two years

I am still a normal girl with insecurities, hairy arms and occasional bouts with hemorrhoids. I am afraid of butterflies and wear only white socks. I love being a mom, except when I have to take my sons with me to the grocery store or mention Santa's cell phone number in March. and on most days, I'd rather do some coloring than my writing practice.

it's been two years now since I started this blog, and it hasn't always been easy. yet I hope that this little place of mine has reminded you to delight in the little things, find beauty in your every day life. that it has comforted and made you laugh at times, and encouraged you to keep writing and creating through the most boring, stressful and confusing circumstances.

my mentor recently told me that God takes pleasure and great joy when I am most being myself, when I fully embrace all that I am. and I realized that it's something I'm often incapable of. so thank you. thank you for calling me a good mother every time I mistake my failures, guilt and fears for what I am. thank you for calling me a writer and help me accept this fact. thank you for delivering compounded quantities of support and kindness every day. for allowing me to connect to your lives. and for calling me your friend.

Comments

[kristen]

Your blog and words Irene, are my pleasure and I'm always inspired and lifted when I come here. And I'm hoping that soon, we'll get to meet each other in real time. xo

[meredith]

I am so glad I found your blog:) Happy Blog Anniversary!

[Vanessa]

Hard to believe it's been two years. Happy Anniversary, Irene!

[Hundred and one]

...and thank YOU for sharing your life with us. I may not comment all the time but I visit everyday. You blog has been and is such an inspiration to me. Here's to another two years!

[beautiful mess]

i'm so glad to be able to read your words, Irene. you always make me think, make me grateful, make me happy, make me inspired. thanks for sharing your life with us.

[another carol]

Congrats on your blog-iversary, what a beautiful, beautiful family.

[tanyetta]

beautiful! i looooove the photo of you and the boys :)
p.s. darrin comes home in less than 2 weeks! woo hooo :)

[gigi]

irene - i think you were my first commenter (or almost) ever, and you inspired me to dip my toe into this blogging arena. it meant a lot! i really very much enjoy your writing, perspective and photography. Happy 2 years!

[la vie en rose]

tears...tears...tears...

thank you for blessing my life with your honesty, your humor, your creativity, your photography, your writing, your beauty...thank you...

[laurie]

happy happy anniversary irene. and thank you for all your kindnesses -- love on thursdays, clever self-portraits, handsome boy portraits and all the cute little things on your website. i'm always grateful to see a new "momster" post. keep up the lovely work.

[Waya]

What a beautiful photo to treasure! I'm so glad to have found your blog via Blogging Baby!! Thanks for your tips for making me a more daring blogger Irene! You don't know how much your reply to my email meant. I hope to meet you some days!!

[Simply Me]

It's blogs like yours that helps soothe me on a bad day and inspires me. Thank you for your generousity in sharing.

[mamatulip]

Now that's a milestone! Congrats! :)

[Nicole]

Wow! I'm late to the party.

Wait a second... I am the party!

Happy Blogiversary. Y'all are bee-yoo-tee-full!

[jenny]

oh irene, i think He takes pleasure in you automatically because you exist!

xoxo.

[Tessa]

I'm a nam-shi~!

[Linda]

I love your blog and I love your writing. I can't believe you would ever doubt that you are a "writer". I earn my living from words and I can't craft them one iota as well as you.

All the very best to you and your family.

[Kat]

Thank YOU, dear Irene.

[Jenny G]

Thank you and thank God for you~~~I am so happy and blessed for our friendship and soooooo proud of you, your blog, and your beautiful life; they really inspire me to live mine more beautifully.

[Cindy]

You have the BEST mommy blog of all!

Irene, you write so beautifully that we can all identify with you and share the same emotions and thoughts of this rollercoaster ride called Motherhood! : )

Hugs to you and your family.