This Mom's Confessions

By 108 Comments

Huge One Year Blogiversary Giveaway~The Bravest Thing I Ever Did: FTSF 37

Filed Under: FTSF, Writing/Blogging

Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF).  We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like).  Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below.

And now for this week’s sentence to finish:  “The bravest thing I’ve ever done is…”
And the next sentence to finish:  “The hardest choice I ever made was…”

The bravest thing I have ever done…

Becoming a blogger, because I still can’t believe some of the things I have shared about myself and my family on the Internet. I was definitely scared slightly to share so much of myself and family for all to see, but again I did it.

And I shared al sorts of tales, like the potty training journey for my youngest, posting about how we survived Hurricane Sandy a year ago, about not always dressing up to par anymore being a stay at home mom, and even how Lily played in the toilet bowl and even my huge mess up trying to make cake pops for the very first time!

But a year ago today, I took to transferring my little WordPress blog to my own hosted domain name. Therefore today, is my one year blogiversary.

I was actually sick on the day I decided to do this, but was still very determined to make this switch.

And again, I did just that. I learned so much during the setup process and remember wanting and yearning to learn more. Not only did I learn and teach myself so much as far as coding and design, but I was able to create another little niche on the Internet for myself with J9 Designs , too.

Also, I made so many connections. In the beginning, I was told me to make sure to reach out to as many other bloggers through commenting and social media. I took that very seriously and still do.

Because of this, I have been blessed to meet so any wonderful bloggers and writers this way. Many of which I have never laid eyes on personally, but do consider to be friends. I couldn’t be more thankful for this.

And when I put out the announcement earlier this month for interest in participating in my one year blogiversary giveaway, I was blown over by the massive amount that did join in and all the well wishes.

I truly felt so loved and so happy that I would be able to giveaway such an awesome prize, because of all those lovely bloggers who have joined.

Co-hosts forGiveaway for Post

My Co-Hosts from Left to Right and Top to Bottom~

Lanaya – Raising Reagan * Melissa – Home On Deranged * Angel – Sew Crafty Angel * Kera – Nugget on A Budget * Laura – Mice In The Kitchen * Danielle – Danielle Faith * Jen – West Street Story * Anna – Cuddlebug Cuties * Ashlee – A Step In the Right Direction * Sandy – Mother of Imperfection * April – 100lb Countdown * Dara – Not In Jersey

The Lovely Women also contributed and are a part of the giveaway, too~

Natasha – Epic Mommy Adventures * Sara – Confessions of A Red Headed Mama * Krystal – My Life of Travels And Adventures * Lisa – Chronically Content * Megan – The Big Megowski * Elena – Cropped Stories * Amy – The Stitchin’ Mommy * Kate – Another Clean Slate * Amy – Consider Me Inspired

So now not only is it that time of the week to linkup with FTSF, by sharing the bravest thing you did, but it is also time to enter my One Year Blogiversary Giveaway in the rafflecopter below. Good luck to all who enter. Thank you again to all that made this possible and that are a part of this very special giveaway with me, too.

It is a $400 Cash Blogiversary Giveaway!!

Giveaway open worldwide | Winner MUST HAVE a Paypal Account | Entries WILL BE verified | Winner has 48 Hours to winning e-mail or a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finish the Sentence Friday


Weekly Giveaways and Signups~

Daily Affiliate Offers~ 

Ellie~

  • Ellie.com is running a GIVEAWAY for a FREE Ellie outfit and yoga DVD set.  You can enter to win this wonderful workout package, here.
  • And for More Info on the DVD: The Ultimate Yogi (read on):
  • The DVD set in the giveaway features 12 DVD’s and a 108 day yoga program   
  • Travis Eliot (teacher in Santa Monica) is the influential yoga teacher featured
  • Includes a Nutrition plan and program Calendar

    20 percent of Ellie

Shutterfly~

Blogging Design Needs~

Don’t forget to check out my web design company for specials running at J9 Designs for all your web design needs, plus we are now offering Paypal’s Bill Me Later, too!  
Disclosure Final

 

Please Visit my Sponsor of The Month:

One Click Is All It Takes!!

Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory

About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Catherine and I am honestly so happy to be a part of the blogging community, as well as just happy to be able to give back a bit more with this giveaway. I hope you entered and wishing you tons of luck if you did!! 🙂

  4. Billybuc says

    I don't even know how to finish that sentence. I never think in terms of bravery for me….I'm just a guy who tries to live a loving life. Not much bravery involved in that. 🙂 Have a great weekend Janine.

