This Year has been one of such blessings.
One of which is my new friendship with Mandy and how our families have connected!
Mandy blogs over at House of Rose Blog.com
She originally came across my blog, through Shannon’s Post.
We say shannon brought us together.
It’s really so encouraging and uplifting having a friendship with someone
who is so similar to you…We both have a desire to help others heal and to celebrate motherhood.
And it means so much to know you have a friend who is there for you.
Just today, the song came on that I listened to a lot that first month after Shannon was killed.
And I was able to text Mandy..who said shannon and I had been on her heart all day today.
I told her how I cried in the car listening to it..but I didn’t “go there”…(picture the whole scene)…
and I felt like that was progress for me. that healing was happening.
And I feel like this friendship with Mandy has helped me to be joyful.
Even my husband has commented about that, telling Mandy that he has
seen me happy like how I talked about how I was with Shannon.
I really feel like God put Mandy in my life during this time when I needed someone!
Community is such an important part of life..of raising a family..and being a mom!
I hope that everyone can find this type of friendship and if you are still waiting for it, be patient and take risks!
I flew to a blog conference in texas and ended up meeting her for the first time there!
You never know where that best friend will come from..
so put yourself out there mamas!
The Rose Family spontaneously came to visit us…
So it only seemed fitting we did the same!
10 hour car ride to Illinois here we come! woot!
Two minutes into the ride we already had the “she’s looking at me!” “are we there yet?”
The last 2 hours in the car felt like it was in slow-mo..
and because I MIGHT have told my husband
“there’s no way we can make it without stopping for the night.”…
he took it as a challenge and we plowed through!! haha.
::head hits dashboard::
Most of the ride I was banished to the bucket seats to be the snack lady. haha..
BUT…in the end I was really happy we did it so
we could just wake up and have fun together!
We arrived at 2 in the morning or something crazy like that…
and the girls (AND MANDY) were wide awake acting like it was party time! haha.
They put us in their amazing basement and it was the perfect set up.
our girls slept in every morning…
I think we should just put them on air mattresses every night. ;)
The first morning they took us to this awesome castle park..
Mandy and I found our throne!
and with our starbucks in hand we were ready to rule the place.
We went hiking at this gorgeous park near them.
It felt like we were in some exotic get away! ;)
Mandy’s friend, and my new Instagram friend, Kelly, came with us.
They are such a great family!
And of course after a nice healthy hike, fried chicken was a must.
Mandy’s friend, and my new Instagram friend, Kelly, came with us.
They are such a great family!
And of course after a nice healthy hike, fried chicken was a must.
We had backyard pool fun.
and bought overly priced delicious ice cream just for the experience. ;)
We had park fun.
with plenty of boo boos and melt downs and cute photo moments.
with plenty of boo boos and melt downs and cute photo moments.
We did a lot of hanging out and just relaxing.
The kids had fun playing and we chatted OVER their playing…
sharing our next big ideas! ;)
sharing our next big ideas! ;)
Mandy and I filmed a couple videos while we were together.
It was so fun! We turned to social media (INSTAGRAM VIDEO) to ask our
readers if they had any questions for us…
It was fun seeing the questions roll in.
Here’s our Q.&A. Video!
Be sure to leave a comment below if you have an answer for any of the
questions asked by our readers! Share the Knowledge! ;)
Some Links to check out if you have
some of the same questions in the video:
Steps & Tips to Starting a Blog
Why I Blog and Why I love it – A Pep Talk Video from Mandy and I to start your blog!
Mandy’s How to Start a Blog Post
My Free Meal Planning and Housework Printable
**official statement: husband cooks dinner more than I make it sound in the video. haha.**
Mandy and I came up with the brilliant idea of turning the cameras on our husbands!
They acted all timid about the idea at first… but then totally got into it!
They were loving it. CANNOT WAITTT to show you their video.
teaserrrrr. it’s awesome. and hilarious.
Our cute hubbies.
Can’t wait for them to share their video!
