When I started blogging, I did not realize how much my little corner of the cybersphere would open up my world. All I wanted to do was to share little snippets of my life as a wife, a mom, a cooker, and eater. I wanted to talk about healthy things. Share a little of my yoga practice. And if the opportunity to presented itself for me to share some poignant life lessons with other mommas then I considered it a win-win situation.
Originally, I thought I would be sharing parts of my parenting journey with Gelli. The fact that she had Down Syndrome came as a surprise to our whole family, and in searching for information on this chromosomal condition, I came across other moms who blogged about their families, which were pivotal in shaping my ideals and my outlook as a “new” parent of a child with special needs.
I knew, back then, that if I could touch one parent in the way that some of these blogs touched me, that I would have already completed the purpose I set out to do. I wanted to change the conversation on parenting a child with special needs, BUT I didn’t want that, to be the only thing I shared.
I wanted to share parts of our story as a family, even if some of the experiences were negative, with a positive spin.
It’s all about perspective, right?
Well, through my website, and through the events that I attend as a blogger and a contributing writer for other publications, I have also come across some pretty amazing people. Many of these people are mommas with the same passion and and purpose in story telling.
I love it when we get to share other people’s stories too!
Here are two mommas I would like to introduce you to, through their newest endeavor, www.projectlilo.com.
Sheila Catilo is a lifestyle photographer, a creative director, a workshop teacher and an Instagram addict. She is mom to Sky, River and Luna.
Leona Laviña-Panutat is a former retailer, a writer, a stylist and shopping enabler. She is mom to Wyatt and Walt.
They created PROJECT LILO, otherwise known as, Life Love and Little Ones, as a gift to their fellow mothers. In a day and age where perfection is the norm on social media, they wanted to portray motherhood for what it truly is: beautiful, messy, exhausting and rewarding.
You can join them as they take a peek into the lives of inspiring and accomplished women through candid conversations about raising children, marriage, work life balance and the myth of having and doing all.
On Saturday, October 14th, Sheila and Leona asked some of their friends and greatest supporters to join them as they went live with their first series of posts.
I was so glad to not only be included in their celebration, but also to be one of the first five mommas who get to share parts of our stories through their readership.
You can read more about what I shared by clicking here.
If you would like to read more about what Agoo Azcuna Bengson shares click here.
If you would like to read more about what Meryl Soriano shares click here.
If you would like to read more about Amber Smith-Folkmann click here.
If you are looking for inspiration, and have the time to read before bed, or while the kids are at school, my friend Em says you grab a box of tissues. Cozy up with LILO. And Enjoy. You can thank me later for it 🙂
*All the photos in this post are credited to @TheCatilos
Visit: www.projectlilo.com
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/projectlilo/
I love you Michelle Ann!