Social Media at it's very best!

Dear Life,

I have to admit I have a deep love and respect for Social Media.  Three or four years ago, that wasn’t the case.  I had a Myspace page…and although it was super fun to decorate….it always seemed a little immature and dark to me.  I did find a Spina Bifida support group that was very helpful….and through there I found a few friends that have carried over to Facebook, but for the most part it was just not for me.  I was very skeptical about the transition to Facebook.  I just didn’t get Social Media.  It was a few months before my 20^th (gasp) high school reunion…and my classmates were adding each other like crazy.  I added a lot of “friends” from high school….but I still wasn’t feeling the love with Facebook.  What changed my mind was when I found a support group for Spina Bifida on Facebook.  All of a sudden my little group grew…and the amount of people that understood what we were going through got bigger and bigger.  I started really feeling support…and when I had questions people answered.  There were people that had been where we were…I stopped feeling alone.  From there I started blogging again…first on Kumaka’s Caringbridge…that way people could all stay up on what was new with Kumaka.  From there I started the scary world of blogging.  I fumbled through it for a few months…until  I found my voice.  It’s evolved over time…I tried to be like others…I tried to follow what the successful bloggers were doing.  But to quote  Alissa from Rags to Stitches, “You have to be authentic to yourself.  Write about what speaks to YOU…don’t try to do what everyone else is doing.”

Pic Courtesy of Little Penelope Lane Blog

  She spoke about branding at Little Penelope Lane’s Blog Conference…she was amazing and her words reresonated with me.  I realized that I needed to write about what I was passionate about.  I realized that my mother was right all those years ago when I was a little girl….I need to be ME…and not worry about what other people are doing.  My blog has become  more about what I am passionate about…which is being an advocate...since I attended that blog conference.  Being a mother to a child with special needs has opened my eyes to the need others have to hear our stories, not to mention the big wide world of adoption.

Sofi Rose....because of her our hearts have turned to international adoption....and we have a whole new group of friends in social media. 

Facebook, blogging, tweeting, instagramming, all of this social media has opened my world.  My world is bigger…and yet more tied together. 

A group of Spina BIfida friends and family...we hooked up at the SBA conference at Downtown Disneyland two years ago.

Friends with a common diagnosis....found through Facebook!  ADORABLE!

Hannah and Kumaka at the beach.  Another Facebook friend turned dear friend in life.  Their family is also on the adoption journey...and have been a great strength to us.

 I am so grateful for the friends I have met via the world wide web. I have seen parents band together, lift each other up, guide each other, help each other.  I have seen miracles happen…most recently in our quest to adopt Sofi from Eastern Europe.  People we have never physically met are going above and beyond to help us raise money.  There is a camaraderie and a goodness that I witness daily on Facebook.  I am so grateful for this media…to allow more people into our world. 

I have seen miracles, I have seen the good in people.  Some of my dearest friends are from the internet….some I haven’t even met.  And some I didn't meet until Facebook..like the Johnson family.  We spoke online about our boys...and what happened after that was a miracle.  I invited her family to stay at our house as an in-between point when they were moving from Oregon to Arizona...(that could have been awkward...what if she was a serial killer or something!!!)Now she’s one of my best friends and her son and Kumaka are besties too!  

 Thank you caringbridge and yahoo groups for bringing these boys together! 

What about the time I was working at our local bookstore and a woman walks in as I was looking at something on Kumaka's caringbridge.  As I closed the program out I explained that I had a son with Spina Bifida and I was just updating his site when she told me about her cousin's daughter Katie.  She said her cousin Sarah has a great blog (A Hull Lot of Fun), where she talks about their journey as a family and a family LIVING with Spina Bifida...and how it never stops them from living a great life.  So I stalked Sarah on FB after reading her blog and falling in love with her family...now she's also one of my most favorite besties ever.

Sarah is a mentor, a friend, a sister.  Found her through her blog.....became friends after I stalked her on Facebook....Sisters through life experiences.  She is amazing...and her daughter Katie (who also has Spina BIfida) and Kumaka are great friends.

Katie and Kumaka at Katies baptism.  Katie and her siblings came to visit multiple times when Kumaka was down and out this year.

 And how about the time I asked Aaron Fotheringham to wear a green shirt in honor of Kumaka and post a picture for a collage I was making....and he one upped me and CAME TO VISIT him right after his surgery!!!  That was CRAZY!

Because of Facebook, Aaron Fotheringham from Nitro Circus came to visit Kumaka while he was recovering from surgery this year.

