I noticed yesterday that my blog was receiving three times the usual number of visitors and because my inquiring mind wanted to know, I did a little investigating to find out where the traffic was coming from. I was led to a French website and a blog post containing a couple of my photographs (taken without my knowledge) along with what I think was meant to be a review of sorts. Being curious, I copied and pasted the text into google translate. The translation wasn’t great, but enough for me to get the impression that the words were meant to be flattering, but flattering in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. The article had been shared numerous times on facebook, and then there were comments as well. I should have just closed the site at this point, but instead I started copying and pasting comments into the translator, afraid of what I might read, but wanting to know. Most people commenting were not reading my words here because my blog is in English (although I did add a button in my sidebar today so that it can be translated now.) They were simply looking at my photographs, and forming opinions about me and my family which feels terribly unfair whatever the opinion formed is. Again, the translations that I obtained weren’t perfect, but I think I was able to get what people were saying. Many had nice things to say, although false assumptions based on my photographs were numerous and made me feel like a fraud. I do enjoy photography and of course my favorite subject is anything surrounding my family and nature, not because I want to “show them off” but because I love them. However, “Lovely and inspiring” photographs do not translate to the perfect life being lived by the “perfect mother” on the other side of the lens. I’ve made my share of apologies to my children during this week alone. One commenter noted that I obviously have a very large home amongst other luxuries (there are eight of us in 1500 square feet, and to get a needed second vehicle my husband is trading labor for a car because we can’t afford a car payment. We’re pretty ordinary.)
There were lots of negative comments criticizing me for painting my life as perfect, for sharing what is unattainable by most, and refusing to show the “runny noses.” I was accused of staging my life for this blog (Precisely what I enjoy taking photos of and sharing here are the real moments that make up a day. I am just good at grabbing the camera. This is why I could never be a portrait photographer. I am not inspired by staged photography. Although I do specifically take somewhat staged photos of finished objects of course.) One woman compared my family to the family of one of her neighbors: people who homeschool seven children, keep horses, and somehow drop horse dung on her property while simultaneously waking her up too early in the morning. I am not upset by these judgements because I too have been guilty of making my own judgements based on the surface, or what I choose to see. And I should add that some of the women commenting left completely non judgemental comments appreciating what this blog is meant to be and defending that. What upset me is that I could only be a spectator of this running commentary about me and my family. I couldn’t say, “But wait, we’re not all that different!” You must be registered on this site to leave a comment, and of course I don’t speak French.
I didn’t get to look any of these women in the eye and say, “Please don’t compare yourself or your life to mine. I am just a mom, like you. I am always a sinner, rarely a saint. We’ve made many a sacrifice to live the life we do, and while it may look different than yours, it is neither inferior nor superior. We are simply living our calling to the best of our ability and only by the Grace of God. I carry joy through both my good days and my bad because I know the love of my Creator, and I can literally see His love all around me: in the faces of my children, in the flowers that grow on the side of the road, in the bees flying to and from their hives. Please understand that I take and share my photos because they reflect for me the Author of life, and His gifts to me (and to you!) I share them here to hopefully make you smile, to share my joy with you, not to fill your heart with comparisons or shame.”
But you know, then there would be those who would simply discount me as a religious lunatic. That’s okay with me. I don’t come here to preach, but when things get personal, I can’t remove my faith from my response.
I accept that keeping a public journal opens me up to judgement of all sorts. I have to either be okay with that or quit sharing here. I hate the thought of someone visiting this place and walking away discouraged or angry. My purpose in writing this is not to say, “Poor me, I was judged.” My concern is for the mom who saw a handful of pretty photographs and looked around her and saw the laundry piled up, the kids still in their pajamas, and the handprints on the windows and made a comparison. I have those things as well. But, I am not going to start documenting runny noses, or messy rooms in my photographs. We’d all get tired of that quickly. But sometimes it’s good I think, in this strange world of blogging and online sharing, that we remind ourselves that behind the screens we are all human: flawed and frail and with feelings. We are meant to try and love each other despite our shortcomings and our failings. We’ve all got dirty laundry.
