Once Upon A Time …
Once upon a time, there was this girl. And she married this boy. And things were good. It didn’t hurt that he had killer biceps, ofcourse. And although they faced trials and challenges, just like anybody, they basically, after awhile, found themselves in a great place. They had three beautiful kids, a wonderful military career for him, the blessing of a stay-at-home life for her, and overall, nothing to complain about.
Life was fun.
Then the boy with the killer biceps got cancer. Six months later, their beautiful, funny, blonde-haired four-year-old daughter got cancer, and for a while things were hard. And scary. And stressful.
To cope, the mom started journaling. Only she did it publically, online, in this new-fangled thing called a “blog”. Where
people, friends, even total strangers, could follow along, and make comments and give opinions and advice and
encouragement. And it was extremely cathartic for her. This mom blogged her way through both cancer treatments, and
through the numerous cancer recurrences that the boy with the killer biceps kept having. And I don’t know that
anyone will ever truly know how much it helped that girl get through that scary time. How much she cherishes the
friends that came of it. And how much she still, even now, eight years later, appreciates the support they received
because of that blog. And as the cancers, which basically spear-headed the blog’s beginning, became less and less of an everyday presence in their lives, the girl realized that she really liked blogging. Still. There were so many positives to come out of it. So maybe even if she didn’t have the “C” word to blog about on a daily basis, she could blog about other things.
So she did.
And it was fun.
And the kids grew, and she blogged about it. They faced all kinds of adventures, and she blogged about it. Funny, strange, every day, unusual, interesting, sad, exciting, mundane, hysterical things happened, and she blogged about them all. Life brought changes, and she blogged about it some more.
And it was fun.
But see, here’s the deal.
At some point, the kids grow to an age where their trials and challenges are no longer funny, or light-hearted, or something to talk about (or brag about, or complain about) in public. Not because they are terrible, shameful, life-altering challenges, no, of course not. But because they are challenges, albeit NORMAL challenges, but challenges, still the same, being faced by
teenagers. Teenagers who feel embarrassed and mortified by their parents on a daily basis no matter what, just by their mere presence, their mere existence, let alone by a parent who BLOGS about them and their life. Especially a child, who, let’s face it, is no longer a child, who in fact started high school this year. And this child-who-is-no-longer-a-child is taking a computer class, and whose classmates took turns googling one another at the beginning of the year and who FOUND THE
MOTHERS BLOG ONLINE OH MY GAWSH THE HUMILIATION.
I get it. I would most likely have been embarrassed by that too, at that age. And I wouldn’t want to live my life with that
fear hanging over my head, that my mother, my clueless mother, might post some story, or anecdote, or worse, a PHOTO of me as a naked baby, that I didn’t want shared in public. It’s bad enough she has to endure my presence on Facebook, and know that I follow her on Twitter, but to worry about a platform as open as a BLOG?!?!?!
(You *do* know that I’m talking about my own family, right????)
And it’s not just Brayden and her increased need for respect and privacy …. its other things, as well, as all three of the kids get older. Kellen and Kendrie are both in middle school this year. No doubt there is a blogging gold mine there, with stories I could tell about some of the other kids, some of the adults, some of their social adventures, and the volunteering I’ve done. But at what cost? I live in a very small town, and although I’m no Erma Bombeck, with millions of readers, and don’t pretend to be, I do know that enough people “in real life” read my blog that there is no way I could blog stories anonymously. And
since I would never tell stories online that I wouldn’t be willing to tell in real life, to say to someone’s face (yeah, learned that lesson the hard way one time …..) then suddenly, my blogging well begins to run very, very dry.
My kids are teenagers, with all of the attitude and hormones that go with it. We have days where I see them maturing and growing into young adults and I’m so proud of them I could burst. We also have days where if they make it to 18 without me selling them to the circus it will be a damn miracle. And I can’t blog about that, because at this stage in the game, it would be disrespectful to them.
Blaine’s cancer is back. We are hopeful, but are often discouraged, as well. And I can’t blog about that, because at this stage in the game, it would be disrespectful to him, and to our children, for me to discuss publically things that are private.
I have “quit” this blog …. um …. three times that I can think of. All three times I thought I was ready to be done, to move on to other things, and that the blog was no longer helpful to me. And all three times I was wrong, and came back and began blogging again. But this time, it’s different. I know the blog is ending not because I feel “done”, or because I think my time is spent better elsewhere, but because common courtesy to my family dictates that this stage of our life is not one to be shared out loud with others.
So, I will leave you with this final blog entry, our 2011 Christmas Letter. The blog will stay up for a while, as I navigate the waters of blog printing and figure out a way to keep this entire journal as a memento for our family and the adventures we’ve had. I’m hopeful there are still lots of adventures ahead, and I’ll most likely continue writing about them. But not out loud. Not in public.
Not now.
Thanks for understanding. And thanks for the last eight years.
It was fun.
