a lifestyle blog about motherhood, intention, whimsical moments, and wellness
some fav pics from 2012 & blogging in 2013.
If you have followed me for awhile you know that I have a mentor.
She is absolutely amazing and has walked along side me through many many decisions and many many things- ” real life” things. She is incredible and recently did a post about “rethinking blogging for 2013”.
I love it and I think it is good to refocus at the beginning of the New Year. I started this blog “CaseyLeigh” 2 years ago this time. It started as one of many New Year’s resolutions. Ironically the first blog that I ever found, loved and followed- Take Heart just this week said:
” in case i haven’t convinced you to start a blog yet… start a blog. i promise it is the best new year’s resolution for you this year. it could be private, it could be public. you could write once a day, once a week, or once a month. one person could read it, or one million people could read it. the important thing is that you tell your story. the important thing is that you don’t forget. the important thing is that you wrote it all down so your kids can read it all one day. the important thing is that you share what you’re passionate about.”
Love this. Yes. Tell your story.
Just even looking back through pictures from 2012 to share in this post, I was so grateful that I had documented everything. I loved reading back through what I was feeling on a certain day and what our family had done that week.
I often get emails saying things just like this:
One thing that I struggle with on my blog is being open and true to myself (I’m working on it but it’s hard to not feel like I’ll get judged)
My advice is- I do get judged. There aren’t always nice things said.
and that’s hard.
and that’s hard.
But the truth is people need to hear our stories. Our voices and heartaches and stories being shared help people. When I wrote about losing our baby, at the time, it was an outlet for me. I was just writing to get through the emotions. To process.
I had no idea that over a year later I would still get daily emails of women walking that road.
I had no idea how much it would help other women feel less alone.
I love to write. I love to connect with people.
Blogging is such a beautiful opportunity to do both.
Then as I went to hit publish on this post an email came in (made a few changes to the names to keep it anonymous)…
“I just want to thank you for your sweet blog posts under Loss. I used to read everything you wrote. I had 4 kiddos, love art and just loved everything about your style. Then we lost our 11 year old son. For the last 6 months I haven’t read anything. Until tonight. I got reading your family blog and have never felt such truth. As if you could know what I was thinking and put it in words. It felt good. Thank you for pouring out your heart. What a blessing.”
Knowing my words could help just one person blesses me so much.
You get to leave a “footprint”… what footprint do you have to leave?
It can be anything. God has gifted everyone with talents and passions. We all have stories.
Share it.
I had no idea how much it would help other women feel less alone.
I love to write. I love to connect with people.
Blogging is such a beautiful opportunity to do both.
Then as I went to hit publish on this post an email came in (made a few changes to the names to keep it anonymous)…
“I just want to thank you for your sweet blog posts under Loss. I used to read everything you wrote. I had 4 kiddos, love art and just loved everything about your style. Then we lost our 11 year old son. For the last 6 months I haven’t read anything. Until tonight. I got reading your family blog and have never felt such truth. As if you could know what I was thinking and put it in words. It felt good. Thank you for pouring out your heart. What a blessing.”
Knowing my words could help just one person blesses me so much.
You get to leave a “footprint”… what footprint do you have to leave?
It can be anything. God has gifted everyone with talents and passions. We all have stories.
Share it.
Living out your purpose.
and sharing your journey along the way.
++++++++
( something going on with my linky tools tonight// just leave your post in the comments if you were wanting to share one)!
January 4, 2013
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beautiful post and beautiful pictures. you inspire me daily and I am so glad to call you a sister in Christ.
Tonight, I've been struggling with sharing about loss on my blog this next week. My heart is ready to share. Thanks for sharing this post. Encouraged me.
I really needed to read this tonight. I started blogging 2 years ago as well and have gone through different periods with my blog. But I agree. Better to be open and honest, staying true to yourself, learning as you go. Latest post on the blog… http://annapolisandcompany.com/2013/01/christmasey-clips/
This is such a beautiful post—and absolutely beautiful photos. My favorite is the 8th photo from the top. Gorgeous.
I just started a blog–It was my new year's resolution for 2012–and I started it right after Christmas! Thank you for your honesty and for encouraging others to be honest and raw in what we post. Blessings to you. I am a fairly new follower and I look forward to reading more.
http://seventeenperth.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-first-official-post_26.html
Oh what an incredible thing… To just touch a single person! You have inspired me Casey in so many ways… To be true to myself and honest is one of them. Thank you for that.
Post from me this week on looking to the future with my sweet babies!
http://justdawnelle.blogspot.com/2013/01/daydreaming-about-future.html
Love you my friend!
Dawnelle
I love this post for so many reasons! I love coming and reading your blog, I read it daily and have for quite some time. I admire you for sharing your heart and you inspire me to continue to do so on my blog and encourage me to do better at sharing my heart, it's actually a goal of mine this year! Thank you for being you.
