a lifestyle blog about motherhood, intention, whimsical moments, and wellness
start here.
Suddenly I felt the need to do another post like this one.
My no apologies post.
Here I am.
Just me. and my girl.
I wear these green sweatpants about 98% of the time when I am at home. They are almost completely ripped at the bottom but I don’t care…I love them.
Usually a tank and glasses, messy hair.
I had this thought today… when I started blogging I would see other, beautiful, inspiration blogs and…. in moments would think, wow I really wish I had pictures like that, or this or that. And then I realized something.
I can offer me. I can offer us. The real us.
Ainsleigh in Aiden’s hand me down jammies paired with high heels.
Our house…with toys everywhere.
I can offer our stories.
I can offer my thoughts.
I can offer sweet little faces and tender hearts.
I can offer photos…pictures of me capturing our everyday.
I can offer our heartaches as they come.
And our joys as well.
I can let you journey with us through the various seasons.
I can bring you along as we live our day to day.
But what I can’t do,
what I won’t do
is try to give you something that we aren’t.
I can’t pretend that my kids wear ruffle collars or that my shelves are clean.
I am not going to run around and make the room look a certain way before I capture an image that I fall in love with.
I am not going to dress my kids in the morning in an outfit that I normally wouldn’t just in case I might want to snap pics throughout the day.
It’s just us. Who we are. The reality in our world.
Blogging already is an interesting thing because you see snippets of our lives. Not the whole picture. But hopefully here you can see who we are. You can feel it, taste it.
Our journey. Our story. Right now it’s past midnight and everyone in my little world over here is fast asleep. I have the soft hum of a Christmas song playing at my computer and just thinking about these little lives that I am sharing with you has me with teary eyes.
They don’t need to pretend to be anything other than who they are. They are perfect. And I don’t mean perfect in the “they wear perfect clothes and never get upset kind of way”.
I mean, capturing them as they are…who they truly are is enough..more than enough.
You know, I believe that we were each created for a purpose. A specific one.
We each have stories to tell and passions that were placed in our hearts for a reason.
A friend recently told me that she believes God literally gives us some of the desires of our hearts.
Like He planted the desire to start A Little Artsy in my heart so that we could bless all of the little kids that walk through those doors.
He put the desire there.
And I acted on it.
There is beauty in everything, even in the melancholy, the struggle, and the missteps.
They don’t need to pretend to be anything other than who they are. They are perfect. And I don’t mean perfect in the “they wear perfect clothes and never get upset kind of way”.
I mean, capturing them as they are…who they truly are is enough..more than enough.
You know, I believe that we were each created for a purpose. A specific one.
We each have stories to tell and passions that were placed in our hearts for a reason.
A friend recently told me that she believes God literally gives us some of the desires of our hearts.
Like He planted the desire to start A Little Artsy in my heart so that we could bless all of the little kids that walk through those doors.
He put the desire there.
And I acted on it.
There is beauty in everything, even in the melancholy, the struggle, and the missteps.
Everyone, no matter who they are, has a story to tell. And we have a responsibility to tell that story to the world, because if that story can touch a single person, it is worth telling.
So did He give me the desire to write? To share?
maybe. I don’t know.
But if He did, I hope that I am honoring Him in sharing our story. Our life. Our world.
This is who we are.
September 28, 2011
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I think this is such a great way to re-introduce yourself… betcha lots of your new readers go through your archives anyways because you are such a special family : )
seriously. can i love you anymore?!
you are so organic in your writing and so real and so fun and can somebody say insanely adorable.
gosh i'm blessed to 'know' you.
and ps i freaking canNOT wait for your guest post on my blog!!
xoxo
~What a lovely lady you are. And SUCH an inspiration as well. Thank you for being YOU! 🙂
~Amanda
http://www.redbarncandlecompany.com
you are such an amazing woman, mother, wife, artist…I absolutely adore your blog. much love xoxo
Hi! here from the Soleil Selene blog! 🙂
I started following a couple of days ago but now I'm visiting from the Soleil Selene Blog Hop!
I didn't realize you owned an art studio, I'm glad you posted this!
i'm continually impressed by your updates and changes on your blog, friend. you are one smart, talented, and intentional woman! i already have thoughts for you in my head…been thinking about you a LOT too. emailing soon…
Wow — I just started following yesterday & now a "start here" post?! Perfect timing 🙂
I'm so glad I found your blog a few weeks ago. I am encouraged by your love for the Lord and your honesty. I relate so well with you and your family. Love it all!!! 🙂 Hopefully, when my blog grows a little more I can have you do a blog design for me.
