I began this blog in September of 2006. I was looking for a way to keep a journal of sorts to document our wait for Lydia. I first learned about blogging from Eliot's blog...one I followed everyday for months after a friend told me about it. Matt and Ginny are friends of a very good friend of mine, so I somewhat felt like I knew them and I hung onto every word Matt said, anticipating each day they had with Eliot. I prayed for them and loved how I could *know* them through their blog. From theirs, I found a lot of you...and was so excited about having a blog of my own. I could not wait to comment on other's blogs whom I found so inspiring. Another thing I was amazed at was the fact that there were so many moms like me out there...and the like-mindedness and kindred spirit was found on many of your blogs as I read. That was so encouraging for me!

As I look back on this year and month of blogging, I am so thankful for those whose paths I have crossed. There are many who stand out to me and I could never list all of them....just look at my blog roll...it is full of wonderful blogs and I don't even have all of my favorites on my list!!!

I would just like to thank a few of my blogging friends at this time. I appreciate your encouragement. I love peeking in at your lives as you strive to live godly in this world. Most of your blogs make me think...although there are a couple that make me laugh...every time I read. I enjoy all of them. I don't read everyday. My time just does not allow for that...but when I do, I am inspired, thankful, challenged, and encouraged greatly. What a joy it has been to meet all of you.

So, much thanks to these great blogger friends of mine...and I do mean real friends.

Kim at Mercy Days has been one blogger who I would LOVE to meet in person. Her wit and charm are so evident from her lovely posts...most of which make me laugh out loud. (I do not do that very often when reading blogs.) Kim and I are very like-minded and attend churches that are probably very similar doctrinally. She is a homeschool mom and knows what she is doing, plus, her girls and mine would have a blast together...I can just tell. Her little Samuel could teach my Jack Henry a thing or two. Now that she is expecting baby #4, I'm sure she will have many more adventures to tell...She is very blessed and just a fun sweet person.

Amy and her family have meant so much to me. I don't remember how I found Amy's blog, but it has forever changed me. I think that is true because she caused me to see what suffering really is. I'm afraid of suffering or having someone in my family suffer... She was so strong and courageous...Her faith was in God and not in herself. Amy's example was so so challenging to me. It challenged me in ways I have never thought of. The thing I appreciate most about Amy is that she glorified God through her illness and suffering. And God was glorified. I just wonder how many people her life touched for God's glory...One really neat thing that happened through Amy's blog is a a long lost young girl(who is a very godly woman now) whom I taught in church years ago as a teenager found my blog through a comment I left on Amy's. She knew Amy from a friend of hers. Small world,isn't it? So, now, Leigh and I are in contact through our blogs....she attends Josh Harris' church and we are such like-minded sisters in Christ! That has been so fun finding her and seeing how God has worked in her life!!! I love you, Leigh! I enjoy her blog,too. You can read it here. Amy's family continues to be on my heart. I will continue to pray for them. It has been a joy to get to know them better.

Leslie at Lux Venit inspires me. She reads more than almost anyone I know...she has a heart to study and know God more. I love this about her! She is one blogging friend I have met in person and she is so sweet!!! I appreciate her and Karl's desire to seek out a Biblical church, but I know they have been through some struggles in that area. I just really respect her and how she handles her blog.

Rosemary is one whom I would love to meet. Her blog is refreshing and simple. She quotes words to great hymns and always inspires me with her wonderful quotes. The thing I appreciate about her is that there is so much spiritual depth to her life...it is just something I can tell. Her blog is simple, but there is so much more to her character and life. I would love to know her better. I know I could learn a lot from her wisdom and Biblical knowledge. That is why I frequent her blog. In a way, she mentors me through her blog.

Susanne at Living To Tell the Story was one of the first bloggers I met and I thought her blog was so cute....since then I have seen her heart for the Lord and respect her very much. She has children a tad older than mine, so I can appreciate her wisdom. Her joy in serving the Lord has been a great example to me.

I just love Mindy at Ponderings of the Heart. She has such a heart for studying God's Word. I can really appreciate that, especially since she has such young children and she still makes time for deep study. We have visited on the phone some and almost met once, but it didn't work out. Her blog has been a special one to me. Plus, it is just so cute!

Jill has been a great encouragement to me as we journey to our daughter from China. They recently adopted from China and that made 5 children for them,too. So, I was drawn to her blog from early on. She, also homeschools and her husband is a youth pastor. They just seem to have such a blessed life...although she will admit it is challenging sometimes, she seems to handle it all with ease while trusting God through it all.

Amber is such a sweetheart! She and I have connected through various things that we have in common. She is blessed with such a wonderful family. She has such a heart for her husband and her children...I love to read about her homeschooling adventures! She does so many really special things with her children! She was homeschooled (back when it was not popular) and now is so excited to be homeschooling her own children. I would love to meet her...I have met one of her sisters---she is a doll...now,if just Amber and I could meet. I think we would have so much to talk about!!!! I told her I would love to meet her mom one day, too. That lady inspires me....she needs to have a blog! : )

These are just a few of my favorites. I am going to be writing about some others in upcoming post...but I must wrap this post up. I mainly just want to say thank you to the blogs that have meant so much to me...and I want others to enjoy what I have benefited from by reading all of them.

I know most of you know where I got the name *Lifesong* from for my blog title. I recently was able to hear Casting Crowns sing this song in person. It was great! You can go back to my original post to read the words to the song and see what my original point was in starting a blog. It has not changed...I want my *lifesong* to sing to Him...the author and finisher of my faith.