The other morning I woke up around 4:30am.
I shuffled to the bathroom, did my thing and then crawled back into my warm sheets.
How is it that even if I don't drink an ounce of liquid after 5pm, I have to pee at least twice in the night... yet Cason can down a gallon of water right before bed and doesn't even take his first bathroom break till after breakfast?
Having kids ruins ya. It's the truth.
Aaaaanyway...
For some reason, all of a sudden, I was wide awake. I tried to force myself to close my eyes and slip off into sleep again, but I had this nagging thought on my mind that I couldn't shake.
I got thinking about, YOU.
Yup. Our readers.
People who read about what we have to say on a day-to-day, or maybe even just week-to-week basis.
A question flew through my head that we get asked ALL the time.
"Don't you think it's weird that a bunch of strangers know so much about YOU, but you know nothing about THEM?"
My response:
(shoulder shrug) "Meh."
Sometimes I get an eye roll from people who think about how unpleasant and awkward that would be for their family, other times I get an uncomfortable giggle with comments after, like: "Well... you're just crazy" or "I could never do that, it would be so weird."
But to be honest (and I'm going to assume that about 99% of you have gathered this simple fact already)
I'm just an excitable over-sharer.
Didn't know there was such a thing, eh? Well... there is.
Hello
:)
.
.
.
Cason on the other hand... notsomuch. The same goes for his family.
While they are hands down the nicest, most charitable, happiest people in the world...
loud, talkative, giggly storytellers, they are not.
I distinctly remember about 3 months after we were married, hanging out at Cason's parents house with his Mom, Dad and a few of his siblings.
Oh sheesh... look at that goofy couple
:)
I was causally flipping through the latest Better Homes and Gardens magazine when I looked up and noticed almost everyone staring at me. I did the awkward, push-your-neck-backward-open-your-eyes-wide look and said something like... "WHAT? What did I do?"
Cason's Mom replied with...
"Nothing! That's the problem. We're bored, entertain us. Tell us a story."
Ack!
At first I wasn't sure if this was a jab at my overly chatty, fast talking, way too passionate about everything personality... OR... if she was really just simply asking me to strike up a conversation. (?)
Come to find out, gladly, it was the latter.
While I found this completely strange, because I (along with any one of MY family members) could carry out an entirely colorful discussion with a brick wall... the Smith's weren't really that way. Don't get me wrong, they were awesome conversationalists and always had great, funny things to chat about once they started talking... but sitting around, shootin' the breeze and just talking about everything and nothing, wasn't really their strong suit.
For me?... That's what I live for. That's how you get to know people for who they REALLY are.
Politics, religion, the meaning of life? All important things, don't get me wrong.
But discussing why dried-on Cream of Wheat makes for the hardest substance on earth to clean off of a granite counter top, how I wish I was like a Barbie, whether Heinz ketchup is better than Hunts or why sleepovers on a trampoline are NEVER a good idea with small kids...?
Now that's where the good stuff's at.
Are these things trivial and generally unimportant?
Yes.
But do they make for fabulously interesting and hilarious conversation that most people can relate to?
But do they make for fabulously interesting and hilarious conversation that most people can relate to?
Oh yeah..
So, my point? And maybe a better answer to that question above...
I have truly never viewed our blog as "something that strangers come to look at", but more as a place where I can chat about the everything and nothings, with friends who can justify my feelings and laugh along with me, compliment us on a job well done when we finish a project and occasionally relate to what I'm going through, as a Mom, wife and creative woman.
.
.
.
SO. That being said, I've got an idea.
We want to meet YOU and get a little glimpse into YOUR happy life!
How you ask?
Well, (in what may seem like a desperate plea to receive some fun mail... which kinda has something to do with it, I'm not gonna lie), we want YOU to send us your photo holiday card this year!
We're hoping to display them front and center in a special area of our home, designated for happy pictures this holiday season from all the friends we love and appreciate, near AND far! (the world wide web being the "far" part, ha!).
We're hoping to display them front and center in a special area of our home, designated for happy pictures this holiday season from all the friends we love and appreciate, near AND far! (the world wide web being the "far" part, ha!).
You know a ton about us already, so now we want to see and hear about YOUR beautiful, awesome, special family/life... and since you're already sending out those amazing cards with that picture you spent so long preparing for and taking... now's the perfect time!
Just you, your dog, your kids, the whole crew... whatever you want to share with us is up to you.
Just you, your dog, your kids, the whole crew... whatever you want to share with us is up to you.
Send us your cards here:
The Smith Family
The Smith Family
PO Box 203
Sandy, UT 84091
Please Note: Your holiday photo/card may appear along with others in future images on our blog; as part of our decor, and also so we can brag about how cool our readers are.
