Hello all,
I must apologize for the big absences the last few months…. Recent situations have made me have a bad taste in my mouth towards blogging… I might share more later… that post would take more thought than I’m able to give at this moment and be filled with anger that needs to calm a bit before putting it to paper:)
But I did want to write and say Happy Holidays and wish everyone an insanely amazing New Year!! I am so grateful for the sweet responses I have received from so many of you and am so appreciative of everyone who cares enough to actually read this momma’s random crap and rants!
Let’s see…on my mind today….
The Duggars.
I don’t know how you guys feel about this family but I adore them! I love that people outwardly and loudly oppose their decisions and they could care less. They keep living what they believe to be true no matter what….you gotta respect that:) How they keep their home so clean with that many people living in it is beyond me. I barely can keep up with laundry for me alone, not even counting the man and kids! I love that they live in the middle of nowhere. I love that their entertainment is not TV but each other. I love that they cook all their meals as a family and rarely eat out. I love that they don’t have debt, they don’t spend money unless they have it in hand. The children are respectful and the parents run the household with a calm voice! It seems impossible but they do it! As crazy a life as it seems I think we all could learn a lot from the Duggars:)
I was online today and came across an audio ‘letter’ to their recently stillborn baby Jubilee. People are going crazy that they have posted pictures of this child. I don’t think the public realizes that this happens all the time. There are photographers for most hospitals that come in and photograph stillborns with their families. It is done in a very tasteful manner and the pictures are beautiful. If a family chooses to share these photos, how is that wrong? It should be a families choice how they chose to grieve a loss and it should be no ones business to judge! Sure people can have opinions, but to go so far as to find them online and write horrible things to them is ridiculous.
I found the pictures to be beautifully done….
Not to mention that I've found countless blogs with pics of their sweet babies that have passed on done by the same organization,(Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep), and no one has a cow about that. Those people CHOSE to post them, the Duggars pics were tweeted without their knowledge and pasted on TMZ for the world to see. I can't blame them for going on and releasing the photos since they had already been shown!
I just see how she can give birth to that many kids! Im not sure if I could do I kid much less 20!
Well said!
It seems someone always needs a reason to complain or criticize. I am so learning that I can't judge unless I walk a mile in your/their flip flops….
Ahhh, refreshing to hear simple, common sense thinking. I would love to have a sweet spirit like Michelle
D. Ha! I only have 2 grandkids in my home! But…with all the craziness, I wouldn't trade my life for anything!
Sorry to hear you've had some struggles. Missed ya. I look foward to your blogs. You're the real deal. Love & prayers 🙂
Welcome back <3
I've never seen their show (its not up in Spain), but I have heard about it and have mixed thoughts.
But as you said, its admirable how two parents can raise such a big family and keep their path straight (if it makes sense)
People who have a problem with it obviously don't know what it is like to loose a baby. To put your child in the ground and NEVER EVER see them again (in this life at least)…how could you NOT take a picture? People are insensitive and cruel to judge them.
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I'm really sorry to hear that you have been going through a hard time. I, along with my family will keep you and yours in our prayers. When I heard the news about Michelle Duggar losing her baby, it was just heartbreaking. Being someone who has experienced that loss, when you hear about someone else who is going through it all I want to do is wish there was a way I can make them not hurt. I don't watch their show regularly, but of what I have seen…I resepct the family a great deal for all they have accomplished with their family.
And the photos that were released were done quite tastefully in my opinion.
Wishing you a very Happy Holidays.
Cici
Haylie,
I hear what you are saying about blogging. I started a blog and was excited to post all my deep and shallow thoughts…..yeah that lasted all of a month. Then I began to feel that my life was boring and that no one would ever read it. I felt vulnerable and over exposed. Imagine my shock to realize that no one ever discovered my blog! Accckkk…
To add insult to injury I became a blog granola obsessed reader. I found awesome blogs of crafts, gardening, tiny house designs, food porn, calf roping, Amish living and everything in between which only confirmed that they all have exciting lives and I have zilch!
Don't get me wrong, I love my simple life but a simple life does not make for interesting reading for others. Some bloggers make a career out of the advertising and the product placements which sounds fantastic but harder than it looks. Your blog has a interesting angle, your in California, married to a singer/performer and come from a talented family–all together makes for compelling reading. Those powers combined make instant readership…they come for the icing but realize that you are a down to earth nice mama underneath and stay tuned in for those captivating everyday woman qualities. Why do I blather on…..:) just keep writing and sharing and follow your lode star to blog nirvana!
Seriously, next time you are in the Chicago area would you just come visit and we can re-enact all our favorite parts from Little House on the Prairie!
Amish wanna be Candice ( not a stalker just a wanna be farm girl)
Hi Haylie,
I am sorry you are struggling with….something. I too love the Duggars and have enjoyed them for years. I wish I had her patience. The only 'issue' I have…I realize it is NOT my call, is that they say they will have as many children as God will give them…but I really think the last 3 pregnancy's are screaming at Michelle that her body has had enough. Wouldn't it be tragic if she continues to give birth and dies as a result of it…and leaves that family without a mother?
