Hey loves!
You still here?
I’ve missed you.
I feel like I have been a bit MIA the past few months and really miss being in blogging mode.
Today I just want to share what’s on my heart.
My Heart Shaped Rock Collection (started in 2015)
Honestly, ever since late last summer I feel like I have lost my blogging groove.
Maybe you haven’t even noticed? Sure, I have been posting and sharing, but it just hasn’t felt the same for me.
It all started when I was at the beach in August for almost a month. It was SO WONDERFUL being with my family and the boys going down to the beach every day, but I had very little time to get my blog on.
Then, when I came home I just felt so exhausted. Seriously SO TIRED ALL THE TIME. I guess the year of staying home with the boys had caught up with me and I even went to the doctor to make sure nothing was wrong.
I was fine.
I laugh and say that I was basically diagnosed with having two young boys.
Well, a couple weeks later my mother in law did have a real health scare- a stroke. Obviously this was pretty stressful and scary and downright awful. We are lucky she lives near us so she came to live with us while she regained her health. I am so glad to report that she is doing good now. I started at least five posts about this last fall. At the time I kept wanting to share but it was all a bit overwhelming and I just couldn’t.
While all of this was going on, my husband had back surgery. Poor thing had been in agonizing pain for months and it finally boiled down to surgery. Again, everything is fine now but this was also stressful to say the least.
During this period, I also had adjustments with the kids. I was used to having my mornings free (aka blogging time!) when Sweet P was in school and Sweet B took a morning nap. Also, HELLO, the baby wasn’t mobile yet! Then: BOOM. He dropped the morning naps and started walking. So yeah, there went my mornings… and my designated blog time!
Then in November, I switched blogging platforms (boring back end blogger stuff) which sucked way more time than I was expecting. Overall, I am happy with the change but it is still a learning curve. And then in December I over-committed my blogging time and kind of forgot that this is supposed to be fun!
And I am just going to go ahead and say it. For the first time since I started blogging, I felt really burnt out on blogging. I think taking a break over the holidays was exactly what I needed. I am ready to tackle 2016 and get my blogging groove back. (Or at least a swagger.)
Y’all. I realize I am SO SO SO SO blessed and am not blabbering on to you to complain. I just felt like I needed to open up about why I have been a little reserved around the old blog lately. I know I have missed so many comments that I didn’t respond to. I had so many ideas I wanted to share with you but just couldn’t find the time, or find the words to get them all down. I know my attention span has been about as long as my children’s lately. Although I am not promising that will change, ha.
But I am also going to stop over thinking it. I am just going to keep posting about what I love. And do the best I can. And have fun. 🙂
Thank you so much for cheering me on! This blog has been such a blessing for me and provided so many opportunities. The biggest one is learning more about myself as I navigate this 30-something, wife, mommy role everyday.
So thank you thank you thank you!
Here’s to a healthy, productive, positive and FUN 2016!
I have hesitated publishing this post and almost hit “publish” at least 15 times but then got skeered, so here it goes…
xoxo-
Heather
I get it.. no babies, but I get it. I lost my voice inside the plugins of my blog and I am going back to me and the way my words fall into my posts. Thank you! laura
Yes. The plugins, shortcode, ads, it can all be a bit much can’t it! I am just going to roll with it and stop stressing- I am the boss around here after all! 🙂
I get it. I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old, so trust me. I couldn’t be a full time blogger because of needed breaks and well, I also work full time. My blog is strictly for me and my family who aren’t close by. There will be changes, for sure, but nothing so major I can’t focus on family first. I’m glad to hear your family is all doing better. Love your heart collection, my mom has been collecting for decades and my daughter recently started. I look for both and keep a few.
I bet your moms heart rock collection is awesome! I just started last year and it was fun to look for rocks on our trips. Thanks for your note!
I am new to your blog so I did not realize that it was different. However, just following your wonderful posts about your Christmas decorating spurred me on to changing things up for this Christmas season. I, too, am obsessed with nutcrackers! I actually showcased them this year, because of you. Plus, the tree took a whole different turn because of you. Plus, I tried to mirror your hall armoire (in my own way). So, know that this new reader was blessed by your posts. Keep up the good work!
