Well, I've been mulling this for a while, and I just need a break. I've got four precious children and an incredible man who deserve more of my attention than I'm currently giving.I don't know about you guys, but this whole internet thing can really take over your life if you're not careful... and it can all be for good stuff-- Facebook to keep up with friends (good), homeschool groups online to keep up with schooling objectives and get wise advice when you need it (good), and blogs, glorious blogs to constantly stretch and challenge you, and to learn so very much about our world (also good). But it can eat away at life. REAL life. Life with family, celebrating birthdays and ordinary days. Life with friends, encouraging one another, enjoying jokes and sharing delicious meals. Life with children, teaching and training about God as we tickle and giggle and play family hide & go seek. Life.
I'm not quitting; I enjoy blogging too much for that. It not only gives me an outlet to process and share what I'm learning and taking in, but it also sharpens and challenges me in so many oh-so-wonderful ways.
That said, I just need a break. I'll be back. Maybe at the end of the summer or so. But until then, feel free to look around... through the archives and such, in the right-hand sidebar. Especially the "Show & Tells"-- you'll find so many links worth reading there.
I'll look forward to enjoying many more good discussions with you all about family, marriage, the Bible, and womanhood. Blessings to you and I hope you have a delightful rest of the summer, full of family, friends, and an ever-richer relationship with Christ Jesus our Lord.
[ETA: You can always e-mail me @ MakingHome@pobox.com]
43 comments:
Dear Jess,
Good for you! You are right - I often feel the need to go on an internet 'fast'- it can get you so addicted and eat away your time. (And I don't even blog, I have enough difficulty controlling how much time I devote to reading others' blogs and such.) I have often wondered how you could find adequate time for all your family and homeschooling the children and all. You will be missed, but by all means, enjoy your life, blogging can wait. :-)
Mrs. P.
I am proud of you for doing what you need to do to best glorify the Lord within your family and your life. It's a great example.
We'll miss you, but hey, you're on my Reader feed, so I'll know when you're back.
Hugs and kisses...
Enjoy your well-deserved break! Looking forward to reading more when you are refreshed & renewed!
Enjoy it! Have just been reading your 'rice' post and discussing it with my husband....thank you.
Enjoy your break. That is one smiley cute baby!
Blessings as you enjoy your husband and children this summer! :) Taking time for that is NEVER a bad thing.
Take a break. Your blogging friends will come back when you return. Have a good time away from the computer.
I hope you enjoy this time with your family and friends. I will look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas when the time is right for you to share again. Thank you again for your insights into the marriage relationship...My husband and I have been encouraged and are enjoying a new season in our marriage thanks to God working through you.
We'll miss you, Jess! May God bless your time of rest!
GOOD FOR YOU!! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Oh Jess how I will miss you! But what a great decision you've made! Enjoy your vacation!
Totally understand, have a great break!
Oh, that's sad! I will greatly miss your posts, they are so encouraging! But, enjoy your break, and I'll look forward to all of your new ideas and posts at the end of the summer!
Aw man, but I just started reading your blog! ...but I'm glad you're taking a break ;) I completely know what you mean about the internet's capacity to take over your life, so I'm SO glad you're actually taking steps to keep it in its place. Have a fantastic summer!!
I will miss reading your blog. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Summer together and I look forward to reading more from you come Fall.
Jess, have a fantastic summer! You are such an encouragement to others online, I can just imagine how much you are an encouragement to others in real life. Thanks for your insights as a sister in Christ.
BEAUTIFUL new look for your blog!! Enjoy your time off and I will look forward to hearing more from a woman who practices what she "preaches".
Jamie
YES!! YOU FINALLY CHANGED YOUR LAYOUT!! I HATED THE BROWN! GO JESS ;-)
Jess, I felt led to ease off on my computer time as well. Thank you for your example. Although you will be greatly missed, I, at least, won't have the temptation of coming here for a while! I am looking forward to reading all the posts that will gather in your head during your time off. Have a super summer and enjoy your precious family!