Who are the Duggars?
Haylie, I agree! I have friends who lost their son after just a few hours. The photos they have as a family with him are some of the most raw and yet beautiful memories I've ever seen. Sometimes it seems that people like to criticize things because they make them uncomfortable. Sometimes discomfort (is that a word?) is a good thing, it means something is being stirred up inside of you. I love the Duggars. Their show is entertaining, educational and just plain old fun. Although I will not be having 20 children (that's not even possible for me at this point) I say if you're OK with it and have been blessed with that then by all means go for it.
*peace to your soul my friend.
I guess I am going to sit back and rethink my thoughts on the subject. I too love the Duggars but I will admit that when I saw the photos that they were posting I was a bit unnerved. I felt that those were sacred and too personal, I felt like I was invading. I did not have an issue with the fact that pictures were taken, I just do not know if I would post them for the world to see. In the end, it is their decision and we can chose not to look if we have a problem.
On a different note,Im sorry to hear that you have been having issues with blogging. For my own selfish reason, I hope that you will continue. I have become a bigger fan of yours that I am already of your husbands…..dont leave us hanging.
I absolutely agree about the baby pics. They were beautiful.
Hi Haylie
I'm glad you're back. We all need to move forward at our own pace. I agree with all you are saying.
No one has a right to judge anyone for the way they choose to mourn a loved one. (especially a child) You know of our recent loss and as hard as it is people still choose to judge and say awful things that they no nothing about. Terrible things were said about our family on websites and message boards. Losing a child is something no one should have to endure.
On a lighter note, although I chose not to have 20 kids myself ( I have 4) I have no problem having 20 grandkids.
Keep 'em coming guys!
For what it's worth Haylie, i'm so glad you are back to blogging. I am sorry however that some people have chosen your blog as a place to argue over someone that you have lost. May Brittany rest in peace, and may everyone realize that all of the bickering in the world will not bring her back. I love reading your blog and hope you continue.
Just got on to the website to find this sad discussion. Wow….
After numerous threats to myself and family on my personal email I will never be involved in this fight. You might continue to bash me on twitter, or write more threatening emails…but, I will never speak publicly about my dear friend after this. She was a massive part of my growing up, part of the learning process that made me me. Part of the root system of who I am as a person was ripped away that day. My memories are precious and they are mine. I will not allow them to be tainted by reading or engaging in this "he said she said". I will remember her every day of my life. Will I grieve her on her birthday and day of death?….yes. Along with every other day. How will I do that? It is nobody's business and I'm not sorry if that offends some of you. I will continue to spend my time and energy on my family. My amazing husband. My three beautiful children, who apparently I've been warned I need to 'Watch out" for. You've involved my TODDLERS so I'm done.
Signed,
"Cold hearted" "Stupid b**** who murdered her best friend"(someone else's words, not mine.)
PS- In regards to this website…If you guys want to fight back and forth please find another forum… You all are being so hurtful to one another. I made this blog in hopes to bring joy to my family and friends lives. I will delete anything that is not in line with that.
PPS- I am so sorry that the readers of my blog have been subjected to this. This letter was not written to you.
Haylie,
I just started following your blog. I am brand new. I am not sure what is all going on but I AM SO SORRY for the insensitivity and cruelty that people are showing you.
I joined your blog for a couple of reasons. 1. Your husband told all us fans to follow his wife's blog. (LOL) 2. I looked at your blog and you are SOOO funny and I liked that a lot. 3. I stayed with your blog because you blog about day to day things that I can relate to. I am a stay at home Mom but to an Autistic Son. You give great money saver tips, I find great recipe, it is so cool to see how you can raise a family of 3 when your husband travels so much and of course the entertainment is SO fun!
Please know that you are in my prayers now that I know you have lost someone special to you. I am SO sorry that people are attacking you for whatever reason. A loss is a loss regardless of the reason. May you find comfort in God's Grace and may he hold you closely and I already know he has you and your family protected.
Prayers to you today!
Mary Kay
Hi Haylie,
I've been thinking about this post since you posted it.
1. I've never heard of the Duggars, but I think it's interesting that a family that doesn't watch TV has a TV show for those who do! (No judgement, just intrigue.)
2. Thank you for such a thought provoking topic.
I had never thought about photographs of people after life has left them and how I feel about that. It really made me think about photographs in general and why some cultures believe it 'takes part of the soul' and so on. So interesting.
I still haven't formed a firm opinion on this one, but there may be a link to this and to why I stopped videotaping my kids a few years back. I LOVE snap shots, they're great reminders, but with videotaping–after going to multiple school concerts, stressing about people's heads getting in the way, trying to zoom in, stay steady and on and on, I realized I was missing the moment I was trying to capture! Now I stay in the moment and watch with my EYES! I rarely watched the videos anyway, and now my memories are of the actual events and not what I saw through a lens!
Anyway, thanks for the food for thought. I'll continue chewing on this one.
Your blog is delightful and still the only one I follow. (Except for my son's–it's one of their high school assignments to have a blog, cool teacher!)
Take care,
Connie