~Liz
hey casey, just started following you a month or so ago and am loving all that you share. you are an encouragement! i have been reading about people's experiences at blog sugar and hope i can make it next year – sounds like it was amazing. i love the green painting you showed – reminds me of a rothko, and he is one of my favorites. blessings to you and your sweet family in all of your endeavors!
I am always so inspired by you and your family and you learn something new everyday – didn't know you did blog design!! YAY! How do I contact you?
I'm a recent follower, but saw your link on Soleil Selene today too. Would love a follow back. I love your blog – you are so inspiring and encouraging!
Had no idea you owned an art studio.. Your paintings are amazing!
I love the last picture!
i'm a new reader so thanks for posting a little bit about yourself, girl!
I'm a pretty new reader Casey, so that was a great way to get a quick catch up! Love your stuffs!
awesome! you're keeping things real busy. fun stuff.
smiles,
anna
http://helpfulannalisa.wordpress.com
I just found your blog and I love it! I have so many headbands and you've inspired me to wear them more often! Super cute!
I have only recently started following your blog. You are so young and have achieved so much, such an inspiration. I'm 35 and in a bit of a rut, work in progress I surpose, thank you for such gorgeous inspiration.
I'm your newest follower, so I feel like this post was meant just for me 🙂
I love your "No Apologies" post. I feel like everyone critcizes me so much because I don't "just let my baby cry." I just like to cuddle and comfort him; somehow, everyone around me has misconstrued that to coddling him. He's only 4 months old! Why would a 4-month-old need to learn independence?! Whoa, sorry…I'm getting on my little soap box, aren't I?
Oh shoot..I just apologized when talking about how much I loved your "No Apologies" post. Gosh, it's such a habit to feel like you have to apologize for everything, huh?
ANYWAY, I'm so happy to be a new follower. You, your family, and your blog are BEAUTIFUL 🙂
You are so inspiring! So glad I found you blog <3
I AM a fairly new follower to your blog and I didn't know you were an artist! Your work is amazing! Thanks for sharing this post! 🙂
Casey, needless to say I love your blog and how you inspire so many to be comfortable with their creativity!
Reading your blog always brightens my day 🙂
THANK YOU!
Hello beautiful lady,
It was such a pleasure to meet nad hug you in person this weekend. Praying the Lords richest blessings on you, Chris and your sweet family!
xo
Hey Casey! I have been very inspired by your style- specifically your headbands! So I gave you a shout out in my blog today because of the way you wear them and my attempts to find my own unique way of doing it, inspired by you! You're welcome to check it out! Even if you don't, thanks for inspiring me! Lauren
http://www.itsbeckerstyle.com/
Love your blog!!
Following you from Soleil Selene!
New follower from Soleil Selene. http://love-interrupted.blogspot.com/
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION. Thank you for that!
Jess
Dang Girl… your back is AHmazing!
Also, I love the new header "Casey Leigh" so pretty! Why the change?
Hi Casey, I've been reading for a while but haven't said hello yet. From one sensitive soul to another, thanks for being authentic. I love that our identity in Christ connects so many of us. God Bless your sweet family! ~Bri~
I love this! I just found your blog today, through Pineapple Lilly. It is so refreshing to find someone who is blogging about faith like me! You are beautiful! I am your newest follower. 🙂
P.S. I totally just saw that you attend The Village Church! We listen to Matt Chandler ALL the time. We plan to finally make the 2 hour drive down to actually attend The Village.
Casey, I found your site through Selective Potential's giveway. I don't have a blog but would love to start one some day. I wanted to say thank you not only for your honesty in the day to day of your life but how you live your life for God on a day to day basis. I have fallen in love with your blog and thank you for being a positive influence in the blogosphere.
Oh! I just found your site and I'm incredibly inspired by it! I really would love to make "real" art one day, the gallery-kind, like yourself. 🙂 Just meeting people online like yourself, makes me believe that this can come true!
Halina,
your new Norwegian follower!
Just found your Blog through Little Miss Momma. I have spent awhile going through a bunch of your posts, and I am very excited to follow along!
