If you are one of my regular readers, you've probably noticed that I haven't been posting much lately. Honestly, I just haven't felt much like creating or posting because of some major issues our family has been facing. I've been kind of depressed dealing with everything and the creative mojo has been missing. The good news is that things are starting to look up.
My parents health has been declining quite a bit lately with both physical and mental issues. Fortunately, they were able to buy a lot next door to my brother and his family in Wesley Chapel, Florida where they can build a new home for themselves. They'll still have their own place, but they'll have family right next door to help with any issues that may arise and to keep an eye on day to day things as well. I am so grateful to my brother and his family for being able and willing to step up. In order to be able to build the new house though, my parents needed to sell their current home in Winter Garden, Florida. The idea of them having to put the house on the market, keep it ready for showing and being able to leave the house for a showing on a moment's notice, putting stuff into storage, find temporary housing while the new home was built, etc. was daunting. So, my husband and I made the decision to buy their home in Winter Garden from them. We close on the property in the morning. My parents will now have the money they need to build their new place, but will be able to live in their current home while the new home is being built. They can take their time with the building and moving process and not be stressed which means we children won't be stressed! Once they've moved into their new place and my son's current lease is up, he'll be able to move into the Winter Garden house and will pay us rent and my husband and I will have a home we can retire to in Florida at some point. The house in Winter Garden is a lovely property too and we hated to see it leave the family.
The other major issue has been my son's divorce. After having had an adorable little boy with my son in June 2016, my daughter-in-law suddenly decided in January that she no longer wanted to be married. She moved herself and our only grandchild back up here to Maryland to live with her parents. Despite being only an hour away, we've rarely gotten to see our grandson. Our son definitely didn't get to see him much since his job is in Florida. He did everything he could to try to save the marriage, but she refused to cooperate and even started making up lies about him. Yesterday, there was a hearing to determine if she had to return our grandson to our son and the judge ordered his immediate return. It will be a custody-sharing arrangement with our son getting him for awhile and then her getting him for awhile and so on until the divorce proceedings are finalized and permanent custody arrangements are made. Today they will be attending a court-mandated mediation session to try to work out some details between themselves instead of having to have the court decide. I'm hoping things will go well. We were very pleased and relieved with yesterday's decision, but it was an extremely emotional and nerve-wracking day.
So, things are definitely looking up! I still might not be posting much right away though as I am going down to Florida to help my son and grandson get settled into a routine and find daycare. I will start creating and posting again as soon as I can though. I truly do love what I do and love that I can put my business on hold if I need to while dealing with important family issues. Thanks for understanding and sticking with me! If you are someone who already knew about the issues we've been facing and have been keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and sent encouraging words, then thank you. You will never know just how much it has meant.
Always remember family comes first! When you are ready to start posting again on a regular basis we will be here waiting for you and hoping things continue to get better for you and your family.
Posted by: C. McK | 08/13/2017 at 12:58 AM
Michelle, please do not worry about posting. Yes we miss you and yes we look forward to your restarting your posts but right now your family come first.
You and your family are in our prayers that the outcome for both parents and son/grandson will be good.
God bless and keep you all.
Posted by: veecee | 08/10/2017 at 08:03 AM
You and your family are in my prayers that things will settle down quickly. Have faith, and look toward a bright future for everyone involved. Don't worry about crafting now, your family needs you more.
God Bless!
Posted by: Phyllis L. | 08/09/2017 at 12:34 PM
yes i have missed your posts. i am so very sorry that life has been hard these past few months for you. but it seems things are slowly improving so that is very good news. you have always been on my short list of favorite bloggers/card creators. so i will be thankful to see you back again, slow or not:)))
blessings, jo ann. (thanks for sharing your heart with your followers!!!)
Posted by: jo ann deheer | 08/09/2017 at 07:07 AM