:)
I ran this idea past Cason and he's just ask stoked as I am! Whether we get 3 or 300, we're just crazy-excited to know a bit more about some of YOU!
Happy Mailing!
What a cool idea. I can't wait to see how you pull them all together in your display!
ReplyDeleteLOL OK, I'll put you on my list. I'm actually wondering what I'm going to do this year. I'm known for putting out that "annoying" Christmas letter (which, if I'm late, people ask me for, dang it!), but with an online presence and connections to so many of those on my Christmas list, I'm wondering if there is a point. Hmmmm...thinking out loud here...I may have my next post...TTYL! G2G! LOL
ReplyDeleteKristy @ Shona Skye Creations
http://shonaskye.blogspot.com
Do you "follow back" any of the bloggers that follow you? THAT'S a great way to get to know your followers too =)
ReplyDeleteCute idea! Watch your mailbox. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I'll definitely have to add you to our list. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! :)
ReplyDeleteAmy @ The Happy Scraps
What a fantastic idea! I'll be sending ours, which means I need to print ours. Hmmm... I've got some things to work on this weekend! :-)
ReplyDeleteSOOOO fun! I love it! May or may not have just dropped one in the mail!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super cute idea! I bet you will get tons:)
ReplyDeleteI am new to blogging myself, but have been reading your blog for a while. What a fantastic idea! My card is ready to be sent! (Yes...I'm on top of it).
ReplyDeleteHow cute! I'm totally sending mine your way! Love this idea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'll be sending you mine! I love, LOVE , LOVE sending and receiving Christmas Cards; it's rather exciting to me! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sending you mine! I love, LOVE , LOVE sending and receiving Christmas Cards; it's rather exciting to me! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteMy guess is 100+ cards will be coming your way and one will be mine:) First time I did this end smile. I'm learning!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fun, fun idea! I would love to send you our holiday card. That would mean, however, that I first must actually get one made! I'll be putting that a little higher on the to do list!:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! If I have an extra, I will send it on!
ReplyDeleteHow fun, I'm going to send in a pic!
ReplyDeleteI am soo excited about sending out christmas cards! And I will be sure to put you on the list. I don't have kids yet but I hope you are ready to get a picture of my fur babies!
ReplyDeleteistaistaista.blogspot.com
What a fun idea! Will be sure to add your address to our mailing list :)
ReplyDeleteoh - you are so gonna get one from me!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! Mind if I steal it for my blog too? I love getting Christmas cards!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Funny how the best ideas are sometimes thought of in the middle of the night!
ReplyDeleteWow I bet you get a ton of cards. You are going to have to tip the mail carrier!! Fun idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super-fun idea! I am adding you to my Christmas card list.. And we even got a family picture taken this year. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's kind of a brilliant idea! And I, for one, am excited about the idea that a blogging celebrity might put my little family on display at her house!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! This is such a fun idea! I don't normally send out Christmas cards, but I'm totally tempted to now after reading this! I know. Totally weird. But you're kind of like, well, you are ARE a blogging rockstar, and to think that you would hang up my little ol' Christmas card in your house... :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I don't send photo cards but if I did you would get one for sure!
ReplyDeletethis is a pretty wicked awesome idea! i'll be sending ours :)
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome idea! Totally will send our card!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I'll send you one. I wish we got more. People just don't send holiday cards as much these days. :(
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! Hope you get LOTS of mail because you are appreciated and are such a help and inspiration to so many bloggers and readers. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me chuckle! And now you need to have a contest to guess how many Christmas cards you are going to get from readers! I guess 638 :) I think you are going to have to wallpaper your walls with these!! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea, Shelley! I will add you to our list!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun idea. And I love reading your ramblings. Makes me feel normal *wink*
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun idea!! If I have an extra card, I will totally send one your way!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! We will definitely be sending one!
ReplyDeleteHow fun Shelley! I love getting Christmas cards! I better get my booty in gear and order those cards! I'd love to add your family's card to our wall too! Thanks for being you!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea Shelley! And oh my gosh about cream of wheat...you could build a house with that stuff :)
ReplyDeleteFun idea! I'm a new reader, so I need to get to know you better - looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a newer reader to this blog and I just love it. My husband's family is exactly the same as it sounds like your in-laws are and I've never been able to put into words how different it is from my family (who are the "chatters"). You said it wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I'm adding you guys to my list. Oh and I can completely relate about being the chatty one. You basically described my interactions with my in-laws.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Oh exciting - we don't really do the family photo on the christmas card here in New Zealand or at least I don't so I will look for a nice picture that will depict xmas day for us here - in the middle of summer!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea! We don't have this tradition here in Germany, and when I come to think of it, I might just adopt it and send you one, too. Just need to see how my fiancé thinks about it ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea....I'm adding you to our list! Can't wait to see what you do with so many cards:).
