HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY TNH!

Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear TNH happy birthday to you, and many more!!!!! Oh my best memories, let's see I avoid the flybaby thread at all costs but was so glad to see how open this site is to new and different things. You could have easily said " no no this is my turf". Oh I'm not sure if it was the first ever debate on the site but it was heated and fun, The Death vs Life in Prison debate. It changed how I thought. Oh I cooked a Pinwheel meatloaf and my whole family loved it, I now have picked over the best recipes in the box. That was years ago, this was the first site I took a recipe from. I would not have ever concidered nursing my baby had it not been for TNH. She nursed for 16 months and has never had an ear infection. These are all very personal things for me but the best thing I got from TNH was that it's ok to take care of your family.... this IS my job. And I'm not ashamed. I'm not 'just a mom'. I'm a homemaker!!!!!

Wow, that's a powerful tribute Tricia! That's great!

TNH has been on my daily web browsing schedule ever since it started - my kids were 4 months and 2 then - now they are 5 and 7 - hard to believe! As life has gotten busier and I've gone back to work PT I don't cruise the internet as much as I used to, but I always make time to check in to TNH.

Andrea

mine were also 4mths and 2+!!! Can't remember the exact date I first found this place - who knows how momentous things will turn out to be later on, but we got the computer and internet when we moved here, which was the December before, so it can't have been very long after things got started.

we had quite a few heated debates in the early days... back when Shaun, Heidi (where did she get to?!?) and I were younger and more inclined to bother with arguing anything! I think we must have mellowed over the years because we're just not as scrappy as we used to be. Though almost never did they degenerate into slanging matches or personal rudeness.

What's important is that Lynn has fought tooth and nail to keep this place going at considerable personal cost, and has managed to keep it a safe, comfortable and inviting place for everyone. Not even just women, although I think Mike's our only regular amongst the guys. Anyone out there lurking and too shy?? We can pop in whenever we fancy a chat, when we need a shoulder to cry on or direction to deal with problems. And in quite a few cases we've felt safe enough to take it (cautiously) a step further into making a friendships cross over into the real world. Make no mistake though - the friendships made here are very real.

Thanks Lynn.

Kerri.

I arrived here just recently, late January maybe, but this site has had a profound impact on me. Although I'd always known I wanted to stay home when I had kids and I was clear with my husband about that before we even married. (And he won my heart by saying that he could stay home with the kids and work part time telecommuting so that I could continue to work if I wanted to.) :::blinking back tears::: Who wouldn't love a man that said that?! I had lots of support from my mother and in laws to stay at home, and it seemed like everytime I told someone I was an at home mom they congradulated me and told me how great that was.

In spite of all that, it's been hard for me to grapple with the change. The first year I was just trying to keep my head above water, learning how to be a mom. But after my darling daughter started becoming less high maintainance, I was left looking around my home, thinking, what am I supposed to do, now? And I didn't really value myself fully because I wasn't contributing finacially to the household.

Since coming here and reading the articles, forums, stories, et cetera, I've had a couple of epiphanies about my contributions and potential not as they relate to making money, but how they relate to making a home. It's taken me three years, but I'm stepping into a new paradigm of owning my talents and abilities as a homemaker and mother. And it was The New Homemaker that showed me the way.

Bless each and every one of you. Thank you.
______

May The Hair On Your Toes Never Fall Out

--Traditional Hobbit Blessing

I want to thank Lynn for doing such an excellent job as designer, moderator, and friend to us all. I have never attached and bonded with a community like I have here. In some ways, I feel you are even closer than my church community...I've been here longer! You are just a mouse-click away, and I've poured out my heart to you all many a time.

I've been here around four years, I think, although like Kerri I can't remember my first contact or how it came about. I was probably doing one of my "frugal," "homeschooling," or "homemaking" searches. I've had three babies since then.

I count you all among my dearest friends; I really do. Even though we've never met face to face, we've shared so many of the details of our daily lives that it's impossible not to bond with one another. DH recently discovered a site he feels is "home" (motorcycles, of course!) and he said, "I'm like you now; I have found a place full of kindred spirits." Only one problem; he is seriously cutting in to my TNH time! (JK )

I remember Heidi fondly, too, Kerri! I hope she lurks from time to time. I was recalling a few days ago our discussion threads on hot topics like abortion, pornography, death penalty, (Walmart!), etc. and how even though it got heated at times we always ended up well. That's the kind of community we have here. It wasn't that long ago I was just venting about some personal issues, and received a generous gift in the mail from someone here. I will never forget that unexpected kindness! Like one of those "mercy drops falling." I come here every day and find that mercy, grace, humor, encouragement.