I must add that Jonny was greatly amused by all the bad translations spit out by Google Translate. While he wasn’t bothered by the comments themselves, he feels slighted that the words, “handsome husband” never appeared. “That’s just low.” “It’s mean,” he says.
updated to add: The author of the original post on the French blog contacted me with an apology for taking my photos without permission and also for the way the comments turned, which obviously was out of her control. She was very kind and offered to make amends in whatever way I chose. (Her kind words were enough.)
Anyway…Do you want to see what we’ve been working on around here? Okay.
The bathroom has moved from the being ripped out phase to the being rebuilt phase. This could take awhile.
I am almost finished with Larkspur’s Bulle.
I am on track with my Winterwoods Sampler.
And, I made Silas some new pants. I’ve got a second pair cut out as well.
(The fabric is from the Moda Kasuri line. The pattern is from Handmade Beginnings
It’s amazing what having a house in chaos can do for my crafty productivity. While I am not about to show off our messy house, here’s what our front porch looks like right now.
And now I will close this “too serious for my taste post on what is supposed to be my lots of fun blog.”
Thank you, all of you who are able to visit this place and appreciate what I share here. I appreciate you all more than I can say.
HAHAHAHA! I’m sorry, but your life has never seemed perfect to me. Yes, you take pretty pictures, though. I read here partly because you do a lot of the things I’m interested in such as chickens and bees and gardening. And because we have some stuff in common, like children and homeschooling and faith. But mostly I read here because Beatrix is hilarious.
Oh you have me laughing too. Yes, Beatrix is the best thing about this blog. Is it okay for me to say that? She really is such a character though.
Hello,
I am French, and every day, I go to see this website you talk about. And I commented the yesterday’s post, and I talked about the “runny noses”. This was just an ironic notice and the exact translation is “don’t worry, her children also have runny noses”.
Some people like your blog, the others not, some people like your photos, the others not, some people dream about your life, the others not. And I think that it is this last point which is disturbing. At first because your life, is YOUR life, and you do not necessarily want foreign persons to project themselves in YOUR life. And because for those who dream about your life, your blog is just the reflection of what they do not make / be, and that can leave frustrations.
My final comment : En fait, son blog est chouette, et leur vie est chouette. Mais elle m’énerve parce qu’elle a la chance de vivre la vie dont elle rêve. Et ça, c’est donné à tout le monde !
Translation : in fact, her blog is great, and their life is great. But she irritates me because she is lucky enough to live the life she dreams about. And that, it is given to everybody! (Implied: It is simply necessary to give itself the means !).
Hoping to be clear enought. With all my apologizes if I hurt you.
Sincerely,
Céline
Dear Celine, Thank you so much for writing and for making the effort to help me better understand your comment. I think that there was much lost in translation, and I misunderstood some of the comments, yours included. I want to add that I don’t necessarily live my dream life, but I embrace the life I have been given with gratitude. That makes all the difference. I hope that make sense. Please forgive me if I offended you in any way. I mean only the best. Love, Ginny
I’m so happy that you are not going to stop blogging. I would feel a sense of loss if you did.
Thank you to you and your family for sharing. It inspires me to keep on keeping on.
A very good summary of what happened to you can be found at soulemama in the ‘FAQs’- her life isn’t perfect and she isn’t pretending that it is, but her blog usually shows the beautiful parts of her life.
and anyway- I remember photos of muddy, painted children on your blog! Even sharing about the bathroom disaster
I bet that the responses are coming from city folk- people who pay 2000 euros a month for a studio apartment- your house is HUGE and would cost MILLIONS if it were a Parisian house- anyway- pray for the meanies- their top tax rate has gone up to 75% which would make anyone crabby
Don’t be discouraged. People who don’t come here for inspiration and to remind themselves that it’s the little things that matter in our days just don’t get it. I love how you take the small things and make them the big things and remind us all to slow down and appreciate the little blessings in our day. And I love that I always leave inspired to try something new whether it’s making a pair of pants for my boys or trying a fun knitting pattern or pick up a new book. Thank you for taking the time to do this everyday.
