Life Goes On...

I sent this out via email today to all of my past students, but thought I should post it here as well in the off-chance that someone might still be checking in here on this ghost town of a blog every now and then (hugs to you if are - I've missed you):

As many of you know, I quit blogging just a little over a year ago.

Our little, blended family of six took a pretty devastating hit a few months prior to that. And since what happened was not my story to share publically, I decided to walk away from my blog because it would have been impossible for me to continue writing it honestly and authentically. And as much as I love how writing has allowed me to create friendships and connections with so many wonderful women, I'd rather write nothing at all than to write something that wasn't honest or authentic.

I gave up photography for over a year as well because looking through that viewfinder was too painful and reminded me too much of everything we had lost. In fact, it wasn't until very recently that I could even bear to look at old photos.

I received so much encouragement from so many of you after stepping away from my blog. And even now, more than a year later, I still get little notes in my inbox periodically from someone who just wants me to know that my family is still in their thoughts and prayers.

That's been humbling and healing for me - thank you.

Many of you were concerned that something had happened to my marriage, so I'm happy to report that the faithful and wonderful husband you saw on my blog is still the same faithful and wonderful husband - in fact, over the last 18 months, I think I've been able to witness the depths of his faithfulness and his wonderfulness.

Unfortunately, what happened, happened to my kids and since many of you are mothers, you know how that kind of hit is the most devastating of all.

But as I'm writing this, one of my favorite quotes keeps jumping to the forefront of my mind:

"In three words I can sum up everything I know about life: it goes on."

I don't think I could have fully understood this quote 18 months ago. But you know what? It DOES go on. You think your world is over, but life goes on. You couldn't stop it if you tried. You laugh again when you thought it wasn't possible. You experience joy again even when you thought you never would. You find purpose again even when you thought you had none. And you find meaning again even when you thought you had lost it all. Life goes on.

It's so damned beautiful and profound.

Everyone in my family has been permanently changed as a result of what happened and will continue to be changed by it.

But isn't that kind of the point of life?

Every relationship changes us. Every choice changes us. Every circumstance changes us.

But change isn't a choice - it's a given.

What IS a choice though, is HOW we will be changed.

Will we choose to become bitter or better?

Will we choose to give up or rise up?

Will we choose fear or faithfulness?

Will we choose to become more cynical or more vulnerable?

Will we choose to resist and avoid the inevitability of change or accept it and seize it?

Will we choose to set our focus, our words, and our beliefs on all that is painful, or will we set them on all that is possible?

Will we choose to tear down our homes with our own hands, or will we decide to strengthen, fortify, and build them back up?

I have learned the hard way that I can't choose those things for Josh, or for Ross, Cole, Courtney Lee, or Miss Annie. Those are their choices to make. I can only choose for myself, knowing that what I choose will impact and influence them greatly.

And if I'm being honest with myself, I have chosen all those things, multiple times over the last year and a half. And as a result, I have seen how my own bitterness spreads seeds of resentment through the lives of everyone I love. I have seen how my avoidance of pain promotes the very same tendency in every member of my family. And I have seen how my desire to give up spreads like a contagion. But I have also seen how my own vulnerability has given everyone else permission to be vulnerable too. I have seen how accepting and seizing change in my own life has made those same things feel promising and possible to the people I love. And I have seen firsthand that as soon as I pick up my tools and begin rebuilding, that everyone in my life takes notice, gathers their own tools, and begins working alongside me to create something even stronger - and somehow, more beautiful than anything I could have imagined.

But I have to choose.

Not one choice and not one time.

I have to choose over and over and over again - when it's hard to choose, when it's easy to choose, and especially when I feel like letting my circumstances choose for me.

And when I'm not willing to do it for myself, I will do it because of them...

I'm sorry it took me so long to send this email.

That was just me, choosing avoidance instead of acceptance.

That was just me, choosing fear over faithfulness.

That was just me, choosing to focus on all that is painful instead of all that is possible.

But I woke up this morning and decided to choose something better.

 

I know a lot of you have questions about the direction of my business, and while I still don't have all those answers, I'll share with you what I do foresee happening:

- A Year in the Making. This is a one year workshop and I am currently leading it for a second time. This workshop focuses on four main areas: Owning Less & Living More, Health & Wellness, Personal Growth, and Photo Taking. My current workshop wraps up in September, and right now, I haven't made any decisions about whether or not to teach a third round.

