Tuesday, April 5, 2011

cruising for 1 year

It has been a year.



A year since I discovered that I had a lot to say. A lot. Thanks for listening. Seriously. I am very grateful.

As many of you may be able to relate to, I felt like I was in the washing machine on a continuous spin cycle for the last few years.

Between work, a baby, a big move, part-time work, choosing to stay home, another baby, another move, Asperger's diagnosis, another baby, cancer, another move...all wrapped up with a big move back to the place where we started. Whew!

I know it sounds like a lot. It was. We all have our trials, though, right? You can read how we survived our road bumps HERE.

I was exhausted.

Can a girl get a, "I hear ya, sista!"

I lost touch with the things that used to make me happy. I was so preoccupied with making sure everyone else was happy, that I lost a bit of myself, too. I was so busy with DOING that I forgot what I was like when I was just BEING.

It was a dark place and I didn't realize I was there until we moved out of Orange County and back to San Diego County. I had more time on my hands because we didn't have all of our scheduled playdates, beach walks, time at my parent's house, and Luke's therapy schedule.

I finally had what I was hoping for: TIME, but I didn't know what to do with it.

Then I started reading Greta's blog. Please visit her HERE. Her words and photographs gave me the inspiration I needed. I always had stories swirling around in my head, but now I had a place to put them.

So with little knowledge of blogging, I set forth and made it happen. It has given me a passion for writing, photographing, and most importantly, it has met my initial motivation: it has provided a place for parents to come together and say, "I've been through that too" or "Ugh, I know what those sleepless nights are like." It is a place to CONNECT and SUPPORT.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that it is easy to feel alone when you are a parent. When you're a full-time working mommy (been there), you feel disconnected from the stay-at-home moms and when you are a stay-at-home mom you can feel isolated at home with a day full of wiping bottoms, putting kids in time-outs, and wishing for a long enough shower to shave your legs and wash your hair on the same day.

I'm glad we can go through it together.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to connect with me. It has been such a gift and I am extremely filled with joy to have you along for the ride.

Much love,
Katie

13 comments:

Alyss said...

Happy one year! I can't wait to hear more and more from you on this blog. And... "I hear ya, sister!" Keep doing what you're doing. :)

Nancy said...

Oh boy.. how exciting. Happy 1 year,girl! Love your blog and sooo happy we connected this way. Can't wait to hear more from you. xoxo Nancy

Michelle Elkins AKA Mickey said...

Yes, Happy One year!

Courtney said...

Happy One Year Kate!!! I look forward to reading your posts and I love what you have to say! Makes me miss you even more....but I love knowing what is going on with you and you have an absolutely wonderful way with words!

Greta said...

I'm so glad you started blogging. It has been an amazing way to get to know you and to hear all of the things swirling about in your mind.
Happy Birthday!
Love from,
Greta

Janna said...

Happy Blog Anniversary! Glad you have a lot to say because I love hearing/reading it!

Mandy Arioto said...

Congrats on an amazing year Katie! You inspire me as a writer, a friend and a mom!

sarah said...

So glad to have found you, even a year later!! congrats on a year..sounds like it has been a blessing to you, but I know you have blessed so many others this past year! cant wait to share more life with you!!

Four Flights said...

Congratulations on your one year blogoversary. I'm so happy you found this outlet for yourself and you've figured out how to use it to lift you up.

Rachael said...

I hear ya sister! way to go on the one year! Praise God for your life!

grey rose (they/them) said...

Awesome! cheers to many more years! xo

Adrian said...

Happy One Year! I'm glad I've found you on here.

Unknown said...

yay. your blog is awesome! happy one year!