m very thankful to have my blog and projects to occupy my time, and this “time” has actually provided me the perfect opportunity to reflect on everything and really decide where I want to go from here. Lots of ideas blooming thanks to time, reflection, prayer, and wonderful inspiration across the blogosphere like you! Thanks for being you and congrats on the four year blogiversary!

  3. Wow Beth! Beauty from Ashes! Thanks for being so transparent. Life is hard. Marriage is hard. And the Lord is so faithful! I hope I get to meet you in person at Haven!

  5. Congratulations Beth!! Your blog is one of the ones that inspired me starting one. What an accomplishment for you and what a honest and humble post!! You made your mind up to do something and you did it! I look forward to continuing to follow along with you on your blog! You are a true inspiration and hopefully I can continue to learn from you along the way.

    Best Wishes,
    Sharon

  7. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart! I’ve watched your blog changes with fascination…it’s nice to read about them here. You’re almost like a blogging guru (that just about said logging guru as my keyboard is giving me some grief). Happy Anniversary Beth! Much love and many blessings for the years ahead!

  8. Congrats, Beth! We are creative because God is the Master Artist, and we are created in His image. I hope you understand how much you are bringing Him glory by what you do. Your honesty and authenticity is so very refreshing in this modern, 21st century world.
    Hugs,
    Christan

  9. Congratulations on reaching 4 years!! You definitely were one of the biggest inspirations to me to not only start blogging, but start redecorating my house! I get compliments all the time and always tell them about your blog. You’ve been so successful and it inspires all of us.

  11. Oh Beth! Happy bloggerversary!! I love that you shared so much of what brought you to this place of success. I DID wonder where you got your start, because everyone has to start somewhere. Wow, I think it is amazing that you shared your struggles and how you moved past them. So many people throw in the towel instead of digging deep to right something that was teetering on disaster. I really believe that every marriage has some kind of struggle somewhere, and getting past them together is what makes a marriage solid. How wonderful that you have had this place to share your “stories” and all the doors it has opened for you. What a great inspiration to all who aspire to grow their blog too! Have a wonderful evening. -K

  12. happy anniversary! such an amazing and inspiring story. so wonderful how your purpose can be right in front of your face all long, right?

    you and i are LONG overdue for a “chat”, friend! gonna email you this weekend.

    xo,
    dayka

  17. Congratulations! I’m new to blogging myself and its so encouraging and inspiring to learn how you started and continue to grow. You are very talented and a joy to read. Keep up the good work!

  19. Happy 4 years! You are one of the first blogs I discovered and remember reading it for hours! Every time I have ever come into contact with you, you have always been so warm and gracious! You, my dear, are the stuff great blogs are made from. 🙂

  22. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “you are one of my favorite bloggers!” Congratulations on 4 years of blogging!

  23. Beth, Congratulations! 4 years is a lot of days! I appreciate your honesty and positive spin 🙂 I’m almost at 1 year on my blog and removed the follower gadget because I was obsessing on the numbers, ha ha. At 45 years old, blogging has given me an outlet to express myself fully. Where it goes…God only knows, but you are an inspiration for sure:) Have a great day!
    Jodi

  24. Happy Blogoversary Beth!! It’s funny, when I looked at the picture of your twin houses I could see how they represent you. In 2009 you seemed to be that “dowm & out” twin & now 4 years later viola you are that beautiful twin 🙂 Here’s to 4 more blessed blogging & life years 🙂

  28. Hi Beth! Happy 4th! Sounds like you have done some amazing things in the last four years. I’m excited to read many more. I’ve been reading you for a quite a few months now {and have a sneaking suspicion we might be neighbors}. I just recently got started blogging myself and you are one of the reasons. Great inspiration!

  30. So glad I met you Beth, you’re a sweetie and I hope someday we meet in person 🙂

    Love your blog, your home and your sweet family !!!

    God Bless and many, many more,

    Kathy 🙂

  33. Happy Blogaversary!!!! You are absolutely one of my favorite blogs out there. Your honesty and great attitude make you stand out among the others. Keep up the good work and here is to many more years!!!

  36. Congratulations on your 4 years with Home Stories from A2Z. I’ve just started blogging the beginning of this year and just found your site a few weeks ago. I have found so much relevant information on your site. I think you are an amazing women and I hope the next years are everything you want them to be and more.

  39. Congratulations on this milestone, Beth. I am so glad that blogging helped you to find yourself and overcome your struggles. You are so inspiring and your blog is so much fun – I love it! Thanks for all you do here. Its blogs like yours that made me want to jump into this crazy world too!

  40. Happy Blogiversary Beth! I adore your blog and I am so happy that you were able to turn a passion into a career! You are so lucky as that would be everyone’s dream. I admire your dedication and you are truly an inspiration! Angie xo

  41. Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your story. God really does step in and help us out when we most need him.

    WHAT a transformation of your house and its twin.

    I’ll look forward to the next four years 🙂

  42. Beth, Thanks so much for your transparency. I too experienced a HUGE marital catastrophe around the same time as you. Fortunately, the Lord was able to mend my relationship as well. He is so good! Keep doing what you’re doing! I hope to get the chance to meet you in person sometime in the future (we’re both from the great state of Pennsylvania, holla’). I’ll be at Blissdom and Haven this year.

  43. Happy 4 yr blogiversary! Love how your kitchen turned out. I can picture a wall of my kitchen looking like the wall your fridge is on. The wall my fridge is on is set similarly. Thank you for sharing your before’s & after’s!

  44. Beth, thank you so much for sharing your story! Happy blogiversary! You should be so proud of how far you have come! I love your blog and look forward to reading it many more years!!!

  46. Congratulations Beth! I love reading your blog. You’re very talented and I enjoy reading your posts. The work you did on your “twin” is just breath-taking. Here is to many years of blogging (holding up virtual glass of champagne – I’m at work)!

  48. Beth, I am SO glad our blog journeys crossed paths & you have become a really dear friend to me. I treasure this online world we live in & can’t imagine anything more fun. Here’s to a great new year in 2012 for all of us!! xoxo

  49. Congratulations! My 4-year blogiversary is in April, but I’ve only recently decided to get serious about it. I loved reading through your blogging journey, especially the part about healing your marriage (so many marriages around me are falling apart these days, it’s nice to read a happy ending for once!) Here’s to another great four years and more!

  50. Happy 4th!
    I only found you last year and I am surprised to learn that it has “only” been 4 years! You have a great talent and I am happy that you are kind enough to share with all of us! You have been (and still are!) a huge source of inspiration for me in starting my little baby blog!

  51. As a newbie it is fun to hear stories from bloggers who have been around for awhile. I am so glad you stuck it out during rough times. DIY projects and blogging have become therapy for me too 🙂 I loved this!

  54. Thx Beth – awesome HONEST story. I cannot believe you were able to create all this ‘beauty out of chaos’ (im such and insider) out of a place of frustration….when I get frustrated and depressed the last thing I can or want to do is create! When I do my four year Blogoir and I get to the part where I say ‘I remember reading……that aint nothin, I can do that’ – Beth will be at the top of the list. Heres to you Beth!!
    Stevo

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