- Making the Shot. In the past, I have written advanced photography lessons and made them available at a discounted price to past students, and at full price to non-students. Past topics have included: shooting portraits, low-light shooting, and that big, huge, lesson I wrote about focus - all of which can be found in the shopping section on my site (log in using your email address and password to get the discounted price). I am currently working on Making the Shot 4: Tips from the Toolbox, which is 100 of the most helpful tips and tools I believe any photographer - but particularly photographers who want to become more successful at photographing their own families - needs to understand and implement. My hope (please cross your fingers with me) is to release this issue by the beginning of June. Additionally, though, I wrote a lengthy tutorial last year for A Year in the Making students who wanted to learn how I edit in Adobe Lightroom and supplied those students with the Lightroom presets I created and have been using on 100% of my images for years now, and my goal is to release this tutorial and my presets as Making the Shot 5: Editing, Snapshots of a Good Life Style ALONG WITH a 6 week online editing workshop towards the end of September. It will be a lot of work to meet those deadlines, but I'm feeling excited and up to the challenge!

- The Photographers' Workshop. Gosh, I miss this. During A Year in the Making, I've been rewriting all of the lessons (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, etcetera) from The Photographers' Workshop. And if at some point in time, there are enough students to fill another round of The Photographers' Workshop, then I will most definitely teach it again, using these new lessons. My concern of course, is that without a blog, I have no way of marketing this class (or anything I write or teach for that matter) and therefore, I'm just not sure I could fill a class. That said, I don't think I've ever been in charge of filling a class - I think God has always been in charge of that, and therefore, if He wants me to teach another round of The Photographers' Workshop, I feel confident that He will fill the seats.

- Photography consultations. I am still offering 1-hour photography consultations. In fact, they are one of my favorite things to do. Historically, I have done these one-on-one via Skye and have critiqued 10-12 photos, covering everything from camera settings, to composition, to lighting. More recently though, I have been doing these consultations for both individuals and for groups via Zoom, which allows me to invite multiple people and to record the session for future viewing - still evaluating 10-12 images in a 1 hour consult. To purchase a consult, just log in on my site using your email address and password, select 'go shopping,' and then add a consult to your shopping cart before checking out. If you purchase a consultation or have purchased one in the past that you haven't used yet, just email me to set up a date (I'll look forward to it)!

- My blog. My blog was always about raising my kids the best way I knew how and documenting it the best way I knew how as well - and then using those words and those photos as a stepping stone to connect with women who were doing the same thing. And for 10 years, I was blessed enough to do just that. But as with many things in life, there is a season for everything, and now I'm in a new season. A season where Josh will likely leave his civilian job as an engineer and join the Air Force full-time (he's been in the Guard for 18 years now), where we will sell this old house that was once our dream house and much of what we own, and will move around a bit to see what this big world has in store for us. And while I believe that writing and photography will play a small role in this new season of our lives, I don't think it will ever play the same role it once did - I just don't see how it could. I have no clue what I'll do career-wise in the future, but every time I think about it, I feel confident that it involves working with women - maybe not in the large group settings I've grown accustomed to over the last 10 years - perhaps small groups or even one-on-one interactions. But I can't imagine living any season of my life without witnessing what happens when good women build up other good women - so I know I will always set my sights on something that allows me to be a part of that kind of goodness.

But alas, this is getting long so I will wrap it up.

I'd love to come up with some final, closing words that sound really poetic and wonderful, but I can't think of anything more valuable or honest than to simply and sincerely thank each and every one of you for playing a role in this story that is my life, for investing in these dreams that wouldn't have been possible without you, and for teaching me what it looks like when good women build up other good women.

I am forever grateful.

Comments

[Kendra]

Karen - I absolutely love you and your family. Your class was amazing for me as a hobbies. I have not taken the skills I learned from you further than a hobby, but I am fine with that. I am awful at retaining information. Yet, with your class, I have retained it no problem.

Your family is in my prayers as you navigate this season.

[Cristy Mullin]

I've checked your blog once a week or so for the last year so I am THRILLED to see an update from you, even if you have no intention of returning to blogging. I have genuinely missed reading your posts and seeing photos of your family. Wishing you the best!!

