I Will Never Forget the Other Side of Motherhood

I have resisted the idea of Mommy-Blogger. I once went to a conference, having no idea how deep and wide the Mommy Blogger identification went, I was bombarded  overwhelmed by them.  

But now, I am a mom. No getting around that. 

I think mom thoughts, like how if we have a girl she won't date til she's 32. 
I feel mom feelings, like how love is showing up in quantities I didn't know existed.
I see mom sights, like this adorable stroller I will kill for. 
And so on. 

But I will also never forget the other side. 

I will never forget what it feels like to read someone's pregnancy announcement and cry tears of joy and longing in the same flow. 

I will never forget what it feels like to see my ugly crying face in the bathroom mirror because my period came, once again. 

I will never forget what it feels like to want something so bad, that without it you're not sure who you will be.

I know what it feels like to be broken, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. 

I know what it feels like to be angry, at something completely out of your control. 

I know what it feels like to be hurt, by a God you've ascribed your whole life to.

But I also know what it feels like to have hope. Not just because I got pregnant, but because I was always a mother. Whether in 2012 or 20 years from now, by conception or adoption. 

I am someone's mother and you, all of you whose stories I've read and cried over... 

You are too. 

- - - - -

The Girl that Sings blog won't turn into mommy-dom, but I'll post updates, stories and topics of motherhood I'm wrestling through once a week on Thursdays if you care to enjoy~

Becoming Into the Weekend

This conference has been consuming the better part of my year. Tomorrow we're having one of our last team meetings before the big event (Jan 25-26). I could start a whole blog about my team and how they work together, sparking one another's inspiration and creativity.

I love these girls and all that they represent.

I am passionate about this next generation of women and girls, rising up to be who God called them to be.

Not feminists with an I am woman hear me roar, but girls who are discovering the heart of God and more specifically, the heart of God for them. 

If you're new, myself and team of (amazing) women and girls put on a 2 day conference for Middle School and High School girls. We invite moms to come too.

We have fun and there is always lots of goodies~

This year, we're incorporating a real live horse...on stage...doing backflips.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In other news,

Next month's blog series will be on The Secret Life of American Teenage Girl. Not related (entirely) to  the TV show. The boy series will follow.

Christmas is 16 days, 2 hours and 40 minutes away.

For those of you who hear my cries for help on Facebook, thanks for your input! Loving the Etsy stores.

Ty and I, as horrible as it is, are in a not so silent Christmas Gift competition every year. We set a budget on what we're allowed to spend on each other and this year, I'm going to win. Guaranteed.

Have you seen this Instagram vid?? #peedmypantsitssotrue

Oh, and it's the weekend.

11 Things Not to Say to Newlyweds (and Why)

Every newlywed has that question that is like lemon on a salted wound or the broken record that is on everlasting repeat. Here's what not to say to a recent newlywed.

I'm guilty of these too.

1. How's married life?
This is kind of an exception because, in all honesty, you probably really want to know. Or do you? Newlyweds get this way too often, and answers can become rote and rehearsed. Of course they're not going to tell you about the actual married life, if you know what I mean. Let's try to change it up to what's the best part about marriage? or what's shocked you so far? 

2. Soooooo when are those babies comin??
I want to meet the first person ever that asked this and slap them. Kindly. Almost all newlyweds will smile and give you some long far off timeline but honestly, they don't know just as much as you don't. Life doesn't work like that.

3. Are you all settled in?
Timeline is very important here. 1 Week after the wedding: are you kidding? Have you unpacked a house before? 1 Month after the wedding: The proper answer is yes, because I don't want you to know I haven't touched anything since we've moved in... 1 Year after the wedding: If we're not by now, we never will be. 

4. Is it different living with a guy?
You're expecting them to tell you some funny story about the toilet seat being up in the middle of the night or the sink full of shavings, but what they're really thinking is I had no idea guys fart in their sleep! So yes, yes it is.

5. Aww sweety you look so healthy!
Why do you patronize me so? I know you mean, Aww you're gaining marriage weight. 

6. Oh I bet you're still in the honeymoon phase.
Maybe. Maybe not. And if they're not, they'll just lie to you anyways and that's gonna make them feel really bad.

7. Oh you two are young, you'll get the hang of it.
The urge to respond with a big fat, "duh" is unbearable. We understand you're reminiscing of the younger years in that sentence, but we're living in the younger years and we could really use some chocolate.

8. Honey, no one's an expert on marriage, but...
As you proceed into your 20 minute monologue alluding to the fact that you are, indeed, an expert on the subject, all they're thinking is that is so not my marriage. Everyone's different. Let our advice be as such.

