So here I am....
Finally, sitting down to make a blog post...
I apologize for my absence & for being away for so long! I don't know if I will be much better in the coming weeks, but I'm sure gonna try! Life has just been crazy busy! Sometimes I feel like I am in a whirlwind!
Trying to manage my many, many roles often feels hard & sometimes I just get so overwhelmed that I just wanna shut-down & don't want to do ANY of them!
I would much rather jump on a plane & fly far, far away....
Somewhere like this would be NICE....
don't judge me....I know many of you feel the same way :)
Some of my roles I have no choice in (like my mommy duties)
others I do (like my blogging duties).
This blog started just 10 months ago and when I first began writing it & working on projects, I didn't really know if anyone was actually going to read it. I thought it would just be fun to share all of my ideas, my inspiration, & my decorating adventures with all of you, so I thought "WHY NOT?!"
Then, less than a year later, I am finding that God has blessed me so much through this blog & has opened doors I never dreamed would be opened! I wanted to take a minute to share some of those things with you & also to give you an idea as to the direction in which this blog may be heading....
1.)After ending my career as a registered nurse almost 1 year ago, and beginning my career as a stay-at-home mom, I knew that I would want some type of hobby to keep me busy on the side & give me "an escape" from all of the craziness that being a stay-at-home mom brings! For me, this blog was the answer. I have met so many wonderful people in blogland. So many people who have encouraged & supported me....PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW ME!! It's just been crazy!! And then, there are the people that I DO KNOW....those whom I went to school with, worked with, etc. who have contacted me via email or facebook & shared with me a project that they are working on or told me a story about how I have inspired them. Its truly been wonderful & touching in so many ways. Almost daily, I will receive an email or a facebook message from someone with sweet & encouraging words & I can't tell you how much it means to me! It definitely makes me feel like the work I put into this blog is worth it & gives me motivation to keep working!
2.) Then there was the television interview & being chosen as blog of the week by our local news station...Really?! I mean who would have thought?! If you would have told me a year ago that I would be going on the morning news to share one of my DIY projects, I would have NEVER believed you!! That was such an awesome experience & also great publicity for this blog. Kevin (one of the news anchors) actually said that they would like to maybe have me on again sometime in the future! CRAZY!!
3.) I have started to get emails & inquires about some of my projects and being asked if I would be interested in selling some of them. I have made a few things for a few people and I'm currently wrestling with the idea of whether I want to start listing some of those items in my mom's etsy shop. Part of me is EXCITED about this opportunity, but the other part of me is WORRIED that I am gonna get in over my head & that I won't be able to juggle it on top of everything else. I don't want to be so wrapped up in making things for other people that my relationship with God gets put to side, that I can't get my own projects completed, that I don't have time to spend with my kids, & lastly, I don't want to see this blog suffer as a result.
4.) I have also started to get inquiries about my photography. People wanting to know if I can take pictures for their families, their children, etc. This is probably the opportunity I am most excited about as I have really started to develop a passion for it & the more I learn, the more I LOVE IT!! So, yes, if you are interested, I am interested! Just shoot me an email & we can discuss details!!
5.) In addition to all of these things, my mom & I were asked to do all of the decorations for a wedding which is quickly approaching!! Its the first weekend in October & we have all kinds of ideas up our sleeves! So in addition to my regular posts, you will be seeing a lot of DIY wedding posts on this blog in the upcoming weeks!! I am really excited to see everything come together...I think its going to turn out BEAUTIFUL!!
So, there you have it!
Now, you know what's been going on with this blog & with me!
I know, I know....you never asked that question!
SORRY!!
Sometimes I just have to use this blog as an outlet to discuss my feelings & to organize my thoughts! For those of you who were interested in reading the whole thing...can I just tell you how much I LOVE YOU?!
For those of you who know where I am coming from....
Those of you who STRUGGLE with your many roles & juggle with the idea of TAKING ON MORE...
And for those of you WHO HAVE taken on more & have some wonderful tips....
TALK.TO.ME!!!
I will take any & all advice you send my way!!
Okay.. I DID read the entire post & I totally can relate! In all honesty, to juggle it all, I haven't quite figured it out myself. BUT I do know this, I've been planning ahead on my blog posts... WAY ahead, some of the time. I bet I probably have at least 4-5 drafts (sometimes more) pre-written or at least 1/2 written. That has taken some of the stress off. Good Luck with all your decisions!
ReplyDeleteDaNita
Yes... Although I am not a mom...yet, I understand just being overwhelmed. I have been wanting to keep up with my blog...but honestly it sometimes does get in the way of other more important things. I totally understand getting so overwhelmed that you can't get anything done...:)
ReplyDeleteTonya (this is Kasey),
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh, the struggles we all feel as moms, wives, daughters, overwhelms me every day. I think that our generation of girls was raised to think "Girl Power." That we could have it all...a career, a family, and that nothing would ever suffer. But, I don't think that is true. Something always has to give. We CANNOT do everything to the fullest when we are run down tired, and doing 100 different things. I realized this and started making changes in my life when I was selling Uppercase Living, doing 31, subbing at the school, and had a husband and 3 boys to take care of. I don't have the answers as to how you juggle it all, but some things have to give....for me, it was the Uppercase Living...I quit doing home consultations and designing. I still struggle daily, but the important thing is that you prioritize what is important to you, not what other people want you to do (the blog or selling items on etsy, etc.) I continue to pray about it and remember that my house doesn't have to be perfect and that my life doesn't have to be perfect, and it won't be with 3 boys!
