I Made It! A Successful 30 Days of Blogging!

Today's the day!

I have successfully completed 30 consecutive days of blogging. 

It's not something I ever would have set out to do on my own. I probably never would have even thought it was an important exercise to try!

But Sarah Arrow makes it impossible to resist. She says, "There is risk and reward associated with everything you do, and blogging is no different."

I honestly don't even know how I stumbled across Sarah's challenge, but I'm so glad I did. The wealth of information she sent my way each day almost turned my brain to scrambled eggs... but I'm pretty confident after I let it marinate that I will emerge a stronger writer and a more creative and organized blogger!

It was only a few months ago that I had a serious conversation with J about my goals to grow this blog into a business. 

It just made sense to join a challenge that (as Sarah says) would "exercise my blog muscle" and teach me more about taking my blogging to the next level.

So what have I learned? That I love this blog. That I love to write. That I love to inspire and encourage people, especially fellow moms and military spouses. That I want to write a book someday. That I like to write in large chunks. That I don't do as well when I haven't prepped for a post before 8pm. That I am hungry to understand more about how to market myself in a social media-focused world. That it's not too far fetched to think that I could make money blogging, or that I could morph my writing and photography businesses pretty easily. That this could be my job.

Don't they say that if you do what you love it doesn't feel like work?

That's my goal. To "work" doing what I love. 

Huge thanks to Jesse for putting up with me these 30 days. To my children who may or may not have periodically been watching more tv than is good for their brains so I could write. To Kirsten for high-fiving and gold-starring me to death this month. To my mother-in-law, who commented on pretty much every single post. To all the friends who spread the word about this blog, and to all the new members of the TABA family on facebook and twitter. To the new friends I made from the blog challenge facebook group, who supported, commented, and critiqued to make me better.

And to Sarah Arrow. Who wasn't just coaching from the sidelines. She was active on the facebook page every day... ready with live support, commenting on my posts, and walking through it with me the whole way.

This challenge has changed my blogging for the better! 

If you'd like to channel some of my excitement and take the challenge, too, just sign up here. It's free and it's awesome!

Get Your Awesome Ideas Out of the Oven and into Your Blog

The nice thing about this blogging challenge is that Sarah sends daily emails with ideas and lessons, but you don't have to follow her prompts if you don't want to.

I'm all about flexibility.

BUT on days when you aren't really sure what to blog about (well hey there, today!) it's absolutely awesome when her "assignment" is to talk about how you power through blocks in your business.

How handy!

So here's my best tip and the thing I'm working on applying... if your blog is your bakery and you want to regularly have those baguettes ideas going into the oven and coming out perfectly golden brown on time, then you have to:

Spend time every day doing at least some blog post "baking."

I was thinking about this today when I was baking a double batch of muffins for my family.

The only reason my muffins ever come out half-baked is when I'm in a rush. And the only reason I'm ever in a rush baking is because I didn't start the process soon enough before a deadline.

The same is true of my blogging. Or photography. Or school work. Or house work. Whatever it is!

I have to spend at least some time every day preparing for blog posts! 

It's not that I often have writer's block, per se; it's more that I have too much "baking prep" to do and not enough time to prepare AND get the post into the "oven!"

I have a huge list of things I can't wait to post about.

Funny how posts don't write themselves.

So I experience writer's block most often because I find that none of those great ideas are ready to go into the oven... and come out in a reasonable amount of time as a great post!

If there hasn't been brainstorming, drafting, photographing, and editing, then that's when I'm going to hit a block. Because 8pm at night is too late to worry about starting that process.

But... back to my double batch of muffins!

It didn't take that long to prep the batter, and then I had a batch baking while I had the rest of the dough at the ready on the counter!

Sometimes if I'm sitting down for my daily prep, I realize I'm on a roll and I get more than one post ready at a time! (I learned from Sarah that this is called batch writing and it's just so dang smart!) The times that I've worked ahead like that have been a life-saver.

And that, my friends, is the beauty of daily prep. 

Then the next time I hit a block, I've got some "batter" at the ready!

Fellow bloggers, writers, artists, photographers, and creative souls... what do you do to combat blocks? 

I'd love to see your tips in the comments!

Twenty Days of Blogging, Ten More to Go: You've GOT to Check Out This Challenge

You may or may not have noticed that I'm on a bit of a blogging binge lately.

Today marks day 20 of the FREE 30 Day Blogging Challenge that I've joined!  

Sarah Arrow of Sark e-Media is an amazing UK blogger who loves blogging enough to have a passion to share her wealth of knowledge with others... for free! 

All you do is sign up here, and you will get 30 daily emails from Sarah about blogging. Sometimes the emails have post links with even more info. And you can either take her thoughts to launch your own post for the day, or you can post about whatever you want and file her ideas for later (I have a blogging Pinterest board that's exploded in the past 20 days!) 

