Life, As it Happens {Reflections on Blogging, and Gratitude.}
I tend to get a little sentimental this time of year. I know it’s busy and hectic and all of that, but I still have more of those quiet, reflective moments in December than I do the rest of the year. Maybe it’s all of the holiday decorations, and the memories and associations they bring. Maybe it’s the music. Or the sugar. Or the simple knowledge that we’re about to wrap up yet ANOTHER YEAR…and I find myself doing some healthy reflecting.
This blog brings yet another reason for me to pause and reflect: The upcoming New Year will mark THREE YEARS of thegrommom! I can hardly believe how time has flown.
As I think back over these blogging years I have so much gratitude in my heart. I can’t express what a blessing this place has been to me, and how much it has helped me keep my sanity. (if you can call it that.) I have learned so much, and been stretched in new ways. I don’t want to sound too corny, but I kind of feel like this blog has helped me discover a new part of myself. I love the relationships that have been built through blogging, and I am so thankful for the chance to share the beauty, the adventures, and even the chaos of our life, with you.
A little blogging reflection:
I launched the grommom site with hardly a clue about blogging (not the best way to start something.) I quickly found myself to be a teeny tiny fish in a big sea of “real bloggers”…And though I never set out to be anything big or impressive, I caught the bug pretty quickly. As I have grown to genuinely LOVE what I do here, I have wanted to do the best I can with it–at least given the season that I am in. There have been plenty of times that I have found myself overwhelmed, and insecure. Any honest blogger will tell you that this thing we do can be cause for a great many head games. Putting your life out on the internet can make you over-think every little thing you say and do. And then there is the constant temptation to compare yourself to other bloggers, and oh that can get really ugly.
I have had moments of identity crises…Where I wonder what it is I am doing here. I will read other great blogs that are focused entirely on food, or faith, or some who are downright hilarious, and I wonder if I even belong in the mix. I have questioned if I should narrow my focus, make the blog more about just one thing or another…
And just thinking about all of it can be really overwhelming!
Because the truth is, I really love it all! I love telling stories, and I love sharing photos. Giveaways are so much fun, and I actually really enjoy food posts! And honestly, if I were just a little younger (like twenty years! ok, even ten,) I think I would love to do a style blog.
But the real blessing for me as a blogger, is that this site is truly is my life as it happens. Pretty much everything I share is simply what is actually happening in our life…that day! I know some bloggers prepare posts weeks or months in advance, (and I admire them!) but you won’t find that here. Usually it is today’s news, or very close to it. Most of the content lands on my lap, and that is why it is so very do-able. People ask me how I can do it all– Raise four boys (Homeschool!,) and keep up a blog, and yes, there are times where I feel in over my head..But most of the time, I am just carrying a camera around, and capturing the stuff that we’re doing anyways. (And the stories–well, you can’t make that stuff up.)
And for all of that I am SO very grateful!
Sometimes our “real life” involves trying new desserts, or going to surf contests, or harvesting our coconuts. Pretty much every day we are surrounded by beauty.
Then there are the times, (like maybe now,) that I set out to go Christmas shopping, and stumbled upon a new shirt and sandals on sale (FOR ME!)
So even though I’m 43, and not 23, I will show you those too…:)
(We had a huge lightning and thunder-storm last weekend, so this shirt just seemed really fitting…The boys loved it!)
Hat: Of One Sea
Shirt: Vans
Shorts: Ancient–cut-offs.
Sandals: Sanuk.
So friends, as we all wrap up our 2013, and rush into the Christmas season, I hope we can all take those moments to reflect, and be a little sentimental. And as we think about the year ahead, let’s dream big. It has always been my prayer that God will direct my heart as I blog, and I hope that this place is a blessing to anyone who visits. I want it to encourage you as moms, and as people. I hope it sometimes makes you laugh. Or encourages you to try new recipes. I hope that you are inspired to love deeply, and to make life an adventure…And maybe even start saving for that trip to Hawaii!
I am so happy to have had three years doing this blog, and whatever the future holds, I just want to tell you that I am grateful for you.
Feel free to share any year-end sentimental thoughts as well…What you’re grateful for, what you’re looking forward to, or anything else on your heart today! Also, (always,) feel free to tell me the kinds of posts you most enjoy, or if there is an area you’d like to see more of!
a little more beauty from the archives…
With ALOHA!
