Monday, November 03, 2014

An Update

Hello all,
I didn't mean to be gone for so long and I want to apologize for not writing sooner.  I've thought about this blog post for so long, hoping that the words would come to me, at the right time.  My blogging style is to post lots of pictures and write a short blurb here and there.  But, too much time has passed already, so I'll try to share my thoughts...

In June of 2012, Phillip and I separated after being together for 22 years, 18 of those years being married.  Just this past August 2014, after 26 long months, our divorce was finalized.

I'm not going to go into details, but I will say that it wasn't a case of "growing apart" or "throwing in the towel."  There was a major issue that after many years (all 22 actually) the damage was irreparable.

I feel like a completely different person from 2 years ago and I'm doing very well. Most importantly, I believe that I am right where God wants me to be and to quote one of my favorite childhood songs, "My life is in His hands."

My family has been a huge source of love and support.  Especially my parents.  They encourage and inspire me every day and I'm so thankful for everything they have done for me and continue to do.

My children (all teenagers now!) are also wonderful and of course, there have been many bumps in the road and things I never thought I would have to face, but considering everything that has happened, they are doing great.

We aren't exactly homeschooling...I'm never sure what to call it.  We have an organization here that offers homeschool classes in a classroom setting.  Each class meets 1-2 times a week and then the student brings home their homework to complete before the next class.  I don't do any teaching - I call myself a "homework supervisor"!  They also offer extracurricular activities like proms, homecomings, graduations, etc. so it's been a great fit for us in the past 4-5 years.

Grace is 16 and is driving!  She actually drives her brother and sister to their classes each week, so it's been a huge help.  I give her Starbucks money and she is happy. :)  She is getting all A's and will only have a few more credits to earn for her high school diploma, next year.  She also enjoys working at a small local grocery part time.

Emily is 15 and is looking forward to being 16!  15 can be such a hard age, sometimes. She will be taking some driving lessons soon.  She's about to get her permit - I had the wrong paperwork when we went last week.  She is also looking forward to working part time starting next summer.  She likes to play the guitar, singing and going antique shopping with me.

Benjamin is 13 and is very laid back and easy going.  He helps me out with things around the house and running errands.  He is doing great in school and just started guitar lessons.  He and I are fans of cooler weather, so we are excited that November is finally here after a hot Texas summer.

The kids and I are still living in the same house and this is a huge blessing and miracle.   Being from Canada, I didn't get a work permit until I was pregnant with Grace and by then, was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom.  I have never worked outside of the home and thanks to my Etsy shops, I'm still able to stay home.

I'm looking forward to the future and am very thankful for this gift of a new beginning.  If you've made it to the end, thanks for reading and please be kind with your comments.

~Kelli Wilkins


There's a place at the end of the storm
You finally find
Where the hurt and the tears and the pain
All fall behind

You open up your eyes and up ahead
There's a big sun shining
Right then and there you realize
You'll be alright

There's hope in front of me
There's a light, I still see it
There's a hand still holding me
Even when I don't believe it
I might be down but I'm not dead
There's better days still up ahead
Even after all I've seen
There's hope in front of me
-Danny Gokey's "Hope in front of me"




33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you back! I have always enjoyed your blog;) Maryanne in Kentucky

Mrs.T said...

Oh, Kelli, my heart goes out to you. I am so thankful, though, to hear that you and the kids are doing so well. I have missed your blog and am so thankful for the update. Thanks for taking the time and finding the words to post it. It's so good to hear from you again.

God bless,
Mrs. T

Wendi said...

I am sorry to hear all that you have been through. I imagine it was hard to share something so personal. It seems that you have weathered the storm and are thriving. Welcome back to the land of blogging!

Jackie said...

Kelli, I have been checking my blog roll to see if you are posting and was so glad to see you back. Thank you for sharing with all of us what you have been going through. I think it must have been difficult to share with what amounts to strangers really, but your courage in doing so is wonderful.

Hope to see more posts from you in the future.

God bless.

Just Mom said...

Oh, Welcome Back! I've missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caffeinated Housewife said...

Kelli- I am very sorry to read that you and your family had such a dramatic change. However, if it was meant to be, then I'm glad that you and your children are doing well. I began reading your blog years ago, when I stumbled upon your blog after doing a search for doll houses. :) Your blog was so fun to read and inspired me to start my own blog. I can certainly understand the duration of your break and I am glad to see a new post. I do hope that you return to blogging again, if it brings you joy to do so.

Barbara H. said...

I was so glad to see a post pop up from you - I have missed you. But I am so sorry for what your family has been undergoing. My parents were divorced when I was 15, almost 16, and it's rough.

It sounds like everyone is doing well and thriving. So hard to believe your kids are all teens now!

I'm glad everything worked out that you can stay in your home and that your Etsy shops allow you to work from home.

Anonymous said...

Wekcome back!

Per aspera ad astra!
(Through difficulties to the stars!)

jeanne-

Unknown said...

Hi Kelli, as others have said before me, it's so nice to hear from you! I don't know why I checked in on your blog after not doing so for a long time, but I obviously did and can't believe you posted something only yesterday! Anyway, would just like to say, I'm happy you and your children seem happy and glad you felt able to talk about what you've been through! My divorce was finalised ten days ago and to say I'm relived is an understatement after a very difficult marriage! I hope you and your children continue to thrive and also that you return to blogging regularly in near future!