Hannah
your family is precious. absolutely precious.
mrsdtf.blogspot.com
I've been reading your blog enjoying the music that you have playing. I am touched by the songs you have chosen. For this reason, I will be following your blog (and I like what you have to say). Thanks for sharing!
i just want to say thankyou! ive just stumbled across your blog & its just so beautiful. after reading it, i feel much more positive about things.i look forward to reading more posts from you :)your just such an inspirational person xxx
WOW! beautiful family, paintings and blog! my best friend just moved to Houston, heard about your blog from a friend and then past the link onto me. I plan on sharing your blog with my followers- I LOVE IT!
hangingonthewall.ca
I am a new reader and LOVE your blog! You have a gorgeous family and your artwork is fantastic!
Check out my family blog here http://hanlonfamily2.blogspot.com/
My blog is undergoing a makeover, so excuse the chaos of my page 🙂
Hi there!
I've been a reader for a little while now, but just now reading this page.
I wanted to say hi & love you! and I know how you feel sometimes.. My daughter was born super healthy besides her hips being out of socket, but I also had an early-ish miscarriage, did the whole c-section thing, and have a negative bank account here and there, so I love how I can relate to you.
I've only been blogging for 6 or 7 months.. You are a great inspiration! I love how creative you are and lots of other things, but yep.. Thanks for writing.. Please never stop.. You and you're family are so beautiful!
<3xojo
@ http://hottlt.com (holding on to the little things)
Stumbled upon your blog tonight and I am so glad I did. A good friend of mine lives near Dallas and I am going to write her right now and tell her that she MUST stop by your studio!
Ooo!! So excited to have stumbled upon such a lovely blog! 🙂 I'm now following along – we're due with our second baby in June so will be following you bump/bub story too!
Would love if you come and say hi at Just For Daisy! 🙂 x God Bless
Hey Casey,
I stumbled across your blog a little bit ago and was instantly hooked as well as inspired..
I love your page, I feel like I have known you personally after following for a little while. I love how vulnerable you are on here and after a lot of praying & contemplating how exactly I wanted to go about changing up my own blog I found a lot of inspiration from yours.
Your family is beautiful & I can't help but tell all my close friends all about your page & how you are like the married,blonde,mother, artist version of me haha. Your words are encouraging & I see Christ shining through you!
I'm sorry it took so long to leave you a comment but I just had to share with you what all I have taken away from accidentally happening onto your blog!
Thank you!
-Brianna
http://beautifulbrokenamore.blogspot.com/
Psalm 37:4
your art is amazing!!
I loved your blog as soon as I clicked on, but I loved it even more when Brit Nicole came blaring through my speakers and scared me. This is a wonderful space you have.
: )
Vonae Deyshawn
http://www.myvirtueplace.com
What a beautiful family. Love your blog…happy to be a new (and regular) reader.
Tami xo
I love your blog (and the music that plays when I come to it)! So happy to have found you!
You just happen to be one of the cutest bloggers I've ever "met"….
Your blog is adorable, your family is adorable – your faith is so admirable!!!
Bless you!
I love it!!!!
You are such an inspiration, such a bright light. I love how honest your writing is and how much joy you spread with each post. xoxo
Just taking my first steps into the blog world (more like Bambi-esc stumbling) and I am excited, filled with heart pounding nerves, and restlessly anticipating the possibilities. Your blog happened to be one of the blogs that was reccommended to me as inspiration and wow…it's true your blog is full of inspiration. I plan to spend countless hours reviewing your blog style, incredible works, and ultimately thoughts on life.
I am so very happy that you found me on Twitter, because I absolutely love your blog and couldn't be more excited being here. You are truly so warm and real, it amazes me. That said, I have followed you back and hope when you do have a moment, you will come check my blog out, too!!
I am a new follower and I absolutely love your blog. Your posts about beautiful Apple have moved me to tears, I'm looking forward to sharing some more special moments with you and your family.
thesmalladventureblog@hotmail.co.uk
What a fantastic idea! Having a place to "start" as a new reader and get to know you and what your intentions are for your blog was really great. I look forward to following along with you.
Your newest follower,
Jamie
http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/
I just found your blog tonight through Cara Loren's blog and I absolutely love it! (Duh, so does everyone else who have found your blog!) I want to thank you for being so real and open. I recently started a beauty/style blog and it's hard to get so personal talking about how to curl your hair, ect. So my "word" for 2013 will be "Inspire". I want to inspire others to be the most beautiful they can be, inside and out. So that will force me to be as real as you have been on your blog! So thank you for that and I will check back often to see what more you have to say!!
Kiss, kiss doll!
Princessa.Guthrie@blogspot.com
i am instantly in love with your writing from this post.
its so real and honest, and i love that!