Monica
PS Part II of that Magic Shell post, coming soon, I promise!
PPS You really don’t want to miss the next TWO giveaways!! Stay tuned…
It feels great to read this. We all need time to pause and reflect so we can find the strength to move forward and be grateful.
Yes. Just yes. Everything about this post is why I love reading your blog. (And I’m so, so thankful Heather introduced me to it!)
Well – you are now one of those “real bloggers” that newbies like me are looking at and feeling like you used to feel! 🙂
I keep hearing the saying: “Whatever you do, be all the way there.”
I feel like that’s really how you (and your family) live your lives. And that’s why I love your blogging (or any kind of sharing with you!). I feel encouraged and inspired to just live daily life – – with a little more LIFE to it!
Oh – and I hope you are never like the other bloggers out there! Be yourself – even if imperfect or unsure at the moment. There’s waaay enough of the others out there…
Love you much!
Love your blog, love your posts, love your kids, love YOU!!!!!! Although, I am a teensy-weensy bit jealous that you get to wear those fabulous clothes outside in December without needing any “outerwear”!! But that’s just another one of the reasons why I love visiting your blog!!! You give us, your readers, a sneak peek into what it’s like to live in paradise!!! And yes, we can relate to the everyday ups-and-downs you face–butI can imagine it doesn’t hurt that they happen on the edge of the beautiful ocean, nestled among palm trees and tropical fruit and wildlife!!! 😉 Keep up the great work–congrats on 3 years!!!!
Ok, obviously I am not a wife or a mother…lol. I truly enjoy reading what you have to say because I can picture each of you as you say it, it helps having known you for a few years now, but with the way you write I believe anyone reading your blog would feel the same way. You have gift neighbor, keep up the great work and God Bless you and the ohana.
With much aloha,
Kendall
“a” gift…typos…rrgggg
thank you Kendall…Really, it means even more since you know me in real life. 🙂 Hope you guys make it back over here before too long!! aloha
I agree with Amber that your blog is your unique niche. It’s like Reality TV but its reality blogging. haha! And we all know how successful reality tv is! You (through your blog) are very relate-able. Is that even a word? People can easily relate to you. (that sounds better.) 🙂
I love that you make me laugh. You’ve got a great sense of humor! Love and miss you my dear friend!!
Wow-me too! I write my posts an hour before I share them-usually. I’m a regular reader, Monica. I LOVE your blog posts and your unique niche is like no other. Keep doing just what you are doing, friend! To God be the glory!!
Monica,
I love your blog. It is from the heart. It is real and honest. I love that you share your life as it is happening. You are doing a fabulous job with the blog and you are, in my opininion, a “big fish” in the blog world.
Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!!
Many Blessings!
Darlene Davis
My sentimental thoughts from my christmas card (which you are getting a sneak peak of):
It has been a year of leaving
comfort zones and allowing
God to bless me beyond all
measure. May 2014 see you
welcoming the blessings that
leaving your comfort zones
can bring.
Oh and no worries, the Swansons are on the Christmas card list! I can’t remember off the top of my head (it’s 1:30 in the morning) but certain members of the swansons might be on my Christmas card. If you didn’t make the final print know that you were in the group of pictures being used to make the card.
This post is why I love your blog so much. You are real and genuine, and that is what makes a good blogger. Thanks for being willing to share your love of life, your family, your faith, your joy, and your style – you are an inspiration! 🙂
Thank you so much Brooke! I really appreciate that. Much aloha to you–
I absolutely love your mix of posts. It is exciting to see what’s next. Keep up your honest and love filled writing. I appreciate that your life is full of simple and grand pleasures that you equally appreciate.
Looking at Christmas ornaments as we decorate the tree always makes me sentimental. Seeing the handmade ornaments with photos of my kids, ornaments from my childhood, and those from my grandmother’s tree pull at my heart strings. I miss my grandma and wish my babies could be babies for just one more day…
I love the thought of blogging being life as it happens. That’s what keeps people coming back after all – the idea of being part of our lives, knowing what’s going on as it happens! You’re amazing girl. The end 🙂
I love that your blog is a running journal of your day to day….I think that comes across so beautifully! And it is lovely to peek in on life in somewhere so gorgeous!!