Monday, January 6, 2014

It's Time to Speak Your Mind, Let me Hear Your Voice! And, a New Post Series!


Happy Monday, ya'll!!

That sounds a lot more cheerful than I feel. I wish I loved waking up to Arctic-like temperatures, but alas, I have no Eskimo in my ancestry, so I'm 100% wimp when the temps dip.  Coaxing the boys out of their state of hibernation this morning with an enticing announcement that the supreme gift of education awaits was also an epic fail.  For a moment I contemplated running outside to scoop up a bucket of snow to see what kind of effects that might have on their life of cozy comfort.  But, Charlie was there to save me from wind burn and frost bite, "Don't go out there, Mommy, it's DAY-n-gerous!" My two year old is a wise beyond his years.

Speaking of motivation....

I took a few days off from the blog over the holidays, and during that time I gave some serious thought as to how to continue writing here at this little cyber spot.  Part of me wanted to just keep it simple, and go back to writing only about our family life, and another part of me couldn't resist the thought of venturing out and trying my hand at writing a serious of posts focused on a particular topic.  I know, this is a mayor importanté decisión.

After about 4 minutes of uninterrupted thought (thanks to my supremely stealth closet hiding skills), I came to the conclusion that:
1.  I NEED you 
It's time to speak your mind, people! Tell me what you want to know! What should I write about?? What should I not write about (I can't promise I won't, but feel free to speak your mind, anyway-way).  PLEASE, drop me an e-mail, pour forth your ideas in the comments, or shout it out on Facebook. I'm here, and I'm ready to write for YOU!!

2.  I NEED to be inspired!  
To keep running, that is.  17 weeks into pregnancy #6 and, well, let's just say that running feels a bit like doing Dance Party 2 in a bowl of Jello-O (that was not meant to sound kinky).  It feels awkward, it always does.  So, starting in February, I'll be hosting a weekend link-up called, "Heart & Sole" Saturdays, where running bloggers can link up anything and everything about running. I'm hoping their stories will keep me inspired to keep going until June and beyond! Stay tuned!

3.  I NEED to share!
Finally, (are you still here?? need more coffee??) beginning next week, I'll begin sharing a series of posts called Motivate Me Monday.  I've really been inspired and motivated by many bloggers over the past few years to do everything from cook with coconut oil and paint my living room a different color, to pray more for my husband and embrace precious time being silly with my kids. It's the small things done over and over that eventually stick and become habit.  Good habits, I think, make us happier, healthier people.  I promise that MMM posts will NOT include the following:
1. How to replace your daily/weekly brew (or, insert beverage of choice) with healthier green drinks, because I'm not interested in cruel, unusual and untested (not to mention unreasonable) ideas.

2.  How to scale back your shoe collection.  NO hypocrisy allowed here. That's a rule.

3.  How to de-stress your life with yoga.  Um, hello, please see #1.  I promise to offend you with my crazy belief Jesus as the ultimate source of peace before I throw up some video tutorial on the downward dog (it's the only pose name I can ever remember, so there ya go).

With that little three-point disclaimer, I hope you'll meet me here every Monday for something big or something small, and walk away feeling a little more motivated, a little more inspired to take steps toward a life of happy health.

Well, that's about as close to a blogging infomercial as I can get, minus the annoying music.  I still haven't figured out how to greet you some tunes when you get here, which might be a nice touch, no? Ann Voskamp's melody has me crying before I even read her posts.  But, I don't want to make you cry. Today's soundtrack here would be "Ice, Ice Baby."

I'm off to play professor....

Have a lovely day (stay warm)!!





11 comments:

  1. Oh - I can not wait for next Monday!!! No matter what you do here it will be great!!!
    I like when you share about your family but I also love the posts that deal more with some aspect of your faith (I have a long story about my "religious" not the right word but you probably know what I mean, background).
    Stay warm - I was happy to be in all day today but tomorrow will be back to normal life!!

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    1. I think that almost every time I write a post that is religious or about fertility, I lose a reader or two....but I know that's at the core of who I am so, I'll always write about those topics. I'm happy I haven't scared you away!! :)

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  2. Hi Susan, I have been a 'lurker' on your blog for quite awhile and follow you on bloglovin'. I also am a Catholic Kansan and recently began running and training for my first half-marathon so I enjoy all the different kinds of posts you do. Since I am a beginner, tips for running are always some of my faves. I'd also love to see a complimentary piece (any volunteers?) to your '10 Loving Lessons for Raising Boys' all about raising girls because I have 2! Thanks and keep blogging!

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    1. Since we are expecting our 6th in June, if it is a girl, I'm going to be on the hunt for a post on raising girls too! Let me know if you find anything worth sharing!! :)

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  3. I was curious as to why your oldest is going to school now instead of homeschooling. And if that has always been the plan or if something changed. Maybe you covered this somewhere already, I'm a new reader!

    Also curious if you find out the gender of your baby. I'm a mom of four girls so I'm always interested in how gender works out in families.

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  4. oh and the running stuff too, I'm a runner and training for my second half marathon this spring.

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    1. Kelly - Good luck on your 1/2 marathon! I know you can do it! Be prepared to catch the running bug....you will most likely want to train for a marathon when you finish, because it's that much fun!! We found out what we were having with our last two babies, but I think we're going to let this one be a surprise....there's too much anticipation for a girl! :)

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  5. Susan, your blog is a wonderful gift! Thank you for your words, heart and inspiration. A topic that may be of interest is virtues. Often they seem archaic or far-off, but really they are a part of every decision we make and every step we take. I would love your perspective. Your reflections and stories are beautifully authentic, so keep doing what you're doing!

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    1. Thank you, Kathleen! Virtue is definitely not archaic - it is the basis or sainthood, and the essential building blocks of character in all of us! I've written on it a little bit in the past, how we encourage and teach virtue in the home, but something fresh is always a possibility!

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  6. This is exciting! I LOVE your blog and find you so inspiring. I'll be here on Monday!!

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    1. Thanks, Maia! Looking forward to having you here!

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