Introducing Tea Chats: A Weekly Newsletter ~ Revisiting Priorities

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10.4.11

Introducing Tea Chats: A Weekly Newsletter ~ Revisiting Priorities

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Dear Friends,
As you all know, blogging is not an exact science. It is a hobby--a really fun one—in fact almost too fun! For me it’s more than fun though, it’s a way to bless not only you, sweet bloggy friends, who comment so regularly but the many unseen readers who follow Comin’ Home. Each of us has built quite a community...and each of us has our little ‘group’ that we share our regular ups and downs with. How I treasure your friendship!
 So few people live life deliberately…

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Revisiting Priorities
As much as I love writing this homemaking blog, and it is DEAR to my heart, this month I’ve had to re-evaluate my priorities. I don’t like coasting--I can’t afford to!  I get easily sidetracked, so I am always having to check and see if I’ve gotten off track from the true priorities in my life. Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing for this season of life or not?
For all of us SAHM’s or SAHW’s or working wives and mothers, the danger of blogging is that…
… It’s so easy to choose the GOOD or BETTER over the BEST.
There is no question that blogging inspires me to do better at my every day responsibilities than I might otherwise do. It encourages me to have friends  who drop by and comment and it’s good for me to encourage others too. Giving to total strangers and helping homemakers everywhere to do their best..is even better. I don’t doubt that at all.  
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Jacob Goes to Boot Camp..Gone for SIX MONTHS!
But what is ‘the best’ for me—for my family? Well..it’s giving them my whole–hearted service as a mom in the season of life I’m in. This week, the fact that Jacob is leaving for boot camp right after graduation is looming in my mind. He’s graduating in less than six weeks! We will be so busy..taking graduation photos, sending out announcements, planning his parties, making sure he’s ready to leave, setting up a ‘boot camp blog’..
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Yes, I’ll be running a blog about Jacob’s adventures in boot camp for his friends and our family and church friends. He won’t be at your normal boot camp and then come home. He’s going straight into training for his military job—that’s a total of six months of being away from home. When I say goodbye in May..it will be good-bye to my 19 yr.old until Christmas. Looming is just not the right word for it!
 jacob driving

These next few weeks will be precious times… I want him to head off knowing I gave him my very best as his mom. He will leave home a boy..and come home..a Man. I know it all too well!  Jacob and I will be having some sweet ‘tea times’ ourselves..or should I call that the ‘coffee hour’. LoL!

Introducing a Weekly Newsletter called ‘Tea Chats’

Dear Hubby and I both agree, that for this season in life.., I need to blog less and ‘mother’ more.

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by christian 

So I’ve decided to start a weekly newsletter called Tea Chats. 

Every Monday..sometime on Monday..I will post a weekly ‘Tea Chat’ that will have excerpts from last week’s adventures..cooking, sewing, homemaking, crafting, and a wee chat from the heart. I’ll always include a linky party for you to join in with your cups of tea of course! 

Like Needled Mom, I’ll write my super duper post for the week and then visit everyone..(That’ll be a lot of visits!) and then that will be it for the week.  I’ll continue to post photos and little quips about the day’s adventures on Comin’ Home’s facebook page and visit and comment of course! But my blog post will only be weekly.  (I’m working on a newsletter format. Hope it works!)

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The Rest of the Week..
This way the rest of the week, the family will get my undivided attention. My youngest is needing a lot more help with school as we are preparing to get him into dual credit for some of his classes next year and he really is ADHD even at 16. With all of his siblings gone or gone most of the day, I decided that we need to get involved socially away from home at least once a week.  I may join a home school co-op for Christian’s sake next year. I’ve got to be careful to ‘finish well’ with my homeschooling journey. The last child shouldn’t get the ‘leftovers’ if you know what I mean. 

Dear Hubby and I didn’t want to just have me quit blogging altogether. If a weekly post can get us through this busy season of life and still allow me to do all that I need to, then that will be a good solution. Hubby is even helping me work on a new format..we're trying to 'tweak' the html to allow for multiple 'jump breaks' in one post. Until then, I may have to manually edit some things to make my newsletter look the way I want it to. :o) Thanks hubby!

I hope you enjoy my ‘newsletter’ each Monday. I hope to get to visit more of you this way too. It may be that by the end of the summer, I will be able to go back to more regular posting. There’s lots to do, but I don’t want to miss out on our fellowship altogether. :o)

Have a lovely weekend..and I hope you too are living life ‘deliberately’. Do you have trouble balancing life and blogging at times? It seems to be a rather delicate balance if you ask me!  

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by Christian

We all lead such busy lives and face so many demands on our schedules. 

Let’s be careful not to let the good or the better…bump ‘the best’.
 
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19 comments

Debby said...

So glad that you aren't going away totally. Senior years are always packed full of things to do. With your son going away for so long after graduation you do need to cherish each moment. Good luck Donna. I will look forward to your weekly posts.

