It started out as just wondering. I loved the look of this blog but something needed changing. What was it? I wanted to convey the chaos. I talked to my now very good friend, Kimberly of both Kimberly Muro Designs and Reflections of Now (her blog that is one of my favorites) and asked what she thought. She gave me some websites to sift through images of what I might be looking for and I found the queen that is on here now. I can’t stop staring at how perfect it reflects my life, though she has way too many cleaning products in her hands. I love that she has a bunch of hands doing a bunch of things at the same time because though I only have two, it feels like I should have more.
The only thing missing was a kid hanging from her. It felt like it needed that since they cause all the chaos. So again, I asked Kim. She thought it might work so again, I sifted through pictures and couldn’t quite find what I was looking for. I found one little girl crying over spilled ice cream and that seemed fitting but to have only one kid…what about my other three? Since I have a lot of kids, I was afraid it would look cluttered or busy.
Then I found the ones on top and they fit. They show who we are in an understated way. I LOVE it. I’m not a big fan of change but in this case…I am like a superfan. Kim knew what I wanted before I even knew. I had a small idea…just wondered to myself and then in a small question asked and then my vision of exactly what I wanted with no clue how to get it, showed up on my site. I cannot stop staring at it. How it just fits me, my writing style and what I write about so perfectly…and the best part? Thanks to Ashley and Kim, my writer’s block…GONE! If you are in need or even just thinking about some change, you have to check out Kim’s site. She is so good and made it less scary and effortless to bring my vision to life.
On another but similar note, it feels like there are changes happening that I am not as happy with. I know some say that life is just about adapting to the changes but I still don’t like it. Nico is going to homecoming. He came up with an idea after a torturous hour at the store. He was going to give her a pack of “Up 2 U” gum and a pack of Extra gum and write a note saying, “Will you go to homecoming with me? It’s ‘Up 2 U’. It would be ‘Extra’ sweet if you say yes.” He looked at me after I said that was cute and said, “This just isn’t me. I can’t see myself doing this.” In the end, he just asked her and she said yes. Now begins the changes of guys getting girlfriends and splitting time between their friends and the girls. Girls who want to hang out with their friends and their friends’ boyfriends. A whole new crop of kids that I don’t know. Hopefully the things we’ve said to him over the years have been ingrained in his brain. Have I mentioned I don’t like change? Except…
I’ll say it again…I LOVE the change in my blog!!!
I don’t know if I mentioned this before but you can vote for this blog each time you read it. All you have to do is press the”Best Mom Blogs” button on the side. It shouldn’t make me as happy as it does when my blog moves up but at the moment, it does. 
What about you? Any changes that are making you smile or causing you to worry? Do you welcome change or shy away from it?
I am a stay at home mom, married to my college sweetheart, Leo. We have four kids, Nico, Tommy, Isabella and Gia. We have a son, Rocco that is an angel in Heaven.
The thing i love most abotu the new site….you are excited about it again!
*about (stupid lefty’s disease)
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You are so sweet! And so right. I am excited again!
It looks great! (I also love this font, BTW!) Seriously, you have done a great job, and I especially love that you said it suits perfectly, except for “too many cleaning products”. Made me snort! And very cute idea with the gum–even if he didn’t use it!
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I love the font, too but it only shows up when we type. It is different after I hit comment. Strange. Thanks so much for your sweet words. I really owe it to Kimberly. I thought the gum idea was a good one, too.
You are #2 on Best Mom Blogs!! Whoop whoooop! You deserve #1 go get it girl! I just voted for you
I can’t believe I jumped to #2! That is so exciting! I have a feeling that if you could vote more than once, you had something to do with that. That is so sweet of you to say but I am pretty sure that the #1 blog is the rightful person at that spot.
I love it AnnMarie!! It feels so good when your blog feels more ‘you’, right? You feel more refreshed and excited about it and about writing.
Glad Nico went the old school way and just asked the girl (girlfriend soon? Ack!). And the changes you speak of, I don’t even want to think about.
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It does feel good when it is “more you.” He’s been spending a lot of time with her so we’ll see. And yes, those changed are scary ones.
SO happy for you!!! what a FANTASTIC looking site and although I don’t know you too well (can’t wait to know more) I love everything about it and how it speaks for YOU. That’s all that matters in the end. The family figures seem perfect fits also…amazingly perfect!! CONGRATULATIONS and writers block released….GO ANN MARIE!!!!!
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Thanks, Chris! I love your sweet words. The writer’s block lifted feels like an added bonus.
I absolutely LOVE the changes!
They look fantastic and totally fit perfectly with the blog theme…someday soon I am going to update my blog a little, and I will certainly be looking to Kimberly for help!
I am not normally a fan of change either, but every now and then, it turns out the change is good. This is definitely one of those times!
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Thanks, Ashley. It’s amazing how something as small as changing the header makes you feel all new and refreshed.
I am a big fan of Kim’s and think she is one of the best ones out there.
I really like your new look! It’s so much more fun to blog when you are confident on how your site looks. And ugh, high school and dating! I’m going to cherish the cute little opposite sex friendships my boys have now. It will change all too soon!
Thanks! Yes, cherish them now. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting where I am.
I absolutely love how your design turned out! I think it suits you perfectly. And thank you for being so amazing to work with!!
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You were the one that was amazing to work with. You were so very patient with my indecisiveness of which way to go with it and which font to use. After all that, I just love it so much that I can’t stop gushing about it.