***********************************************************************************
Merry Christmas from the Escoe Family–2011
You know, I’ve got to be honest, I really debated about continuing the Christmas Letter Tradition this year. Being a parent to two teenagers and one almost-teenager, there are most many some days I’m just not sure I have an entire letter’s worth of funny, witty, entertaining stories to tell about our family. Don’t get me wrong, there are days …. occasionally …. sometimes … when the planets and stars align and the angels shine down from above and all three kids are in happy, cheerful
moods; they cooperate and get along fabulously, they are kind to one another, they do what is asked without complaint, and I could write a novel (or two!) about their sweet personalities, funny attitudes, gentle souls, good hearts, and how
proud Blaine and I are to be their parents.
The *other* 364 days of the year, well, they are teens. Planted firmly at the intersection of Hormone Parkway and Attitude Avenue, jumping into their Mood-Swing-mobiles, leaving common sense and rational behind, to speed off down Mom and Dad Don’t Know Anything Boulevard. If you are the parent of a teen, you most likely understand exactly what I mean. If you are
the parent of a teen and you don’t know what I mean, then good for you. And please don’t talk to me anymore.
Kidding. Mostly.
Brayden is 14 years old and started high school this year …. low on the totem pole as a freshman, granted, but it seems she has settled in nicely at school and is fortunate to have met more upperclassmen who are kind, than who are anything else. She still
sings in choir, she was elected to Student Council this year, and tried her hand at kayak this fall. We’re looking forward to spring when she sticks another toe back into athletic waters and joins the high school girls’ soccer team. She and I are planning a trip to NYC during Spring Break with some of her choir members and looking forward to that, as well. I was a little shell-shocked when school began and I realized I could count the number of years before she is an “adult” with one hand. Her “future”
is still a ways off, but I must confess I’m feeling a certain amount of pressure to do everything with her, and teach her everything we want her to know, in the amount of time we have left.
Kellen is top dog in the middle school this year …. 13 years old and 8th grade. He ran track last spring for school, played rec league soccer in the fall, ran cross country, and is playing basketball now, both school basketball and rec league. The boy does love his sports, although still isn’t an uber-competitive type of player, and is just as happy playing “Sharks and Minnows” at recess. In fact, he might like that better since there is less pressure. His favorite “unscheduled” activity is still practicing to be a ninja, but he’s also gotten very into archery this year and practices all the time on targets he and his father have set up outside….. he’s actually quite good. I vacillate between thinking it is a cool hobby, and worrying he’s going to put someone’s eye out. He is in his third year of playing saxophone in the band, although he has hinted that he might like to try choir (Show
Choir, no less!) in high school instead. Mainly, he seems to be enjoying his last year of middle school with a great group of friends, and that makes us happiest of all.
Kendrie moved up the ranks this year from elementary to middle …. 12 years old and sixth grade. She seems to be enjoying middle school just fine, and like her brother, has a sweet group of kids to call friends, which is a blessing. She tried
volleyball for the first time last spring, but went back to her sport of choice, soccer, in the fall. Sadly, we don’t have soccer at our middle school so she’s already counting down the days until high school, when she can play as a freshman, like Brayden will be doing. (I think it would be great fun if they both stick with it and get to play together in a few years!) Kendrie is playing her first season of indoor soccer right now and having fun with it. She still takes piano, and quit orchestra to try her hand at beginner’s band at school. She will be switching from clarinet to saxophone at second semester and is excited about that. So far, her transition to middle school has been a smooth one, and Blaine and I are grateful for that.
As a family we certainly have been lucky to do some neat things this year. The highlight for us was a Caribbean Cruise during Spring Break with our friends the Ledfords and the Longs. As always, a vacation with friends, and especially friends whose kids are friends, too, is a treat. Grandma Betty went with us, and not only DIDN’T break anything this time around, but zip-lined through the Roatan mountains, in the rain, with the rest of us, a memory I will cherish forever. Great vacation.
In June, I took the kids on a vacation with some of my scrapbooking moms and their kids …. we spent several days visiting our
friends the Warcholiks in Virginia, then drove to Virginia Beach for a week at the ocean. Six moms and 17 kids in one house for a week …. it was a total blast, and Kellen had so much fun he even briefly considered trading his life-long ninja dream to be a professional body-surfer … if such a thing even exists. We have high hopes for a repeat adventure this coming summer as well, mountains instead of beach, but every bit as much fun.
A week of church camp and a week of basketball camp, and before you know it, summer was almost over and the mad rush back to school had begun. Through all that I continued to work part time at the doctor’s office, a job I enjoyed very much. But, right before school started, we made the decision as a family that my time, honestly, is better served by staying home, so I quit. That gave me more time and freedom to pursue my photography hobby, chase after the kids, and serve as chauffeur-social-coordinator, but shockingly, NOT as much free time to keep the house spotlessly clean, like I had promised Blaine it would.
