Farewell 2014

2014 was a quiet year for Grable Tales.  I could blame it on having a baby, but shouldn't that have given me more content?  I have a feeling that Instagram has something to do with the lack of posts --- honestly, it's a lot easier to post a photo with a small comment then think of an entire post.  Regardless, this year still deserves some recognition:

January - *crickets*

February - my first post of the year was a Stitch Fix review: pregnant edition; I also shared how I was spending my time lately (hint: Sam Grable Photo, The Influence Network, and being pregnant for the second time); I announced my hopes of attending my second Influence Conference; and blogged about my love for 4moms.

March - I started the month off by writing out my monthly goals (and linking up with The Tiny Twig's Goals with Grace); I updated my about me page & began leading an Influence Network community group; and I talked about being a month out from meeting our baby boy (& shared his name)

April - I revisited my March goals + shared my April goals; and blogged about my thoughts of Brené Brown’s book - Daring Greatly

May - I looked back on my April goals + made a few May goals; introduced our baby boy, Calvin!; shared how different Mother's Day felt this year; started writing monthly letters to Calvin; and shared my first postpartum Stitch Fix review.

June - continued with goals for June; after flying across the country with a six week old, I blogged about some of the 'flying with a baby' tips/advice that worked for us; Calvin turned two months old; and Sam & I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary.

July - this month, I really started to give myself grace when it came to my goals for July; parenting definitely isn't easy, but on occasion it does make you feel like you have some super powers; another Stitch Fix review (I love this service!); my baby turned three months old; and I blogged about the community I found online.

August - still going strong + trying to be transparent with my monthly goals; I reviewed my birthday Stitch Fix; and Calvin kept getting bigger (four months old).

September - I finally realized that some goals will be repeats each month and that's ok; I (re)introduced myself in preparation of the Influence Conference; Calvin turned five months old; thanks to credits, I received a Stitch Fix before attending the Influence Conference; and then I recapped the conference for the second year in a row.

October - two posts remain consistent each month: goals + Calvin's letter (six months old this month!)

November - goals, goals, goals (sorry for the repeating); a photo recap of October; I shared my experience with essential oils; I turned to social media for help with this month's Stitch Fix review; Calvin turned seven months old; and I took some time to be thankful.

December - after nine months of goals, I shared my last goals (with grace) for 2014; blogged about Christmas traditions; honored Charlotte's second birthday and shared the way we chose to celebrate her; reflected on our second year without our baby girl; Calvin celebrated his eighth month of being on the outside; I blogged about the significance of a little giraffe; and reviewed my final Stitch Fix for the year.

This year brought a lot of joy + hope, as well as sleepless nights + tears. And while this space has been primarily used to review Stitch Fixes, write out my goals, and share my monthly letter to Calvin, but I appreciate the comments & community I've found through this space + social media outlets.  Maybe next year things will be different...

Until then... Happy New Year!

Influence Conference 2014

Last September, I returned home from the Influence Conference empowered, filled up, and looking forward.  I didn't know where God was going to lead me, but I finally understood that I had influence and was praying for an opportunity to share.

Fast forward to a couple weeks after the conference: I received an email from Jessi asking if I'd be interested in serving the network via their Twitter & Facebook accounts.  I was shocked to even be considered, but completely honored at the same time and continue to be blessed daily by the women I get to meet & interact with via the Influence Network's social media.

Around November, I started thinking about following year's conference and ended up buying my ticket during the Black Friday sale. Honestly, I can't remember if I even did the math on how old my baby would be, but it didn't matter. I just knew the impact the last one had on me and felt like it was important enough to try to attend.

When conference information started rolling out this summer, I began to wonder if I could actually make this trip happen. I was deep in new motherhood and feeling pretty scared of going alone with my baby. As a last hope/joke, I asked my best friend (also a new mom) if she wanted to join me in Indianapolis & help with Calvin and to my surprise, she said yes! And from there I felt like everything just came together...

Now, on the other side of it, I know there was a reason everything came together.  God wanted me at the conference and He made it happen.  Putting words to what I learned & experienced just days after something like this is hard for me to do, but a list of my favorites? I can totally do that!


My #InfluenceConf 2014 Top 5

1. Worship --- For the second year in a row, I was brought to tears during the conference worship time.  There is something about singing in a room full of 300+ God-loving women that just moves you in the best way.

