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A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Baby & Family, Coffee with Cathy

Life After Losing Layne (6 Months)

Life After Losing Layne 6 Months Later / A Hosting Home Blog

Life After Losing Layne

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 6 months since Layne was born. Part of me wonders how it’s possible that 6 months has already gone by. Meanwhile, the other part of me feels like it’s been an eternity longer. Life after losing Layne has been a roller coaster, to say the least. Grief is like the ocean. It comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it’s overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.

Some people read my posts about Layne and my journey through this season of grief, and they tell me how gifted I am with my writing. But, I have to admit to y’all that it’s not easy to click publish on any of it. I get quite uncomfortable at the thought of people reading it sometimes. Because this isn’t just a story filtered through the rose colored glasses of social media. This is real. This is raw. It’s straight from the heart unfiltered. The only thing that keeps me clicking publish is the wish that our story helps someone else who doesn’t have the same hope in Jesus that I have. As I’ve found these past 6 months as I’ve journaled through my grief, words can be healing. Red words, even more so.

If you’ve stumbled into my corner of the internet and you’re hopeless today, I pray that you’d know that it does get easier. The pain will never go away. But, you will learn to swim. 

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 07 – Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

Life After Losing Layne 6 Months Later / A Hosting Home BlogLife After Losing Layne 6 Months Later / A Hosting Home Blog

Life: 6 Months Later

I get a lot of awkwardly asked questions. Some people walk on egg shells around me. Which as an introvert makes me super uncomfortable knowing that people may be uncomfortable around me. I don’t blame anyone – I wouldn’t know how to ask either. They are afraid to ask. They are afraid to say his name. Bless their hearts, I know they just don’t want to upset me. Meanwhile, I already know what they want to know — how I’m doing, what I’m up to, when I’m going back to work, what’s next for us, etc. So if you’ve been wondering the same thing, I’m about to answer it all.

Spoiler alert: I have no idea most of the time.

How I’m Doing

Naturally, this is the most frequently asked question I get. However, it’s the most complicated one for me to answer. Here’s my thought process: In my mind, I know they’re asking – but at the same time I feel like they don’t really want to know. I feel awful even typing that. But it’s hard for me to explain to others how I’m doing who have never experienced what we’re walking through. To be completely transparent, there’s a lot of emotional guilt that I am still working through. Part of it is that I don’t want to burden anyone with how I’m feeling. It’s not that I think people don’t care. More so, it’s a weighted question. It’s just too heavy.

I don’t say any of that to discourage people from asking me how I’m doing. Rather, I just want people to know that everyday is completely different. In all honesty, every minute is completely different. Naturally, I still get triggered by things – and I notice that it happens more on days that I’m just mentally, physically, and spiritually tired.

If you see me out and ask me how I’m doing, I’ll tell you I’m doing okay. There may be some deeper things I’m working through. But overall, I really am okay. I promise. I’m okay because I have Jesus. In the grand scheme of things, that’s what really matters. This whole situation may suck, and I may hate it. But, He’s really enough. I am just focusing on picking up my cross daily and trusting Him with it all. Through that daily commitment, He’s given me a hope and peace that surpasses all understanding.

It’s just hard. But the Bible never said it would be easy.

P.S. I love talking about him

I know some people are afraid to mention his name. But please know that I do love talking about him. Just like any other mother with her baby, I am so proud of him. What happened to Layne was unfortunate – but it was real. While I sometimes wish the pain of it all would go away, I never want his memory or legacy to fade. I may cry, but I’d never get mad at anyone who wanted to talk about my baby. I love telling people about his red hair, his button nose, and his big feet. Even more so, I love talking about how God has already used my boy so much for His glory. (Talk about a proud momma!)

What I’m Up To

March 28th changed me as a person. The events of that day changed me down to my core. I’m not the same person I was just 6 months ago. God has stretched me past my limit (and then some), and I’ve grown and learned to lean on Jesus in a way that I never have before – and in a way that I never want to stop. While some days still trigger me and remind me just how broken this world is (and I am), I am reminded just how faithful God is, even in my darkest moments.

So as I walk through this journey, I am choosing to put aside the plans I had for myself (for the first time in my life) and walk each day by faith and not by sight. And while I don’t know what that will hold or what it will look like, I do know I am stronger than who I was – all because of Jesus.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance: and perseverance, character: and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3

So during this season, I am focusing on myself – my mental, physical, and spiritual health. While I’ve been growing in my relationship with the Lord, I have also been working on my physical and mental health. My condition took an intense toll on my physical health, with part of it causing my body to swell SO much – leading to rapid weight gain. In order to get back to feeling like myself and to be the healthiest I can be for myself, my family, and (hopefully) our future family, I have been working with an amazing personal trainer who has already helped me in more ways than she’ll ever know.

Since the beginning of July, I’ve lost 24 pounds! I’ve still got some other health issues I’m dealing with that I may talk about more later, but I hope being active and eating clean will help put me on the right track.

A Hosting Home: What’s Next 

A lot of people have guessed this or have seen it subtly mentioned on my personal Facebook page. But I thought this would be the perfect time to officially address it.

Unfortunately, due to some chronic health issues stemming from my condition with Layne in the hospital, I have made the personal (and very emotional) decision to take a step back and no longer take on wedding planning clients. At this time, I need to focus on my overall health so I am able to be around for the long-haul for my family and loved ones.

God truly does work in mysterious ways. But while I don’t always understand His ways, I am able to trust His heart and who He is when I am unable to trace His hand. I have also always been able to trust that He’s walking with me and leading me in every season of my life – whether I think it’s good or tough. While my health is forcing me to take a step back, God has already proven so faithful that He wouldn’t “take something away” without leading me into something new. He has laid it on my heart that while my season in weddings specifically is coming to an end soon, He is taking the same passion and heart that I built my business on and leading me into something new that I truly believe He designed and purposed specifically for me.

Something new…

I hope to share with y’all soon what that means for A Hosting Home. But for right now, I am going back to my roots of where this whole journey started and focusing on my blog and my writing while partnering with some amazing brands. I’m not going anywhere! I have the feeling that this is just the beginning of a beautiful journey that God has in store for me.

Rob + Cathy: What’s Next

As for Rob and I, we are taking this time to focus on each other and helping one another walk through this grief journey. To be honest, getting back to a sense of ‘normal’ is the hardest thing about grief. I tell Rob it feels like you are stuck at a standstill while everything around you is moving like the fast-forward button on a VHS tape. Everyone around you goes back to their normal lives, but you’re stuck trying to figure out what that even means anymore. When you have plans built up in your mind and your calendars for so long and they suddenly change, it’s an adjustment. These past 6 months, we’ve been striving to find what our new normal looks like. In reality, it’s a lot of prayer and being patient to see what God has in store for us next.

 

To everyone who has walked alongside us these past 6 months, thank you. A million times thank you. Rob and I were completely humbled with thankfulness that so many friends, family members, and strangers came together to support us during our darkest moments. I still have a mountain of thank-you notes to write, but please know that every kind word, prayer, gift / gesture, meal, and hug did not go unappreciated. They truly helped us, pointed us to Jesus, and got us this far. We are truly blessed.

September 28, 2019

« 26 Things Life Taught Me Last Year
His & Hers JORD Wood Watches + a GIVEAWAY »

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
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#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
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It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

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