A Hundred Affections

Inspiration for Moms Running the Show at Home

About

Hi, I’m Kate and I’m so glad you’re here! If you like the short-version of the story and just want the details about what this blog is about, read here!

If you like details, keep reading!

About Me

Hi, again! So glad you’re here! 🙂

A little bit about me: I was a high school English and Bible teacher in a Christian school for 15 years until the birth of my twin boys in April 2015. Currently, in my ‘spare’ time (ha ha!),  I tutor and do freelance writing and editing (for details, see here).

I live on Long Island with my husband (married in 2010), our boys, and our 4 cats (which, at the moment, is 4 too many). Fun fact: something of a late bloomer, I didn’t get married until I was 36, and I had our boys when I was 41.  So, first-time-mom in my 40s!  Huge learning curve and life adjustment!

I’m a bit of recovering perfectionist and worrier. I love the outdoors – kayaking, hiking, mountain biking –  and I used to be a really fun and adventurous person before I had my boys! However, as the boys get bigger, fingers crossed, the fun and adventure will return!

I like to travel, write, eat Indian food, and I love to sleep (again, pre-children – but I still am fond of all those things!).

I hate yard-work and I’m a terrible cook. Well, that’s not entirely true.  When I was working full-time, yes to both.  But now that I’m home, I would say that I tolerate yard-work and I’m a passable cook.

I am a compulsive organizer when given the freedom, and I’m obsessed with purging clutter.  I can be absent-minded, I’m getting better at multi-tasking, and I’m also a little clumsy (runs in my family).

My mind is always busy, and I’m always coming up with new goals and projects to keep me motivated and inspired; I am a huge advocate of being a life-long learner, and if I had my way, I’d be a career student.

I LOVE missions and have had the honor of serving on over 20 short-term trips, with about 15 of those being overseas. My first trip was to Africa when I was 23, and it changed my life.

Here’s the real core of who I am: I believe that the only fulfilling life is one that is lived for something bigger than myself, something that will outlast me.  I believe that ‘Something’ – really, SomeONE – is Jesus. My own story is too small to live for, and I love being a part of God’s Big Story. And when I’m in sync with Him, I’m at my happiest and my best. He’s won my heart, and what matters to Him matters to me.

About My Blogging Journey and A Hundred Affections

Here’s the “story behind the story” of my blog:

In 2009, my sister (The Girl Creative) suggested blogging to me when I was planning my wedding, thus ‘One Girl’s Journey to the Altar‘ was born. I had that blog for a good year and a half, but the adjustments of a new marriage left little time for blogging. I let that one a die a slow death, and then picked up blogging again in 2012 with “This Side of Eden;” that one died a quick death. I was in the middle of one of my most stressful – and worst- years of teaching, and I was a too ambitious trying to kick it off when I did.

Later that same year, I had my first miscarriage and started to blog again atA Hundred Affections (at Blogspot), but only for a short time. In the months that followed, God told me to quit my 2nd job and focus on writing (about what, I wasn’t – and still am not – quite sure! Work in progress!). After procrastinating, squirming and pretending I didn’t hear, I finally obeyed and the current A Hundred Affections was born in July 2013.

At the time, I was in the middle of a very difficult miscarriage and infertility journey. The blog evolved into a real-time play-by-play of our infertility struggles, and I believe it was what it was supposed to be at the time – for me and for the other women I connected with.

In summer of 2014, I finally became pregnant with our twin boys, via IVF. The blog slowly took a backseat during the pregnancy and the boys’ first 2 years. In the summer of 2016, I relaunched the blog (you can read about the relaunch here), which is how you ended up here!

My goal here is to inspire moms who are running the show at home – trying to balance faith, family, home, and health. Moms who need a little encouragement, a spiritual boost, practical tips for kids, healthy recipes, ideas for kids, DIY projects, home decor-  everything that falls under the category of being a mom and homemaker.

About the Name “A Hundred Affections”

If you’re curious about the title, here’s the story:

It comes from the poem “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman:

“The press of my foot to the earth springs a hundred affections.”