2. The Mom's Suite, hosted by Thrive Moms --- This space was a total blessing!  Even though our room wasn't far, having a place to feed, change, & play with Calvin just a few steps away from the conference was wonderful.  Some of my best conversations of the conference happened in that room with women who are in similar stages of life as I.

3. The Message Revival session on home --- I wasn't sure what to expect with the revival sessions, but ended up walking away a page full of ideas on how to make my home a place that works for my family & I, such as dedicated date nights with my husband (even if they are at home after the kids go to bed) and organizing my home so it functions best for everyone who lives there.

4. Lara Casey's mini-Making Things Happen session --- I didn't know of Lara Casey before last year's conference, but on a whim I attended her session and was blown away by her southern charm & inspiring ideas.  This year, the network hosted a members-only event where Lara gave us a glimpse of her own conference - Making Things Happen, which intends to "fire people up to make bold decisions towards their best lives and empower them to step into their fears instead of away from them".  And that it did!  The feeling in the room was vulnerable, but hopeful, as women admitted their fears and discovered how to overcome them.  Definitely a night I'm still processing through.

5. A (small) glimpse into the behind the scenes --- Last year, I remember thinking to myself a number of times, "how did they put this conference on?"  As a do-er, I love helping to put feet to someone else's ideas.  So this year, being involved on the social media side, I was able to see a tiny part of what the core team goes through to bring a message to 300 women.  And it's inspiring!  Thank you Hayley, Jessi, Ashley, Lindsey, Rachael, & Moriah.

Honorable mention: my best friend, Kelly --- I'm so thankful she said yes to flying across the country with our babies (five & seven months old), hanging out in a hotel room, and watching Calvin anytime I asked.  I already knew she was the best, but now everyone knows.  Kel - are you ready to come back with me next year? ;)



So tell me... If you attended the conference, what was your top moments?  And if you didn't attend, do you have any questions I might be able to answer? Leave a comment or send me an email.

#InfluenceConf 2014 linkup

Last September, I remember how nervous, yet anxious I was about going to the Influence Conference. The fact that I was flying across the country and rooming with two women I'd never met was a pretty big deal, but all my worries vanished the minute I checked in to the conference. Even as a an introvert, I found myself meeting new faces & introducing myself to bloggers I had been following for years because we all had one thing in common - making our online (and offline) life mean something.

This year, my nerves have been replaced with excitement. I can't wait to reunite with women I have gotten to know virtually over the last year and learn more about using my influence right where I'm at.

I hope to meet many of you next week in Indianapolis and while I will probably have my hands full (I'm bringing my five month old), I will be sure to have my blog cards so we can connect after we return home!

Community

Honestly, I never thought I'd find community online.

When I signed up for Twitter and started blogging, it was more for entertainment. I simply read blog after blog, without commenting, just so I wouldn't be labeled a stalker (funny, I know). And when I posted on my own blog, I told myself it was for family because surely no one else would want to read it or get to know me, right?

It actually wasn't until I joined a Flickr group (The Working Closet) that I finally started to interact with other people and form my first online friendships. And from there, I slowly built up the courage to expand my interactions and begin to build a small community.

Now, the online world has become more about friendships, instead of just entertainment, and I have the Influence Network + Conference to thank for that. In a world where negativity & comparison seem to flow freely, the Influence Network strives to be a positive influence both online + offline while helping you build community where you are at in life. Who wouldn't want that? 

If this sounds like something you're looking for, come to the Influence Conference in September - you won't be disappointed!

#InfluenceNet Community Groups & About Me

When I joined the Influence Network almost a year ago, I was searching for a community that not only understood the online side of my life (this blog, social media, etc.), but could also relate to some of the "real-life" experiences that were going on, like losing our daughter.  I wasn't looking for someone to fix my problems, but rather walk along side me through the good times & the bad.  And the network was just that for me.

Fast forward to now.  Besides helping with some of the network's social media accounts, I have been asked to help facilitate one of the Influence Network's Community Groups that are about to begin - a group on infant & pregnancy loss.  When I received the initial email, my heart started to beat pretty fast and I turned to God asking, "Why me?  Aren't there other, more capable, women to lead this group?"  But I kept hearing "You can do this!"  So with shaky hands, I replied back saying if they felt I would be a good fit, then I would be honored to navigate through an experience none of us every thought we’d be in.

So because the groups & leaders were officially announced this morning on the Influence Network blog, I thought it would be good to introduce myself to those stopping by for the first time (and re-introduce myself to the "loyals") by directing them to my about me page* and share an insight into what makes me, me.

