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Three wonderful years!

I've been writing this post in my head for the past week. It made me remember why I started this blog in the first place, it reminded me of all of the friends I've met along the way, I thought about the ups and downs we've shared, and how this little corner of my life has become one of my favorite places to be. I'm not a very good writer (believe me, I know this) so I choose to believe that you all come back here over and over because you love my family and you consider us "family friends". Well, if that is true (and even if it isn't!) we love you too. You are a very special group of people to put up with me and my crazy family! You've stood by me for three years now and I want to say THANK YOU!!


Can you believe how much my babies have grown in these three years?

So I bet you are wondering what I'm going to be giving away....well, that would be a SIGNED COPY of Anna Maria's new book! Handmade Beginnings is an awesome book, and I've already told you what a wonderful person she is (Anyone who tells Martha Stewart that she doesn't make her bed on national television has to rock! Enough said.) so leave a comment and I'll throw your name in the pot! Tell me what your favorite blog post was over these last three years and don't forget to leave me an email address. I will draw a name on Wednesday evening.


  I hope I get to bring you many more years of entertainment with all of the stories I collect as a hillbilly mama with three kids (and a sibling group on the way from Bulgaria), a crazy husband, and over forty animals, who lives on a little farm in Alabama. Thanks for reading my stories friends!
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Comments

Natalie at Our Old Southern House said…
i'm a recent follower (and love it).
i love the baby chicken posts because we ordered chickens from texas this spring too.
also, i love how you're adopting your next children--i am an adoptee myself and am also thinking and praying about adopting too.
oh, and i sooooooo want that book!!
May 31, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Leslie said…
I don't think I could ever pick one post that I love more than the others; I love how real you are in all of your posts. You are encouraging and uplifting, even during the hard times, and I feel very privileged to be a small part of your life.

leslietrontvet@yahoo.com
May 31, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Sarahnthegirls said…
HAPPY 3 YEAR BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY!
I just adore your blog and your family. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with "us". I look forward to each new post.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
May 31, 2010 at 11:13 AM
tara said…
I have been reading you for a while now and have so enjoyed what have shared. I cant wait to read the blog post about your new babies coming home to their new family.
May 31, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Haws Family said…
I love reading your blog, it is inspiring to me. I love seeing your projects, and hearing about homeschooling. I am expecting my fifth baby right now, and would love to get my hands on that book! Happy Blogiversary!
May 31, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Jody said…
I have loved that you have been willing to share your heart about your miscarriages. Having experienced it myself, I felt like through reading your blog that I had a friend to weep with.

jjrenn at sbcglobal dot net
May 31, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Unknown said…
Happy anniversary! I really enjoy reading your posts. You are very encouraging and like a breath of fresh air on many tough days. You've had many posts that I've enjoyed, but my daughter and I really enjoyed your video of the raccoons on your porch. Sweet country life!!
May 31, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Mary Ann said…
Hello, I am a brand new follower. I just found your blog today. I came over from marie-madeline website. I would love to be a winner but am just enjoying you sweet blog and congrats to whoever wins. have a nice week.

ladymiller@windstream.net
May 31, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Mama Lusco said…
Congrats! I have enjoyed reading your blog for the past 2 years and get a good laugh at your Confessions of a Hillbilly posts :) Thanks for sharing your life with us and keep the great patterns coming! luscofamily @ ortelco.net
May 31, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Rebecca said…
I love it when you post your new designs for the first time - always so exciting for you and it's fun to share in that.
May 31, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Mindy said…
My favorite post would be the one that first brougt me to your site.


it was the June 4,2008 post.


