Well, first let's get the real most frequently asked question out of the way. No, Connolly kids, you cannot watch a movie during lunch today. Now that that's settled...
Yes, we had three kids in three years.
Our first three babies were 13 months apart on either side. So that's really more like two years and two months. It was fun and it was crazy. I wouldn't suggest it to most people, but if you find yourself having two under two or three under three - I have one thing to say to you. You are highly blessed and favored, woman. Soak it up and let it happen. Enter into the world of diapers and naptimes and strollers that fit multiple children. In a few years, it will all seem like a blur and you'll be left with two or three or four kiddos who are absolutely best friends. Don't stop going on dates or slapping your husband on the behind while you make pb&j's if you can help it.
On our business + ministry
Yes, for this season - Naptime Diaries and our other internet endeavors provide our full income. My husband is a full time pastor and an amazing one at that. We don't believe all pastors should work for free, but we love that the Lord has called us to this for this season.
Blog design + Custom prints
For this season, I no longer do blog or business design and I don't offer any custom prints. No custom colors, no name prints, and no state/love prints. We learned that it took me tooooo long to do all of those things and that doesn't love our customers well.
How I started blogging + tips for other bloggers
You can read a little about my blogging story here but if you're looking to grow in this endeavor, I highly highly suggest checking out The Influence Network. The network is a community I'm building with my amazing friend Hayley (and lots of other friends) and it's chock full of resources for women like us, who have fun ideas and want to grow things.
Tips for other shop owners + print shops
Again, the network is a great place to start. For making connections, getting tips and feedback on your brand. In general, my main advice for growing a shop or small business will always come back to two things: make an amazing product that you LOVE because you love to make it and network well. Make friends online. Share what you make.
How do I...
Homeschool, run a few businesses, write bible studies, support my husband's ministry, have friends, serve my church, love my kids, stay sane, shower, etc? I do it with lots of grace and lots of scheduling. Our life looks a lot different that a family with a typical schedule and typical jobs. We also have traded many things for this season. We work about 3 nights a week, we constantly have laundry that needs washing, and our family always comes first. Which means sometimes email has to wait. And I only shower a few times a week, at night.
And, I really believe God gives us all different sized plates in different seasons. I highly encourage women to walk in what God has called THEM to and not look to the left or the right.
Do you offer sponsorship + are you doing the mentorship program again?
I do offer monthly sponsorship, more info here. And I won't be doing the mentorship program the way I did in the fall of 2012. I will be offering my services via The Influence Network for blog + shop help and teaching classes.
On writing...
I wrote an eBook, Be Quiet and Say Something, in June 2012 and I'm currently in the process of expanding + editing it. I have another book idea that I'm praying through, but for now - Naptime Diaries is my main writing outlet, along with SheReadsTruth. I loved the process of writing an eBook and I highly suggest it for someone who wants to get their feet wet without pursuing traditional publishing.
Speaking + Guest posting + Product Reviews
I am available for speaking engagements after June 2013. I'll warn you, I'm a hand talker and I overuse the word super.
I typically don't give guest posts because it takes so much time to write my own content, but feel free to email with special requests. I will do very organic product reviews if it fits the Inspiration or A Peek category of my blog organically.
Popular Posts
Here are some good posts to peruse if you're new here.
A story about Arrow
Glory's story
Ugly Crying in the Driveway
The Wild Anchor
It took a year
The DIY generation
Influence 2012 recap
Anything I'm missing? Contact me and I'd love to answer.