I fell in love with this line during my first year of teaching. It perfectly captured the idea of there being something meaningful to discover with every experience in life. It’s all important and it all matters.

I really believe we are all just doing the best that we can to juggle and negotiate life. We are all trying to find balance.  While these ‘hundred affections’ are what make life worthwhile, they can also leave us with our heads spinning as we try to manage it all.  But they are all gifts from God in our lives and we owe it to ourselves – and to Him – to be good stewards of those gifts.

I don’t have it all figured out, but I hope we can do you some good here. 🙂

Comments

  2. Valerie says

    It’s so nice to meet you!
    I am very sorry for your loss; we have three babies in heaven, so I’m right there with you. xo And we’re ttc! Not exactly easy this time because I am still breastfeeding our toddler, and apparently b/f’ing really does make good birth control! 🙄
    “My mind is always busy and I’m always coming up with new goals and projects to keep me motivated and inspired; I am a huge advocate of being a life-long learner, and if I had my way, I’d be a career student.” – We are VERY much alike! And I am (as you know) an organizer!! 😉
    I look forward to following your blog. 😀
    P.S. Where can I find you on FB?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks for sharing your story with me. I am always blessed and encouraged to find kindred spirits out there!! 🙂 I’ll let you know about the FB page…my sister is helping me set one up for my blog! Have a great day! I’m sure we’ll be in touch! 🙂

      Reply

  5. opticalreflex says

    Kate, I too have felt the pull of old west towns,but it doesn’t stop there, I’m a sucker for old, abandoned lock-boxes of history; towns, buildings, cars, trucks…anything that tells me it has a story. The worst part of it is they keep those stories to themselves. How often I have tried to reach into the past to try to find out the story of that old car, or house, or school, hoping I could catch a glimpse of the lives it touched. Was there love, adventure, family. Did people make love there? Did death touch it? How did it get to be abandoned and forgotten? Sometimes I feel like the answers are just out of reach, but out of reach they stay, leaving only imaginings to fill in the gaps. You’re doing nice work here, keep it up.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks so much for coming by! I agree…I love to know the stories behind everything! I think that is the fun of being a writer…if we can’t find out the facts, we can put the pieces together and create our own stories. I kept thinking that walking through Bodie…who lived here, who owned these items, these shoes on the floor, the clothed draped on the bed…who walked down the dirt path and into this house everyday…

      I agree 100%!

      Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment!

      Reply

  6. runningonsober says

    Hi Kate, Figured I’d drop by over here and say hi! You have a great about page. I smiled at the mention of all the kitties. I’m a big time animal lover–I have a cat, two dogs, and even cows and donkeys. Nice to meet you! ~ Christy

    Reply

  7. AnnaLinnehan says

    Hello Katie,
    Love your “Abou Me” page!
    Want to thank you for stopping by my blog and liking “Meet My Friend Brandye Dague.” I feel very blessed to have her as a friend…
    Blessings 🙂

    Reply

  8. sassyray says

    WOW! What an awesome “About Me” page! So many things you said describe me to a tee as well, but I’m no where near as eloquent as you are! I must rethink my “about me” page now!

    I’m sorry about your miscarriage and wish you the best as you continue trying!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you! I love finding kindred spirits out here in the blog world – you know, the ones where you say, ‘we’d be friends in real life!’ Thanks for coming by! 🙂

      Reply

  14. Diane Reid says

    This is great, I smiled all the way through it. I will stand with you in faith for your child, the one you will hold in your arms this side of heaven. I’m glad you found me and I found you.

    Reply

  17. accamv says

    I like your blog. Most people go through changes when they visit Africa. A lot more can be done there, people should not be going through needless suffering like they are currently. Africa has much more to offer.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you for coming by! I absolutely agree. I feel very humbled and honored that I have been able to visit AFrica 4x – and hopefully be a blessing to the people there!

      Reply

  18. lesleyaraymond says

    Hey there! I didn’t have an email address for you so I thought I’d reply to your comment on guest posting on bytheporchlight.com here 🙂 I’m really interested in hearing about your journey with clean eating! Would you like to write about that? Maybe share a recipe or two?

