back to the basics

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Imagine, life without TV, movies, videos, video games, emails, or internet.  Strange that the idea of life without these things would sound strange to me.  I want to try, though, and so I talked to Rich about my idea and we came to a decision over breakfast, just this morning:

We are literally going to unplug
both the computer and the television until September. . . .

I am looking forward to a unique summer full of fun for my whole family and I will be back to tell you all about it, Lord willing, in mid-September.  Three months isn’t that long, is it?    What I am truly hoping for is just a little more extra time to spend with the Lord, and with my husband, and our six children who are growing way too fast. 

I’ve been blogging here for three years and it will be so strange (there’s that word again) not to be part of this community of friends that I’ve discovered here.  I’ll be lonely for you all at times, I know I will.  I won’t forget you and I hope you don’t forget me, either! 

Of course, I’ll be back in the next few days before we “unplug”.   I look forward to hearing from you “one last time” before I go…….

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Here’s to an amazing summer with God, family, and friends!  I hope you all have the best one ever with the ones you love.  I will be praying for you, my special and dear xanga friends.

Your loving friend, Shanda

0 thoughts on “back to the basics”

  2. I see more and more people choosing to take media fasts. I was raised on one, so it might be awhile before I decide to take one…;) Best wishes on your summer, I will miss your posts!!

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  3. Oh, I’ll miss seeing your beautiful pictures and reading about your days!  Enjoy your summer with the kiddos.  I look forward to reconnecting this fall!Take care

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  4. great idea shanda… NOT you leaving 🙂 but the guts to UNPLUG!! believe me – – i know that’s not an easy choice. we’ve done the tv around here for awhile, and it’s so FREEING~ i imagine the computer would be EVEN MORE so! funny.. just yesterday we had a huge storm blow through and knock out our desktop computer, which is the one i always use~ i laughed and told shayne, “maybe God’s trying to tell me something.” 😉 i’ll certainly be on less now, that’s for sure. and with summer and all the super FUN things to engage in sun up to sun set who wants to be inside anyway, right??~ i’ll miss ya girl.. you’re one of my favorites to read~ i find your realness refreshing! thanks too for the example of making the tough choices to keep what’s important, IMPORTANT!look forward to your return in sept.hello SUMMER!!!! 🙂 🙂

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  5. Shanda Unplugged. It sounds like an album. 🙂 I would miss the PC more than the TV….but think of how much more you’ll have to say in September….I miss you already. I have your addy though. Some handwritten notes over the summer would be fun.Mind if I make you  my summer “pen pal” of REAL letters? I am moving this week- so I’ll make the first letter I write in my new house a letter to you. :)Enjoy your summer. Enjoy your quiet time in the Lord and with your family.Love, Cass

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  7. Ah-h-h we will miss you!! I wasn’t raised with either and it certainly makes for children learning creativity , getting lots of outdoor exercise, and doing lots of reading,etc.  I AM very thankful for our computer though!Have a Happy Summer!!Blessings, Maryp.s. How did you enjoy the homeschool convention?

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  8. Sounds like a daring move! I’m impressed. Turning off the TV for the summer wouldn’t be hard for me, but losing the computer would, I’m afraid, feel like losing my right arm. I hope you have a wonderful summer building lots of memories and stories to share with us all when you come back!

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  9. Shanda, I will miss seeing your gorgeous pictures and your beauty cutie children! At the same time, I admire your decision to pull the plugs! I have been thinking lately that I need to STEP AWAY from the computer! So, I have been spending more time outside or inside taking care of things. Not just things but BEING with my family, whoever’s here! I’ll still post a bit, but there’s so much life to be lived, especially when the weather is good. Take care! You are precious and I look forward to reading sometime what the Lord has done/did in your life! Love, GAil

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  13. I will miss you, but think you are making a wise idea for your family’s sake.  It takes a lot of work to keep a site updated.  I’ll look forward to seeing you in September.  Enjoy being “unplugged.”

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  15. Sounds good.  I’ll miss you here in this space, but perhaps when I get settled in at our new house, I’ll find some moments to pick up the good old pen and paper and stay in touch.  That’s more special anyway.  You’re an inspiration to me, and I can’t wait to embrace the country life like you do!

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  16. Oh you are a wise lady!! I had forgotten that, we too, were going to unplug the tv for the summer, then we went on vacation and I forgot! Thanks for the reminder I will miss your beautiful pictures of your family and you sweet spirit~
    Blessings~ Cinnamon

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  17. As much as I will miss you through the summer, I think you have an excellent idea.  I think I could unplug the TV, but I’m not so sure about the computer — but think how much richer your summer will be for the extra time you will all have to enjoy that wonderful farm.  Looking forward to your return in September, with your stories of summertime growth! 

