Sweet Friday

The start of a three day weekend is upon us and I feel like rolling my windows down,
turning my stereo as loud as it will go, and SINGING for joy!  There's nothing like an
extra day off to make me feel as free as a bird.  We have big plans this weekend including
one on one dates with our kids, a special shopping trip for Brees, and as much BBQ as
our Daddy is willing to grill up for us.

I've been reading so many posts lately about blogging and the intentions behind this
little hobby we all share.  Some of my favorite bloggers have written about why they
choose to share their lives with others and questioning themselves at times for that
decision.  Others have been contemplating what direction their blog is moving in and
whether or not we will all still be interested in reading if they branch out in their writing.
I started blogging only a few short months ago because I was at a point in my life where I
was craving a creative outlet.  As a nurse, my job is very clinical and leaves little room
for artistic expression.  While I am able to delve passionately into the lives of my patients
and bring them comfort in their hour of need, I am not always able to vent my own
emotions and express what is dancing in my heart.  Showing empathy for others leaves
little room for your own soul to breath.  So, I started blogging as a way to put my thoughts
out there, to connect with other souls who shared similar experiences, and of course to
keep a daily record of my family and our journey together.  I have "met" some truly
amazing people as a result, women I seriously consider friends.  I have received so
much positive encouragement, love, insight, and advice.  So far, my blogging experience
has been nothing short of amazing.

With that said, reading these posts from women who have been doing this a lot longer
than me was very eye opening.  They brought up relevant points: am I writing for me, or
just to please others?  How much of myself do I really want to share, how open will I
allow this space to be?  I will tell you that this blog is my little treasure chest and it is a
space devoted to storing my favorite memories and moments.  There are times that I
share issues I am experiencing that are difficult and hard on my heart, but for the most
part, this is a place for me to reflect on where I want my life to go, how I want things
to change for the better.  Some people may think that I am not being "real" because of
that, but that is who I am and I can not pretend to be anything else.  I have a hard
time admitting when I am sad or overwhelmed.  I tuck those thoughts deep down inside
and fight them off with the positive, forcing myself to see the possibility in a
hopeless situation.  And in sharing that part of myself, I hope that I can help others to do
the same.  Life is not easy, we are all just trying to make the most of each day, attempting
to be all that we are and hope to be.  Thank you for allowing me to share my journey
with you, it has been an incredible ride so far.

Here are a few posts from some pretty amazing women that inspired me to reflect
on why I am doing this:

Arielle from A Beautiful Journey

Mandy from Harper's Happenings

Jess from IROCKSOWHAT

Summer from Crosbie Crew

Mandy from She Breathes Deeply

And a few photos of a couple of angels who inspire me to
fly as high as my wings will take me:

Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall.  Anyone can do his work,
however hard, for one day.  Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the
sun goes down.  And this is all life really means.
~Robert Louis Stevenson