This is a collage of all the kids that supported Kumaka by wearing green while he was in his "Giant Green Cast".  Most of these kids he's never met in person...they are all friends from Facebook!

 From that friendship we met Christiaan Bailey, Pro Surfer, Skater, and an ambassador for Life Rolls On.  Christiaan is a great friend and support with our little man and his passion for helping kids stay active, and do what they dream of doing is pretty amazing. You can read more about Christiaan HERE and HERE.

Because of Aaron, Christiaan Otter Bailey found Kumaka...and now is a great example and friend.  (Also started out as a facebook friend)

This is a sampling of the blessing social media has been in our lives.

Some of my favorite people in the whole world I have met from Social Media...and I can't wait to meet you all in real life!

Thank you…..for reading…for writing…for sharing…for caring.  

A guest and a giveaway!

Dear life,

Introducing.....Sarah from  Little Penelope Lane.  She is an AMAZING lady and I am blessed to call her friend.  She is a pioneer to me...her oldest daughter has Spina Bifida like Kumaka....so I learn a lot from her.  And now...without further ado.... take it away Sarah!


Hi fabulous "Dear life...from a mom of boys" readers.  So grateful to be featured on Tracy's amazing blog.  I am so lucky and so blessed to be able to call Tracy "friend".  What a joy she is in my life.

Little Penelope Lane started over two years ago and I had no idea that it would take me to where I am now. It has been such a fun adventure and the best part has been meeting so many amazing people along the way! I enjoy making bows and hosting boutiques, however, my favorite job of all is wife and mother.  

I am married to my college crush and together we have three kids who melt my heart every day! 

Our oldest daughter, Katie was born with Spina Bifida (to read her story clickhere) and I noticed early on when I took her to all of her doctors, hospital and therapy appointments wearing a bow she received extra attention. I also noticed that other children her age would often comment about the bow in her hair first and then ask about her wheelchair second. To me, the bows seemed to be a buffer.  We always welcome the opportunity to share Katie’s story and the bows seemed to open the door to that! With two little girls, our bow collection only grew and grew! Then one rainy day two years ago, the girls and I sat down to do some crafts and and I made a bow, and then another and another! I had so much fun making them that soon after I started up “Little Penelope Lane!”  and the rest is history! 

Thanks for taking a little stroll down Little Penelope Lane! 

XO, Sarah

                       blog // shop // facebook // twitter // bloglovin’

p.s. Penelope Lane is hosting a Spring Boutique on March 10th at the Marriott hotel in Los Alamitos (north Orange County)! Featuring over 40 crafters and bloggers from all over Southern California! Boutiques are a great excuse for a girls day out! There will be a variety of different booths to shop at as well as a photo booth to take your (free) picture in before you leave! For the list of vendors and a sneak peak of some of the items that will be at the boutique click here.

Hi everyone...Tracy here again~

On to the GIVEAWAY~~~

Sarah has offered your choice of two wraps from the selection below....

And I am offering

Mini Bag Makeup Palette ($50 Value)

What it is:

An adorable little compact in the shape of a Sephora shopping bag. 

Super cute right?  Ready....set......GO!(click READ MORE to see giveaway)

Back to the number

Dear Life,

I decided to start

I need to be able to handle SOMETHING in my life...why not that. I blogged awhile back about my weight. here.

It was an ugly number. Yesterday when I weighed in it was 299. At least it's less than my original number, right? I'm really tired of not feeling pretty, of not fitting in my clothes right, of looking in the mirror and being shocked at what I see.

I really like the new program. I REALLY REALLY like that there is an app for that. You heard me right...there is an app for Weight Watchers. AWESOME, right? Makes it soooo easy! This morning I didn't eat right away because I needed to figure out what to eat first. And that was okay. I need to take a step back and think before I shovel food in my mouth!

So I've decided on a sweet goal for myself. I have to tell you all I am a little jealous of you girls that can fit into Shabby Apple dresses. THEY ARE TO DIE FOR!!!!

Red Dress with Four Ruffles and Cap Sleeves

I want one.  Maybe two.  In any case I need to lower that number to get one.  And maybe just maybe my sweet husband will let me get one if I get low enough!

So....here goes....and I really want to thank my friend Georgina and my sister who have both lost weight on Weight Watchers....and have inspired me to take the plunge (again).

PS:  I've been featured for the first time by Sarah at Little Penelope Lane!  Check her out...she's adorable and SO talented!