FIVE years ago this weekend, I announced the new name for my blog — AndreaDekker.com (so original, I know!)
At the time, Nora was just over a year old (a.k.a the year when no one slept in our home) and although my blog was going really well, I needed a change.
My old name (Simple Organized Living) was amazing for Google search engines, but it was long, wordy, easily confused for similar domains, and quickly becoming lost in the sea of “simplifying” and “organizing” blogs.
So… AndreaDekker.com it became!
And 5 years later, I’m still here… happily camped out in my own little corner of the internet!
I still love my blog name and design, but I have a feeling I’ll want to make some changes (to the design, not the name) in the next couple of years, especially since 5 years without change is basically an eternity on the internet!
My hope is that once my babies are a bit older and I have more “free time” to devote to my business again, I’ll have more time, energy, and mental capacity to dream up a new design, make my site more mobile friendly, add new features, update how my recipes work, and maybe even start a podcast.
But for now, I’m just happy that I’m still doing EXACTLY what I set out to do 5 years ago when I changed my name, and 8 years ago when I started my blog.
I simplify real life for real families with real budgets, real schedules, real homes, and real lives.
I serve as a resource to motivate, encourage, and inspire others to make positive changes in their homes, families, and lives.
I simplify the complicated.
I make difficult tasks feel doable for the average Jane.
I share quick, easy recipes to help busy parents get a meal on the table.
I provide my own real-life examples with simple solutions.
I present information in new ways with the hopes of motivating normal folks like me and you to get off our butts and get to work!
I have a lot of fun too!
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Yes, I have SO many ideas for my blog “someday”, but they are all on the back-burner for now… and I’m OK with that.
It took me a while (a LONG while) but I feel 100% fulfilled in my role as a wife and mother… so I currently have no desire to do more on the internet than I’m doing right now.
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It’s amazing how much time and energy 4 children require of me — and although I’m excited about so many future possibilities for my blog and my business, I’m currently enjoying less time online and more time in real life with my family and community.
No, I’m not planning to go anywhere, but I won’t be doing anything extra either!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m still camped out in my own little corner of the internet 5 years from now… especially if I continue to enjoy blogging as much as I do now.
I feel so thankful and grateful to be able to do something I love from home, while working around my family’s schedules and my own personal agenda.
Thanks for following my journey, loving my family, and sharing so many of your own thoughts, stories, tips, photos, and encouragement with me.
Cheers to 5 more years!
Mara Beard says
Congratulations! Love your blog so much! What a milestone!
Marsha says
Hard to believe it’s been that long. I’m a subscriber from way before the name change. During that time I’ve probably unsubscribed from every other site EXCEPT for yours. I love seeing your little family. I really love your down to earth, ideas on raising kids and keeping a house. As a Christian, I can always read your blog without worrying about what I’ll find. Keep up the good work!!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Marsha! Hope you’ll stay subscribed for many more years 🙂
Teresa johnson says
Andrea, I really enjoy your blog and although I’m older I still learn new stuff from you and pass on your advice and kid tips to my daughter. I look forward to your next five years. Thank you for making the time to have a blog and share your little part of the world with us.
Lynda says
Cheers! And congrats! So grateful you do what you do
Bess says
I started reading shortly before you changed your name! I can’t believe that’s been five years. Yours is still one of the few blogs in my feed that I read the posts right away. Most of the blogs I follow I wait until I’m in the mood to read a post. I always read yours immediately because your posts really resonate with me! Thanks for the past five years!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Bess!
Jamie says
I discovered your blog back when it was Simple Organized Living. I have subscribed to many blogs over the years but yours is the ONLY one I have continued to follow. I love reading about your growing family and feel like I know you guys. I have quoted ideas from your blog so much over the years that my husband thought you were an actual friend of mine. He almost fell over with laughter when he realized “Andrea Dekker” was a blog I followed and not a personal friend. LOL Thank you for being real and reminding us that normal moms aren’t perfect and don’t always have things together all the time. Although you inspire me with all that you accomplish throughout your day with 4 little ones. I also like that you don’t act like you know everything. You tell us how you do things in your house and encourage us to find what works in ours. Love your blog and your precious family!