Hi Ginny,
I admire the way you handled this and responded to it. It can be very upsetting, and you are very graceful and caring.
I’m probably old enough to be your mom, and I enjoy visiting here and joining in with the “yarn along” and admiring your lovely children and seeing what’s going on in your family. I homeschooled my 7 children, now have 4 grandchildren, and I still have a heart for homeschooling and large families. I’m a cheerleader too for all the inspiration and things you do.
God’s blessings to you and your sweet family,
Anne
Thank you Anne! I really debated whether or not I should even mention it. I hope I made the right decision. Thank you for your encouragement. Love, Ginny
Love your blog, and your writing, and your family. Your husband is handsome and he writes a pretty good blog post once in a while too. Perhaps you need to put some writing across your photos, which kind of ruins them for reproduction but we can still see and enjoy them.
I keep debating whether or not I should start watermarking my photos. Maybe I will at some point. I just hate to mark them up at all!
I know, but the internet is not a safe world, and you need to protect yourself, your little ones and your property. We will adjust to your photos that way, and understand.
good grief. you can’t have that many people in an average size house and be regular family without the messes and runny noses. everyone knows that. what i enjoy about your blog and your photos in particular is how you find the pleasant little snapshots of everyday life. it helps me remember to look past the dog snot, finger prints, kid messes, husband messes and even my own messes to find our own pleasant-ness….and reminds me to thank God for both.
Ginny – seeing that you have 89 comments on this post already (that I did not all read!) I think that I will be echoing the sentiment of many of your followers that you have a lovely blog and that we are happy that you are sharing so much of your life with us.
It is easy to criticize and much harder to support. . .
Just be yourself and don’t worry about critics.
Hello, Ginny
Yet another young French woman! I just want to say that you do not have to worry about the article and the comments made about your blog on the french website, they are mostly very positive. Most people admire your beautiful pictures, your knitting skills, the fabulous landscapes around your house, and the love you seem to spread around you. As for the others, well…they’re just bitter or envious.
I find your blog very nice, full of hope and joy. I’m really enjoying reading it, and I hope all this won’t make you worry more than it worths.
Thank you for what you do and your inspiring words and pictures.
PS : of course you can ask if you need a translator.
Thank you so much Anna! I was upset almost as much by the positive comments as the negative ones! I hate to make anyone feel bad because they are comparing their life to mine. We are all mamas doing our best!! I hope that I was able to share something good with at least some of those who visited from the French website. love, Ginny
Oh, Ginny. Don’t let it bug ya. It happens. Blogging is part real life, and part art form. Your children are part of your life and art. Portraying everything as you do is natural to you and to a lot of artistic bloggers. Hugs!
Ginny,
I have been reading your blog for over a year now and I think your great! 😉
Who wants to read or document runny noses and crying babies? I think most of your readers come here for your beautiful photos and for a little inspiration, we all know how it is having kids and that you put your pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.
With love
I’ve never heard that (pants on one leg at a time) phrase before! I love it!!
I just want to say that I appreciate you and your blog. When my husband asks what I’m reading and I say, the blog with the beautiful family, he knows exactly who I’m talking about. And maybe there isn’t a picture with runny noses, but I’ve seen plenty of preciously markered faces, lol.
God Bless!!
Sorry to hear your photos were hijacked and you were scrutinized by anonymous critics. I really enjoy reading blogs like yours and almost all of you blogesses end up getting criticized for not posting the dirty corners of your homes or the temper tantrums of the kids. Odd, really, because if they read enough posts they’d see those mentioned too. I find you honest, Ginny. I, like you, write to remember the great moments or how I handled the difficult ones. Not to air the dirty laundry on a public forum. Your blog is inspiring I hope you continue to find it a source of encouragement and a safe place to share snippets from your life.