My post for the week: http://yourloveishome.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-word-for-2013.html?m=1
ahhh…. sweet girl, I don't even know where to begin.
as always you hit something in me, one about being judged. It's always hard getting hate mail and makes me (lately) rethink blogging.
I have to come back to myself and why I started doing this. It's an outlet. for me.
thanks friend
http://twothirtyfivedesigns.blogspot.com
Your pictures are SO beautiful! I was going to link up this post about god turning my misery into my ministry.
i just love your photos! and i love the thoughts you share here. i just wrote a post for monday about living dangerously, and how that means using my blog for His glory and His kingdom. sharing my story for that reason comes with so much vulnerability, but i believe if what i'm seeking is His glory and not my own, that risk will be multiplied into blessings, for myself and for others. and that's more than i could ask for out of a collection of words about me and my small story.
Casey your words always touch me and pull on my heart strings…and I don't even have babies yet! Your writing style and stories are so relatable and that's what makes you a favorite of mine. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
http://www.travel-babbles.com
another great post 🙂
http://allinthedaze.blogspot.co.nz/
Your photography inspires me to improve my own, friend!I'm so thankful to you for sharing your story!
I was going to share this post.
http://allglorious-within.blogspot.com/2013/01/pearls-tunes-vol-8.html
Much Love!
You bless me and my little family with every single post. I look forward to reading your words that are straight from the heart and so often are just what I would have said myself. I am so happy that I have found you and your little family and your inspiring blog in 2012. Looking forward to all the love coming in 2013.
xo
Love this. And love you, friend. Thanks for always using this space as a place of encouragement and truth. xoxo
http://breeannbowers.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-heart.html
awesome post 🙂
http://allinthedaze.blogspot.co.nz/
Having an outlet is such an important thing. I too find writing to be the best outlet for my emotions, thoughts and feelings. It was the best outlet for me when our twins were born prematurely at 28 weeks. It was such a scary time, but being able to write it down. To have it written so I could read about it and what I was thinking and feeling has been such a blessing. And such a reminder of the struggles that make us who we are. That truly make us stronger.
xoxo
http://www.kellywestover.com/it-ought-to-begin-by-being-personal/
beautiful. your heart is so kind and generous and that makes this space such a safe and easy one to fall into, whatever place one might be in in their lives.
My recent post was so very similar, a year in review, a look at why we tell our story… http://www.localsugarhawaii.com
I love this post. It's so authentic and beautiful.
I wrote a post about the heart behind my blog, and about the actual "heart-esk" symbol in it.
http://www.nadinewouldsay.com/2013/01/that-heart-y-thing.html
glad you started blogging!! your fam is gorg!!
romantically challenged
Beautiful blog and beautiful words… I just discovered it!
http://www.azrakunworld.com
I always feel a connection, a sense of comfort, after reading your sweet words. You are a precious soul, Casey, and your words and pictures reflect just that. So thankful that you decided to blog and share part of your lives wiith us. It's beautiful, just like you! May God continue to bless you all, friend. 🙂 Hugs!
You are always such an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing your raw, honest thoughts with your readers!
May God bless you as you abide in Him in 2013…
http://www.womenabiding.com/downtime
Your of is what finally made me decide to make my blog.
The way your honesty, your story, your words heal and help people.. I want to do that. I want to be a part of this beautiful blogging commitment. This world we have created. Thank you for your light, and your soul. Thank you for guided me. I'll always love your example and your gentle ( though unknowingly) push.
Bless your heart.
Love honestly, Kiri
http://Www.greentreesredroses.blogspot.com
those pictures of you and your family are heartwarming. best wishes in the new year
http://lostintravelsblog.blogspot.kr
Thank you for always having Beautiful things to share! I love this place 😉
here is my post:
http://scrapsandthistles.blogspot.com/2013/01/house-tour-series.html
I love seeing you share your heart! I have been working on being more open…not easy for this private girl, but I know when I share things it helps someone else.
I wrote a bit about my goals for the new year here…
http://momsbalance.blogspot.com/2013/01/coffee-date-goals.html
I hope 2013 is good to all of us!
As always, you are very insightful and inspiring! xoxo
Here are some of my favorite moments of 2012.
http://www.laurenrebecca.com/2013/01/my-favorite-moments-of-2012.html
This was so inspiring to me. I started my blog about 4 month ago and I keep watching the followers number increase and my heart delights each time it does. I realize I need to stop focusing on that number increasing and just focus on sharing my story. It's not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes I'm guilty of sharing just the positive things on my blog; I want to do what you do. I want to share my raw life.
Great post!
http://www.thechattymommy.com
You are making a difference in someone's life! I love how you're open. Your posts have made me think and realize things…. Please keep posting what you do. I love your blog the way it is, and have NEVER judged!
By the way, you have the cutest kids on the planet 🙂
How lovely!
