blog your heart {a challenge}

***giveaway still open below!! ***

 

so here's how this works. monthly i will post this challenge to you. it's a pretty simple challenge. blog your heart. HONESTLY. it can be silly, funny, serious, short or long...whatever you want it to be. as long as it is authentic.

no judging on what is shared. :) also you don't have to blog, you can share in the comments.

 

last month i read every single entry (and commented) that was posted here. i will do the same every month. but you have to post a working link for me to do so. :)

 

please feel free to use the graphic above...but please link back to this post!

here's my heart this month.

 

1. i have completely fallen off of the exercise bandwagon. completely. i have only worked out 3x since jimmy came home. i am FURIOUS with myself. i feel bad about myself, i'm not fitting in clothes i was fitting in, i feel sloppy. i keep telling myself "next week i'll start again" and i never do. i've had enough. it is absolutely RIDICULOUS that i have reversed all of the hard work i did this summer.

 

2. i have horrible nails. i bite them and there is never polish on them. the last manicure i got was the day before my wedding.

 

3. i have this weird thing where i really don't want to like what EVERYONE is nuts over at the moment. if there is a tv show, movie or book (twilight!!!) or gadget (cameo!) that everyone is tweeting/blogging/talking about, for some reason it makes me not want to get sucked into the hoopla. i know. ridiculous. but i've always been like that. lots of times i give in (iPad), lots of times i don't (twilight,harry potter).

 

4.this is going to sound nuts to you guys, but i'm a better mother when J is gone. i am more patient. you see, when i KNOW someone is coming home at the end of the night i am less patient. i know i have reinforcements soon. :) when he is gone, i know there is no help coming, no rest for the weary...and i am much better with the girls. i know, crazy huh?

 

5. i worry way too much (in my head) i am always thinking of things that could happen to the girls and it terrifies me. it's enough to make me want to keep them wrapped in the safe bubble wrap confines of our home forever. but of course this is ridiculous. luckily, this is in my head and not projected or verbalized.

 

6. i need to work on my faith. i pray steadfastly, but i need to fit in quiet time. i need to join a small group. i need to grow.

 

7. i want my girls to love reading like i do. i want them to LONG for a good book...to escape into a story the way i do. harper is not reading (completely) yet. i'm fine with that. she can read plenty of words. i vowed i would never be that teacher turned mom who pushed my children. i just REALLY want her to learn to read so that she can fall in love with it. we just started charlotte's web and she loves it.

 

8. a lot of times i read other blogs and feel inadequate. don't get me wrong...i LOVE my life and feel very blessed. but i do not have a home straight out of a magazine, i don't travel, i'm not always impeccably dressed. i don't have it all together. the thing is, i realize they probably don't either. and that makes me feel better. i will never be that girl. i'm not sure i would want to be that girl. but sometimes i think i want to!

 

okay, that's it for today. that's what's on my heart.

what about you? spread the word, and link in the comments.

xxo

s

Comments

[jen]

it's early, but i did it!! :) now to speed on with the rest of my day. hope and pray yours is lovely!! :)
http://jenkinkade.blogspot.com/2011/10/meright-now.html

[Janet and Lisa]

I think all you do and mange to do is amazing, the girls are so precious and I love the way you decorate. Your doing a great job with your family, your love shines through everything you say and do with them - that is the most improtant thing in life.

[Shannon Shurtleff]

DONE! Seriously, I love this challenge. Here ya go! http://shannonsarmywifelife.blogspot.com/

[Monique]

Hi there, I just wanted to take a moment to say that I love your authenticity! I open up Google Reader and run to your blog each morning to see pictures of your beautiful girls, enjoy your creativity, and admire how you do it all! Have a great day!

[Tracy]

If it helps I am right there with you on 4, 5, 6 & 8...it isn't just you!

I might just try this one today...thanks for the challenge

[Ann]

You always make blogging your heart look so easy. I mean that in a good way. I wish I had a way with connecting my heart with my words the way you do. At least, a way in which to do it without sounding pretentious or like a negative nelly.

I'm going to try this challenge sometime in the next week.

