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Friday, October 8, 2010

Blog Friend Feature: She'll be on your must-reads list!

Squeeee! I'm so excited to introduce you to this week's BFF.  Because I just adore her! She's so honest and real. Her posts are very thoughtful and genuine.  And she moves all around and has similiar fears/experiences with playgroups that I do. I feel like if we got a chance to meet *cough, cough* someone sponsor us both to Blissdom or Blogher-we'll room together and would therefore need less of a sponsorship we would just instantly click. Though, hmmm, you know what? Would that mean that others would see US as the motherbitches????


Because I'd never use that word to describe this sweetheart! Meet Ashley from Just Another Mom of 2!


I am still jumping up and down that Shell is allowing (er.. asked me..) to be one of her BFF’s. I have loved and followed her blog for so long, I am not even sure how I found it anymore. But, Things I Can’t Say quickly became a favorite read of mine- and then I got to connect with Shell even more on Twitter. I can tell you, Shell is one of the bloggers that inspired me to reach out more- to take a chance in tweeting at people (I may take this a little too far), connect with my readers more, and just realize what a sense of community blogging really gives. It is so true and I have enjoyed slowly finding my voice. I am still not entirely sure that I have it figured out, but I know that I have learned to put myself and my journey into my blog.


So one day, I had a baby. (Okay, there was slightly more to it than that, but you get the idea). All of a sudden, I was responsible for another human being. While I was in love with my new son, I was not entirely sure what I was supposed to do next. Not the whole diapering/feed your kid thing- that, I had a handle on (well, at least a sleep-deprived idea of a handle). But what do I do on a regular basis- I had never stayed at home, nor had I planned on it. Until I held that baby, of course.


I tentatively entered into the world of motherhood- but before I could really get into a routine and figure out what the heck I was doing, we went and moved to Utah. Oh, did I mention that we have moved five times to four different states in the five and a half years that we’ve been married? We threw in another baby along the way (both kids were born in Georgia) and at some point, I embraced the stay at home mom thing- which, at about year 4 1/2, I guess I should have by now. My degree may be in legal studies, but my experience is all mom. So, I navigate the states we move to with our two kids in tow. In fact, since we’ve been in our current state for almost a year, it’s about time to move again.


No, we are not nomads, though truth be told, I’m not sure how long we would last without moving given the choice. The travel is a result of my insanely genius engineer hubs’s job- he makes alien spaceships fly or some such sort (or at least that’s what it sounds like to me). While I have left my heart in Georgia , our travels are not yet done for awhile (or so we know at the moment). In fact, at the end of this year, we will head to Alaska.


Yeah. Not quite ready to blog about that one.


But I do blog about my moves (a new state is coming next week!) and my attempts at organizing our life and my role as a mom. While I realize that it is not only my job, but my responsibility to teach my kids, sometimes I am amazed at how much I learn from them. I have learned that sometimes chores and tasks can wait and that it is more important to stop and smell the roses (or to play race cars and baby dolls). My kids have taught me that what I do affects them and sometimes it’s important to say you’re sorry. Most of all, my children have taught me that there is no limit to how much the heart can love and that I am so lucky and blessed to have them in my life (especially when they’re quiet. Ahem.)


Throughout all of my moves, I have gained an incredible insight; there really is such a thing as being ‘just another mom’. No, not as in diminishing the role that we play but rather celebrate the gift that we are given to share such a strong bond with other moms. We all have our perspectives and we all have our philosophies; if we did not believe in how we parented then we simply would not do it. This is why I feel it is just so important to leave those cliques behind. Be confident in your decisions and be supportive to those around you. After all, there are days where we can use the support of ‘just another mom’. Sometimes we need to realize that we cannot do it all and need to take a break and remember that being a mom is only part of who I am. These are the reasons that I blog; keeping my sanity in a world of parenting and self-conscious insanity. Finding community and support in the blogging world has helped to keep me so much as I have moved countless times, often losing touch with those who are not nearby. It is for this that I am thankful and look forward to getting to know you all more- because thanks to blogging, thanks to people like Shell, I never feel that I’m without a friend.


I just know that Ashley will become one of your must-reads! So, please, leave her some comment love here and then go follow her blog!


Labels: ,

33 Comments:

Blogger Oka said...

As a child I found it difficult to move every 4-6 years. As an adult I miss that chance of moving on that time schedule. I don't think I could pretend to comprehend moving as often as you do though.

October 8, 2010 at 7:14 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I really enjoyed what she wrote! I love how open and honest she is! Thanks Shell for featuring another amazing blog!

October 8, 2010 at 7:21 AM  
Blogger Life Without Pink said...

I absolutely LOVE Ashley, what a great pick!

October 8, 2010 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger Di said...

I just became a follower. Loved it since I think I'll be okay being "just another mom" but its so nice to read about how others survive it!

October 8, 2010 at 8:08 AM  
Blogger Ian said...

Excellent choice dude. Have never actually read her blog but we talk here and there over Twitter. Going to check her out and read this post over.