Thank you Lynn, and thank you all so much!

Susannah

That's what I consider my time here as. I found this site when I was pregnant with DD3 while searching for breastfeeding support. I found that and so much more.

This is always the first stop when I log on because I feel so supported here. Everyone truly wishes everyone else well, even when we disagree. (Same-sex marriage, anyone?) I love the fact that although out focus is family, we still have honest to goodness adult conversations which make me think. I also so appreciate that even though I am only kind of a SAHM, no one holds it against me that I also work outside of the home 35 weeks a year.

It was through this site that I found the Flylady and OAMC, which have seriously improved the quality of my life. I do the systems my own way, but have so much more time and energy for my family now. I also always know that if I come ask a question I will get help and support in dealing with housekeeping, which is so important for me as my mom did everything, and I had zero experience when I became a homemaker.

Thank you so much Lynn, for giving us this space and protecting and nurturing it. I really think that this site is one of the best examples of the power of the internet to bring people together as a true community, no matter how far apart geographically we may be. Thank you everyone else for all of the support and good karma you give to imaginary friends from far away.

With Gratitude,
-Jo

Isn't it funny how we've mellowed. I do miss Heidi (screen name Heidilynn, right?) too, I wish she'd check in and see how we've all grown and changed. Well -- and Susannah's so stubborn there's just no point arguing with her anymore!!

I've been here almost 5 years -- I can remember because I started coming in the earliest days of DD's newborn life. How I found it I don't even know. I do know I had that same conversation with DH around that time: "What would you think if I decided just to be a stay-at-home mom?" (I included the old "just" a SAHM because that was my thinking back then!! blush blush!) He just smiled and said, "Whatever you want."

I guess the main thing this site has given me is a place to create my identity as a homemaker, with lots of great ideas and role models -- lots to embrace and a few things to consider and reject. I never knew that I was the kind of person who could be a SAHM (I'm also a WAHM, but I work so that I can be an AHM); I thought it was a lifestyle for other kinds of people. (Rich people, uneducated people, extremists ... you know the stereotypes.)

Say it with me, ladies: "I AM the New Homemaker!"

I decided to stop lurking because of Honey.[something she said] Can't remember now what but I felt like we could all be friends even though we are far[some close] from each other. I have been around here 2 yrs

Many are in the same boat and can root each other on.
I kind of like when we get a good raucus going
I must admit I don't always give my 2 cents because I don't think I would have a very popular opinion on some things and I also can't always expresss myself were I won't get into trouble

I miss the eyes rolling smilie

my favorite topic was when we were talking about Honey and the guy coming to her house.[[too bad he wasn't a keeper]]

some days I think ...oh I don't have time for this anymore and then I find myself peeking in to see what all of you are doing.

even though I have a paid job I still feel akin to all because I wish I didn't work and could stay at home!! and ya all let me stay anyway
so thanks Lynn for giving moms a place to feel rewarded and special BECAUSE WE ARE!!!!

it's stated as an opinion there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't have your say Killy. The problem comes when people occasionally (and it doesn't happen very often) set their opinions up as being the only way to go. Not a good way to make friends! And I've managed to walk through a whole load of S&^T on many occasions and had to go back and reword what I meant to say. Sometimes the written word doesn't convey meaning quite the way you want it to, without tone of voice and facial expression to help things along!

I miss that smiley too Lynn... since it seems to be what I spend most of my time doing anyway!

Kerri.

Its not that I don't believe strongly in my opinions,,,its maybe as Lynn says with you all here I don't have 'the energy' to be vigorous.

and as Kerri says the tone can not get across the air waves

come on everyone what are your favorite posts...stuff like that

I'm new here and I'm kinda trying to still fit in ....but I've found...from what I've read....the people in here to be friendly and interesting. I found this place by accident. Although I too have a part time job....I am very much a homebody and into my house and yard. So I thought this would be a good place for me to be. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

If anyone else happens to need help with breastfeeding.....I breastfeed 4 babies.....the last one for 2 yrs. I'd be happy to help out in any way I can.