Dear Ginny,
I toally love this place and you do document the not so great, as in “Bea has cut her bangs again!!!” although i have to admit her hair has been looking surprisingly in shape on the last few shots … have you been styling again to make everything look picture perfect?!! * tongue in cheek, wave , grin and funny face*
The net is full of such a lot of good but also a lot of bitching and weird stuff, no different to everyday life I guess. Still it must be worrying when pics from your site are “lifted” and posted elsewhere and for that, I can understand your concerns.
Be encouraged by what you do, your picture shots of everyday grace, the yarn along community that unites all fibre obsessed folk and hopefully your soon to be podcasts.
A keyboard hug to you
San xx
You know what? This bobbed haircut is keeping it looking pretty neat. I have to confess that I really miss the old longer scraggly hair. I am hoping to grow out those bangs she cut and then let it all get long again!! Thanks for the hug! love, Ginny
I appreciate you very much! I read you from central Europe, my English is very poor, I am learning English and else from you! Thank you for your lovely blog!
Noeh, mother of four little girls
Dear Noeh, Thanks so much for your kindness! Love, Ginny
I read in one of the blogs that :”Try not to take it personally;what people say about you is a reflection of them, not you”. And you know what, if they would try to know you, they would translate your blog with google translator, but instead they just like to imagine in their heads and they love to comment:).Anyway i would write to the French website and ask for explanation.And sorry for my english, but i also use Google Translator :)))And i agree with all your readers comments.
Oh my goodness. Well people are going to talk about whatever we do aren’t they? For my part, you’re an inspriation. I’m a mom of six and I homeschool as well. Thank you so much for sharing your life, crafts, ideas, and talents with the rest of us. I love your blog.
Stephanie
One of the things I love best about your blog is that you’re not afraid to share photos of your girls with their hair uncombed. My children regularly go out with hair that really *should* be combed, because I am forgetful like that, and your photos make me feel better about it.
Two more things: Yay! on the bathroom. Baby steps… And second, thank you for sharing those pants for Silas. I am struggling to find fabric I like for a pair (or two, or three) for Asher, and I am going to look into the line you mentioned. xo
Combed hair is over rated 🙂 I ordered the fabric from Fabric.com love, Ginny
Hi Ginny, after googling what you were talking about because I am curious and french, I just want to leave you a little note. I read the article you were talking about in French, I don’t think you need to worry about it. I am sure its upsetting when people think stuff about you that you were not meaning to convey. these french ladies did not read your blog and have just looked at the photos, which they all agree are beautiful, they don’t know much about you because they do no read what your life is about. All the negative comments were from people who even admit to be jealous. the one that made me laugh was the one who said: “I envy her because she is living her dream, I dream of that lifestyle but can’t stand chicken poop.” sums it all up for me. Most of us dream of farm living but are not willing to put up with the poop and hard work, just like most moms dream of homeschooling, but doing it is stinking hard 😉 Living your dream is often more work that just keep going on with the flow, and not making the changes necessary to live your dream ( which i feel too many french people do, I am french so I feel I can say that).
anyway I love your blog and don’t feel at all that you portraying a false image, I would much rather see the nice pics than the chicken poop, although I am sure that if I look through your blog I will find some chicken poop pictures.
much love
Léa.
You make a reference to my comment. And I’m surprised because if you are french, you should have understood that I never wrote that I dream about her lifestyle but can’t stand chicken poop ! To the conrary, it was in response to easy comments : women saying that it’s just easy to have this life with money. No, it’s not a money question. Because EVEN with money, and time enought, I (and certainly others) would never live that life !
Well, it maked you laught and it was the goal !!!
