This blog’s been hijacked!

{think I figured out the reader thing}

Happy LATE birthday!!!!! I don't remember how I found your blog, but I love it. It's very real and personal. Never met you in real life, but I can "hear" your voice in your posts and photos. Your the reason I learned how to use my camera off Auto! Hope your day was wonderful!!

Beth

Hi dear sweet friend! I love every single thing about you. Happy Birthday and wish I could be there to bake for you. I love your new blog!!! I've got to resubscribe though 'cause you're not coming up in my reader now. Hope you're happy with the switch. if you're not, you will be soon!
love to you,
edie

I'm a little late - forgive me. I had to work. Does it feel strange to you that perfect strangers admire you and love reading your words? Because we do! I love your photos, I love how your kids aren't perfect and how you aren't perfect. But you have fun with it and you love it all anyway! You make it ok for the rest of us to have messy houses because the puppies ran in the back door with muddy paws. (I especially liked that post!)

Happy Birthday!!!

"Has Melissa inspired you? Motivated you? Taught you? Caused you to laugh?"
Yes all of the above, I've got Mellisa on my Blog Roll, here's what I wrote about her...

Mellisa is partly to blame for my camera obsession; after teaching me how to use my little point and shoot properly I wanted something which I could do more with. I love the way she posts so honestly and openly and I really appreciate her outlook on life.
http://www.jadedickinson.com/p/roll-with-me.html

Hope you had a great day,
Jade

Happy Birthday Melissa! I hope you had a wonderful day!
I love how Melissa is so down to earth. She is open and honest and keeps things real. Her photography is beautiful and her humor is timeless.

I'm a little late to your party but had to tell you how much I love you AND your blog! I actually don't remember how I first happened upon you but between your beautiful photography, your eloquent writing and the fact that you keep it real I was/am hooked. The fact that you're an Arkansas girl is just icing on the cake!
Happy Birthday Blogging Friend!

Happy Birthday, Melissa! I'm so glad I made a fool of myself one day at the library asking you about PW and blogging, so I could find out that you do have this wonderful blog. I love your writing and your photos! Thanks for creating this awesome space. I love dropping by.

Happy Happy Birthday Melissa!! I have been friends with Melissa since we were around 4 or so. I hope you know I still love you dearly and have so many good memories of fun times with you. I hope you have a had a wonderful day. I am so glad everyone has gotten to see the wonderful writer you are and always have been through your blog. I know I never comment, but I do read every post and love it. Love ya!

I love Melissa because she's so real and she loves her kiddos!

Her photos are pretty amazing too! And I really love having a bloggy friend from Arkansas, my home state.

Happy birthday!! I keep coming back b/c I enjoy your beautiful photos (of your beautiful kids) and your authentic, heartfelt words that you pair with pictures. God bless!

Happy Birthday Melissa! I love your honestly, your authenticity. I visit every day to learn, to laugh, and to love you even more. I can't wait to meet you for realz one day! Hope you have a great one.

Happy Birthday Melissa! I find you and your blog delightful is so many ways. You are so real and I can relate to so many of the things your write about...encouraging and inspiring. Hope your day was wonderful and wishing you the very best year yet.

Well, am I ever late to the party! Happy Birthday Melissa!

I met Melissa at home school group when we lived in Arkansas. I remember when I first started blogging, Melissa was the first "real" blogger that I knew. She had been blogging for a couple of years, and I was really impressed by her, because she really knew what she was doing, especially when I didn't have a clue, lol.

Our youngest girls became fast friends at homeschool group, and I got to know Melissa whenever I got to see her, but mostly through her blog, because she is so transparent, and funny. And real. I love that about her, especially since she is so quiet in real life.

What keeps me coming back? Other than Melissa is a fabulous blogger and a friend...I want to keep up with her and her kids. We moved out of Arkansas last summer, and when I visit Melissa's blog and view her photos and see her kids playing, I'm right back there in the country that we miss so much, right down to the Piggly Wiggly.

Happy happy birthday, my friend. I hope you've had a wonderful day!! Hugs, Jodi

Happy Birthday to YOU!!! Hope you have a great day filled with love and joy! Hope to meet you IRL!

Happy birthday, Melissa! I keep coming back because you are very REAL. Real kids, real husband, real dogs who chew stuff and mess in the house, real life. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Oh my goodness...

I've known Melissa for awhile, I read her blog, she was a client... but it wasn't until I got to meet her in person at Blissdom that I fell in love with her wit, her charm, her quirky food habits. She is zen and joy and weirdness in the most lovable little package.

Happy Birthday, Melissa! Hope this is the best one yet!

