As you well know, I am always quick to take a breather when home responsibilities beckon and the time for blogging does not present itself readily. We none of us Mom bloggers should apologize for this, instead thanking God for the gift of motherhood, a vocation with abundant opportunities for sacrificing our own interests to serve the needs of others. Few in this world are poised so perfectly to follow Christ in our daily lives.
I do apologize for one thing though. My blog reading has been off ever since Christmas, and it grieves me that I have not been able to make my usual rounds of visits. The truth is I have not really gotten back my online stride, and the time for visiting has been nonexistent, particularly with a computer glitch that makes everything I do on the web take four times longer than it should. My failure to check in on so many beautiful friends all these weeks makes me hesitant to post here at Cottage Blessings, because I almost feel like the friend who makes you drive an hour to her house so she can show you slides from her vacation, but does not bother getting into her car to come see you once in a while. Oh, if you only knew how much I do not want to be that type of friend.
You and your gracious homes are missed, and I hope to be back in the loop before too long. How glad I will be to find myself once again on your virtual doorstep, preferably bearing a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates for you.
Please be sure to keep the porch light on!
Alice, you could never be the kind of friend you describe. I think you're more like a friend I have IRL that a year could pass without us seeing each other and we'd pick right up again feeling as close as ever.
Posted by: Cheryl | February 19, 2007 at 05:16 AM
You are correct that you do not need to apologize. Your priorities are in order and for that you are a model for all mothers with blogs.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 19, 2007 at 06:12 AM
You are correct that you do not need to apologiz.e Your priorities are in order and for that you are a model to all mothers who blog. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | February 19, 2007 at 06:12 AM
Chocolates! Flowers! Just like in real life, sometimes we do get much too busy to see our friends as often as we'd like. I admire you for your excellent priorities!
Posted by: Beck | February 19, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Oh Alice -- if you only lived nearer I would give you a big hug and tell you "I understand" -- I do miss your lovely comments on my blogs, but I know how life interrupts our best-laid plans!
How is the flooded school room progressing, anyway?
Prayers and virtual hugs going out to you, my dear friend ....
Posted by: Mary G. | February 19, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Oh Alice -- if you only lived nearer I would give you a big hug and tell you "I understand" -- I do miss your lovely comments on my blogs, but I know how life interrupts our best-laid plans!
How is the flooded school room progressing, anyway?
Prayers and virtual hugs going out to you, my dear friend ....
Posted by: Mary G. | February 19, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Ditto all the comments above. I think it's amazing that you do all you do (moderating in particular) on top of looking after 7 lively little ones...
Good for you for having your priorities right!
Posted by: Elizabeth H | February 19, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Alice, I think of you and offer a prayer for your family every day...no apologies. Sending you a big hug and lots of love.
Posted by: Maria Ashwell | February 19, 2007 at 12:39 PM
((Alice))
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | February 19, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Oh my Alice! Don't even think of apologizing...your wonderful blog is a gift to us all....when you don't have time for new posts, I treasure the archives :-) Prayers for you and yours....
Posted by: Beate | February 19, 2007 at 02:19 PM
You are so sweet.
Posted by: Jill | February 19, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Alice, no appologies necessary, I can't keep up either and I only have four dc :) I know you are always *there* anyways! Love and hugs! Ohand chocolate : )
Posted by: Meredith | February 19, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Alice, as much as I miss your posts, it brings me great joy to envision you tending your lovely family. Your beautiful presence is always with us, my friend. :)
Posted by: Dawn | February 19, 2007 at 08:07 PM
No apologies necessary, Alice. Hugs for you. The porch light is always on.
Posted by: KC | February 19, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Alice, I have thought about this post all day and couldn't wait to return to it to leave a comment.
Why did leaving a comment have to wait, you ask? Because I was tending to my family, same as you!
I would leave 20 comments a day if I were able. I love you ladies and hope you know it. Yet I daresay that we all know what it's like to have a little one tug at our shirt while we stand transfixed at our computers.
These friendships of ours are blessed but family comes first.
I love you, Dear.
Margaret
PS. I've just gone to check and yes, our porch light is on also.
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | February 19, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Well dear Alice, the porch light is always on for you and so is the kettle, but of course we understand all too well! Can absence make the heart grow any fonder than we all are already? Thanks for the postcard! Take care and keep well. xo
Posted by: Kimberlee | February 20, 2007 at 12:59 AM
Please don't worry, Alice. I've not been visiting/posting comments as much lately, due to stuff going on at home. Sometimes life's just like that :)
God bless
Posted by: AutumnRose | February 20, 2007 at 04:20 AM
Finding this postcard in my mailbox (okay, Bloglines!) was a treat today! I've taken to looking at more than just schooling with Lissa's brilliant Tidal Analogy, it can be applied to so much of life - my life anyway! LOL! I'll leave the anchor light on for you, Alice dear.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 20, 2007 at 03:43 PM
You are a perfectly lovely friend! No need for guilt or apologies, your beautiful blog is a gift to us! God bless you and your vocation to Motherhood!
Posted by: Melissa | February 20, 2007 at 06:02 PM
Alice,
I hope you'll continue to write your blog on your *own* terms, taking breaks whenever other duties and pleasures call! As you know so well, real life does not take place on this glowing screen. It is only a pale reflection of the real Joy and Love we live with and the beautiful work we're called to do.
Big hugs to you.
XOXO
Ann
Posted by: Ann C. | February 20, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Don't even apologize for not visiting blogs! The amount of sweet comments that you have left all over blogdom will make up for slow times!
But your absence was felt...I was getting worried about you. Hope everyone is well!
Posted by: Jenn Miller | February 22, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Love you, Alice!
Posted by: Maria P | February 23, 2007 at 01:10 AM