An Announcement...

It shouldn't take a tragedy to get my attention.

You see, I am a wife and mother first. The Lord has given me a wonderful husband and six precious children. I am so thankful for each one of them.

However, our days are numbered and tomorrow is not promised to anyone. 

If today was your last day on this Earth, how would you have spent it?

If today was the last day you had with one of your loved ones, what would you remember?

I want to make memories, instead of making things. 

I want to read books to my toddlers instead of reading e-mails.

I want to paint tiny fingernails instead of snowmen and pumpkins and signs.

After all, my best artwork is made using sidewalk chalk and inspired by the ridiculous requests of giggling girls.

I have met many wonderful people through my etsy shop. I am honored they have allowed me to have a small part of special times in their lives and I was blessed to be able to run a successful shop for a season in my life.

However, my customers can find other vendors to make their items. My children only have one mother. I am irreplaceable to them.

I have met many special friends through blogging. Women who have lifted me up in prayer or sent me e-mails to reach out in dark times. Women who have celebrated with me in times of great joy. I am so thankful for each one of them and hope to keep in touch.

I am thankful for the inspiration of others from their own little corners of this big, crazy thing they call the world wide web. I hope that I have been a help to others in return.

However, I want to fill my camera card with pictures of my five beautiful, silly girls and my handsome young man. (Yes, the boy is becoming a young man so much like his father these days.) There are plenty of bloggers out there. My children only have one mother.

Oh, I will still do crafty projects. That is part of a creative outlet for me. Plus, my girls have a loooooong, ever growing list of things they want me to make for them. I don't want them to wait for their turn anymore. I want them to come first.  If I make "things," I want to make things that will be remembered.

There is nothing wrong with selling on etsy or blogging. There are lots of people who can do it all with grace and ease. But I am in a season of my life where I am spread too thin and I need to prioritize. It just isn't working for me.

I have decided to close my shop and stop blogging for awhile. I will trust God with the rest because I feel this is what I need to do. I am so thankful for the support that I have been given from so many people over the past 5 years.

Time is precious. It is a gift that is not given to everyone. I want to try to make the most of it.