If you're new, please say hello.  I'd love to hop over to your space & get to know you too.

And if you're not new, please still say hello!  I'm so thankful for those who are walking through this life with me, whether online or off.

*My "about me" page can also be accessed by clicking on my picture on the right.

4moms: Share Your Story

Like with many things, I first heard about 4moms through the blogging world. Although I wasn't pregnant at the time, their products stood out among other baby products because they were innovative & unique to say the least. One thing I knew, I planned to register for some of their products when the time came.

Fast forward to last month. Before I got a chance to put my most desired 4moms item on our registry (the mamaRoo), I received an email saying I had won one simply by sharing my story on their site!


And about a week later, a brand new mamaRoo was waiting on my porch. I couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about, whether the baby was here yet or not, so I took a chance, opened the box, & tried putting the it together myself.


And before I knew it (about 15-20 minutes), the mamaRoo was set up & ready to go!


Unfortunately, this mamaRoo has been used by any real babies yet (just a couple stuffed animals), but all the reviews I've read have been more than promising and make me really excited for our baby boy to try it out in a couple months. Until then, I'll smile a little every time I walk by this amazing gift from the 4moms team!


Disclaimer: I wasn't asked to share about this by 4moms, but just wanted to share my thoughts & feelings.

Meet Me At The Influence Conference! #InfluenceNet

It’s probably not news to most of you, but The InfluenceNetwork holds a special place in my heart.

Last year, when I was going through a very tough time, The Influence Network was there with open arms and constant encouragement.  Not only did their mission statement stand out as something I needed in my life (“make your online (& offline) life mean something”), but the idea of connecting with real women who have experienced, what seems like, all walks of life was just what I needed. 

So last spring, I took a leap of faith and signed up to be a member of The Influence Network and purchased a ticket to my first “bloggers”conference.  And as September rolled around, my heart filled with nerves & anticipation until I walked into the conference hotel and was greeted with familiar online faces that put me at ease.

So why am I sharing all this (again)?  Because today is the day the 2014 Influence Conference tickets go on sale and I hope & pray others will have the opportunity to experience what this network is all about first hand.  If you’re interested, I’d suggest heading over to The Influence Network blog today and checking out the list of speakers, panel members, & community leaders (with more network/conference information coming this week).  Plus, if you purchase your ticket this week, you’ll be entered to win one of the daily giveaways going on all week!

If you’re still unsure about the network and/or the conference, let me know.  I don’t know all the answers, but I can certainly get you connected with one of the friendly people I've had the chance to get to know over the last year.

I really hope to see you there!

Hello Blog --- Anyone Still Here?

Tap, tap tap... Is this thing on?

Who would have thought when I came back from a "blogging" conference last September that I would feel a loss to write in this space.  But here I am, almost the middle of February, writing my second post of the year.  How does that happen? 

If I had to take a gander, I would put my money on three things that have pushed this blog into radio silence: my current pregnancy, The Influence Network, and Sam Grable Photo.

First, Sam Grable Photo. When my husband came to me early last year and told me how much he wanted to take his photography a step further, I was both excited & scared.  Excited because I love when I get to witness him doing something he loves, like taking pictures.  But I was also scared because I didn't know what that meant exactly.  Now with a little over a year behind us, we're still learning, but loving the direction Sam Grable Photo is going in.  Because I don't have the talent he does behind the camera, I have vowed to help him any other way I can --- organizing shoots, holding equipment, and corresponding with clients --- which has taken more time than I thought it would, but like I said, we're happy with where it's going for now.

Secondly, The Influence Network.  This network of women have touched my online (and offline) life in a way I didn't expect, but am so thankful for!  When I got home from the conference, my mind was spinning with inspiration, my heart blessed by those who I had a chance to meet in person, and my heart unsure where to go with it all.  So when I got an email from one of the co-founders asking if I'd like to help out the network, I was a little stunned, yet grateful.  A way to be involved and inspired?  Yes, please!  Fast forward to today and I have spent the last four months handling the Influence Network's Twitter & Facebook page, which I've really, really grown to love.

And last, but not least, our current pregnancy.  From being scared every day for the first 20 weeks to counting his kicks as I fall asleep at night, my mind has thought of every possible outcome for this little boy I'm carrying.  I've been scared to put my feelings into words because I worry the next minute things will change and I don't feel strong enough to handle it all.  However, at the end of the day, this baby boy is loved just as much as his sister and whatever happens, happens for a reason.