‘What it’s like to be married to a blogger’
No sarcasm in this video….none. nada. zippo……… ;)
These kids are kinda cute, don’t ya think? :)
One of the nights Mandy arranged sitters..and we met up with
another blog friend, Tonya (Love of Family and Home) and went to
a gorgeous winery with our husbands.
It was SO NICE! There was live music.. yummy food..
and our husbands totally bonded and laughed while we instagramed
this photo of ourselves at the same time. haha.
Then after a “half joke half not joking” comment between mandy and I
to get dessert at Chili’s we went and grabbed
some overly sweet amazingness. and coffee.
because us party animals were ready for bed. haha.
(mandy’s dress: kiki la’rue, tonya’s dress: wet seal, my dress: target)
It was such a great trip and I was sad when it was over…
But so thankful that we had the long weekend with such a great family!
Sophie might have told me yesterday about her and
Parker (Mandy’s oldest) Wedding… bahaha. Awesome.
Mandy is sharing her recap of our trip today too.. go say hi!! :)
We also captured all the trip fun on instagram- #thebbmroadtrip
Carrie This Home
August 5, 2013 at 1:50 pmWhat a fun trip! I’m so glad you got to see the highlights of Southern Illinois! Hope you all come back sometime soon!
Niki A
August 5, 2013 at 2:35 pmSo glad you guys had such a great time together! :) I enjoyed seeing the pictures on instagram. :)
Natasha Rhodes
August 5, 2013 at 2:42 pmYour video was so cute! It’s fun to see your personalities via video, not just a photo. I’m so glad you’ve been gifted with the friend you need at just the right time. Praise God! He is so good!
Holly Strother
August 5, 2013 at 8:32 pmYou guys are so adorable!!
I’m new to the blogging world and I can’t wait to start making connections. Hopefully I get as lucky as you two and find an awesome friendship.
Tonya @ Love of Family And Home
August 5, 2013 at 10:58 pmI’m so glad you made it to Southern Illinois!! Bobby & I had a great time with you all at dinner Sunday night! So glad we were able to hang out & visit! Hopefully I’ll be seeing you again soon!! :)
Leanne
August 6, 2013 at 10:52 amHi Natalie,
This post completely inspires me to be a blogger (can’t get my finger around it) If you could gain friendships the way that you and Mandy have then why wouldnt you want to try. You both seem like pretty down to earth people.Love reading each of your blogs :)
etta
August 6, 2013 at 2:54 pmI love your blog! I have gotten so many good ideas for crafts, decorating, yummy recipes..and lovely reminders on why being a mom is a blessing:) Thanks for always sharing personal things, I think it’s why you have such a solid following. Lots of moms don’t want to talk about the gritty side, but its there and you seem to put all our thoughts and feelings into words- then make us feel like everything will be ok:)
Michelle
August 6, 2013 at 9:36 pmI clicked on the link to Shannon’s story, and I completely remember her story. My parents live right around the corner from there, and it was all over my facebook as I have a lot of friends still in the area. Loved your post, and I’m glad that you two have found each other online, and in “real” life as well. Loved the pics, and also, kudos on the coordination efforts! I did notice! :)
Andrea Worley
August 7, 2013 at 10:04 pmlooks like you had an awesome trip! this is so fun! loved the yoga pants comments! active wear… HA it made me laugh so hard.
Liz
August 8, 2013 at 8:53 amOk this comment has nothing to do with this post (although, looks like you had lots of fun!) but I wanted to give you a virtual high-five this morning. Congrats on branding your blog soooo well – I was searching for something on pinterest (can’t remember what) and I saw pins that I KNEW were from your site before I even read where it came from or the description. And I was right each time (and it wasn’t a picture of your face, that’s an obvious giveaway!) Just wanted to give you a pat on the back today! Love your site. :)
Christine Hutchinson
August 8, 2013 at 10:32 amLooks like you gals had an awesome time. Yay for blogging friends! Love everything you do, Natalie.