October 8, 2010 at 8:28 AM  
Blogger Liz said...

YAYAYAYAY!! Woo hoo! Congratulations, Ashley! You so deserve it!

October 8, 2010 at 8:32 AM  
Blogger MommaKiss said...

What a great post! Moving around so much with kids - makes me think of how my mom must have felt when she moved us for her education, jobs, etc. As a single mom - OY! she's a hero, no?
And Alaska?! Can't wait for that! oh, ps, clique-y mommas - need not apply.

October 8, 2010 at 9:36 AM  
Blogger The Double Dipped Life said...

What a fabulous post. Motherhood is so special, and this is a fantastic tribute to it!

October 8, 2010 at 9:48 AM  
Blogger Babes Mami said...

A fabulous relateable post!

October 8, 2010 at 10:23 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you so much Shell! And thank you to everyone above for commenting- I will be sure to visit y'all!

October 8, 2010 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger Jenn said...

Excellent post ... I'm coming over to visit now!

October 8, 2010 at 10:31 AM  
Blogger mypixieblog said...

I will most certainly go over and follow her, as I really enjoy what she wrote here today. I'm always impressed with super-moms who are also able to admit that it ain't all easy. Ashley sounds like a very wise, compassionate, and loving woman; one that I would be honored to get to know a bit better. Thanks for featuring her here today, Shell!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

October 8, 2010 at 10:55 AM  
Blogger Frugal Vicki said...

I love when a blogger can open up and be truly honest! A must-read for sure!

October 8, 2010 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger Go Mommy said...

Thanks for introducing her, i am following her now!

October 8, 2010 at 12:24 PM  
Blogger natalee said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ASHLEY!!! thanks Shell!!!!!! hugs

October 8, 2010 at 12:53 PM  
Blogger Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

I have to head over there right away. As a fellow wife of a super genius engineer, I must!

October 8, 2010 at 1:29 PM  
Blogger Alexandra said...

Oh, how funny, we were at each other's place at the same time!

I love Ashley, she is so loving and genuine and the blogging world would be full of more glitter and sequins and rainbow jumping unicorns, if we were all more like Ashley.

She's a doll.

Wonderful post, because she writes from the heart and never tries to impress.

I have met such cool peeps from your BFF...thank you for that!

October 8, 2010 at 1:45 PM  
Blogger Helena said...

It is so nice to meet you!

October 8, 2010 at 2:09 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I love her blog.It was great to get to know her better. I hope you get the sponsors you seek.

October 8, 2010 at 2:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a bad twitter follower. I have not checked you out yet. I will cetainly do so. I may need your help. and advice. We are moving out of state at the end of the school year. Neither of us has lived anywhere but here and I'm scared. anyway! so cool you are BFF today! LOVE this feature.

October 8, 2010 at 3:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So happy for you. I don't think I could do what you do- Alaska???

October 8, 2010 at 3:33 PM  
Blogger AiringMyLaundry said...

Great post.

I agree, mothers definately need breaks.

October 8, 2010 at 3:54 PM  
Blogger  said...

Wow, Ashley! I can't wait to go read your blog. I really enjoyed this post and want to read every article you linked to!

You're right, Shell; she is definitely a must-read!

iamthat-shawna.blogspot.com
shawna-mygirls.blogspot.com

October 8, 2010 at 5:31 PM  
Blogger Diane said...

Love your writing, Ashley! Just visited and followed your blog. Looking forward to getting to know you. :)

October 8, 2010 at 7:39 PM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Another fabulous BFF post:)

October 8, 2010 at 9:45 PM  
Blogger Loukia said...

Lovely BFF post! :)

October 8, 2010 at 11:25 PM  
Blogger Tammy said...

Going over to say hi! Great post as usual Miss Shell!

October 9, 2010 at 12:21 AM  
Blogger Lourie said...

I do not miss moving. It is never an easy thing. And we almost went to Alaska!! I am going to go and check her blog.

Sorry I've been MIA...trying to catch up now.

October 9, 2010 at 1:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I already follow Ashley and love her blog!!

Alaska?!?! I don't think I'd be able to handle that!

October 9, 2010 at 7:42 AM  
Blogger Mrs4444 said...

Back in the day, we moved a lot. It taught me to bloom where you're planted or you will be miserable. It's great to meet you :)

October 10, 2010 at 12:58 PM  
Blogger Helene said...

I've recently found Ashley's blog and I really enjoy reading it! Like you mentioned, she's someone I could easily see being friends with IRL if we lived in the same neighborhood!

October 10, 2010 at 10:22 PM  
Blogger Tiffany said...

Another great choice for the BFF!! I love Ashley and have been following her blog for quite some time. She is a genuine person and she is so friendly.
Wow, Alaska! Yikes!!

October 11, 2010 at 9:30 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

What a great guest post! I'm heading over to her place to check it out now. I would honestly love a job for hubs that moved us around a bit. We've been here forever! :)

October 12, 2010 at 2:54 PM  

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