A Blogging Haitus
Hi, all! Just wanted to let y’all know that I’ll probably be taking a break from the blog for an indefinite length of time. Generally if I’m gone for more than two weekdays in a row, I start to get comments and emails from concerned readers wondering if something has happened to Matt. I wanted y’all to rest assured that Matt is okay.
Very sadly, my stepfather (a.k.a., my Bonus Dad) isn’t okay. My own father passed away in 2003, just four months after Matt and I got married. He and my mom had been married for 45 years, and his sudden and unexpected death was devastating for all of us. No one could have replaced him, but about two years later, God blessed my brother, sister, and I with a bonus dad named Jon. We also got four bonus siblings — three sisters and a brother — and all of the in-laws, nieces, nephews, etc., that go along with bonus siblings.
Mom and Jon have been married about 11.5 years now, and he has been such a blessing in all of our lives. And now we are all preparing to say goodbye. He’s currently in the hospital, with blood clots in his lungs, pneumonia and urosepsis (blood poisoning brought about by a severe urinary tract infection). He’s been suffering from Parkinson’s for the last several years, and also experiences dementia associated with Parkinson’s. This past weekend, they stopped treatment and moved to in-hospital hospice care.
Needless to say, with all of this going on, my house, projects, and blogging are all kind of low priority for me right now. So I really have no idea what the next several days will look like here on the blog. Obviously, I can’t spend all of my time at the hospital (I still have Matt at home who needs some of my time and attention), so while I’m home, I very well may be working on projects. I’d rather be doing that and keeping my mind and hands busy instead of just sitting idly. But those projects may not make it to the blog during this time. They may if I have time, but I won’t be making it a priority.
So, I may see y’all tomorrow. I may see y’all in two weeks. Or I may see y’all sometime in between. I’ll just play it by ear day by day. 🙂
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Praying for your family 🙏🏻
You and your family are in my prayers.
Thinking of you all.Xx
Praying for your family. My father and Mother in law were both cared for by hospice at the end. Hospice was a God send for our family. God bless you all.
Warm hugs and thoughts from Australia to you all. May God’s love and peace surround you and lift you in your time of need.
Take care of yourself. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Praying for your and your family.
We lost my father-in-law in March and it was a blessing to spend those last moments with him.
Take all the time you need, your followers will be here when you get back.
Thanks for letting us know, we will miss your regular posts. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time.
You and your family will be in my thoughts. Glad you are putting yourself first.
No question…….family ALWAYS comes first! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family….
You focus on your family. We will all be here when you feel you are ready to come back. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
My heart breaks for you & your family. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.
Peace & Blessings,
Fern
I’m thinking of you and your family and wish you all the best and strength for this time! OF COURSE this comes first and you don’t feel obliged to fill your blog!
Blessings from Germany
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless
All my warm thoughts and prayers for peace during this time.
So sorry to hear about your step-dad’s decline in health. I’ll be praying for all your families and him during this time.
I always look forward to your blog posts but totally understand that family comes first!
Blessings,
Vickie
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family 🙏🏼
I’m sorry to hear that. I am praying for you and your family. God bless.
My thougths are with you and your family Kristi. Hugs 🙁
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Please know that you as well as the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Know that we will miss you, these are trying times for all.
May the Good Lord cover your family with healing and peace.
Warmest hugs.
My thoughts and prayers sent to you and all the families!
Blessings,
Bea
Sorry to here about your stepdad. Thoughts and wishes for your family and mom.
How great that you all had 11.5 years with your bonus dad. I know this is heart wrenching. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family Kristi.
Lifting you and your family in prayer. Nothing replaces the comfort of family together at times like this. Do what your “REAL” life needs and do not worry about anything else. You will be blogging when it feels right for you. Sending you a hug and wishing you all peace and comfort.
Beautifully said and ditto.
