TENNESSEE'S ABORTION BAN FOR FETAL ANOMALY: FROM A MOTHER WHO LIVED IT

As a full-time working mom with 3 kids, my free time is pretty much non-existent. Lately I've been feeling like I live 3 different days in a 24 hour time period. My to-do list gets 5 new additions to every one accomplishment.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

It's been awhile, I know. But as I sit here, mind racing, running through every what-if scenario I could possibly think of, this is the only place that felt right to be.

SCOTUS NOMINEE {GUEST POST}

Written by: Mindy Woerter

It’s been two years since my abortion. So much has changed. I’ve moved from a place where I thought of my experience as “like an abortion” to accepting it and claiming it as a part of my experience as a woman and a mother, woven into the tapestry of me. I have moved beyond the raw grief and the questioning to a place of acceptance. I’ve lived my life in ways big and small, the biggest being welcoming our rainbow baby into our family. She’s healed our hearts in many ways and made our family complete. 

CLOSING ANOTHER CHAPTER

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." -Oprah

This past week I finished the half marathon. Another 13.1 miles in the books.
I also accepted a job offer at a smaller company only 3.5 miles from my home.

Closing another chapter.

JUST KEEP...RUNNING

In less than a week, I will be running the Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. This isn't my first race. I did the full Chicago Marathon when I was 22 and a few half marathons and 10 milers after that. But this is my first race post-kids, which makes it feel like it's my first.

NASHVILLE MS WALK

On December 10th, 2015, my sister received a phone call that changed her life. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system. I remember leaving work to be with her. I remember sitting beside her in complete disbelief, trying to process the news. And I remember her saying to me, "it's crazy how one phone call can change your whole life."

BUGS & BUTTERFLIES BIRTHDAY

Joe and Faye are 3 years and 2 days apart. They actually came very close to having the same birthday. I went to the hospital “in labor” with Faye the night before Joe’s 3rd birthday and spent about 6 hours there without any progression. Since I was already very overdue, the doctor suggested I start the induction process, but I decided to go back home instead and wait it out. I really didn’t want my kids to have to share a birthday. I was induced 2 days later. 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Last Friday marked the 2 year anniversary of my 2nd trimester abortion -- the day we said goodbye to our daughter, Grace. The day started with tears and ended with a family dance party. It was perfect.

NEW YEAR'S GATSBY STYLE

The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year and enter into the next with a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm. For me, 2017 was an absolute blessing. After 2 rough years struggling to grow our family, we finally welcomed sweet Faye Elizabeth into the world last January. That little lady has brought me back to life in a million and one ways and I can't believe she will be turning one in a few weeks. I spent the first half of 2017 in shock that she was actually here and the 2nd half in shock with how fast the first half went.

SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE

Today I came home to a letter from a collection agency for a balance we owe on our abortion. An abortion that happened 2 years ago next month.

THIS IS US -- FROM A PREGNANCY LOSS SURVIVOR

The show This Is Us has become my weekly therapy session. I usually get cozy in bed with my big box of Kleenex, ready for whatever they're going to throw at me next. And for whatever reason, it always feels so good to cry alongside the characters. From the very first episode with the doctor's monologue about life handing us sour lemons, to Kate's body image issues and her strained mother-daughter relationship, this show is so emotional for me because it hits on so many relatable aspects of my life. And tonight, well, it hit the hardest.

NASHVILLE: SANCTUARY FOR ALL

I went to dinner with a friend the other night and we got to talking about what brought us to the Nashville area. My friend's story was the same story I've heard over and over again. It sounded just like mine.

STAR WARS HALLOWEEN

I love Halloween. Always have. Since having kids, my love for Halloween has risen to a whole new level. What's better than reliving one of your fondest childhood memories through the lens of your own kids?

ELEGANT BABY SPRINKLE

Babies are worth celebrating, whether it's your first, second or fifth. In the past, showers were typically meant to celebrate first-time moms, but baby "sprinkles" are a new trend that's emerged that ignores that tradition. Basically, a sprinkle is just a scaled-down version of a baby shower -- less people, less frills, and typically less or no gifts since many second time moms already have all the equipment they need. It's a great way to tastefully welcome a sweet new addition.

THE $100 GROCERY CHALLENGE

If you follow me on instagram, you've probably noticed that I've been meal prepping like a crazy person. This all started back in mid-May. I had just taken a 16 week unpaid maternity leave and our cash flow had taken a bit of a hit. (Well, I guess technically I got 60% of my salary for 6 weeks, but it was from my own short term disability plan that I paid into myself. My company paid for nothing. I know, don't even get me started...) Anyway, James and I sat down one night and decided to take a hard look at our overall spending to understand where we could make cuts to get us back on track.

POST PARTUM BODY

My body has been through a whole hell of lot these past few years. I've had weeks where I've gained 10 and others where I've lost 10. 4 pregnancies in 3 years with lots of emotional highs and lows will do that to you. Sometimes I'd have an "I don't give a fuck" attitude, and I'd fill the void with ice cream and wine. Other times I was so depressed I could barely keep a bite of food down. Pregnancy loss does a number on your self esteem, especially when it comes to your body image.

UNTITLED 66 PHOTOS

I was attempting to organize my millions of photos during my lunch hour on Friday and came across an untitled folder on my desktop. I opened it up and there they were...the maternity photos we took when I was pregnant with Grace. It was right there among my folders titled Faye's Maternity Pictures, Faye's Newborn Pictures and Joe's First Birthday.

THE MOTHER WITHOUT A PLACE

I don't belong anywhere.

A MUCH LOVED BABY & AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE {GUEST POST}

Written By: Allyson

I’m sharing our story because our choice mattered. This choice shouldn’t be taken away from parents. I believe we all do the best we can with the information we are given. And we should be trusted to make the right choice for our babies and our own bodies. My hope is that others will get to continue to choose what they feel is right for their babies and their families.

ABORTION RIGHTS: WHAT'S THE VALUE OF LIFE?

As I sat among Right to life members on Tuesday waiting for the committee to get to SB 1180 on the agenda, I kept asking myself one question. What do all these pro-life people do for a living?