[Marge]

Karen,
Thank you for the email I received earlier today and for this, which took great courage to post. I do not know, nor need to know what has happened. What I do know is that a year ago when you left blogging, I read that post and my heart just ached for you and your family, and I worried for you and prayed for you over the last year+. As I read todays post I could see the hand of God all over you and your writing. We may not be able to see, much less process, the reasons behind life's twist and turns. But we can trust that we have a good and loving Father who has a bigger plan. Be patient with yourself and those feelings - they are human and normal. We serve a big God! He can handle our emotions and all that goes with it! Know this(I'm sure you do!) - HE NEVER LEAVES US! - even when we don't talk to him for three days! :) What a blessing that is, right? A recent Bible study I participating in discussed moving forward in faith - every day - little by little, and the importance of not letting "resistance" keep us stuck. Every movement forward, in faith, counts! Even those little scoots that don't really equal a full step! I will continue to lift up your family in prayer, trusting that with your courage, faith, and love, you'll find your path!
Blessings dear one~
Side note -- I would LOVE to see you teaching again! xx

[Kathy C.]

Continued hugs and prayers to you all....thanks for the updates...keep taking care of you and your beautiful family!!!

Hugs - Kathy :)

[M]

I, too, have prayed for you and checked in periodically hoping you were okay. You gave me such a gift with your photos and words for so many years and that gift still continues today with these words. Thank you!

[Allison]

I have also been checking back here hoping and praying for an update. That last post, wow. I have been so worried for you and your beautiful family. I am so glad that you posted this today, and I am still praying that you are all well. Hugs to you!

[Barbara]

Thank you for sharing. I have thought of you and your family often and prayed you were doing well. It is strange to say to someone you have never actually 'met' that I value our friendship and appreciate sharing your life and family for so long. I hope you realize how many lives you've touched. I have no idea what you and your family are going through, but I am sure that you, and God, will bring your family though this. You are strong and loving and have such a beautiful faith and such a wonderful family. You will continue to be in so many of our hearts and prayers and I hope that there will be a day when you can reconnect with us. I will miss you, dear friend, but know you will be well. God bless you and your family until we hopefully 'see' each other again.

[Cindy]

I've kept you in my blog feed all the time. It's so nice to hear from you again. I really missed reading your posts.

[janeen]

You have taught me 90% of what I know about photography and a month has not gone by that I haven't spoken highly of your workshop. We have never met, of course, but as one soul to another, I empathize with your struggle and have faith that you will continue to grow and heal..and hopefully feel free and motivated enough to teach another Year in the Making Class! All kidding aside, I'll keep you in my happiest thoughts and will say a prayer that this year is your best and brightest yet.

[Bernice J]

No matter how many times we have made mistakes, or had sad or terrible things happen to us...God is there. God is unchangeable and unmovable. This earthly life is such a small part of our real life, eternal life. That's the wonder and amazement of Easter, isn't it?

[Susan Lew]

I am glad things are better for you and your family. I think of you often. Take care.

[Kristi Sikora-Blankenship]

Karen.... your words are soothing to my soul..... I've missed them..... maybe as your seasons change, you will write a book? I'd buy anything you ever wrote, ever....
Kristi (from Cropper Hopper)

[Jen]

It was lovely to see your name pop up in my feed! Thank you for sharing your authentic truth.

[Julie in Oz]

Right here with you Karen...please dont leave blogging forever, whatever you do just come back every now and again and let us know how you are all doing. Thinking of you often and checking in regularly...

[Jennifer Niksich]

Life does go on and never as we plan it. So hard to understand and comprehend that things do indeed allow life to go on. Throughout this year I have prayed and wondered how all of you have been. I have silently followed you from the beginning. I feel as if my kids have grown up right along with yours. You have helped me many times put words to what I had been feeling because you were feeling the same thing. No matter what happens just remember that the love you and your family have is more important than anything else. Well wishes and prayers being said for all of you.

[Gina F.]

Karen!!!! When i saw the email from Snapshots of a Good Life i skipped all the other emails and read yours first!!!! I am happy to know that you have reached a point where you could write and send that email. I have always thought the world of you and you have always been my photography inspiration. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Xxoo

[Jocelyn]

Thank you for posting so glad to hear from you, you will remain in my thoughts x

[Angelica W.]

It was so wonderful to "hear" from you. I am praying for you, and your family. I also want you to know, that when you are ready, I would love love love to retake your photography workshop. Wishing you and yours all the very best.

[Niki]

It was so nice to see a post from you and get an update on how you all are doing. I'm so glad you've reached a point where you feel you can "choose something better." I continue to think of your sweet family and pray that things get better for you. One of my favorite quotes is "I have been to the valleys, but I have also been to the mountaintops." Here's hoping that this season of your valley is ending so that you can reach the mountaintops. <3

[Jenny]

So glad to see this post. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.
Life does go on. And faster than you think. Don't wait. Enjoy every day.
Jennyc

[Melissa Ladd]

I have thought of you often over the last year or so, and I'm so sorry to hear of the heartache that your family has been through. I'm happy to read your update and I'll continue to pray.