Andrea says
WOW — what a compliment Jamie! I’m thrilled to be the last remaining blog you follow — and such a funny story about your hubby. Dave always makes fun of me for talking about different people I “know” from the internet even though we’ve never met in real life!
JoDi says
Congrats on 5 years of “being you” on the Internet! Your corner is definitely one of my all-time favorites, and I would LOVE to hear you do a podcast. That would be so fun! Looking forward to the next 5 years and beyond. We truly do love your adorable family.
I know I’ve commented in the past that I work with a teacher who looks a lot like Dave. Well, I was in his office fixing his computer about a month ago and saw his family’s holiday card on his bulletin board above the desk, and his daughter’s name is Nora too! I had to do a double take because I couldn’t believe it! LOL She’s a few years younger than your Nora and also a cutie.
Andrea says
That’s crazy — hopefully they don’t have a Simon, James or Clara. That would just be creepy.
JoDi says
LOL No, they only have one child so far, but if they have another and name him Simon, I’m going to have to ask him if his wife reads your blog! 😉
Nuria says
Congratulations from Spain!I ve being following you before the change ( and before Marie Kondo fever!)and I hope there will be much more years to come!! Love reading your post everyday!!
Andrea says
haha Thanks so much Nuria! I told Dave, “I’ve been doing all the things Marie Kondo says to do since I was in elementary school. I just never thought to write about them and missed out on all the money!” Seriously though, the concepts she shares are truly things I’ve been doing all my life. Bummer that I missed out on all the “fame and fortune”!
Janiina says
Greetings from Finland! I am a long time reader and your blog is one of my ultimate favorite, especially now since I just gave birth to my first children, twin girls, and love to read all children related.
Andrea says
wow — congrats on the twins Janiina! How excited (and probably a little overwhelming too!) Thanks so much for your kind words and longtime readership!
Lauren K says
Congrats! I remember when your name changed. Can’t believe it’s been so long! I found you when I was still dating my husband so maybe 9 years ago? Is that possible? You’re my favorite blog! While our lives are very different, I’ve always loved the inspiration I get from you and your family. And my go-to chili recipe is your sweet potato one 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks so much Lauren! We also love that chili recipe 🙂
Gramma CC says
I remember getting the info on the name change, so I am one of your Plus 5’s! Congrats!
Laura says
Congratulations!!! I found your blog after you were a guest on Lisa ‘s podcast a few months ago. Reading it is the first thing I do every night when I sit down with my iPad. I didn’t kniw the blog went back for so long. I will have to catch up. Yay, more reading!!!!
Andrea says
ah yes — there are 8 years of archives for you to comb through 🙂
Sarah says
Oooh congratulations! I remember your name change and I can’t believe it’s 5 years! I found you when I was on maternity leave with my youngest daughter who is a few weeks younger than Nora. I’ve tried so many of your recipes and you introduced us to burritos thank you very much!
Your posts are always interesting and my 6 year old enjoys Nora updates – she’s ready to play house with Nora if you ever visit the UK 🙂 Here’s to the next 5 years!!
Andrea says
yay! We ate the burritos last night — we still love them. Nora can eat a whole huge burrito all on her own now! My how time flies!
Chris says
Congratulations!
Jo says
Well, you are the only blog I read everyday so you are definitely doing something right! Happy anniversary!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Jo 🙂
Karen says
I always enjoy your blog and your family. Thanks for sharing and helping us!! Blessings
Lauren says
Congratulations Andrea and the Dekkers! I remember when your blog changed names; I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! When Nora and my daughter, Ellen, who is 6 next week, were babies I thought they looked so similar. The blogs about Nora’s resistance to sleep helped this sleep-deprived mom get through many difficult years. Your blog is the one blog I consistently read and have not unsubscribed from. Your blog has even inspired me to put all of my thoughts and desire to help and encourage others into my own blog a few years ago, which ironically, will be moving from Blogspot to .com over the weekend. Thank you for being honest and loyal to your readers. Here’s to the next 5 years! xo
Andrea says
congrats to you on the new blog. It will be a bit of a learning curve to switch over to wordpress, but it’s definitely a good move!