My wish is that I will continue to find my voice on this blog and keep writing.  When I look back over the years, this blog has played a big role in my life and I don't think I'm ready for that to go away yet.  So no promises, but I think I'll just leave it at "we'll see what happens" and hope for the best.

To those still reading: THANK YOU for sticking around, regardless of my silence.

Farewell 2013

When 2013 began, I wasn't sure what the year would hold. We had just suffered a major loss and living day to day (sometimes hour to hour) was all I could handle. And my blogging certainly reflected what I was feeling and how little words I had to share:

January - I started the year writing down a few of my 2013 goals {that I actually accomplished}; I shared the gift we were given through Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep; began posting Friday bullets; and talked about Charlotte - one month after meeting her, never forgetting her, and the reminders of her all around me.

February - I continued posting Friday bullets {an easy way to get my thoughts out}; I shared a story my husband posted on Facebook about Charlotte & having hope; on what would have been C's two month birthday, I talked about anniversaries have helped me heel & meeting with the genetic counselor; and posted the video we shared at Charlotte's memorial.

March - I received {& blogged about} my first Stitch Fix and fell in love the company's concept; the month was filled Friday bullets/thoughts; I joined the Influence Network & attended my first classes; and I shared about a series about life after Charlotte.

April - after sharing about the desire to talk about life after Charlotte in March, I posted about the holidays, being a mother without a child, and questions I've received; I updated my blog with a new design & address; and I ran walked a 5k with my sister-in-law.

May - 2012 was the year of the photo-a-day and in May I shared the book that I made to compile all of my photos in one place; I saw Sara Bareillis again, up close & personal; I celebrated my first Mother's Day without Charlotte, which was bittersweet; and I ended the month visiting Austin & the Heater family.

June - another Stitch Fix box arrived and yet again I was exctied to see what my stylist picked out for me; due to an Influence Network prompt, I shared what home means to me; I couldn't believe six months had already passed since meeting & saying goodbye to Charlotte; and we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.

July - my Friday bullets transformed into '5 on Friday', where I shared five of my favorites from the week; I was offered a chance to review a Float Wrap from Printography; I featured five blogs that have helped me through the grieving process; and Sam & I got away for a peaceful weekend.

August - more & more 5 on Fridays {apparently that's the way I got myself to post throughout most of the year}; and Sam built me a headboard.

September - this is the month where my posting drastically slowed down... but not before I posted about my excitement about the Influence Conference & my 2013 scarfs swap.

October - I could barely find the words to describe my time at the Influence Conference {because it was amazing!}; and we finally announced our new addition coming in April.

November - after announcing my pregnancy, I reflected on how different this one feels in comparison to the one with Charlotte; and we found out we would be welcoming a baby boy {and announced it on Instagram}!

December - we honored Charlotte's first birthday; I reviewed Stitch Fix while being pregnant; and rounded out the year reflecting on one year after Charlotte.


As I reflect on the year behind us, I'm grateful God gave me hope, especially in the darker times.  And next year already holds a lot of hope, which I'm also thankful for, but what I am really hoping for in 2014 is that I find my online voice again. Between remembering our baby girl, preparing for our new little guy and continuing to be involved with the Influence Network, my mind is swirling with inspiration & posts; I just need to to take the time to write about it all, for you, my readers, and myself.

So until then... Happy New Year!

The Influence Conference 2013

Because I'm still processing through everything #influenceconf related, I thought a little top 5 list of things from The Influcence Conference would suffice for now:

1. My awesome roommates!
• I couldn't have asked for two better women {Ashton & Tanya} to room with and sincerely hope this isn't the last time we all stay up until after midnight laughing & crying together.
2. Meeting bloggers whom I have followed for years.
• One of the crazy things about blogging is feeling like you already know someone without ever meeting face-to-face.  And yet, the friendships that can come through emailing and social media still amazes me every day.  As my twitter began to fill up with talk of the conference, I was both excited & nervous to meet some of the bloggers I had been following for years and I am so thankful I actually tabled my nerves & actually said hello some of them {Lindsey of The Kubly Girl, Erin of Blue Eyed Bride, and Lindsay of Hello Hue to name a few}. 
3. Listening & learning from such passionate speakers.
• Due to time, I only got to hear from some of the speakers who presented at the conference, but what I did hear is still making me think and blessing me where I least expect it.
• Lara Casey
• Annie Downs
• Jenna Beaugh
• Shawna Niequist
•  Diana Stone
• and the co-founders of The Influence Network, Hayley & Jessi.
4. A beautiful night of worship.
• On the last night of the conference, we all gathered together to worship and sing together.  To be honest, this was probably my favorite part of the whole conference because I could feel the Holy Spirit in the room and I knew there was a reason I had attended this conference.  And not to mention, the sound from that room was just breathtaking!
5. Watching The Influence Network core team love on, pray for, and engage with all the attendees.
• I honestly believe these six women could be called "the dream team". J Not only did their gifts & resources come together to bring us an amazing conference, but they also support a beautiful network of like-minded women all year long.  I've been a fan of each of their work with the network and individual blogs for at least the last six months and I can tell you that each of them writes just as they would speak to you in person, which I admire greatly.

