It has been nearly 11 years since I began writing here at Preschoolers and Peace, and some of you have been around just that long!

In that time, we added two more children, bringing the crazy total to 8, lived through harrowing crises with several of them, started a podcast, and continue to homeschool by various ways and means.

If you're raising a big family, you know! It's crazy-town.

This coming February, I have a book coming out, and the demands on my writing and speaking schedule just amped up to a level that is causing me to really examine what needs to stay and what I need to eliminate. Truth is, I feel I've said pretty nearly all I need to say here at Preschoolers and Peace, so I believe it's time to say goodbye.

The site stays, however. You can access anything you want whenever you need it, and feel free to send friends to posts that have helped you. One of my goals has been to create a really great index page so that old posts can be easily found; stay tuned!

Please come "see" me? I'm over here:

Kendra Fletcher

And thank you. You were the readers who allowed me to cut my teeth on blogging and encouraged me to write the stories God has authored.

A Few Words From Michele

It is hard for me to believe that I started as a Preschoolers and Peace reader back in 2005 and today I am writing a contribution to the goodbye post for my most favorite blog ever. Back in the beginning I had a 2-year-old and a newborn and invited myself over to Kendra’s house for lunch one day. Now I have five kids and count Kendra as a treasured friend.

I’m finding it hard to put into a few words what Preschoolers and Peace has meant to me for the last 11 years. This place is where I read the words of a woman that was open and honest about what was happening in her life and in the life of her family, even the really hard stuff. And through it all she pointed us back to Jesus, reminding us that although we are not enough we can know that Jesus always is.

So, readers, don’t get so caught up in the practical everyday stuff of homeschooling that you miss out on the relationships with your kids. Sit with them and read. Play with them. Listen to them. Don’t be afraid to have conversations with them about hard things. Tell them your stories about how God has worked in your life. As they grow, don’t stop all the sitting and playing and listening and story-sharing.

And while you’re building relationships with your family, look around and see who God has placed in your life that might need a friend. Invite her over for a chat. Don’t worry about the state of your kitchen or when you last vacuumed the floors. People are always more important than things. Those casual conversations over a glass of water while the kids play Lego next to you can make an eternal difference in someone’s life. Don’t miss out.

I would love to stay in touch with you. I’m easily found on Instragram (@micheleonthemove) or Twitter (@micheleonthego) less frequently. My prayer for you all is that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.