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  20. Hi Shanda…I know I don’t comment often but this deserves one for certain.  I will surely miss your blogs.  You inspire me to make life more beautiful for my kiddos.  I can’t imagine how much your kids will grow over summer and I look forward to all the pictures you will have.  I feel like I’m losing a good friend for three months.  It feels like that feeling you get when you read a really good book and you get to the last page and you just want to cry because it’s done.  See you in September.  Have a blessed summer with your beautiful family.  *Penny

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  22. I applaud you and admire you for taking such a huge step! I think you are in for a wonderful summer! But OH how you and your family will be missed by me. I so love reading about your family. I will be praying for you. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear back from you in September! I just hope you will want to come back after doing without so long. :(Best wishes, hugs and prayers!Kara

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  24. That sounds so nice. We will miss your pictures, stories and insights…oh, and recipes, too! I know that God will be honored by this time you invest in Him and in your family.

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  25. You will definitely be missed ~ but I think your decision is a great thing ~ be blessed and we will all be anxious to see how much Seth grows by summer’s end!  Love ya ~

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  27. will you still be using the telephone? 😉 Seth will be walking by Sept! lol…. I am glad you are doing this! Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. *That one thing: is a single minded purpose to gaze on the beauty of the Lord at all times. May the Lord use this time for that purpose!

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  29. What a great idea…I’m so glad I’ll still be able to see you, though. 🙂  I would miss you too much.  Hope you have a great evening.  Love, Trish

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  32. I am happy for you…but sad for me I will miss you so much, as my life is now tied down with Grandpa. The view of your family is refreshing and a blesing to me. Struggling to make it work here at home and feeling VERY tied down. We unplugged the TV years and years ago…we do watch DVD’s sometimes but have not missed the TV much at all. I think you all will have a fabulous summer full of adventures and lots of reading. Enjoy, take lots of pictures of everyone…and I will drop you a letter now and then…write back if you can…but if your arms are full of your sweeties I understand. Lots of love to you all… a whole summers worth! I will try to get some of the blog up about Nana in the next day or so, I have been waiting for Bob’s writing.

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  34. i will miss you..looking forward to hearing about your summer! Seth is looking so handsome lately,i can’t imagine what he’ll look like in a few months!

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  37. Wow, we have thought of doing something similar, but not on such a grand scale!! We were thinking a week or two-lol We will miss you ( I say we b/c Jason and I actually read your blog together–we just love your family, we talk about your family as if we personally know you-haha) We will be anticiapting your September post!! Have a fabulous summer and we’ll see you in the fall 🙂

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  38. That takes a lot of willpower and I’m proud of you for doing it.  I will miss your blog so much though… love your realness and creativity with your children and would often leave your site with a second wind.  Can’t wait to hear how this all went for you at the end of the summer as I’ve considered doing this too.  Happy summer to you.

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  39. While I LOVE this idea, I don’t like the thought of you being gone for so long!! I always love clicking on your great blog, seeing your happy little children’s faces, and hearing what is going on in your life, and your being so real; truly inspirational! Little Seth will be so big the next time we see pics of him!! Blessings upon your summer, dear Shanda; you will be missed!

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  41. This is a fantastic idea. Whenever I do this, I become so much more in tune with everything and I am so much more productive and thinking is much more clear. Cheers and I hope your summer goes great.

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  43. No……we can’t go all summner without you!!! Just kidding…well…maybe not!!!! You will be SOOOOOO missed…Your blog post are always a bright spot in my day. You are such a “REAL” person, with such a love for our Savior.Just keep a journal so you can fill us in on every detail when you come back. {{{Big Big Hugs}}}

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  47. Dear Shanda, I think the idea of unplugging is fantastic! Media has its place, but I sure have enjoyed breaks from the tv/computer and I know you will too! I hope you had a wonderful weekend at the conference!Love,AngieP.S. We closed on the house last Wednesday.

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  48. Dear Shanda, I will miss you so much over your summer. I love connecting with you and your family via your blog and will find it really strange not to find your charming messages in my inbox!  I would love to write (pen and paper) to you from Australia if you would like that? Please let me know and I will put pen to paper if I have an address.  Have a super fun time with your family. God bless, Diane (Australia)

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  49. Unplugging TV was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my spiritual walk!! Now, our family just doesn’t watch it unless a special is on CBS at holiday time or something. GOOD FOR YOU!I’ll miss your posts though! The kids will be SO big when you re-plug again. . . lol!PS_–I’ll pray for you all summer long for blessings upon blessings! Can’t wait to hear about them!

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  50. Shanda……NO NO NO NO!!!   It seems like too long of a time!  Can’t you just do what we do and only give them TV on Saturday mornings or on specials special nights?  I am really really really going to miss your blog and seeing all your pictures.  In a way it will be cool because I will call you more often! LOL!  Please do come back to xanga and fill us in on your great Summer!  Love, JO

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