It’s my blogiversary, and I’ve got all the feels. Mostly I am very, very, very grateful to you for coming here to visit my blog. This month marks 8 years of blogging. I think of all the opportunities I’ve been given because of the blog, but if you weren’t here, those dreams wouldn’t have come true.
In the past, I’ve talked about the exciting things that have happened because of the blog, but today I thought I would share a bit about why I blog and how it helped to pull me out of a dark time.
When my first child was born, I left my engineering career, because I couldn’t just leave her with a regular sitter. She was only able to feed with a feeding tube, so basically I needed a medically trained person to stay with her. She also had Down Syndrome. I found myself very depressed. I lost my identity and I now had to deal with a difficult reality. She needed open heart surgery. I talked about the surgery and our Christmas miracle HERE. In my desperation, God answered my prayer and sent a previous coworker to me. She had left her corporate job and was in nursing school. She wanted to take care of Elise, so she could have experience caring for a ‘fragile child’. That allowed me to take on some consulting work, which gave me an emotional break, and helped pay the bills.
Later, my second daughter, Evie was born, Elise was no longer on the feeding tube, and I was a full-time stay-at-home mom. I know I only had two kids, but they were both high-maintenance kids for different reasons. It was isolating to have a special needs child, and stressful. We saw a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a music therapist, and many other specialists. They all gave us homework. And they all expected results.
As my kids got older, I grew restless. Even though I had my faith, family and friends, I still felt there was something missing. The reality is that when Elise was born, I saw how much of my life revolved around trivial things. I saw that caring for my child was much more important that sewing, or decorating, or creating a beautiful space. I saw creative pursuits as something I had to put aside. I needed to focus on my daughter now. She needed me, and would need me for her entire life. I didn’t realize that the creative activities were important for my well-being. I didn’t understand that they had value to relieve my stress and bring me joy.
I felt directionless, like I was floating in a pool, going nowhere, just spinning and spinning. At some point, I tried my hand at different things, but nothing felt like ‘this is it.’ I taught myself photography and opened a portrait photography business. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t feel right. Then I created an online portrait photography class back when no one knew what an online course was. People that bought it loved it, but explaining what it was to people was a long process. If it takes more than a sentence to describe your product to a customer, you probably aren’t going to sell it. Next, I worked at a local furniture store. I learned a lot from all of these experiences, but it always felt like I was ‘just passing through’.
I began a blog for the furniture store, and a few months later found out the store was closing. I felt so sad to be ending the blog. My friend Peggy told me to start my own blog. I told her I wouldn’t have enough content. She insisted. And so, I decided to name my blog after our farm in Round Top, Texas – Cedar Hill. There is a Cedar Hill, Texas I found out later, but that isn’t where the farm is. You can find my very first post, HERE.
And I thought I would be writing about life at our farm, cooking and decorating. It became clear soon enough, that readers mainly were interested in the decorating posts from me.
I formed friendships with readers, bloggers, brands, publishers, and authors along the way. I knew right away that ‘I was born for this.’ I love decorating and design. I love creating, and sharing what I’ve learned.
Why am I telling you all of this? I hope you find joy in your creative passions and pursuits. I hope you understand the importance of allowing creativity in your life. Creating, not only brings you happiness, but it does the same for those around you too. I think it’s important for everyone to find that thing that makes them happy, that thing that brings them joy every day. If your passion is creating a beautiful space, then know that everyone that enters that space or sees that space is affected by it.
To quote George Eliot, a female author from 19th century England, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” If you want to hear our podcast about reinventing yourself, CLICK HERE.
Thank you for inviting me to spend part of the day with you. You have blessed me beyond measure.
Blessings to you and how you celebrate life!
Happy, Happy 8 year Anniversary! I can’t remember when I started following you but it was a few years ago and I still enjoy it very much! May you continue to grow in this adventure called blogging. Thank you for the wonderful content you share so freely.
Congratulations on reaching your blogging milestone.
May you continue to delight and inspire us.????
I do so appreciate you sharing your story. I am going through a stressful time and have put away and cut out everything to take care of older parents. Though they need a lot I am going to have find some of myself again. Congratulations on eight years. I enjoy your blog!
God gave you direction and you followed! Wonderful!
What an uplifting and inspiring account to read this morning! God bless you and bring many more years of joy and creativity. You are right that many times adversity becomes our greatest source of happiness.
Thank you Anita for today’s inspirational blog. God gave me two wonderful gifts and one of them I was never able to use with a qualification. Teaching children, which has always been a sorrowful point for me. The other is that I am very creative and artistic and have always decorated friends and family homes. This, I always dismissed as nothing until your wise words. Creativity is important and it does bring happiness to others. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary.
A wonderful post Anita. Having passions in life is important.
Cindy
Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for the inspiring words. I feel so fortunate to have found your blog and podcast. You’ve enriched my life in so many ways.
Cheers….
Congratulations as I have been following your blog for several years. I am an admirer of French design so your information is so inviting for me personally. Thank you
Love the pictures of your girls!! What a precious gift.
Thank you for sharing your journey, passion, and creativity with us. And may God bless you as you continue to follow where He leads and inspire us to do the same.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Happy Blogaversary Anita!!!
Blessings to you for sharing your story ♥
Happy Blogging Anniversary Anita! I love your inspirational ideas. Happy that you found such a fun way to express your creativity!
Anita, thank you for sharing your life with us….you are such an inspiration to many!
I love reading your blog AND listening to your podcast…it makes me happy!?
Congratulations, Anita. I am so glad I found you and your blog this past December. At the time I was very lonely and listening to the podcasts became my new circle of friends. Thank you for sharing your story. You are such a bright, intelligent woman, not to mention your artistic talents. I do hope to make it to Round Top again. I was there in October but you can be sure that if I get there again, I will seek you out and meet my new friend in person!