  5. tamaralikecamera says

    I just had to go back and read your earlier posts because we weren't BFFs a year ago! So glad we are now. Scary Hurricane Sandy story and the magnesium one! Shiver. Des played in the toilet bowl once. (more shivers)
    What a giveaway! Holy cow!!
    Can't wait to see what you accomplish in the next year. It will be BIG.
    My recent post You Can Be A Hot Mess In The Game Of Life!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you for reading some of the earlier posts I linked here. I was actually thinking of reposting a few of the earlier ones for next week, but then I decided to join a Blog Challenge for the month of October and already have a few posts written for it. So, maybe I could repost still in the next few weeks. But seriously thank you for your kind words and also for being an awesome friend. I cannot say enough how happy I am that we are friends and hope that we do get to meet up someday soon, because I know we would have a blast!! 🙂

  6. stephsprenger says

    Congratulations- it is SO brave to move forward in the blog world, and you've done so much in a year's time! And what a giveaway- amazing!
    My recent post Surviving A Rough Pregnancy

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so very much Stephanie and I could totally say the same about you and your blog. Seriously, I am in awe of your beautiful writing and articles and just so happy that we have become friends through all of this. And hoping you entered the giveaway and want to wish you a ton of luck if you did!! 🙂

  9. The Vanilla Housewife says

    Wow 1 year and you are such an accomplished blogger already! Congratulations! I wish I could be as dedicated as you are when it comes to blogging.

  11. Rosey says

    My favorite memory from your first year is hard to choose!! So many were awesome. I'm going to go with your post about meeting Kera!! I haven't met another blogger in person, there are many I would love to, including you and Kera!! And I loved the picture of you both with your little darlings next to you. Time to meet again and add the new baby to the photo. 🙂

    Happy Blogiversary!

  13. stephanie2006 says

    Happy 1-year anniversary, Janine! What I like most about your blog is your recipes and reviews. Since our girls are almost the same age, I get a lot of inspiration from your blog! Keep it up, Janine!
    My recent post Mean Kid

  14. Amy says

    Congratulations on celebrating your one year Blogiversary! So glad our paths crossed….via Raising Reagan and it has been a pleasure to have become bloggy friends. I love reading your stories and you have accomplished so much this year and it really is something to jump up and down about. You often make my day with your comments and I really love how loyal you are. Since we are older with busted backs, it probably is best to just do a simple Snoopy dance and leave it at that. 🙂 I know this link up will be fantastic!

    • Janine Huldie says

      That last line made me giggle. Seriously sorry you too have a bad back, but love that it isn't just me, because I tell you it makes me feel older then ever could imagine sometimes. But seriously the feeling is totally mutual and love that we are friends through blogging. I am just so happy to have gotten to know you and become friends with you through all of this!! Thank you Amy for all your kindness and support over this past year. Truly means the world to me!! 🙂

  16. NuggetOnABudget says

    I love how you played in your bravest moment to your blogiversary! So clever. Sometimes I agree that blogging is one of the bravest things that I've done, because it has put me out there on a level that I usually wasn't comfortable with before. I never thought I would become a blogger, and definitely never thought it would turn into what it has today. Blogging means so much to me, and I really consider it like a job, but a job that I absolutely love doing every day. Even after having E, I couldn't stay away! Like you, it has opened up so many doors for me and friendships as well. And I'm so thankful for that. I'm so proud of you too for starting J9 Designs, it's a huge step to start a company and grow it like you have done, so successfully. So congrats to you on your one-year blogiversary and everything that has come your way because of it! Especially because we could meet and become best friends 🙂 xoxo!
    My recent post my bravest moment…& confessions of a mommyaholic's blogiversary giveaway!

    • Janine Huldie says

      See that to me has to be one of the best reasons why I love my blog becoming best friend with you here!! And you are right it is os hard to stay away even when I try to take a few hours here and there. I always fid myself checking back in. I just can't help it. And you are right I love it and I do consider it to be the best job I have ever had so far!! And seriously thank you for being my friend and all your support and kindness over and over again. I truly feel blessed and thankful for that and so much more!! Thank you and love you!! 🙂 xoxo!!

  18. realhousewife says

    I'm also SO HAPPY you out it out there and began blogging. It really is scary! I mean people pick us apart sometimes like chicken wings but they can also make our days more fun than EVER to go along with the housework right? Lol

    Happy Anniversary!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh so true Kelly and blogging is always more fun then housework!! But seriously thank you for being there from the beginning and still being here a year after. I am so happy that we are friends and have gotten close through blogging!! 🙂

  19. Judy Haughton-James says

    Heartiest Congratulations on your 1 year blogiversary Janine! You have a great blog and have mastered so much about blogging and designs! You certainly have an awesome giveaway going. I will be sure to get some entries in!:) I note that you were also affected by Hurricane Sandy. It was a terrible experience for my area of Jamaica. I am glad that the hurricane season continues to be quiet for us this year and hope the same for you too. Have a great weekend.
    My recent post Question Time

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Judy and seriously so sorry to hear you too had it bad with Hurricane Sandy. So with you on wishing and hoping that the hurricane season now stays quiet and remains this way for the year, because I am so not ready to go through anything like this again anytime soon. Wishing you a great weekend now, too!! 🙂

  20. Cathy Shaw says

    I confess I just discovered you, thanks to this contest. But I can see by looking at past posts that you do a great job with family life. That post about kids being little "aficionados" of band-aids–that's so true!

