Today’s interview is with another one of our contributor’s. Shera co-hosts our Highlights feature and was kind enough to spend a little time, well maybe a lot of time, answering my well-worn questions. Thanks, Shera.

Me: I think we all know how this is going to start. Soooooooo, how long have you been blogging?

Shera: I have been blogging for a little over a year and a half.

Me: And do you have any advice to beginners?

Shera: As you begin your blog, consider what you’d like it to become. Is it simply a way to communicate with family and friends, is it your journal, or do you want it to be a social hub of activity? These are all great, but what do you want? Also, make sure you know up front how much information you want to share with the “world”. Although we would like to believe that it’s safe to blog whatever we want in our own little corner of the universe, we all have to choose what level feels safe to us. There are three levels of privacy: Sharing no names, locations or personal photos; Sharing only photos, but using pseudonyms for names and no locations; Or the all out share everything blogger, no reservations about names, locations or photos.

Me: Knowing how much to share in the beginning really is a biggie, huh?

Can you tell us some of the good things blogging has brought into your life?

Shera: Establishing a rebirth of my love of writing! Many moms feel like they lose themselves a bit when they begin having children and writing is something that just died when I had my first son, I didn’t even realize that I had stopped. Then when the twins were born I needed a way to journal and that led to more and more!

Me: This is probably something every one wonders about. What’s behind your blog name?

Shera: My blog is named “There’s A Frog In My Soup . . . and other mixed blessings!” or simply “A Frog In My Soup”. This name simply came to me one night as I was contemplating a fun domain name. You see, as the mom of 6 boys the craziest most unthinkable things can happen. No I have never had a frog in my soup, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Plus I love that the name makes people happy!

Me: Yeah, you can’t help but smile when ya say it.

So knowing what you know now, was starting a blog a good thing for you?

Shera: Starting a blog was an excellent thing for me! It has potentially been a life changing experience! The community of Mom bloggers is amazing and the ability to have somewhere to just be me and share my heart, thoughts, life and experiences is unbelievably refreshing each day!

Me: Can you think of anything blog related that kind of bugs you?

Shera: Ok, I’ll just come out with it . . . I hate the whole “You’ve been tagged” thing! I feel ashamed to admit it, but it has become a huge pet peeve of mine. I feel horrible when I cannot respond to the tags, it gives me a nervous stomach to try to figure out who to next “bug” with the tag and oh, the miserable stress of it all! It reminds me of chain letters and oh how I hate those. There you have it! My hugest pet peeve! I don’t mind the rewards as much, they make more sense, but some of the tagging memes are very difficult for me.

Me: And who wants to read eight weird things about me every month or so too?

OK, let’s get serious now, what is your true passion in life?

Shera: I have two if that’s alright! Raising my sons to be upstanding men that are a blessing to their community, family and to God ~ thus the “Life With Boys” column on my blog! Also, supporting, encouraging and sharing with moms of young children in their everyday joys and struggles. I have a column called “Mommy Reality Check” that I can share with moms through.

Me: Both columns sound like great reads, Shera.

Well up until now you haven’t had to share too much stuff personal so now I need to know:

How old are you? 35
Married? Yes for 14 years
Children? Yes, I have 6 sons ages 12, 9, 8, 4 & 2 year old twins
If so, homeschool, private, or public? Public School
Favorite season? Spring
Favorite Sport? Hmmm, not much of a sports person, boys all adore football.
What kind of car do you drive? SUV . . . a big one!!!
Mac or Pc? PC
Dog or cat? We have a dog, but I’m more of a kid person.
Vanilla or Chocolate? CHOCOLATE!!
Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? Can I say none of the above??? Give me a milky way (Caramel Mocha) anyday !!!
Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? This one’s tough, but if I have to choose one I’ll go with Steak.

Categories: Interviews
Tags: blog, interview