2017 Year In Review + Reader Survey

And just like that, we are five days into 2018!  While I can't say that it feels much different than 2017 so far, I have a feeling it's going to be another good year all the same.  On Wednesday, I shared my top 10 posts of 2017 with you.  It was fun to see what was most popular and to find out that some of my favorite posts also happened to be some of the most read posts.  If you've been following me over the last year or so, you may have noticed that once a month I've been doing a monthly review using numbers to share what happened that month.  It's been such a fun and unique way for me to remember the month and give you a little peek into my life.  So in keeping with that, here is the year 2017 in numbers.

158 - Posts on Instagram.  At the beginning of the year, I didn't use Instagram as much and when I did, it was mostly to share new posts on my blog.  However, I made a shift about a quarter of the way through the year and started sharing a little more about me, my family, my thoughts and a few other things.  And something awesome happened: I was able to connect with more of you on a more personal level!  I've loved reading your comments and getting to know some of you better.

13,119 - Number of likes on Instagram posts.  Wow!  I was totally blown away by this number when I saw it on my #2017bestnine (below).  Again, I'm so grateful for each of my followers and appreciate your support of me and interest in what I have to say and share with you.

99 - Published posts on my blog.  A couple of days ago, I shared my top 10 posts of 2017 with you and it was so fun for me to see what resonated with you.  When I first started blogging, I had a hard time narrowing down the types of posts that I most enjoyed doing.  But as I've continued, I've slowly found my niche.  I generally post 2-3 times a week and each and every post is put together with a lot of thought and time.  One of my goals as a blogger is to only share quality content with you.  This means that if I don't have something worthwhile to post, I'm not going to post for the sake of posting! 

3 - Link parties I hosted/co-hosted.  For those of you reading who might not know, a link party is basically a way to see multiple posts from different blogs all related to the same topic.  This year, I participated as a co-host of two ($10 @ Target and A Year of Color) and a host of one (Inspire My Creativity).  Each one was a little different and stretched me in different ways.  I love a good challenge and it gave me the opportunity to share some fun and unique ideas with you.

2 - Years blogging celebrated.  In October of last year, I celebrated two years of blogging!  When I started blogging, I wasn't sure exactly how everything was going to turn out.  But I'm happy to say that I still love it!  I've always enjoyed writing and this blog has been a great way for me to continue doing that, while connecting with people from around the United States (as well as Canada, Germany and a few others).  I teamed up with some of my blogging friends for a fun giveaway and also shared some of the lessons I've learned along the way.

3 - Videos made.  Last year, I made a goal to make and share more videos with you.  While I didn't make as many as I had hoped, I was able to produce three total:

• Valentine's Day Heart Hair Tutorial
• 15-Minute Patriotic Wreath
• Easy Salmon and Asparagus

15 - Sponsored blog posts.  Going along with what I said above about wanting to only share quality content with you, I want you to know that while, yes, I do work with companies and brands on collaborations, I only choose to work with those that I have personal experience with.  I am not getting bought off to share a fake opinion with you or to sell you something that I wouldn't personally use.  I want to continue to be genuine and authentic with you.  Some of my favorite sponsored posts include:

• My Stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
• Character Dining at the Garden Grove Restaurant
• 4 Ways to Keep Moving Forward 
• 7 Tips for Hiking with Kids 
• 5 Ways to Give Service

1 - Exciting announcement.  The most liked post on my Instagram this year was the announcement that I was pregnant with our rainbow baby!  After three difficult miscarriages over the last couple of years, this baby has truly been an answer to our prayers.  I have been so touched by how many of you reached out to me when I shared my miscarriage story at the beginning of the year with words of comfort, love and hope and shared your own challenges and heartache associated with miscarriage and infertility.  And then again, when we announced that I was pregnant, I received so many comments from you congratulating us.  Thank you so much for your support and kindness.  And in case you missed it, here's the video of our gender reveal.

And that's 2017 in a nutshell!

As we move into this new year together, I would love to get some feedback from you about Sunshine & Munchkins.  If you have a couple of minutes, it would mean so much to me if you could please fill out this reader survey! *wink*

One more thing: I want to let you know that I'll be hosting/co-hosting three link parties this year.

Inspire My Creativity (second Wednesday)
Each month a group of crafty and creative bloggers will share a craft or DIY project with you centered around a specific theme.  This month the theme will be a FREE FOR ALL so you're going to see each blogger share something a little different.  But definitely be prepared to be inspired!

$10 @ Target (third Monday)
This is a fun challenge where each month I go to Target with the goal to spend just $10!  I've actually been really surprised at some of the great finds I've come away with and I bet you will too.

Movie Club Monday (fourth Monday)
A new link party I'm co-hosting where each month we have a movie theme that we use to inspire our post.  You'll see fashion, recipes, crafts and more from talented and creative bloggers.  This month the theme is nostalgic films and I already have a childhood favorite in mind that I've watched more times than I can count.  You might even say, "That's inconceivable!" *wink*

I hope you all have a happy and enjoyable weekend!  And be sure to check back on Monday for an amazing giveaway.  If you are having a baby or know someone having a baby, this giveaway is one you definitely don't want to miss!