I've Been Thinking...

...about me, about life, about who I am. I know this sounds deep, but I'm really just trying to get some thoughts together in my head and figure out a few things.

I've been reading a few blogs lately (hi Heidi, hi Kasey!) where the person is talking about being overwhelmed with blogging and taking a break. Not that they don't enjoy blogging, but it needs to be less of a priority for them right now (I admire that about them!) It made me take a look at my blog and seeing if it interferes with my balance. I had to think to myself if I blog (is the even a verb?) too much, if I read blogs too much, is blogging affecting my daily life and interfering with family time.

I've concluded that blogging, for me, is very much an encouraging tool for me. It helps me to gather my thoughts, really pay attention to the little things about my kids and document those moments, get the push that I need to do the crafty and organizing things that I want to do...things that make me happy.

For example, I made this list a while back (which I saw by reading another blog, hi Betsy!) and as I was reading over it today I remembered things I wanted to do because they were documented. Now I'm encouraged to really get some of those things done: meal planning, having date nights with each kid, getting back into scrapbooking...

Also I was recently reading this post by my blog friend Meredith and again stepped back to evaluate how purposeful I'm being with my family. She has a great idea, one that you should check out. This is an area that could be improved...spending less time in front of the TV and more time doing family activities.

Now, I will say that I have time during the day to read and update and I have a nice amount of time after the kids to go bed (when Rondell is at work). I think this is why, for me, blogging seems to be that extra added thing and not an inhibitor because I have a lot of time on my hands.

I also have to cut down the number of blogs I read from time to time. Sometimes I feel like "Kelli, you don't have to read EVERY blog that's out there" and so I'll delete it from my blog or favorites, not because I don't like the blog but because I need to not let it overwhelm me.

I hope that we all can take a step back and evaluate ourselves and what we want to be doing; I think that's a strong trait to have. I have very much enjoyed it, especially today while re-reading my list (mentioned above). While I'll miss my blog friends that are stepping back, I admire them and give them a virtual high five for realizing what their priorities are and not what others say they should be.

For me, for now, I'll be here, being encouraged, getting ideas, connecting with some amazing people and hopefully bringing a little sunshine into your lives!