🙂 Celèse I must have mixed up the comments, sorry about that, I just read through them very quickly. I agree though, totally not a question of money, and it is silly to think that it is about money. it is definitely about lifestyle, the nice sides and the not so nice sides. Different choices.
Have a nice evening,
Léa.
Une bonne soirée également 😉
Well, now I am laughing too over all this talk about chicken poop. Thanks for clarifying! I am sorry if I misunderstood your original comment. I think that much was lost in translation. love, Ginny
Thank you for doing that Lea! I think I misunderstood some of the comments. I definitely didn’t get the chicken poop comment–I don’t think that the word chicken translates! Chicken poop on the porch is a definite downer. In our next home, the coop will not be so close the house!!
Hi Ginny,
First, I want to mention that I am a french people, so please excuse me for my english.
I have been on your website throw the same french blog that all your french extra visitors and I haven’t yet look at your photos (I will do just after writing this comment).
I want just to say you to don’t be upset about the judgement comments that you have read.
The blog that have referenced yours is displayed on the right side of a forum.
This forum deals mainly with health and children care, and this forum is very popular in France.
Lots of people that comments on the blog are anonymous and it enables them to give judgement that they will never say in real life. Some of this people likes to expose their life in a way to be pitied. Some other like to say that they are unworthy mother.
Fortunately, the silent majority doesn’t have the same behaviour.
You can have seen that there was few bad comments in regards of the number of visit from France.
As you have say, we are all parents and everyone have it’s lot of dirty laundry 😀
And now, I will look at your blog !
Don’t let them get you down. I love your blog b/c it does feel more real to me than so many others. I like your pretty photos, but I also love that your girls often have crazy hair. My girls always have crazy hair. I like seeing the projects you make. Also, don’t think that talking about your faith is always a turn off. I am a homeschooling, Catholic mama, and it is nice to see there are other people like me trying to live their faith and ideals the best they can.
How awful- Hugs your way!!! I have never found your blog to be anything less that beautiful, honest, and refreshingly positive. With my own blog (which i have mostly shut down due to time restraints) I only post positive myself. Not because I want to appear perfect, but because I dont want to be negative…or put negative things out there. I prefer to focus on the good/positive/happy parts of life.
So know that you have so many readers who love being inspired by your posts. And haters can hate 😉 but I promise they are far and few between!!
xo (from Canada)
Tara
People can be just plain mean and I never understand it. I have read your blog for quite awhile now back when you were adopting your two boys. I have loved watching your family expand and seeing all the things you do. I find peace in your blog. You give me a glimpse at another way of living and I only wish I could try it too 🙂 Blog on and don’t let the meanies get you down. I find your blog refreshing.
I find you to be refreshingly real in all your posts.
Goo and Boo.
I’ll say a prayer for you tonight. I’m sure you’ve been able to find peace with it all but I know, for me, it would take a little time.
Peace be with you!
I love your “perfect life” “unattainable by most” 😉
Gwah!
~Dawn
It is sad that they don’t read your blog. You are very honest about when things aren’t going to plan. I love the pictures and as a home educating mother with five who hardly gets to knit, you inspire me that it is possible to make time.
“seeing god’s love all around you” that’s what i get when i read, which is why i come back. i love the combination of faith and joy you exhibit amidst all that is a family.
Personally, I came here for the knitting……but I keep coming back because your life, although similar in many ways, is so very different from my own. You have six kids…I just have one. You choose to homeschool and mine will probably go to a Waldorf school (perhaps Montessori). You keep religion as a large part of your life and while we’re not riding the Atheist wagon exactly, we don’t intend to take our child to church but he’s not going to grow up a heathen, either. You live in a house and do normal things……just like any other person.
I would be tempted to request that the site in question remove content that was from your blog as it was taken without permission. I don’t know how that would work, though…
Ginny, I read your blog because your photos are beautiful and you give me great ideas. Those of us with real families know all too well the snotty noses, bickering and oft thrown-together meals that is life with a bunch of kids. Personally, I have enough of real life in my own life!! Keep doing what you do, it’s lovely 🙂
If I make little sense it’s because the kids are chatting around me loudly and I’m trying to type as I feed the toddler, because she’s just fallen off the chair. See? Real life!