P.S. I bought my 12yr old son The Settlers of Catan for his birthday... he loves it! Thanks for mentioning it in an earlier post.
Have a wonderful summer and enjoy your break! :)
Amanda
Totally understandable. There *is* lots to read in your archives of interest. Have a good blog-cation : )
Bye Jess! Enjoy your break and have a wonderful remainder of the summer.
I'll be sorry not to read but jolly good for you! Have a great time.
and the new layout is funky.
Katharine
Hurray for good priorities! Thanks for the good reminder, and enjoy your break!
Laura
I love your sling! My kids never liked that kangaroo carry. Once they were too big for the cradle carry, I had to put them on my hip or in my Ergo.
Have a good summer.
I am working on a post inspired by your post on sheltering. It may not be ready for a month or so, but I will send you a link when I put it up.
Laurie B
Good for you! And I am so far behind on my blog reading that this will give me time to catch up with out getting further behind!
have a great summer! :)
I understand the need for a family time break! Enjoy your famiy this summer!
I will miss your posts Jess, but I don't blame you, good for you taking time off of blogging, it can be as time consuming as any "job".
Enjoy yourself.
Kelly
Good for you, Jess! You're doing the right thing.
Enjoy that beautiful baby of yours, and your older children and husband.
You look great, btw!
Hey Jess,
I've been reading your blog for a while and "lurking." Just wanted to let you know that I listed your blog as a favorite on MY blog :) www.vanderpoolfamily.blogspot.com.
Blessings,
Hannah
Have a great summer!!!!
Five very important people will be very glad you are taking this (much needed, it sounds like!) break from blogging. Hadias, @ Proverbswife, mentioned once about the need for a reality check: when you're facing your computer, your back is to your family. 'Tis true, 'tis true!!
I hope the remainder of your summer is a relaxed & beautiful one....
Brenda
Thanks for stopping by! I've really enjoyed reading your blog for the past couple of months. I hope you have a refreshing break, and look forward to your return:)
Oh yeah, and I noticed it's not up anymore, but I wanted you to know I was really blessed by your post about allowing God to protect our children. Sometimes keeping them shielded from all of the evils of this world can feel like such an overwhelming task, and that verse you shared from Psalms just really encouraged me that I need to have more trust in God's protection over them.
God bless, and have a fun summer:)
Awww....you mean you're prioritizing your family over anonymous strangers? Seriously, I'm going to miss your posts, but I will have a look through the archives. Come back soon!
Oh my gracious! What a precious, sweet smiling angel! He is already unbelievable! We are so proud of you for doing what you need to do for right at this time of your life. We love you!
Jess, I share your thoughts about taking time away from blogging to engage in "real" relationships.
May the Lord fill you up with much to pass on to others of us out here.
Sheila
Have a great break. I so agree with you that eletronics can easily take over real life if we aren't very careful. And life with our husband and kids is way more importatn.
I add my Good for you too! This is what I'm talking about....MOMS taking rest:http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/07/mom-help-911-part-3-rest.html
and MOMS having permission to have some Beauty Pauses!
http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/07/moms-help-911-four-taking-beauty-pauses.html
May your sabbath rest be so sweet.
Lylah
Hey! So glad you are taking a sabbatical *even though* I love reading how God is encouraging you. I pray it's a refreshing time for you and your family. I am so glad you stopped by the blog :) I'd love to email you but didn't see an address..... Thanks and blessings to you guys!!
Miranda
Just wanted to say that I *love* that pic of you and your baby in the sling - we have just got a wrap in preparation for our baby, due in December, and I have ordered a ring sling too, so it's lovely to see such a contented looking baby in one!
The Broken Man
http://theblogofabrokenman.blogspot.com/
I can't wait for your break to be over. :)
I just wanted to drop by and tell you that I love reading your blog -it's such an encouragement to me. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to write such insightful posts!
Blessings to your family, especially that new baby! :)
Sure missing your posts, but hoping your break is going well and allowing you to accomplish what is needed.
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