So I’ve noticed all the cool bloggers are doing “Top 10″ lists of their most popular posts for the year. While some may see this as an easy filler post, I actually love the tradition. If I’m checking out a new writer, I feel like the “Top 10″ generally provides a representative sample of their subject matter and writing style. Also, even for bloggers for whom I don’t miss a single post, the “Top 10″ provides a trip down memory lane where I can pull out the tissue box and once again shout Amen! to their beautiful words.
As for me, well, I didn’t even start using Google Analytics until late March, and while I’ve been surprised at just how many of you do stop by occasionally, I remain a rather teeny little dot in the blogosphere. In any case, I think it’s interesting to note which posts garnered the most attention, so without further adieu, here are my Top 10 for the year.
1. Should I Be a “Once-a-Month” Mom?
May I say that I think it’s completely hilarious that my most-read post of the year dealt with cooking and recipes? I don’t really enjoy cooking, and I have maybe three posts on the entire blog dealing with food (one of which is #5). Just goes to show the number of Google searches related to food, I suppose. Hmmm…..maybe I should figure out how to write about adoption and God through food metaphors, and I’ll get more hits? So, in the beginning, there was the big….cheese?
2. Christianity, Chicken, and Why I’ll Eat at Arby’s on August 1st
3. Christians, Rainbow Oreos, and Outrage
I’m probably most proud of these two posts. The sentiments expressed therein are nothing new for me; I’ve held those beliefs about homosexuality since actually getting to know some homosexual friends in college. It’s just that I’ve never really verbalized my beliefs in quite such a public forum. I remained quiet under the pretense of avoiding conflict. I didn’t think it was my business to make it my fight. But with all the ruckus this year over cookies and chicken, I decided enough is enough and that as a Christian, I wanted to make dang sure my homosexual friends know that I love them, and I think Jesus LOVES them, and I think the Church as a whole needs to seriously re-evaluate the way it treats certain groups of people. I lost some friends over this; I got blocked from Facebook, socially ostracized, and told I’ll be spit out of the mouth of God. That’s fine. I don’t need everyone to agree with me, and really, that’s nothing compared to what our gay brothers and sisters have endured. And to those of you who sent text messages, e-mails, comments, and phone calls in support, I am thankful and honored to call you friends. You are amazing!
4. Struggling with the Bible is Not Unbiblical: Biblical Womanhood Review #1
I was honored to be part of the launch team for Rachel Held Evans new book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Through a special Facebook page, I got to discuss the book with a group of amazing bloggers and discovered dozens of new folks that are now “must-reads.” I got SO much from this book, including Thoughts on Babies, Biblical Womanhood, and Being Barren and The Bible, Beauty, Biblical Womanhood, and Some Sexy Sweatpants. I could have written 12 posts from this book; if you haven’t read it yet, go get a copy!
Again with the food. People really like cupcakes, and my mama knows how to make them. Thanks mom, for narrating the steps to me and not minding my slightly snarky commentary.
6. Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, and Christianity
This book remains extremely popular, and apparently they’re making a movie, so I suppose this post remains relative. I also appreciated the thoughtful comments for this one.
7. The Avengers and the Adoption Joke
I write quite a lot about adoption ethics and points of interest, but generally, adoption isn’t a subject of great interest to those outside of the triad. However, I view these posts as some of the most important, for they are the ones that send me off into the blogosphere to read the opinions of others on all sides of adoption. These are the posts that force me to consider the world from my daughter’s potential viewpoint and try to make sure it’s a world that welcomes, celebrates, and embraces all of her.
8. Birth Mom Visit and a Christmas Conundrum
Well, the visit happened last week, and we now have a pink, Powerwheels four-wheeler in the living room. She’s driven it into the walls and furniture three dozen times, and she absolutely loves it. I let this one go for the reasons I discussed in the post, but I’m still open to suggestions as how to handle similar issues in the future. It was a wonderful visit, and I’m hoping as we build more trust with one another, I can be more truthful about our wishes in the future. In the meantime, zoom, zoom!
9. Big Adoption Decision and an Imperfect Mom Rant
We almost added a six-year-old girl to the family this year, but at the last minute, an aunt showed up and claimed custody. We had made a place in our home and hearts, and the loss was difficult, but it motivated us into considering older-child adoption and realizing that we are capable of meeting that need. We completed PATH (Parents as Tender Healer) classes in the fall, and we just finished updating our home study. We hope to adopt a child from foster care within the next six months. We’re still getting less than favorable reactions from some (read rant), but Charlie and I are more and more at peace….most days, anyway. Prayers appreciated. 
So, for the past 10 months, there have been 5, 251 unique visitors who made 16, 230 pageviews.
I’d like to say THANK YOU for every click, and I look forward to the words that will come next year.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Enjoyed reading your list, Camille. Maybe I’ll do a top ten, even though I’ve only been blogging since October.
I like what you said about your Arby’s post. I’ve been reflecting on my growth as a Christian, and I think a key word for where I’m at now is firmly Christian but also firmly “unmilitant.”
Addison Cooper recently posted..Adoption Movie Guide: Superman 2: The Donner Cut