July 8, 2016

hello?

Is anyone still there? I'm so sorry that I haven't been blogging consistently. So much has happened in my life in the last six months / year and I feel a sense of loss that I haven't been better at documenting it. I can never get that time back, even in my terrible memory. Between starting my own company, working part time as a designer for Pottery Barn, being a mom, renovating a house and generally just trying to relish every day with my kids as they grow older, blogging has taken a back seat and I'm sad about it.

It makes me sad because I've been blogging for 16 years and I miss it. Sad, because I let a lot of experiences go undocumented (besides a sentence or two with a picture on Instagram) and I have a terrible memory so I won't be able to remember things without these posts to jog those memories. I've recently started using Snapchat and my memory is a lot like that. Within 24 hours, it's gone. I'm acutely feeling the saying "the days are long, but the years are short". I'm sad because my children are growing up so rapidly and I'm forgetting their past milestones without writing them down. And this picture? It was taken not long after we moved to Washington and it's one of the few pictures I have of our family all together and I never posted it. Has not blogging helped me live my life more in the present? Not really.
I'm afraid I've been "too busy". Too busy to take the time to really reflect on this phase of life I'm in. This phase is hard. It's hard to sleep. It's hard to exercise. It's hard to eat right. It's hard to keep the house clean and the laundry... oh, the laundry. And those are just the basics. Now I have clients and deadlines on top of that and I sometimes feel really overwhelmed, but then I remember that I actually really love working with clients. I love going to work and hearing "thank you" and "great job". As someone who really finds her value in words of affirmation, it helps me tremendously to hear positive feedback that mothers don't consistently hear from the families they care for.

Anyway, I'm rambling but it feels therapeutic. I sat down and just started typing and everything is just flowing out of me. Kind of like when you start talking to your great-listener friend and you feel everything just come out at once.

I'm trying to be better at making small, attainable goals that will improve my life. Not too many or too grand that I can't achieve them. I have a few goals that I've been working on, like: 1. getting consistently good sleep by practicing better sleep hygiene / bedtime rituals 2. creating a daily schedule so that I make the most of my time and so my kids are having a fun, productive summer. To that daily schedule, I'm going to work on blogging 4-5 times a week. I miss it! I'd love to communicate with more of you and hear from you. I've made some great friendships through this blog over the years and I appreciate it in my life. So, like all successful relationships, I'm going to put in the work to do better.

And recipes! I haven't been cooking as much in general, but I have some great recipes that I want to post. So, those are coming! Lots of love!

30 comments:

  1. I've missed reading your stories.....but life happens and it is OK not to blog. You have a beautiful, growing family. Lots of love!

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  2. I missed your posts, too my dear!
    But I haven't blogged for over 2 years, so I know what you mean. Life..
    I didn't know you worked as a designer for Pottery Barn, that's great!
    You are a beautiful person, my friend.

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    1. Oh Senja, I miss you! I love seeing your posts on Snapchat - makes me feel like my dream of living in Sweden is real! :) You're one of the blogging relationships that I'm talking about in my post - you're a beautiful person as well and I'm glad to know you!

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  3. I'm still here! I can't wait to see more posts and beautiful photos!

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    1. Hi Katie! Thanks for sticking around. :) Hope you're well!

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  4. So glad you're posting again! I always really enjoy reading your thoughts. And boy do I hear you on the life balance--I'm teaching summer classes at the university, five kids are home for the summer and I'm seven months pregnant with the sixth, and if I don't run at least 30 miles a week then I sink into depression again. Every day is different and I tell myself that some days I can do really amazing stuff as a mother and some days the kids are going to play Legos all day in their pajamas. :-) They love those days, of course, but I still really struggle with the guilt!! Always so hard finding the right balance of things that help me to feel fulfilled as a person and like I'm doing a good job as a wife and mother.

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    1. Wow! You are super woman!!! I'm amazed that you're doing all that while pregnant! Mad props to you mama!

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  5. Still here! I check back weekly to see what's new! Not going anywhere until you say you aren't going to do this anymore (hopefully won't ever happen!). Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and life stories. :o)

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    1. Thank you so much! That means a lot!!!! Xoxo

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  6. Still here, and grateful you are too! Your blog is for you first and foremost. Don't worry about the rest of us. We're happy to be along for the ride.

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    1. Thank you Cynthia! You're right! Great perspective!

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  7. Long time follower (though not commenter)-just wanted you to know we are still here and enjoy whenever you do post. Congrats on your many endeavors that are clearly fulfilling many aspects of your life!

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    1. Hi Erin! Thank you so reading and commenting. Lots of love!

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  8. ... me too, I am still here.
    I don't comment frequently on your posts, but I am reading them all and enjoy them. Hopefully you will find the balance every working mother is struggling with (at least I think so...)
    Have a blessed Sunday,
    sending sunshine your way,
    with love from The Netherlands,
    Judith

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    1. Thanks Judith, motherhood is hard and finding a balance between my job as a SAHM and my other jobs is really tricky sometimes. Thanks for the support!

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  9. Hi Lizzy! I'm a long-time reader from San Francisco (hello!!) I've not commented much before (or maybe at all, oops!) but I just wanted you to know I really enjoy your writing. Your blog is one of a few that I try to catch up with weekly and I just adore your recipes! My husband and I are getting ready to start our family so I've been bookmarking them to hopefully help me learn how to cook LOL. I think you're awesome and wish you a wonderful summer! ;D

    Kaitlyn

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    1. That's so sweet, Kaitlyn! It feels good to hear that you're enjoying my little blog. Wishing you and your husband lots of happiness with growing your family!

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  10. I have missed you too! But I am glad you are not stopping the blog and most importantly I am glad you are happy.

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    1. Thanks Lizi (name twin!) I don't have plans to quit blogging any time soon! :)

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  11. I read! And I love your blog, have for years now. Your food shots in particular are so inspiring, and I love seeing your beautiful kids grow up. Life does get busy, so don't put too much pressure on yourself, but I would live to read more from you!

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    1. Thanks Johanna! It so nice to hear from you all and feel your support, even though I've been slacking on the updates. Posting more recipes is on my to-do list!

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  12. Good to hear from you. I'm very glad to read that, although busy, life is treating you well.

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  13. I´m checking back every week and i always enjoy your blog Posts. I love how honest you are about life and i really think you´re an Inspiration on many Levels. Greetings from Germany!

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    1. Thanks Duscia! You're so good about commenting and always have such a positive energy. Lots of love!

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  14. I am still here. I love to check in on you and your family, and I am glad some people are still blogging. I miss the good ol' days of 2007/2008 when EVERYONE blogged. AND I am ALWAYS using your chocolate chip cookie and buttermilk pancake recipes. :0) Good luck with the goals!

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    1. Haha! Yes! Those WERE the good ol' days! I started blogging in 2005 (hoping people don't find my old, cheesy, culinary internship blog - haha!)

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  15. Still here. Still loving whatever you find the time to write about. Still think you're amazing. Breathe. All is well.

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  16. Still here. Your blog is one of my faves.

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