9. How's the sex?
No! You better be the BFF if you're asking this question. If you're anyone else, back off. In.appro.priate! 

10. It just gets better. 
Though you're probably right, this can be either really good or really bad. How long does it have to be bad to get better? Or wait, it gets better? Than this?! But I love this!

11. Marriage isn't all about the sex.
Right now, it probably is. Or maybe it isn't. But you don't know that. Preconceived notions about the percentage sex should take up in a marriage isn't up to the cultural norm to make. It's up to the couple. Let it be.

What To Say Instead: I'm so happy for you!
Yes. This is the most amazing response we ever received as a newlywed couple. No pressure to talk, no weird questions to answer, and yet we knew our friends and family were happy for us.

Got some to add?

10 Tricks to Fuel Your Blog Writing

1. Carry a mini-notebook everywhere.
Ideas escape faster than they fly in. Catch as many as you can and decipher their quality later. There are dumb ideas, but if you don't write those down too, you'll never spot a good one.

2. Get the Evernote App
I use this app for nearly everything pertaining to writing. Songs, blog posts, random quotes and books I need to read. It syncs up with any device you have the app on (iPad, iPhone, Mac, etc) and is available offline. Love it.

3. Get the Weave App
I use to only make my shopping list on Weave, but now I categorize and plan out my posts with this baby. You can set due dates, keep track of time spent on posts, and assign to-do's to various projects. It's an organizer's Disneyland.

4. Scan Facebook & Twitter
What are people talking about on Facebook? What are they retweeting on Twitter? Who are they mentioning? Find out what people care about, and then get creative with how to mold that into your niche. Sometimes it doesn't work. Other times, it's your golden post. 

5. Eavesdrop 
I said it. I tried this one day, totally nervous someone was going to catch me, and it was a huge eye-opener to what people's conversations really revolve around. Different areas will have different norms and cultures. In LA, almost all the conversations I've caught glimpses of revolve around relationships. Make sense huh? 

6. Take a walk.
Writers have been doing this for centuries. "Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move," wrote Henry Thoreau, "my thoughts begin to flow." He describe walking as, "a great art." Whether it's the rhythm or the movement, the seeing or hearing, walking enacts all the senses of a writer. (For an interesting article on Walking and Writing click here.)

7. Develop a routine.
I've started looking at Pinterest every morning right when I wake up. But not for house cleaning tips or hairstyles. I have a board I've called "When in Doubt, Look at Me," and in there I put colors, pictures, art and photos that stand out to me. Sometimes I don't know why and other times I do. Then I choose one to keep referring back to throughout the day. It forces my mind go deeper in thought, story development or theory. 

8. Think Back
What memories do you have that fit your writing niche? Are you a mommy blogger? Write about a childhood memory of your mother. Are you a fashion blogger? How about how you insisted on wearing your ballerina costume on picture day! Home decor blogger? Everyone has a memory or two of "decorating" your room with Crayola Markers. 

9. Ask Questions
Some of my biggest blog series came from this one. I asked what people wish they knew and at what age. Nearly everyone said their 20's! So I did a series on What No One Ever Told Me About My 20's. Bingo. Most read series to this day. 

10. Write a Yes Share | No Share List
Blogging can be, and usually is a very personal endeavor. Not matter how "business" you make it. People read your blog, well, because they like you. Early on, I made a list of things I was okay with sharing with the public and things I would steer away from. Over the years, some things on the NO SHARE list have hopped to YES SHARE list. And vice versa. 

Wanna start a blog? Here's an online course to get you started. 

Weekend Links (from the comfort of my bed)

The last couple weeks I've been on the lay low. Most days I don't even open my computer. Finally my husband turned to me and asked, "Who are you?!" 

I'm a tired, bloated, peeing, over-eating, amazingly happy woman.

Yup, that about sums it up.

So, how are you?
- - - - - - - - - -

Here's what I've been reading 'round the Web-o-sphere ~

Nearly everything I've read about working out and pregnancy says something to the effect of "Just keep doing what you were before you got pregnant." I need to find what's out there for the girl who was "walking-to-and-from-Starbucks."

 My recent internet obsession is Alex Bodean. A funny, friendly, and freaking informative little girl she is. If you like photography, business or oogling over pictures, she's your girl.

Shared my 10 Tricks to Fuel Blog Writing over at Blog Guidebook this week. Amazing stuff going on over there.

Well, did he go to church on Sunday? Interesting perspective. What do you think?

Elsie has a new e-course out and I just have 1 question: Who wants to buy this for me for Christmas???