Speaking of Blaine, he is still loving his job at Tinker, and is certainly blessed to have bosses and co-workers he enjoys as well. He bought a telescope this past year and has enjoyed delving into the world of astronomy …. a nice alternative since his
hunting and fishing passions have been so curtailed. Again, his cancer is back, and again, we covet your prayers. He
remains one of the most faith-filled men I have ever seen and we are certainly prayerful for his recovery.
We decided to end the year with a mini-getaway and rented a cabin with the kids at Lake Elmer Thomas (near the Wichita Mountains) for Thanksgiving weekend. It was just the break we needed as a family and allowed us to rest and relax before gearing up for our holiday season, which, like yours I am certain, is busy with concerts and parties and shopping and decorating and baking (oh, wait, that’s not me) and most of all, reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ and giving thanks for all that entails.
Many blessings to you and yours this holiday season, and the upcoming 2012 year.
Blaine Kristie Brayden Kellen Kendrie Barley Brew Blackie
82 Responses to Once Upon A Time …
December 29th, 2011 saat: 4:40 AM
Oh My Word. I have followed you since way back in Caring Bridge days. So glad we are facebook friends but, it won’t be the same. I TRULY understand. But………..
Once Upon A Time, there was a lady who read a blog she loved, and when she found out the blog was closing, she was sad. The End.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 8:23 AM
Kristie,
I totally understand. I feel the same way that you do about the kids as they get older. Some things are just not meant for public consumption.
I’m glad we are FB friends so I can keep up, at least a bit, with you that way.
Love to you and to yours.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 8:30 AM
Kristie…….. I know you haven’t blogged much this past year, but I must say that I will miss the adventures of the Escoe family. It sounds like you had a good year, except for the Blaine C thing. Wishing you and your family the best in 2012, and I am happy to have “met” you and followed you for many years.
Blessings………….Marge
December 29th, 2011 saat: 8:42 AM
I have been a reader since Kendrie’s caringbridge days. I’m so sad you’re no longer blogging, but I completely understand. Your humor and stories will be missed. All the best to you and your family.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 9:22 AM
Thank you for all those years of blogging, Kristie! You made me smile, laugh, and cry through your writings. Although I’m sad you stop blogging, I understand very well why you do it.
Sending all my best your way,
December 29th, 2011 saat: 9:35 AM
I am very sad to hear you will no longer be blogging. I have enjoyed reading your entries. It has helped me realize that I am not alone in the challenges of parenting. Moms can be a bit hard on themselves. I do however understand and respect your decision. I wish you and your family the absolute best and pray for nothing but good health and happiness for the future. Thanks for sharing your writing and photography talent.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 9:50 AM
Kristie,
I have been a follower (and sometime commenter) of your blog for years. I know your creative side has outlets in other areas of your life – your photography, scrapbooking, etc., but you truly are a gifted storyteller. Thanks for all the humor and lovely family anecdotes. Thanks to your children and husband too for letting you share them with us. All the best to you and your family. Fondly, Julie Smith
December 29th, 2011 saat: 9:52 AM
So sorry to hear that you are ending your blog writing. We both enjoyed reading your funny, entertaining stories. It eases the pain a bit to know you’re on Facebook, but we’ll sure miss your actual blog entries. We are praying that Blaine’s cancer will be taken care of this time once and for all, and that you can just enjoy watching your kids grow up. Mine are both grown and married now, and it’s so nice to just be able to be friends with them. :) We hope you all have a wonderful, fun-filled 2012. Good luck and God’s blessings to you all!
Gayle in AL
December 29th, 2011 saat: 10:25 AM
Best of luck to you and your family in the future. I enjoyed reading.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 10:36 AM
Best wishes, Kristie! I totally understand your decision, especially as I have a 6th grade son myself. I “met” you through Julie Hyzy way back when and ever since then I have loved reading your stories. Your sense of humor and photography skills are gifts!
December 29th, 2011 saat: 10:37 AM
I have followed you since you posted on your caringbridge site. I have loved your storytelling and will certainly miss your blog! Will keep your family in my prayers. God Bless.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 10:45 AM
Dearest Kristie,
I have followed your blogs for many years and prayed for your family often. Thank you for sharing your trials and tribulations with me. I have seen you handle some tough situations with grace and humor. We all have grown through your strength. Having had teenagers, I totally know where you are coming from with the “I am the parent, I am dumb, stupid, and know nothing.”
I will continue to look for updates on the family on facebook. Your family has become part of my life. Thanks for sharing them with me.
Praying for a wonderful new year for you and yours!
Jenny in MN
December 29th, 2011 saat: 11:07 AM
Dear Kristie,
Thank you for all you shared with so much talent and humanity. Thank you for having allowed us to follow somewhat your journey and to support you from the sidelines.
Our love is not going anywhere…
You and your family remain in my heart for evermore.
Eva
December 29th, 2011 saat: 11:09 AM
i’ve read for years and have enjoyed all that you have shared. i love that you’ve got the relationship you do with your kids and wouldn’t want to even so much as put a ding in it. i hope that your husband fights on without too many more roadblocks. i hope that i’ll be able to find you online down the road if you decide to blog again. thank you for sharing!