(P.S. I do the same mothering thing when my H is out of town and I am the same way about trends people jump on. I did eventually cave with Twilight because some I truly respect "forced" me to read it, and I became one of the Twilight-crazies, but I usually shy away.)

[Sonya R]

Have you ever read anything by Lysa Terkheurst? I just completed "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" and am now doing another 6 week study, "Made to Crave". She actually reminds me of you: funny, a little kooky at times, sweet, and a GREAT writer. Makes you feel instantly that you are best friends. Puts into words those feelings that you would only share with your closest friends. Reading her books reminds me of reading your blog. Don't know if I'm ready to try the "blog your heart" challenge yet, but maybe one day...

[Alison]

I love this! The blogs I love most are the ones who write honestly and truthfully. I will definitely be linking up. Also, I could totally relate to so much of what you said above! Thanks for sharing your heart, and for challenging others to do the same :)

[AmySorensen]

I did this last month and loved it! I just wanted to say, though, that I am with you on #8...but only sort of. I feel super inadequate all the time, but I also think that what is put on blogs is often filtered reality. And the blogs that are all about the fabulous life of the fabulous mothers whose fabulous days are just, well, fabulously perfect? THOSE are the blogs I cannot stand to read. I prefer reality, thankyouverymuch! Perfection on display makes me weary, but reality on display helps me feel like maybe I'm not doing too bad since other people aren't perfect either.

Also totally & completely with you on #3!!!

[Megan A]

#8 - I'm not ready to share this on my blog, because I have been criticized fairly recently about complaining too much, or using my job as an excuse. but I almost had a nervous breakdown last week. I LOVE crafting and creating, and I read blogs from other crafters. So, I wanted to give my daughter a gorgeous homemade birthday party. So I totally ran myself into the ground coming home after an 11 hour work day, by baking, decorating, shopping, etc. When I struck out at 3 stores in a row running errands on my lunch break, I just lost it! See, I also wanted to have time to go as a family to boo at the zoo, like we always do, and the only time we could do it was right before the party. BUT I also wanted to make her the cake she wanted, and make these adorable eyeball cake pops that I saw on pinterest. I guess I really can't make a martha stewart party, AND bring home the bacon, AND run the errands, AND spend time with my family. It still hurts though, because I really really want to!
Oh and BTW - to me, YOU are one of those women who always looks put together, who always dresses her kids up cute and does their hair (my daughter's hair drives me NUTS!), and has gorgeous parties, and time to craft.

[Stephanie Howell]

i will have to check it out. thanks so much sweet friend!

[Stephanie Howell]

oh my goodness, i am not like that. i have done 3 fancy bday parties for harper and sadie (out of eight birthdays total!!). i'm sorry if i made you feel badly in any way! my life is nowhere near glossy and perfect. :)

[Shannon Dombkowski]

I love this! Thanks for the reminder to do it again this month. Here's my post: http://www.shannondombkowski.com/blog/2011/10/26/blog-your-heart.html

[Mary Jo]

I took the challenge even though to be honest it's hard for me to share to much on my blog. I typically keep it more scrap related than personal.
Thank you for the inspiration! And for helping me keep things real when my number two is a little overwhelming. I think that hearing your stories about dealing with not even two kids like me, but four! And a husband who is gone for sometimes longer than a year without even the weekend contact we are fortunate to have helps me be grateful for what I do have :)
And I feel more supportive of other women in the long run!
http://scrapbooktreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/10/stephanie-howell-has-started-monthly.html

[Monica]

I so relate to being a better parent when the husband is gone and it makes me a little sad. Especially since after deploying every other year for 7 years he hasn't been gone for more than a couple nights for 2 years. Having said all that your post made me decide to try to be the supermom I am when he's gone while he's here... (I am NOT really even close to supermom but a girl can try!)

[Stacey]

I am so with you on all of those, especiall 1 and 3! If everyone likes it, I question it. Then when it is no longer the "in" thing, I may like it! I also worry about our kids, but not as much as when they were little. My girls are 8, 12 and 14, so I don't have to worry about their safety like I used to. I was always worried that they would stop breathing in their sleep, fall down the steps, choke, etc. I love your blog because I see that we are so much alike!