Take care,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Kelli,

Just last week I looked for your blog to see if you were still around.I originally found you through Diary of a Stay at Home Mom (Sandra.) So happy to find you again. I am sorry for the difficulties that you have endured but sounds like you and the children are doing well. Looking forward to reading your posts again. God Bless!

Laura B.

Fanny said...

So sorry for what you have gone through. May God bless you and your family. I am so glad to see you back though. I always really enjoyed your blog so much!

Tina Leigh said...

Kelli!
I'm so glad to hear from you! I'm going to let Mama know too. Have you talked with Revie? Mama and I have often wondered how y'all were doing. I do not blog anymore but I hope to again one day. I have a temporary order of custody on my 3 year old grandson, so I am off line mostly. Trying to keep things quite as we are seeking full custody/termination of rights. Yes, life happens and things change no matter how hard we try. I am sorry for the desolation of your marriage. You are a wholesome and good godly woman Kelli. I hope to be seeing more of your blog now as you inspire me and so many others! Tina
tinastone1971@yahoo.com please email me when you can!

Anonymous said...

Such shocking news! Hopefully you will be able to obtain an annulment and move forward in you Christian faith. Best wishes to you & your dear children. We are looking forward to "sharing" the upcoming Christmas season on your blog; you always post such inspiring meal plans and ideas.

All the best,

Mrs. Hollingsworth

Kelli said...

Mrs. Hollingsworth,
I don't need to obtain an annulment to move forward in my Christian faith, but I appreciate your best wishes!
~Kelli

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear it! You are VERY lucky.- in my church (Catholic) we have to obtain an annulment in order to fully participate in the sacraments. It took 2 years to obtain my divorce (civil), and 17 years (and multiple applications) to receive my annulment (religious).

Blessings to you & your family, always.

Mrs. Hollingsworth

Paula said...

Hi, Kelli! You've been in my prayers ever since our last emails. I'm so glad that you are blogging again. Wishing you and your kiddos God's very best!

((Hugs))
~Paula

Sandra said...

Kelli I'm so pleased to see you blogging again! Gwen told me you were back and right away I came here to say "Hi".

I've thought of you often over these difficult few years and am so relieved to know you've come through the other side strong with your faith in God firmly planted.

Heather said...

Hi Kelli! I have often wondered what happened to you. I'm sorry to hear that you have been having a rough time! I am glad that you are doing well now. We have moved from Texas and are now on the east coast. When we come back to visit, we should get together again. :-)

I have a friend that teaches in a home school coop like what you described. It's in Denton. :-)


Lots of love and hugs!

Love, Heather Pickle

Sandra said...

Oh Kelli, I am so sorry to hear all you've been through. I'm glad to see you back though, I've missed your blog. I can't believe your kids are SO big and driving etc, oh my!

Welcome back :)

Unknown said...

God Bless you and your family. I am overjoyed to see that you are back, I have checked in every few months over the last 2 years to see if you are back...Welcome back!!

Linda said...

Welcome back, Kelli! Sorry to hear about all that has happened, but you have a great outlook. Looking forward to reading your posts again. I have stopped posting on my blog but have to urge to get back to it as well.

Lisa said...

Kelli-
I started reading your blog years ago, when you first started, and oh, how I missed your wonderful ways of making a home warm and inviting.
I am so very sorry for what you have been through, but it sounds as if things are on the mend. Thank God for faith!
I am so excited to see you back!! I just happened to google your website, and squealed with delight at your return!
I am off to read your other posts, and WELCOME BACK!!
Lisa in Miami, FL

Anonymous said...

Hello, Kelli! I was just playing around on the computer tonight and I searched for your blog. I was really surprised to see you are back. I have thought about you many,many times. I am sorry to hear about your divorce but sounds like it was for the best.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Debbo

Shweta said...

Hello I am a reader from India. I loved reading your blog and I was soooo happy to see that you have updated. I'm sorry about the changes in your life but I'm glad you are happy. Coz that's what matters at the end! Welcome back to bloggy world we are waiting to see your creative touches to the Internet bits n bytes

Karen said...

I don't check the sidebar on my blog as often as I should so today was the first I saw you had updated. Glad you're back!

I'm so sorry for the difficulties your family has had to endure but glad to hear you are doing well now.

Jennifer Hoots said...

I have missed your posts, and was glad to see you back.

Anonymous said...

Happy u r back. Happy u and the kids (or young adults now!) are doing well.

Anne said...

Dear Kelli,
I am so sorry to hear what you have been through - but I am delighted to see you back. Your blog has always been one of my very favourite ones, and I adore all your wonderful cards and crafts on Etsy. Thank you for being such a blessing to me - and to so many others.
With my best wishes,
Anne
xx

Mrs. U said...

Oh Kelli, I am so very sorry for what you have gone through. I know of two other bloggers that have been through similar situations in the past few years- heartbreaking.

Hard to believe your children are so big!!1 They must surely be a blessing!!

His,
Mrs. U

Anonymous said...

It was so nice to see you back on here. Your blog was one of the first I ever discovered in the blogging world. I love your posts about home decor. So sorry for what you have gone through. May God bless you as you begin this new chapter of your life.

Angel said...

Glad to find you are badk. So sorry for the heartache you have been through. Praying.

jen said...

So great to see your back 😃
Sorry to read you've had a rough time-
I am inspired by your strength and determination-
All the best !
From jen ( fellow Canadian 👍)

Anonymous said...

Love you kelly....be happy...God is with you..