December 29th, 2011 saat: 11:16 AM
So glad to have gotten to know you !
XXOO, LMNOP
December 29th, 2011 saat: 11:24 AM
Kristie,
I’m glad to read your updated entry. I was worried that something had happened, but as you have said in previous blog entries, maintaining a blog is a committment as well as work. I sat down last night to update mine. While I enjoy it, it does take time and work, but in the end is worth it because it does serve as a great memento of the adventures, joys, and daily odds and ends of life. I have enjoyed reading your blog through the years and would love to include you on my facebook page as I do think of your family often– both my parents are cancer survivors as well as my mother being a survivor or another illness. Blessings to you. Feel free to read my blog (www.sunnydaysonthe bluff.blogspot.com) anytime you would like.
Sunny Walker
December 29th, 2011 saat: 12:05 PM
Kristie,
I too have been a follower since the caring bridge days. Your writing is a gift – and your blog a true reflection of life – your children will treasure it as adults – your love for them and Blaine is woven deep throughout the stories. I will keep your family in my prayers as you face the C beast once again. I wish you and your family all the best in 2012 and beyond.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 12:05 PM
Just posting to wish you all the best. I will miss reading your posts (love your writing style and sense of humor) and watching your photography skills grow. I’ve been following your blog since Kendrie’s cancer days and have prayed for your family and will continue to pray. Funny how sad one can feel sad about a blog ending… I’ve never even met you!! Take care and enjoy your time together. Blessings, Kari
December 29th, 2011 saat: 12:11 PM
I, too, have been following the Escoes for a very long time and will miss reading about every escapade.
I have been praying all along and will continue. God Bless You All.
Peace…
December 29th, 2011 saat: 12:54 PM
You have such very good reasons for stopping your blog – but, oh, will I miss it. You have brightened more days than you know. I wish you and your family nothing but the best and I will continue to keep Blaine in my prayers. I see a book in your future – how would your kids feel about that!!!
Love and best wishes,
a long, long time reader from MN,
Meredith
December 29th, 2011 saat: 2:27 PM
I too have read since your Caringbridge days and have enjoyed your escapades :-) with your family. So sorry to read your are ending your blog, but totally understand too. I will continue to pray for Blaine too. God’s blessings to you all.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 3:38 PM
So sorry to see you go. I wish you all nothing but the best.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 3:42 PM
I to have been following since Caringbridge. I will miss your blogging but understand completely. One thing that I will always remember about you is you’re the one that turned me on to Pioneer Woman. I don’t do facebook as I know that would take too much of my time. I do follow a few blogs and yours is a favorite. I pray for Blaine and your entire family.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 3:46 PM
I too have been reading since the Caringbridge days. I guess we knew this day would come (especially since the blog hadn’t been updated in months), and I thank you for leaving us with closure :) I guess I’ll go ahead and delete this site from my web browser history :( I thank you for sharing your family adventures and lives with us – you were always so entertaining and witty throughout the trials, tribulations, and quirky adventures your family has endured. Wishing the best for you and the family (Blaine will be in my prayers) and maybe someday, when I miss you enough – will look you up on Facebook and hope that you will accept my request. :)
P.S. – Must’ve been the same cruise I went on a few years back – we ziplined through the rainforest on Roatan too!
-Melissa Kurry in California
December 29th, 2011 saat: 4:44 PM
Oh what mixed emotions!! So glad to see an entry on your blog, but so sad to read it has reached its end. As a mom to a 14 year old daughter I totally understand, the privacy thing is real and deal with it here too. Thank you for making us cyber momfriends feel normal and help us laugh at ourselves and kids, while also realizing that we all understand why in the Simpsons Homer chokes Bart… now that we have teens!! ( not that we would… Just that we understand why people!!!). Love your humour, compassion, honesty, and wish you and your family countless blessings, hope and happiness. May have to look you up on Facebook.. That is if I can get the computer away from above said teenager again!! Hugs from Canada, may you have a wonderful New Year!!
December 29th, 2011 saat: 4:56 PM
I have followed your blog since Kendrie was a little girl and you blogged on Caringbridge. i will miss your blog and pray for your family.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 5:12 PM
While I will totally miss your blog posts, I completely understand your reasons for closing this chapter of your life. I wish your family the best in life, and if you ever come back to the Lawton area, let me know. Be well, Kristie…thank-you for the interesting journey.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 5:22 PM
Like others, I am a long time follower from caringbridge days. I hate you’re ending your blog, but certainly get why. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 5:36 PM
I echo everybody’s sentiments. I will miss your blog and hope you don’t unfriend me on FB, even though we’ve never met. I enjoy your humorous updates and keep Blaine and the whole Escoe family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your family with all of us!
