Monday, June 22, 2009

Private Or Not?

This has been an ongoing discussion in our household for almost a year now. I compromised by changing my blog address and taking out our last name last fall. That has appeased until recently.

My wonderful husband worries about the whole world being able to see our lives. I really don't feel like we are interesting enough for the whole world.

I feel that it is my fault that the subject has been brought up again in the last few weeks. I've noticed that on day's I post I have anywhere from 100-150 people reading; which to me - is flattering. But to Jaren? Terrifying. He just see's tons of strangers. I know that majority of the people reading are family and friends. People who don't like to comment or are too shy to comment so we know they are there.

So, I would mention random places over the globe that I thought was interesting. Or google searches that brought up our blog. Each time he would say, "Do you want to go private?" Or, "When the baby comes, can we please go private?" It doesn't make me nervous, but it does him.

My issue with this is that I think there is a lot of family and friends who read, but don't let us know they are there. And we go private and they lose that connect with our lives.

Well, today I think the line was drawn. He has some friends who have had a terrible experience by posting pictures of their baby. I married a very, very private person, if you haven't noticed already. So this, to him, is re-justifying what he has wanted all along - privacy. He knows blogging is good for me - the connections I've made have been wonderful. I've made some really really good friends from this that I think will be around for quite some time. This is also something I really enjoy doing.

So, we talked about it and I am going to make a new blog that will have lots of pictures and stories and I can post whatever I want - but it will be private. I think I'll get it all set up in the next few months, but the whole point of it will be for family and friends to see what is going on with our little girl and us. I will keep this blog and will still post some pictures and stories, but it will all be pretty generic and safe.

The point of this post is to let everyone know that once I have this baby there wont be a ton of her in this blog - but the private blog will pretty much be all her. I am willing to add anyone who wants to be added to view it. Of course either one of us will need to know you somehow - but please, let me know. We want to keep family and friends updated on our lives and our growing family is the biggest part of it. And in Jaren's words, "I'm just worried about the safety of my two girls." So, this is calming his troubled heart. Which I want to do.

What to do?
You can either leave a comment in this post with your email address or send me an email to whitneykathleen at gmail dot com. If you have been reading and want to be a part of the new blog and we know you but your a little shy to let us know your reading, it's fine, send me an email, we don't mind!

This blog will still be up and running even after the private blog is started. Just less info about the family as a whole.

Why I love to blog:
I have found a lot of joy going back and re reading my posts. I forget about some things and I definitly forget exactly how I'm feeling during certain events. This is why my posts have gotten longer and a bit more detailed. I want to document our lives and this is the best way. I also keep a private journal, but I update this a little more. I'm going to start getting each year made into a book and it will be a sort of journal/scrapbook. I have noticed that since I've been pregnant my mind is leaving me. My memory especially. So I'm trying to keep up to date on events so I will remember. So I don't mind making an entire blog for our kids. It will just make for another book just for them :)


32 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I understand his concerns. This sounds like a fair compromise.

sands14@juno.com

Tiffany Fackrell said...

please count me in tiffanyjoy83@hotmail.com

Just a sidenote, do you have this blog taken off of all the search engines?

Anonymous said...

My husband is the exact same way but we have the same issues with our families as well. I had my blog private for a while but I had so many aunts and cousins telling me that they couldn't see the blog and didn't have an invitation, blah, blah blah so I turned it public again! Anyway, your husband is pretty spectacular for thinking of his family!

devrieskate@hotmail.com

rychelle said...

count me in

daisyblu@cox.net

Unknown said...

makes sense...I think those of us who are public are constantly thinking of whether or not private is the way to go...BUT I still want to see your baby and read your stories!

so...here it is:

oasis630@yahoo.com

Steph said...

We had the same discussion at our house. It's frustrating because our comments have gone WAAAAYYYY down because people don't see when our blog is updated but it gives my hubby peace of mind, so I suppose it's worth it. Good luck!
oh, and stephie_lissa@hotmail.com. I can't wait to see pictures of her cute little face!

Sara Ann said...

Yeah, I can understand, and If my husband was worried I might go private. I just emailed you to get on your list:)

Jo said...

I think it is neat that you two love each other so much and are finding ways to make it work. I love that you are not just caving on something you feel is important, but are still deeply considering his feelings. What a way to win!
Please put me down for cute baby pictures and stories.

Stephanie Kay Moore said...

Very good point! My email is stephaniekaymoore@hotmail.com

Ashley Outnumbered said...

Invite me, but use ashley_altaridge@yahoo.com. It's tied to my google id, so it makes things easier. :)

*Megan Marie* said...

Hey Whit! ICount me in!
farmtowngrl@gmail.com

Brandon and Calley said...

I want in too :) We're some of those-interested to read, but too shy to comment category. :D
theharvills@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Long time reader, first time poster/commenter... I would love to read your blog and I guess this is getting me to come out of the word work!

~Paula

oboedm at yahoo dot com

Chantile said...

Oh man don't forget me
chantile.haupt@gmail.com

Jules AF said...

JulesAF at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Count us in too, I think you're supper funny :) and I'm excited for your little girl.

annismommy@gmail.com

Ty Robbins said...

We would love to keep updated!

tyrobb@gmail.com

Aquaspce said...

That's a pretty fair compromise and a lot for you to keep up with. Sad that I won't get to see your little family but understandable also. ♥Abra

Randi and Adam said...

We are friends of Jaren's from high school and my husband Adam also worked with Nathan at BMC West. We recently saw your blog off theirs and would like to continue reading it since we don't see Jaren often and are interested in how his new wife and baby are doing! So our e-mail address is starlight2313@hotmail.com

Wendyburd1 said...

Okay I am going to email you right NOW!!

Chad, Chelsea, Dawson and Jett Davis said...

Me too! Add me when you get it up and runnin'.

Lindsey Gilbert said...

Don't forget me! I mean I AM your sister after all... linds2007@hotmail.com or lrg509@gmail.com you choose but let me know so i know what one to sign in with :)

roxrocks said...

roxwithpox@hotmail.com -i read you.

Robyn said...

D and I would love to keep up to date with you guys...therobisons1@gmail.com!
Thanks!
and your couches...Amazing!:)

Little Jordynn Elizabeth said...

Hey!! I started a blog! LOL Its boring but hey, gives me something else to do when I'm bored or feeling random! its mmmthreat.blogspot.com OH and my email is mmaranda@ymail.com

Nana said...

Add me too Whit!!! I want to see her too :)

Whitney R said...

haha, mom. Lindsey made me laugh, too. Of COURSE I wouldn't forget you guys!

Ashley said...

I would love to be added to your list. glitzgirl911@hotmail.com

Jon, Julee, Maddie, & Dane said...

Good for you, I always think I should switch ours over but I KNOW no one reads mine so here mine is juleewalker@hotmail.com

Amy Hepworth said...

Please include me. :-)

amy@hepworth.com

Ben and Jamie Stott said...

Hey Whit...we want to be in the know too!

jamiestott08 at hotmail

LISA said...

carlandlisawelch@yahoo.com