my dear readers: an open letter

My dear readers,

     It's a new year. Everyone's talking about starting over. New beginnings. Fresh starts. You know, the same old thing everyone spouts about for the first few weeks in January. Well, around here, things are going to stay pretty much the same. I'm going to keep my blog address.  I'm going to keep posting. I'm going to keep making you all sick with redundantly cute pictures of my child, while complaining rather stupidly that he's growing up too fast. However, I am considering making one *teensy* change.

I'm considering going back to being public.

     I hate my blog being private. I feel neutered. I feel censored. I feel like there are people who could be potential friends that I'm missing out on simply because they can't really approach me. Not that I've had people beating down my doors to be friends with me. In fact, I think if anything I'd say it's almost the opposite. I have had more people complain about my blog content than praise me for it, I've had more people start to dislike me because of it, rather than like me. But regardless of this, I still am considering going back to being accessible to my friends and the general public.

     Saying this, though, I have to tell you all right now: If I start seeing the IP Address from the offending woman popping up again, I will start to consider going private again. If I get another comment, or if my in-laws pick up on weirdness at church, I'll go private again faster than you can say "crazy person." However, if this happens, I won't need to ask you all for email addresses again. The addresses that have been accepted to this blog, and saved, are in the "allowed reader" list now, will be there in case of an emergency. If that's okay with you all. Obviously, if I have to go private again, I will not be making an announcement, I'll just do it and you'll find out if and when the time comes. Nothing is more important than the safety of my husband and child, and if I'm feeling my family being threatened, I'll swallow my pride and do the deed again.

     I want you all to know that I appreciate your continued interest in my blog. I am glad that this small space of the internet has allowed me to continue friendships, create new ones and build stronger ones. And when I say that I appreciate every single one of the people who read- who accepted invitations to read- I really and truly do mean it. ALL of you- and yes, you know exactly who you are that I'm talking to. At some point or another, you have all made an impact on my life. Whether it was being friendly in Senior English, befriending me in a random college class, becoming my best friend after a random night in a tiny dorm room playing dominoes, supporting me when I was upset, helping me on my wedding day, guiding me through my first months of motherhood, or simply letting me know you are interested enough in a stranger's musings to want to continue reading, you've all left a lasting impression on me. And I thank you for it. Really, honestly and truly.

     And with that, I believe my sentimentality for the evening has reached its maximum point and therefore, it's time to wrap up. I must warn you, my daily posting will not be making a comeback any time soon, but I've numerous "new years" posts to finish, and Christmas Day and Boxing Day to cover. I'm fighting with repeating myself over and over again, so after some editing, I'll get those out for you.

     I wish all of you joy, love, success and contentment in the new year. I hope you all find something to entertain you here, and that you continue to want to follow along with our little family. I know we're not the most stimulating bunch, I know we're pretty basic, un-fussy people, but I hope if anything you find us to be genuinely happy and very much in love with one another. What more could any family want?

     All my love,

                 Stefanie

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