December 29th, 2011 saat: 6:16 PM
I’m going to miss you.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 8:09 PM
I have been following since Caring Bridge with Kendrie – I can remember the countdown to her last chemo pill – the tests and scans after – Blaine’s surgeries – YOU and FEET – the gym and you having to TOUCH another perons BAREfoot – the airport screenings and taking your shoes off – You and your Diet Dr Pepper (I think of you everytime I see DDP and Sonic), your pregnancies, and Blaine’s cancer again. Your family will always and forever be in my nightly prayers. GOD BLESS.
December 29th, 2011 saat: 9:27 PM
I have been a lurker since Kendrie’s caringbridge days. Oh how I will miss you! I will think of you every time I pass a Sonic and so many other things too numerous to mention. I totally understand your reasons for leaving us and I’ll be okay eventually . . .ha!. . . but dang this is hard!! Your stories and humor have touched my life. I wish you and your family nothing but the best. Again, I’m going to miss you.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 4:37 AM
Oh how I will miss the stories of your family and other adventures. I have followed you since the Caringbridge days and laughed/enjoyed my way through your unique storytelling of how real families live. Totally understand the kid privacy thing but makes me sad to know there will be no more updates. I might just have to jump over to Facebook and hope you’ll accept me as a friend to continue the journey. You have turned me on to other blogs that have opened other worlds to me. Thank you for all the years of sharing your life and your thoughts. My best wishes and prayers for your family as you continue your adventures through life. Take care.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 8:43 AM
As many others have said, I too have been following you for several years. I will miss the wonderful posts but I understand exactly what you are talking about. I have a 19 & 23 yr old and know just how much things change when they hit those teen years. I wish you well in all future endevors and will always keep you and your family in my prayers.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 9:13 AM
Will miss the blog, but am so very grateful that I actually know you in real (as opposed to only cyber) life. As always, praying for Blaine and all of you as you deal with the big C. Let us know if you ever are in this neck of the woods again!
December 30th, 2011 saat: 10:31 AM
I’ve been a reader and follower of yours since Kendrie’s Caringbridge page came into existence. Thanks so much for sharing your family and your adventures. You have a great family and three super kids! (Young adults now!!) I totally understand the desire for privacy but have to say that you will be missed so very much! I wish for you and your family the very best and please know that Blaine will continue to be in my prayers. God’s blessings be upon you in 2012 and beyond!!
December 30th, 2011 saat: 10:58 AM
I will forever miss your blog. I started reading during the caringbridge days. You have an amazing gift for writing and for photography. I always looked forward to your updates. I can understand your decision to stop blogging but it still makes me sad. My prayers will always be with you and your family. Thank you for sharing.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 11:34 AM
I totally get it–right there with you. I’ll miss you!
December 30th, 2011 saat: 11:44 AM
Kristi,
I, too, have followed you since Caringbridge. I WILL miss you and wish you the very best. Your family is in my prayers. God Bless you.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 12:04 PM
Your blog will be sadly missed in my morning routine, but I totally understand. I know (hope) that through FB and email we will continue to be in contact! Good Luck and enjoy the next adventure,
December 30th, 2011 saat: 2:00 PM
WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH.
But I get it. Keep in touch FB-style, or however you can. I’ll miss hearing from you, and about you and your family. As always, huge prayers going up for all the Escoes. That will never change, blog or no.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 2:59 PM
I bid you a fond farewell. I too have followed you since CaringBridge days with Kendrie..I too have a daughter close to Kendrie’s age and I often looked to your site for guidance, hope and laughter through those days. Nice knowing we made it through that and I have enjoyed reading about your family through the years. Thank you for being so open and sharing your life with us. Good luck to you!
December 30th, 2011 saat: 5:48 PM
Hi Kristie,
Thanks for the update – kept checking cause I was worried… understand though that it’s time to stop, but I’ve enjoyed keeping up.
I recently made Melanie’s Caringbridge journey into a “Caringbook” and it turned out wonderfully… Reading through all the guestbook comments again I loved reading yours – you were always so upbeat and friendly in your comments to Melanie and I (and I laughed when I read one you wrote to me about the 6th Harry Potter book – do you remember that one?). :-)
Anyway, I guess I’m not even sure you remember me, but if you do and you are comfortable with it I’d love to have you add me as a friend on Facebook. I would really like to keep up with your family, and ‘re-introduce’ you to my family again as well (Melanie’s doing great BTW!). I am now an oncology nurse (don’t you love how life takes us places we would never dream of being?), and have learned that head and neck cancers REALLY suck, and I think of Blaine often. Will keep him in my prayers.
Take care,
Kathi
December 30th, 2011 saat: 7:17 PM
:( So sad you are stopping the blog but I do understand. This is my Facebook page I would love to be friends with you!!! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594608922
December 30th, 2011 saat: 7:30 PM
I have so enjoyed laughing along with your life. I will miss you. I might have to stalk you on facebook just to get a good laugh.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 8:03 PM
I have been following since the caring bridge days, and am sad to see you leave. Praying that the Lord blesses your family in the coming years. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
December 30th, 2011 saat: 8:33 PM
I will miss reading your blog but fully understand. I have been following since being on ALL-Kids and the crap sandwich story (it’s on my fridge and at work!). I wish you and your family only the very best and pray that Blaine’s cancer once and for all goes away!
