Happy 6 Years Little Blog

Six years ago today, I sat at our kitchen table and decided to give this thing a try.  I had decided to stay home as a new wife, and not return to school as a teacher that year, but to stay home and be a housewife. We were incredibly happy with that decision and although some people couldn't understand why, Joe and I did what was best for us.  Looking back I 'busied' myself, but really it was a nice little reprieve from the daily grind and the hard work that was to come.

By 2012, we found out I was pregnant and this sweet little blog became my online pregnancy journal.  I shared my monthly/weekly updates and all news baby.

In 2013, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into this world.  In typical fashion, my blog turned into a mommy blog where I shared her monthly stats, what I enjoyed doing with her as a now stay at home mom, and life.

Enter 2014 and I now became pregnant with our second, and learned how to manage a home, take care of a one year old and still be a happy wife.

2015 brought us our amazing son and now I had two kids, two and under! I often say I miss that baby phase, only because it goes by so incredibly fast and usually mom, you're in a fog.  Sleep deprived and heart full, you run on what little sleep you get and before you know, your youngest is one.

The year 2016 my family almost lost my sister, but she was saved.  Our oldest daughter started preschool and Joe and I were able to get back to Vegas one more time.

Now?  Here we are in 2017.  I haven't had nearly enough time to share my thoughts, stories, photos, etc. here on the blog, but I do what I can.  I also feel a shift in me, my writing and where I'd like to go.  What started out as a fun little hobby, turned into so much more.  I connected and bonded with likeminded ladies when I first made my blog.  It was mostly women who were happily married to their husbands.

Some of my closest women friends were made from blogging.  Women that I would have never ever knew existed unless I chose to put myself out there and create this silly little thing.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

It's kind of funny to think back to where I was 6 years ago---old blog posts are a little more than old time hops. To see what I felt, what I said, how I was spending my time...it's eye opening! I suppose the best part is to see how much I've grown.  I have so much further that I want to go, but the Jenn from 2011 and the Jenn now in 2017 are quite different.  Isn't that the point though?  We have so much to learn and soak up in this great big world, I can't wait to see where the next 6 years take me.

So thank you, readers.  Maybe you've read every blog since I started back in 2011, or perhaps you just stumbled onto my post today.

Stay with me, as I have big plans.  They'll be different, but different is good.

Happy Birthday Bliss to Bean.

I am

When I was a teacher, one of my favorite things to do with my students was the "I am" poem.  I absolutely loved our poetry unit, as it really helped me get to know my students on a new level, but also let them get to know themselves.  I took a grad class with an amazing teacher and we got to do a lot of creative writing.

One lesson he taught was simple.  Let your students tell them about yourself simply by completing:

I am...

Of course like any good teacher I would do this assignment right along with my students.  I let them see a little bit more of me and open that door of communication.

It also reminds me of Steve Chandler's 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself, he talks about children writing a "Lie Poem" where they speak of all of these amazing things they do in life.

We should be more like our kids.  Speak the truth that we want to be.

I'm not sure exactly how or why this popped into my head this morning, but after reading my daily devotionals, I felt drawn to write in my journal.

I clearly then felt the need to bang my fingers against this black keyboard and share my current "I am."  I wish I could find my examples from years ago; oh how much I have grown! I'm putting a twist on this one though and only allowing myself to complete positive thoughts.

I am-

an amazing wife.

a strong and patient mother of two.

a girl mom.

a boy mom.

a stay at home mom.

a work at home mom.

living my dream life.

loving, compassionate and caring to all things.

about to turn 36 years old.

blessed with a beautiful home.

healthy, whole and in great shape.

proud of my body, birthing two healthy babies.

a lover of green tea lattes and fine wine.

passionate about living my life to its fullest.

slow and articulate, enjoying every season of life.

loved.

witty, charming and can talk to anyone freely.

full of heart always helping others.

a runner.

a yogi.

a nature lover.

free from reflux and tinnitus. 

full of grace, peace and love.

present in the moment.

grateful.

accepting of myself 

a dancer.

living.

breathing.

being.

a Summer girl.

a writer, a reader and a published author.

a lover of healthy foods.

someone who helps others find a home in unconventional ways.

a peacemaker.

a loyal friend.

selfless.

selfish.

loving meditation.

always up to try something new.

a lifelong learner.

vulnerable.

a traveler who loves to explore new people, places and things.

fit.

happy.

I am Me.

Want to try it?  Don't filter your thoughts, just let it flow.  Try to stay optimistic and speak in the present tense.  Yes, EVEN if you find yourself writing something negative, switch it to the positive.   I will be honest and say that I've been feeling a bit in a funk these few days and I found that writing always helps, especially something like this.  Let me know if you write your own! 