[tara pollard pakosta]

Seriously, could have written this post Steph!
I walked/jogged 93 miles in June and I have done maybe 10 miles since! totally fell off the exercise wagon myself, and I gained 10lbs! UGH! I need to lose 25 total and I just can never find the energy to want to work out! I need to find it again!!!

totally know what you mean about not jumping onto what everyone else is buying/reading/doing! I never got sucked into Harry Potter OR Twilight either! Don't think I will ever now because I am so turned off by everyone else liking it! I wouldn't wear capri pants for years because they were all the rage, but now that it's no big thing, I will wear them. I am like that with A LOT of stuff! Still haven't gotten an ipad, but I had a Nook and didn't like it, gave it to my hubby.
totally know what you mean about the patience thing, if my hubby is working late (he's never gone like j is though), I have way more patience to read to girls and just let them have fun. when daddy is home you also want to have time with him to talk, and the kids want his attention and it ends up being more stressful sometimes, I totally get that 100%!!!
um Totally bite and then cut off my nails as well! I haven't had a manicure but 2x in my life, once on my wedding day in 1999 and once in 2005! crazy!
I worry worry worry about my girls too, silly stuff, like getting in a car accident and me dying and leaving them behind or them getting kidnapped. it's enough to make me check on them 1000x a day!
I also need to find a Bible study, the last one I did, I didn't feel like I fit in with the women, so I dropped out. I just don't feel like I belong anywhere sometimes.

and to top that all off, I did a post recently that was blogging my heart, but I didn't use your little cute jar thing, because I wanted to ask permission first!
http://tara_pollard_pakosta.typepad.com/just_tara/2011/10/this-girl.html

thanks for doing this stephanie! I love your heart!
xoxo
tara

[laurie]

I love this challenge that you have, and I think I'll blog my heart here in your comments since I really don't want a particular someone to hear what I have to say...Right now I am feeling proud of myself for standing up to someone in my family that is a total bully, this person is has always made me feel like I've been run over by a bulldozer after some conversations that we've had and I finally, for the FIRST time ever told her how I feel and of course it exploded and she won't talk to me and now it feels like the rest of the family is angry at me too, because now she's miserable and everyone feels it. So now I feeling alone and sad, but realize that sometimes we need to speak up. So anyway, that is what's on my heart today, oh and the fact that my jeans are too tight and now I HAVE to exercise unless I want to buy more...not a good time of year to start a diet...thanks for listening Stephanie, you are the best :)

[Whitney]

Whew do I feel better! And thanks for admitting you feel inadequate too sometimes. I love the internet and all these beautiful blogs, but it can make you question yourself. You saying that kind of took a load of my shoulders. Here's my post!

http://worldofwhit.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-my-heart.html

[Melissa Priest]

I sooo needed this today :)

http://www.melissapriest.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[jackie]

i love your honesty! here is me being honest
http://jackiezphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart-challenge.html

thank you stephanie.

[Jenni Hufford]

I love this to pieces and blogged my heart too! www.huffordhouse.blogspot.com

[Christine]

(: thanks for this!

http://funsexybright.blogspot.com/

[Laurie]

ok, just added some stuff to my blog, blogged my heart out Stephanie, here's my link
http://www.laurielariviere.blogspot.com

[Kristy]

We have a bit in common :D

1. I eat healthy and have a workout routine when my husband is deployed but once he is home it's all over with. He likes to eat junk and because he does PT he doesn't want to do anything extra with me unless its basketball which I don't do.

2. I bite my nails and have never had a mani/pedi done professionally..one day!

8. Me too. This is why I don't blog often or put much effort into it. I dont have kids and I dont have this awesome job so I feel my posts will be boring.

I shall try this project :D

[Jen Strange]

great post. about the loving books - take it from a literature/literacy nerd: the very best thing you can do to get your children to love reading is READ TO THEM. all. the. time. Integrate books into your lives so much so that to NOT look at a book on a regular basis seems like an absurd thought. Let them see you enjoying books. Let them pick out books as presents or special mommy and me (or daddy and me) dates to a bookstore. Let each child keep a basket of books next to her bed. When you show your children from a young age that your family values reading, they absorb that lesson!