Melissa,
I fell in love with your blog over at HSB because I thought you lived a Norman Rockwell life so unlike my own. As I have continued reading, I have come to realize that despite the differences yours is really such A Familiar Path. I enjoy your dry sense of humor, beautiful photography, and clear writing, and even as I have mostly given up blogging, I still try to keep up with yours.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Grace and Peace,
Angel

P.S. Have I mentioned that I'm considering chaperoning my son's youth group trip to Arkansas for summer camp? If it works out, I'm going to be hunting you down. ;)

Happy Birthday Melissa! You don't even know me, but discovered you through my daughter, who once taught your kids art. You are a natural writer and I LOVE your pics. Have a wonderful day.

I knew it! We started blogging within a month of each other; my first post was May 31, 2006. My birthday is next week, but I'm probably older than you. I remember you as one of the cool kids in our early blogging days (not that you're no longer a cool kid, lol). You're actually one of the only bloggers I knew early on that I still know.

I'm so glad that we've met not once, but twice! Enjoy your birthday and eat a piece of cake for me. :-)

Happy, Happy Birthday! I am new to your blog (as of a few weeks ago)
I love your pictures & your honesty!
Hope your birthday is fantastic!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I love coming to see the beautiful pictures of your children and your life and love your home-school tips and life stories. Keep up the good work!

Happy Birthday, Melissa! I've said it before, but I'll say it again for all your bloggy world to read...You are my favorite mother ever! If I could emulate anyone in being a mother, it would be you...not in having 4 kids :) but in your approach and attitude. I know you freak out about some things...I've seen that too, but you don't sweat the small stuff. I always use as an example when the one who use to be your youngest daughter dumped water out of a bucket all over her sunday clothes. I would have freaked out...especially with company over. Not you. You just threw your head back and laughed. I would have seen wet, dirty dress clothes. you say the funny expression of surprise on your child's face. I hope my kids can say they had half as much fun growing up as your kids will be able to say.

danni that is so sweet. i don't remember that at all. and that is not always
my reaction to things, but i'm glad it was that day.

I love Melissa's honesty...love her pictures....love her homeschooling advice. Love her blog! :) Happy, happy birthday!

Dearest M, Happy Birthday!!
I have loved Melissa since the day she was born! As the oldest of us 8 grandkids, I do remember that day! (remember bdays are just a number, I keep telling myself that!) She is a blessing to us all. The way she shares her faith in God, and greatfulness for His blessings are a blessing to us all! She lives an "everyday" life, in a VERY extraordinary way, revealing her genuiness to us all. I can't say just how much I love having Melissa in my life, even from so far away. When I read her blog, I feel as if I'm living her life with her. I never had the blessing of having family be so close, so loving, so connected. I'm grateful for the way she shares her life, like you're there for sunday dinner! I often think what a wonderful gift her blog will be to her children years from now, when they read, basically her diary, and remember all the wonderful days they had as children. How blessed their mother was, and thus their lives as well. If Meme had had the internet, she would be so proud of you! You live the Godly life she always wanted for her kids and grandkids. May God bless you on this, your wonderful day, and every day in your life. You, my dear, are a sower of eternal fruit, and will be richly rewarded in heaven! I love you, N

Happy birthday, Melissa!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

I've been following you for some months now, and enjoy the fact that you are real. You don't just wax lyrical about having the "perfect" family, but share your ups and downs.

Have a wonderful day,
Cate in NZ

Oh goodness. This little gal is so real, and makes me laugh. No pretenses. No perfect life. No perfect housekeeping. No perfect children. Just real loveliness. I just love her and hope someday to meet her in real life and hear that southern voice. Melissa I hope you have a delicious birthday.

Happy Birthday Melissa! I love reading your blog because you are a natural writer and your words just flow so well. I really believe you should begin writing your own book! I absolutely love the pictures you take and all of the tips & recipes for everyday living that you give on your blog, like the laundry detergent... It was a hit with my entire family and even some of my friends. :-)

I have been so blessed to have you as my friend. I love being around you and laughing with you, whether it be from "just visiting" or "playing bunko"; and watching you smear your carmex over your lips every few minutes. I just hope to be able to visit with you more often, especially this spring when we can spend time outside without you freezing. I know you are correcting my grammer right now because I don't have my commas & stuff in the right spots, lol.

Love ya lots!

Love you lots

i would never correct your grammar on something as sweet as this!

Happy Birthday. I love so much about your blog - I especially love that you just write about what is happening in your life. I love hearing about your kids, homeschooling and I love your photos. I am so glad I found your blog!

Happy Birthday to Chickadee! I wish I could appear at your door with "roses." Well, the roses did happen once. We met taking pictures. The rest of my homeschool, life journey has been way more fun with a friend like you. A lifetime's not too long to live as friends. As my ole pal would say, " You've got a friend in me." Bless you heart and your life. We will long together for these two important words, "Well done." I'm all choked up so I'll end;o)

I just got up, of course, (11 am- tess let me sleep in for my birthday) and discovered this take-over. man, i wish i had one of those blue cupcakes. ruthanne makes the prettiest food. this is so sweet of her. i've been sitting her smiling as i read your sweet words. thank you for starting my day off with a smile!