Many times throughout the weekend, I found myself wondering about how this whole network & conference specfically came together and if I ever get a chance to be apart of the behind the scenes, I will consider myself lucky to be among such doers & dreamers! 

As I returned home on Sunday, my mind was swirling {and still is!} with thoughts & plans and my heart both blessed & wrecked in the best possible way.  I'm sure it will take some time to fully see the effects the conference had on me, but for now I am just grateful for the opportunity to attend.

Five on Friday

It's Friday again so you know what that means...  I'm linking up with Darci + friends for five on Friday!

[one]
Eat, Live, Run's blueberry almond sugar cookies had me at blueberry.  They've been a pretty consistent staple in our fridge this summer, so finding new ways to incorporate this seasonal fruit has been pretty fun. And deep down, I wish I could be Jenna's personal recipe taste-tester...

[two]
After a particularly heavy week, Ashton's post on letting it go really encouraged me.  She reminded me (through scripture & her beautiful words) that we are not alone, but that God is here to carry our burdens and lift us up when we can no longer do so.  Not an easy thing to accept, yet incredibly comforting at the same time.

[three]
So remember that network of amazing women I can't stop talking about? Well their annual conference is just a couple weeks away and while I am looking forward to this experience, I am still pretty nervous.  But seeing the posts pop up in my feed from other bloggers saying they'll be there too has actually put my nerves at ease a bit. Plus, I had a chance to chat with my roommates (Ashton & Tanya) last week and now I really can't wait to meet them in person next month!

[four]
I may be a little biased, but I am really happy with how my husband's latest photo shoot turned out! I was able to tag along & be his "photo assistant" for the day, which is not as easy as I thought it might be.  But thankfully we had good weather, a fun & unique location (McMenamin's Edgefield Hotel) and a very cooperative subject, which was the perfect combination!

 
[five]
Speaking of Edgefield, we're actually on our way back up there this weekend to see Death Cab for Cutie! It's my first time seeing the band & attending a concert at this venue, but as long as there is nice weather (fingers crossed) and good music, I think it will be a fun night!

Any fun weekend plans?

Power of Prayer

My heart is hurting today.

Diana Stone, a blogger who's story I have followed closely over the last year and a half, had to say goodbye to her newborn son, Kaden, today (just after she said goodbye to her twin boys last May).

Why would this happen? Haven't they been through enough?

I'm so sad & confused and can only imagine what Diana and her family are feeling.

Yesterday, when the Stone family could no longer lift their arms to God, the selfless women of the Influence Network came along side them to pray on their behalf. It was chilling to participate in the 24 hours of prayer and I'm thankful to be a part of this God-fearing network. Needless to say, the power of prayer (no matter the outcome) is real!

There are no words that can make this situation better, but I'd still like to ask for two things: (1) that you hold your loved ones a little closer tonight and (2) if you're the praying kind, say a little prayer for peace for the Stone family and what they have ahead of them.

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

I'm a little late in posting my five on Friday, but better late than never, right?  I'm linking up again with Darci & friends again this week.

[one]
With summer wrapping up, I'm loving all the vacation recaps that are popping up on my feed!  While we didn't have any big getaways this summer, I've been enjoying reading about other people's.  Two recaps that stood out this week were Bower Power and Blue Eyed Bride.  Both went to the beach with their families, but what I loved most was they both went with their best friends + families as well, which is such a fun concept I hadn't thought of!

[two]
I'm not sure if it's the longer days or the nice weather, but summer just feels like the perfect time to get things done around the house!  One of the items on our to-do list this summer was to re-stain our deck, which has definitely seen better days, but it hasn't happened yet.  But just as I was thinking this task might have to wait until next summer, Young House Love came to the rescue and shared step-by-step instructions on how they stripped, cleaned, and re-stained their deck in just a couple days.  I'm definitely motivated, so we'll see if I can motivate Sam...

