Why Am I Writing This Blog?
That's a good question. One that I've been asking myself a lot lately. Well, anyway, first of all, welcome back! It's been a while!! It feels good to be on here again! I'm a little embarrassed by how long it's been since I've written anything! By the way, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Yeah, it's been that long!
I guess life has just gotten in the way for me. We had the wonderful gift of having company at Thanksgiving, and Christmas was a busy time (which I love!), then there was all of the clean up and packing everything away, but the reality is that I've just been lazy. I always told myself that I would only write on here when I felt inspired or when I felt like I had something meaningful to say. I never wanted this blog to become a chore for me or to put content out there that was just something to fill in the pages or full of fluff. This blog was a gift to me from my husband for my birthday last year. It wasn't super cheap, it cost something. And I feel ashamed of myself for wasting it. The truth is, if I only do this when I "feel like it", it may never get done. Saying to myself that I will only do this when I "want to", means I may never do it. I need to hold myself more accountable. So saying that, I'm putting it out there that I am requiring myself to post at least twice a month (and hopefully more!). Phew!! I'm cringing as I type that. I need to be more disciplined in this way!
The truth is, this blog is always a joy for me once I get started, even if no one reads it. I like to talk, it runs in the family. I like being creative. I like to feel that I may be inspiring someone. But, to be honest, I'm a little bit shy of putting myself out there, and that holds me back sometimes. I never want to be fake or have that false kind of sicky sweetness that some people put out there, like you're their best friend even though you don't even know them. I want to be my real self and let you all get to know me. And I would like to get to know my readers too! And that means I need a little feedback now and then! (hint, hint)
So why am I writing this blog? Why is a woman running a home with seven kids, who homeschools, has a child with special needs, has 3 kids under the age of 6, who doesn't have a lot of free time, and has crappy internet wanting to write a blog? I don't know, tell her she's crazy! I'm not a big New Year resolutions type person, or even a yearly goal setter, those things seem to fail for me. But, the new year has got me thinking about what is working in my life and what isn't. It has got me thinking about why I do the things I do and how can I make some adjustments to improve? So I've been wondering why I am trying to spend time here? Here's what I came up with.
1. I am a show off
Ha! Not a show off as in, I am better than you kind of thing. But I need an outlet. I love being a creative person. I like to do things that improve my surroundings and make my world beautiful, something that brings peace and beauty to those around me. And for me, that means in my home for my family and all those who are welcomed in. I want them all to walk in my home and feel that it's good to be there. Not just by what they see, but how they are loved and cared for.
When life is hard, which it is at times (like many of you), creativity is one of the ways I can restore myself to being a happy Mama again. It's one of my outlets (baking is another, I like to beat that bread into submission. It helps when the kids are bad!). A cheerful heart is good medicine, right? Sometimes life can become mundane. Wake up, open the curtains, start the day, yadda, yadda, yadda...I want some where to display the things I do, some where to "show off" my hard work and that's here. This blog is a gift to me!
2. I long to inspire
I don't want this only for myself, I'm kind of boring sometimes. I know there are other like-minded people out there who love their families and homes like I do and are DIYers or want to be. I'm guessing that most of the people reading this don't have tons of money and unlimited budgets to fix and create things for their home. I certainly don't! I am super blessed and have so much to be thankful for, but everything my husband and I do around our home to improve it is within a budget. Usually a small one. Almost everything I buy, as far as the house goes, is second-hand. Hello FB Marketplace and craigslist!
We try to maximize the space we have for the needs of our large family. I design and re-design everything to get the best use out of every room and project we do (even at the last minute, which drives my husband crazy sometimes!). I hate to waste anything and I don't want to regret a design, wishing I would have done it differently! But we have to live within the limits of reality, with space, budget, and time and make it work. Also we do everything ourselves, even roofing! We are a mix of resourceful and cheap! I am so thankful for the man I am married to!! Not only does he patiently listen to all my ideas, but he is so gifted, talented, and hard working, he makes most of my ideas happen for me! I know there are other people out there like us too. And I hope some of the things we come up with or the ideas we have inspire others who read this or give them the courage to try something new.
3. I long to touch hearts
The main reason I started this blog is to touch the lives of others. Thankfully this is my blog and I get to do whatever I want! I don't mean to sound prideful or arrogant, but I don't have to be put in a box and I can speak freely. I can pour out my heart and say whatever is on my mind. Like when I shared about my daughter Elizabeth who has special needs here.
I want my life to count for something. I know many of us wish that we could do "big things" with our lives and then feel inferior because our lives look like a lot of ordinary things. I know I have felt like that. Over the years, I have led a jail ministry to women, led youth ministry, started an out-reach to teen moms, and other things like that. And now I'm just a stay-at-home Mama who keeps picking up the same toys over and over and tries not to serve macaroni for lunch too many days a week. But because of the way my life is right now, I am not able to go out and talk to and encourage people a whole lot. And that's ok, I know what I'm doing with my kids is super important, and I love it!
So, I hope that what I am doing right here on this blog touches someone's heart. I hope that even something little I say helps someone else. Hopefully I can write a word of encouragement, make someone smile, or even make someone laugh at me for my crazy joy filled life and that would still bring joy to them!
I've had some song lyrics stuck in my head for a few days now and these words have been speaking to my heart. They are from a song called Dream Small by Josh Wilson. The lyrics say, "Add up the small things and watch them grow bigger, the God who does all things makes oceans from rivers." Being faithful everyday, doing little things that no one else cares about or notices except the one whose life it eases add up to doing "big things" with your life. And that's what I hope to do with this little life of mine! I want to be a light and shine bright!!
If you would like to hear the song and get it stuck in your head, click here.
I loved the lyrics so much I made a sign using them with my handy-dandy cricut maker. I needed something new around here with all the bare walls when the Christmas stuff came down!
Well, that's the "why" behind this blog. I'm hoping you will be hearing from me again soon!! Thanks for following along. It really humbles me to think that anyone is actually out there reading this! Thank you!!!!