P.S. get a hold of some Mo Willems "Elephant and Piggie" first readers - they're hilarious both as a read TO and a read ALONE. Start with "I am going to a party," Harper especially would love that one.
P.P.S. email me any time if you have questions about books or literacy support for all your short people :)

[Candace Bunch]

Your thoughts are normal considering the age of your children. I've never had a manicure by the way. I think I lowered a lot of expectations once the second child was born...esp. the exercise part. Currently, I worry about my college student studying overseas, totally on his own, with loads of problems. My youngest is about to get his driver's license..talk about anxiety there (just wait for that one!)and I wonder if I'll find a job. Life goes on, and we all have the same issues. We are all in this together. And faith in a loving God is our only option. Thanks for sharing.

[Ellie Abney]

I participated!! Thank you for such a wonderful challenge.

As a side note, what are you reading now? I'm such a reader too and am always looking for a good recommendation.

http://elliebelliehandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[Melissa]

Listen you! Just stop that! YOURS is the first blog I check every day. And there are some pretty heavy-hitters on my blog list these days. But YOURS is the one I always want to read first. YOUR scrapbooking is what inspired me to start again. I haven't made a page in years. But I saw YOUR work and I said, "I want to do that". YOUR children are the reason I ogle little girls' clothing in the stores, why I fill up my virtual cart at Baby Gap or Hanna Andersson, just for the thrill of being able to (pretend to) buy girls' clothes. (Yes, I am beyond strange). I just wish we could have lived down the street from each other for a year, instead of a month. I wish I could have met your girls in person, instead of through your pages, but they were asleep the day I stopped by. Oh, and as far as I'm concerned, your house DOES look like it's straight out of a magazine. So basically, here's the thing. YOU. ARE. AWESOME. That is all.

[Kari]

I needed this challenge. Thanks so much!

http://kariandtom-bettertogether.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart-challenge.html

[Cele Schaffer]

Just wanted to let you know I LOVED this post. I could relate to EVERYTHING you shared. I wish there was a magic wand (sometimes), I mean most of the time!! My MIL used to say "your children will not remember how clean your house is, but they will remember how much time you spent with them". Don't be too hard on yourself-I do believe we do the best we can as parents with what we have at the time. No regrets- that's my motto. And I have learned over the years (my kids are now 21 and 16) to just be as honest as possible with them about my mistakes. I never said I was a perfect parent,housekeeper.wife,friend etc...Just BE REAL and TRUE to what you believe is right and it seems to work out. Again your post is priceless and powerful-keep it written somewhere (Journal,scrapbook etc to look back on and see how you feel some years from now). I bet you are just the BEST mom,wife,friend and parent EVER!

[Michelle K]

Well, Stephanie, you have inspired me to start a new blog...Here it is:

http://aglimpseinmyheart.blogspot.com/

Thanks for all the great posts you share with us and for making us really take the time to look at the everyday moments. It really is the little things that make our lives fulfilling :)

[Stacy Hamby]

Once I started, I felt like I could go on and on...

http://www.scrapbookspot.com/

[Stephanie Howell]

Thank you so much Monique!!!!

[Cherish Legendre]

Hi Stephanie! I absolutely LOVE your blog and look forward to checking it everyday! Your challenge inspired me and was my first ever!

http://eatsleepandscrap.blogspot.com/

Thank you!!

[Alison]

I love this challenge! Looking forward to reading some of the other posts.
http://apearantlysew.blogspot.com/2011/10/answer-is-no.html

[Kailee]

This is great! I actually did write post just today that came from my heart and then I found your blog! Here's my post:
http://anewoutfitaday.blogspot.com/2011/10/signs.html

[Paige Evans]

I played! Hopefully I didn't sound too whine-y and depressed... :)
http://www.paigeandchris.com/2011/10/one-with-blog-your-heart.html

[Rebecca Murray]

I just wanted to make a little comment on your #5....I worry about my girls just as you do yours and the other day I was reading a book my mom bought me called Bringing Up Girls....and there was a little tid bit that caught my attention so I thought I would pass it on..... "worry sees the problem/issue.....faith sees the God that can handle the problem/issue"

hope that you have a wonderful day!

