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As you scroll through my blog, you may realize most of what you see is upbeat, happy, and pretty. Just the way I like it. However, we all know life is not always that. Sometimes it’s confusing, hard, messy, overwhelming, and frustrating. I hope you realize that what I post is just a tiny bit of my life, not all of it. It’s just the tip of the iceberg.
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Over the years this blog has turned from mostly design and DIY to daily life happenings. Blogging has given me a way to document Jack’s babyhood and our family adventures. It has motivated me to take more photos and think and live more creatively. It’s been 4 years this month since I started this blogging journey! Every time I think I might be done with it, I think about all the memories I wouldn’t have otherwise captured. I also think about those encouraging notes I get from you all saying you were inspired or can relate. And while I can’t say I will be here in another 4 years, I can say that for now I will continue to blog happy, positive, and pretty things.
Thank you for reading.
(Oh and thanks to my Mom for the prettiest palest peonies from her yard.)
I enjoy reading! I found your blog last year while searching Pinterest for cute bump documentation, and my co-worker (who was pregnant at the time – I was not) was all, “Look at her HAIR! She has GOOD hair!” 🙂 We enjoyed going back over your updates, and I’ve been following along since! 🙂
Laura! haha! Thank you for the hair compliment 🙂 Glad you found my blog!
Several months ago, the Lord really convicted me about the blogs that I followed. He tells us (commands us, really) in His Word to not covet our neighbors or be jealous. Often, I read these fellow mom blogs and felt defeated, discouraged, and ended up often comparing myself to their lives. The Lord has been so gracious and gentle with me in that process and I have totally gone cold-turkey on following those blogs. And guess what, now I feel so much more at peace and fulfilled, knowing that my life will never look like there’s. God has called me and my family to live in Africa and to love the people of Tanzania. That means that we don’t have a lot of money to go out to eat all the time, buy our kids crazy cute (but crazy expensive) clothes, have a brand new, refurbished home, etc. (I only list those things because that was often the theme I saw on those blogs). I’m happy to say that your blog is one that I continue to follow. I’m always excited to see what new things you have posted, knowing it comes from a fun, encouraging sister in Christ. Your thriftiness in keeping your home stylish and beautiful is inspiring, as thrifty is all we can really afford on a missionaries salary. Keep it up Kelly! You are a blessing! 🙂
Melissa – Thank you so much for sharing! I too have cut back on blog reading when I’m feeling discontent and dissatisfied with what God has given me. It’s not easy and I commend you on that decision! I feel blessed that my blog is one you continue to read. Thank you for the encouragement, it means a lot to me! I can’t wait to follow you along on your adventures in Tanzania.. how exciting that God has lead you back there!
p.s. I truly believe having a decorating budget inspires more creativity than just getting to buy whatever you want! Yay for thriftiness 😉
It is so interesting that this would be your post today. I burned out from blogging a couple months ago and tonight my husband and I were talking about why I closed that door and maybe considering reopening it again because it was such a great creative outlet for me. I was thinking of how you are one of the bloggers that does blogging so incredibly well and just thinking of your blog encourages me that blogging can be something soooo wonderfully beautiful. So, it’s interesting after disappearing off the blog scene for a few months, this would be your post! 🙂 I think you are so balanced in the way you blog and so inviting…and so genuine!
Kate – Thank you for the sweet words! It’s encouraging to hear especially when I ponder quitting. I love what you said about it being a creative outlet. It really is for me! I hope you pick it up again – I always enjoyed reading what you were up to and your cute outfits!
I love that you are so real about this! I feel the same way. I have a handful of blogs that I love to read and sometimes I too have to step back and take a break. It’s so easy so start comparing yourself and your life to theirs. It is overwhelming at times the pressure that we put on ourselves to try and keep up. Your right, we need to remember this is only a glimpse into their lives, the part they want to share, my own blog included.
Thanks for “keepin it real” 🙂 I love reading your blog.
Amanda.
Thank you Amanda! It is a hard thing to remember! It reminds me of this quote from this article:
“When you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, the majority of your friends probably aren’t doing anything any more special. But it only takes one friend at the Eiffel Tower to make you feel like a loser.”
I will try to “keep it real” more often! 😉
Kelly, those of us privileged to know some of hard and messy parts of your life still find you upbeat, happy and pretty (probably more so)! 🙂 Happy Blogversary!
Thank you for saying Hilary! That made me smile : )
Sometimes the most rewarding things are also the hardest.
Congratulations on the Blog-versary!!! YAY!! It’s great to hear another blogger talk about real life versus what they put out there. It’s REFRESHING! Congratulations again!!!
I love your blog. I found it when I was pregnant and I followed your pregnancy and then also fell in love with your design sense. You are super talented in many ways. Again I am so inspired to see your kitchen redesign that I hope to be able to do so in the next year or two. It’s hard to budget those types of things because I have 3 kids in daycare!!! but if it’s meant to be it will happen. 🙂 My husband is 100% on board too.
Thanks for sharing your memories and inspirations. 🙂
Thank you Jessie! Glad you found me! I definitely understand budget issues – daycare is expensive! We bought all our cabinets through Home Depot because we got 12 months interest-free financing. That made it possible for us to do the remodel and luckily we paid it off in 12 months! Good luck with your remodel and please share pics when you’re done!