[Michelle]

Seeing your email in my inbox and reading it brought tears. I have thought of you and your family many times in the past years and have prayed for you all every time that I scroll through my "favorites" in my browser and see your name. I could never remove it from my "favorites" list, you see. I am so very glad that you sent out this update to all of us students and blog readers. That took great courage. Thank you.

On a more personal note, this has been a difficult season in my family's life also. Last summer, we chose to send our sixteen year old son to a wilderness therapy program after his depression, anxiety and attachment issues from his adoption became life threatening. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done as a parent. He is now at a therapeutic boarding school and looking forward to his future, but every day is still hard. During the past year, one of the things that has helped the most were two books, a couple of TED talks, and a parenting course by a researcher named Brene' Brown. Her words about vulnerability, shame, and living bravely have resonated so strongly with me and have taught me so much. I am stronger as a person and as a parent because of her work. Perhaps they will speak to you too. Your family will continue to be in my prayers as you move forward. With all my best,

[ellen patton]

You are an inspiration!

[Kim]

Thanks so much for the update! Your family popped into my thoughts the other day & then here you are today in my blogfeed! I will continue to keep you & yours in my prayers.

[Dawn Reynolds]

Thank you for posting! I am thankful you woke up deciding to choose something better. I hope you find the desire for photography again, for looking at past pictures, and for maybe sharing a post or picture every now and then. You have been missed! You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. And maybe some day we will have that drink!

[JODI A TIVEY]

So much love and hugs to you and your family. So good to hear from you again!!! You have been missed!! And you are loved for being perfectly imperfect!

[Tina]

Hi Karen,

I have continued to check your blog since you left and often find myself wondering how all of you are doing. I am so glad to hear you are finding some joy and smiles again!!

Please know that I completely understand your decision to no longer maintain the blog -- but please know.....it was one of my favorites and if you ever come back, I'll be here to read it!!

All the best to all of you,

Tina

[Maria]

I was so happy to see your email this morning!! I have thought of you and your family often this past year and have kept you in prayer. Life has a way of throwing us this major curveballs and sometimes they derail us for a bit, but God is always there to pick us up, dust us off, and push us forward again. I too have suffered majorly in my life and my heart aches for whatever pain and suffering you and your family have gone through because I have been there and I know how hard it is. But I am testimony that it does get better and that faith and trust in our heavenly Father gets us through it. Much love to you my dear friend...I met you but once, and took your class, but you are my friend in every sense of the word...because you are my sister in Christ. I will be praying for you and will continue to look for postings from you. I've missed you!!

[Melissa Becker]

I have always found inspiration in your blog. I wish you & your family the best.
My daughter is a new US Navy Sailor and I live vicariously through her, scared and excited at the same time! Thank you to Josh for his service. Thank you to you & your children for the sacrifice and support of our military. I will continue to check back and see if you leave updates from time to time :)

[Judy Webb]

I still have a few pieces of Narrative papers that I keep for the memories they bring. Texas scrappers and photographers miss you so much. Many US Air Force bases in TX, hope your family spends time here. I remember you had a grandfather that lived here.
Thank you for your up-date; your positive attitude has influenced so many lives. We continue to pray for your family and it's journey through life.

[Beverly]

Holding you all close in my heart and prayers.♥

[brianne sheppard]

Ah I teared up. I didn't realize how much I missed your words, and how much I hope that they would return. I will keep checking for any updates, even if they are few and far between :) I wish you and your family, all the best!

[Alicia]

I was so excited to see your email pop up in my inbox yesterday. Sad to see that you are not back for good but I totally understand. You have been in my thoughts and prayers the last year and will continue to. Keep us posted when you can and one of these days I hope to take a class from you. You are an amazing woman. Keep doing what you're doing and know that we are all cheering you on!

[Tina]

I have followed your blog ever since I took a one day workshop with you in Lafayette, La.
your blog is/was an inspiration to many women. I hope you realize how your pictures and words touched so many. I, too, check your blog to see if you're decided to post. Thank you for your for sharing your journey with us. I keep you and your family in my prayers. I hope one day you return to your blog. Easter is a time of new beginnings!

[Melissa]

You and your family are often in my thoughts so I'm so thrilled to see you here writing. My son just made his college decision and will be heading to Oregon state this fall. I had a silly little wonder if maybe I'd run into you while visiting him sometime. I recalled your last post and thought that you are just the person that I would want to sit down with and have a chat. I appreciate your honesty and bravery and hope to hear more about your path. Wishing you much love and light as you move forward in this new way, whatever that may look like for you
.

