Thank You Friends & Fans For Never Giving Up On Us!

When we began The Review Ballerina, we created something that was a hobby of ours. It still is, my husband and I work together to bring to you wonderful reviews of products, services, and attractions that we know are awesome for the families and parents along with their beautiful children. But just as with your lives, ours has had its ups and downs.

We have had to move from a very violent large city of Texas, to a smaller town which changed a lot of how we did things. No longer did we focus on DFW (Dallas/Ft. Worth) but looked more towards Texoma! Of course, that also changes the dynamic of what we look for and what we write about because obviously... in D/FW usually if a tornado siren goes off there's three potential reasons: Hail, High Winds, or Tornadoes. In our current city? If you hear a tornado siren you just get your butt in the tub! Who cares about hail and high winds out here they will start that up and you know to run and hide! lol. Life is different, it's almost slower paced and we adore it.

My daughter has become quite the "karate kid" in the last year or so and I have definitely become of a huge fan of hers. She is actually testing for her blue belt this coming Thursday, so when we have free time at home we tend to focus on practicing kicks, punches, patterns, wresting holds, vocabulary, and more! Seeing Arnold's Martial Arts visit my daughter's school changed our lives because it's given her an outlet with her conditions, it's given her power and focus behind her struggles and gives her the opportunity to grow and become self-protective in a world that is no longer protective of each other. Needless to say by the time she's in bed I'm not in a blogging frame of mind, I'm the worn out Mama ready to fall asleep snoring on the sofa as my husband looks on smirking wondering why I didn't just go to bed!

I also would be classified as a "victim" for what I've dealt with my entire life. Murder, Kidnapping, Rape, recently multiple passings of family and friends that I hold close and dear to me. Unfortunately I can only be strong for so long before I have to step back. Every 5 years, I have to go through a struggle as I remember emotions and memories I truly want to forget and let go, but I chose to take a challenge onto myself 15 years ago to make it easier for my family. But I'm turning 35 next month, and I know that my life has made me stronger, and I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor. Does this make it harder to blog? Absolutely. I will want to write an article, or figure a new review opportunity but then I'll get overwhelmed with depression or with handling these awful memories and past experiences. But here's what I want to say to every one of my readers who has their own dark pasts: You will endure, you will survive, and you will smile and live on as you grow. Never forget you have the support of those around you, and never let go of the past completely because it truly is a part of what defines you. 

The Review Ballerina may not be around as much as I'd like it to be, but again, this is a hobby so I do step away when I must but always know that I am so grateful for every one of you! Those of you who reply to my Facebook posts, those who like my Instagram posts! The businesses who work with us, the individuals who smile with us, and please know we will never stop! We may go off the grid sometimes, but we will always return and we cannot wait to continue to be with you all! 

Elizabeth is a wife to her wonderful husband, a work at home mother to her beautiful little girl and a blogger for some time now. When she isn't spending time with her "Livvybug", or laughing with her husband, she is looking for new review opportunities and writing or singing along to classic rock and pop music!