i've enjoyed much time here since my first visit.
May 31, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Attilio said…
why do you have to make it so difficult sam? as if i can choose just one post. each is written from the heart and felt too, be it a fun filled one with the goats or a sad one with prayers needed, or one of hope for your children-to-come....impossible task....
i do enjoy reading your blog. i too have good days and bad days and when i log on and read your post it makes me either laugh, or say to myself "i am not alone in how i feel"
oops sorry for going on a bit but across all these miles i feel you are a friend.
God bless
becky
bpbajona(at)maltanet(dot)net
May 31, 2010 at 2:41 PM
Anonymous said…
I'm a lurker and love all the family antics. I also enjoy Lil Blue Boo with all her crafty sewing. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
Dianne
jmclean(AT)mts(DOT)net
May 31, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Goosegirl said…
Hi Sam,
I can't begin to choose one favorite post.....well, ok. MY MOST FAVORITE POST was when you posted the video of Tim stuck behind the dresser. I laughed and laughed and then my kids laughed and then we giggled some more.
But I also loved reading about your decision to adopt. Made my heart sing.
And then reading about your shoes and how you were blessed with MORE was amazing!
And each post about your adorable kids and then the goat kids was so fun.
I love to read about your sewing and dresses and patterns but it is your family that really makes me smile. You are blessed and you ARE a good writer because you draw us in.
Thank you and happy anniversary.
Love,
Sivje
May 31, 2010 at 3:05 PM
Elizabeth said…
I agree, you are a good writer! Yours is my favorite blog to visit! Just feels like home. I love all your "hillbilly" posts, but sewing is what brought me here over a year ago - I still love those, too! Your family is so sweet. Congrats on three years.
eftragesser@yahoo.com
May 31, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Rose and Ivy said…
Like everyone else, I love all of your posts-- but the ones I like the best are the "Confessions of a Hillbilly"-- I live in the hills- but in Australia- the things you talk about in these posts are the things I do now and did growing up. Makes me realise the world is really a very small place!
May 31, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Annette said…
I love the Market post you did the other day. It makes me want to go to! It sounds like so much fun, except for the 'missing the kids' part. I think that would be the only reason for me to stay home (and missing the my husband too...).
Oh, and ofcourse the fact that I am terrified of flying... Sigh.
May 31, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Happy Blog Aniversary! That is why I come here. I talk to my DH about you guys like I know you IRL..he probably thinks I'm crazy. :) I can't pick a favorite post!
May 31, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Jean said…
I vote for the one with the Easter dresses, since I wound up copying one! This is one of my favorite sewing blogs and it's been so fun to see you expanding from crochet to your own pattern line!
May 31, 2010 at 4:45 PM
jellaan said…
I love your blog and really can't pick a favorite post!! I look forward to each and every new post! :-)

Happy 3 years blogging!!

Julie @ littledarlingdesigns.com
May 31, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Anonymous said…
Yeah,
How do you pick a favorite? :) I LOVE the postings about your "nook" by the stairs- a spot just like that would be in my dream house someday :) I loved it!! So peaceful! And I love the adoption posts- we've adopted and would love to again (have biological children too)- it is a wonderful (and hard) journey and amazing blessing in your life :)!! Thanks for the chance :)

candy at fiber dot net
May 31, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Julia said…
Congrats on your 3 year blogaversary. I love all the posts I've read.
May 31, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Anonymous said…
Happy Blog Anniversary Sam! :) May there be many more to come.

It would be very hard to narrow down one favorite blog post but we watch the lizard video and the piano/drum jam session a lot around here. :)

But nothing beats the stories about your babies and your beautiful sewing, needlework and crocheting.
May 31, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Kelly said…
I love reading your blog. One of my favorite posts was when you decorated the shoes and then got 3 more pairs because the CEO loved them so much! Very creative!
thatkellygirl@yahoo.com
May 31, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Unknown said…
I've been enjoying your blog for about 3 months now, I guess. I can't really pick a favorite post, but if I had to it would be the one where your kids and a bunch of other kids were all at your house and they played outside all day and at the end of the day, you filled up the pool with soap suds and let them play in the soapy water and then hosed the suds off as they came in. LOL. I laughed till I cried. Thank you for writing.
May 31, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Kim said…
The post that stands out in my memory is the one where the lizard got in the house! HA! But I love them all. :) Happy Anniversary!
May 31, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Candace said…
throw mine in girl.
May 31, 2010 at 11:49 PM
Cassie Louise said…
Hi Sam :)
I'm a 16 year old Aussie, and I faithfully follow your blog because your "slow lifestyle" is exactly the life I want when I grow up. I absolutely love sewing, knitting and spending time in the garden and am quite a homebody. I hope to have kids as beautiful as yours one day :) say hi to them for me! As for a favourite post..anything and everything. I love how you are so real, you don't try to hide anything, I really look up to you and your family and I hope you continue blogging for many years to come!
Love, Cassie
beethoven.junior@hotmail.com
June 1, 2010 at 3:33 AM
Vicky said…
Hi Sam,
Happy 3rd Blogversary!
I've been following you for about a year now.
My favorite posts were probably the ones waiting for the baby goats... I had to check most days to see if they'd made an apperance!
June 1, 2010 at 5:54 AM
Debbie said…
I absolutely love reading your blog. A favorite post...oh my, I have no idea. I love them all. You always write something that makes me ponder, and you don't even mean it. I'm thankful the Lord put you in my life.
Congrats on three years!
June 1, 2010 at 6:42 AM
Nicole said…
I just love your blog...your honesty and love for your family is very inspriring. And of course I love all your patterns too. :) Thanks for this giveaway...I love AMH's books!
Nicole

