Thoughts on Blogging

Someone asked me recently why I blogged.  The short answer is, Because I like to.

The long answer...

I began this blog over 2 years ago (I cannot believe it’s been that long!) as a way to record and share the stories of our adventures of living abroad in London and traveling through Europe.  I am so thankful that I have this little spot in cyberspace to relive our time in London and beyond.  The time we spent in Europe was probably one of the most happy times in my life thus far, and will always be remembered fondly as the beginning of our story together.  

Then, in an unexpected twist, our little travel blog turned into our baby book for Eliza.  Recording all of the wonderful excitement that came along with pregnancy and then motherhood will be looked back on one day by not only myself, but perhaps a grown Eliza, too.  I hope she will be thankful for such recordings and treasure our collection of stories.

Finally, in its current state, Van Nesting is more about our day-to-day lives rather than extraordinary adventures.  However, we try to treat each day as though it’s just that - we strive to make the most of every day given to us and to turn our ordinary into extraordinary (sometimes it works, sometimes it’s a crapshoot).  Nowadays, my blog is simply the place I record all of it - our experiences with parenthood, the excitement (and anxiety) of turning our new house into a home and really, just my general (very important) thoughts on life.  

I don’t keep a journal, but this is the closest thing I have to keeping one.  It’s something I treasure, something I’m proud of and something I’m happy to share with my family, friends and anyone else who is interested.  

Like I stated before, I write this blog for us as a family.  As an online keepsake of our most treasured memories, our milestones, our beloved friends around the world and a journal for our family.  I had no intentions of having anyone read or even show interest in this blog other than our mothers.  But I shared it just in case there was anyone who wanted to take a peek into our life. And I am so thankful, tickled and appreciative for the handful of people that came, who keep coming, and who tag along on our incredible ride through life.  

I plan to continue writing, for I love doing so and I am committed to having something for Eliza to look back on one day.  Something other than pictures, that tells the story of our family.  I hope she sees that our pages are filled with love, a unique zest for life, being responsible for our own direction and, most importantly, a sense that our lives are to be lived with purpose.  

So, to answer that question again, I write for this blog because I need to.