Monday, July 28, 2008

Winner! Winner! Winner!

This is what I saw on my blog's stat counter yesterday when I went to go post. I took a photo of it because how often are you the 150,000th hit on your own blog? 

All I want to know is... 
What do I win?  

I feel like I am coming out of a fog that has hung over me for about 5 days now. I hope this break in the weather holds so I can be a more fun host for my guests. It is hard to be "present" when the fog sets in.


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for the past week and I have been so touched by your story. I have read all of your entries but haven't had the time to read through the hundreds of comments you have received so I hope the things I say aren't repetitive. Thank you for sharing you thoughts and REAL feelings with all who read your blog. My youngest is 2 weeks younger than Camille and I am amazed at how much they look alike. Reading about your loss has brought tears to my eyes as I look at pictures of your daughter and think of my own. I have had more patience with my children and have been so humbled as I have realized how precious the gift of life is. I wanted to share a thought I had as I was reading about the empty cabinet that Camille played in. I love symbolism and I immediately thought of the Savior's empty tomb and hope that by seeing the empty cabinet you will be reminded of the resurrection and that you will see Camille again! I have people tell me all the time to enjoy my kids while they're young because in a blink of an eye 50 years pass and you wonder where the time has gone. I hope when you see Camille again and look back at the time that it will only feel like a blink of an eye. May you continue to have the strength you need to endure and may you find joy in the journey.

Rebecca said...

You win love from all over the world. And I think you've been a great host with many things to ponder and think about and change in my life. I'm glad the fog has lifted, even if it's only temporary. Hopefully you'll have many good days to follow.

Anonymous said...

It sure is! Praying for you.

Shanan said...

you win more readers!! yay!! ha

love to you, Jon and the girls

Anonymous said...

I think I am responsible for at least 50,000 of those hits... ;-) Love! Stacey

MaryClaire Brown said...

i was reading my scriptures this morning (something i've done every morning for the last 2 weeks...a resolve i made after thinking about camille's death one day. my scripture reading had always been way too sporatic up until now), and i read 2 nephi 4. i couldn't stop thinking of you as i read those verses. this takes place just after lehi's death, which i'm sure was incredibly difficult for nephi, and i imagine he felt very alone at that time. he starts out by talking so much about his sins, and how his "soul grieveth because of mine iniquities" (vs. 17). it seemed that he was thinking, as you have, about how he wanted so badly to return to the celestial kingdom and be with his father again, and he realized that his sins were the only things that could prevent that from happening. in verse 19 he says, "My heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted." and from there he goes on in verses 20-25 to talk about how God has been his support. go find your scriptures and read those verses. they're probably marked over and over as mine are. i've read them so many times, and because of how much they're marked i know they've meant so much to me each time i've read them. but, i never understood or had any idea of how nephi was really feeling when he wrote them until now.

i know The Lord loves you, and i know that you know that. i'm also going to guess that he's really the only one who can help you out of the "foggy times" when you can't get out of them on your own.

i love you stephanie!

Anonymous said...

I am reading your blog at 9 pm on Monday night and your counter is at 157,350. 7,350 visitors since yesterday? That is incredible. If that doesn't show you how much people are thinking about you, I don't know what would.

Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Dear Stephanie,
You win this awesome online community that you have created here! You have reached out and touched so many people here- it is incredible.

My girls started swim lessons today. I have been putting it off for so long. The number of times my girls have been in the water can be counted on one hand. Well, no more excuses! Thanks to Camille, my girls are learning to swim. Just thought you might want to know that you and Camille have made a difference in our lives. Thank you.

Laura said...

I want you to know how amazing I think you are.
I have tried to post a comment before but just can't find the words to express my gratitude.
Camille has changed my life in huge ways...her mission is being fulfilled and she would be so very proud of you!
THANK YOU...for your wonderful words and constant reminders...we have an amazing God!
Your family has been and continues to be in my prayers. God bless you all!

Catherine Noorda said...

s - that is a lot of looks at your blog. what a far reaching influence you're having. amazing.

my parents are spoiling my boys her in slc. i'm excited for you to see the pics.

cat

Anderson Family said...

There is a thing called site meter (sitemeter.com) that you can put on your blog that will let you see how many people view your blog each day, how long they view it for and from what part of the world they are viewing it from. We have it on our blog and it's a lot of fun to look at.
~Nicole A.

Anonymous said...

Wow...so many lives touched by you...we all receive the prize from you every time you post. Thank you for the "In Vain" post...such a shift in perspective for me. I have spent much time pondering it.
When I lived in Nova Scotia everyone talked about the fog because it's very dense and heavy there...I learned back then that the only way to see through it is to be near The Lighthouse.
Love you!

Wards said...

I just wanted to say how much I look forward to reading your blog everyday! You are so strong and inspiring. I just read on another friends blog that one of her friends little girls just drown and I recommended your blog. You and Camille really do touch so many peoples lives! I keep you and your sweet family in my prayers.

~Hartwig Family~ said...

You are such a blessed woman. You have truely inspired me that I added you to my blog a few weeks back to share your story with my friends. I heard about your story through my sister where she of course heard it from someone else.. etc. I appreciate you telling us your story because you are such an inspiration to many including myself. Here is to 200,000 by the end of the week!

~Hartwig Family~ said...

P.S.
You are changing the world one "POST AT A TIME"..

Beth said...

I had fallen behind a couple days on my reading-though your family hasn't been far from my thoughts. But I had to share a story from last night....
As I was getting dinner ready my 4yo looks at me and says, "Mommy, I wish it was winter-I want to play in the snow!". My heart skipped a beat or two and I caught my breath, it was almost, verbatim, your conversation from the other day with your daughter! I had already shared your entry with DH and this gave me a moment with my DS. As I dropped to my knees and took his hand I said a silent prayer for you, your family & Camille-then shared your wisdom of enjoying the summer as we wait in anticipation for Christmas (and snow) to come.
God bless!

Anonymous said...

You have an award waiting for you. check my blog!

Anonymous said...

Stephanie,
Trevor and I just want you to know that we are thinking of you and your family. You are an amazing woman and you are loved by many people. Please know that our hearts are with you. It is our prayer that you will be able to continue to glean comfort from our Savior and know that you are "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15).

Unknown said...

I've been in the fog before and it has its good and bad qualities. Good is that it is gray, not blaringly colorful or dark. Things are not as sharp and painful in the dark. Unfortunately, they are not bright and shiny either! Embrace the fog...use it to gather your strength until the fog clears. The light always seems super bright when you step into the sun from a darker place but then it feels oh so good! The fog can give you a break from the sharp pains. You may even get comfortable there and not want to come out. Use it! Just don't forget to let yourself out of it when you are ready. Don't give up on the sun!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Well over 160,400 now!

I think it's neat that you "happened" to be the 150,000th hit.

As a fellow Maritimer said, stay near The Lighthouse!

Love to you & your sweet family....

angie j. said...

stephanie,

a friend forwarded your blog to me. she said it has been a great strength to her. i just sat down and read all of your june and july posts. i couldn't shut my computer down without just saying what an amazing woman i think you are. you truly are an inspiration to families who have suffered similar losses. your faith is an inspiration to me, and has motivated me to be more diligent in my own personal relationship with my Heavenly Father.

thank you for having the courage to put all of your thoughts down for others to read.

may god bless you and your beautiful family.

angie

Stephanie said...

You are so popular!