    Reply

  19. stacilys says

    Hi there Kate. Just happened to drop by and glad I did. We have a lot in common. Love the part about being a “chronic dieter” – hahahahaha. I must confess that I am too. I mean, I eat super healthy (most of the time), but when I get into a rut sometimes and start with the ‘I’ve definitely gained weight’ syndrome, my hubby automatically jokes around saying, ‘ok, just diet again’. And I too am happiest and best when I’m living in the centre of God’s will. Blessings to you Kate and I look forward to receiving your future posts. =)

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi Staci! Thanks so much for dropping by! I am glad you found me as well, and I look forward to checking out your blog also. I’ve found that it is really a cool thing to find so many kindred spirits on here. 🙂 Happy New Year! (Hope I made the right assumption by writing ‘Staci’???)

      Reply

  22. Blog do Óbvio - Manoel says

    Kate, i’m a Brazilian ( Christian ). I read that you live in Brazil some years ago. Sorry, but my English (write) is very bad. I understand all and will follow your blog. I like very much all you have over here. Very good blog!
    Pleased to meet you,
    Manoel – Brazil

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much for your note and for coming by! I love coming across other Christians! I was in Brazil in 2007, working with YWAM in Porto Velho. An amazing time!! Very nice to ‘meet’ you! 🙂

      Reply

    • Kate says

      Wow, Brennen – thank you so much! I do not take comments like that for granted – nor nominations! I really appreciate this, and I definitely will follow up! Looking forward to checking out your blog, too! Thanks so much for the encouragement and support! 🙂

      Reply

  26. Jennifer Stidham says

    Hi there! I’m hoping to send some sunshine your way by nominating you for The Sunshine Award! Your blog has been inspiring and encouraging to me. Thanks for sharing your story! Just click on this link to see what you need to do, if you choose to accept this award: http://wp.me/p2QS1L-au. Hope you have a sunshiney day! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks so much, Jennifer!!! Your comments and nominations mean so much to me! I would definitely love to join in! I so appreciate your kind words and encouragement! 🙂

      Reply

  28. awax1217 says

    I was a teacher so I can empathize with you. Most of my blog comes from classroom situations. Some were great and some not so great. If you spot anything on my blog you would like to use in the classroom I would be honored. Some is for seventh grade but make sure you get approval. On having the child of your dreams my wife and I wish you well and pray that it does occur. I did write a blog on how I met my wife and I think you would like it. It is called Love With a Stamp. Give it a read if you wish and let me know what you think.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks so much for coming by! I will definitely be by to check out your blog. I love connecting with other teachers out there! Thanks so much for your prayers as well. Means so much! I’ll be popping over soon! 🙂

      Reply

  31. lindseygendke says

    Hey Kate! This is the first time I’ve been on your site for a long time. It looks great, and totally different from when I was last here! Very uplifting and energetic posts. You are doing a great job; God bless you in your blogging, mothering, freelancing, and all the other many things that take your time. Exciting to watch your blog develop and your story unfold, especially as a co-blog-starter in 2013! Blessings, friend!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Lindsey!!! I’m so glad to hear from you!!! I consider you one of my very first blogging friends and kindred spirits! I caught up on your blog maybe a month or 2 ago (can’t remember if I commented – I hope I did…), but it was so good to read all you’ve been up to and I was so appreciative of your vulnerability in sharing all you’ve gone through in recent days and months…Yes, my blog is SO different from when I first started – and to be honest, I’m still trying to find the ‘sweet spot’ of what this is supposed to be…I really like doing the home-type stuff, but I’m trying to find a place for the writing/God type posts as well…on top of working around the little guys…you know what that’s like.!
      Thank you so much for stopping back, Lindsey. You have no idea how much that means to me…those first days were so special. Looking forward to keeping up with your blog too. I think I need to update my email address – I think your posts go to an older one I don’t check as much. But I’ll update so I don’t miss anything new. Thanks again, friend! Looking forward to keeping up! xoxoxo

      Reply

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