ReplyDeleteoooh - this is an exciting idea! Can't wait to send you our Christmas card. Guess I'd better finish designing it...
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. One of the best things about social media is the ability to become "friends" with total strangers. It's the new form of a vintage pen pal system.
ReplyDeleteDear Shelley, this is a great idea, but it is not why I'm writing to you. I just want to say that I love the way that you send your blog emails. There is enough information and pictures to let me know if I want to click through the read the rest of the post. With the trend to get everyone to "click through", most other bloggers only enter a couple of sentences, which is not enough to whet my appetite to click through. Just want you to know that I appreciate that you thought of your readers when making this decision. I wish that your fellow bloggers were just as considerate :)
ReplyDeleteLove from Homewood, Alabama!
This is a fun idea!!! I am definitely going to try and send one out. I love this online world. I have "met" so many wonderful people that have become friends that we now chat over the phone.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! BTW Heinz is better. It is saltier to me, and that is a good thing in my book. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that you are great! I love you! It's so nice to wake up in the morning and read such a cheerful blog. I just wanted to let you know how much I admire you and how much brightness you bring to my day.
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you a Christmas card! You're blog always inspires me and makes me laugh :)
ReplyDeleteYou are too cute and this is such a fun idea - we'll be sending one your way! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I'll send one out tomorrow. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT IDEA! I wish I was doing cards this year, I would totally LOVE to send you one! Instead I will be moving into a new home and making my husband (and myself) do all of your DIY profects: plank wall, beadboard with shelf, board and batten, etc! Thank godness for you and your hubby sharing ALL OF YOUR FABULOUS IDEAS! I love everything about you guys! Your the best! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea!! I just love your blog!! and YOU!! You seem so bubbly nice and beautiful inside and out!! Thanks for sharing with us your life!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! Totally cute & who doesn't love to get fun mail? The first thing I thought, however, was good now when I say my friend Shelly, like you are my neighbor, I won't feel like you are only an imaginary friend because you do send Christmas cards to your FRIENDS!:)
ReplyDeleteThis is why Seinfeld was so successful. Everyone loves to talk about everything and nothing.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me laugh...I am sending out a few cards with my dogs on it but as far as my children go...it's extremes. The older family (2 boys) shyest of the shy would rather be staked to an ant hill than be involved in something like this. They younger family (2 boys and a girl) would have 3 children discussing the importance of being in front and what to wear and Chloe would be right in the center because she is, after all, a 4 yr old princess. We are a unique family
ReplyDeleteI've been reading for a while now but have maybe never commented. :) I'll be sending a card your way... because I feel like i know you, so you must know me right?! :) blogs are such funny things when you think about it!~
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun idea! After all, we all get to know you through everything you share through your blog, instagram, etc. But when it comes to us, you don't know a whole lot! LOL. And reading this reminded me that I MUST get started on our Christmas cards!
ReplyDeleteThat is the most fun idea EVER!
ReplyDeleteThis Grandmother who enjoys reading your blog everyday would love to send you a Christmas card. Your blog is a joy to read and you always brighten my day. I am sure you will get many cards and thank you for being you!
ReplyDeleteI am totally sending you one. Our missionary got home in October- so we are so Excited to take our family picture this year! Especially since-we will most likely have an extra member in our card next year. Yay! Thanks for this awesome idea!!! I hope you enjoy receiving our Family card. (the Galvan's)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea. I just ordered our cards yesterday and can't wait to see how they turned out. I'm a little OCD when it comes to the whole Christmas photo card. It takes forever for me to pick the right picture and them pick the right card to go with the picture. Sadly I let my husband pick the card out of three that I created. He picked my least favorite but I went with it. I just added you to my list.
ReplyDeleteOh my! I was just talking about doing the same thing. Great minds. My hold up is I don't have a PO Box and I'm not going to put my address out for the world to see...Not that I would mind all my bloggy friends paying me a visit. I Might have to go get me that PO box now!!
ReplyDeleteHave a crazy beautiful week!
Makes me want to start a blog...just to use this idea!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Cards have been ordered...
Mailed you my card! Hope you got it and hope you will keep us posted on how this fum project went for you!
ReplyDeleteWell you were already on my list to send to, and now that I am seeing this (very late) i'm feeling silly that I emailed and asked you the address when you already had it posted...I miss SO much, but I came here today to send my hubby a how-to link with the email title: all i want for christmas is to get some projects done. boards on the wall is #1 on my list (like in your kitchen, but pink)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I love getting cards! Mine is late but it is on the way!
ReplyDeletethank for your sharing.
ReplyDelete