Thank you for letting us know Kristi. I do get concerned when I don’t see your blog and hope things are ok with you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are being sent to you and your family. Take care
Thoughts and Prayers for your Mother, yourself and your extended Bonus Family. It is so difficult to lose someone we love. As a former Hospice Nurse, I am thankful that you can take advantage of the help for this difficult time. Thank you for letting us know. I am one of the ones who worry when I don’t see you post. Big Hugs for you and your wonderful Mother.
Sheila F.
Sending love and wishing strength and peace to you and all your family.
Thinking of you and your family
Prayers to you and your family!
Kristi, I’m so glad that your Mom has you to help her through this difficult time. Praying for all of you.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your entire family.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. We lost my daddy in April, but have so many great memories. May you all remember the good times you had.
Family should always come first, so do what you need to do. Sending prayers for you and your entire family.
I’m so sorry to hear ya’ll are going through this, I’ve been where you are now and you just have to take it day by day. You and your family are in my prayers.
Blessings Kristi…we have walked a similar road not too many years ago. May the Lord surround you with His peace and comfort. May you have that precious time with your mom and new siblings as they prepare for this dearly beloved saint’s homegoing.
Hugs from afar.
Take your time, all that you need. Take time for your mom, and Matt and yourself. Thankful you are nearby so that you can do just that.
Ditto everything that Gaye said so well. You have your priorities straight. Blessings.
I’m so sorry. 🙁 🙁 Thanks for letting us know. I wish you and your family the best.
Take care of yourself. Hugs!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Letting go of someone you love is never easy. My hope is that he goes peacefully and doesn’t suffer. Love and prayers for you and your family! Take it easy and give yourself time to grieve.
What a special gift to have Jon as your bonus dad. I hope you all get to spend as much time together with him as possible, that the time is filled with shared joy, and that Jon moves on peacefully. Take care, Ardith
I’m so sorry your mother, you, and all your bonus dad’s family are going through such a sad and trying time. At the same time, I’m glad all of you were blessed to have him in your lives.
Prayers for sure,and Hugs to your family….
Thinking of you –
Keeping you all close in heartfelt thoughts, and prayers for strength.
Sending thoughts of comfort and prayers to you all.
Hi Kristi,
I have loved reading your Blog and admire your beautiful work. I log on every day to see the progress you have made on your home. My husband and I are in the process of flipping a house and many of your projects, especially the room before and afters have been an inspiration for us.
I wish you peace as you go through this difficult time. Take care of yourself.
God be with you and your family at this very sad time.
May you feel all the love and supporting prayers being sent your way Kristi.
These are the difficult times in life when we remember what is really important ,,
Love, peace, and strength to you all .♡♡♡
Thanks for letting us know what is going on. Praying for you and your family! Please take the time you need and we will all be waiting when you get back!
Praying for you all.
My thoughts are with you and your family! It’s the most important thing in the world.
Lots of love and fuzzy warm hugs from Poland!
I hope your family fares well through this time of God calling him home, and may all be well.
Most of us have dealt with family and/or health issues that put our own lives on hold. Wishing you abundance of whatever you need during this time… Strength, love, peace.
I’m so sorry to heard about your dad. I will keep your mother and family in my prayers.
My sympathies to you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with y’all, Kristi.
Praying for peace for Jon and all who love him.
Thanks for keeping us informed. My stepdad had Hispice services, too. Their help and guidance was invaluable to our family.
Sending virtual hugs to you, your mom and all your bonus family. You are so right to set aside this time to spend with family.
You, your bonus dad, and entire family are in my prayers.
I understand completely. Not many of us who haven’t been in your situation. Please know that we will all be right here when the time is right for you. Take care of yourself during this stressful time. Know that prayers to ease your emotional pain and prayers for your Bonus Dad to have a peaceful exit to Heaven are being sent up. Take care.
I’m so sorry for this painful situation. I’ll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Sorry to hear this difficult news. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Thanks for the update – I would have been worried. Praying for your sweet FIL.
Kristi,
So sorry to hear about this challenge y’all are going through. My prayers are with you all. As many posters have mentioned, take all the time you need…we’ll be here and we are here for you.
