Thursday

This Is About Me

This is my place.

It's a nice spot where I like to work things out.

I feel comfortable being me. 

With words, I can turn my terrible days into teachable moments. I can journal my way through pain and find God. 

I can laugh at myself.  

Here, in this place.

I am learning as I live. I am recording it because it helps me. My own hand is teaching me.

I write about creating a home and the loves who make up my life, my spirit as it's inspired, and my soul as it tangles with sin. I write about my struggles with becoming the parent I want to be, the wife I long to be.

And although I do not write of every battle, every sorrow, every victory, every thought, what I do record, I write for me

One day, I will share this place with my children. I will show them how God used words and a platform and comments from virtual strangers to make me into the woman I'm supposed to be. 

I will let the story tell itself.

But for now, this is about me.

And I choose to share it with you. 


[I wrote this in response to the occasional reader who questions my candor in raising my children online. If no one reads, I will still write. Because I must.]

I do it for me.

What do you do for yourself?

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't be concerned with anyone's criticism. Your heart is in the right place and that's all the matters. I enjoy your blog very much. Lynn

Anonymous said...

I hope you keep doing what you're doing. I blog for myself too. Like journaling, it helps me live an examined life. But blogging is more authentic sometimes. No one contradicts me or challenges my opinion in my journal. How boring is that?

Mrs. McFadden said...

Good for you! keep on doin what your doin!

KK said...

I definitely blog for me. Then there are the bubble baths...

Elizabeth said...

For myself I read blogs like yours and Shannon's at rocks in my dryer. I do this because I value the wisdom that older christian women have. I read and research because I want to be a woman that loves Jesus, and teaches her children to do the same. I read because I want to know about real life marriages from real life people- not from tv. I read, because it blesses my day. I thank God that you choose to share your life with me and others.

Teri Lynne Underwood said...

For myself? I write ... I read ... I teach ... and I long to see the sacred and secular collide in every part of my life so that I will never be misled into believing that God can be put in a box and pulled out only when needed ... for He is always needed.

Abbie said...

Some people have to much time on their hands. I am so glad you have this site I love reading it as I am drinking my coffee in the morning. I have a recipe blog that I created a few months back because I needed the outlet and I love to cook. I don't have a lot of reader but I love doing it anyways.

Hope the dogs are getting settled into their new home. :)

southerninspiration said...

It baffles me why people would read and then criticize what you have to say.....just click away, people. I think the choice to blog your thoughts is not something someone else needs to be critical of...and hopefully you will have influenced MANY lives with your dedication to doing things the right way, the way God has called you to.....nuff said.

Suzanne

Anonymous said...

I blog for me. I blog to keep connected with the other women that are trying to navigate the maze of motherhood.

And I eat pretzels with peanut butter.

Tessa said...

I blog for me too. It helps me to put my thoughts and feelings into words. I also blog for my children. I want them to have a record, a history, of their childhood. I blog a lot, but I do not blog everything. I'm sure that as they get older I'll blog less about them, less detail anyway, and more about the overall family and myself. We shall see. For now I love blogging and I love rereading my blogs, I love the support I get from family and friends during the good times and the bad, and I love knowing that my children will have this awesome document of their youth.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

I like this post, Kristen.

Nicole said...

YOU GO, GIRL! You have helped me so much and I am sure, countless others.

Unknown said...

I blog for myself. I write because I must. It's not just something that I do, it's who I am. I am a writer. I read other blogs for inspiration, but also because I'm nosy and I like to learn about other peoples' lives. =) Thanks for sharing!

Jane said...

What I do for me varies by the day ... I take naps, even if it means the kids will make a mess or will sit in front of the tv for too long; I eat ice cream, because it truly does soothe me (sorry! I have a high metabolism and CAN eat ice cream); I say "I just have to run these back to the library before they're overdue" then sit in the quiet room and read a magazine instead of rushing back home. I allow myself to be immersed in worship at church, even allowing myself to grimace at the kids when they interrupt my worship! (PLEASE, can't I have just this one moment?!?) I read blogs, I research, and once in a while I write on my own blog. But that's mostly when I just have to get rid of the thoughts in my head and move on with my day. Feel free to visit sometime and leave me a comment. http://bettysboringblog.blogspot.com/
Happy October, Kristin! I hope it's wonderful.

Hoosier Homemade said...

Great post! You always keep me thinking...thanks!
~Liz

Embracing the Insanity said...

Writing and taking pics.
Two things I can't NOT do.
So I blog.
Like you said, if no one reads it, I will blog.
Someday, when all the CyStats are irrelevant, our kids will enjoy looking back at all the family memories we've recorded, in words and photos!

Beth ;) said...

Please keep posting...and ignore those who choose to criticize! They don't HAVE to read your blog, so why are they here if they don't like it? I, for one, LOVE reading your posts...it helps me to remember that I'm not the only one who has a toddler that thinks their body is a canvas for markers (and nail polish)! I also love how you remember to incorporate your love for God into simple, everyday things. It helps me to find the humor in the frustrating times and joy in the simple times. Reading your blog helps remind me to find The Lord in every aspect of my day. And for that, I thank you! I love you and your Family!!!

Mom2fur said...

You have a wonderful and fun blog here, and what a great record of daily life to show your kids in the future!
BTW, love, love, LOVE your new banner!
As far as what I do for me...well, one thing is to give myself time every morning to read and have breakfast in bed. Of course, I don't have littles around now...although the pets always want to cuddle with me, LOL!

Wanda said...

Keep on truckin, lady!
I love reading your "stuff"!

Carol H. said...

Thank you for sharing! Keep writing. We can all only do this if we can see that there are others in the same boat.