I hope this doesn’t come across wrong, but I have often thought that your family was very “real”, not pretentious and perfect. And that is why I LOVE it! Because you let us see day-to-day life with its messes, but show us that there is beauty in it all.
The bathroom looks like great progress! 🙂
I am so sorry that you had to go through this! What I find strange, however, is I love that your blog doesn’t make you look like a super-human “perfect” family. I think you do such a good job capturing the beauty and perfection of the every day without lying or pretending that you never have any day-to-day troubles. Your blog is, by far, my favorite blog. Although I will admit, I think your gardening skills definitely make you super-human in my world… 🙂
Well, I think you and your family are lovely. Don’t mind those other folks!
That makes me so annoyed. Of course, people spout their opinions all the time without adequate knowledge, so it is to be expected, but does not have to be accepted. I read quite a few blogs that are clearly showing only the shiny happy parts of life–which is fine, sometimes I just want to look at shiny happy pictures and pretend I can also have a shiny happy life. But I read your blog, absorb your photos and adore your family because you are real (and so very talented!) and you are inspiring. My life is miles different than yours–I am a working mom in Corporate America with a stay at home husband. One child with a second on the way…but at the same time, what my husband and I strive with for our family is not that different from what it seems like you are striving for. And your posts and your photos show love, and effort, and creativity built into each and everyday. And you are honest! You have a real family, once that inspires so many of us in so many different ways. Thank you for that, and don’t change a thing!
this is beautiful. your husband is very good looking. 😉
People can be so mean! I love your blog & anyone who’s been following you for any length of time knows that you offer a glimpse into your real life… Not your glossy staged life. Over the years you’ve shared your highs & lows in an honest manner. That’s why I’ve stuck around because this is real, not perfect!
I think anyone who reads a blog and expects a fair view of the life of the person writing is in the wrong. Unless a blog is written under “anonymous”, we can never say what we really feel or air our dirty laundry online- that’s just not right or healthy to do so. We write some of our true feelings, and we may post some real photos, but almost everything is chosen to show our best and we shouldn’t be ashamed! It’s just what bloggers do. We show all our projects, our kid’s accomplishments, and the fun things we did with our family, but never will a person get a full view of that person’s life by looking those things.
I’ve learned long ago to stop looking longingly at those people who post these amazing things they do with their children and think that they must be constantly doing these things at home. It’s not realistic. Not that you only post these things, but it’s a common assumption that if you post one thing, you must do that all the time.
Also, I think some people can’t handle the fact that other people can be good at things that they are not. It’s a jealous/insecurity issue. These people should not be reading blogs to begin with! The fact that you are a talented photographer and knitter and a genuinely sweet person and a great mother probably doesn’t help your cause.
Love your blog Ginny! Your pictures speak to me in deep way….thank you for sharing your pictures and life online. Simply beautiful.
Renee
oh, i meant to ask… what pattern did you use for silas pants? for the first time EVER i made a couple of simple skirts for my daughters. it was so exciting. i was thinking fiona might need some pants and maybe sewing some up from the scraps from her skirts would be cute. 🙂 thank you
It’s the quick change trousers pattern from Handmade Beginnings. It’s a great pattern! I think I first saw them on Amanda Soule’s blog.
thank you! i am going to have to see if i can get a hold of a copy of that book.
I love reading your blog. I homeschool my 4 in suburbia on the otherside of the world to where I call home. I come to your blog to encourage myself and inspire me to take my kiddos outside more. Thankyou for your beautiful pictures and words, as you said, if I wanted to see laundry piles I need just look around my own home 😉
Ginny,
I love your blog and as a mom of two and even though I love them dearly I read blogs to escape runny noses and laundry baskets and have a me moment to myself so thank you for not including pictures of runny noses and laundry baskets!!
