Wobble Warning:  Sarah Ekis, Peer Leader of RESOLVE Support Group and Organizer of the Charlotte Walk of Hope, bravely shares her infertility journey in this post.  Spoiler Alert…  Sarah got the littles.  Honestly, that’s not what made me cry, however.  As I read Sarah’s Story, my heart broke as she talked about treatments, miscarriages, and more…  She left me feeling empowered at the end.  But there were wobbles along the way.  Please, only read if you are feeling strong enough. Though Sarah and I had already connected via social media, we truly got to ..read more

Wobble Warning:  In this post, I speak candidly about infertility, including RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and National Infertility Awareness Week®.  I mention treatments, infertility battles, “success” stories, childlessness, and more.  As always, my goal is to leave you feeling empowered by the end.  But there might be some wobbles along the way.  Please, only read if you are feeling strong enough. Leave Your Mark.  What does this mean as a childless woman?  Well… Leave Your Mark Within the childless and infertility communities… Childless by ..read more

Wobble Warning:  Many of the people I met through the Night of Hope are in the midst of parenting after infertility.  I mention this, as well as a speaking engagement I had with an infertility support group, during this post. I’ve written quite a bit about the Night of Hope—finding the dress, writing the speech, experiencing the most magical evening, receiving the best compliment…  In my last blog, I shared that several days after the gala, I had massive unexpected wobbles.  Though I also shared how I worked through those wobbles and found my footing again, I just couldn’t ..read more

Wobble Warning:  In this post, I speak openly, honestly, brutally about HUGE unexpected wobbles I had after the Night of Hope.  As always, my goal is to leave you feeling empowered by the end.  But you might have a wobble along the way…  Please, only read if you are feeling strong enough. *Note:  I link to some infertility & parenting after infertility sites in this blog. I was on a high for days after the Night of Hope…  Sharing photos, receiving more compliments & congratulations, considering where I would display my award in our home, thinking about tha ..read more

I received some amazing compliments at the Night of Hope.  About my outfit, my acceptance remarks, my work at Not So Mommy…  In fact, in my last blog, I told you that kind words spoken to me at the end of the night made me tear up! The compliments continued as I shared about the Night of Hope via Not So Mommy… Facebook and Instagram.  You, fabulous ones, often offer beautiful encouragement…  This means so much to me, as my work love language is words of affirmation.  Each and every compliment I received made me smile, made me feel supported, helped me to realize that m ..read more

Before we talk about the most magical evening, I have a feeling I know what initially went through your mind when you first read the title of this blog… 2023?!  But it’s 2024, Brandi! Yes, I realize that as January comes to a close and the second month of 2024 is upon us, many are looking ahead, trying to maintain goals we set for the coming year, hoping this year is a gentle one, a good one…  I am doing this–looking toward 2024. But I am also continuing to reflect on 2023, especially on November 2023–the Night of Hope, to be exact. I’ve already told you about my search for the perfe ..read more

In my last blog, I shared that on 6 November 2023, I received the Hope Award for Social Influence at the Night of Hope, a gala held in NYC by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.  I also shared that, though it might sound vain, one of the first things I thought about was what I would wear to this fancy event where “cocktail attire” was encouraged.  (You can read all about that here.)  The second thing I thought about (well, maybe worried about…) was the speech I would give when I received my award, as every honoree was asked to make brief acceptance remarks. Speech #1 ..read more

Wobble Warning:  Fabulous one, I truly believe that you will find much of this blog quite empowering.  Because I do not know where you are on your journey, I’m not sure what might cause you to wobble.  So, I want to let you know that I do discuss RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, the family building community, my husband, and my mom during this blog.  On 6 November 2023, I received the Hope Award for Social Influence at the Night of Hope, a gala held in NYC by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.  It was an absolutely magical evening.  Befor ..read more

Wobble Warning:  As the title suggests, this post will discuss pregnancy and infant loss.  As someone who was never able to conceive, I talk about what this awareness month means to me from that perspective.  Though I am ten years into accepting my childless life, I’ve unexpectedly wobbled this October.  And I share about that during this blog.  I also discuss RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association & more…  As always, I hope to leave you feeling supported, loved, encouraged…  But, please, only read if you are feeling strong enough to manage a poten ..read more

Wobble Warning:  Real talk about a flippant comment that caused me to wobble.  As always, my goal is to leave you empowered by the end.  But, please, only read if you are feeling strong enough to navigate a potential wobble. On 16 September 2023—the 6th day of World Childless Week 2023—the #IAmMe photo gallery was shared on the WCW website.  I submitted an #IAmMe photo, as it’s one of my favorite parts of WCW.  And I shared this photo via Not So Mommy… Facebook & Instagram.  I also shared my #IAmMe photo on my personal Facebook page.  And I shared it in p ..read more