Favorite Space {and place!}

My favorite space is currently our office.  It became the "catch-all" for quite some time and a place I'd just shut to door to, because I was constantly overwhelmed with clutter.  The mail piles up quickly if I let it, as do things that aren't used that often.

Why do I love my office? Well, although it may contradict itself, I also use it as a place to go and meditate, do some yoga, and just have as "my own."  In our family of four, every room is accounted for and this one just has to do double duty for me.

I have our wedding photos sprinkled around, because they make me so happy; it really was the happiest day of my life.  I also have my crystals, tibetan singing bowl, yoga mat and some essential oils at arm's length.

Next to my desk is a vision board. I only have one visual of our dream home, but I wrote out goals/dreams on post-its to look at and remind myself of "big dreams."

I love that there is a window and it probably has one of the most serene views of the house; no other houses can be seen or the school parking lot (until Winter, when the leaves are gone.)

It makes my yoga practice that much better when I can see outside like this!  I also have our aloe plant; I really want to add more plants to our home, but I have a very brown thumb.

My desk is not at all what I want. This hunk of junk, (no offense hubby!) is Joe's and has been here since before me and I don't even know how long?! It holds a printer (which I use) a monitor (which I don't) and I think it's kind of an eye sore.  The goal is to get a nice white desk, so that will be my next big purchase hopefully with my little blue Stella card!  I would also like a little bulletin board or something too, as I am starting to get lots of little stuff for Brooke's preschool and need a place to keep it all.  *Hence my messy stacks on the unused monitor!!  I'm just trying to not break the bank, knowing we'll be moving in 2 years anyway.

I did buy a little desk light from Target as the room can be a little dark.  I keep my journals/calendar here and really do a lot of Stella work, all of our bills and everything for our rental properties.

I also really enjoy writing my blog in here.  For me this little space has helped me become more myself.  I find solace in having a little area of my own where I can just let thoughts and dreams run wild, as well as earn a little extra income for my family!

I still have to say my favorite place would be our land. It's hard because I don't go there a lot, but it doesn't mean I don't think of it.  I dream of our new home, our yard where the kids will play and grow and our dogs will roam.  I envision a pool and nice deck to entertain friends in the Summer. I think of all of the meals I will cook in our new kitchen, overlooking the living room.  I cannot wait until I have my big closet and can hang up all of my things! And of course I love the 20 acres we can walk, ride around on the atv and just be one with nature.  

What is your favorite space or place?

Tips for a New Blogger

I am by no means a blogging pro.  I don't earn an income off of blogging and I don't follow a set schedule.  I have been blogging since 2011 and still blog, so I guess I have some ideas to offer!

1. Figure out your why.  Why do you want to blog in the first place?  For me, it's about clearing my mind, sharing my heart and possibly helping others. I love to document our family experiences, life happenings and what I love.  I also fill that creative writing need that I feel frequently and I enjoy it.  If I ever feel that it's not fun, I'm sure I'll stop.  I've certainly changed what I share throughout the years, but that's only fair since I was a newlywed, no kids and staying home by myself...now I juggle so much more!

2.  Have confidence.  No matter what your purpose is for blogging, just be confident in that and go with it! Don't sit around second guessing yourself; just start typing, add a few photos and voila.  Putting something out there on this web is a little frightening; if you worry about what others will think you'll never have anything to share.  If you feel like you've got something to say, then it's important to say it! You never know who you could be helping by sharing your thoughts online.

3.  Connect with others.  The best part of blogging was the relationships I made when I first started.  I met other wives who stayed home and then became pregnant, now our children are growing up and it's so cool to see that! I have to say that blogging has certainly changed throughout the years, partially I think because social media blew up.  Now you can snap chat, instagram and facebook your day away and don't really need to blog. I still love my little blog, so that's why I still come here.

4.  Consistently post.  Whether it's daily, weekly,  Tuesday and Thursdays, whatever, you really should have a bit of a routine. I feel that when I don't post regularly, I don't have people coming back say hello!  I know life gets busy, but if you don't stick to something, you'll feel guilty and probably give up.  If you happen to post more than what you original thought, awesome!

5.  Be you. Part of me wants to say, don't even worry about what others think.  Everyone has a tip or suggestion these days; I kind of feel overwhelmed in ways.  Blogging is no different.  If you're looking to monetize your blog, it will take a lot of time and effort--more than I currently have to give! But I know it's possibly.  Your blog is your space and you should always have fun.  Don't get caught up with what everyone is doing, and focus on yourself.

Do you want to start blogging? What would you say?