Unknown said...

Dear Donna, I know we havent really visited each other much in the past but I always stopped in to see what was new. Your son is so handsome and I'm sure you will be missing him dearly. I hope the months go quickly for you and once again he will be home to share his life with you and your family. I send my blessings your way and will pop in on Mondays and hope to shout out a hello your way!
God Bless...
Shirley

claudia b said...

Donna,
I am glad you will be blogging still - I love the grace and kindness you exude through your blog and would miss it dearly. However, you are right in deciding what your priorities are.
Many blessings to you and your dear family - Claudia

Trudy said...

This seems to be a perfect plan and balance between family and blogging. You are doing the right thing, putting family first. I know I always find it a struggle as well. I really enjoy blogging, but I also want to give my family my best. Our children grow up too fast. Thank you for continuing to give to the blogging community and to people you don't even know. I know you are making a big difference in the lives of others, more than you may ever know. I pray that God blesses you and your family.

Amy said...

What a wise plan, dear lady! I adore your blog and sharing, but I think it's because of the real woman you are behind it all: having real relationships and living a real life. It sounds like God has led you to this blog conclusion and season of focus. Blessings to your family and you as you focus on what truly matters.

Kerrie said...

Donna, I think you are very wise to make the decision! I know it will be hard for you to "let go" for awhile but hopefully, less blogging will be a blessing to you! If I still had children at home, they would definitely be my priority, too. I have always marvelled at how much you packed into every single day. I cannot remember the author at the moment but my primary care physician once recommended "The Pressure's Off" book to me and it was a great help. luv n hugs, Kerrie

Anonymous said...

Love you, Donna. You do what you have to do and don't worry about us. Your family is always the most important thing. Thank you sooooo much for everything and every minute you've given us. *hugs*

nannykim said...

I have scaled way back on blogging too. Our families and our Lord do deserve our best. Each of us have to figure out just what that means for different times and phases in our lives and it looks like that is just what you have figured out for your present time. God bless!

nanasknoll said...

So glad you are staying with us weekly. I too am finding that winter is a good time for my blogging but as soon as it warms up my life becomes very busy.
I think my blogging has been a way of saying hi out there to the world. Since I do not get out of the house much (with one car)I do not see people except on Sundays at church.
It has been more of a Hi out there blog. Others are informative in different ways. As I would like to pass on to others how to do some things I have learned to do.
But it is very time consuming and I too have slowed down in this area and tried to do what is "the best" in my individual life. Look forward to your weekly blog
Nina

Needled Mom said...

This is definitely the season in your life that family needs you much more than blogging friends. Although we will miss your wonderful posts, we will really look forward to catching up once a week.

Six months away is a long time. Pester him as much as you can now!!!!

Blessings to you and your wonderful family, Donna.

Denise said...

You have set the perfect example of not only prioritzing, but also, of obedience to the Lord. Your Love for Christ and for your family is beyond evident:) You have written an awesome post on "Decision Making 101"{{{grin}}} with the chief contributors being Christ and your husband. Thank You for sharing with us whenever you can!!
God Bless You and your Time in the coming months,

Denise

Ky said...

That sounds like a great idea, Donna. Blogging can take up a lot of time. Especially the visiting part.
I hope you get in a lot of special time with your boy before he goes away.
Love your work as always. xx

Heather said...

You are a wonderful person and I am truly happy for you finding balance in your life. I will look forward to your posts each week.

Heather

Natasha in Oz said...

Now that is a great idea my dear friend! I think we must be on the same wavelength. I missed blogging too much to just give up completely and have decided to blog again, but on my terms!

I must say your kind words (and your hubbie's too!) really touched me and I so appreciate your friendship. I look forward to continuing our friendship and reading your weekly thoughts!

Best wishes always,
Natasha.

'LUSH' said...

Beautifully stated Donna! God Bless you and your family in this season!

Unknown said...

What an exciting time!!!

Anonymous said...

This is such a wonderful solution for those busy seasons in life. I somehow viewed blogging as writing daily or not at all but it looks like you've come up with a wonderful compromise.

Anonymous said...

wow lovely posting i like it . really fantastic details shared and beautiful all pics . amazing your idea


http://www.educationgateway.co.in/

GlorV1 said...

It's just like you Donna to be making the plans for what will work out better for you and your family and even us. How very thoughtful of you to include us like you've done. You are the sweetest most wonderful bloggie buddie in the world. Your family is growing and going on in life and as hard as it may be for you...you are just working with it all the way. Man!! You are some lady. I wish Jacob all the luck in the world at boot camp and I hope your oldest son is doing well where he and his wife are at. My goodness, it is a pleasure to travel on your lifes journey. Thank you Donna and God Bless You.

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” ~ Margaret Sangster

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