[Kristen]

I love this blog your heart challenge. It really makes you stop and think about life. And behind each person's smile is a heart that is full of all sorts of emotions. I have quite an extensive blog list and I ALWAYS read yours first. I love your stories, style of writing, scrapbook style...jeesh I love it all! Thanks for the constant inspiration!

http://klsscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart-2.html

[zorinam627@yahoo.com]

Thanks for this idea. I love it! Count me in. I started today and blogged about what's in my heart. Yaya!

[zorinam627@yahoo.com]

oppps, here is my blogsite:

http://lifeasisforz.blogspot.com/

[norah]

I agree with you on points 135678.
However the difference between us is that I am 72!
I hope all of you who are reading this will take note and improve who you are and how you think BEFORE you get to my age! I am at the point in my life when there are not a lot of things that REALLY matter. Everything is going to be taken care of by GOD!
He is the one who is in charge, if we learn this early on, our lives will be much easier.
leave itall in his hands. It works!!!!

[Nita]

I love your blog! I love how you give us your unperfect truth. If I had a blog, I would absolutely do this challenge, but for the moment I think I will put it in my journal.

[Julie McDonnell]

Love your post (as always) and totally took your challenge again (www.juliemcdonnell.typepad.com)! Thanks for the push! And I ditto the comment about Lysa Terkeurst. She's great. I signed up for the Proverbs 31 daily devotionals she is a part of and that's how I feed my Spirit a little each morning to get me in the right frame of mind. Some days it totally coincides with where I am and is exactly what I need to hear!

Have a great day! ~ Julie McD

[Michelle]

I am not comfortable posting on my blog, so I will here. I can completely relate to #1,2,3,5 and 8. I have never been one to exercise. I need to do more than just walk. I have been a bad nail biter for most of my 40+ years! I am trying hard to stop. Sometimes, I fall off the bandwagon and go back to biting them after they have grown out a bit. Or I just cut them off. I am definitely not a trend follower. Never have been. I don't have all the latest and greatest gadgets/electronics. Not into the Twilight/Harry Potter, etc. I also worry too much. I worry about my kids. Let me say, it doesn't stop when they move out either. I have a 23 yr old on her own. My worst fear is losing one of them, or them losing me or losing my hubby. I can completely understand about feeling inadequate. I think you are just an amazing person. I like that you are down to earth. I look forward to your posts. Some other things... I am so frustrated right now. Frustrated with family, or the double standards, back stabbing, zero acceptance. I learned at a very young age that family isn't always there and that unconditional love that was preached growing up, does not exist in my family. I have had a hard time accepting that I can't fix or change things because others don't want to. I swore I would make it better for my kids. There would be people around. There isn't. My husband's mother has alienated us because my husband went against her wishes 16.5 years ago and married me. She has spent a better part of these years running me down. These people have never taken the time to get to know me. And, I lost the only two allies I have had in that family. My brother in law died 6 years ago. My father in law passed away in August of lung cancer. It is really hard to get used to. I miss him so so much. My hubby and I are on our own fixing his house getting it ready to either rent or sell, haven't decided which. We were told if we need help then we need to hire it. They won't help. It is so lonely. Hubby works a full and part time job, so he is gone alot. His family runs me down because we decided together that I would stay home with our kids until they hit school full time. I live in a cliquey neighborhood. I am just so tired of being treated badly with no explanation when you confront those people. But, I am so grateful to my hubby and kids. All we have is each other, unfortunately. But, I think in a way, it has made us stronger. I am so grateful for the friendships I have made through this hobby and my couple of DT's. It means so much to feel like you belong somewhere and there are people that do like you. Just all the negativity gets to ya at times. Now, is one of those times.

[Steph]

Steph said:
"a lot of times i read other blogs and feel inadequate. don't get me wrong...i LOVE my life and feel very blessed. but i do not have a home straight out of a magazine, i don't travel, i'm not always impeccably dressed. i don't have it all together. the thing is, i realize they probably don't either. and that makes me feel better. i will never be that girl. i'm not sure i would want to be that girl. but sometimes i think i want to!"

