I took some time off from the blog. Not really on purpose, I just ran out of time and decided that for the whole week of Christmas, what I really needed to do was focus on my family. I wanted to be in the moment.
I avoided Facebook, Twitter, texts, phone calls, and internet (for the most part.) I played in the snow with my kids, drank wine with my sister in laws, READ some books! (WHAT?) I thoroughly enjoyed “Maxed Out” by Katrina Alcorn, “A Lady in France” by my friend Jennie Goutet (an incredible memoir!), 11/22/63 by Stephen King, and I am now deep into “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton.
And I just was.
It was super.In the moment.
We celebrated my birthday, Tiny’s 2nd Birthday, my niece’s birthday, Jelly Bean’s 4th birthday, my sister’s birthday, and today is my sister-in-law’s birthday.
We played in the snow in Upstate NY. A welcome treat for a southern family.
And now, as the year ends, I hope I’ll find the time to write one of those posts about all of the wonderful things that happened this year (because a lot of really wonderful things happened this year) but to be honest, I kind of enjoy the freedom of not being tied to getting a post published.
So maybe, just maybe, I’ll wait til next year. Continue enjoying being in the moment.
Or maybe, I’ll find the time to put it together.
But in case I don’t, I do want to tell you about a few things of late. (The books are amazon affiliate links, fyi!)
- One – Sunshine After the Storm, Inc is now a non-profit. Assuming there are no issues with the filing of the paperwork. Now I begin the journey of establishing it as a 501(c)3. I have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money so that we can donate copies of the book to hospitals and bereavement support organizations. We have raised about 9% of the requested funds. It is a long work in progress, but I know for a fact from the many comments and reviews we have had that this book is making an impact and helping those who have experienced the loss of a child to grieve.
- Two – I am OFFICIALLY a free-lance writer! I got my first paycheck this week! Woohoo! I have been writing articles for Regional Parenting Magazines, under the tutelage of the amazing Christina Katz and my hard work is finally paying off! You can see one of my articles “Seven Things to Ditch to Succeed in a Fitness Magazine” on Neapolitan Family.
- Three – I self published Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother which included contributions form over 30 mothers and fathers grieving the loss of a pregnancy, infant, or child. In our five day free Kindle giveaway, over 1700 copies were downloaded! I made a trip to the local hospitals and donated twelve copies of the book to the Maternity Ward Bereavement program. More donations will be forthcoming. We began a website: Sunshine After the Storm, where we hope to continue providing hope and encouragement for grieving parents.
- Four – I contributed to three other amazing anthologies this year. The Motherhood of All Meltdowns is a fun and thoughtful look into the challenges that mothers face every day while raising children. It’s a look inside the real lives – messy stories about the worst moments in these thirty mothers lives. You will laugh, you will cry, you will realize that you are not a bad mother if you can’t keep it together. We also have a website community at the Mother of All Meltdowns. And the kindle edition is currently on sale for 0.99!
- I also contributed to the HerStories Project: a beautiful anthology of stories of friendship between women. Including some stories grieving the loss of a friendship.
- And finally, I contributed to the beautiful project by Becky McCleary at Raising Loveliness. She compiled beautiful stories of gratitude in her free Ebook on Gratitude.
It was a busy year. I don’t envision life slowing down any time soon, but I do hope to remember what it feels like to be in the moment with my family, and to try to remember to visit this place as often as I can.
xoxo,
Alexa
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another jennifer says
December 30, 2013 at 12:39 pmYou are amazing, Alexa! You absolutely deserve to relax and just be in the moment. You’ve worked hard this year and I know you won’t stop in 2014! Can’t wait to feature your new nonprofit. Congrats on it all. It’s been great getting to know you this year. Here’s to an even more amazing 2014!
another jennifer recently posted…Upcoming Webinar: The Business Side of Blogging
Janine Huldie says
December 30, 2013 at 1:15 pmAlexa, seriously you had an amazing year and so glad for all the good that came your way (you totally 100% deserve it all!). Wishing you a very, Happy New Year and an even better 2014 now!! ๐
Janine Huldie recently posted…December 2013 GLOSSYBOX โ Happy Holidays Edition
Nathalie Himmelrich says
December 30, 2013 at 2:45 pmSeriously – taking a rest is perfectly in order. You deserve it!
All Love and looking forward to more in 2014 ๐
xxx Nathalie
Nathalie Himmelrich recently posted…Open Letter to Mum and Hope
Kerry says
December 30, 2013 at 3:36 pmCongrats on an accomplished and amazing 2013 – and for pursuing the freelance writing path. I look forward to following your success. And most importantly, good for you for breaking away and enjoying time with your family. We all need to do that more often. I’ve been trying to do the same! ๐ Happy New Year!
Kerry recently posted…Lusting for Sleep
Chris Carter says
December 31, 2013 at 3:02 pmAfter a year like that- you deserve to be IN THE MOMENT for much longer-… and just relish your family and enjoy the pace of that rhythm for a while. what an amazing year you have had, Alexa!! I am SO proud, excited, and deeply touched by your passion and your purpose.
Chris Carter recently posted…Devotional Diary: The Gift You Give To God
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
December 31, 2013 at 10:21 pmWhat an amazing year for you!! I’m so glad to have “met” you through MOAM. I dream of actually getting paid of my writing someday – so happy for you that it has become a reality!
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons recently posted…Tuesday Ten – Year End Countdown
Ilene says
January 1, 2014 at 4:32 pmA snowy New York Christmas, birthdays, and unplugging and reading sound like a perfect week to me! And kudos on all you accomplished this year, my friend. And I know this is just the beginning. xo
Ilene recently posted…Speed
Lady Jennie says
January 2, 2014 at 10:40 amHi lovely friend! Thank you so much for the shoutout! ๐ And Happy New Year.
I’m reading Her Stories now, albeit slowly because I got sucked into a thriller. But I’ll be leaving a review when I’m done. And I promised Jessica I would do one on my blog. xoxo
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katbiggie says
January 5, 2014 at 3:36 pmYou are so very welcome! Love, love your memoir, as I’ve told you a bazillion times! ๐