Happy birthday to Ellen!
MC says
Love it! And the comparison pics are great! I was around before the name change, but I can’t remember how long. I know I found you through Money Saving Mom – maybe it was a guest post? I’ve long since stopped following that blog due to so many things posted each day and finding myself spending more money to get a good deal on something I didn’t really need. But you’ve stuck around in my inbox for a good while. I can’t remember when I signed up for emails, but it was at a point when FB started hiding your posts from my feed and I wanted all the info b/c I’m a messy disaster in my natural state 🙂
Anywho, thanks for blogging!
Andrea says
Thanks! I had so much fun with the comparison pictures. Not ‘exact’ but I’m not really an ‘exact’ type of person, so it works!
Bonnie'sMama says
Congratulations on five successful and growing years, Andrea!
I’ve been reading your blog since sometime in your first year as a blogger. I’ve enjoyed watching you grow and change as a mama. I’ve loved watching the house transformation, too. (Sure have hated your well-earned breaks, though! I don’t begrudge you; I just like having my daily dose of practical encouragement and good ideas.)
Thank you for being normal and doable and not getting all Pinterest-perfect and gigantic-blog-Superwoman on us more average folks. I’ve quit reading many blogs when they get so huge and “successful.” It feels like they’re operating in some other world so full of business and teaching people how to blog and do online life that they can’t even do normal life as moms, wives, homemakers anymore. I love seeing a normal mom doing both well without losing her mind, heart, or family. The big bloggers discourage me, but you tell me how to take an ordinary life, home, and family and make them better.
And yes, please do a podcast! I would listen to every episode!
Thanks for all the motivation, encouragement, good ideas, and recipes you’ve contributed to my life. I wish we were friends in real life so I could give back a little to you.
Bridget says
Ditto!
Andrea says
Thanks so much — I appreciate ALLLLL your many comments and your long-time readership.
Maria says
Congrats, Andrea. Love your blog – hope you have many more years of continued success! Your blog has been a great inspiration for me.
Have a great week-end!
Erin says
The two pictures of Nora and then all of the kinds and blocks is so cute! While I found you maybe about 4 years ago (thanks to time pumping at work) I have loved following along with you tips and family since!
susie says
I have been following since before the name change! Hard to believe it’s been 5 years!
Kristi Robertson says
Congratulations on this milestone!! I’ve been following you since before your name change. Of all the blogs that I like to check in on, yours is the only one I make sure to read every day. I love your (always) helpful, doable, down to earth tips and advice!! Thanks for sharing your life and family with the rest of the world!!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Kristi!
Gaynor says
I too have been reading for years, even though I’m much older, with no children and live in the UK. Your blog is so real, so genuine and so relatable (if that’s a word) for all women – even though I sometimes suspect you are secretly related to Superwoman! I’d be happy if you carried on exactly as you are – don’t change a thing!
Andrea says
Thanks Gaynor! No Superwoman here — although Simon would be in heaven if I were really Superwoman 🙂
Miranda says
oh i think you’d be perfect to do a podcast! i’ve loved listening to you be a guest on a couple of podcasts and would for sure subscribe if you had your own. been a loyal follower of yours long before the name change <3.
Andrea says
I’ve love to do podcasts… someday. But first, I need a quiet room in our house (and there aren’t any of those these days!)
Linda B. says
Congratulations on your AndreaDekker.com blogiversary! I have enjoyed reading your blog for over seven years. I enjoy your real life organizing and cleaning solutions and your realistic recipes that don’t involve exotic, expensive ingredients. Whenever I try one of your recipes for the first time, my husband asks, “Do I like this?” Or “Where did you get this recipe.” I answer that “It’s from the woman who brought you Sausage Tortellini Soup” and then he knows he’ll like the new recipe, too! I look forward to continuing to follow you on your quest for a simple life as I strive for the same.
