Before we get to the good stuff (i.e. pics of Maddie), I want to share some thoughts with all of you. I was recently sent an interesting article about the world of so-called “Mormon Mommy Bloggers.” The article was written by a self-proclaimed feminist atheist who admitted that reading such blogs was somewhat of a guilty pleasure and offered the hope that being a wife and mother could in fact be wonderful and fulfilling instead of the “soul-destroying trap” society tells women it is. (If you want to read the article, click HERE). While discussing these blogs, the article’s author indicated that such blogs had become so popular, they had even inspired a parody blog, also written by a Mormon, called So Seriously Blessed. The author quoted briefly from this parody blog, which piqued my interest …
I will admit that at first glance, this blog was mildly entertaining, jabbing at a culture we ourselves often make fun of. But the more I read/skimmed, the more I became aware of a different tone than the light-hearted teasing I was expecting, a tone filled with biting cynicism and demeaning arrogance. And the angrier I became. Which leads me to say this to that blogger – how dare you. How dare you attack people who are doing nothing more than trying to be happy? How dare you belittle women who are trying to contribute a little sliver of joy to a world wide web filled with more pornography than anything else? You have a problem with blog posts filled with pictures of kids in pumpkin patches and thrift store furniture make-overs? Fine, don’t read their blogs. No one asked you to. But at least those women are trying to contribute something to the world. What exactly are you trying to contribute?
I’m so tired of this attitude in our society. It seems like whether it’s blogs, politics or anything in between, everyone is consumed with attacking and belittling the thoughts, words and actions of others with nothing to contribute themselves. Whatever happened to the old adage of “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Society would be MUCH better off if those same people spent even a fraction of the energy they expend knocking down others on actually trying to come up with a solution or a positive idea now and then. I’ve always been a firm believer that it doesn’t do anyone any good to stand against something – we need to be standing for something, whether that’s the sanctity of marriage, the awesomeness of the Indianapolis Colts or the virtue of a bunch of Mormon Mommy Bloggers.
I will readily admit that I don’t exactly fit the bill of the MMB. I can’t afford “cool vintage dresses” and wouldn’t be able to fit into them even if I could. I’ve never seen an Anthropologie catalog and usually get them confused with Aeropostale anyway. And I’m still largely afraid of my sewing machine. But I have been inspired by these women who do their best to make their homes and families brighter and happier. And I’m grateful to them for their contribution.
Anyway, enough of that! We’ve had a pretty chill start to the new year. Jordan only has two classes this semester, which means he’s home every day by 5:30 and has Fridays completely off! Maddie and I both love it! However, just in case we were getting a little too comfortable this semester, Heavenly Father decided to throw new callings at us, me as the ward music director and Jordan on the Stake High Council - yikes! Never a dull moment in our house! As for the cute little girl, she’s becoming a cute big girl way too fast! She cut her first two teeth right before Christmas and now has six of them! I have to admit I cried a bit when the first ones came in, which surprised even me. But she’s still my baby :) She’s SOOOOO close to crawling and already tries to pull herself up on everything she can get her hands on, with me of course being her favorite support. Her personality is emerging loud and proud, which makes her so much fun! I think my favorite thing about her is how social she is. She waves and smiles at everyone she sees! She especially loves little kids, even babies she sees on commercials or in magazine pictures – she goes crazy laughing, talking and waving her arms whenever she sees other kids. I’ve seriously got to get this little girl some play dates!
I know every parent says this, which is how it should be, but we just feel to lucky and blessed to be Madison's parents. She is seriously awesome!!
No Mom, don't take the Christmas tree down!
Cuteness in the toy box
Mom, I know it's cold outside but this is a little ridiculous!
Sharing a cookie with Dad
Bowling with Grandpa Colgrove
Hey cute girl! I wanna see those teeth! I'm with you Jen it's sad and exciting when your baby grows up. I love watching Mason learn new things, but sad because that means he is growing up! He was still a baby when I left to have Hudson and by the time I got back 2 days later he was all grown up and huge! I guess that's why we have more kids! Post some pics of her teeth! See you guys soon!
ReplyDeleteJen, way to speak your mind. I totally agree with you. Maddie is ADORABLE!!!!! So fun to see you so happy and blessed!
ReplyDeleteJen, I read the article. Way too many comments on the article to put in my two cents but I'll share it with you :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that people who have criticisms to offer should also go and do something to better the world.
But I don't think the author was entirely demeaning the MMB. It felt like a debate she was having with herself. I think she is really intrigued and curious about the culture. She is drawn to it and doesn't understand why or at least doesn't want to admit that it's something she might want (probably because of her husbands "stories" of when he was a Mormon). She's trying to convince herself that it's not something she wants, so she has to argue that it can't be perfect. Granted, it isn't perfect and I doubt those blogs really portray perfection, that's probably all she sees compared to what she's going through. It's a classic case of the grass is always greener.
I do think I blog as a way of keeping a journal. It's faster, easier, includes pictures. It's funny, she didn't mention that maybe we keep blogs because it's another way of networking with our families/friends who live in other cities and states. That's why I first started doing it. That and because I don't really enjoy the amount of time/money it takes to scrapbook an adorable page and my arm gets tired recording our family life in a book journal. I mostly use those for deep personal thoughts or spiritual moments that I want to keep a bit more to myself.
I also think it gives me courage to see other moms using healthy coping methods to how hard being a mommy is. I think, well they can do it so maybe I can too.
My blog is also a good reminder of how fulfilling family life is too. When I am having a hard time with Connor/Kaitlynn I either sit down and write out a few things I love about them or I go read old blog posts that help me to refuel with memories of good times.
And of course Maddie is adorable :) Personally I love it when my babies grow up. Each stage and phase has its good stuff and not as good stuff and the stuff you really wish was over already. They seem to just get better overall though.
First--and most important!--Maddie is so cute! And ditto the comment above--each phase is the best one and you'll be sad when it's over, but you'll love each stage of life, I promise! I did not love OP's babyhood, but I've loved his toddlerhood (even though sometimes I want to rip my hair out!), but I love E's babyhood and don't ever want her to grow up! :)
ReplyDeleteSecond--Amen and amen to your comments about the constant mocking in our society. That article was interesting, but the comments (that I read) got way out of hand. I love my blog. I love to record the things that have happened. And I love to look through old posts on crummy days to remind myself how good I really do have it. It's been a treasure to have some sort of reference to go back to now with baby #2, to see that I did survive baby #1 and to remind myself of what's coming next. If that makes sense.
I love other blogs, but I really appreciate ones that keep it real, so I tend to skip those that are always sunshine and roses. Because that's not reality. But, sometimes, you need sunshine and roses to remind yourself of why what you're doing is so important. :)