Bailey's Leaf said...

The openness that people want to share is up to them. I share all sorts of stories about K-, Hubs, me and whatnot, but I don't post photos of K-'s face. That's a personal preference. What people need to remember is that it is an open journal. You don't mind them coming on over and reading. If they don't like what they are reading, there is a red box with an X up to the right hand corner. They can choose to just click on that.

There's always a Crabby Appleskin out there. I had one person tell me that they almost vomited on their computer because a WFMW post that I did was on Hot Dog people. She said that she didn't eat meat processed tube like(if memory serves) and found my post to be completely disgusting. Here's the thing, if you come to a post called "Hot Dog People," what exactly do you think that you will see?

Take it with a grain of salt.

Amanda said...

And how can you be you without sharing about your children? They're a huge part of what makes you you.

Keep up the good work.

everydayMOM said...

I write my blog for me, too.... although I love having readers! Some days I feel like I'm going to go crazy if I don't have time to sit down and write my thoughts. It's my therapy!

Lucy postpartumillness.com said...

I started my blog for myself too and now its morphed into something good. There is communication going on that has helped myself and others and now I cant imagine my life without it.

Some people think its a joke but I do not. This was a good post for me to read today.

Lucy

Wendy said...

I love your blog! You inspire me!!!

Connie said...

I am a faithful follower of your blog, and though I do not comment often, I find strength in your words, and in your shared experiences. Thank you for sharing, keep it up.

Richael said...

Thank you for sharing your lives with me. Praise God for this ministry you have, whether you feel it is or not, you bless so many of us and glorify God daily! Your family is beautiful and I'm privileged to read your words each day.

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

I am so thankful you do write and share. You really are an inspiration and in my book you are "the big time super blogger" and always will be.

Why do I blog? Was that the question? Some days I question myself. B/c I know I am not a super blogger, I get psyched when I hit 10 comments and highly doubt I ever will be and so I wonder... why write it? Why spend the time when there is so much more I could be doing and I am not a super star blogger....

but then I'll get a comment or e-mail and someone somewhere has made a connection and I see that God has used my little ol' blog to make a difference. And that is why I blog. It's my connection with the outside world, but also my chance to minister to the outside world. To shine a light. That's what I hope anyway. And that's why I blog. To make connections and shine a light and bring glory to God.

Thanks for continually encouraging and inspiring.

kristi said...

I blog. I laugh. I watch old movies, I FACEBOOK, I take long, hot baths. I smile. I try to stay positive regardless of the circumstances.

Jennifer said...

What do I do for myself? I read other people's blogs because it's where I find I am not alone in this crazy thing called mothering. Thank you for sharing your family with us and for being real.

everyday mom of one said...

PLEASE keep writing and its funny that you wrote this today, I was just thinking on the way to preschool thismorning how some people in my life just care to talk about them or others then the song by toby keith "I like talking about you but occasionally I want to talk about me" and it bought a smile on my face. Our blogs are where we can talk about us, our discoveries our failures.

Kim said...

I just started a blog. I do not blog as a journal, but blog tips that I have picked up and tried or what others have told me worked great. It is like your Worked for Me Wednesday, but everyday, lol. I love to try the tips and try to make myself a better mom. I enjoy reading blogs that are journals, especially yours. Keep up the great work. You have a real gift and their is no doubt that God has put you in this opportune position.

The Park Wife said...

I blog to chronicle this time in my life and to keep me grounded (and sane some days). When I am living an authentic life, being true to who the Lord made me to be, not what society wants me to be, it is comforting and at time convicting when I see it written.
Keep doing what you love, there will be many nay-sayers, can you imagine how Jesus felt?
The Park Wife

Chic Mama said...

I have recent;y been faced with something similar and couldn't be more sympathetic! Good for you- keep riding, and those of us who love your blog WILL still be here.

Robin said...

Blogging is a lot better than sitting with a therapist and cheaper! I am a Mom to 5 kids and my life would be so isolating if I did not have a few moments to myself to share it with others or just to out my thoughts down. I would blog a lot more about my real problems but my kids would find it online! Hee Hee!!! Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Blogging is an *out* for me. Interestingly enough, my teens like to read my blog. They like to read about themselves from their mom's perspective. You're children have a wonderful treasure in you and your writing! What a blessing!

Muthering Heights said...

So beautiful...and well said!

Justbeingamum said...

I LOVE your blog, so please just keep doing what you do.
I blog for myself also, I am a new blogger, but I am loving it so far. I hope that I can help and touch as many as you do, that would mean a great deal to me.
Thanks :)

Shannon said...

I like how you compared blogging it to a workout. I am right there with you. This is for me. I try to, sort of, respect my family's privacy and watch the some lines, but I could not agree more. The writing is for me. It just happens to be public. :)

Susan Rodriguez said...

Keep blogging! I didn't have a chance to read the other 39 comments, but I'm sure they say the same thing. We love reading your blog, that's why we subscribe to it. I blog too. Even if no one else reads it or looks at my darling pics, it's not for them. It's for me. While composing my blog in my head, I am able to think things through more clearly. Your blog has made me cry and laugh. Keep it up

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

You know the way our lives are, we often do not have the support network around us that many used to have with family, extended family, 'older' women etc. Through the blogging community, we are able to connect with others, encourage, laugh & cry with and inspire each other and ourselves to become the woman He wants us to be.

Thank you for blogging and for sharing who you are!

The Aberdeen Shopper said...

It doesn't matter what others think. As far as I am concerned, I LOVE the way that you write. It strengthens me by your encouraging words, your laughter, your sorrows and yours strengths!! God Bless you!!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.