May the Lord’s love surround you, keep you and uplift you.
Kind regards,
Stacy
Godspeed to the best for your loved ones !
Kristi,
My thoughts and prayers going up for you and your “entire” family as you travel this journey. May God bless you and give you peace that surpasses all understanding. Love, hugs, and prayers!!
Wishing your family peace and comfort.
I’m so sorry your family is going through this. I’ll be praying for you all.
So sorry to hear this very sad news Kristi. All our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
So sorry to hear this. Thoughts, prayers and heart felt hugs for you and yours. Make sure to take care of yourself too…
Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
So very sorry for your troubles, and glad you can be there for your Mom and Stepdad.
I will be here waiting when you return! So sorry for you & your family. Prayers for all.
Sorry to hear this. Family should always come first– give all the time and attention you can, because house projects will always wait.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Praying for your Mom and all the extended family that was gained through their marriage. May God comfort and surround you with His peace.
So sorry for your family, may peace find you soon. :(..,
Ypu take whatever time you need, young lady. God bless and keep your family in his heart. We’ll be waiting right here. Xoxo
Lisa Garber
Bless you and your family.
So sorry Kristi…!! Prayers going out to you and your family…!!!!
We will be thinking of you and your family. God bless!
Prayers for all your family!
Kristi,
We will have your family and Dad² on our prayer list. We are a “bonus” family too, so when the bad happens, it seems doubly bad.
Blessings to you,
J
So sorry to hear. I’ll be praying for your family and especially your stepdad. I just said goodbye to my Dad at his funeral this past weekend. My Mom had Parkinson’s and it’s just a yucky disease to watch someone you love have to endure. Take all the time you need. It’s important to mourn.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
I’m sorry to hear about your stepdad. I’ll pray for him and for your family. Always a sad and stressful situation for everyone involved.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
What a gift to spend time with your family. Blessing to all as you go through this season.
Kristi,
So very sorry to hear sad news about your stepfather. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Sending prayers for you and your family…
Praying for you and your family. Just went through something similar with my grandma. She was in hospice for 3 weeks. It was the worst experience …. even though it was the right decision but it was very very difficult. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Take the time you need … keep yourself busy and again…
Again, my prayers to you and your family.
Kristi,
So sorry. Tend to your family.
God Bless
Kristi and family,
So many other folks have already said it so well that I will just say y’all are in my families prayers. We said goodbye to my sweet MIL 5 months ago (@ 100 yo!) and hope that you and your family take ALL the time and space you need to take care of each other and yourselves during this normal, but not much fun time. Your cyber family will miss you, but your physical family needs you and you need them.
Blessings on you all.
So very sorry. Family always comes first. You and yours are in my prayers. Sending you strength for the difficult road ahead.
Kristi, My brother was taken care of by hospice during his last days and it was the best care he could have received – loving, caring and supportive are just a few of the words I can use to describe the caregivers… I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers in the upcoming days. I ask God’s blessings on you all. Love sent from Georgia.
So sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless you and your family Kristi!
I will be praying for you and your family.
I was thinking of you and your blog. It’s been a while since I checked in. It was meant to be – God’s timing. I will be praying for you and yours during this difficult time.
Kristi,
I’m so sorry for your family having to go through this part of the ‘circle of life.’ I will be praying for all of you. Take care and we’ll all be here when you feel up to returning.
Sorry to hear about your dear step Dad. God bless you and your family.xxxx
I don’t usually comment here, Kristi, but I’m sending love and prayers to you and your family. It’s so important to take all the time you need. We’ll be here when you’re ready to post again.
Many blessings for you and all of your family during this difficult time.
You and your dear extended family will be in my prayers. God’s blessings on all of you.
Kristi,
It looks as though you and your family will be covered in prayer, surrounded by love, and immersed in the peace of our Heavenly Father. That too, is my prayer. You have touched and inspired so many through your talent and blog.