[Rae Yamane]

I'm glad to hear that your heart is beginning to heal. Your words have always inspired me because of their honesty and how set in reality they were and as I've just read still are. As always those words of yours have hit home for me. I wish you and your family the best in what ever road you take and song you sing. Selfishly I hope you will let us all know how your doing occasionally, I truly miss reading your posts.

[tgrdina]

So glad to see this post from you today....I have been thinking a lot about you and hoping things were going well. Life can be hard. And sometimes so hard you think you cannot go on. But as you said in your post, it does go on. whether you want it to or not. I miss your posts and watching your beautiful family grow...and knowing that you are still intact. But I get it. I wish you nothing but joy and happiness on your future travels through life. And as Rae said, I hope you will occasionally post here and let us know how things are going.

[Trish]

Your words, your presence, your truth--I've really MISSED YOU. Thank you for checking in, for plugging in, for moving forward in faith. Sending you a giant hug from Ohio, with all the love and gratitude my heart can hold. ❤️

[Deanna Gemmer]

You have been so missed! I hope that you pop in from time to time to say hello. I can't wait to see what adventure God has for you next.

[Keely]

Karen,
May God bless you and your beautiful family, through whatever the future brings. You can and will handle it.

[Deb Wisker]

So glad you're back! Thanks for the photos! The kids are huge!!!! I hope time has been good for healing and renewal of faith in humanity.
Looking forward to seeing more of you soon!

[Theresa]

Karen,
Hello! No matter the depth of your family pain this last year. You write from the heart and it endears so many of us. We understand you may no longer do updates but I believe I speak for most that we have become invested in your family via your blog. Please at least give us yearly updates. Thank you to you and your hubby for his service defending us.. any God bless your family with his amazing grace.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Happy Easter.......

[Bev]

just want to say I'm glad your family is together and present.

[Laura C]

Karen,
You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers on a regular basis. You've had a profound impact on the people who've taken your classes or read your blog over the past years, myself included. You are authentic, genuine, kind and such an excellent role model. I'm so very sorry for the pain in your life and the lives of those so important to you. I know that you take comfort in the promise that ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord. The valley is where the fertile soil is and where the growth happens. You are beautiful and God is making you even more so through this valley. God bless you sweet one. God bless your family. Always know you are loved.

[Liesl]

When I was making coffee this morning I thought "I wonder how Karen is? I've missed her." Then it struck me how weird that is since we've never "met". So what a stroke of luck that I checked your blog - something I haven't done in a year.
Thank you for checking in. Thank you for being strong and all you and your family has shared.
Blessings and prayers to you and yours in this beautiful season of renewal!

[Pam S.]

Miss you and continue to pray for you and your family!

[Linda Wiley]

Ever since your previous post, I have kept checking in on your blog, how beautiful it was to hear from you today. I also am one of those that has kept your family in our prayers. I love hearing the words you shared today. You truly are an amazing person..... the prayers will continue......

[Shan]

I've checked your blog periodically since your last post, I've thought and prayed more often...as a parent with 4 kiddos and two in the beginning teen stage, I have thought of your little family. I just finally had some time to work on my photography and am kicking myself for not taking your class. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Much love and peace.

[Jayne]

I'm so glad to see a post from you! You and your dear ones have been in my prayers, and will continue to be.

[Deb Lucero]

I, too, have missed your blog and pics of your beautiful family but I commend you for taking care of your family first. Your family is in my prayers!

[Elizabeth]

I about fell over when I opened up Feedly this morning and saw you had a new post. I actually just wistfully checked in not long ago to see if you had moved anything around here. I hope your kids are recovered (recovering?) from whatever happened, and from one AF spouse to another—there are so many opportunities to get to know good women when you move around all over the place, too.

[lynn]

I check your blog often to see if you had posted anything- I always enjoy seeing your family- seems you can rally thur anything. I dont have a clue what you are going through but it seems like you have a lot of support here ! Best wishes - and hope you blog again soon
- lynn

[Te]

I hope that peace is settling in for you and your family.

I miss you.

[Genieve]

Yay! I'm glad you posted an update! Missed hearing from you!

[Carrie]

What a nice surprise to see your blog pop up in my feed! Glad to hear you and your family are doing well weathering the storm that has hit. Much love to you and your family and best wishes on whatever path you choose to take next!

[Janie]

I don't know why I was prompted to check your blog today... perhaps to remember to pray for you and your family. I usually never comment on blogs... but just wanted to let you know that God brought you to my mind today and I will be praying for all of you!! I sure miss your words of wisdom and honesty but totally understand your 'season'. GOD BLESS!!