This is our new home church here in Los Angeles. !!

The new show, Nashville, has got me hooked. Acting is okay, music is catchy, autotune is all over the place, but I love it. I don't know why. Storyline I think. Have you seen it? Like it?

Maggie is a new (+adorably preggo) friend of mine. Her shop, Gussy Sews, is to die for. If you like ruffles and pretty colors, you will love her.

What are you reading these days?

*PS. Blogging sched back to norm on Monday :) 

Thankful for Change

This season I have an immeasurable amount to be thankful for, but it is all summed up with this guy. These last couple of months, we have been fused together in a new city, a new home, a new job and a new baby on the way. Change is tightly crammed into the Mo home this year. And we wouldn't have it any other way. ~

We're Pregnant: Baby Mo is on the Way!

So, I can finally un-secret my Baby Pinterest Board.

Man Version of this Story:

We're pregnant. 

Woman Version of this Story:

On October 26, 2011 I wrote, 

Today makes 1 year of us trying for Baby Mo #1. And my period has come again... 2 weeks early. I am broken today. And a little lot angry at God. I know He loves me, but I feel so forgotten. A hopefully beneficial thing in all this is that ever since I told our story on the blog, so many women have come out of the wood-works with their own stories of heartache. I was so scared that if I told my world, it would make it all more real. I don't want it to be real. But, God is good. So I'll obey. Because I know He loves me. And He can take this silly girl's anger. --

The last year has been a whirlwind of awkward conversations, ugly cries, jaw-dropping stories from women I would have never guessed struggled with fertility, and little graces of hope. 

Exactly one year later (totally unplanned), October 26, 2012, I opened my journal and scribbled these words, 

I am 2 weeks late. Yet this time around, I have a greater peace. I have not won this battle, but I know, I know with all my heart God's way will outshine my way. Three weeks ago I gave up babies again. This time, with a promise. I told God that I was going to go full speed ahead in life. Between this church plant and the girls conference, heaven knows I can keep myself more than busy. I promised I would move forward if He would promise to give me a warning sign when He was going to allow us to become pregnant. That's all I wanted. I wanted time to slow down. --

Unbeknownst to either of us, a sweet (new) friend gave me that warning. She posted Isaiah 49:15-16 on my Facebook and said she couldn't stop thinking about me when she read it. 

It says, 

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." (Isaiah 49:15-16)

I was afraid to read into it.

I couldn't be.

I JUST said I was going to move full speed ahead. 

Like three weeks ago.

So I wrote it down and moved on. 

Two days later, I was guest worship leading at a new church and was horribly nervous. So nervous, in fact, I threw up in the women's bathroom. That was strange. I don't think I've done that since 6th grade.

That afternoon I slept. For four hours. That's strange. I never nap. 

Ty left for a concert with some friends and I sat on the couch, sicker than a dog, clutching my stomach. There's no way. But I should take a test just in case. But there's no way. Seriously. 

I turned on the shower, dug out that Clear Blue box I'd been saving for a time such as this, and peed on that stupid little stick. All the while, coaching myself through the cyclically familiar grief I was about to relive. 

It's gonna be negative. It's so gonna be neg---

I saw it. It was clear as the sky is blue. That little sucker had a double line.

Without notice, my eyes flooded and my heart began pouring out praise and thanks to my God. I bawled, all alone, in my West Hollywood apartment, because once again, though He didn't have to, He gave me my heart's desire.

That night He reminded me of this: 

Julianna, I haven't changed. I didn't become more good. This isn't proof of my faithfulness, because you and I both know I was faithful before you even took that test. This is proof of my blessings. I. See. You. I. Will. Never. Forget. You. 

No, I replied. No You won't.

- - - - -

Many of you have walked this journey with us and want to say, from every fiber in our beings, thank you. You have cried with us, prayed over us and with us, emailed us words of immense encouragement, fed us dinners and caffeinated us with Starbucks, and we are forever grateful for each of you. 

This baby isn't just for us. He (yes we think it's a boy) is meant for so much more than to be a Morlet child. 

He is meant to show the world just who God is. He will have his own purpose, his own story and his own journey of faith. But in the meantime, we will share this gift with you. ~

Other Details: 

9 Weeks along / Due end of June-ish / Feeling amazingly nauseas / Craving cucumbers / Popping a tiny bit, but it's probably mostly gas. 

Waiting

It seems like everyone is always waiting for something. 
Birthdays, holidays, vacation or promotions. 
Graduations or job interviews, wedding days and babies. 

We wait. We anticipate. 

I wait. I anticipate. 

Monday is a big day for the Mo house. Stay tuned.