Catching Up... Again

Who drops a "We're having another baby!" bomb on their blog and lets almost TWO MONTHS go by without so much as a single word or update?

((points at herself))

-------} THIS GAL! {-------

I mean, really, this blog has been my outlet to the world, my public journal, my brain dump onto proverbial paper, since June 3, 2008. I did the math. That's going on NINE years, folks. For nine years, I have shared {almost} every detail of the many happenings in mine and my family's lives.

Spoiler alert: Having 3 kids done totally messed me up! At least from a blogging standpoint (and probably many other standpoints as well, but we won't get into all of that now). Anywho, I realized after E was born that I didn't find as much time for blogging. Was being a parent to three kids really that different from two?

But further unofficial research also uncovered the fact that I DID, in fact, find time for Facebook. Lots and lots of time for Facebook. All of my time: Facebook. Sure, I love the social aspect of it, but it's not very useful for journaling. For record-keeping. For brain-dumping. All of the things my blog has always been for me.

With that in mind, I'm going to try a little experiment. I am going to -- wait for it! -- DELETE the Facebook app from my phone.

((pause for audible GASPS))

That's right! I've heard it's possible to do this. I mean, I certainly don't have any experience with it. I certainly can't recall a time in my life during which I didn't have the Facebook app on my cellular device. I'm thinking it's quite possible I may lose touch with the millions (LOL) of people I connect with daily. But it's worth it to me.

Why?

Because my family is more important.

There. I said it. That's it! That's my reasoning! Less time on the Facebook app on my phone should, in my calculations, result in more time with my family. Like, time that I'm really THERE with them, ya know? Not watching-the-latest-Marvel-giphy-on-my-iPhone-while-my-daughter-shares-a-crucial-life-changing-moment-she-experienced-before-breakfast kind of there. See the difference?

The other side of my decision will hopefully result in more blog posts! I know that sounds so 1997, but I love reading through posts from years ago and reliving the experiences our family has shared. In fact, just today I realized there were several blanks in E's 1st year baby book, and I felt like a terrible mommy! However, I jumped onto my blog here and was able to rediscover those special milestones with E... first tooth, first time rolling over, first time crawling, first time walking... so many special times! And it was all right here. On my blog. Perfect.

So keep an eye out for more posts from me here. And pictures, too! And fun announcements. And more baby milestones.

I'm happy to be "back."

Big Announcements

Just a heads-up... I've got a few big announcements I'll be sharing on the blog this week. I'm SUPER thrilled about them and what they mean for our family. God is at work and we are truly blessed!

And before you even think it, NO, I'm not pregnant. ;)

Blog Theme

I figured that since the blog will be focused on Chase for at least the next month, I ought to update it to some of Chase's favorites! He's big into all things Super Mario plus a wee bit of Despicable Me minions, so hope this doesn't get too overwhelming to everyone! It's Chase-approved, and that's all that matters to me!

:)

700th Post!!!

Howdy, folks! I am BEYOND thrilled to share with you that yesterday, my post regarding the arrival of my precious, beautiful new GE Cafe' dual-fuel range, was in fact my 700th POST on this blog!

What the what-what??

Seriously! How crazy is that!? If you would've asked me almost 4 years ago when I was complaining about a waaaaay undercooked steak that this little online outlet o' mine would see it's 700th post, I would've called you crazy! And yet, here we are!

For the record, this is about how big LO was when I started this blog:

She was actually just under a year old when I started. The pic above is from her 1st birthday party, which was about a month or so after I wrote my first post here on Just Another Day...

And here's my big, almost-5-year-old girl at a play date with one of her friends from school last week:

And, of course, we have also added this little miracle munchkin to the family since the blog's inception:

And let's not forget our newest addition, which will be official in just 11 short days:

What a journey it's been over these past 4 years! Thanks to all of you who hung in there with me, laughed with me through the highs and encouraged me through the lows. You readers rock! Both of you! ;)

Blog Overhaul

My blog is in major need of a fresh look for Fall. Anyone interested in busting out a free Fall blog overhaul? Haha! I think I know the answer to that! Grrr... I'll add this to my To Do list and hope it happens... eventually. ;)

Welcome . . . Back??

So I haven't been blogging much lately. Have you noticed? I can't really pinpoint an exact reason why. I think in a way I felt like technology was taking over my life and I had little to no say in the matter. I was drawn to tweet the latest cute pic of Chase, check in on Facebook to see what my friends and family are up to (since most of don't have real-time relationships anymore) and had a tiny, nagging feeling that I HAD to blog whether I felt like it or not. So I've taken a little technology break and have told my Facebook page, my Twitter account, and this here blog WHO IS IN CHARGE (if you aren't following me, it's me. I'm in charge. Of my technologies. Got it?). Anywho, I've decided I don't hate blogging and in fact I've actually missed it a bit. Everyone knows good blogs are updated daily, so I'm gonna try to get back in the habit. Besides, this all started out with me sharing about a dining experience gone terribly, horribly wrong, and really, if you guys have stuck with me with my rambling commentary on raw meat, then surely you're still interested in what is going on in my world these days! ;)

So let's see... Here are a few of the latest updates from our little world...

