14 October 2011

How She Does It - Secrets from the Geneamommybloggers

beginning tomorrow, October 15, 2011. Don't miss a day! 

Over the summer I took a hiatus from all of it; genealogy, research, writing, blogging, social media, everything. The truth is that I was floundering. It began last spring, when our family schedule got busier than ever. The girls both made it to national competitions in horseback riding, one daughter was playing softball, our son was playing baseball, my husband was traveling and then we added a family member, our precious exchange daughter, Zhazgul, from Kyrgyzstan. Do you remember the secret? 


And then my beautiful friend, Suzette, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.


She had been sick with the flu and pneumonia and had been improving daily, but it seems that God had other plans for her and she left our earthly world. Losing her was tough. Missing Suzette and connecting with Zhazgul was overwhelming, but it was also a gift. Instead of wallowing in my grief, I held my loved ones closer and focused on cooking and caring for those who needed me.

All summer I kept throwing my balls in the air and trying to figure out which things I had been doing that I wanted to keep doing. Of course, I want to do it all; become a professional genealogist, help others with their own family history research, continue my education, blog, attend genealogical events and stay involved in social media communities. But, and this is a big but, not at the expense of my family’s health and happiness, at least until my kids are all eighteen and out the door. How can I do it? How can I find a balance between blogging and researching, between researching and cooking, between cooking and tweeting?

Inspired by the recent movie, I Don’t Know How She Does It, which I have not had time to see, I am hosting a guest post series, How She Does It, Secrets from the Geneamommybloggers*, here at the The Scrappy Genealogist. The successful women, who will be telling it all, are raising kids while also working in the field of genealogy, blogging about genealogy (frequently on multiple blogs) and actively participating in genealogy events and social media communities. They have graciously and generously agreed to share with us how they do it all.

For the next week, each day (or almost every day, these are geneamommybloggers after all), check back here for revelations from a different blogger. I feel so lucky to have been able to get a sneak peak of what they have to say. Their attitudes are universally uplifting and inspiring and they will make you laugh until you cry. Really, these women are that amazing! Whether you are a g.m.b. or not, you will enjoy reading about their daily lives.

Happy Friday!

Scrappy Gen
Let's Remember!


* Geneamommybloggers expression first used by Elizabeth O'Neal at Little Bytes of Life, 26 September 2008
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8 comments:

  1. Wow, I thought I had a lot going on. I am so very sorry about your friend and loosing her. You have handled that beautifully, now anyway. I have been there with the sports and kids and all, but not an added child and loss of a friend on top of that. Wonderful idea you have about the series, I look forward to it! May you have enough time and energy this winter to do what pleases you most! Hugs!

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  2. Speaking as a mom with children still at home and also being a professional genealogist I have learned there are times and seasons for all things. You can do it all...just not at the same time. Some things have to be put off for another season, some things I can do with careful planning. I just have to cherish the family living with me first and fit the family that has gone on before as I can.
    Great post and look forward to reading further!

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  3. I can't wait to read these posts. I am a homeschooling mom in the process of becoming a professional genealogist (taking courses, doing ProGen study group, and eventually going for certification), and I have an editing business. My husband is a truck driver, which means he is home 1 or 2 days a week. I often feel overwhelmed and wonder how people keep on trucking!

    Thanks-
    Angela Kraft

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  4. I am so looking forward to these posts! Like all of us moms with kids still in the house (teens in my case), I am anxious to hear how other moms do juggle it all.

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  5. First I want to say how very sorry I am for the loss of your friend.

    You're busy household sounds a lot like mine. Looking forward to reading your great series.

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  6. I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend; you have made a very wise choice in handling it. I, too, have spent the summer trying to reorganize my life and priorities (a lot of it was cleaning up, but my family and I were also simplifying our life in other ways), and life (well, mostly work) kept throwing me curve balls. I'm hoping to "come out alive at the other end" soon, and I look forward to seeing how other geneamommybloggers are doing it.

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  7. I cannot tell you how excited I am that you are hosting this series of guest blog posts. As a college student who works, is focusing on my future career of being a teacher, wants to lecture on genealogical topics, and blog - I need tips! I so often feel like I am drowning as I try to balance it all!

    I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend. Please know that I will be holding you in my thoughts and that this community will always be here to help lift you up.

    -Elyse

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  8. Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and supportive words. I need tips too and am so excited for you to read these amazing posts!! You're gonna love em!

    PS Does anyone know how I can add the ability to respond to each comment individually? That would be cool and I know a lot of bloggers do it.

    Jen

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