All of a sudden, I have HUNDREDS more people visiting my blog each day, which is pretty neat (do people still say “neat”???) but, I’m curious, where are you coming from?
How’d you get here?
Where did you hear about my blog?
Will you be returning????
Do you like what you’re reading? (it seems you’re staying for a while to read to get to know me, so that’s nice 
)
Anyway…. introduce yourselves…. drop me a note, let me know what you’re thinking, hum a few bars, whistle a tune… you know, say “hi”.
Pretty please.
PS If you found me through Pinterest, please let me know (and let me know where I can find your boards. Feed my addiction )
Hi Debi, I’m back after a lost-my-bookmarks hiatus. I never commented much before but I think I did mention that my parents fostered and we adopted my younger sister out of care and she has CP. I’m glad to be back and now following you on twitter!
I do remember when you told me that
Thank you for sticking around and following our journey …
Oh, and I am almost through the application process to be a foster parent myself! I should have an approval decision by the end of February. I guess insanity runs in the family
(I am a single mom of two girls after my husband left us for a woman he met online four years ago)
Woohoo! Congrats! (fostering, not the divorce. ugh. Infidelity SUCKS!)
You will love how rewarding fostering is. It just makes your heart over-flow
Hi debi,
I found your blog about halb a year ago, but I haven’t added to my reading list since about 3 weeks ago. I like to read about large families and your infidelity blogs are very informative as my boyfriend of five years (I’m only 23) had a short affair last year which shook my world. I decided to forgive him, but its harder than I thought. Thanks for sharing your life!
Greetings from Germany!
Guten Tag!
So sorry to hear you’re also in recovery from infidelity. (it’s honestly so much harder to reconcile than I think I ever imagined.) I do find lots of comfort in knowing I’m not alone and that others know what I’m going through/feeling/experiencing… if ever you need to “talk” please feel free to email me.
Debi
Hi,
I’m Sandy. I’m new to your blog and have you added to my feeds. I found your blog by searching for blogs about, “fostering”, “adoption”, and/or “Big families”. Not sure exactly which one landed me on yours, but I am enjoying learning about your family & life. Thanks for sharing! ~Sandy
Nice to “meet” you Sandy and thank you for following along (and for introducing yourself)
Welcome!
Glad for the readership my friend of millions of blogposts.
Lol. I know! Between you & I, its got to be close to a gazillion
Love that some of my dearest friends are people I can only hope to meet one day, who make me smile every day, and who pray for me even when I don’t ask…
Thank you for being my friend.
Hi, I’m Diana. I ended up here after I thought your response to someone else’ blog was witty and I wanted to see “who you were” Don’t ask me which blog it was cause I can’t remember. I was charmed by your adoption story and thought you had taken on quite a bit at a very young age and just knew you were someone special…..so I stuck around. Otherwise, I mostly visit quilting or cooking blogs.
Thank you for such a generous comment. (It’s not often I feel witty, so nice to know I came off that way. Yeah me!
Thank you for continuing to follow our story…
Can you suggest some good cooking blogs? I’m always looking for new recipes
HI! I found you through Chris over on his 366 project post.
I enjoy your blog.
Chris is one good egg
I started reading after I had met you and your wonderful family and realized just how much we have in common. Your posts say many things that I have thought but have not put into words. I read your posts when the links come up on facebook.
Holly, my friend, we need to get together for a coffee one of these days (or wine if it’s a really bad one
I’m still Lisa from Ontario.
and YES I love it here , i’ll always come back.
xo
Hey Lisa! So thankful you’re still here with me
Funny how friendly people.can become just by sharing comments on a blog, huh?
So very thankful for that!
Hey Debi,
I can’t honestly remember how I found your blog, but you’re the one blogger I’ve stuck with following ever since I started (kind of) blogging myself. I love reading just about everything you post. It’s funny. It’s real. It’s heartwarming. It’s deep. It’s honest. And it’s nice to know there are real people out there.
Plus, you’re kids are cute, and I love hearing their stories too
Thank you Kate! That is really very nice of you to say and an honor to be your “steady blog” to read.
I appreciate it, truly <3
I’m not a new reader (more like daily reader), but you knew that
Also, return? Of course, daily!
I need some blog posts from you about the transition from being at home and not on a schedule to heading off to Kindergarten where schedules abound. Baths at night or in morning? How much time to make it to school on time? Drive them or put them on the bus? Pack lunches, buy lunches? You seem to always be a few steps ahead of where I’m going so if you ever have a day to write me some instructions, I’d love you even more than I already do
Will work on something for you Brianne
)
<3 you too!