Steph (me) says:
I don't think any of us are THAT girl, if the truth were known.

My home is always neat, but right now you could write your name in the dust! I am anally organized and like to keep it that way, but then my kids are grown and it's easy to keep it up. Did I keep my home like this when my kids were little? Unfortunately, mostly yes. Why unfortunately? Because I spent too much time worrying about being the perfect homemaker and too little time just being a mom. Perfect homes are overrated!

Do I travel? Yes. I have been very blessed and have had the opportunity to travel a great deal. My hope is that everyone gets that chance and I do my best to encourage others by sharing what I have learned, when asked. It's important to note, though, that as a result of the travel, I have missed out on some very important moments in the lives of my family, friends and kids. Those are moments I can't get back or make up for.

Now, am I impeccably dressed? No way! Harper would be horrified at my "'ashion sense!" In fact, most days I am at home in my workout clothes for much of the day (although I do shower and change when I have actually worked out! lol). Today I got dressed for a meeting and my husband said, "Wow, you look very nice." OK, that was husband speak for "Why don't you dress like that all the time, for me?" ;)

And, do I have it all together? No way! I have had friends comment that I do, but I am here to say, I most certainly do not! And, I don't even have little ones to attribute it to! lol

Thanks so much for putting yourself out there, and for encouraging all of us to do the same. I believe it is only be being honest with each other that we can all be ok with ourselves, and our strengths and shortcomings.

[Amy]

Hi, Stephanie....you know, I think God really led you to do this. Here's my post:

http://sweetperipety.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

Love you lots, friend!

[Brynn Marie]

This was much needed :) thanks for inspiring me to be real with my feelings http://bzb-designs.com/blog/?p=532

[stewart105@bigpond.com]

darling girl, that is why I read your blog! Your life is real. Thanks for sharing it.
stephxx

[MommaBean]

I am so excited that you decided to do this as a monthly challenge! I can completely relate to being a better Mom when the husband is gone. It's also a bit hard to adjust back and forth between away and home. Love your authenticity! Thank you for continuing to share your story.
http://www.mommybean.net/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[Van]

Thanks for such an amazingly honest and authentic post. It really gave me the courage to blog my heart as well. Thank you so much! http://likethecar.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart-monthly-challenge.html

[Jessica]

Hey Stephanie, I'm new to your blog, but as soon as I saw this post I knew I had to link up my post from yesterday. I gave birth (naturally) to a perfect little boy 4 months ago and ended up with a pretty serious complication from childbirth. I go back today for my 6 week follow-up appointment from the surgery I had to repair the complications. I'm feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing. Thanks for encouraging honest blogging. I was feeling pretty vulnerable after I hit publish, but this challenge made me feel good about being open and real. I look forward to getting to know you through your blog.

http://jdubcrowe.blogspot.com/2011/10/31-days-day-26melancholy.html

[Smitha]

Thanks for doing this Stephanie!! Here is mine http://www.smilingcolors.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart-2/

[Jackie]

I agree with everybody here, yours is my favorite blog to read! I love your stories and your adorable girls! Thanks for the challenge. Here's mine http://jackiep1102.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/blog-your-heart-2/

[tina]

Stephanie, Hi there. I have been lurking around for quite sometime now and finally decided to comment and play along - I blogged about whats in my heart NOW...thanks for the inspiration both in sharing your true life and your scrapbooking - oh and those babies are super cute - keep up the great job.

be back again
tina
(linked to my blog post.)

[tina]

http://prettypaperposies.blogspot.com/2011/10/sharing-me.html

here is my link to my {what's in my heart} post...
sorry for the double comment.
xo

[Linda]

Oh I hear you Steph on #5...I too am a worrier and it is so hard to contain it and not allow my kids (who are now 15 and 17) to know how darn worried I am everytime they walk out the door. With my eldest now driving holy heck that is hard!! Anyway, here's what's in my heart today....not an easy thing to do either...
http://ahappyscramper.typepad.com/a_happy_scramperscrapbook/2011/10/blog-my-heart-and-a-card.html

[Bernice]