[three]
One of my Influence Conference roomies celebrated seven years of marriage this week and she wrote a post on seven things she's learned since getting married and I sat their reading her post and agreeing with every suggestion she shared (even if Sam & I have only been married for five years).  Sure, marriage isn't easy, but when you invest the time & energy into your spouse and relationship, it is so worth it!

[four]
I consider myself an avid reader of blogs.  (I love posts like this where other bloggers share their favorite blogs to read because it usually directs me to a blog I add to my feed.)  One blog that I have enjoyed over the last year or so has been Emphasis Added, which is written by Emily who lives in Chicago with her husband and two beautiful little girls.  Her posts aren't usually long or in depth, but it's her descriptions and stories that capture my attention and keep me coming back to find out what new adventure they've had.  If you're looking for a blog with great stories and fun pictures, check out Emphasis Added!

[five]
This last link is just one that I found funny when it popped up on my Twitter feed.  If you know me, I am a fan of Instagram.  It's a fun way to share your life with your online friends through a picture & short caption.  Well, this week, I found a post titled "If Disney Princesses had Instagram, the World would be a Better Place" and I couldn't stop laughing at the pictures & captions that fit perfectly with some of my favorite childhood memories.  Too funny!

Hope you have a good weekend!

Five on Friday

Tap, tap, tap... Is this thing on?

I apologize for the radio silence and really hope the desire to write more returns soon.  But until then... I'm linking up again with Darcie's five on Friday.

[one]
On Monday, I took a class presented by Kate of The Small Things blog on her top five blogging mistakes and, like the other Influence Network classes, it was great! As I listened to her share what has and hasn't worked for her, I thought about how even though I'm not a big, consistent blogger, I can still learn from all of her mistakes and better my blog even a little.  (If you stick around, maybe I'll put some of her tips to use...)

[two]
A couple of weeks ago, Sam introduced me to a show called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and now I'm seeing it pop up all over the Internet. So when I came across The Big Mama's thoughts on the show, I knew it was worth sharing in the case you hadn't heard of this show yet.  Seriously, if you like to laugh, check it out!

[three]
Are you a fan of scarfs? If you're anything like me, you love scarfs, but feel bad buying them because you already own quite a few. Well I think I've found a way where it doesn't feel so bad - Meredith's annual scarf swap!  You can read about my past swaps here and here.

[four]
Lately, I've been hearing a lot about the topic of living simply.  Whether that's downsizing or just living off the land, it's definitely a topic I'm hearing a lot.  And just this week, while scrolling through my social media, I came across a video that a news outlet produced about the Prouty family and I couldn't help but share with others.  I can't say I could do what they have done, but their story is very inspiring and something I definitely admire.

[five]
You can probably tell by the way I talk about them weekly, but boy do I love the community I've found in the Influence Network!  They lift me up without knowing it!  Just this week, Hayley from The Tiny Twig shared her experience with bringing her first two sons into the world and what kind of feelings came along with them.  It's not perfect, but it's honest and that's what I appreciate most when it comes to interacting with her and the other women I've met through the network.  I feel like a little bit of a crazy fan, but Hayley is definitely one I can't wait to see next month(!) at the Influence Conference!  Maybe I'll even get up the courage to say hi :)

Happy weekend everyone!

5 on Friday

Honestly... this week has been kind of tough as I think about where we were last year at this time...

The two words that keep coming to mind are "life changing" because at the split of second, our lives went from happy & excited to devastated & confused with very little warning. 

For those who are new to this space, our baby girl was diagnosed with a fatal form of skeletal dysplasia last July and while I carried her until 39 weeks, she is sadly no longer with us.

So I decided that instead of writing about 5 random things from my week, I would share 5 blogs* that have helped me immensely after losing Charlotte:

[one]
Megan from In This Wonderful Life

[two]
Casey from The Wiegands

[three]
Raechel from Finding My Feet

[four]
Diana from Hormonal Imbalances

[five]
Heather from The Spohrs are Multiplying

While none of their situations are exactly the same as mine, the comfort that each of their blogs has given me leaves me speechless.  I really wish I could find the words to share how they have helped (and thank each & every one of them in person!), but all I can say it THANK YOU God that I found these women and have felt an reassurance that I'm not alone in this and while this is something you'd never wish on anyone, it's really nice to know that someone understands, even a little.