Andrea says
oh my, that Sausage Tortellini Soup is still one of my all-time favorite recipes! I brought it to a friend’s party almost 4 years ago, and people STILL talk about it whenever we get together. It’s just THAT good!
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving says
I love all the comparison pictures! So cute and fun! And yes, little children require SO much energy and time. Here’s to continuing along in our own little corners, and changing more…when we have time!
Andrea says
Thanks Kristen! We had fun with the comparison pictures 🙂
JoAnn C. says
Congratulations, Andrea. Here’s to another five years. Thanks so much for all you do in your corner of the internet. Can’t wait for more. Happy Weekend!
Ann says
Well said! I agree 100%! Great blog, my favorite, Andrea!
Thank you!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Ann and JoAnn!
Brenda says
Andrea,
Congrats! I truly enjoy your blog, keep it up.
ShellyL says
I found your website right at the tail end of Simple Organized Living. The name drew me in and then I didn’t understand who Andrea Dekker was. Ha! I’m glad I stuck around. I’ve watched Nora grow up some and welcomed three more babies with your family. Thank you for giving us ideas that we can easily duplicate if we are so inclined and for keeping us motivated. I love getting a window into your family. Most of all, thanks for sharing those sweet kiddos! Here’s to many more years.
Andrea says
haha — sorry for the confusion but glad you stuck around!
I loved my old name — and SO many people “found” me thanks to my name. But alas, all good things must come to an end. If people read anything on my blog, they will hopefully understand that it’s “simple” and “organized” advice — just under my own name!
Lynn says
Congratulations Andrea! I’ve been following you so long that I started when you were Simple Organized Living and before Nora was born! Still love your blog and you were one of the inspirations to start ours!
Have a wonderful day!
Lynn
Roxanne says
I’ve been following your blog ever since your post on mini-pies, and continued to read daily ever since! Keep it up- it’s the dose of reality on home and family life that we all need!
Linda M says
You are awesome! Have read the blog much longer than five years…and I sure do appreciate you!
Stephanie says
I have enjoyed your blog for a long time now. It is my favorite! I love your no-nonsense approach to life. We share the same love of making our homes efficient and enjoyable to live in. I sometimes wish, however, that you had teens like I do so that you could share your ideas on family life with older kids, ha, ha!
Andrea says
haha — I do NOT wish I had teens just yet (it will be here before I know it thought!)
Kellie says
Andrea I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! I think I’ve been reading you since I was a newlywed – almost 9 years ago! You were so helpful to me as a young wife and now mama as I learned to navigate how to run a home. It’s been a joy to see your family grow and very refreshing that your blog hasn’t changed that much, honestly. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Andrea says
Thanks Kellie! Wow, 9 years — that’s amazing!
Tina says
Congratulations! That is an awesome milestone!
As I was looking at your pics of you and Dave with little Nora and then you both with all four kids it made me think. My son as a baby to about a little over 2.5 years old was very high maintenance(never slept/very similar to Nora as a baby). Now that he is older(5now) I think it is actually less stressful and calm with my three kids compared to just one when he was in the midst of babyhood. Was wondering if you feel that way?
Andrea says
Thanks Tina!
you’re ONE post ahead of me — come back Monday and you’ll read my thoughts on this EXACT topic!
spoiler alert :: it’s MUCH easier for me now with 4 kids versus when Nora was a baby 🙂
LoriB says
Andrea, I can’t believe how time flies. I’ve been reading your blog since just before Nora’s birth. Thank you for sharing your journey. I love how you have shared the hard parts of motherhood and grown through them. I love that you are content and satisfied with this stage of life while at the same time looking toward the future with expectation. I love your consistency and your keep at it attitude and your wisdom to know when it is the right time to stop and take a break. Woohoo! You go, girl!
Lorrie says
Congratulations! I continue to read and enjoy your blog every day!!
Sherry says
I hope you continue your blogs forever! Really enjoy them!
Amanda M says
I “stumbled” on your website site about 7 years ago!!! I look forward to your posts- as they are refreshing to me- Thank you for sharing a piece of your real world with me!