December 31st, 2011 saat: 1:14 AM
Like so many others, I’ve followed your wonderful family since the early Caringbridge days (is it really since 2003/2004?!. And, like everybody else, I completely respect your decision, but will totally miss your sense of humour, and your unique take on life and family. I feel like we’ve come to know all of you, and will remain interested in what happens in all of your lives. But, as they say, “it’s been great knowin’ ya”, and I wish nothing but the best for all of your family, with special prayers and energy going out to Blaine, and also to the one who started it all – Kendrie. It does my mama’s heart good to see another cancer kid survivor, and I know she’s going to be a special young lady. And (again!), as someone else said, maybe we’ll bump into you online sometime in the future – you’re too good a writer to keep it all to yourself. Cheers, and virtual hugs to all of you….
December 31st, 2011 saat: 1:23 AM
Thank you for opening up your lives to us all Kristie. Your honestly has at times been brutal to hear and there have been many a time I’ve been on my knees in prayer for your family. I do understand where you are in life as a family and am completely aware of how difficult this has been for you. Take care and know that we are very blessed to be living in a bloggy world! Thank you for your kindness and friendship, laughter and tears, joy and hope…may 2012 be a huge blessing to you and yours.
December 31st, 2011 saat: 2:30 AM
I remember the famous crap sandwich post of 2003. You have had way more than your fair share of crap sandwiches since then, but always were high on spirit and life. I will miss reading of your adventures and wish I were a FB friend. I have 4 kids, around the ages of yous, and you have given me so many ideas and tips unwittingly over the years. My prayers are with your family, especially Mr. Blaine, that 2012 is a blessed year for you and yours. May His love and protection surround you always.
Rita Bolli
December 31st, 2011 saat: 11:27 AM
Thanks for your “closing” post. I have followed your family since your Caringbridge days and will miss your posts but certainly understand your reasons to discontinue. Hope all goes well with Blaine – grab some enjoyment from the teenage years!
December 31st, 2011 saat: 3:05 PM
Kristie,
After all these years I am sad your blog is ending, but I totally get it. Know that Blaine and the rest of the family remain in my prayers. I am so thankful I can still follow you on Facebook. You will be so missed
December 31st, 2011 saat: 11:37 PM
I will miss you.
It never fails, each time I see a Sonic I think about you. (I’m a complete stranger).
I wish the very best for you & your family.
Safe journey,
R
January 1st, 2012 saat: 12:45 PM
Like all your other blog friends, I check in often, and sensed this post was coming, but it makes me sad because I have followed your ups and downs with laughter, chuckles, and tears since almost the first entry. I’m a faraway cheerleader/supporter/prayer for all of you and wish you all the very best for this new year and all those that follow!
Hugs,
Dixie
January 2nd, 2012 saat: 7:55 AM
I “found” you, Kristie, (I think) from a humorous comment you left on Molly G’s page, and then I started following Kendrie’s caringbridge site. I will miss knowing how your family is doing. Holding good thoughts especially for Blaine.
January 2nd, 2012 saat: 8:36 PM
As have many others, have followed you since Caringbridge and even then only posted a couple of times. Will keep praying for Blaine. I will certainly miss your writing style! Also wish I was a friend on facebook.
January 2nd, 2012 saat: 10:51 PM
Kristie,
As others have said I will miss reading your blog. You made me laugh, you made me cry, you made my faith in God stronger. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I have been praying for your family daily since I found the caringbridge site and will continue to do so. God Bless you all, sure will miss the adventure’s of your family :(
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 12:42 AM
I will miss you. I started following you through Caring Bridge. I have three kids. One daughter is an eigth grader, a sixth grade son (had ALL and ended treatment about the same time as Kendrie) and a fourth grade daughter. Needless to say in some ways our lives were similiar to yours. I will dearly miss your posts and continue to pray for your family wishing you all the best. I completely understand your need to move on. Thank you for giving me a so many happy and sad tears, so many times to laugh, cry and say “we aren’t the only ones” Sending you a million blessings for a wonderful, HEALTHY and blessed future.
Tam
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 12:56 AM
Just a quick note to say you have brought so much light and laughter to my life through your blog — I’ve driven up the counter these past months popping by to see if you’ve posted anything. I know it was for you, as it should have been, but you brought so much to me and many others. Just a note to say that, though we’ve never met, I will continue to think of you and your family through the ups and downs — and hope for lots more ups than downs. Thank you for the laughter, insights, wit and wisdom. All my very best –
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 8:35 AM
I have also been following your blog for many years, since way back when Kendrie was in treatment. I pray for Blaine to beat that beast every single night, and have told your ”crap sandwich” story more times than I can count. Some people make a difference in the world with the words they write. You are one of them. Thank you for letting us in all these years and thank you for being my FB ‘friend’ so that I can continue to follow your family that I’ve grown to care about over the years. I totally understand why you are stopping the blog, but I must admit.. I really miss it!! God bless you all, and thank you..