Chase is doing wonderfully following his ear tube surgery last week. He's much more attentive, seems very interested in watching our mouths when we speak, and has picked up new words like "on" and "in" and "bye" -- making me one very happy and proud mama! He's so very smart and continues to amaze me every day. I am so grateful to have him in my life and am beyond blessed that he's doing so wonderfully health-wise. God is so very good!

I am very excited to share that I have recently taken on a volunteer position with Palmetto Hearts, a non-profit organization serving South Carolina families affected by Congenital Heart Defects. I have taken on the role of Director of Community Programs, and am so excited about meeting other heart families from across the state! My biggest task is planning our annual Pediatric Cardiology Reunion in Charleston, SC on September 17th. This is where our heart families from across the state get together along with the surgeons, doctors, nurses and other staff from the Pediatric Cardiology department at MUSC Children's Hospital for an evening of fun, games, food and fellowship with each other. I'm so excited to be responsible for putting this event together -- from start to finish -- and am hoping for a VERY successful event! Because of the additional time and attention required to serve in this role, I regrettably had to resign from serving alongside several wonderful heart mamas through Sisters by Heart. They are amazing and are continuing to make a positive impact in the heart community. Please continue to lend them your support!

LO will be FOUR next month. FOUR, people! I am amazed (she was 10 months old when I started this blog, and that seems like just yesterday)! Sheesh. I am also VERY hopeful that we will leave the Tyrannical Three's in the dust and that FOUR will be the start of new and improved behavior. Seriously. I cannot tell you how awful the past several months have been when it comes to disciplining her and attempting to get her to listen and behave. It's been an uphill battle and we've been losing them week after week. Good thing is, we haven't lost the war! I know as a parent it can be very difficult to handle the daily struggles of bad behavior, enforce discipline all while trying to instill quality character traits like honesty and compassion. I know I need to do better about being patient with her and always remember she's not even 4 years old yet, and not to get angry or frustrated with her. But it's hard. I really enjoyed the "Have a New Kid by Friday" method I tried a few months ago, but WOW was it ever difficult to stick to! It was a parenting style radically different than my own, but I think it's worth revisiting. I've also pulled out "The New Strong-Willed Child" by James Dobson and am hoping to glean some wisdom from this best-seller as well.

There are lots of other things going on, but I think I'll leave it at this for now. Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

Also, thanks for your patience with me and for not abandoning me considering my lack of recent blogging. I'm doing this because I want to (not because I feel like I have to) and because I truly value the input and support I receive from you through your comments.

The Finished Product!

Well, it's no Vera Bradley, but I finished the messenger tote for Stephanie, the winner of my first ever blog giveaway ever, and I think it turned out super cute! Stephanie chose the Crazy Flower print for her tote.

Thanks again to everyone who entered and played along! I had so much fun with this! Now it's time to get on to several other sewing projects that I have waiting on me. I'm so excited about them, but I can't share much about them on here... yet. ;)

REMINDER!!!

Have you entered for a chance to win the handmade messenger tote of your dreams? There's still time to enter! Click here!!!

Remember: all comments must be posted by 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The randomly selected winner will be announced on Thursday, April 7th!

Good luck!

Sigh. . .

I guess I owe you all a post about the future of this little blog of mine. I promise there's nothing overly profound in what you're about to read. Just straight-forward, honest and to the point.

You might recall the poll I posted last week as part of my post about the blog's future, asking you readers what I should do next. Nine of you said keep things the way they are, and four of you thought I should create a separate blog for Chase but still maintain this one. The other 82-ish of you who read the post didn't take the opportunity to share your opinion by choosing a little radio button and submitting your vote. I am extremely grateful to the 12 of you who commented on that post, encouraging me to follow my heart and do whatever makes me happy. After all, this is my blog and I should feel free to share whatever I want to without worrying about the repercussions of others being upset or offended by what I write.

So, without any further ado, I shall hereby proclaim my intentions regarding the future of this blog...


(((drum roll please)))


...


...


...


Uh, I'm just gonna keep it the same.

((utter silence & disbelief))

Shocking revelation, right? I told you so. It seems to me I just like my blog and I like writing about whatever strikes my fancy, and at the end of the day, you guys have the choice to read it or not read it! So simple, right?

I like to cook and bake. So yes, there will be recipes shared here.

I like to shop. So yes, there will be new finds and (non-paid) product endorsements here.

