Me, Beautiful?

What makes you feel beautiful, ageless? 

 B.C. (before children) I felt beautiful when I saw my flat stomach in the mirror, when my chest was, shall we say, perkier?  When my hair was done and make-up applied. Granted, I am only thirty years old, but circumstances make me feel older than that on most days.

When I saw this contest and thought about writing this post I had to think about what makes me feel beautiful now.  When you live with chronic illness, feeling beautiful is a rare occurence.  I have bruises on my stomach and hips from my injections, I have gained weight (a fabulous side effect of many medications) and no amount of concealer can masquerade the dark circles under my eyes. 

But, thankfully this post gave me pause to reflect on the moments I feel beautiful.  When one of my boys strokes my face as I’m reading a story, the way my husband looks at me like I’m the only woman in the room, when my grandmother compliments my complexion, those are the moments I feel beautiful.  And I feel beautiful when I feel strong, when I make it through a difficult day or procedure, when I push through pain and fatigue to be the mama, wife and friend I am called to be.

Most importantly, all I have to do is look at myself through my Heavenly Father’s eyes.  He sees no faults, no fat, just my motives and my heart.  Thankfully, those things are far more beautiful than the package they come in.

If you are going to BlogHer, be sure to stop by Our Ordinary Life and tell them what makes you ageless for a chance to win money towards your trip.

Multitasking Mama is an Everything Mom

So, life is always full of surprises….I had given up on going to BlogHer months ago when they sold out faster than tickets to a Kenny Chesney concert.  I left it in God’s hands.  Last week I got a ticket. Woo hoo!  I am going to Chicago- going to Chicago.  Sorry, I digress! (the excitement does overwhelm me at times)

Now, just when my hubby is asking how in the H-E-double hockey sticks I am going to pay my way I find a sponsorship contest by Everything Mom.  In the interest of full disclosure (a big deal in the blogosphere recently)I had never visited the Everything Mom site before hearing about this contest on Twitter.  However, I am thinking this works in my favor.  Their goal with this contest is to spread the word about their site and the details of their Sharing Revenue Program with moms. 

Speaking of the Sharing Revenue Program (go CHECK it out!!) that helps blogging mama’s, such as myself, make a little extra spending money to support our blogging habit pad our pockets- I would love the chance to share the opportunity with the gals I meet at BlogHer (did I mention I got a ticket and I’m going yet? squee!)  How would I do this you ask?  Well, by blogging and vlogging my little heart out on behalf of Everything Mom, for starters.  In addition, putting my marketing background to good use (hey, I am not above shameless self promotion at this point) I would develop creative and fun ways to let mom bloggers know about the money making opportunities that await them at Everything Mom.  Off the cuff,  I am thinking business “cards” that look like money with the Sharing Revenue Program details on the back.  In addition, I would be willing to wear (and make if need be) Everything Mom on my head (a hat that is), chest (a shirt that is), and anything else they would ask of me.  Suffice it to say, Everything Mom would be very well represented!

Now, as for what I hope to get out of attending the BlogHer conference itself (other than meeting other fantabulous bloggers, learning more about the ins and outs of blogging through the break out sessions, making connections with companies and brands and enhancing my online presence) I would really like to show my hubby that blogging is not just my hobby. It is a relevant, modern mode of communication with the outside world that has proven to be a lifeline for me since I started blogging a little over a year ago.

So, go check out Everything Mom and say a little prayer that I have the honor of representing them at BlogHer next month.

How much do you love me?

Well, actually you don’t have to say how much you love me…you can SHOW me. All you have to do is vote for me here.

I am in the top 10 contest on The Mom Entrepreneur, based on my adorable slogan jingle that you can read via the link. Anyway, I am competitive and I want to win (I am in the lead right now so, if you have time would you mosy on over here and put my name (Melissa Smallwood) or company name (Organized Life by Design) in the comments…much appreciated!

Thanks and I love you back!