If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been on an extended blogging break. Some things came up last summer… the kind of things you drop everything for, and this blog was the first thing to go.

Someday I’ll share a little more, but for now I’ll just say that there has been much sorrow, and slowly, gently, came much joy. And I’ve learned that I’m always closer to God when going through a storm. I grew up enough to truly embrace James 1:2-3: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. But I haven’t grown up enough to think I’m done growing, and I hope I never do.

I had to let go of Homegrown Mom to have enough room in my heart and mind to fully tend to the needs of my family. As we started to work our way through the muck, I was amazed by the abundance of creativity and peaceful contentment that was overflowing from my heart towards my family and home. I can truly say that I have been a better mom and wife for letting all this go.

I am prayerfully considering taking this blog back up, but on HIS terms, not mine. I want to continue writing, occasionally, but I’ll be honest: I still want to save the most creative, most fun, brightest parts of me for my husband and kids. This season I’m in, it’s only going to last 10 more years at best. Writing will always be here. So this might just become a static page, an archive of sorts. I’m honestly not sure yet.

Either way, I’ll be keeping Homegrown Mom around because someday I will need this space to unleash all that is in my heart! Someday, I’ll share all the fun projects we’ve done, the lessons I’ve learned, the inspiration God has given me to keep going strong as a mom. Someday, I’ll have free time to share about doing those fun, educational things, but these days, I’m using that time to do them. Someday… might be my favorite word.

I’ve missed you all. I’ve still read every email, and every comment, though I might not have replied.

If you have a minute, check out what my beautiful daughter has been doing with herself.

Then, finish this sentence for me. “Someday I’ll…”

It’s been one of those weeks for me. Lots to do, and never enough time to stop and breathe. Except there is time, of course. I just don’t take it.

Last night, or early this morning, I trudged up the stairs to bed with a stack of work to complete. Slamming my notebook down on the bed, I proclaimed to my hubby for the umpteenth time, “No more projects!”

“I mean it!” I grumbled as he sat comfortably in bed, grinning at me. We both know better.

Earlier that evening, I had tucked my little one into bed, rubbing her forehead softly as her eyes fluttered closed. She’d had a rough day and we smiled and whispered sweet words to each other, ending the day right.

I watched Idol with my hubby and Coco, standing my ground against the two of them when they tried to persuade me that I indeed like grunting and growling singers. I so don’t.

After lights out, I hunkered down in my office to catch up on projects I’d left for the last minute. Life of a mom, right?

Elsewhere in the country, people were facing devastating storms and battling for their lives.

Some lost.

A superhero of a preacher, so loved by so many, was in an accident and went home to heaven.

A million people were camping under the stars, hoping for a glimpse of a princess.

And this Mommy was safe in her office, grumbling about being too busy.

The world is a funny place.

Today, I opened my eyes and said, Thank you. Over and over again.

It was a day for ice cream cones, playing outside, and listening to my husband’s music without complaining… grunts and all. Thank you.

A day to be excited about work, about creativity and about a zillion projects. Thank you.

A day to be happy to have a floor to vacuum. Thank you.

Another day to tuck my girls in and kiss them goodnight. Thank you.

A night to snuggle in bed with my husband and forget about projects and writing and emails.

Thank you.

My prayers are with families that have lost homes and loved ones. If you’d like to help one such family, click here.

Well it has finally happened. I’ve always had an irrational fear of getting hacked. Okay, maybe not always but at least since I started doing things regularly online and I saw The Net.

I figured if I got hacked, my bank account would empty. I could recover from that, though, since it’s near empty anyways. Or maybe someone would send a nasty video to my Facebook friends. But I’d get over that, too, since anyone who knows me would know right away that I wouldn’t do that.

But my blog design? What. The. Heck.

Apparently someone hacked my theme recently and all my custom stuff is gone. I’m working on getting it back up, but I have no idea how long it will take. Mainly because when I say I’m working on getting it back up, I mean that I am going to have to pay someone else to get it back up and as I mentioned before, my bank account…

I know, it could be worse. They could have assumed my identity and be chasing me through dark, underground parking lots. So, actually, I’m counting my blessings.

The designer of the previously-mentioned blog beauty is Darcy, and she has been a saint in helping me figure this all out. Thanks, Darcy! If you need a blog design, I highly recommend her. She truly goes above and beyond the call of duty. Be prepared to wait because her queue is full but you can stalk her on Facebook and Twitter to be first in line when she opens back up.

So, please bear with me as I undergo construction, and keep your fingers crossed that everything goes back to normal soon. And if you’re new here, promise me you’ll come back and see my pretty blog someday when it’s fixed.

Have you ever been hacked?

The majority of you preferred picture #1. It was not my first choice, but it was Eric’s favorite. Thanks to all who voted! I’m off now to change all my profile pics and gravatars online. Will I ever find them all?

PS: If you want your pic to show up when you comment on a blog, it’s super easy. Just register with Gravatar.com and when you use your email to leave a comment, your pic will pop up! I like seeing all your pretty faces!

I know what you’re thinking, and yes, this is getting a little ridiculous. Again with the picture thing. Last week, I shared that I needed a new photo that actually looked like me. Little did I know that my friend Rhonda would offer to take one for me!

What kind of lady does that? An awesomely sweet one. Did I mention I haven’t seen her in ten years? Ten years! Rhonda was a big influence on my life in my high school years. She exemplified godly living and was absolutely crazy fun. I have tons of special memories of her, and of her couch, too. I spent many nights on it

She happened to be in my area last weekend and we met up on Sunday morning at 7am. When she added that she’d do some family photos, too, I begged my husband to come along. He wasn’t too keen on the idea of getting everyone up at 5am on a Sunday morning, but after a little convincing, he agreed. All I had to do was show him her website.

I may have also slightly suggested there would be some major pouting if he said no. The secret to pouting, by the way, is to save it for the big stuff. Yeah, I’m all about submitting but I’m no saint. And getting a family picture taken by a dear friend who happens to be a very talented lady… well that sent me over the edge. (Not that it’s a long trip.)

So, my whole happy fam turned out and met Rhonda early Sunday morning. She was cheerful and fun and sweet and had us all relaxed. For the first time in my life, I actually liked getting my picture taken!

Rhonda sent me these headshots and I love ‘em! The only problem is, I can’t choose one! So, I am leaving it up to you, dear friends. Please do comment and tell me which pic you like.

Can you tell I only slept three hours the night before?

Now, go check out Rhonda’s photoblog. See her cutie patootie husband? He was my youth pastor! He wore orange vans, taught me to pray, encouraged me more than any teacher ever had… and took me on a missions trip to Hollywood where we witnessed to prostitutes. But that’s a story for another time…

Now I promise I’ll get back to regular programming around here soon.