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 9:17 AM
Oh no! Well I will miss your blog because I think you are hilarious. But I do understand having three teenagers and a 9 year old myself. Please add me as a friend on fb because I accidently delted you and several people with my ipad (when still learning how to really use it). Good luck and good health to you all!!
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 10:43 AM
Kristie,
I’ll miss the Escoes tremendously! Eight years of laughing and crying with ya’ll via CB and blog has been my privledge.
May the Lord bless and keep each of you & give you peace!
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 11:17 AM
I think everyone else has pretty much said it all. Totally understand, but a sad day nonetheless :(
January 3rd, 2012 saat: 3:53 PM
Wow I’m going to miss your blogs too they give a great insight into life in in what I think of as “middle America”, so much better than “stereotype America”. I totally understand your reasons though as a teenager I lived in permanent fear of my mother’s next embarrassing faux pas. Funny thing is as an adult all my childhood friends are always recounting stories of my parents and how they were so cool and so much fun. Your kids will find the same thing I’m certain. Wishing all of you the very best of times for the future and thank you for sharing so much with a stranger from the other side of the world.
January 4th, 2012 saat: 2:10 AM
I’ve been reading a long time and always love your wit and grace through all life has put before you and your family. I respect you all the more for being so in tune to the needs/privacy of your family as you all move into adulthood, etc.
You will be missed.
January 5th, 2012 saat: 12:24 AM
Like so many others here, I have been following you since Kendrie’s Caringbridge, during my own Caringbridge involvement. I will miss reading your updates and witty remarks, and hope that you will consider at least posting your annual Christmas letter just so all of your cyber friends and supporters can keep up somewhat with the Escoes. Keeping Blaine in my thoughts.
January 5th, 2012 saat: 2:53 PM
I have followed you since 2006 and am really sad that you are not blogging anymore…then again, I haven’t blogged in a year so I know how it goes. As a fellow photographer and mom to a Kellen, I would love to keep up with you on facebook. I will friend you and hope that you accept my request! Prayers for Blaine and your family.
Kim Meagher
January 5th, 2012 saat: 11:59 PM
I will miss you and all of the Escoe Family. I wish you and yours well and much happiness… and most of all health for Blane.
xo
January 6th, 2012 saat: 2:01 AM
Sniff Sniff I will miss you!
January 6th, 2012 saat: 6:37 PM
I have followed you off and on since your Care Page days and prayed for Kendrie and Blaine. I will miss your updates, but my prayers will continue. God bless you and your family.
January 6th, 2012 saat: 9:08 PM
Kristie –
Like so many others here I have been around since the caringbridge days. We had a close family friend with a son in a tough cancer battle at the same time that Kendrie was in treatment. Somehow they had found your CB page and we did too. We found inspiration, laughter and tears as you so eloquently described your family’s experience. When you moved to a regular blog I couldn’t imagine not keeping up with you and your family and I have enjoyed every post since then. I especially appreciated your willingness to talk about adoption and surrogacy as well as all of the posts about “normal” family life. You are a very engaging and entertaining writer! I remember posting a few times over the years since then that you should consider writing a book. I know that probably isn’t in the cards right now but I would sure be first in line to buy it if you ever change your mind!
I hope to continue staying in touch with the Escoe family via FB (even though we have never met). No matter what, you will continue to be in my prayers – especially Blaine.
All the best,
Robin
January 6th, 2012 saat: 11:59 PM
I had never “followed” anyone online that I didn’t actually know personally before I found Kendrie’s Caringbridge page way back in ’03 or ’04. Her adorable smile and your witty words just drew me in. And then I was blessed to be able to enjoy an afternoon with you when you ventured to Seattle. My family thought I was a little weird when I told them I’d written some stranger who was in town to ask if they wanted to meet for awhile so they could get out of the hospital room in which their husband (also a stranger) dozed on and off. I can’t quite explain it … why I was drawn to your family’s story. You have written so many endearing posts and I just got hooked on praying for Kendrie and Blaine and counting down the days till you got to throw Kendrie’s pills into the lake. I’m grateful we’re friends on Facebook so I can still crack up at your status updates. I appreciate so many of the things you write because you’re a mom who’s like half a generation ahead of me in the motherhood game. Emma is 10 years younger than Brayden and Kasey is 10 years younger than Kendrie (still only got the two at this point but sometime in the future that number will hopefully grow!). It’s like I get a little taste of what’s ahead of me in raising kids these days. I have also gotten a kick out of seeing how we both entered the photography biz world around the same time. Congrats on an amazing run with your blog — I can only imagine that the words you’ve written will be cherished by your family for generations to come. I certainly hope that, along with your scrapbooking, that you continue to write about your family life just for yourself and your family. Brayden, Kellen and Kendrie will probably love to read over your stories if they become parents themselves one day. I wish my mom would have written about her experiences in parenting my brother and me now that I’m in the throes of wrangling my own family. Anyway, thanks for sharing your stories with us. Thanks for commenting on my own posts (on FB and my photography blog) and for all of your encouragement in my photography journey. I appreciate you, admire you from afar and will continue to include the Escoe family in my prayers. –Your Seattle buddy, Mandy. :)
January 7th, 2012 saat: 1:07 AM
I too have followed your caringbridge page AND blog for many years. I am going to really miss your family, but I understand how you and your children feel. I have been checking back often, as I have been worried about Blane…good luck and I hope everything turns out great for him and your family.
