7 Quick Takes Friday: 1st-time-in-a-long-time edition :)
- Did I mention we're staying in America? Yeah? Well, that's pretty much why I haven't written in a long time. I've been busy...
- ...crafting resumes, cover letters, and such for my husband. My fly human resources and editing skills have once again been useful. (To be honest, though, networking proved to be more valuable than editing skills.) And yes, he got a job-- one we are BOTH so on-board and excited about! Yippee!
- I'm loving the structure of having whole days in which to spend time with the children, keep a more regular routine of habits & chores, do our schooling, etc. With Doug's previous job, his hours were so inconsistent (some days where he left before the kids were awake and got home after they were in bed, some evenings full of conference calls, etc.), but now we have a fairly nice-and-neat little 8-5 schedule. Doug & I really could happily be together 24/7, so that's one downer, but the trade-off of having more of a daily routine is PRICELESS. I am loving it... we're still definitely not MOTH people (every 15 minutes scheduled throughout the day), but I appreciate having a more regular flow to our days.
- We're buying a house, and went under contract this week. It's a wonderful, quirky house just like our family... it suits us very well. A well-used home (mid-70's), with some interesting features... and most people would look at it and walk right past it (which is why it was on the market for 8 months with no offers before we came along)... but we are so, So, SO excited about it. Yee haw!
- Let me tell you one thing I love about it before I move onto another topic. :) The house is in kind of a U-shape. So when you go out the backdoor into the little enclosed courtyard leading into the backyard, there is a spiral staircase that goes up onto a little mini-deck built in that negative rectangular space of the "U" shape -- it will make the perfect fort for our boys. The staircase is rusty & the top will need a rail around it for sure... but this little wonderfully quirky detail is one of many things I love about the house. :)
- If you are a homeschool mom, you know-- it's February-- classic burn-out time. You need to read this article, called "Why I'm No Homeschooling Superstar"-- She makes so many great points; I could really identify with her perspective!
- I know I haven't blogged in a while, but the truth is, I haven't missed it. Maybe it's because I'm now getting so much stimulating and encouraging conversation in English, and don't have to reach out for it online? Maybe it's because life is moving at the speed of light and I don't have time? I don't know... and I'm still sorting it out... but it's possible that Making Home's days are coming to an end. We'll see. Have a great weekend.
10 comments:
I love that you all are settling in so nicely at home again. But I have to say that I will be sad if Making Home's days come to an end as you suggested is possible. I've been so encouraged here over the last several years.
Noooooo! Don't stop blogging!! I totally understand if you do need to stop, though. At least leave the blog up so we can go back to past posts (which I do quite often) Also, could you maybe address the subject of Pride and Perfection? I have several friends these days who are perfectionists and very prideful of it. It makes the rest of us feel like if we're not doing things their way we're doing it wrong. Their attitudes are "you MUST homeschool" "You MUST eat organic" "You MUST have your house in order at all times" I have yet to find those rules in the Bible. Thanks so much!
I completely get that the blog has been put aside thanks to face time with friends and family. I hope you won't stop writing, but if you do, I understand.
I'd love to see photos of your new home or maybe even before and after photos as you are "making home". You are pinning some great ideas on pinterest. hugs.
Jess,
I am so happy for you! It sounds like the Lord has really been guiding your sweet family with the job and house, etc. I so hope you will keep updating Making Home at least occasionally. I want to see what you do to that quirky little house. I know it will be precious with all your crafty skills. :) You are an encouragement and so gifted in writing. I hope to see you continue to post even if it is just very sporadically. Have a blessed weekend!
Ruth from Texas
P.S.- I did mean to say that I'll try to work on a post about what I noticed & learned from the "older woman" I stayed with during my time in Istanbul. I really did glean a lot from her in those few days & I want to not only share it with all of you, but also have it seared more deeply in my own brain, so that it will continue to challenge and sharpen me.
Welcome back to America! Hope you're getting settled into your new home and are having fun.
With regard to blogging, sometimes all good things must come to an end. Clearly your blogging purpose is different now from when you began. I think for you to continue, it's worth figuring out why you're blogging -- a creative outlet? Interaction? Income source? Encouraging others? Family diary?
Figuring out your purpose these days can help you determine what to do with it.
Well, if you do stop blogging, I agree with several other ladies in saying that I understand, and definitely your family and real-life relationships come first. But before I lose the opportunity (if you stop this blog), let me tell you what Making Home has meant to me:
I accidentally stumbled on your blog when I was 19. At that time I was engaged to the man who is now my husband, and was on the pill in preparation for marriage. I won't say your blog was the ONLY thing that changed my mind - it wasn't - but it was one of the major things that God used in helping us decide to a) get off the pill and b) start our family early on in marriage.
I will never forget the day that my then fiance and I stood in the bathroom in the apartment he shared with his brother (who was home at the time) and flushed those pills down the toilet. It was a decision I've never regretted and we've never really looked back.
Your blog also helped to change my attitude toward children. I'd always liked kids, but your blog made me yearn for them. Every time I read your blog, it made me want to be a mother. You were a big part of giving me a vision for motherhood. And sure enough, 1.5 years into our marriage, I gave birth to our first son Caleb. His brother Judson followed 22 months later. And though we'd like to wait a little bit, Lord willing, we're not done! You have been absolutely right. Although kids are difficult, they are wonderful.
Thank you for showing me what a treasure children are. When so many people around me were saying, "You just wait until you have kids," you were saying, "I commend to you the role of motherhood." I am eternally grateful.It helped give my husband and I the courage to go for it.
I'm a long time reader.... we have several friends who have served overseas, so I have loved reading your posts about your family life... Looking forward to reading about your life stateside (hint to keep on writing!). :)
Wow, Allison! Thank you for sharing your heart & life here with me... it is a real encouragement to hear from you. Blessings to you & your family!
~Jess
Jess,
I agree that your blog will be missed, if it comes to that, but of course family & irl relationships come first! I hope to keep up with you once in a while on the SL forums (although I check in over there less & less often as I get busier irl). Anyway, I also wanted to say that I'd love to see pics of your house, & I hope you'll share some with us even if you don't post much anymore! It sounds really cool. We used to have a house that was U-shaped, & I loved that funny little courtyard. I hope that your transition to life stateside continues to go well.
-Ruby (aka 4them)
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