Valentina Duracinsky
totally touched my heart.
xo – heather
This Life Is Yours Blog
Love it! My heart has been full this past week(must be the new year?)! Thanks for always inspiring Casey:)
Ashley
http://www.flatstoflipflops.com/2013/01/my-heart-is-full.html
you have got to be one of the most beautiful pregnant woman I have seen! So glad 2012 was healthy for you guys!
a wonderful post and a lovely look back. I invite you to add this post to my Thursday blog hop ( its still open) xo P.S. my new giveaway started today!
you are truly amazing casey! thanks ever so much for sharing your truth with us this year…you have no idea what an inspiration you are to all of us. all the best in 2013 to the weigands!
this was such a good post! i have been struggling for a while with how to be authentic on my blog and it's hard-fear of man is definitely real for me. i easily can talk about my past of being abused by my mom with people who know me, but i still fear people thinking i am not equipped to be a mom because i have all these scars….so i'm praying about how to use my blog for the Lord's glory. your post definitely forced me to think about going back to blogging more!! 🙂
thanks for your post-it was so inspiring! growing up in an abusive home where my mom was the abuser has been a hard thing for me, especially when i became a mom. i am still struggling to find the words to talk about it on my blog, so i haven't really blogged much over the past year. this definitely made me think about the way i want the Lord to use my blog in other women's lives… 🙂
Everything you said was so spot on! You inspire me to keep going, keep sharing and to tell my truth. No matter who the naysayers are.
I wrote a post yesterday about being called out as a "bad mother." It felt so good to write about it and get it of my chest, and the support I got was amazing.
Link:
http://www.becauseofjackie.com/2013/01/criticism.html
I would love to share! Here's my post this week: http://ragstostitchesblog.com/coffee-date-friday-9/
love you!
xo
Thank you for sharing…I needed to hear that! I blogged about my One Little Word for 2013: http://thenetznest.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-one-little-word-pictures-from-our.html?m=0
Your an inspiration and one of the very first blogs I found and fell in love with!
Hugs
Nicole
http://evensparrows.blogspot.com/2013/01/friendships-that-grow-you.html
The picture of Ains feeding Apple, OMG. And the one of Ains Skyping with Chris?! Just kill me. WAY TOO CUTE.!!!
The picture of Ains feeding Apple, OMG. And the one of Ains Skyping with Chris?! Just kill me. WAY TOO CUTE.!!!
Thank you for the inspiration!
-Lindsey
wow casey. i love your openness, it's inspiring. one of my vision this year is to be open, bold and fearless to share my story.
today i want to share a post i wrote back in november, which is very dear to my heart.
http://msbabyplan.blogspot.ca/2012/11/can-she-play-piano.html
and i love, LOVE all your pictures, especially the one with apple feeding baby and kids sitting on the piano while daddy plays :)…
So inspiring, so real as always. Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful 2013. Thank you for blessings all of us with your words.
Aanika from http://www.theactivemum.com xo
Sweet Casey, your blog has been and continues to be one of my favorites. I love your heart and I love how you put your family first and foremost. Happy New Year!
theklinecrew.blogspot.com
Love you precious friend! And love your constant encouragement! 🙂
Beautiful. Thank you for blessing me.
Kelly, http://www.5onawhim.com
Your photos are so well taken. Good eye! I still have to go through mine as I want to start making little blurb books for each year so I can have physical albums of the best year events 🙂
xoxo Lorelai
seamsunbiased.blogspot.com
Started blogging this year. I love it. Thanks for inspiring me!
http://www.raisingmenfindingme.com
Aww that shot of Chris and the kids and the piano >>> soooo good. I've said it before, I'll say it again, your posts give me baby fever 😉
I love how you wear your heart on your sleeve… it's such an encouragement to me to do that more, to not be afraid to be myself. thank you! my post to link up: http://www.kenjiandjen.com/2013/01/violet-8-months.html
You are such a precious young woman…full of inspiration and using this platform the Lord has given you for His glory. The one thing I have learned after being in full time ministry 14 years is that people are not gonna always agree or even understand the desisions me and my husband make… But as long as they line up with His word and He has led us then its not my responsibility to explain every step we take to to others or try to make them see why. That is a very liberating thing and a strong anchor to sustain us when in the midst of a storm.
And you mentioned two of my favorite ladies in this post!… Danielle who I was blessed to meet and spend time with this past year who is now one of my dearest friends….and Leslie who i adore and am hoping to meet in person this year. God just continues to amaze me the way He unites hearts.
Thanks for being such a blessing Casey.. Keep doing your thing!! 🙂
What an awesome post…the pictures were wonderful!
And thank you for the inspiration to keep "telling my story", even if its only one person reading. I have so much going on but it is just therapeutic to blog.
Your blog is such a blessing!
Thanks and happy new year.
Kathy
http://carysandcharlie.blogspot.com
such beautiful photos and your heart is beautiful as well. you've encouraged me to start writing more truths. xx
These words were an encouragement to me. Thanks for sharing your heart – so so grateful
Such sweet babies – great memories captured!
I loved your maternity outfits! I hope when I am pregnant I look that good.;)
Sar
http://www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage