Blog Love

iSight and notepad ready and rarin' to video chat!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to figure out what the heck to do with this blog. In January I did a little soul searching on the subject and realized how much I really love blogging. (You can read about it here.) I've been doing it for the past year, and because it does take up a lot of my precious, rare free time, Ryan's been urging me to make a side business of it. I've been resisting the idea for a while (we already have two businesses to worry about), but lately it's been a reoccurring thought for me.

Last year I started writing with the singular purpose of recording my pregnancy and adventures in motherhood. I threw this blog together in a few hours, purposely deactivating any type of advertising, blog roll, etc.  I really wanted to write for the sake of journaling and capturing my memories, and for a year or so that's been satisfying enough. I intended on redesigning the site pretty much as soon as it was up; this "awesome" *insert lighthearted sarcasm* design was never meant to be a permanent one, but rather a placeholder while I figured out if I actually enjoyed blogging. And I do. I've been talking about the redesign with Ryan for so long now without taking any action that I made it one of my 2013 goals--which then led to this soul searching about the purpose of my blog.

Fast forward to last night.

I've been trying to do some uncharacteristic things in 2013, and signing up for a video chat with other bloggers was one of my most recent plunges. It was on a whim, and it was amazing. Erin from Living in Yellow and Jenni from Story of My Life hosted, and along with seven other current and aspiring bloggers, we got the chance to pick each other's brains. It was refreshing to talk with other people who have a heart for the same things that I do, to hear other people ask the burning questions I've been wondering, to feel encouraged and supported by complete and utter strangers. It's so funny--when we all signed up for the chat, Erin sent out everyone's blogs for us to peruse pre-chat, and I did my homework. Truthfully, though, it wasn't until after the conversation that people's blogs really came to life for me; there was the obvious but sudden realization that there were actual people (actual women) behind these blogs, sitting at their computers late into the night jotting down thoughts from the day--just like me! I am so thankful that these nine other women took a few hours out of their life to share their experiences and advice so openly. Their insight is invaluable and definitely gave me lots to think about.

After we had all signed off, I sat down with Ryan to recap, and like usual, he was immediately all-in, encouraging me to move forward without hesitation. He was rambling on, giving advice on a topic he knows little about :), researching stuff online for me--and my head began to ache. A lot. It got to the point that I had to lay down on the floor for a minute, smack dab in the middle of our living room. After a few minutes of watching him pace and talk above me, I interrupted--"Hey, can you do me a favor?" (He paused and said, "Of course.") "Can you just lay on the ground here with me for a minute and not be annoying?" He grinned, shut his mouth and laid down right next to me. It was perfect. We joked and laughed and made fun of one another (pre-marriage and pre-baby style). I'm so thankful for him. What a freaking amazing guy. I'll never have his confidence, enthusiasm and optimism, but having him by my side will suffice because he has enough for the two of us to share. I'm not exactly sure what my direction will be, but in the coming months something is going to change on this blog. More to come on that later...

Erin looking WAY too put together for 10 p.m. on a Thursday... :)

Here's the other bloggers who joined in:

We Took the Road Less Traveled

Between Dreams

Coco in Magnolia

Daily Style Finds

Life, Love and Puppy Paws

G Squared

Allena Mistral