I don't understand why its been so hard for me to blog lately.  I just can't seem to get into the groove.  Its not that I don't want to, I do.  I start blog posts all the time and promise myself that I'll go back to them. I don't. I move on to something new.

   Ever since my life became a lot more hectic blogging has taken a backseat. Before it was so important to me to record as much as possible. I still want to, but I'm having a hard time forcing myself to write.  I like when things come easily, but nothing seems to come that easy anymore.  I think it might be because I have so much on my mind constantly.  Thoughts going in so many directions.  Ah!

   I do miss the blogging world.  I miss being able to share events and happenings with family and friends. I hope that soon I'll be able to get back into the swing of things... Until then, know I read all of your blogs and just because I don't comment doesn't mean I don't care! I try to comment as  often as possible.  And to family and friends who read this to know whats going on with us, I'm sorry! We're all doing well and I will assure you a good update is coming!

Follow Friday:

Here are some of my favorite blogs that you should check out. I'm going to try to do this every Friday cause there are some great blogs out there, plus my friends are pretty cool:

Design/Art Blogs:
Oh Joy!
MadchenBlogt
Une Envie de Sel
Kind Over Matter
Made By Girl

Friends:
My best friends blog
She's about to have her first baby:)
Rumination Reading Room
One of my dearest friends who blesses me A LOT.
The Miseducation of Abigail Herring
She has a lot of wisdom to share.
Mallori Jean
She keeps things simple and true.
The Pursuit of Creative Happiness
Probably one of the most creative and loving people I know.

Encouraging

I get a few messages a month about our blog and they're always so encouraging and wonderful! A reminder that our blog does reach other people besides our family and friends. Here's one I received tonight:

I found your blog on some random website one night, and am in love with it. Your postings are so tender and full of love and hope for this life and your family. You've inspired me to fill my heart with love and share it with those around me. Your daughter is adorable. I've hipped my boyfriend to your page, and I spied him reading through it the other day. Shocker. I think it's opened his mind to the possibilities of a happy life and having a family, too. Thanks!! You and your hubby are so young and taking on so much, but are definitely on the right path. I wish I had been as brave as you are when I was your age. I've always been afraid to struggle with motherhood, because I remember the struggles that my Mom went through to raise me at a young age. You are blessed to have such a loving and supportive family. That truely makes a difference. It's also cool to read about how integral faith is within your life. You will truely succeed. You and your husband are such a cute couple. The two of you exude a certain type of freedom and funk that is vital to living the best life possible.

Its a big deal to me that our faith is evident through our postings and the way we live. Its always nice to hear that people can tell that its important to us and to the way we raise our family. I received a message earlier today that really hurt, and this message came at the right time. Hallelujah!

Matt Logeline

A friend of mine showed me this blog that belongs to Matt Logeline a guy who lives here in So Cal. At first I was like cool? But then she explained why I should read it. Matt lost his wife on March 25, 2008. The day after she had given birth to their daughter. She stood up....had a pulmonary embolism, and died in her hospital room. That was about a year ago.

I went back and read through his entries starting at the birth of Madeline, his daughter, up until recently. The way Matt writes is so raw and honest. You can tell he's mourning and hurting for his wife, yet he loves his daughter so much, he'd do anything for her, like continue with life. Its beautiful to see how much he loved his wife and the support he has gotten from friends and family. His blog is also a reminder of how important it is to cherish those closest to you.

He has a link to his photos on flickr and there is this beautiful photo of his wife meeting Madeline for the first time after her c-section. I sobbed because I remember when I met Riley after my c-section. I'm so blessed to have my daugther and to have my husband.

I encourage you to read his blog. Say I love you more. And say a prayer for Matt and Madeline.