  22. Surprise Mama says

    Happy Anniversary! I it so brave to start a blog and to promise to be honest. That is what I have been doing as well and I applaud your bravery!! And of course, I love your blog!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Dani and I did have a bit of help from a blogger friend at the time, but I did in the end setup the look and feel of my blog. And then learned the ins and out fo design and coding, too. So not going to lie, very proud of myself for those two things if nothing else!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Sarah and again just so happy you did link up with us today for the very first time and hope you will contribute to linkup with us in the weeks to come now! And I also love that we have the same thoughts about blogging!! 🙂

  28. marykatbpcsc45 says

    Hi, congratulations. One year. It looks you have blogged your whole life, not just one year. I thought you were a veteran. I have been blogging only seven months now. Thank you so much for all your support as a newbie. 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Aww, Mary thank you so much for saying such lovely, kind words here. I love blogging and sometimes have to pinch myself how lucky I am that I went with my gut on doing this. And it truly is my pleasure in supporting all my blogger friends (an you are totally included in this!). Thanks again and wishing you a wonderful weekend now!! 🙂

  29. The Dose of Reality says

    Happy, Happy, Happy Blogiversary!!! I love how you put it…sometimes you meet people blogging and even though you haven't met in real life, you are friends. That's just spot on, and thank goodness!! I feel so fortunate to count you among my friends! Your blog is absolutely amazing, and I can't believe all you've accomplished in just one year!! WOW!!! Unbelievable!! You are a true powerhouse!! Love you and congratulations on one year!! –Lisa
    My recent post Pinterest Nightmare #747: SkyRest Travel Pillow

    • Janine Huldie says

      Lisa, first off I love you and Ashley to pieces and seriously you ladies are seriously among my favorites in the blogging world. And truly so glad we are friends and couldn't have asked for better friends from blogging. Thank you seriously for you daily support and kindness to me and hope you both know how much I appreciate it and value our friendship. That said, I hope you both enter my giveaway and am wishing you so much luck now!! 🙂

  34. Cyndi says

    It just occurred to me that my one-year is coming up. Though I'm not doing as much as I'd like blog-wise at the moment, I fully intend to keep it going. 😉
    That said, your giveaway is awesome! Rafflecopter hates my internet, though. It's not you – it's Rafflecopter. Man, oh man, you have no idea how many sites I've tried to do Rafflecopter with. Sniff sniff. Even before my old laptop died, it had trouble with Rafflecopter. :'(
    Oh well…I SO wish I could enter. SOOSOSOSOSOSO wish I could. 😛 I even tried this time for fun. Oh, Poop.
    Well, keep on keepin' on my friend. You're rockin it. It won't be long and I'll be back to blogging BUNCHES again. 🙂
    My recent post Equinox – Ten Things of Thankful

    • Janine Huldie says

      Seriously, can you believe it has been a year for us. Where did the time go an am so sorry that Rafflecopter gives you such a hassle. Wonder if you could use another computer outside your home that would allow you, because I really wish you could enter. And I seriously can't wait for you to be back blogging bunches again!!! I so miss our daily conversations and you know how much I love you!! 🙂

  35. Lizzi; Considerer (@LRConsiderer) says

    WHOOT! Janine, that’s so cool, and well done you for doing it even though you were ill at the time. I’ve loved watching your girls grow through all your gorgeous pictures.

    I’ll enter the giveaway this time (I never do Rafflecopter) because for the first time I have a good thing the prize could go towards – I just signed up to run 5k for Race For Life (supporting Cancer Research UK) and have set myself a goal of £500 in 21 days! Eek!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Seriously awesome goal and know if anyone can do it, it is so you Lizzi. I am so glad you entered and seriously hoping for this cause that you have a real shot at this. Wishing you tons of luck. And thank you for always being so kind to me and for your friendship, too!! 🙂

  41. Lynn says

    congratulations on your blogiversary!!! I love learning from you and your experiences and someday I plan to take the plunge too! You've got guts girl!! Besides your candor, I love your creative recipes. Thanks again and here's to another year!

  53. Gabriel Rossi says

    I was not following your blog along this first year, but I would like congratulate you on your Blogiversary and also thank you for this amazing giveaway!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

Confessions Belong To

I Am A Published Author!

Featured Confessions

Confessions Partners

baby clothes on DHgate.com