Today's Parent: Pick Me!

TodaysParent.com is searching for new parenting bloggers. They want someone who doesn't live a cookie cutter life and has a fresh voice that speaks to other Canadian parents.

Well hi there, I believe that's MY voice you're looking for!

Here we are, a family of five leading an idyllic existence on picturesque Vancouver Island. At first glance, this is what you see:

But take a minute, delve a little deeper, and there's so much more. This is the real Trousdell Five:

We, and this blog, are special. I know there are lots of blogs out there about multiples (we have identical boys), prematurity (the twins were born three and a half months early), special needs (one of the twins has cerebral palsy), pregnancy loss (we lost a daughter at twenty weeks gestation), cancer (I had half of my thyroid removed), or the challenges being a stay at home mom (I gave up my successful career to manage all of the above). And maybe there's even blogs written by moms who have a ridiculous obsession with their sports team (Go Canucks!). But how many blogs do you have that wrap all of that up into a nice little package? I'm guessing not a lot, and that's why I'm your gal.

This blog has been about growth and learning. It started as a way to report on a healthy twin pregnancy, but when the boys were born prematurely it became a source of breaking news. Over time I realized how important writing was to me. It was not only a way to share our story with others, but it became therapeutic. It helped and challenged me in ways I never knew were possible, and I'd like to think it has touched others who share our experiences.

I have many favourite posts for all sorts of reasons, but one of the contenders is Ode to a Big Sister. So much of the blog has been about the boys, this is one the few entries dedicated to our rock star firstborn daughter. It also gives a glimpse of life for our family while the boys spent their first five months in the NICU.

Another post close to my heart is Diagnosis. It contains a bit of medical jargon, but our life is full of that so it's pretty fitting. I wrote this post the evening our son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and I am proud of the strength and clarity of my words at such a difficult time.

And last but not least, Expectations. Not because it's been published (but it has, and you can check it out here along with others I've had published - hint, hint) but because of anything I've written, it best sums up our journey and how we've risen above our challenges to lead a pretty fantastic life. Our family has been dealt a few difficult hands but through it all we've come out stronger. Yes, sometimes what I have to say is sad, but more often than not it's funny, happy, and maybe even inspirational.

TodaysParent.com, in this shameless plug for you to PICK ME, I hope you can see that I am strong, positive, and most importantly, real. Oh I did I mention I'm witty, charming and a pretty decent writer? Because I'd like to think I'm those things too.

As a long time reader, I stand with my hand on a bible and tell you it has always been a dream to be published in Today's Parent. Maybe now is my chance?