Thank you. Thank you for being real. I am new to blogging, and though technically I have had a blog for a couple years, I've only recently had a true desire to dive into it – and I've struggled with that. I've struggled with really truly just being me. Or maybe it's not that I struggle with being myself, just sharing who I am at a deeper level. You have inspired me. God bless you and you're family. Your kids are angelic.
ahhhhhhhh a sweet breath of fresh air. A real woman in blog land with real PLASTIC toys on her floor, mismatched pyjama clad kids and the guts/ confidence to be real about it.
respect, m'lady.
I'm joining you in being real, honest and open here is blogdom.
so nice to meet you
xo em
i've been reading you forever and i am glad I got to meet you again. i love your story and you are inspiring me to just tell my story and share my passion and writing with fear
Beautiful Family and pictures. Glad I came across your blog. Your honesty is inspiring.
love this post and how you aren't ashamed to show what a real and good mama looks like! just started following and will continue reading for inspiration at my newbie blog simplegifts.
I was reading through several other posts. I just love this space you have here. It's so nice to come across a real mom blog. Refreshing! I feel so inspired to keep telling my story. my perfectly imperfect story.
I just came across your blog. Everything I have read thus far has touched me. The way you share the simplest moments are beautiful. I'm touched and excited to see into your families world. It's always so nice to connect to someone no matter how it might happen.
I just came across your blog. I'm not even sure how at this moment and I've not really gotten farther than your "start here"…but already I am impressed. I'm impressed because I have had some pretty big set backs within the last five years and some days, a lot of days, I look at the amazing, AMAZING women on the blogs I read and think "what in the world am I doing wrong?" And I'm sure (I hope!) I'm not doing anything more wrong than anyone else. Just sometimes I only seem to focus on the bad things in my life…and blogs tend to show just the good. Thank you for the refreshing realness!!
Hi! Congrats on your blog! Your kids are so beautiful and happy!! The potos are great, the food, the moments, the art, your thoughts, really inspiring! Hugs from Argentina!
super excited to find you and be a new reader xxx
Wow, I just love this post. It makes me want to 'find myself' as a blogger – to write everything…not just the good bits.
So glad I found your blog through Allison over at PinkLouLou.
I stumbled upon your insta and clicked the link. Must've been happenstance. I am a new mom, artist at heart and working in the business world. All this equates to a current career crisis. I've been toying with the idea of reviving my blog and taking on a new artistic venture. After reading just two posts, it is comforting to know I'm not the only one going through a bit of a rough time and in the midst of making tough decisions. I appreciate the raw honesty of your posts very much. I look forward to reading more. THANK YOU
This is so lovely!
http://gingefringe.blogspot.co.uk/
Beautiful! So happy to have found this blog & looking forward to future posts!
-Vicky @glama_mama
I just found you, your family, and your lovely little space today through someone talking about your husband's newest project on bloggers. I am so enthralled by your writing, your honesty, and your viewpoints that I just can't seem to stop learning more about you all! I am beyond excited to follow your life's journey even farther and get to know more about you guys.
"God literally gives us some of the desires of our hearts." That. That right there gets me. It's so raw and so true and so moving! I just love it. God is amazing and he truly has us in the palm of his hand- molding us into what HIS plans are for our lives. It's unfailing love in the most real way.
Thank you for sharing everything!
lOVE your blog. love that you are staying true to you. it is hard to find bloggers that are real so thank you!
loved this so much! such a good reminder. i'll admit there have been times when i kicked that giant pile of laundry out of the picture or worn high heels for a picture and then changed into flats for church. i really appreciate your honesty and your writing!!
I just stumbled on your blog and I love it! You're such a genuine believer and too often that's hard to come by! Thanks for sharing with us and encouraging us to keep it real!
Casey, I cannot find the words. This post is beautiful. I really should have started here. Thank you for sharing.
LOVE your blog so much! And just so you know…your blog is one of those blogs that inspires me, is beautiful and has those amazing pictures. Thank you so much for sharing.
Love your blog Casey! xo Cute family!
Showered With Design
The perfect post for where I'm at right now. Just what I needed to hear. Thank you.
Newest reader & follower, so excited to follow along!!!
So happy I found your blog! You have such a beautiful family!
So happy I found your blog. You have such a beautiful family. Stay blessed!
Christina
Beautiful post!
God plants desires in our hearts. I believe that. 100%.
heart warming, your situation is like mine, and it is what I'd like to achieve with my blog too.
inspirational, thank you! xx
http://it-is-sweetchili.blogspot.co.uk/