[Katie]

I think of you and pray for you .. I was glad to see your blog in my feed! I miss "seeing you" on the internet and wish you only the best.

[Susan]

Man, I have missed you and your posts. So good to have an update form you. As always you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. -Susan

[Suzie]

So glad to see your update - My husband is retired AF; it's a great life. Enjoy every minute. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Best to you always.

[Tilda]

I was happy to see you have posted. I have prayed for you and your family and just wanted to tell you not only does life go on, but each day is a Brand New Day. Embrace it and continue to heal. Many blessings to you and your family. Hugs and love.

[Valerie]

I was so happy to see your update! I've also been praying for you and your family and dropping in every now and again to see if you'd posted. You have made such a wonderful connection with so many women from across the world through your Photographers Workshop - I'm from Australia! I only know you through that workshop and your blog and I feel like I know you, and feel like I've just caught up with a long lost friend! Sorry, I'm not a stalker - really! I just want to say thank you for being you. Thank you for caring about us, but know that we all care about you too, and send loads of prayers and hugs. I love what Marge posted in the comments about God always being with you - so true. He is a good, good Father. God bless Karen, stick close to God, He will see you through and way out the other side 😘

[Jacki]

Karen thank you for posting your update! You and your family have been in my prayers and will continue to be. God bless xo

[stephanie ackerman]

I just love you and your big ol'heart. I will keep sending those little notes and hopefully we can sit on a couple of bar stools up there before you start to move around. God is with you sister and I am continuing to pray without specifics and for the times when you don't know how or what to pray. DON'y let this dark world dim the bright light that God has gifted you. Use your mess as your message.

[Donna Doerschuk]

Happy to see an update from you, Karen! I always enjoyed reading about your family's adventures, your photography tips, and your take on your life's journey. As we all learn at one time or another in our journey, life DOES go on! Adjusting to our new norm is not always easy, but certainly allows us to grow. Wishing you and yours all the very best! xox

"The journey is the destination." ~~ Dan Eldon

[Emily]

So lovely to hear your voice again! Hope that this Season brings about something beautiful for you all and that whilst the storms rage you know that we are here rooting for you and for your family. All the best in your move and as life continues to move on and take us to new and exciting adventures that you may find your way through the rough because the view up ahead is magnificent! xo

[Yvonne C]

I decided to click on the link to your blog today (I still have it in my 'favorites' list). So glad I did. It was nice to read your post. Your words are always so inspiring. Wishing you and your family nothing but the best in the next chapter of life!

[Donna Carter]

I have followed you for a very long time; love your work....but more than anything, I love your passion for your family. You inspire us all to be better wives/moms. I have checked several times over the past year, and prayed for you when I checked. Your kids are still gorgeous as ever, and growing up. best wishes to your next adventure...thank your husband for the Air Force (I grew up as an Air Force kid!)

[Stephanie Tidwell]

so nice to hear from you again!

[Jennifer]

I was so happy to see a post for you in the blog reader! I've checked your blog every few months to see if there was an update, and I thought about you and your family. Thank you for writing - I have felt and appreciated your honesty and candor. I'm glad you are well and so is Josh. Wishing your kids well too.
Oh, and if you'd consider offering A Year in the Making again, I would love to take it!

[Tobi Kelly]

I send you strength, the strength to continue to be strong, and the strength to not be strong when you need a break. Sometimes life gives us a big sh*t sandwich. Not poetic, not funny, but true. It hurts, it's hard, and it isn't fair. I'm sorry you got served one. We women that you write to for connection, we are here, praying, loving, and sending you anything we can to help.

[Abby P]

What an awesome surprise to find a blog post from you. Clearly you were going through something horrible, and what could hurt us moms more than anything having to do with our kids. Wonderful to see you're working through your experience and seeking ways to find some beauty these days. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Becky]

I have occasionally checked your blog all this time. What a nice treat to find an update. I've prayed for you and your family since your last post. I'm sure you will continue to touch women no matter where the Lord leads you, He will put you just where He needs you. I'm happy to have followed you along your journey for years, being inspired by your real commentary on life. I'm sure you'll have the chance to help someone else after the experience you've traveled through. Your real, down to earth style of sharing is just what many other women need. Oh yes, and your photography too! It's never been in the budget to take one of your classes but I've so admired your photography style. I even showed one of your blog/photo posts to my camera store guy and said I want to take photos like that...
May God bless you and your family as you follow Him.

[Bridget A.]