Really love what you've started (and are continuing) here! Love the authenticity of your blogs and it definitely challenges me to do the same on mine. I've posted something that's been on my heart recently... didn't use the picture or link though. Hope that's okay.

http://btsoi.blogspot.com/2011/10/things-you-do-nathan-oct-2011.html

[Barb Martin]

Thanks for this challange and for encouraging us to get things down on paper!

http://jerbarmartin13.blogspot.com/2011/10/thursdays-thoughts.html

[Heather]

Hi Stephanie! I've wanted to participate in this challenge for a while. And it is such a challenge for me. Blogging my heart. I mainly post crafty things on my blog, with a little bit of my life thrown in there. I'm sure most of my followers just stop in to see the projects, but I decided to give it a try. I honestly wasn't too awful brave. My story is so complicated and to be honest, at this time, it's hard to put the words down. I'm working on more - since the 1st time I saw your post about it - but that'll take some time before I can really share some things. Instead I did a "32 Things to do while I'm 32" list (my b-day was Tuesday, and I've been working on my list for a few weeks). Anyway, here is the link: http://heathersscrappiness.blogspot.com/2011/10/32-things-to-do-while-im-32.html

Thanks for motivating and inspiring me! Also I love your blog. I've prayed for, admired your adorable pictures, been inspired by your amazing creative talent, and even (unbeknownst to you) cried with you a few times for about a year now. Thanks for being real. And you. And awesome!

[Dotinthecity]

Great idea! I've been thinking about being a little more open and honest on my blog and I love this challenged.
I heard about it from Allison @ aPearantly Sew :)

[dawn]

Just wanted you to know I follow your blog and love everything you share here. You are a truly a wonderful and sweet caring fun person. There are soooo many things to love about you.... your scrapping, your beautiful girls, the fun you have with them, the way you write and make us feel like we are right there with you, ALWAYS HONEST about life with kids, generous with all and everybody. I love that you are doing these heart challenges and helping us learn to share what's really going on in our lives and not everything is perfect.

I am with you on most of your list too. Thanks so much for sharing and letting us share. Have a HAPPY HEART DAY!!

[Kimber-Leigh]

i joined in the challenge! blogged about something that's been on my mind and heart for awhile...glad for the push to share it!

loved your thoughts today...and i have to admit, i'm kinda like you with #3, not always jumping right on the bandwagon. (though i have to admit, i held off forever on harry potter...up until about 2 years ago...and i'm glad i reconsidered!)

[Ms. Megan]

This is such an inspiring post! I just found this post via Alision from aPearantly Sew and I love how wonderful this is!!
I am with you on #3.
I like to do what I feel and I love how this is being so honest.
I sometimes (all the time) like to sugar coat things and never really say what I want. But I like to look at the pretty things and not really dwell on the ugly things.
Thank you for making me realize that not everything is perfect and it is alright to be imperfect.
xoxo

[Jessica B]

love this idea...just love your blog, it always feels authentic... and i'm right there with you a lot of times about #3...

here's mine...
http://craftychicgirl.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-authentic-blogging.html

[Stephanie Howell]

thank you so much for your sweet words, janet

[Stephanie Howell]

thanks so much for taking the time to comment,ann. i hope you get a chance to join in!

[Stephanie Howell]

those are the ones i most enjoy reading too, alison :)

[Stephanie Howell]

"Perfection on display makes me weary" i really agree with this amy...thanks for putting it into words for me!

[Stephanie Howell]

i am trying to work on that, too. :)

[Stephanie Howell]

thanks for taking the time to comment, stacey! so happy to hear there's someone out there as crazy as i am. ha!!!

[Stephanie Howell]

good for YOU. wish i could hug your neck right now!

[Charity]

I'm glad you made this a repetitive thing. I've been terrible about blogging/journaling lately, and it's good to get these thoughts down. Thank you!

http://familyresemblance.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[Dana]

I did it! http://poorscrapbooker.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

I actually still have a draft post in my blog from last month's "blog your heart" challenge. I re-read it a moment ago, and still don't have the guts to post it. Maybe some day though.
Thanks for the inspiration!

