Wednesdays with Wanda

Exactly one year ago this month, Mom introduced me to “blog world”.

She said, “Traci, have you ever been on any decorating blogs?”

And I think my reply was something like, “What’s a blog?”

Crazy, huh?!

She told me to write down these names and “google” them…

Southern Hospitality

Between Naps on the Porch

4 Reluctant Entertainers

Hostess with the Mostess

(and a few more.)

Well, that list of blogs sat on my desk for a few weeks. Every week, Mom would ask me if I had looked them up.

“Nope.”

Then she would urge me to check them out. She knew I would just love them. She said they tell you how to paint furniture, how to decorate your house, how to make curtains, how to cook fabulous food and more!

One night, I was working on my computer, and I saw the list of blogs lying on my desk. I thought I would click on them real quickly so I could tell Mom that I finally looked at them.

Well, a few quick minutes turned into almost three hours that night! I couldn’t stop traveling all over blog land. I hopped from one blog to another amazed at all of the incredible inspiration out there!!!

I was hooked!

After looking at blogs for a couple of weeks, Mom started encouraging me to start my own blog. I thought she was crazy! What would I write about? But Mom kept encouraging me just like she always did, and I gave in.

Thus became Beneath My Heart.

Wow! What a year it has been!!! My life has been blessed by my blog in ways I could have never imagined!

Without a doubt, I have gotten more projects for my house completed this past year than I have in the past 10!

I have met so many amazing people who have blessed me with their prayers and words of encouragement.

And strangely enough, my blog became a very special bond between Mom and I during her last days with us.

When she became sick, there wasn’t a lot she could do because her legs were so swollen. She spent most of her time reading her Bible, watching sermons on t.v., and writing “thank you” notes to others.

But at night, when it was my turn to stay at Mom and Dad’s house, Mom and I would stay up and work on our computers. I would say, “Oh Mom, look at this blog!” And she would click other there. She would say, “Have you seen this project?” And I would click over to that blog. We would laugh and talk for hours.

I asked my brother to take a picture of us playing on our laptops one night to capture those special moments. (We had moved Mom’s bed into the den because she could no longer walk upstairs.)

Mom would tell me, “Traci, you keep doing your blog. I believe it has been really good for you.”

And she was right. And so I will.

Thank you, Mom, for encouraging me to start my blog. Thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for always teaching me to dream big with God. What a “gift” you have left me here on earth! I love you, Traci

Tomorrow, I will be leaving for Blissdom!

I know Mom would be so very excited for me. I can’t wait to meet so many of my “blog friends”. Tomorrow I am going to share with you how I got my ticket!

Have a blessed day!