I totally understand your need to stay connected to your creative self through this sad time, as I did this past year as I had to step away from my design business to take care of my husband through a battle with cancer. I continued, however to consult, thus keeping my creative “hand” in and thus connecting with the “real” world. Whether or not you blog about what you do creatively is secondary to your well-being. As so many said – we’ll be here when you’re ready.
Thank you for keeping us all informed and KNOW that you’re covered in prayer!
Sorry to hear about your bonus Dad. I’ll be thinking of you and your family over this sad and difficult time. It is wonderful to hear how much you appreciate and love this man who has added joy and meaning to all your lives. Take care.
Praying for all of you.
I’m sure it is a great comfort to Jon to be surrounded by so many who love him. I’ll keep your mom, you, and your extended family in my prayers.
There are many things I would like to try to say at this time, but I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Praying for you and your family, Kristi. How very sad to have to say goodbye to not just one but two dads…I am so sorry.
May God bless you and your family and give you perfect peace.
I am so sorry. I will be thinking of you and your family.
May god bless you and your family. We gonna miss your post.
XXXX
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. You and your family are in my prayers as you face these difficult days. Take whatever time you need.
I wish you and your family all the best and God’s blessings on all of you.
I will be thinking about you during this diffiult time. Peace to you and your family. Nancy
You, Matt and your family will be in our prayers. God is good….
Kristi,
I’m so sorry to hear about your ‘Bonus Dad’. What an awesome name for him and your bonus siblings, I love this, it sounds like you all just tucked into each other with such love and grace. You and your family will be uplifted in prayers for continued strength and peace as you face the days ahead during this difficult time.
God bless you and yours.
May you and your family find grace and peace for this journey.
I am so sorry to hear this. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Sympathy and empathy. I lost my only brother, brother in law and two cousins in one year. My mother died the year before. This year my oldest son died and my middle son had three strokes and surgery of carotid artery. Now my apt complex is moving me for a month to remodel- with only twenty some days notice. Susan
Also love decorating and am addicted to your blog.
Place your burden in the Hands of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. He will lift your family up. Pray together for He said “whenever two or more of you are gathered in My Name, there is love. Kristi, I know you have blocked my emails so I am using my husbands. I hope it goes through because regardless of our differences I do understand what your family is going through and I sympathize with you.
Prayers for you and your family.
Prayers for your family.
Sending you hugs and prayers to you and your family, for comfort and strength.
May God bless you and your family with the peace and strength that only come Him. Praying for you and your family .
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. You will never regret that you were there to support your family and be with your step father in his final days but you would always regret it if you were not. The blogging can wait.
New follower..amazed by your talent and tenacity…wake everyday, looking forward to see what you have accomplished. Never disappointed!You are an amazing young woman! Great heart, great spirit, great outlook. Bonus is a great word:) You are a bonus to all of us who stumbled on the wonderful adventure of your life..that you willingly share with strangers:) Prayers for your whole family. Come back to us………….
I am sorry for the pain and loss your family is experiencing! I am praying for you.
I was worried with the title of this post that you were quitting blogging, so I am relieved to know that you will be back sometime. Yours is my favorite!
So sorry to hear about your stepfather Kristi. We know first hand how hard it is to see a loved one suffer or be ill. It’s such a drain both physically and emotionally. You love them so much and yet you feel so helpless. You can only take it day by day as you said. I connect with lots of folks online and I pray for each of them every day. I’ll remember to keep you and your family in our prayers 🙂
Blessings,
Elizabeth
So sorry honey..God bless you and your family
Family First, you are all in my prayers <3
I’m so, so sorry about your “bonus” dad. I love how you call him and his children your “bonus” family. That’s the sweetest thing. My dad died on Feb. 28 so I understand completely. Heartbreaking for sure. My best to you and your family.
I will be praying for you and your family. It’s times like this that remind us that the painful seasons of life are not navigated apart from God.
Hope you’re doing well. Hugs to Mom.