Inlay (ˈin-ˌlā), noun: A term used by makers to describe the art of fitting one material into another—a practice in both wood and thread used for the purpose of making a piece complete.
I started The Inlay as an outlet. Something that is completely mine; not my kids', not my husband's, but mine. A space where I can express myself creatively and share my life. I chose the word ‘inlay’ because it gives voice to what feels, at times, like the space between what I aspire to do, have, or achieve—and reality.
I'm a wife and mother to three, and the only source of estrogen in a house where even the cat is male. I'm incredibly grateful for my family, but I don't live in the world I often see portrayed online. I can't romanticize homeschooling because the reality is messier. More worksheets at the living room coffee table than nature walks. More "just get through today" than keeping up with the curated lesson plans. I can't romanticize sleepless nights or pretend homemaking is solved by an aesthetically pleasing home. The pretty pictures don't show the actual work: the endless laundry, the meals that have to happen three times a day, the mental load of keeping everything running.
It's hard.
Yet I keep showing up because this is what God has given me grace for. I'm walking in the space between accepting that truth and navigating the difficulties that exist within it. Family life and motherhood can feel so isolating. Social platforms, despite what they were designed to do, almost amplify that feeling. I’m hoping The Inlay becomes a place where we find encouragement; not just inspiration, but the kind of honesty that helps us keep going.
If any of this resonates, I’m glad you’re here. Subscribe to get new posts in your inbox, and we’ll walk this road together.
— G