Amy
I’m pretty amazed that you have been judged like this, although I guess I shouldn’t be because many people like to judge others. This is one thing that I love about your blog, is that it is so honest and you never try to paint the perfect picture. These people must have really jumped to conclusions without properly translating your blog because you have spoken many times about the trials and tribulations of your life without getting too into detail as that is your personal business. I hope it didn’t get you too down because I love reading your blog, it’s my favorite by far. Have a good day!
PS. good luck with the bathroom remodel. Silas is adorable in his red hat and new pants.
Thank you so much! Your words are so encouraging to me! love, Ginny
Ginny, you said it all so perfectly, and I hope people who made assumptions about you will realize that there’s more to your (anyone’s, for that matter) life than the eye can see. I, for one, never felt like you don’t put enough real life into your blog. In fact, I often find it refreshing that you write about some of your struggles and challenges as well (by the way, hello from another tight space dweller – 6 people in 1050 sq ft 2-bedroom house :). And as for photos, well, I myself feel inspired to grab the camera only when I see something beautiful or inspiring, that’s just who I am…
I don’t update my blog regularly, mostly when I feel like it, and there are times when I don’t write for weeks in a row, either because I’m too busy living my life, or because I’m in the midst of a low, which I don’t necessarily want to document and put on display, because I try to keep my blog as *my* positive space. I may mention some of those experiences later, after I’ve had time to process them, and when I can actually laugh at them. I am sure if I tried to document the goods and the bads as they happen, I wouldn’t want to read my own blog, because it would leave me feeling depressed 🙂 Besides, sometimes it’s just plain hard to notice good things if you don’t try to pay attention to them, so when I write about my happy moments, it’s just my way of noticing the blessings in my life and being more grateful for them…
Olya, When you do update your blog, it is always so lovely! I am always excited to hear from you. Thanks for what you wrote here. I appreciate it. Love, Ginny
If they saw your life as perfect, then they’re not seeing the pictures you post. Yes, they are sweet pictures, you have a lovely life and family, but you post *real* pictures of kids in the country, playing in mud and climbing trees, making messes in the kitchen–you know, life.
Perfect Life pictures would be a styled house, (not getting a bathroom ripped up!) with kids in ironed clothes, and not a hair out of place.
Phooey on them.
I feel blessed to have wandered into your blog world about a year ago….I’m a grandma to 7, but in many ways I have added your little ones (and several other young mamma’s kiddies!) to my caring world. I’m a (mostly) silent cheerleader for all the amazing things you do, the inspiration you provide, and the beautiful photos you share. Hugs and blessings to you!!!
I’m sorry you had to read means things about you! Ignore them! I love your blog. Love every bit of it. It’s honest and you choose to focus on the good and beauty. They gotta be out of their mind to think any household with small children are so call “perfect”. But you know, Ginny, your life is so beautiful. With the good and the not so good and the work and the mess. It’s full of life as it should be. God Bless you and your family. Keep living and loving. thank you for sharing your pictures, your patterns and your stories. HUGS TO YOU !
xo
Sonya
Your blog is always inspiring in that it reminds me to look for the beautiful in my life and my family.
By the way, your handsome husband is making great progress on that bathroom! Looks great:)
Ginny–too bad that some people are just waiting for the opportunity to judge and criticize what they don’t know. I hope you feel the support of all of us who LOVE seeing your beautiful pictures and reading your inspiring words. For me, who is, most of the time, feeling like I’m drowning in the sea of being a mom of two and trying to hold down a job, house, marriage, etc, your blog posts often remind me of what’s really important–the “small things”. Finding those moments of beauty and delight and capturing them in time, in our hearts, and carrying them with us. That’s why I keep coming back for more. I need constant reminders, and yours are so lovely and inspiring. Thank you! 🙂
I love you Katie!!!