Congrats Anita! I love that you share your highs and lows with us. You are truly an inspiration!
Wow! 8 years! Thank you for sharing a little piece of your journey. Congratulations on your successful Blogging Anniversary! I love your podcasts! Your girls are precious! Happy Spring!
Thank you Cecilia! So happy you are listening!!!
Today is one of those days …. Thank you Anita, for sharing your heart. God always
has His hand in the direction we seem to go, and knowing we are not alone in the journey is comforting. By sharing His strength, you have Blessed so many of us.
Sending a big Hug back to you!
Susan, I’m so touched. Thank you.
Oh! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story,,I admire all you have done,you’ve dedicated yourself probably when you thought you couldn’t. I so enjoy seeing your creative ways in your lovely home,and your home away from home.
Thank you again,,
Tina
Tina, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much!!!
Congrats Anita! Loving your blog posts and draw inspiration from each and every one!
Janet, thanks so much!!!
It’s been 8 years?! Wow! Thanks for sharing your time, talent and amazing life. Hid bless you always!
Thank you so much Beverly!!! I appreciate it so much.
Blessings sent you and for your journey. Beautiful girls gifts from God! Congratulations on your 8 yrs
Yes they are special gifts from above. Thanks Norma!!!
I love your blog! Congratulations on 8 years as you begin year nine!
Denise, you are so sweet.
You are a rock star. Love your blog!
Aww oh stop it Mary. (And thank you!!!)
May God bless you & your family.
Happy 8th anniversary an many more years to come.
Thank you Nancy so much!
Congratulations! You inspire me!
Thank you Sharon!!!
Congratulations, Anita! I love getting your posts and listening to your pod casts. You are so talented and share so much with us. God has truly blessed you and I pray that He will continue to bless you and make you a blessing to all of us.
Mary-Ann, you are so sweet. I’m so glad you are enjoying the podcast too!!! I pray God’s blessings on you dear friend.
Happy blogaversary, Anita!
Your daughters are beautiful. I too had to give up my career for my disabled kids (ADD). So now I’m a writer. Wish it paid as well, but there you are, life throws you what it does and we have to swim or sink.
Cath (Runningonempty).
Well it sounds like we both roll with the punches. Glad you found a new career.
Congratulations! Here’s to 8 more. #cpq1988?
Teresa, I get it!!! Ha, that was a long time ago!!!!
Congratulations on your 8th blogiversary Anita. You have a beautiful blog! I’m so glad it has provided that missing piece for you and I can relate so much to your post! I’ve been blogging for 9 years on Monday and truly love that it is a lighthearted respite from the ups and downs of life. Best wishes for the future of Cedar Hill Farmhouse and thank you for all the beauty and positivity you share here!
Lisa, I am so sorry I am slow to reply. Congrats on 9 years!!! You are (obviously) a year ahead of me! Keep up the great work!!
Congratulations on 8 years of blogging. I’ve followed you from what has to be nearly the very beginning and have learned so much from you. While we do not share exact visions for our homes, your kindness, personality and love of beauty transcends any differences in decor there may be. Please continue to do what you do best. We love it.
Hi Pat, I love that you are here, even though your design aesthetic is different. Thanks for hanging out with me!
Happy blog- a-versary my friend. Do you know I have been with you through your whole blogging journey? I have seen you flourish and receive recognition for your talent and although I may not say it enough, you are awesome and I am so happy you found this outlet to share with us. I admire your creativity and sharing spirit. and send hugs across the miles!
You are so sweet Katherine. We have known each other for a long time for sure. I appreciate your friendship!!! And I still remember the sweet Christmas things you sent awhile back.
Congratulations on 8 years of making a difference, Anita! Seven years ago I retired after 40 years of demanding careers, from being a newspaper reporter to running a community nonprofit. I had little time or energy to focus on home decorating. Your journey helped me transition and find the new me. I’d always loved antique shopping. Now I had the time to do it. You gave me a focus and the confidence to find my style. Savor your success and your many friends across the country!
Yay, I love hearing about your success Chris. Thank you so much.
Congratulations on 8 years as a blogger, that is a milestone! I love your blog and visit often. You have inspired me to have a lovely home and enjoy the process!
You did a wonderful job raising your two lovely daughters. You are blessed to have seen them grow up and become responsible young adults. You deserve a lot of credit!
Here’s to many more happy years of motherhood and blogging as well!
Thanks Sandra. I’m so happy to hear that this blog has helped you along your decorating journey!!
Anita,
Happy 8th Blog Anniversary!
I can’t tell you the joy that Cedar Hill Farmhouse has brought into my life.
I love French Provincial Furniture. I had French Provincial Furniture as a youth.
Somewhere along the way. . .being a Military Wife, a Mother of Sons,
and on a very limited budget, my dreams of a home full of French Provincial
Furniture quickly faded away.
However, your blending of the Traditional and the French Country Furnishings
won my heart and helped me to allow the love of all things French back into my life.
Thank you for continuing your blog!
Here’s to many more years as friends in The Land of Blog!
Happy Anniversary!
Pat
Pat, that’s wonderful that you found a way to create a home that you love (with some French Accents thrown in).
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I agree that creating brings us happiness and purpose– a friend told me that God’s creation contains beauty, design, and order and that when we design, create, beautify, and bring order to our surroundings we imitate Him. All of us mothers know exactly what you felt– of course caring for our children and families is the most important thing– but these other seemingly frivolous things have value, too! Great blog, and I like sharing at The Scoop, too!
Thank you!!! I’m so glad you shared that thought. I love it!