[Tiffany]

I did it. Love this challenge Steph. http://tiffanyharperonline.com/2011/10/27/blog-your-heart/

[Gioconda]

Thank you for the inspiration. It was exactly what i needed.

http://busybees5.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[kate sade]

you are the most lovely person who speaks my heart back to me sometimes...

[Rachel]

So glad this is a monthly event! I loved this last month.

Here's my post for this month: http://lilacsandavocados.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html

[justem]

Oh man. I hear you on the whole "against pop culture" thing! I refused to read The DiVinci code or watch certain tv shows or listen to certain music! ;) And it also drives me batty when I have liked something for a long time before it becomes popular and then suddenly everybody else discovers it and I'm all "but I've been listening/watching for EVER!!" Okay now I just sound rude... ;)

[Stephanie Howell]

BLOG!! Don't be dissuaded by anyone else. Xxo

[Stephanie Howell]

We do almost all of these things. So happy to know we are on the right track!! And we LOVE LOVE LOVE mo willems! There's a bird on your head! Heeee!

[Stephanie Howell]

Thanks so much Candace. I l have faith all right. :) xxo

[Stephanie Howell]

YOU ARE AWESOME. thank you so much for being such a good,encouraging friend to me. Xxo

[Stephanie Howell]

Thank you so very much cele. And I agree 100 percent with what your MIL said !

[Linnea]

gosh, it's scary to be authentic! Here's my voice: http://linnea-joyfulstrength.blogspot.com/2011/10/opening-my-hearts-door.html

[Mariah]

Here is mine for the month:
http://fun2scrap.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-your-heart.html
I read your post and I have this to say in response:
1. I don't want to work out either.
2. I don't know how you handle J being gone. I don't. My husband changed careers and is now a police officer. He worked graves the last 4 weeks and I almost killed him. He was home every night before that.
3. I'm a better parent when he's not home too. It makes no sense other than you only have yourself to depend on when no one else is there.

[NatashaW]

Hey Steph, you are way too hard on yourself girl. I look at your blog and think that you have it all together, beautifully decorated house (you can make any product from any era look good together), you always look fantastic, your kids are so happy, and you make time to create, and I wish so hard that I could write from the heart like you do.

[Jane B]

Challenge accepted :)

http://janeblakeley.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/blog-your-heart-a-challenge/

[Stephanie Howell]

I can promise you i am not too hard on myself. These are just thoughts that I was sharing (remember no judging!!!). I promise I dont go around beating myself up every day. :)
Thanks for your sweet words!
Sent from my iPhone

[Sabbyscrap]

Hi Stephanie,
Here is my contribution. Thanks a lot for this challenge, it was great!:
http://sabbyscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2011/10/28/index.html
I love your blog and your talent.
Cheers from Bordeaux (France)

[Amy]

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Your last challenge inspired me to start my blog. I always try to leave a piece of my heart when I write. Today I left the whole thing.
http://amyemorris.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/right-now-october-2011/
Best, Amy

[Diane Knott]

Thank you for the challenge Stephanie! It took me a couple of days, but I finally blogged what's in my heart. I love your blog, and your heart!

http://herewego.typepad.com/my_weblog/

[Lauren]

Such a great idea! I'll have to do this link up in November (I'm assuming it's to late now & I just saw it on somebody else's blog).

Hope you have a great day!

http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

[angela ezzell]

That was a little scary, but a great challenge. Thanks for always sharing with us. ; )

http://angelaezzell.typepad.com/pink-nostalgia/

[fancyscrapper]

I have not posted on my blog for a few weeks, and this was just the inspiration I needed. Thank you, Stephanie. I so enjoy your blog. I only visit sporadically, but I'm always inspired and encouraged when I do. You keep it real, and I like that. WTG, sistah!

Here's my post: http://tinyurl.com/3j4gb46

[Jennifer Chapin]

http://jenchapin.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-do-we-do.html

Thank you for this opportunity! :) And for the encouragement to say what has been on my heart.

[Stephanie Howell]

thank you so much, rebecca!! hope y'all are doing well! xxo

[Stephanie Howell]

i couldn't agree more, norah. thank you SO much for commenting. xoxo

[Stephanie Howell]

nita- thank you so much for your comment! hope you got a chance to write your thoughts down!