Layers of Cake: Motherly Law’s 2nd Anniversary

The Icing

I used to be funnier. At least that's what my mom told me. And it's true...kind of. Let me clarify. I'm still funny {I am}, but my posts are not as light, fluffy and funny as they were when I first started out here two years ago.

Two years ago, I launched Motherly Law. Two years ago, I shared anecdotes about my life as a mom of two young boys as I provided information about legal issues that affect families. My tales were light and funny coupled with information that is not always so light and certainly not funny like family law, estate law, consumer safety issues and the like. Two years ago, I stuck to a strict schedule of posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I didn't dare diverge from my path. Two years ago, I began building an audience from people I knew.

Things Change

Today, 535 posts later, there is not a schedule, and I don't know most of the readers. Today, I post often; as many as 7 days a week. Today, I allow myself to write what I feel and what inspires me and interests me, even if it doesn't have to do with the law or family. Today, I write from the heart. My heart is not always full of funny stories. Sometimes, my heart is broken; sometimes my heart is sassy; sometimes my heart is giddy; sometimes my heart is joyful; sometimes my heart is contemplative; sometimes my heart asks questions; and sometimes my heart has answers.

Two years ago, I wrote what I thought readers would like. Today, I write for me and hope my audience understands where I'm coming from and perhaps have just been where I'm going. Two years ago, I wanted to inform parents about a variety of issues that keep me up at night and might be keeping them up too; today, that wish remains the same.

The First Layer of Cake

And yet, few things have remained the same in the past two years. One year ago, my family and faith were rocked when Will became unemployed. An already snug budget cinched even tighter. The pressure for me to keep our family above the rising water became immense.

My heart was heavy and tired and frustrated and desperate. Last summer, our family was saddened and angered by a brother's divorce. In the last few months, my family has been hurting for my cousin fighting cancer. I have not been feeling so light and fluffy.

However, not every turn has been down. It has been a year of learning, making the small things count, finding blessings and being thankful in the face of adversity. We have been building our lives, our marriage, our family and our faith on a rock solid foundation and these things cannot bring us down. We have {almost} nowhere to go but up now.

I have been writing my way through this difficult year. And you all have stood there with me, holding my hand, patting my back, crying tears of joy and sadness with me. And for that, I am so thankful to have begun building these relationships two years ago.

Defining Motherly Law

Two years ago, I had no idea where Motherly Law would go, how far it would go, whom it would reach or how it would be received. And today, I still don't have the answers to those questions. There are days that I hate the burden of "having to" write these posts and contemplate putting down the pen for good, but most days I love having a space to share dreams, stories, fears, tips, legal issues and paranoid thoughts with all of you.

Two years ago, I didn't think twice about using my phone while driving. In fact, I did it almost every time I got behind the wheel. It was a chance to talk while my little guys were firmly restrained in their car seats. I had no idea that I would become a staunch advocate of stopping distracted driving and bringing awareness to the dangers of using cell phones while driving.

And yet, last March, this very topic took me to New York to be a panelist discussing how to stop young people from driving with distractions because of my passion for these issues. I know that a number of my readers have changed their ways due to my diligence in presenting information and statistics to my readers. I am proud to say that my distracted driving pieces rank high with the search engines and are read on a daily basis even after being posted many weeks, months or even almost two years ago.

Two years ago, I didn't give much credit to my Motherly Advice piece each week. My intention was to add a bit of levity and brevity to the week's posts on heavier legal issues. And yet, the weekly appearance of Motherly Advice has become a greatly loved feature by the readers and much to my surprise, to me, as well. It's one of the few things that haven't changed with the exception of moving from Friday to Saturday. Who knew this would be the case?

The Scoop

There are few things I know for certain; one is that I do love to write {and I think I get better with each passing year}; another is that life will continue to have ups and downs and I will be here writing about the highs, lows and mid-points of being a woman, a mom and a wife; and I'll continue to seek out answers and information regarding legal issues and consumer safety issues that you might find helpful and enlightening as you navigate your way through parenthood and life for as long as I have something to say.

Two years ago, when I began writing here, 2010 was like the top of the cake, light and sweet and fluffy; the icing. The last year, 2011, was the first layer of cake; rich and dense, dark with bittersweet chocolate. I don't know how many layers this cake has or what flavor each layer is, but as the year passes by, the layer will be revealed. Here's hoping it's a delicious cake made up of many layers and a number of flavors and fillings. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[TLM]

I am so thankful that you decided to start writing a blog two years ago! I have so very much enjoyed reading your posts! Not only is it a close contact with you each day, but I have learned and grown from them as well. I don't know what I would do if the posts weren't there for me to read and "connect" each day! You have done a wonderful job of this and I look forward to many more anniversaries!!

[Barbara Ball]

You are so right-on. Life is so up and down and sometimes feels useless but when you are connected to God and try to live by His standards, to love Him and our brothers and share Christ then life has so much meaning and purpose. We find that His thinking is so much higher than ours and what is important is revealed to us. Love you dearly and love reading your posts. It always gives me food for thought.

[Heidi]

Very well said. We love that you write from the heart. Keep on keeping' on!

[Beth Reynolds]

What a gift your have for writing! We all live in a world full of highs and lows with many of the lows so low it is hard to rise above them. God is always right there with us providing that hand to grasp and hang on. I love reading your blog, and I know you have bless a multitude! Love and kisses to the loves of your life and to you!