Love,
Kasey
Hi, I am a friend of your husband's from ages and ages ago. I could tell you some funny/cute stories. He has always been a great guy! I found your blog through his facebook and my sister and I have been checking out your projects. I can totally relate to you, I stay at home with my 2 kiddos and work from home about 24 hours a week. It can be crazy and there are never enough hours in the day. I need an outlet for myself though so I love your projects. We just bought a new house and I have been looking for a desk. They are all either super expensive or never have enough storage. I am going to try to build one in an area we have in our basement thanks to your closet office. Your work is amazing. Just a thought, but it would be super neat if you did workshops. That way you wouldn't have to build and sell things, people could come and make one of your creations, like the art you do. I think sometimes it is just hard to know where to start if you havent done this type of stuff before. I would totally be in! :) Thanks for all your great ideas and good luck! (Sarah Murphy)
ReplyDeleteTonya, I love you very much and you are a wonderful mom and wife. Its not an easy job staying at home with your children and taking care of a home and still trying to find time for yourself. You do a great job at all of those things and I just want you to know that. Us girls don't get the credit that we deserve and I don't know how the world would get by without us. We play a critical role in this world and the world is a better place because of us. But please take time out for yourself because we all need that time to re-energize ourselves so we can continue this hard but rewarding job that we do everyday. We never do get enough credit or praise for all that we do but just know that every woman that reads this post knows exactly what your talking about and they do appreciate your hard work because they do the same thing and struggle with the same issues. But just know that you are appreciated and you are loved and you deserve all the praise in the world along with all the women in this world. (I think I said the word world to many time lol!) Love ya, mom
ReplyDeleteYou've truly been blessed. Let your light continue to shine and others, in all aspects of your life, will understand. My only tip is to do what is best for you at that moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all of your inspirations!
You have been doing so much my friend, which is good, and all these new opportunities are a blessing and have come to you because of your talent and creative heart. Now the difficult part is finding that balance and finding what you want to do and you never have to apologize for that, it is life and we all understand. Doors are opening, grab them the best that you can and see where they lead you. Be true to yourself and your family and you can't go wrong. Blog when you can, when you want. I wish you all the luck and know that we all struggle with what to do and when and how but also know that we support you!
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs and love!
xoxoxo
I love thist post. Thanks for being so raw and honest. I say, enjoy your blogging...it is evident that God has done some amazing things through it and that it has provided you some stress relief. BUT...on those days where you feel it necessary to just take off with the kids and go do things with your husband, GO DO IT. Do not feel pressured to update this thing!!! While you are such an inspiration to others, I think it is because it is refreshing to see what a great mom and wifey that you are, who enjoys blogging but also knows when to say no and devote a few days here and there to family and other things that you have going on! So...keep on, keepin on! I love reading your blog. I also love the tender comment your mom left you on here. Y'alls relationship reminds me so much of my mom and I's relationship How blessed are we! Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tonya. I have been up earlier this morning, getting a brownie in the oven before the heat of the day...and I have been thinking about you! said a prayer for you and thanked God for my blogger friend.
ReplyDeleteI am on the other side of parenting,,,,my boys are now 21 and 18. I was fortunate to be able to be a stay at home mom, and also own our business, That Country Place, which is located right on our family farm. There were challenges of operating my gift shop/tea room, and at times I thought I was just treading water too. For the past 6 years, we have just been operating as a BnB and it is great!
Something I read a while back has been helpful to me "Never doubt in the darkness what God has revealed in the light"...it sounds like you have some new and exciting opportunities knocking at your door. Hang onto God's hand and walk through !! Keep balance in your life though...that is so important as a wife, mom, friend, small business owner,,,,,whatever God has instore for you. I really find this online devotional great. Maybe you have even heard about Proverbs 31? Anyways, here is the link and I hope you find encouragment from it as I have many times .www.proverbs31.org/dailydevotions/subscribe.php
I love reading your blog. For just starting your photography...your shots are amazing!! You are good girl!! Well, time to get the brownie out of the oven and I have a family over at the BnB to get some breakfast to. Pancakes with fresh blueberries and whipped cream,,,,mmmm. :)
Sieze the day!!
Just finished reading your post. It's amazing what God gives us through unexpected outlets. Having so many hats to juggle makes it incredibly difficult, but you have your priorities in the right place! I was at a women's retreat and they likened responsibilities to this image: a vase filled with rocks and sand. If you put the sand (the small things) in first, then add the rocks, everything will not fit; however, if you put rocks (God, family, etc.) first, then everything else will fall into place. As long as you keep your priorities straight, God will provide the time to get it all done!
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