Why I Decided to Blog & Five for Friday

I am linking up with, I Heart Grade 3, for her weekly summer link up.  This weeks topic is, “Why I Decided to Blog”.  I am few days late to the link up, but better late than never! Let’s flashback about four years ago to 2012.  That is when I started really following several teacher’s blogs.  Some of my favorites at that time were Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons, Miss Jump’s Class, and The Inspired Apple.  I noticed that these were all really good and really big bloggers.  I started to feel inspired by their creativity.  But the more I started to look and follow other blogs,  I also noticed there were a lot of smaller blogs out there that were just as good and just as creative.   I loved that there were so many teachers, whether their blogs were big or small that had these amazing ideas.

Flash forward to the summer of 2013.  This was the summer I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it.   I started designing my blog.  I wanted my blog to match my classroom.  I came up with most of the widgets you see on my blog myself, but I started running into trouble when it came time to figure out certain scripts.   So, I did have someone help me design some parts of my blog, while other parts were done by me.   I wanted to start blogging to show things that were going on in my classroom.  Plus it is a great way to meet other teachers and moms out there.  Blogging also helps me keep up with the latest technology and new ideas for the classroom.  When you have been teaching for about 15 years, staying on top of things is important!

I must admit, at times I am better about blogging than at others.  Obviously breaks and summer are peak blogging times for me.  Sometimes during the year it is hard to get to my blog and write.  I try to make a point and check in or link up at least once a month.  I know to some, that probably is not very much.  However, for me it works!   I love to blog and I love TpT, but I don’t want to spend all my time in front of my computer when I get home {and it can be very easy to do}.  Sometimes when I sit down to read other blogs or start creating something, I have to set a personal time and then just walk away.  Other wise I could be here all day reading your awesome post or designing something.

Blogging is so much fun!  It is a great way to just escape and say what is on your mind.  I notice that I write my blog just like I speak.  And I am so ok with that!!!  I know that sometimes my writing may not be perfect and my southern roots may shine through, and that is ok too!  I want my readers to know the real me, not the, “I have been edited a hundred times me”!  I have even received compliments about this on my blog.  I have had several people reply when reading my blog, they feel like they are sitting down and having a conversation with me.  I think that is an awesome compliment!

Stop by, I Heart Grade 3 to read why others decided to blog.  I can’t wait to read your reasons for blogging!

Now on to my Five for Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching!!