Friday, September 10, 2010

PR Post

I consider running our family's blog like running an effective Public Relations campaign. I edit the pics to only post the ones I think look best. I edit the words to just give enough information, but not too much. I only write the positive news or funny events -- not the monotonous day-to-day actions or sad news.

I am breaking out of my PR campaign for this post. Another friend of mine also calls it, 'removing your blog face'. We should not be judging or thinking that other's lives are perfect or exactly the kind of experience we wish to have by what we read on their blog. We are all trying to put good PR out there for ourselves & our families.

I have strugggled to want to write this post for several weeks. I don't like to let the whole world in on the quiet details of our family's life. I prefer to give you a quick overview of the good -- not the feelings caused by the bad.

We have been hammered with one trial or circumstance, after another, after another, after another, the past 2 months. I may not share all of our 'trials' here or when I talk to you because I believe they are relative to your experience. I hate to bring up my 'bad news' when your 'bad news' could be much worse. I don't want a lot of sympathy. I just want to find the solution & work hard to get to that better place.

In the last 2 months we have:

*Been looking & working on securing better employment for Chad. Love Carnegie & it's been a fabulous experience. Just looking at other options.

*Chad experienced a week of lying flat on is his back on the floor after the herniated disc in his back slipped out of place. He was in a lot of pain.

*We've all been sick with a cold or flu.

*Traveled lots & lots of miles in a car with a mystery 'Check Engine' light on that I just hoped would get us to our next destination. Luckily - it did. Until yesterday, when we replaced car batteries in BOTH our vehicles - on the same day! What are the odds?

*Been wanting to expand our family for over a year, with no luck.

*Been working for over a year to find some refinance / help with our house, which is now worth 1/3 of what we paid for it, with no luck.

I DO NOT POST THIS FOR SYMPATHY. I do not post this for other to feel sorry for us.

I post to share that life is not always perfect. It's how you react to these imperfect moments that shape you.

With all of these bits of bad news, we've had several meaningful moments showing us that we can make it through. Chad & I are working together like we never have before. We are laughing when we can't take it anymore. We are still planning for the big picture. We are making it, one day at a time.

It may not be the best PR move -- but it is the truth. And it's OK......

9 comments:

kalie said...

I love the honesty and "real-ness" of this post. It's so true that we create online personas--the best, wittiest, most attractive versions of ourselves. But what you've managed to capture is that it is everything--especially struggs--that make us who we are. So, thank you for this post!

P.S. Timing is everything with babies--speaking from experience, just keep at it!

Alex said...

I appreciate the honesty and fortitude you have!

Does Adam know you posted this? ;-)

Love you guys!

Alex said...

Oops.. I meant Chad!

See even my life isn't all that it is cracked up to be!!!

::David and Erin:: said...

You are a superstar for taking off your "blog face" and sharing your struggles. It's almost liberating isn't it? When I posted about our fertility struggles I felt like a weight had been lifted. I, too, am guilty of trying to put out good blog PR, but the truth is life is pretty crappy sometimes. I think we all do each other an injustice when we present only the good and not the bad. I can't tell you how many times I've cried at my desk reading blogs about other people's seemingly perfect lives, wondering why I can't have kids or go on super expensive vacations. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU! for your honesty. I really do care about you and your struggles. Best of luck getting it all sorted out.

Alli Waldron said...

I loved this post! Maybe the PR-post can be the new blog craze. Everyone will occasionally post the not-so-happy things about life and everyone can feel better knowing that their lives are not the only ones that aren't perfect! Stay tuned to my blog for PR-post ;)

wermakingmemories said...

Dana, I love your honesty. I feel the same way It's always the pretty pictures that get on the blog. Maybe you'll help be to be better at doing this also. I do want my posterity to know my trials and to know how I make it through them.

Leslie said...

Seems like a lot of time life is lots of 'growing experiences' intermingled with little rays of sunshine. I have to say though that Quinn and I totally admire you and Chad. You're amazing people. We had a really rough patch not too long ago and the other side has been almost bliss! Can't wait to see you on the other side!

Jason and Andrea Wilcock said...

LOVE THE HONESTY! Hang in there! Life is hard right now, but like you said, it can make us all stronger. Keep trying for more babies. ;-) I've been on the emotional roller coaster ride. It's hard to see all the pregnant mommies in my neighborhood, but finally this year, when I was struggling I realized, just what you said, "it's how I react that shapes me." Now, I'm trying to just "live it up" with our girls! THANKS FOR THE POST!

barlow4 said...

Dana! You are always such the optimist. Even when talking about trials you are still so upbeat. Just how I remember you! (It's Amanda from the oh so distant high school days!). And YES. I admit I have been blog stocking you!!