Becoming Katie Butterfly

In a few weeks I'll be back in the Porcupine Mountains for our family's annual trip. 3rd year in a row. that I've been able to go. After the year I've had, I'm ready to get away into secluded and oh so beautiful nature. I love technology, but I also hate it. It takes up too much of my time and away from things that really matter. Family, friends, nature, time with my Heavenly Father. I'm looking forward to this trip to relax and rejuvenate after a crazy year. I've been reading a lot of healing books and I think this trip will be just that. I have to fully open myself up to it, fully accept that the past is in the past and accept that I have been made new, in Christ Jesus. I also plan on doing a 14 mile hike with the family for the first time! Playing in Lake Superior is always fun, looking down at the Lake of the Clouds, all the fall colors... All the beauty. I do love sleeping in the camper, camp fires, drinking hot cider, and talking with my family. Porkie...

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here." 2 Corinthians 5:17 As I am a Christian, I do write about it's importance to me and how it's helping me in my healing journey. The Bible verse has been on my mind a lot lately. As I've spent a good part of the year, praying, reading healing books by different authors, journals, and talking to friends about healing and finally moving past this dark past of mine. July 25th I started a new life with my husband, but even in the good times, my mind was still obsessed over J and what he had done to me, and if I would ever be able to ever heal. After a talk with a couple friends, I was able to come to the point that I could say J is dead to me. He isn't welcome in my new life. and I prayed to God to bless and give Jeff and I a happy life. I asked my dear friend to pray with me about becoming a new Creation in Christ and letting the past die. Right now, I rea...

As I'm sitting here feeling miserable with my sore throat, I decided to make a part three post of my favorite things! 1. Bath & Body Works. Candles, lotion, all of it.  2. Dreaming about visiting tropical islands... Like Hawaii 3. Being Mrs. Wichlacz  4. My job. People interactions. 5. Did I mention candles and Bath & Body works? 6. Doing my art therapy and KatieBug Creations. 7. Writing myself love letters. So healing and empowering. 8. Sleep! 9. My kitties. 10. Blog writing! Well, I think that covers it for today! And now back to my self soothing! Smiles, KatieBug

Dear Katie Bug, You are such an incredibly person. So kind and brave. You have been through a lot but you haven't let that stop you from fighting and keep moving forward. 10 years ago you were barely surviving high school. You were depressed and suicidal all the time. But some how you still decided to hang in there and fight. 6-7 years ago, you were really sick, barely functioning, not yourself at all. And yes, J took advantage of you, and that's just what it is. You were in no position to consent, or to even know what you wanted. And he was aware of that. Even after all that, you still decided to keep fighting and you did what you had to do to keep on living and to start thriving in life. Getting stable, letting unconditional love into your life, and a job you put everything into. Yes, 2 years ago, what J did to you all came back and you have had to be so brave to face these things and to heal once and for all. And, I can't believe all the progress you have mad...

Sometimes I just love doing complete body self-care, clean shaven, great smelling lotion all over my body, putting on a sexy dress, lighting some candles and loving the hell out of my sexy self. That's my take on healing and loving myself and body again. Today it feels so freeing and healing. I'm telling myself that I am capable of love, of loving and being loved in return. I am capable of being sexy and not feeling dirty. I am capable of all good things. I am Mrs. W and I deserve all good things. I deserve to be Mrs. J. W! Hugs, Katie 

When I first made this art therapy piece back in February or March, I truly believed that 2015 was finally my year, but this tragedy and sorrow struck. I found out Jeff and I would not be able to legally marry as we had planned (May 6), and then my grandma died unexpectedly in April and I just felt like this was the worst year of my life. But, then I was offered a new position at work (which I absolutely love) and Jeff and I were married in the eyes of God in front of our family and friends on July 25. My year totally did a 180 and I truly believe that yes, indeed, even after everything that went wrong, that this is my year. I think sometimes bad things happen, so we can truly appreciate the good and not take everything for granted. Everything happens for a reason, in it's own time and way, and I am so incredibly blessed.  2015 is my year!  Katie Bug  

Whether we mean to or not, sometimes what we think is going to be helpful, is sometimes, well not. This is not meant to offend anyone, but a look into how helpfulness can be perceived by survivors. "I don't want people walking on eggshells around me or treat me like I'm so fragile that I'll break. If I was fragile I would have shattered a long time ago. What happened to me was unfortunate but it hasn't and will not break me. I can't live my life afraid of being triggered or upset because that is letting him win. I don't want people being afraid either. People may think they are helping  but honestly it just upsets me. Instead people can listen to me when I choose to talk about whatever and validating me and believing me.  I am working towards the best life possible with my husband. Recap: I'm not broken, fragile, damaged... None of those things." You are not broken, fragile or damaged either!  Love always,  Katie