Hi there, it's Jess. You may be wondering where I've been for the past two years, or maybe you didn't notice. Well, I'm here to give you a little update about the blog...what's happened, what will be happening and a personal update as well.
Let's start by going back a couple of years. In 2023, I personally hit a wall. As a family, we had lost two of our most beloved family members, my mom was fighting her 3rd battle with cancer, and we had just experienced that lovely pandemic. On top of those things, my husband and I had also become empty nesters. I was trying to catch my breath and learn to live without either of my kiddos under our roof...it was pretty tough.
In the blogging world, things had also gotten a little overwhelming with the addition of TikTok, AI and SEO becoming such a thing...it was just a lot, and I was trying to figure it all out on my own. I felt spread too thin. So, after much discussion with my family, I decided to sell Mom 4 Real and semi-retire. I wanted to find someone that would continue sharing cleaning tips, recipes and budget friendly information the way that I had, but would do a better job than I felt that I was doing. I worked with an agency to find the perfect people, and made the final decision to sell. This was a MASSIVE mistake on my part. Part of the deal that I made with them was that I would stay on part time and guide the ship so to speak, to keep things like they were, just not have to do as much of the heavy lifting. I was very quickly moved out and discarded. I was locked out of being able to do anything and watched like some of you may have while they completely changed the blog and made quite of a mess out of it. It was gut wrenching to watch 12 years of my work go down the toilet. I also had incredible guilt about letting you and all of my readers down. It was really hard to watch. I continued to send the new owners emails and tried to get them to fix things and work with me, but that didn't work out. Then, two months ago, I decided to reach out one last time and I actually got an answer back. I won't go into the discussion we had or how it happened, but in a very strange twist of fate, I have now reacquired Mom 4 Real and I am so so so grateful! I've felt like part of me was missing the past couple of years and now I feel like my old self again!
With the help of a developer, I have worked hard fixing all of the strange things they did to the blog and have a long list of new ideas, cleaning hacks and recipes to share. I've been planning lots of new things, but also reminding myself that I don't have to be a TikTok creator or an Instagram influencer...I can just share the things I love here on the blog and do it authentically. Get back to the basics as Ina Garten would say. I hope that I can regain your trust and you'll continue to follow along with me as we discover new and easy ways to clean, cook and create in our homes! I've really missed chatting with you, answering questions and sharing all of the things I've been doing around my house! That being said, If you would like to jump off of this wagon, I totally understand. You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions or if you would like to be removed from my mailing list. No hard feelings...I totally get it!
If you're interested in a personal update, we are all doing great! Matt and I are the most boring empty nesters ever, which is just how we like it! We have been enjoying cooking all kinds of new things lately, sitting on our patio with our dog Paisley, and spending weekends at the lake breathing the fresh country air, taking golf cart rides and watching the deer. I'm turning 50 in a few weeks, and I feel like getting my blog back is just the birthday present I needed!
Our son Cam just got married to his long time girlfriend, Amanda, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have her join our family! They had the loveliest little wedding in August, and live close by with their dogs, Wrigley and Sophia.
Our daughter Katie just started grad school at the University of Kentucky and is working to become a speech and language pathologist. She graduated from UK last May and grad school started in June, so she's been a busy bee! She lives close by too with her dog, Lilah Belle. We couldn't be more proud of our kids!
My mom is cancer free and doing really well, and Matt's mom is living in Ohio and comes to spend holidays with us...we are so thankful for both of them.
I hope you are all doing well too, and am so happy to share with all of you again!
Blessings to all,
Jess
Denise Ellison says
Which lake? We live on Lake Hartwell in, SC. There is nothing like mornings staring out at the water. d
Jessica Kielman says
Lake Cumberland in southern Kentucky! We bought a place before the price spike and love it so much...it's only an hour and a half drive from our home in Lexington and we go as often as we can. You are so lucky to live right on a lake...the mornings are the best on the water!
Chrystal Marcum says
I live on Lake Cumberland also Jess. I love the country life.
So good to see you back. I've missed you !
Jessica Kielman says
Lake Cumberland is our happy place...how lucky are we? Thank you for the kind words. I'm so happy to be back!
Bonnie ONeal says
WELCOME BACK!! YOU WERE MISSED!!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Bonnie! I miss y'all as well!
Jeni Benton says
So glad to have you back!!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much!
Ina says
Welcome back! You have been missed.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much...I have missed everyone and blogging so much!
carol plant says
Welcome back. I've missed all your great ideas and look forward to following you once again
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Carol! I've missed sharing so much and am so happy to be back at it again!
Michelle says
Welcome back. Life can take some crazy turns sometimes. It’s wonderful news that your mom is doing well.
Looking forward to reading your blog again.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much...lots of twists and turns for sure, but I wouldn't trade any of them. We are so blessed! I am so happy to be back at it!
Mary says
I have missed you! I’m glad your back.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Mary! I have miss you too!
Laurie says
Welcome back!!! We have missed you.
We all occasionally get to that point in our lives when they need to take a breather. I have been there myself. Whether it’s due to family, work, or ourselves, sometimes we desperately need a break.
