This might be boring to most, but since this is our family journal, I felt like I needed to chronicle it.
I don't really have a career, but I do blog, and I love it. It is a great way to keep up my writing and share my ideas and thoughts with the world. My blog continues to grow and I have a steady group of readers, averaging about 8,000 views per month. I never expect anything to be really BIG, so I was blown away when I published my recent article "No Leprechauns, No Valentine's Boxes, No Elves, and why that is Okay" and it went viral on social media. Within a few days I had had over 70,000 views on the article. It has been shared over and over again and because of it, my blog audience on a regular basis had doubled with 14,000-20,000 views each month (102,000 in the month of March!). I am so grateful.
I was receiving emails from all over the world and comments on the blog post about how my article had resonated with them and how much they loved it. I could not believe it! I wanted to share two of the emails I received:
"I am probably breaking some blogging etiquette rule by emailing you
rather than using the comment function on your blog. However - I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your recent post about women and mothering. I live in Doha and am friends with Lindsey Wintch through church - I happened to see you commented on an instagram post of hers,and for some very strange reason, I clicked on your name, then saw your blog, and went to it. I have no idea why I did that - well,maybe I do - I really needed to read what you had to say.I am a mother with an outside the home career. I've always felt lik ethat was the right thing for me, but have often been challenged by guilt about not being the stay-at-home mom. I have read tons of blogs and articles about motherhood and working mothers, etc. - particularly it seems in recent months after the whole Sheryl Sandberg book came out. I always felt worse after reading those.
Yours is the first I've read that ever made me feel good!. I loved your definition of feminism and I loved your story about realizing you are the mother your kids need. I love the idea that accepting that helps you to be a more confident mother and that your kids see that.
Thank you - from the bottom of my heart!"
The comments on my blog were equally kind and supportive, and I felt like my heart might burst. I was so grateful for the inspiration and courage I was given to write and publish the post. The night before I hit "publish" I was so nervous, I almost didn't do it. My skin is not incredibly thick, so the idea of someone bashing it or disagreeing with it really worried me. I certainly didn't expect such a wide, positive response. I think what was most shocking is that I did not have one negative comment on the post or about the post...really amazing in the cyberworld where everyone wants to be a critic. It was one of the sweetest, most exciting experiences I have ever had to know something I had thought and written made a difference to so many.
In addition to the fun internet positivity, Brooke Walker of Studio 5 in Utah got a hold of the article and wanted to interview me on TV. It was so awesome! I was incredibly nervous and rehearsed the night before, but overall, it went really well. There were things I would have liked to change, but I am choosing to focus on good. March was a very exciting month for me!
Me with Brooke Walker. I was so grateful my mom came to keep me company (I can't find that picture!). I was more nervous than I thought I would be and she was there to reassure me. Here is a link to the video: http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=71&sid=29204791
We filmed the spot on Monday and it aired Tuesday. My new friends were so awesome to throw a "Viewing Party," for me. about 10 ladies were there to support me and cheer me on. I moved into such a great area where the women and families are so excited for each other. I feel blessed everyday.
