Why I Blog

I have been blogging for about three years now and I love this creative outlet more today than I did when I started.  I find so much freedom in putting my thoughts down and sharing them with the world.  I have also discovered some amazing bloggers who tell stories about their own lives and experiences in a way that I can relate too, which makes me feel connected to these people that I otherwise may not have had the opportunity to meet.

I started blogging because I was trying to sort out the thoughts inside my head and writing them down really helped.  Then I decided to share these thoughts because of the positive experience I had when reading other blogs.  Having the ability to relate to a bloggers situation gave me comfort knowing I wasn't alone in my feelings and opinions.  So I thought, maybe I can offer someone else this same comfort by sharing my story.

I believe that we have the ability to create amazing connections with others if we simply remove the fear that they may judge us.  Life is not a stream of perfect instagram photos, its messy, disappointing, exciting, hopeful and so much more and for me to feel truly connected with someone, I want to see all of their sides, not just the pretty ones.  And for me to acquire the trust of someone else, I also need to be willing to show all my sides, to me this is the equation to a real relationship.

Social media presents us with the opportunity to connect with people all over the world who share similar interests as we do.  By using social media as a two way communication tool, I have connected with graphic designers in LA, Yoga Teachers that travel the world and regular girls like me who have the same interests as I do.

I blog because it provides me with a creative outlet and a way to share my life with anyone who is interested in taking part in the conversation because I want to connect with people.

My First Baby, My Fur Baby

I always grew up having a dog so when Tyler and I bought our house 7 years ago, I started talking about getting a puppy.  To me, a house just didn't feel like a home until we had a dog.  Tyler finally caved and we went to the pet store to pick out a dog.  I was looking at some pure bread pugs and then Tyler picked Charlie out of the cage, handed him to me and said, "this guy is our dog".  The woman at the store said he looked like a Charlie and we had already been thinking about that name, so we took it as a sign and named him Charlie on the spot. 

Charlie was a very small puppy, just a few pounds when we brought him home so for the first couple weeks we could literally take him everywhere in my purse.  We felt so bad when we had to leave this little thing in a big crate while we were at work all day, we just wanted him with us the rest of the time.  Needless to say, he had us wrapped around his little paw from day one. 

Charlie is spoiled but having him as our first baby taught us a few lessons about discipline that we intend to not let slide with our first born child.  I know that having a puppy and baby is not the same thing but I feel like I have gained some real perspective on parenting from my years with Charlie.

Through my pregnancy he really has been a best friend and a huge support.  There where days where I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was lay on the couch and he was right there with me.  He has walked with me, gained weight with me and as we get closer to delivery, he has become very protective.  I have no doubt he knows something big is coming and he has been ready, each day for the last month.

I do think bringing home the baby will be an adjustment for our fur baby but I think he is going to do great.  I am grateful to have him around the house with me during this time and I am so excited to take him and baby for walks together.  Charlie is also my running partner and I am really looking forward to getting our pace back once this baby arrives, I figure by Christmas we will both have our running stride and post pregnancy weight in check.  I loved Charlie so much before I got pregnant but I have a whole new appreciation for him after we have been through this time together.

Guest Blogger - CHARLIE

It's been awhile since my last post on mom's blog, I was busy preparing for the arrival of my little brother and for the last 7 weeks have been helping mom and dad take care of him. 

The summer was pretty great, I spent a lot of time helping dad finish the basement and walking and snuggling with mom.  Mom and dad told me that things were going to change when my brother arrived but I could have never imagined how much. 

First, I think he is pretty awesome and I know we are going to be good friends.  One of the things I love about kids is they always drop food on the floor, so far Luke has only puked up some formula but that actually tastes pretty good.  Right now Luke is really good at snuggling, while I am not snuggling with mom and dad alone anymore, they both are spending a lot more time than usual, at home, which I really love. 

I have also noticed mom isn't going to work right now.  I tried to tell her I could take care of Luke if she wanted to go back but she has decided to stick around so I will enjoy the extra company. 

I would have to say my least favourite thing about Luke is the noise he makes in the middle of the night, it wakes me up and I am just not use to having my sleep interrupted.  I am just praying that this doesn't last long. 

It's an adjustment being a big brother but I love that little guy and will always have his back. I am extra cautious about anyone who comes to the house now, I bark extra loud to make sure mom and dad know someone is here and keep a look out when we are on walks.  Luke's just a little guy and I am here to take care of him. 

I don't love sharing mom and dad but I feel this instinct inside of me like I was always meant to take care of Luke.  I love you brother even despite your stinky smell. 

Xoxo CHARLIE 

Working The Night Shift

One of the anxieties I experienced while I was pregnant, was the fear that something bad would happen to Tyler or our marriage and I would have to be a parent on my own.  I was so excited to be a family and share all of the parenting adventures with Tyler, it was paralyzing to think about having to be a single parent.

While I was pregnant I prayed a lot about how to overcome this fear and I asked God to help me trust Him.  God promises us that he will never give us anything in life that we don't have the skills and ability to handle.  He also asks us to trust Him.  

In addition to studying the Bible, I also study the practice of yoga and non attachment is something I have read a lot about.  Yoga teaches that being attached to things and people can have a negative effect on our lives in different ways.  For me, being extremely attached to Tyler caused me anxiety and fear. Instead of worrying about what negative things could happen in the future, I need to be present and enjoy what is happening right now. 

When Tyler, Luke and I returned home from the hospital I was confronted head on with my fear, Tyler was going to be going on nights and I would be alone with Luke through the evenings.  I was exhausted and emotional and sad that I would be alone at night but I knew that it was the best thing for our family at that time so I started to pray.  I asked for courage and peacefulness and for my sadness and loneliness in the evenings to disappear.  

Through my prayers, I learned that I need to rely on God first before anyone else and that I am capable of handelling the situations I once feared.  The more I talked to God, the less alone I felt.  I was filled with a calm and the strength to go through my motherly tasks enjoying the special time with my son despite being tired.  God answered my prayers for comfort in the form of my family and friends, I had lots of visitors during the evenings so I was rarely alone all night. 

With God on my side I can handle anything and I am grateful for the lessons I learned through this challenging time. 

God doesn't always give us what we want in the form we think it should be delivered and sometimes we need to go through a challenge to truly grow.  

Thanks be to God! 

Pisces

I am a pisces and I definitely think that my sign has something to do with my personality and character traits.  One thing that leads me to think this way, is the piece I feel when I am near water.  This could also be because I grew up on the beach but when I need time to reflect and find piece, I often find myself by the water.  It's easy for me to think clearly near the water and sort out my thoughts or simply forget about things that are bothering me.  I feel close to God and a connection with nature near water as well.  Where do you find piece?