Today is the start of the annual Ultimate Blog Party on Five Minutes For Mom!
I have so much fun at this party every year, and I’m sure this year’s party will be no exception!
It’s always hard to know where to start with these posts! Trying to say everything that needs telling in one simple post.
I’ll start with the easy stuff: Hi! I’m Paula! I’ve been blogging forever about 9 years, but have gotten more serious about it in the last two years. I’m a happy wife of a wonderful guy, we’ve been married for 5 years now and have known each other for only slightly longer than that! We have two wild children Little Man (3) and the Princess (almost 2). They most certainly keep us on our toes in more ways than I have room to type here.
A bit more about me. I lived over seas for several years as a teen working in an orphanage and a youth ministry in the Philippines. I absolutely loved it there, but now I’m a stay at home mom to my two kids. Some people have seen this as a “step down” in life or ministry but I don’t see it that way. I’m doing what I love, raising my kids and pursing my dreams!
I’m a professional blogger (on this blog and beckyandpaula.com). I achieved one of my life-long dreams this year, and published my first book!
I love, love LOVE to encourage other mamas specifically. I frequently write in my series “Confessions of an Imperfect Mother” sharing lots of imperfect parts of our day, because I think it’s so important for us to be real with each other. It brings us together, and it’s so encouraging. You can check out that series for things like “My hate/love relationship with breastfeeding” and confessions about how “sometimes I get tired of playing with my kids” or “that time I yelled at my kid“. I hope some (or all!) of those confessions encourage you! I think as moms we try to hard and wear ourselves out trying to be “perfect” when really, we can just focus on being awesome and loving mamas to our own kids, even when that looks different than what another mom might be doing.
Sometimes I go on rants. . . Like a few months ago with “Real Women, Postpartum Bellies and Caroline Berg Erikson” or the time we talked about the best birthing method. I’m also pretty passionate about supporting unwed mamas and reminding you what a good mom you are.
I wrote a piece sharing 8 reasons childbirth is easier than pregnancy, and it’s always been a fan-favorite.
So here, on this blog, you will find a lot of things. Tips for facing tantrums (because, BOY do we encounter lots of toddler-tantrusm these days…literally, there’s a whole category dedicated to tantrums on the blog!). Help in the transition of adding a new baby to the family. Encouragement when you are having a bad day. The reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect mom for your kids. You’ll find real stories from my heart, even when they are hard to share.
We laugh, we have fun, we learn and we grow here. I love having this little corner of the internet to share with you. If you want to join us on this journey, please feel free to like this page on Facebook, and introduce yourself. We have all kinds of fun connecting over there and sharing stories! I would love to hear yours! If Facebook is not your thing, you can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Google plus or via email through the subscribe box on the right!
So glad that you are joining from the party, or to my regular-readers, I’m (always) so glad you are here! Looking forward to getting to know each of you more!
Georgia says
Always glad to learn more! You guys inspired me to join for the first time. After years of blogging I feel like I’m finally (and slowly) crawling out of my little shell! :)
Paula says
Yay! I’m so glad you are joining this year! So fun!!
Linda says
Being a caring and engaged mother is definitely not stepping back in ministry, it’s just using your calling in a different way. Nice to read more about you and your family. Would love to know more about how life in the Philippines, will poke around your blog a bit
Paula says
Hi Linda! :) I just stopped by your blog and left a comment too!
I wrote a bit about the philippines/motherhood/ministry in this post:
https://www.beautythroughimperfection.com/2013/04/23/family-ministry/
and a bit about their culture at Easter time here:
https://www.beautythroughimperfection.com/2012/04/06/holy-week/
but that’s about all on this blog that I’ve written on it. I might dig back into some old stories one of these days though! You are not the only one to ask about it so I probably should get on that!
Beth says
Found you on UBP. So glad I did, excited to start following along! Your blog looks so encouraging and fun.
Paula says
Welcome, Beth! So glad it looks encouraging and fun, that’s exactly what I’m going for!
Hopping over to your blog now!
–Paula
Bex Smith says
Found you via #UBP14 – bookmarked this post so I can take some time to read all the posts you mentioned and your book of course!x
Lindsay Eidahl says
How do i join the party? What do I need to do?
Paula says
all the details here :)
http://www.5minutesformom.com/88897/ultimate-blog-party-2014/
Clare - The Super Mommy Club says
Hi Paula – I just tracked you down from the party as your linky entry on the moms who do reviews link up doesn’t seem to be working!
Isn’t it exciting to publish a book – I love that Amazon lets us make that dream come true.
Enjoy the party!
Paula says
Aww thanks! I’m hopping over to your blog now!
Terra Heck says
Hello! Stopping by from #UBP14. Your kids are adorable. I think it’s great you’re a supporter of unwed moms and you’re not afraid to admit that mothering isn’t always perfect.
http://www.heckofabunch6.com/2014/04/ultimate-blog-party-ubp14.html
Paula says
Nice to meet you! :) and thanks!!!
Hopping over to your site now!
Susie B. Homemaker says
Great family pics… your kids are such cuties! My hubby and I have been married 15 years, but you have me beat on how soon you got married after you met. Lol I always thought our 6 mos. whirlwind romance was quick but 1 mos. is definitely quicker! :p Looking forward to reading more posts and new follower on all your social media networks!
Paula says
hehe we were fast ;)
Nice to meet you here, heading over to check out your blog too!
Sybil Brun says
Hi, stopping by from UBP! Love your site and learning more about you here!
Sybil from She Lives Free
Paula says
NIce to “meet you”. Will be heading over to your blog soon! :)
Anna Pietrocola says
Hi Paula – I’m stopping by from #UBP14. I am a newbie & its a lot of fun…. nice blog & beautiful family. I am a mom and I have my own business. Stop by my blog (http://spaglo.blogspot.com/201… & Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/spagl… if you get a chance. Have a great day!
Cindy says
Hi Paula,
Great to discover your blog via UBP14! Being a less than perfect mom myself, I am intrigued by your posts titled “Confessions of an Imperfect Mother” — headed to read them now.
Anna Pietrocola says
Hi Paula – I’m stopping by from #UBP14. I am a newbie & its a lot of fun…. nice blog. I am a mom and I have my own business. Stop by my blog (http://spaglo.blogspot.com/201… & Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/spagl… if you get a chance. Have a great day!
Terry Dagrosa says
Hello Paula! Hope you enjoy the rest of UBP14! Follow us Twitter http://bit.ly/1e8WcH4 @SeductionMeals