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October 24, 2011

Lady Justice Explained...and a Winner Announced

I started blogging almost two years ago. At first I thought I’d post a couple of times a week. Little did I know how much I would enjoy the medium… that it would feel like such a great outlet for me…that I would come to post 20+ times a month…that I would find myself a part of such an awesome community of parents…that I would meet some really great friends.

Hubby and I don’t much trade gifts for holidays or birthdays. I can’t tie this decision to any one occasion, but I decided to treat myself to a blog makeover.

I approached my sweet blogger friend Kate, of Mommy Monologues, about a design.

I wanted to play up the “trials and triumphs” part of my blog title. I chose that title two years ago, and it still rings true for me every day.

Heaven knows there are challenges in raising children – and specific challenges in the world of multiples – but, even in the midst of being tag-teamed by my dynamic duo, I always appreciate that the joys outweigh those trials.

I told Kate I wanted to use the scales of justice as part of the design. She sent me some images to think about, including some majestic pictures of Lady Justice.

Bingo! Eureka! That’s ME!!!

Dating back to Greek mythology (although I’m not that old), Lady Justice holds the scales of truth and fairness. Certainly I try to be truthful to my kiddos, and fair in my parenting.

And she wears a blindfold, representing objectivity. Certainly I try to parent my girls as individuals. And I prefer to turn a blind eye to some of the “trials” inherent in any given day…all the better to focus on the triumphs!

Impassioned with so many new ideas, I then approached a friend, former colleague, and very talented artist, Chris, [seriously, check out his work!] to see if he’d be willing to create a custom image of Lady Justice, Mandy-style.

Between Chris’s awesome artwork (tipping the scales and even indulging my “sunglasses on the head” that I feel are a mark of my mommy-hood!), and Kate’s crisp, clean layout and cool color scheme…I couldn’t be happier with my new blog design!

A big, big thank you to Kate (and congratulations on the upcoming arrival of Baby #2!)…and a big, big thank you to Chris!!!

And a big, big thank you to everyone who reads this blog…who laughs at our crazy antics…who shares in our triumphs…and who helps coach me through the trials.

Life is a balance. Thank goodness the triumphs outweigh the trials. And thank goodness for friends to share them with!

(And congratulations to Melissa at MaMe Musings for winning my Makeover Giveaway! A $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble will be on its way…may you drown any trials in a nice, warm latte, and may you celebrate some triumphs with a new read!)

8 comments:

Just Another Mom of Twins said...

I WAS wondering about Lady Justice and I love the explanation!!! So true...balancing it all is so important!

Congrats to Melissa!

Julia said...

Yay! Congrats, Melissa!

Great post, Mandy--love that you explained your Lady Justice--it's perfect!

Johanna at The Baker Twins said...

Love it. Glad to be among your loyal readers/bloggy buddies. :)

championm2000 said...

Oh, WOW! I can't believe I won! THANK YOU!

I have loved the image since the first time I saw our new blog design, and I love it even more now that I know the story and thought behind it. As someone who reads your blog all the time, I can say that your title is perfect. Your blog is about balance in so many ways.

Thank you for sharing with us!

Anonymous said...

:) love this.

Helene said...

I instantly noticed the new look and I love it! And I enjoyed reading the explanation behind Lady Justice!!

The sunglasses totally complete her look for sure!!!

Holly G said...

Your design is so perfect! Like I said before, I just love it! And congrats to Melissa - she totally deserves it!!

Rebecca said...

I absolutely love your new look...gotta get one of my own!

I wondered what the blindfold meant, so thanks for explaining!