*None of these bloggers probably know who I am or have asked me to share about them, but all of their stories have touched my heart and comforted me & given me hope as I walk this new path ahead of me.

5 on Friday

Have you ever felt like something was written or said just for you?  Actually, I probably think that about once a week - sometimes it's a song on the radio or an idea for the next best invention or a blog post I just stumbled upon.  This week, however, was FULL of these moments and I just want share five that touched my heart this week:

[one]
Lindsay, of The Kubly Girl, wrote a beautiful reflection on finding community that was just what I needed to hear this week.  For years, I have been timid about buidling a community where we're at because it's hard to be the new person, but over the last couple weeks, Sam & I finally decided to get involved in a small group at a new church we've been attending and Lindsay's post felt like a message from God that this is what He wants for us right now. 

[two]
Have you heard Sara Bareilles' song December (from her new album The Blessed Unrest)? I think maybe it was written for me... 

(For those who don't know me that well, last December was both the best & worse time of my life, which you can read about here.) 

[three]
It's easy to get in the mindset that no one reads your blog or cares about what you write, but Kim from oh, sweet joy! wrote a simple, yet true post this week about how we (as bloggers) are not alone and should all write for where we're at right now, because no matter what the impact may be, someone is listening.  Her words weren't new to me, but sometimes you just need to hear something again to remind yourself of the truth.

[four]
I attended another amazing Influence Network class by Susie Davis this week called Hearing God Speak in your Everyday Life and just like the ones before, Susie knocked it out of the park!  She shared ideas that I hadn't thought a lot about - like God speaks to us every day, but we still need to be willing to listen and accept what he's saying before we'll here Him - and gave us a few ways to hear Him.  Such an eye opening class for someone who doesn't listen to God enough...

Have you taken an Influence Network class yet?

[five]
Last week, I shared how Natalie from The Busy Budgeting Mama has helped me in my search for why I blog and this week she shared a book she's been working on called "Mommy's Has an Angel", which is a story told from the point of view of her four-year-old daughter about her mom's best friend in Heaven.  While processing the grief and pain that goes along with losing a loved one, I have also thought a lot about the future and how I'm going to share with our future children (God willing) about our little angel, Charlotte, and why she's no longer with us here on Earth.  I'm incredibly inspired by people like Natalie who have decided to share their grief to help others and I only hope my words could help someone one day like her's have helped me.


Hope you have a good weekend!

5 on Friday

Hello Friday, it's very nice to see you :)

Beware: this post is a very random assortment of 5 on Friday today...

[one]
My husband posted some awesome shots of the firework show we caught last Thursday on his blog this week and I can't help but share.  I love getting to see his creativity through his camera lense and the beautiful images he captures!

[two]
While my husband is posting several times a week on his photo blog, I've been feeling at a standstill with mine and spending some times searching for my 'why'.  Thankfully, there are other bloggers, like The Busy Budgeting Mama and House of Rose, who are providing wisdom to help new bloggers get started and while I may not be a new blogger any more, I'm finding their advice very beneficial in search for my 'why' right now.

[three]
I've raved about it before (check out my 1st & 2nd fix), but I'm a big fan of Stitch Fix!  And this week, I received my first referral credit because someone signed up after reading my reviews!  Honestly, my initial excitement wasn't about the credit, but the influence I had on someone else - that I was able to introduce an unique company to someone else that they may not have heard of otherwise.  Chock it up to another reason I love the Internet and social media, I guess :)

[four]
If you're a frequent reader of this space, you might know how much of a 'dates' person I am.  For the last seven months, the 12th and 21st are sacred days in our house because of their association with our daughter Charlotte.  And not only does today mark seven months since she was born, it's also my 28th birthday.  Talk about mixed emotions, right?  To be honest, I'm finding it really hard to be in the mood to celebrate, which is kind of sad...

[five]
And to end things on a positive note, I've decided to take the advice of one of my recent pins and go find myself a cupcake and smile today.

Hope you have a good weekend!

5 on Friday

The combination of a short work week + beautiful summer weather has automatically made this one a good one in my book.  An added bonus: these five things.

[one]
A common phrase you may hear from Oregonians is "summer doesn't actually begin until July 5th" and sadly that is usually correct.  However, this year the usual Oregon weather (i.e. rain) has taken an early hiatus, which I will not complain about one bit!  And since we missed last year's festivities due to being in Nova Scotia last, I'm so happy we were able to spend this year's holiday with the three F's: family, food, & fireworks!

