10 Questions I’m Asked. Often.

I’m part of a top ten get to know you what questions are you asked  link up today. I’ve gathered up some of the many questions I’m asked and listed them below and included a link to a post that further answers each question. So it’s like a mini-interview today.  And I started with that picture of me again standing in the meadow where life looks strangely calm and yet I know that it’s only like that for a minute so I’m smirking instead of really smiling…Grin.

1. Do you sleep? {there’s no guilt in rest}
Yes, seriously, I’ve been asked that question. I happen to be one of those people that can get by on very little sleep – I stay up late and rise early. In fact, for me, it’s actually a bit of a challenge to sit still — which is probably why I write a great deal about grace, and letting go of perfection, and not comparing. I’ve also been known to sneak in needed naps on weekends.

2. When do you find time to write? {why do you write?}
I tend to write either very late at night or very early in the morning. Often, I’ll write the main portion of my post at night and then work hard in the morning to get the links, pictures, and nitty-gritty details added. I do, however, have pieces of scrap paper scattered where I’ll write tidbits from my day that inspire my writing. Including, grin, a bit of truth from my recent crazy walk to the park with all of my boys that turned into almost a comedy of errors.

3. Why intentional living and intentional parenting? {10 Days of Intentional Parenting}
My journey with living intentionally was ignited in the years following my husband’s cancer diagnosis. While he was going through treatment many things in our life crumbled, including finances, and I began to realize that either I would become bitter or I would live a life of joy that is not dependent upon the circumstances around me. So, I began to focus on living intentionally and recognizing the gift found in the every day little things. I would force myself to find good in the midst of challenge, and after a while this became a habit and a way of life that I want to share.

4. Why do you homeschool? {our groove. 10 facts about how we homeschool}
Honestly? I don’t have a great clear convicted answer. We started homeschooling when Hannah was young and in kindergarten, and then we moved for a bit to San Diego so we kept homeschooling because it was the middle of the year. Then when we moved back we thought just one more year and then, well, here we are — homeschooling is simply a lifestyle for us now. I am grateful for all the years that we’ve been able to spend together and don’t take them for granted.

5. What are your top posts? {dear moms with littles}
My Dear Mom letters are some of the most shared posts that I’ve written. I believe mothers are looking for encouraging words in a busy and competitive world and that these letters speak to women’s hearts. Often, when I’m writing them, I’m writing them from the perspective of what I need to hear during the day or if I was having a conversation in a coffee shop with a friend. Posts dealing with Celiac Disease are a close second. That is truly humbling to me as often it’s parents looking for advice on Celiac Disease and how to live gluten free in a gluten full world.

6. How did you know Samuel was sick? {what I learned. how I fought. what I did.}
This one pulls at my mother’s heart. Samuel, prior to being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, was sick every 3 weeks on the dot. He was chronically dealing with croup, pneumonia, and strep. On top of all of that he had severe problems with his bowels that wouldn’t clear up no matter what we did. Towards the end, right before he ended up in the hospital, he was fading right before our eyes. He could no longer walk around, would sleep most of the day, and wouldn’t eat anymore. I knew that something was seriously wrong when my husband told me {about one week before he was hospitalized} that he was afraid that we were losing Samuel. Those were some of the scariest weeks of my life as we knew something was wrong yet we had no diagnosis.

7. What can you tell me about Celiac Disease? {one year. the celiac disease fight}
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease where the body cannot process any form of gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats – or as I say – almost all foods found in the grocery store that are in a box. For an individual diagnosed with Celiac Disease they can never cheat and eat gluten as gluten destroys the villi that line that gastro track. These villi absorb nutrients, and when they are damaged or blunted {from gluten}the individual doesn’t absorb nutrients and starves. Also, for cases like my Samuel, the immune system as a whole is compromised and therefore they become very prone to infections. Once Samuel went gluten free he began to grow and the chronic infections halted. He still lives with an immunes system that is slightly compromised, and when he gets ill he gets much sicker than everyone else. Today? I am grateful for his diagnosis and health.

8. Why do you write about joy? {so what’s the deal with joy}
I write about joy for the same reasons as I try to live intentionally – to me the opposite of joy is bitterness. Society preaches happiness, and happiness is elusive, it’s dependent upon circumstances, and while it is wonderful it is not something that can last. Joy to me, is a posture of one’s heart.  It’s a being willing to feel both the ups and downs and seeking out the beauty in the little moments of life that we are blessed with every single day. I don’t want to live life waiting until everything becomes “perfect” because then I would spend my life waiting and miss out on the joy found right in front of me.

9. What vehicle do you drive? {sanity for the vehicle}
We don’t have a vehicle that fits our family. We have a suburban and a smaller car and when our family goes anywhere together we simply take two vehicles. I’d love a larger vehicle, but at this point it just hasn’t been possible. Chevy or Ford? If you’re reading this and would love to bless a larger family with one of your wonderful vehicles just connect with me. 🙂

10. What other sites do you write for and do you speak? {there is never just a mom}
I am a contributing writer for HipHomeschool Moms and help to manage their social media. I also write for 5 Minutes for Faith. In the next months I will be joining the Home Educating Family Team of writers as well. Do I speak for events? Yes. I love the personal opportunities to share my heart and to meet so many wonderful people. In fact, I will be speaking at the upcoming BEECH Retreat. I’m just blessed to be included in the wonderful line-up of speakers and would love it if some of you could attend. If you’re interested in having me speak some of my topics include : intentional motherhood, living awake – a life journey, homeschooling with joy, living a “loving the little things” life, finishing well, and managing a large family.

and of course, why coffee? well, that one is obvious. Coffee is a gift, to me, the very busy mom. As is gardening – it gives me something to start and finish and share with my little knight dressed children.

So that’s it. Sharing short answers for some of the top ten questions that I’m asked. I hope they gave you a further glimpse into me, my friends! Stay in touch even more via facebook at finding joy blog or on twitter at finding_joy. And if you haven’t subscribed via email and want finding joy in your inbox simply click subscribe. I think this post just might make it to the faq page…any more questions that you have?