why do you blog?

A few months ago, we opened up registration for our latest project – The Blog Class. Ryan and I developed the class for those who dreamed of writing their own blog, but didn’t know where to start or how to do it. We wanted to use the knowledge and tools we’ve learned over the past several years to enable others to use their voice, their experience, their life and share it publicly on a blogging platform.

We are two months into this and by far my favorite part of helping others learn to blog is seeing the blogs they create and reading their stories.

Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Keri of kp spaces.  This is her new pretty blog:

kp spaces is a design blog, with great decorating ideas, resources and interior design advice, among other things.

A few days ago, I was taking a look at her site answering some technical questions and was so touched by her post that day.  She has graciously allowed me to repost for you to read:

This is my son Gideon. He is my 6 month old son. He has never been to my house. I’ve never pushed him in a stroller. I’ve never fed him a bottle. He has been in the hospital every single day since he was born. And every day he has fought for his life.

Last summer I found out I was pregnant with what I thought was my second child. My first ultrasound revealed that there were two babies growing inside me. Doctors knew from the beginning that there was something terribly wrong with” Twin A”. He had a large cyst growing on back of his head and bi-lateral clubbed feet. We tested for down syndrome, trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. All of these tests were negative. Doctors’ also discovered that my cervix was extremely short, and that I was at high risk for going into preterm labor. At 21 weeks pregnant, I was admitted to the hospital to try to save my pregnancy. I was put on hospital bed rest, but given no guarantees by the medical staff that my pregnancy would last much longer. I laid there for two months hoping and praying that my babies would be ok. And at 29 weeks and 4 days I went into labor. The doctors tried their best to stop it, but it was Gideon who was ready to come and nothing was going to get in his way. I had an emergency C-section and Gideon Robert and Jude Calvin made their grand entrance. Jude just thrived in the NICU. He turned from a scrawny 3 and half pound peanut, to a chubby, happy tank of a baby. But Mr. Gideon struggled from the get go. Along with his lungs being severely premature, we found out he had heart condition, and water on his brain. For months we have watched him grow and overcome so many of his challenges. This past week doctors placed a shunt in his head to drain any excess fluid from his brain into his belly where it can be absorbed. This surgery was necessary for him to survive, but putting someone as sick and tiny as he is under anesthesia is extremely risky. Although the surgery went well, he is struggling to recover.

I am so in awe of this little man. I am humbled by his willingness to fight every day for survival. His strength gives me strength. I don’t know if Gideon is going to live 5 days, 5 years, or 50 years. But his mama is going to be there with him every step of the way.

So why am I writing a design blog when I am going through ALL OF THIS?? I totally get it that lamps, rugs and paint colors are pretty much bottom of the barrel as far as what is really important in life. But what is important to me is finding an identity for myself through this difficult time; an identity that has nothing to do with hospitals, or MRI’s, or bad news, or uncertainty. It’s my way of telling myself, “You are more than your current circumstances”. To you all it’s just design, but for me it’s survival.

As I share my passion for interior design, I promise to keep you updated on Gideon. He’s not giving up, so neither am I. Give your kids an extra snuggle today. Man, they are all such little miracles.

xoxo,

KP

I am so touched by Keri’s perspective during this time in her life.  Lamps and rugs are meaningless in comparison to her baby’s sweet life, and yet, sometimes lamps and rugs are just what we need to talk about to make it through another rough day. Something pretty to lift our spirits. A simple DIY project to remind us we can accomplish a tangible goal today. I’m not sure what it is about our desire to admire and create beauty, but it sure is healing, isn’t it?

We all blog for different reasons. Some because it is our job, others because it is our hobby, and still others who do it to find our identity in the midst of chaos.

That is what I love about blogging. If we allow, it opens doors to help us become a better version of ourselves. To share our lives, however imperfect; to share our accomplishments, however insignificant; to share our passions and find others who share them as well.

We all blog for different reasons.

What is yours?

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To learn more about how to start your own blog, please visit www.theblogclass.com

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