Then you throw your post up in the group on facebook to get credit and feedback. 

It's been really cool to find new bloggers whose work I really love. And to hear their kind words about my own posts has been so great!

And Sarah is like the blogging "mother hen" who's always at the ready to answer any and every question.

I'll admit, there were a few down days where I didn't want to blog or didn't know what to blog about or didn't have time... you get the point. Lily and I have been sick this past week and even so, I've pushed through. Not every post has been a gem, but I'm still proud that I haven't missed a day!

The challenge has broken me out of my comfort zone about blogging regularly... it's actually not as difficult as I thought to blog daily. And although I don't plan to keep up the daily word-vomit, I have learned a ton just by having that pressure to blog every day!

So if you have a blog or even the slightest inkling that you want to blog, I can't recommend this challenge enough! 

It's been a fabulous tool to get me jump-starting a more serious plan to provide YOU, my dear sweet readers, with great content.  

I realize the importance of a great content-plan and I have started a "diary" of posts so that I can map my content out weeks in advance. I understand better how to network with social media, provide better calls to action, promote my blog post over the course of the day, and utilize time-blocking to be more effective when I work on the computer. 

All this thinking about blogging has got me coming up with more and more and MORE blog ideas! 

Sarah's emails, posts, prompts, and the Facebook group have been a huge inspiration! I'm totally on a roll and I can't wait to see how these many lessons and ideas will help me grow my blog even more!

I'm literally exploding with ideas, here! 

So fellow bloggers, I challenge you to Sarah's challenge!!! 

Especially if you use your blogging (or want to use it) to grow your business presence in an online world, you’ve got to check it out! 

And are you on the fence about blogging? 

Have a blog that you've neglected as of late? Then consider this: the world can benefit from hearing your unique voice! 

In the book Blogging for Creatives, Robin quotes the CEO of BlogHer, Inc... when asked if there are just too many blogs? Lisa Stone replied, 

"It's a bit like asking are there too many movies. No, I don't think there are too many blogs - I'm not sure there are enough good ones!"

So that's my gushing review of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge. Make sure to check it out! It's definitely a challenge, but one well worth the effort!

Sign up today! Or share with a budding blogger you love! 


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Here are the links to Blogging for Creatives, Crush It, and Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook These are books I've read recently about blogging and social media which I highly recommend. If you follow these affiliate links, I will be compensated for your purchase at to cost to you. Thanks!

Quick Announcement | Domain Name Change

Just in case anyone routinely finds this here blog by typing "thereandbackagain-aforce.blogspot.com" into the search bar, I changed it. It's always bothered me that it's such a mouthful. We're gonna keep it short and sweet...

You can now find the blog at jessaiduk.blogspot.com.

Stay tuned for some more fun changes coming soon to a blog near you! 

As always, thank you so so SO very much to all who regularly read, comment, share, and pin these posts. I am so very grateful for this little community we're building as we all laugh and learn for the crazy adventure that is my life!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

My Juicy Saturday Morning Project

Good morning world! It's a fabulously dreary Saturday morning here in Germany and we have nothing going on. The girls are bingeing on movies and J is unwinding with a much needed video game session after a super stressful week of ALS.

So I'm enjoying my pajamas and I am about to sit down to a lovely project...

I finished the book Blogging for Creatives by Robin Houghton and I'm ready to start reading through the 38 blogs I wrote down that interested me. (That's just a fraction of the amazing content she recommends!) I've got a hot cuppa chai and I'm ignoring the laundry and dishes. It's time for some serious blog research and inspiration!

If you are interested in blogging you should buy this book. If you follow this amazon link I will get a small financial kickback from the amazon affiliate program for recommending it to you.

Robin's book is super informative, clear, inspiring, and just plain phenomenal. If I didn't already have two blogs, I would want to start one just because of how amazing this book is! But three blogs seems excessive so I'll just stick with what I already have going on! ;o)

I just love this quote from Lisa Stone, CEO of BlogHer, Inc. When asked if there are just too many blogs out there, she replied, "It's a bit like asking as there too many movies. No, I don't think there are too many blogs - I'm not sure there are enough good ones!"  

So what are you doing lately that's inspiring you? Have you always wanted to start a blog but just weren't sure? Do you have a blog but really want to take it to the next level? Seriously Robin's book is for you.

Tell me in the comments where you're at in your blogging journey or what blogs inspire you right now! I'm not quite sure I have enough blog research to do so hit me with your suggestions! ;o)

Happy Saturday everyone! 

Happiness Through My Eyes | Grilled Pizza | May Blog Circle

Head on over to Jesse's Girl Photography today and check out this great blog circle that I have the privilege of being a part of.

