My Final Post (For A While)

The other day I was unable to use the computer. No emails, no reserving library books, or renewing them, no computer to look up "Uganda" the current country we are learning about. No blog reading or posting and no checking for comments on my blogs or comments on comments I'd left on other blogs.


I've had time to pause. Time to think about why we blog. Why blogging is important to us. I'm sure there are many reasons out there, but I'm going to try to explain my reasons.


I've been married for almost 12 years. The first five years of our marriage I did daycare in our home. After 3 years we started having our own children. So basically, once I got married, my life has been children. Which has been a blessing and so very wonderful, don't get me wrong here. But I think we women do tend to kind of lose ourselves. Which is a sacrifice we willingly and lovingly do happily.


I don't really have time for hobbies. I have a hard time fitting in exercise time. So, when I started reading blogs about 3 years ago (thanks Sarah for introducing me to Danielle Bean),
I had contact with other women just like me, without even leaving my home! Homeschooling mothers with a strong faith. Women with the same values and morals, going through the same things I was. The first week I read Danielle Bean, she and her family had the flu, just like our family!! I thought "Hey, this woman is writing exactly how I feel right now, she is writing what we are going through!" I was hooked.


Then one day, while reading Danielle's comments, I saw one commenter signed her name "Margaret in MN". Well, being in MN myself, I had to click on her and check her out! (I'm so glad I did, she is wonderful and a blessing in my life, I know this, because I also had to meet her!)
Then that went on to Kristen at Small Treasures, Melissa, at Bountiful Blessings, and Suzanne at Blessed Among Men. I also dabbled in a few others here and there. (In fact I think I left a comment with Barbara right before she took a big break from blogging?--but I could be wrong)


My point, I think, being I started out small, only reading one blog which gradually turned into more and more.


Then my good friend Christine, (yes she has a new blog now!) started a blog of her own, well without even thinking about it or even praying about it (which is what I usually do), I went online to see if I could help her with some questions she had and ...oops! I have a blog!!


It was so easy and fun and addicting!! I felt cool. I felt accepted. People started immediately commenting and emailing me personally. I had a new confidence. I had a way to express myself. I could share ideas, I could share my faith. It's a confidence that feels really good, a confidence I still have because of this blog. A confidence that is very hard to give up.


Well, that little list of blogs I was reading slowly got bigger and bigger. Now I read my commenter's blogs along with my old and new favorite blogs.


The other day, I decided to write down 2 lists. One was a list of blogs I learn from, get ideas from and blogs of friends. (basically the ones I can't give up)


Then I wrote a list of what I'd do if I didn't blog and read blogs and check comments, etc...(all hours of the night and every free moment I have) Here's that list:

• More time with the kids!
• I could try to sew those quilt squares that have been sitting there for 2 years!
• I could try to sew that soft baby blanket kit I bought for my now 4 year old!
• I could go through my basket of recipes and cookbooks (and lots of Taste of Homes)!
• I could read more of the many books waiting for me to read.
• I could pray more, I could always do that!
• I could run a much more efficient household.
• I could have more "available" time or just more time to be quiet.

I'm pretty sure I could really think of a ton more things, but it's late and that's a pretty good start, I'd say!

Jen had a great post about an "aha" moment she had recently having to do with money and tithing and sacrifice. I couldn't help but think about TIME and how this blog world steals time that can never be given back. Time away from my kids and our family life. An hour on the computer is not worth an hour of playing outside and going for a walk in the beautiful fall weather with my kids. The hour with my kids is obviously much more important! In the long run, I can't take the blog world with me but I will be responsible for the souls of my little children.

Leaving my blog is a sacrifice, but right now it is what's best for my family.

So goodbye to all my faithful readers and lurkers. I will miss you! I hope you have enjoyed your time here. I will be praying for you. May God bless you with his abundant graces and blessings!