Happy Birthday Melissa!
Let's see, I have read your blog since you were at HSB, which seems like forever ago! Why do I keep reading, well, because you keep it real and you have beautiful pictures and I think you are funny.
Melissa

I can't remember how long I've been reading Melissa's blog, but it has been years. She's a classic like that and one of the first blogs I ever read. *snort*

I have always been drawn to the beauty and simplicity of her posts about every day life. Nothing frilly or fancy, just talking about her family, home and day. And Milo? Well, he and Christian would've been great pals if they had ever met in person! :)

Now that I have met Melissa in person, I am able to hear her voice behind her words and catch the REALLY FUNNY one liners and comments! Oh dear. I wish everyone else could see and hear it toooooooo!

Happy Birthday Melissa!!! (How weird is it for so many people to be writing about you in the third person on your own blog? ha!)

So hard to put into words what a special friend you are! I love that you constantly take my girls, that I'm completely comfortable with where they are and who they are with.... that you're so quick to help, and most of all I enjoy the "ease" that surrounds you. It's hard to explain but you have this genuine, laid back sort of personality that puts anyone around you at ease. Hope your birthday is fantastic!

Melissa - Happy Birthday! May your day be wonderful and blessed! Why do I keep coming back to your blog? Because you make me laugh, you have a genuine love for your children and homeschooling them, you are honest with us about your failures - and frankly, you take beautiful pictures! : ) Thanks for keeping your blog going for all of us to enjoy!
(Oops I think this just got posted twice...)

Melissa - Happy Birthday! May your day be wonderful and blessed! Why do I keep coming back to your blog? Because you make me laugh, you have a genuine love for your children and homeschooling them, you are honest with us about your failures - and frankly, you take beautiful pictures! : ) Thanks for keeping your blog going for all of us to enjoy!

I have only known about Melissa's blog for a few months. I hink I came across it due to a link on a friend's blog, I'm not sure. I come back to read it almost every day because I love that she is REAL, I enjoy her photos and her funny stories, and I can SO relate to much of her life. She always has something interesting to say, she provides links to other great bloggers, and I just love learning about her and her family through the blogosphere. So glad I found A Familiar Path, and Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Happy Birthday Melissa. I became a fan of your blog after Marsha told me about it. Most blogs I follow are friends of Marsha's who have become bloggy friends of mine. :) I think you are very genuine and real. You take gorgeous pictures and I LOVE seeing pictures of your kiddos. :)

Happy Birthday Melissa!! What lured me in was that we had a lot of friends in common, I loved her photos, and also enjoyed looking at her talented daughters' art. What keeps me coming is still her pictures, and how real she is...and to the point, and I usually understand exactly how she feels about things

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Melissaaaaa!
Happy Birthday to YOU!

You are an awesome mom and a fabulous friend. I can't wait to meet you IRL one day soon! :)

Happy birthday Melissa! :)

Happy Birthday, Melissa!! Wishing you a fantastic day today and a blessed year ahead. Your photos and posts are always, always so enjoyable and uplifting. Thank you for being you!

Happy birthday!!! Sweet of Ruthanne to hijack you ;)

I don't recall how I found you either, come to think of it, but I enjoy you and your blog very much. You're a very genuine, non-pretentious person, and that appeals to me. Hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Happy Birthday Chickadee!!! I hope you have a blessed and wonderful day. I guess I'll share why I keep coming back to your blog too....You are so very real, humble, your kids are adorable, your pictures are always breathtaking, your so true about your faith, and you are the coolest homeschooling mom I know!! I think that warrants my 20 minutes a day i spend here at your blog. Right? LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Melissa has ABSOLUTELY inspired me! You have been one of my favorites for years now, as you know. I love the way you simply and lovingly write about normal stuff. Your voice is both calming and matter-of-fact. I never dreamed I'd get to meet you in real life, but I'm so very glad I did. Ruthanne is so right: quirky is the perfect word and I LOVE it. Who'da thought? Happy Birthday, friend. I hope you are blessed today.

Happy birthday, Melissa! Your blog has been so inspiring to me! Your humor is out of this world, too. I'm so glad I got to meet you this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear friend! I will always remember your birthday as you share it with my 3rd son. What a great day! I love your blog so much, you are an inspiration to me, even if you don't ever eat a single vegetable for the rest of your life.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Toni

Enjoy your special day!! I love your authenticity!! You are REAL!! Sharing your life with us keeps me coming back!! Inspiration!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday my dear friend Melissa! I have been friends with Melissa since we were 6 years old and I must say - she is definitely a one of a kind. She has made me laugh all these years and I still consider her a dear friend even though I don't get to see her very often any more. May God bless you on this day and in all of your life! I love you lots.