Aaaawwww! I am so glad to hear you found some inspiration here for your Christmas decor. And so glad I have another nutcracker lovah! Thanks for your sweet note!
Looking forward to what the New Year’s bring from Southern State of Mind. You are a blessing and I love hearing what you are up to. So thankful B is doing better with his back and that his mom is recovering smoothly. Boy, it make you realize each day is a gift
Each day is SUCH a gift. Thanks for your sweet note and supporting me!
Totally understand! My kids have grown and now there are these wonderful little people called Grand daughters and they are GRAND.
We all love what you do and teach, take care of you and the Lord will help with the rest!
(hope that’s not too churchy)
I can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2016!!!
Not too churchy at all! Thanks for the kind note!
Love you sweet Heather. Thanks for sharing your heart. Muwah!!
Love you more! xoxo
You are such a blessing to help S while she isrecuperating. I know B takes good care of her too, but boys are different! Having you as her daughter-in-law made her recovery easier, I’m sure! Love reading your blog and seeing how young ones decorate. Keep up the interesting dialogue. I do remember the days of having 2 little ones running around and I was exhausted all the time too. It’s just part of the fun!!!
It is fun to imagine you running after a tiny Adam and Abby! Thanks for the note! 🙂
Girlfriend! So awesome and brave of you to share! I think we’ve all been there a time or 2 (or 10) where the time, focus and energy just isn’t there! I haven’t been blogging even as half as long as you and have almost tossed in the towel because I had zero groove, spunk, swagger, you name it. Thanks for sharing what’s been on your mind and in your heart! Can’t wait to get after this year right along with you! miss you!! xo ~Rachael
Miss you too! I know you can totally relate. I am so thankful for the blog and never want it to feel like a burden. Let’s get our groove on girlfriend!
Don’t beat yourself up to much Heather!!! Having a young family and boys on top of it can be very tiring, terrifying and trying but then it can be tremendous, terrific and tender!! Hang in there. …we all love what you do and it doesn’t matter how often!
Yes. You said it! It can be terrifying and tender all within 5 minutes. But I wouldn’t change any of it! Thanks Aunt Lora!
I think it’s really brave of you to be real and honest to your readers. Life happens to all of us and we have to deal with it the best we can. Putting your priorities first is so important. I feel like I want to read your blog more now that you have shared what you are going through. Thank you for sharing your feelings and being REAL!!!!!
Thanks Beth. It felt great to get it all off my chest and thanks for the support!
I so feel you, Heather! I stay home with my four year old and two year old sons and it’s like two full time jobs before I ever sit down to blog! This time with them will go by so quickly, so I want to enjoy every minute – but it makes it hard to get “stuff” done. It’s always a balancing act, and you’re doing a great job! 🙂
Thanks Angela! You are so inspirational too. I mean, I literally cannot stop thinking about that boy dollhouse you made over. Thanks for the note!
I am a mother to two sons that I was fortunate to have been a stay at home mother to. It wasn’t always easy but it was so important to me to be home with them. A couple months ago, my oldest passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. Now more than ever, I am so thankful I had that precious time with them. Listen to your heart, give yourself grace, and you will find what is most important to you. Thank you for your inspiration for making our homes a beautiful place to be with family and friends.
I am a mother to two sons that I was fortunate to have been a stay at home mother to. It wasn’t always easy but it was so important to me to be home with them. A couple months ago, my oldest passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. Now more than ever, I am so thankful I had that precious time with them. Listen to your heart, give yourself grace, and you will find what is most important to you and how to make it all work. Thank you for your inspiration for making our homes a beautiful place to be with family and friends.
I am so sorry about your oldest son. Thanks for sharing your story and for the reminder to follow my heart.
Heather, I can totally relate! My daughter (same birthday as your B!) is beginning to drop her nap. It is definitely an adjustment to not having my mornings free! As soon as routine sets in, it seems like it’s time to change it! Days are long and exhausting–emotionally draining, too! Working FT seemed so much easier, yet so less fulfilling! Cheers from Raleigh-you’re doing a great job and I love (reheating) my cup of coffee in the AM and reading your blog! Anna
Thanks so much for your note. Agree that working full time was easier in a totally different kind of way. I love that our babies share a birthday. Now, off to reheat my coffee…:)