Monday, February 23, 2009

Well, hello friend.

When we first began We Chirp (oh so long ago), we really wanted to bring our readers good stuff, coolio content. Great music, great finds, great dialogue and great guest bloggers. And not just any guest bloggers, but ones that we admire and enjoy ourselves. So far, so good - great, in fact. I'm pleased as punch with our content thus far. And to add to our track record, I bring you Danyelle who writes and creates over at Dandee. I've been reading her blog for a while now and what has struck me most is how she doesn't depict anything with a nice, thick dusting of sugar-coating. Just real, down-home lovin'. I love to see that some other mom is having a hard time with their daughters' messy drawers, it makes me feel a little less inadequate and a little more like we are all in this together. What I love more is the cheerful and honest manner in which she approaches life. Wife and mother to 4 with one on the way, she juggles numerous balls in the air - and you can tell loves each one of those balls madly. She lives in the great state of Washington, grew up wanting to be Martha Stewart's right hand gal, is a self-declared water snob (no tap for this lady), would love to have her own brick and mortar store someday. Oh and she loves the color green (you, danyelle, need to come visit - my living room is kelly green, you would love it). Dandee is with us for a series of posts this week and we at We Chirp are grinning from ear to ear. Enjoy. And of course, make her feel welcome.
~ mavis


I'm not very good at this. You know, the guest blogging gig. My mind has been racing since sweet Mavis and Dove asked me to contribute to their darling new blog. What should I say? I'm not a writer! Does anyone really want to hear what goes on in this brain of mine? And then it occurred to me. Maybe this little experience is more for me than any of you. I have to admit that I'm not a deep thinker. I very easily let things roll off my back. I don't over analyze. I don't obsess [unless it's over a project I want to create]. But sometimes, I think it's good to analyze. Even obsess over the things you are passionate about. And trust me. I have plenty of things in my life to be passionate about. So this week friends, expect to hear a bit of the things that make me happy. That give me butterflies. That I simply can't do without. And if you think we have some things in common, please come and visit me on a regular basis over here or here. My door is always open and I would love if you came for a visit.


But first things first. Mavis very kindly introduced us at the beginning of this post. The most important things she mentioned about me is that I am a wife and a mother. These two words make me tick. They keep me sane and grounded and so very happy. Aside from these, the word that best describes me, I hope, is creative. I love to make pretty things. I MUST do it. For my sanity and for all that is right in the world I HAVE to make stuff. I celebrate when something inspires me.

Unfortunately, with this desire, no, need to create I am often asked a question. A question that at times, has made me cringe. "How do you find the time?" "How do you keep up on it all?" I have had a few people make innuendos about how surely something is amiss. I MUST be ignoring something important so that I can do the things I want to do. I'll admit, there are days when the laundry goes unfolded. I get rings around my toilets. The carpet is screaming for a good vacuum as I type this. But I have happy children. And a happy husband. And frankly, I'm happy because I allow myself to do some things that I love.

I have learned when I am asked questions of this nature to simply reply, "People make time to do the things they want to do." And I truly believe that. If someone likes reading, they make time for it. I love to create and nest and browse through magazines looking at inspiring things, so I make the time for it. These activities fill me up. In doing them, I am being true to myself and my interests. Not neglecting my family. There is a balance that we must all find and like everyone else, I struggle with that balance. When I devote everything I have to my family, I day dream about the projects I want to work on. When I'm working on a project, I feel guilty about the things I could be doing for my family. Finding the balance between these two passions is an everyday endeavor. An endeavor I feel I am slowly conquering.

And that my friends, is something worth celebrating.

12 comments:

Christy said...

Well you may not consider yourself a writer, but you write well. I really enjoyed reading this post and it even made me a little teary eyed because I'm a new mom to just one baby and I'm having a very hard time finding balance in my life right now. I quit my job when we had our baby last year and I still haven't found my I'm-a-stay-at-home-mom groove yet...My husband is happy and my daughter is happy, but I really need to figure out how to make time for what makes me happy. I look forward to reading the rest of your posts this week, and I will definitely be clicking around those other two links you provided!

whitneyingram said...

Dandee, it took me a minute but I know who you look like in that picture. Laura Dern. I LOVE Laura Dern. Congrats.

Marilyn said...

You write much better than you give yourself credit for. And I am thrilled that the blogging world is discovering your greatness.

You are an amazing wife and mother who also makes times to do what she loves...what a novel idea :)

Love you!

nikki/WhiMSy love said...

I, too, get the whole "How do you find the time to do it all?!" I never know what to say. I usually giggle nervously. But I love your response & totally feel the same way. Toilet rings & happy children are a pretty good combo.

Amanda said...

I've been a long-time reader of your blog and I think you exude happiness and contentment; I give you full credit for acknowledging what I too, as a mother, have begun to understand. We need to honor our passions and in doing so, we aren't taking away from our families, rather giving them a more fulfilled person in return.

You are a great example to us all - women can have the lives they want and can be more (or less, if that's their choice) than they ever imagined. Thanks for your positive words!

suzan said...

I loved reading your first post here. You have a beautiful way with words and you have pretty much summed up the way I feel and the way I like to live my life also. I am a working Mom who truely believes in enjoying life to the fullest. Having a perfectly clean home is often the sacrifice. However, it is a constant struggle for me and I am always envious of my friends who "find the time" to always have everything clean and tiddy.

I have this quote on my blog to remind me that it is okay:
"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials." -Lin Yutang

I look forward to reading more of your posts. You have already inspired me... Thank You!

Lee said...

I am going to agree with Marilyn you write so well. And I have seen you in action and you have it together. I think that is so great. And I struggle with the balance, but doing what makes you happy is so very important. Love the post.

katie said...

loved this post and i 100% agree with what you said about finding and making the time to do the things that you enjoy doing! it makes us happier people/moms/wives....

thanks...

polka dots said...

well said. love the part about finding balance. every good mom's struggle.

we chirp said...

I know several little kids who GOBBLE down Horizon Organics vanilla yogurt. I haven't checked out the sugar content, but I will now. Another trick that I use (this will work with some kids, but not all) is to use plain yogurt (I sometimes use full-fat...totally yummy & "all natural" right) and stir warmed honey into it (warm it so it will blend & not harden), top with berries, bananas, and/or granola. Pure maple syrup is good to use as a sweetener too.

-Dove

Lovely Lindsay said...

and the truth about dandee is... that she's the real thing.
love this and can't wait to read the rest of the week. i'm fumbling through these days of new babe and hope to learn some of your "balancing act" tricks here.
love, lin

Lisa Christine said...

Oh Danyelle! What a lovely post. It was great seeing you today. Feel free to stop by and take a nap anytime :) LOL