A very amazing group of photographers, some of whom I met at the ClickinWalk in Amsterdam, have started blogging together once a month about what happiness is through their eyes (and their camera lenses)... and I get to join in!

So follow the links around the world! It's sure to put a smile on your face!

First Guest Post Ever!

For today, head on over to Carrie's new website to check out my first ever guest post!  Her new book is all about how to make your first marriage your only marriage.  And I thought I'd share a funny "marriage adventure story" with her ;o)

And also take a moment to check out (and contribute!) to her campaign to cover the cost of publishing her book!  They have a little over a week to earn about a thousand dollars.  I really think this message could help millions of marriages!

Thanks Carrie for the opportunity to branch out into the blogosphere a little!

Branching into the World of Affiliate Links. AKA Making Some Money...?

So I'm finally doing it.  I'm going to see what happens with this whole "affiliate program" business.  Translation: I'm going to try to make a little money with this here blog.  It's an experiment of sorts, and you get to be a part, if you want!

Don't worry, I'm not trying to scam you for cash.  Though, if you want to give me cash just send me a message and I'll give you my address ;o)  But seriously, I don't want to scare you off.  I really appreciate you, my readers.  All of you.  I know you're out there and I really appreciate that of all the things you could spend your precious time reading, you choose to stop by this blog.

I love this blog.  It's my favorite one of my favorite corners of the internet.  I love that it's my online journal of our little family adventures.  I love that it's a place I can present my artwork (my writing and photography) as I learn and grow.  I love that I get to share my passion in the kitchen.  I love that I get to help my far-away-family feel connected to our daily life.  And I love that people tell me they find encouragement here... especially fellow Mommas.  

And I blog often enough and have enough readers that I think it's time to be honest with you: I would love it if you would help me make a few extra bucks.  I was scared to do this at first, for a long time.  Because I was afraid you'd think I was trying to turn my blog into a business.  And that's not it.  Not really...

*insert Jessica's daydream of having a job she can do while sitting on the couch*

I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of online marketing.  And I wasn't really interested when people brought the idea up, because I thought "this is just a personal blog I'm not that cool".  But then I learned that all I have to do is put these little links on my blog and if you click on them before buying something from those sites, I get money.  Not your money. Amazon's money.  It's super easy for you AND me!

Example:  in the side bar you'll see a link to Amazon and a link to Mountain Rose Herbs.  Meaning I love those companies enough to "work" for them by suggesting them to you.  The way it works, if I'm understanding it correctly, is that I say to you "Hey I really love this coffee press I got on Amazon."  Then you follow the link in my post (or you click on my banner) and it takes you to MY Amazon.  See?

What happens at MY Amazon is you look at the french press but you think "Jessica is such a hippie but she's convinced me that french press is the best so yes, I will buy it.  Go."  Then Amazon gives me some money!  Just because I recommended the product and their website to you!  (Which I do anyways, because I love Amazon and I use them all the time.)

But scenario two is even cooler:  You can send Amazon's money my way without buying a blessed thing I suggest to you! So you get to MY Amazon and you say "Jessica is such a hippie and I don't need no stinkin' french press.  But I might as well do my Christmas shopping while I'm here."  And you proceed to spend $1,000 on Christmas presents for your loved ones. Amazon will give me $40!  Just because you got to them through MY Amazon link!

So basically what I'm saying is, it would be really cool to get some kick back from my blogging.  If you like what you read and want to support this blog, go ahead and use my affiliate link when doing your Amazon shopping.  Or my Mountain Rose Herb link if you want to order some hippie goodies.

Thanks for being an important part of my little corner of the internet!

Vacation Happenings...

I realize I'm being kind of bad about blogging while on my little Stateside Vacation here.  For those of you who keep checking my oddly silent blog, I thank you.

If you aren't on facebook, here are some pictures of the goings-on.  The Rawleigh family is in the middle of "Stay-cation" right now... so we're doing lots of fun day trips.

Driving up from Philly and work picnics.

Camp with Steph for CILT grad and camp just for fun to take pictures.

Water play, ice cream, and concerts.

My first hike up a NY mountain (more on this to come... definitely blog worthy)

Sorry there's not "something new from Jess" everyday like usual.  But rest assured, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with family.  The blog can wait ;o)

Confession: I'm Not Nearly As Cool as I Make Myself Sound

So yesterday I read this blog post by Emily.  Go read it right this second... it's important for the rest of my post!  In the past few months, I've heard people say things that make me realize they think my blog is "my life"... that what they read and the pictures they see are "it".  And that I really do have it all together all the time... or something.