(I’m coming your way in July, I think. Maybe we can meet up and shop and complain about politics
you already know about me
though i would like to tell you that yours is the only blog (from someone i don’t know personally) that i started to read and still follow.
from all the ones i’ve tried (don’t know if you say it like this in english) it is the only one that is not boring, that is absolutelly human (with the good and bad bits), believeable and real.
Marion,
you have been such a wonderful friend.
Can not even express how much your personal emails to me lift me, always at just the moment I need it.
Thank you!
Much love,
Debi
I’ve been following you for so long I don’t remember how I got here. =) Just glad that I am.
Thanks Mimi!
So glad you’re here as well.
Your friendship means the world to me <3
Bookmark on my seldom-used upstairs computer! Can’t remember howI came across your blog a year orso bak, but it’s awsome!!!
Thank you for following Jules
)
(I have a seldom used computer as well, also holding all of my favorites … so bad that they aren’t on my laptop. ugh… one of these days
thats awesome….I always wonder that too…..I will get a few new readers all in one day then none, the a bunch in one day…..I always wonder how that happens LOL
sometimes I wonder if it’s when I leave a comment on a “big” blogger’s site…
never know.
But it is crazy.
My numbers seriously jumped by the hundreds and I have NO clue why. LOL
I came across blog through the Mega Family site. I’m an adoptive parent of two, and have been interested (although not in agreement with the quiverfull beliefs), as I checked and read different sites I came across yours. At the time I first read you had just learned about your husband’s infidelity. I quickly found myself caught up with concern about you and your family. I have commented very infrequently, tend to be more of a reader only on many sites. I appreciate reading different points of view on religion, politics and education. I’m also in awe of the sheer logistics of parenting a large number of children. Hope this new year brings good tidings!
Beth
Thank you Beth. It means a lot when people tell me they think of me (and my family) and our wellfare.
It’s been quite a journey these past 17 months.
For the record, I’m not sure how I feel about quiverfull beliefs myself. I completely respect families that can handle it, but know for certain that I would much prefer adopt babies already out there that need parents.
I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year now… Honestly, I have no idea how I stumbled upon it, but boy am I glad I did! Before I started my first year at college, my computer lost some information, and then I re-found your blog, and I’ve been loving it
Could sure use a new direction (ie it would be nice to finally close on our home. sheesh!)
I mostly love how God is shaping our life
How wonderful that you want to adopt one day! There are SO many kids and babies out there. (I would totally do it in a heartbeat if not for the state denying us because of the number of kids we have) It is the most wonderful gift.
I found you site a looong time ago. You were a blog winner on someone else’s blog so I checked the link here. The twins were babies …. I hardly comment since I tend to just lurk. I keep coming back but your honest and I like what you have to say!
Thanks for sticking with me so long! (my twins were babies?!? When was that??? Seems like a gazillion years ago! Boohoo!
)
Nice to “meet” you!
(when I find a few “spare” minutes, I’ll come by your blog and say “hi” )
Howdy
I found you on pinterest…. I’m not sure how or when but you have alot of kids 
– we have nine so i figured I would enjoy what ever you ‘pinned’ and then I decided to click into your blog. I still haven’t gotten too far because i started pinterest and you about the same time and its been a whirl wind of fun for me 
I appreciate you positive attitude even though your life has been difficult, and your open ness …. I plan on hanging around 
I was wondering if anyone who found me on Pinterest became a reader….
Glad to “meet” you.
Isn’t Pinterest addicting??? OMGOSH! I could literally spend HOURS on there just filling my mind (and folders) with recipes, crafts and DIY projects. LOL It’s a Martha Stewart wannabee’s dream!
I dont remember how i found your blog(i think on the mega family blog list) I have 7 kids my third has autism and my 4th and 5th are b/g twins my 6th and 7th are b/b twins I like to read blogs about bigger families and plan to keep reading yours.
Rachel
sounds like we have a lot in common
Nice to “meet” you!
Hi! I came across your website when I googled a recipe–I think! Either way I love your stories and your pictures!
Thank you! Nice to “meet” you!
PS Have you made any of my recipes? If so, any favorites?
Hi Debi- I was looking for a chocolate cake recipe for my new bread maker and I found your site (and your recipe). I’m so glad you held on and fought your way with cat claws. We all need to do that for our kids and for ourselves. I battled my way through 2011 and by God- I embraced 2012 just like you did!!! Thank you for sharing your story with all of us in cyberspace. I’m thinking of you and sending you positive energy.
big hugs from California- G.