nwashburn77000@yahoo.com
June 1, 2010 at 7:10 AM
kathleen said…
I check out a lot of blogs (I mean,who doesn't?), but yours is a super favorite of mine. We have things in common that make it a more special place for me...our husbands are from BIG families, we homeschool (though I did put a few of mine in school this year for the first time, but that's a whole other story!), you sew and embroider (well that's an obvious one), and you love the Lord. That one is so wonderful, cause all this crafty/sewing/creativity I find everyday on the internet comes from only one place, God's good grace! Anyway, I have been reading for a long while, and have been making my Miss Madeline dress for a while too! And those little birdies have found their way to many of my projects. You are a sweet mama (much sweeter than me!), and you inspire me in so many ways!! So thank you for that and thank you for blogging (and making great, sweet dresses and patterns, etc)! Take care! And I got my own signed copy of Anna Maria's book for mother's day, yea!! So please exclude me from the drawing. :)
June 1, 2010 at 7:22 AM
Jenlyn said…
I have to say it was the post with the video clip of the rampaging lizard. The way your children looked at you in mixed panic and excitement made me remember times when I felt that way in my childhood. I am very glad you share your life with us on cyberspace. I still pray that your adoption process will go quickly and smoothly.

jc184304 (at) ohio.edu
June 1, 2010 at 7:49 AM
Amy said…
I have only been reading your blog but greatly enjoy it. Our lives are similar - we have 5 birth children and have adopted 13 children, all but one in sibling groups, from the foster care system. We also run a small family farm with cows, goats, pigs, chickens and turkeys. We used to live in southern AL but now live in the Pacific Northwest. And finally, I love to sew and quilt which is what brought me to your blog in the first place...
June 1, 2010 at 7:55 AM
Anonymous said…
The hillbilly water slide. Hilarious!

joypurvis@gapeanuts.com
June 1, 2010 at 8:19 AM
Cole's Corner said…
I'm a fairly new follower. I came over to check out your patterns and sewing projects. So, for now, those are my favorite posts.
Although, reading thru some of the comments, I may have to stay a while and read some older posts- like when Tim got stuck behind the dresser... that sounds hilarious... and kind of sad.

I would love to win the book!
ColesCreations at live dot com.
June 1, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Anonymous said…
Well I've been following about a year; I do love your sewing related posts, my two favorites are the re-do of your stairs/school area {Thanks! I have fairy lights in my scrap area now!!} and a video post about a critter on your porch, it was night time.

Congrats to 3 years!
June 1, 2010 at 10:15 AM
andreak said…
Mine would be Molly's sewing video! So sweet. Hope everything is progressing smoothly with the adoption!
June 1, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Elise said…
I loved your post about your girl's birthday party. The ideas were gorgeous!! The flowers in the trees...
Elise
June 1, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Madaline Jane said…
I don't know that I have a favorite post. Happy 3 year anniversary!
June 1, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Anonymous said…
I am a fairly recent follower (a few months). I love all your posts, but I think the one that sticks out to me the most right now is the Mother's Day one. I got all teary eyed reading everyone's favorite memories. :)
June 1, 2010 at 2:07 PM
4throse said…
I always enjoy your posts, but the ones that come to mind right now are the ones about the sewing loft you and your hubby created. I was amazed and so inspired. Thanks for working so hard to bring beautiful, modest girls' patterns to us!
June 1, 2010 at 3:13 PM
Marla said…
Hey Sam! I LOVED the Sanuk post! Loved it! It was inspiring- to go outside of the box and make something you've bought reflect who you are! I've always thought you had to buy what you wanted- and never really thought of altering something new to make it more personal!

Happy Blogiversary!
June 1, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Beth said…
Pick a favorite? Impossible... but I enjoyed your Market recap, being invited into your home (the fireplace), and seeing your view of life on a farm with three kids!
June 1, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Heather said…
I can't pick a favorite, I love every bit of your blog! Thank you for sharing these little peeks into your life!
June 2, 2010 at 12:33 AM
Angela said…
The posts about your little ones in heaven are what brought me to your blog and the strength and honesty in your writing was a comfort to me. So that's why I keep reading:)
June 2, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Marissa said…
Happy Blog-iversary! My favorite is still the "sweet-ta-tata" sandwich post. Ü Too cute! Sam, I've been following for a year or so, sometimes I feel like I'm right there beside you, enjoying all your adventures.... and you are a good writer!

Happy Wednesday,
Marissa marissa@raggedycabin.com
June 2, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Renata said…
Congrats on 3 years! I really enjoy your blog & do feel like I've made a friend in you! I hope you have a wonderful weekend
Renata:)
June 4, 2010 at 4:50 PM
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