[two]
Last week I mentioned I was starting a new job this week and although I'm only a few days in, my first impression is that I think I'm going to like what I'm doing and who I'm working with.  I'm sure I'll have more to say once I have a few more days/weeks/months under my belt, but so far so good :)

[three]
Remember me talking about the Influence Conference (about a hundred times already...)?  Well, this week everything felt just a little more real because I booked my flight AND my hotel this week!  Yay!  If you want more information, check out my sidebar or this post by Ruthie Hart.

[four]
Speaking of the Influence Conference, the whole idea has had me thinking about why I'm blogging and who I'm blogging for.  This week, I came across a post by a blogger I have been following for years now and really respect.  Kerri's post about her blogging notebook wasn't anything groundbreaking (I know a lot of other bloggers use a similar idea), but it really pushed me to pull out an old notebook and start writing down some potential blog content.  Now we'll see if it helps me post more and work on my direction...

[five]
Maybe my lack of posting has been partly due to the life changing event that took place in December.  With six months under our belts, we still have hard days intertwined with the good ones.  I came across an article with some helpful ideas for those who have suffered a pregnancy or infant loss and thought I'd share for anyone else out there who may know someone who has gone through a simliar situation as we have.  The suggestions aren't difficult, just simple and thoughtful, both things that people need during a difficult time.

How was your week?

5 on Friday

I'm trying something new this week and linking up with Darcie from The Good Life Blog for five on Friday!

[one]
This week has been full of memories, celebrations, and today, an end of a chapter.  Next week I will start a new job and while I'm excited for this change, I'm also nervous for the unknown of it all.  I'm praying for peace, a smooth transition, and patience for all!

[two]
I'm a fan of Pinterest!  Well, let me rephrase that, I am a fan of pinning on Pinterest :)  I love to pin great ideas, but as far as actually trying them out, I don't usually follow through.  So last weekend, Sam had the great idea to take one of my Pinterest pins and turn it in to a anniversary gift.  And a plus: it falls in line with the five year traditional anniversary gift of wood!  Win, win!  I'll definitely post about it when it's complete.

[three]
This week, I found myself, on a number of occassions, feeling extra thankful for the friendships in my life.  Whether it's conversations via text, Twitter, or in person, my "friend-tank" was filled this week.  Now, if only there was a way we could all hang out in real life whenever we want without the need to travel all day...

[four]
Even though life seems pretty good at the moment, I have to be honest and say I still have times where I wish my life was different and envy the lives of others.  Erin of Blue Eyed Bride wrote a beautiful post sharing her similar thoughts and I loved this line she shared from the book A Beautiful Purpose: "Can you honor the Me in her?”  I immediately took a step back and found myself thanking God for where I'm at and for those He's placed in my life at this time.  These feelings & questionings aren't easy, but I appreciate God putting reminders like Erin's post out there for me to find.

[five]
With my birthday coming up, I find myself wanting to keep it low-key & quiet, but I'd by lying if I didn't say I'm looking forward to seeing what this next year holds for me...

Friday Thoughts

Whew!  I made it to Friday!

(Yes, I really said that aloud this morning :))

It's been a crazy week at work, which means as soon as I get home, the only thing I want to do is veg out on the couch.

So with little to write about my own happenings, I thought I'd share what has made me think a little harder, reflect a little deeper, and smile a little bigger this week:

• My Influence conference roomie, Ashton (who I cannot wait to meet!), wrote a beautiful post last week on finding the heartbeat of her blog and ever since I read this post, I've been thinking a lot about the reason(s) I continue to write in this little space of mine. Maybe Ashton's post will push me to share some of my reasons too...
• Megan from In This Wonderful Life has been someone I have admired for a few years now because of her transparency, especially around the life of her first son, Cohen. This week she shared about how her, her husband, and their toddler twins celebrated Cohen's third birthday and as I read about their day at the zoo, I prayed we'd be doing something similar in the future to honor & celebrate Charlotte's birthdays. I wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone, but I'm thankful for other moms who feel called to share what they've been through and offer hope with someone like me.
• Finally, I wanted to include this post from Alexa of He and I of her and her adorable baby girl dancing. It's fun & carefree and I hope it brings a smile to your face as it did mine.

So that’s what I’m thinking about this week.  What's grabbed your attention this week.