I occassionally check your blog and was so happy for this small update. I truly do hope your family is OK and you come back to us :)

[Shelly McCrary]

I, as well, have checked your blog periodically. Very glad to see your update and know that you are healing. I will continue to think about your family and say a prayer for all of you. Many of us scrapbooked our children right alongside your blog stories.
Many blessings ♡

[Melinda Firpo]

I was so happily surprised to see you had posted! Oh, how I have missed you and your family! I had been following you for so many, many years, inspired by your talent, your parenting style, and your love of life. I think I found you thru scrapbooking. From reading your Blog posts, I felt like I knew your family, and then it all came crushing down. I have prayed for you and your family. I am a mother of three, a full- time teacher, and have always wanted to take your photography classes but could never afford it. It's been a dream, a hope, but now with 2 in college, it's not even in the cards. I have loved your photos, the way you capture life and love. Thank you for sharing your life!

[mary bartolotta]

Hi Karen,
I was one of those people who left you a note. in hopes that perhaps you would see it and know that people were thinking of you. checking in here for the umpteenth time in hopes that you'd been able to come up for air, to let those of us who knew you ( through your class and scrabooking) know that you were still here. I couldn't believe it when I saw you'd written something.. No matter what happened to you and your family, ALL of you are still here. your LOVE is still here. And no one or nothing can take that away from you. GOD is always here. Through the ebb and flow of our lives..as hard as it may seem, it is his undying faithfulness that holds us up when we are too weak to stand. I hope you will find some peace going forward. Not only you, but your children as well.
I'm sure you may not remember me, but I am a military wife. A very long time ago, I sent you a bracelet when you and Josh first met each other. Being a military spouse is not for the faint hearted, but I think with all you've done and been through, the new adventure that awaits you will be matched by your skills to live it ! Hope to hear from you again.

[Sheri]

It's so good to see a post from you again. You have been in my thoughts since I read your last post and I've wondered many times how you are doing. I won't lie...my heart skipped a beat when I saw you mention you *MAY* open up some type of photography class again. Even just the mention of the possibility made me excited. I was a student of The Photographers Workshop and learned more from you than anyone else in my years of exploring photography! If you did open another class, mini class or lesson, I would be the first to sign up! Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers!

[SandraA]

Hi Karen

What a treat to see a post from you. I have checked periodically since your message about no longer blogging. I have prayed for you and your family, and am happy to see you all are working through this journey. I wish nothing but the best for you.

[Kenna]

I too still have your blog in my favorites and check back every now and then. I have often thought of you and your family and hoped whatever the situation was, you were able to work through it as a family. Thank you for the update and for sharing so much with all of us readers...

[Barb]

Thank you for the update..I know, life goes on. Hearing your voice in words is so uplifting for us. Thank you for sharing

[jen@thecottagenest]

I have thought of you so many times over the past year and hoped for happiness for you and yours. I'm so sorry for the very hard things you have been through and hope that there are much better days ahead for you. Sending you so much love and positivity.

[Cara Lieggi]

Hi Karen, I was so happy to get your email last month. I have thought and prayed for you and your family since I read your last blog post. I always hoped that you all would get a place where you would surface again. I am hoping that you and your family continue to heal. Not for nothing, I would love to take your photography course again and really looking forward to your next Make the Shots.
Continued prayers and love from New Jersey!

[Jacqui Pierce]

I have kept my bookmark for your blog and checked in occasionally just hoping to find an update like this! Just so I would know you and your family were ok...
As much as I miss your blog, I wanted most of all for you all to be okay, and it did my heart so good to know you are doing well in spite of the unforeseen curveball life has thrown you. If ever you feel the urge to return to blogging know that this is one faithful reader who would be esctatic to welcome you back. And if not, thank you for providing such a beautiful insight into your sweet family. I wish you love and luck and all good things in your new endeavors...

[Claudine]

There are no words. But lots of gratitude and love. You amaze and impress and inspire. God Bless you and all of yours.

[dawn young]

I have always loved the honesty of your writing and remember reading your post a year ago...and being sad. Not only for the pain that you were going through, but also knowing that I wouldn't be able to go to your blog and read that I wasn't the only one that was struggling for whatever reason. I hoped that you would come back and update us...we were all still here. I could never bring myself to take you out of my favorites on my computer and would check back every month or so. I would always be the same...UNTIL today when I checked and almost didn't realize it was a new post. I am glad that the pain that you were in is somewhat easing. Life always goes so much better in my head, and it's hard when you don't see that actually happening. Blog every day or once a year...your bookmarked and I will check back. Love to a stranger...from a stranger.