"But, the blog posts and the pictures are not the whole of the life she leads behind her computer screen. The reality is she’s a mom, and just like every other mom, has her good days and bad days, and the days where the dishes get left piled up in the sink and the toys are strewn about on the floor, and she yells at her kids, again." (Emily)

You see, on my blog I get to put our family's best foot forward!  I don't, generally speaking, think blog posts about my latest fight with my husband are that interesting.  You also probably don't want to read about the fact that I don't remember when my last shower was.  I doubt anyone would be inspired by an artsy photo of the boxed mac 'n cheese we ate for dinner the other day.  Or an up close and personal shot of the girls crusty noses (they're feeling better as of yesterday, by the way!).

If I don't want to, I don't have to tell you about the four loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away or the fact that the kitchen floor is really sticky but I doubt I'll get to mopping it today.  I don't have to tell you I had a meltdown yesterday over a bunch of stupid stuff.  I don't have to tell you that sometimes my life just feels really uninspiring so I quickly throw up a couple of cute photos of my girls and call it a "blog post".  (Though you have probably figured that trick out by now.) 

I blog for four main reasons.  But I don't blog about everything that happens in our life.  I like to share the funny, inspiring, "cool" things about my life.  All those other things are more what I would gripe about if we were having a cup of coffee in my messy living room, you know?  And since I don't get to sit down and have coffee with most of you (sniff!) very often... it means you get to see my "best foot" and usually nothing else!  I'm not trying to show off... but this is why I blog what I blog:

1.  To help my family on the east coast feel connected to our every day life.  I try to take pictures and blog every day.  It doesn't always happen.  And I still don't share everything that does happen.  But at least with once a day posts, I hope that my family can "check in" and feel my love for them.

2.  To share our Air Force experience.  Though this is not how I expected it to be... come to find out our Air Force life is not all that different from our civilian life.  Except that we live in Germany and have friends all over the world.  But still, for those out there curious about the military, this is our experience of it.

3.  To express creativity.  I used to consider myself an artsy person... back in high school when I actually drew and painted.  But I don't do that now.  Now I channel my artsy energy into our home life.  And sometimes I get excited about things (like my decorated Christmas cookies!) and I want to share it with others!  Being a stay at home Mom, you don't really get a lot of feedback on your creative energies... mostly because the recipients still poop in their pants.  Or eat Christmas cookies while playing a video game... meaning they pop it in their mouth without noticing (or admiring!) the cute scarf on the snowman! ;o)  So it's nice to have a blog where I can can grow in my writing and photography... and where I can share my love for homemaking.  If it inspires others, awesome.  If not, I don't care :o)  This is my blog and sometimes it's just for me!

4.  To encourage others.  I am so not supermom.  I'm not good at everything.  But I am good at some things... some things come easy to me and people get all impressed.  But God has blessed me in specific ways (just like he has for you!).  So I like to use this blog to share my ideas (many many many of which I stole from someone else) with the hopes that it encourages others like me to be the best wife, mom, friend, sister, daughter, etc that we can be!

So there you have it folks, if you think I'm really really cool it probably has more to do with the fact that all you see is the stuff that makes me look really really cool :o)  Also, I forbid you to fill the comment section with encouraging notes about how cool I actually am and now much you love me!  I'm not writing this to fish for compliments.

Speaking of comments, thanks for taking the time to write me about my posts... I appreciate each and every one.  And thanks for reading!

Speaking of reading, now is probably a good time to tell you I'm taking a little blog break for Christmas.  It doesn't take me that long to rattle off a blog post each day, but I'm going to replace "blog time" with "get ready for Christmas and have family fun" time.  Example: I'm going to fold that laundry, FINALLY play with the red and green playdough I made for Lily last week, and finish wrapping presents!  Oh, and lots of skyping with family!  If I find myself bored at some point I'm sure I'll throw a couple pictures up.  But don't expect anything till early next week.

May you all have a very merry and blessed Christmas! 

Google Reader

My Brother taught me all about Google Reader many moons ago, and you should let him teach you, too!

Okay, so it wasn't many moons ago... it was, like, last year.  Cause I'm slow to catch on to some things! ;o)  Don't be like me!  Google Reader makes keeping track of stuff so easy... especially if you start reading lots of blogs/websites.  My favorite part is that I have all sorts of great stuff tagged and filed in there (especially recipes!) that I can find in a snap now.  And I never miss out when people post new stuff! 

Dear Brother, you rock.  Love, me.

Sibling Blogs

Okay, they are going public now, so everyone should check out my brother and sister's new blogs.

Rethink Corning and Amateur Guidebook.

Brother's makes me want to start a small business and Bethany's makes me want to buy cool hiking boots and head for a mountain!  Both of them are super funny and creative, but don't take my word for it cause I'm only a *little* biased... check them out for yourselves! 

Happy reading!