Over the past month I've been thinking a lot about blogging. Why do I blog? What do I want out of it? You see, when this blog started way back in 2005 it was just to keep our parents up to date with their grandkids that lived thousands of miles away. Then it became a way for me to remember big and small milestones about the kids (because who really has baby books that are complete these days), and then we started our Haitian adoption and it became a journal through those years.
Now, here I am wondering what it should be now. Sometimes I feel like I don't have much to offer because we're not in the trenches of adoption anymore. (I know that's silly, and I'm not looking for a compliment to make me feel better, so don't offer one.) I mean a mom to four is not that uncommon, right? What should this blog be? Should I tell stories? Continue to journal my kids lives, which could become quite boring to most of you. Should I share my thoughts on what God is teaching me, because that is always crazy, but then you just might not care about that either. Talk about being married to Aaron Ivey. 😉
Sometimes I have this very crazy idea that I'd like to write a book. It's crazy for two reasons. #1 because I'm not a writer, I just blog. I think those are two very different things! #2 You don't just write a book. I'd love to share my story of God's faithfulness and grace in my life because if you knew what I had been through in high school and college you would shout AMEN to God's faithfulness that I even made it to Jesus. I'd love to write a book to adoptive momma's encouraging them in their wait and the first few months and years that follow bringing home your child. I know first hand how excruciating the wait is and how lonely the coming home is.
I've had the crazy privilege of writing a few articles this year for HomeLife and one for ParentLife as well. Both of these magazines knew me from my blog, and so that has been amazing and wonderful. Remember the whole I'm not a writer thing, well yeah I basically have a hysterical moment of anxiety and insecurity every time I email in my article. I have someone edit it and they make lots of suggestions, because remember I'm not a writer, and that makes me feel stupid and unworthy. It's a vicious cycle. Is this how artist feel when they share their art? It's worse than dreaming you go to school naked. It's more like you go to school naked and everyone gets a marker to circle all your fat areas. That's what I feel like when I send something in. Completely vulnerable.
So, here I am vulnerable as ever, standing before you my reader and asking for your help. I know that people read this blog, because I get your emails, and you find me in the parking lot of Old Navy to hug my neck and say hi to my children, which you know all their names, and you all say the same thing to me, Jamie thanks for being raw and vulnerable. I think that's funny, because I'd much rather blog about my screw ups than what I do right, and maybe that's because I feel it is more personal, and maybe because I just always feel as though I grow so much through screwing up and have a God that is so good at picking me back up, dusting me off and moving me forward. Many of you have journeyed with us for years now in our adoptions and you feel a part of that, and for that I'm humbled and grateful. Thanks for reading my words. I pray that God has used them to move your heart towards mercy and justice. Now I need your help. What do you want to hear from me? Adoption questions. Marriage questions. Loving Jesus questions. How God has redeemed me from my past. What I think about Tom & Katie's divorce. How my kids eat salad. I have no clue folks. You ask, and I'll tell.
Email me and let me know what you want to know. jamie @ aaronivey (dot) com – anything. Ask away.
So a few nights ago, I sat down and for the first time, read through a TON of your old blog posts. I found so many of them so heart warming. I didn’t realize what all you were dealing with with Deacon’s disease and all you went through with that. It gave me a new appreciation for mom’s in that situation, and compassion in general for little Deacon. I read a post from 2010 about your anxiety and seeking help from your doctor. That has been me before, and reading your blog made not feel alone in that. I read blogs on adoption journey-we only know at this point that we want to adopt someday, but that the timing is not now. I don’t even know where to begin on that process, so I’d WELCOME any blogs on that. I’ve also been struggling at times with what my life looks like as a worship pastor’s wife. I’d LOVE to hear your insight into that area of life!
WRITE A BOOK. You don’t have to be a writer to write a book, just a follower who wants to share her story in hopes of drawing others to Christ. And judging from all who read your blog, I think your book would be a best seller 😉
KEEP THE BLOG. That is, if you have the time of course ;).
Most importantly, thank you for keeping it real on here ;). Thank you for sharing bits of your life with us, that we might learn and grow in Christ right along side you 🙂
Jodie – thanks so much! Your words are super sweet!
I love your blog and think you should write whatever is on your heart, whatever you are wrestling with or thankful for or just thinking more about. I feel like that is what you have done and reading your blog has really encouraged me as a mother and wife. So thank you!!
Also, while I think you could absolutely write an amazing book, I also want you to know you already have! You can turn this blog into a book that will be like a modern scrapbook of sorts for your family. Would be fun to see your blog in print. 🙂
http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook
Please continue writing!
My question is, how did you decide whether to pursue domestic or international adoption? My husband and I hope to start the process this year and are not sure which direction to go.
Great question Cecilla I’ll blog about that soon!
Jamie, I have stumbled upon this older post because I have been considering starting a blog.I’m trying to figure out if I have anything to offer or if I’m just being a complete narcissist. Along those same lines, I wondered how does one start a blog. Is the first post an introduction? Do I start with why I’m doing the blog? I have been a fan of yours for a long time. I’m a south Austin girl. I listened to you on Kvet. This morning I wondered “How did people like Jamie Ivey start a blog?” This post is very encouraging. I am so impressed with how God has used you and your talent. Thanks for sharing your story.