Most importantly, I love my family. So yes, there will be lots of pics and videos of the kids, updates on my sweet boy's precious heart, lots of LO's antics, and any other happenings in my family's life that I feel like sharing.

After all, it's my blog. I can do whatever I want, even if that means doing nothing different or new at all!

Obviously I did makeover the look and feel of the blog, and I hope you like it! I absolutely love it and had so much fun learning some new tricks of the web design/development world since I've been out of touch with it for so long.

So I guess that's that. I hope you'll stay tuned and keep up with our little piece of the world. But it's cool if you have other stuff to do instead. I'm not all about trying to please everybody all the time anymore!

:)

A New Look!

After seemingly endless hours of anticipation, I'm finally able to share the big reveal... of my new blog design!

Ain't she purdy?

I hope it was worth the wait! I've been working on a new design for several days now and am really excited about what I've come up with! A special shout-out to my SIL for her inspiration along the way.

I was hoping to unveil the new look Monday morning, but here's what happened. The family headed up to Asheville, NC for the weekend so I could play the piano for a weekend retreat for our SC district Church of the Nazarene pastors and spouses (an honor and oh so much fun!). While hubs was unloading the mass of stuff from our vehicle in 24 degree weather, there was an unfortunate mishap:

My beloved MacBook met the pavement.

It was an accident, obviously. And hubs? He. Felt. Awful.

Turns out the hinge where the lid opens and closes ended up with two small cracks. Luckily all of the data was still good and there were no other issues.

So this morning I took my dear, sweet MacBook to our local Apple-certified repair store--no, not The Apple Store--and ((shudder)) had to leave her there all day. Not overnight (thank goodness!), but all day.

Now she's back and so pretty! I ended up with a new hinge thingy as well as a brand new keyboard and trackpad (there was a manufacturer defect that had caused some peeling on the edge of my MacBook near the trackpad, so the whole durn thing was replaced at no charge!). We were very blessed that the repairs to the cracks that were caused from the MacBook vs. Parking Lot incident were under $100. That was so unexpected! Our Googling told us we'd be looking at close to $200 for parts, then about $90/hour for labor, with typically 2 hours for the repair (that's just under $400 for you non-math-wiz's like me).

What a blessing!

So anywho, I'm excited about the new design and I hope you like it, too. It looks mighty fine in Firefox and even Safari, but I'm afraid it loses a little something when viewed in IE for all my PC-user friends (really, you should get a Mac).

I'm also looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the future of Just Another Day... later this week. Stay tuned!

The Future of 'Just Another Day...'

Lately I've been contemplating the future of my blog. I love blogging. I want to do it more often, but for some reason I stop myself from writing about things that I once would have written about without a second thought. These days, I'm torn about sharing our general life (for those of you bored enough to read it), sharing specifically about Chase and his special heart (for all of the heart community who follows us) and sharing my feelings/opinions on things, some of which may certainly upset some of those in my "real life." Then you've got the random things I like to share, such as recipes, shopping finds, and of course pictures and videos of the kids (mostly for our family, all of whom live far away). I don't want to bore some of you readers who are not interested in hearing about the latest advancements in treatments for congenital heart defects. I don't want to lose readers by just posting the latest pics/videos of my kids and their antics. I don't want to upset those in my inner-circle by venting about some of the things I'm currently struggling with.

I'm not a shopping blog. I'm not a cooking blog. I'm not a CHD blog.

I don't know what I am.

I do know that I just want to be free to be honest about my life. I want to share my struggles and seek support from my readers. I want to be funny and entertaining and draw people back to my blog. I want to interact with my readers more and get to know who is out there following these posts.

I don't want to be judged. I don't want to be alienated. I don't want my blog to serve as a replacement for a relationship with me for my family and friends.

So what's next? What do I do now?

I don't know.

I've thought about making my blog private so I can choose who I allow to access it. That way I'll know who my audience is (and isn't) and can write my posts accordingly without worrying who I may possibly upset.

I've thought about starting another blog that focuses only on Chase and his journey with HLHS. This way all of my heart friends can get the latest info on Chase's heart without having to sort through, say, my latest Amazon purchases. I don't mind the upkeep of two blogs, but I know this would result in some people having to check TWO blogs for all of the latest updates on us.  :)

I've thought about keeping this blog mostly generic but include info on Chase's heart journey, then starting another anonymous blog (not linked from here) where I can have an outlet to share the thoughts and feelings I can't talk about here. That would result in essentially me talking to myself for the most part, since I wouldn't have any readers initially and no one would know it was me writing it.

There are so many options to consider and I don't yet know how I'm going to move forward. Ultimately I feel I need to make a change of some kind, whether it be big or small.

What do YOU think?

I'd really like to know.