The good news is, we come back even stronger! You have too!
We’re so glad you made it through to the other side, and we’re so happy to have you back.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much, Laurie! I definitely needed a breather and I'm so glad it all worked out...I'm so happy to be back!
MJ says
Welcome back. Looks like you've jumped in with both feet and both arms. Your faithful followers are glad you're back. If you find things piling up again, I'm sure the truly faithful would be sad but pleased if you had to cut back to less frequent publications. Again, welcome back.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you all waited for me and are so welcoming!!
Joan B says
So glad you are back. Can’t wait for more of your cleaning hacks…. Need some simple and quick ones since both my college grads have come home and now my house is a mess again!!! Especially our one bathroom we have to share between the 3 of us!!!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you! Oh goodness, sounds like you have a full house, but I bet you're glad to have them! I actually have a bathroom cleaning post coming shortly!:)
Laurie says
So glad you are back!!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you! Me too!!
Dee Kennedy says
Glad you’re back at the helm!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much!!
Patti Thwing says
Welcome home! You have been on a journey and it's good to have you back! Happy to hear your family is doing well.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much! It has definitely been a journey, but I'm so thrilled to be back!
Marce says
Welcome back!💝
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you!
Cherilyn says
I'd always wondered what happened- it's nice that you're back!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you! I was hoping you'd all still be here...I'm just so excited!
Beth Groff says
Welcome Back Jess!! You have been missed. Looking forward to your blogs.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Beth! I'm so happy to be back and to have such a great response!
Sandy says
Welcome back
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you!
Pat says
I am so glad you are back!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Pat! I am beyond excited!
Mary says
Hey, I live in Georgetown, only 12 miles from you! Welcome back, I have missed you!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you...so happy to be back! I love Georgetown...especially the little antique shops!
Marti says
So glad you are back!! Congratulations on all of the wonderful events in your lives.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much, Marti!
Louise Gagne says
So very glad you are back. I can't speak for anyone else, but I really missed you and your emails.
My DIL just restarted her photography business recently. Seems 50 is the time to renew everything!😀
All the very best for a successful restart.
Blessings,
Louise
Jessica Kielman says
Hi, Louise! So happy to reconnect, and I'm so happy to be back! 50 definitely feels like a time for renewal, and I'm so looking forward to it!
Marion says
I wondered what happened to you. I missed your blog as I am not a tik toker, I. Wish you well and look forward to all your new recipes for cleaning and cooking.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much, I'm so happy to be back!
Paula J Dierkes says
Welcome back Jess!! I have missed you and am so grateful that things turned out for you! You are inspiring.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much, Paula! I'm just beyond excited to be back and chatting with all of you again!
Margot Hellerman says
At 81, I am new to this blog thing -never did it before. But being a practical woman, a Home Economics major (Human Ecology now) from Michigan State University, and one who loves cooking and hacks, your blog accidentally caught my eye when I was doing something else. (As one of my daughters would say: "There is no such thing as a coincidence!") I am delighted I found you!
Jessica Kielman says
Awe, thank you so much! That means a lot to me, and I'm so glad to have found one another!
Donna Slabyk says
Hi, Jess!
While I wondered where you were, what happened, it was such a marvelous surprise to hear from you again!!!!
Life certainly has its many ups and downs; your letter explained you've been through a lot. And I, for one, am thrilled you were able to get Mom4Real back again!!!!
I agree with what another subscriber said: if need be, curtail some of your posts. Give yourself time to breathe. We will all be all the better off with a healthy, happy Jess to guide us along with the many ideas you have to share with us.
Welcome back, Jess!!
~Donna
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Donna! I've miss you, and am so happy to be back!! Thank you for the sweetest words and encouragement!
Cathy says
So glad that you're back! Blessings that your mom is doing so well. Looking forward to your new content.
Jessica Kielman says
Me too! It was a long road, but I'm so happy for the restart all the way around! :)
Karen W says
So glad you made your way back! Congrats on all your great news!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much! I am too!
Kathy Owen says
Jessica! I'm so glad you're back! Happy Birthday early, Kathy
Jessica Kielman says
Kathy! Thank you so much!!!
Jean says
Welcome back! I thought I just couldn’t find you, lol. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us. No pressure Ha!
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you, Jean! I guess I just took a slight detour back here ;)
Chris O. says
I was so very happy to see the email this morning. Welcome back! I'm looking forward to enjoying all your new content.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much, I'm so happy to be back!
Lourdes Graver says
Welcome back! I look forward to reading of your new experiences and ideas. I just had a moment to catch your return post. I totally get it. I have an 89-year-old dementia mother I look after; it is a physically and emotionally draining walk. You have to gather your inner you and draw on the strength and love of God every day. We are blessed you are back. To be honest you are my only blog person. I like to read your writings from the heart. I am so happy your children are now experiencing their personal paths.
Jessica Kielman says
Thank you so much for the kind words! Knowing I'm your only blog person means more to me than you could know. I'm so happy to be back, and feeling back on firm ground. Taking care of family is such a blessing, but it does wear you down. God bless you!