tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post1553603422314379707..comments2019-08-02T05:49:05.626-07:00Comments on Focusing on Miracles, Not Maybes: THE STORY OF HOW THIS BLOG ALMOST ENDED AND WHY I WILL KEEP GOINGUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-63157303666274035882013-06-08T14:06:59.279-07:002013-06-08T14:06:59.279-07:00Beautifully written!!!Beautifully written!!!Annie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11167129515054972628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-85950230916404518332013-06-08T14:06:34.613-07:002013-06-08T14:06:34.613-07:00Beautifully written!!!!Beautifully written!!!!Annie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11167129515054972628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-38408616565682005352013-06-07T15:35:21.107-07:002013-06-07T15:35:21.107-07:00Amanda,
I continue to pray for you and your family...Amanda,<br />I continue to pray for you and your family. You are a total inspiration to me. I am thankful for your honesty in your struggles and the wisdom you share as you learn. Don't give up. Too many people are learning from you and perhaps even without realizing it, counting on your upbeat, amusing, witty writing despite struggling with depression. You are living testimony of the text: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.Mrs. Braacxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14083831916394313899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-57261038266050573742013-06-06T22:44:01.338-07:002013-06-06T22:44:01.338-07:00What an incredibly hurtful thing to say. I wanted ...What an incredibly hurtful thing to say. I wanted to comment on this post because I too had a negative comment on my blog recently, and though it clearly wasn't even close to the hurt you would have felt, it certainly bothered me. I dwelled on it for a while, but it hit me that every novelist and professional writer will have critics. I suppose it's inevitable that a blog would too... especially with the safe blanket of anonymity that is the internet. <br /><br />I applaud you for writing the way you do. It's so important to spread awareness about depression. Just as our comments have given you strength, I'm sure your blog brings strength to others you may not even know. I'm glad you decided to keep writing, as I'll be sure to keep reading.Lauren Moniquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03295581289404362069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-91193648535916704102013-06-06T22:23:38.991-07:002013-06-06T22:23:38.991-07:00Wish I could 'like' this post, and all the...Wish I could 'like' this post, and all the comments above of support. thanks for keeping it going! thanks also for being vulnerable and real, that is what makes this blog so awesome! I'm sorry for that added stress, fear, worry and anguish some unthinking or just cruel person in the world of the internet decided to load on you. Anyone who has read your blog in it's entirety, or even half through will know that Lauren would not be alive today if God hadn't give her YOU as her mother. That she would not be thriving or doing anywhere near where she currently is, if not for your parenting of her. You are a wonderful mother! Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12640786291429563736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-45791281779814249812013-06-06T21:15:23.679-07:002013-06-06T21:15:23.679-07:00Thank you for all of your support and encouragemen...Thank you for all of your support and encouragement. It is nice to have so many people backing us! Your emails, messages and comments have all given me strength.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12569080668133534817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-58322896582177103312013-06-05T23:04:01.231-07:002013-06-05T23:04:01.231-07:00There is one in every crowd......and then MNAY mor...There is one in every crowd......and then MNAY more who love to read your blog and applaude your honesty .....Lauren is one of the cutest babies and your story should be toldvictoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14993569608199324250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-38197275965751270092013-06-05T12:40:47.038-07:002013-06-05T12:40:47.038-07:00Amanda,
I am addicted to your blog, not because of...Amanda,<br />I am addicted to your blog, not because of your witty writing, and your uncanny ability to draw in the reader, but because of your honesty and vulnerability that you place into your posts. What you do may be beneficial for you, and cathartic in a way, but know that you also have the ability to reach others and make a profound impact on those around you, even those who you have not met. Clearly God has a plan for you, and there's a reason that He's giving you the strength to share your struggles and journey on this earth.