January 7th, 2012 saat: 9:08 PM
Thank you for sharing your adventures over the years. You are an excellent writer and I hope you find your way back to writing in one form or another when the time is right. My older kids are the same age as yours and I totally understand your need for privacy with them – kudos to you for making the right decision for your family. Best of luck as you navigate the teenage years, and thanks again for many laughs (and tears) over the years.
January 7th, 2012 saat: 9:48 PM
I too am sorry that you have decided to stop – I have been a reader since caringbridge/Georgia days. I have laughed, cried and prayed with your family. Yes, that would be a family that I have never met but felt I somehow “knew”. BUT above all, I am the mother of two sons, 23 and 19, and I totally understand why you are not blogging now. I admire you for what you are doing – and believe that your children will appreciate this decision, too. I am on facebook and would love to keep up with your family there – if you decide to. Many blessings to your entire family. Praying this is the year that your home is forever cancer free!!!
January 8th, 2012 saat: 1:18 AM
I have been following – like so many others – from the Caringbridge days and have always loved your openness with your thoughts on cancer treatments, being a mom and wife and all that goes with it! Please know that as much as blogging was good for you, it always brought a smile to my face to read your words or feelings of sadness when your days weren’t all sunshine and lollipops. I absolutely hate the newest crap sandwich that has been given to Blaine, you, the kids and all those that love you. Hate probably isn’t a harsh enough word.
I appreciate your understanding of what blogging does to your kids lives and the privacy issues that go with that. What an awesome mom you are! Selfishly I will always want to see new pictures of the kids as they have grown up before my eyes! But realistically, your decision is the right thing. I just don’t have to like it :o)
So today I will say thanks for giving us a chance to say good bye ….today I will remind you that many you will never “meet” will always have the best of wishes for you all to be healthy and happy and peaceful…we will never be far away. Thanks for being real and honest and sharing…I will miss you….
January 9th, 2012 saat: 8:24 PM
Add me to the list of “followed since Caringbridge” God Bless you and your family, Kristie. Take care!
January 10th, 2012 saat: 5:44 PM
I have been a “lurker” from back in the Caringbridge Days. I will miss your wonderfully humorous updates, but certainly understand your reasoning. You have a way with words — I think you should begin work on a book! I so hope the tide turns for your family and that Blaine (and all of you) have a healthy 2012. I will keep praying for your family. Thanks for sharing so much with such humor and grace!
January 11th, 2012 saat: 4:49 PM
You will be greatly missed. Prayers to your family for Blaine’s health.
January 11th, 2012 saat: 4:53 PM
I decided to check just one more time to see if you had written anything … and you did! I have been reading since Caring Bridge days and I will miss reading about you and your adventures. I will continue to pray for Blaine and that the cancer GOES AWAY!!! Blessings to you and yours and thank you for sharing your life and making me LOL many, many times.
Sincerely,
Tanys
January 12th, 2012 saat: 4:40 PM
Oh, this post made me so very sad, although I knew it was coming. I don’t do FB, so I will miss getting any updates about the extraordinary Escoe family. Kendrie will always hold a special place in my heart, and I keep Blaine in my prayers too. May Our Lord bless you all and fill your lives with grace. Kristie, thank you sooo much for all the laughter, insight, relief and plain fun you provided with your years of postings.
January 13th, 2012 saat: 2:57 AM
I have been following you since Kendrie’s fight with cancer. I have laughed and cried and cheered and cursed along with you. I followed on Caring Bridge until you decided that it had run its course and you opened your blog. Once again I was following you and rooting for your family. Your days made me feel like I could get through my days with my family as you brought humor into the everyday events and the not so everyday events. Then you said you were going to give up the blog as you had run out of new everyday events the you thought would be entertaining to us the reader. Never fear you said……..join me on facebook if you will miss the blog so I did. You did come back to the blog but I kept up on facebook mostly as it was quick way to touch base and know how you and the kids and Blaine were doing. Now all of a sudden the blog is gone and I seem to be gone from Facebook as your friend. Is it a glitch or am I unfriended? Thinking of you and your family and hoping all is ok.
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