[dawn young]

I have always loved the honesty of your writing and remember reading your post a year ago...and being sad. Not only for the pain that you were going through, but also knowing that I wouldn't be able to go to your blog and read that I wasn't the only one that was struggling for whatever reason. I hoped that you would come back and update us...we were all still here. I could never bring myself to take you out of my favorites on my computer and would check back every month or so. I would always be the same...UNTIL today when I checked and almost didn't realize it was a new post. I am glad that the pain that you were in is somewhat easing. Life always goes so much better in my head, and it's hard when you don't see that actually happening. Blog every day or once a year...your bookmarked and I will check back. Love to a stranger...from a stranger.

[Ruthie]

Miss your blog Mrs. R! My Mom always says, "Nothing is so horrible that it doesn't eventually get better." I hope that's esp true for your family.

FYI- The link won't let me enroll in your class. :-(

[Tandra Dunn]

I have read your blog faithfully for many years and have been checking in periodically ever since you said goodbye because I've missed your little family and your inspiring words of wisdom. Thanks for letting us know you are healing and heading in a positive direction. I hope and pray you continue to grow, heal, and find joy in all that you do. You have been dearly missed!!

[Tonia Grant]

So glad I checked in today and so happy to see you moving forward. I'm for sure in the numbers that will support anything you do so count me in!

[Erin Armstrong]

This blog is and always will be bookmarked, because you have provided me, personally, with so much inspiration and strength. I was beyond ecstatic to read your words, although, not the happiest of words...still to know you and your family are okay...well, it made me sigh with relief! I miss your words. I miss your pictures. I miss your smiling face! I hope you continue to check in, because there is a world of women who love you on here! Take Care and best wishes for peace...

[Evelyn Neo]

I'm 1 of your many photography student and have always come back to check on your blog and updates. Keeping you and your family in my prayer, may everything moves on smoothly as you plan or hope for.

[Wendy]

So happy to see your post and loved it as always. This bookmark will stay and you in my heart. Keep it up!

[Valerie]

i've SO missed you and the kidlets....missed you and still are praying for you and your family...

[Nina Delaney]

really great hearing from you. Best wishes for whatever the future holds.....and once in awhile, check in on here. I know I'll be checking in :)

[Kristi]

I am so very happy to see a post from you. To know you are alright. Your family is ok. Even if it is a post about nothing, it is always filled with inspiration.

Thinking of you and your family.

[Amanda]

Hi Karen,
I have to admit, that when you shared your last post, I kind of thought that one of your kids had passed away. I'm glad to see I was wrong and I have no idea what made me jump to that conclusion. But it just seemed like the kind of gaping hole that only death could leave. Like most of the other people on this thread, I've thought of you often, prayed for your family, and clicked the link just hoping you'd pop back in.
Thank you for all the many years you shared regularly. Even in the moments I couldn't quite identify, I found solidarity knowing that someone else was willing to be vulnerable and open to the rest of the world. I truly believe that our legacy isn't in the words we speak/write that are left for others, but in the little moments between those words that demonstrate what lives in our hearts. Your heart is full of love. And forgiveness. Whenever I think of you, I think of forgiveness and I don't exactly why...but I think that's a really good thing to have as part of your legacy.
As you go off into the great unknown to live your life who knows where, just know that I'm one of those people still praying for you and your tribe and cheering you on. And if someday, someway your life brings you to the Greater Charlotte area of NC...let's have that cup of coffee (chai with almond milk for me).

[Marie]

Hi Karen, I'm glad to read you and that you're finding comfort. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers. Reading your words which are so full of grace gives me courage. Sending love and prayers from Germany.

[Stephanie]

Thank you for sharing, Karen. If I could write as well as you- I would have posted something similar on my blog. It's a good reminder to me that I'm not alone and that there are people going through some of the same crap as I am. I'm glad you're choosing to be better instead of bitter and brave instead of fearful. And most of all- I'm glad you know that it goes on. I'm learning that right now too.

[Jennifer]

I thought you of you today and decided to see if you had put some words "out there" - glad to hear that you're healing and moving forward. All the best to you and your beautiful family. Stay strong and choose joy.

[Amanda @ Click. The Good News]

Been thinking about you & missing your "voice" and stories. I hope life is well & look forward to any updates you can share with those who have followed you & your family. Have you decided on any plans for next year? I was thinking it may be a good time for me to do your workshop. You have such a gift and a heart, and you encourage and inspire so many woman, I hope we get to keep receiving that blessing.