<br />Keep doing what you do best, which is be the most amazing mother and wife, and know that you have 100,000 readers (well, at least 10 of us, who read you about 10,000 times:) who will support you in this journey. That one reader can go ahead and contact CPS and know that you have nothing to fear, as you are what is best for Lauren. Then that reader can go and hide behind his/her computer, and learn to keep their mouth shut, or we'll send the wolves on him/her:) Know what's more powerful than your blog??? Angry mothers. <br />CourtneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-18818864908394352132013-06-05T09:55:59.230-07:002013-06-05T09:55:59.230-07:00I was led here by a Facebook status that Cam poste...I was led here by a Facebook status that Cam posted while Lauren was undergoing one of her surgeries. Since then I have continued to follow your blog and pray for your family. While you struggle with depression and may feel inferior at times, God has given you the STRENGTH to share it. Nothing can stand against the flood of His power. I encourage you to continue bearing witness to God as you journey through raising your little girl. For if she ever reads these posts she will treasure your honesty.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-22009338525589248552013-06-05T08:13:21.770-07:002013-06-05T08:13:21.770-07:00I personally applaud your honest and open views on...I personally applaud your honest and open views on motherhood and depression. When I battled depression I was fairly truthful with people, and sometimes I too received backlash. Apparently I was unaware that when you are depressed you are supposed to hide it and tell nobody! The only way people heal is to know they are not alone. So thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-38248631171454239212013-06-05T07:29:28.610-07:002013-06-05T07:29:28.610-07:00Amanda, I am sorry for the hurtful words. I would ...Amanda, I am sorry for the hurtful words. I would like to let you know that this blog has been such an encouragement to me. I was led here by a friend asking us to pray for their friends (your family). Since then I have been following and reading each post and sharing with others. I have an almost 2 year old daughter, and we have been blessed to "have it easy" with her. And everyday I read your blog posts, I am encouraged and more and more thankful that you are sharing. So be blessed! Mina Yuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536822689210393789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-21455582970483980032013-06-04T21:52:28.162-07:002013-06-04T21:52:28.162-07:00Wow Amanda!!! What a thing to have to go through. ...Wow Amanda!!! What a thing to have to go through. I appreciate that you are still writing the blog. I especially like that you are willing to be honest to start a conversation, to let others know. It struck me the other day that I am way more open about having MS than I am about having depression. MS I'll ask prayer for from the church. Depression I haven't because of the fear of the stigma attached and the judgements and labels people put on a person. I have no doubt from the way you write of your absolute love and dedication to Lauren. Having a toddler isn't easy at the best of times. I've had lots of moms talk about how hard it is. Thanks for your desire to continue. I also enjoy so much hearing about Lauren, her achievements and every day going ons. I want to be able to cheer her on for a very long time.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17160148632654125597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-25988467516128193852013-06-04T21:41:56.863-07:002013-06-04T21:41:56.863-07:00I'm sorry to hear that somebody hurt you with ...I'm sorry to hear that somebody hurt you with reckless words and unfounded opinions. I think your blog a tangible outpouring of your love for your daughter, and I think it will be a treasure for her to have when she is older. My opinion is that honesty and vulnerability about your feelings and mental health are so valuable to your own journey of healing, and you are also a source of encouragement for people who might otherwise feel isolated in their own similar struggles. Silence only creates shame and stigma, and I applaud you for your courage in sharing what you are learning in the midst of struggles with the world. Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15675408852530967220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-69170263488729037212013-06-04T19:44:49.758-07:002013-06-04T19:44:49.758-07:00Wow that must have felt like a punch in the gut. P...Wow that must have felt like a punch in the gut. People can be so mean when hiding behind their computers. I am glad you had time to think about why you do it and I applaud you for not letting others (who know nothing about your life or Lauren's) try to judge and intimidate you. I love the blog, I love seeing how Lauren's doing and the silly things she does. But most of all I love it because of your honesty.<br />xoxoRendrega https://www.blogger.com/profile/14252766995510363789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648463523055547696.post-63723375808730516572013-06-04T19:31:41.878-07:002013-06-04T19:31:41.878-07:00I can attest to what a PHENOMENAL mother you are t...I can attest to what a PHENOMENAL mother you are to Lauren, as can anyone who knows you and has seen you with Lauren. I appreciate how you write and what you share with others, with such open honesty. You do so much good and can just imagine how many people you help through your writing. It's a gift. BThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01392689945701480224noreply@blogger.com