After a Long Absence, Hello Again

IMG_3061 copyHello, friends!

It’s been more than a year since I’ve posted a recipe on this blog. I can’t believe I took such a long break from posting anything here, especially since I posted several times a week for more than five years prior.  I know many of you have been wondering where I’ve been or if I fell off the face of the earth, and I am back to reassure you that I am alive and well and the whole family is doing great! Thank you so much for all the caring emails and comments on the blog, Facebook, Instagram, etc. I really appreciate all of your genuine concern and well wishes.

Untitled designWhere do I even begin?

In the last post, I shared that I had given birth to our second son, Joshua. He is now 9 months old, such a lovable, sweet baby, who is crawling all over the house, getting into any cupboards and drawers that aren’t locked up and especially his older brother’s personal space and favorite toys. As most of you know, both of my pregnancies with the boys were very difficult and high-risk and I had many complications and a long recovery with both. (If you’re new and are interested in finding out more, you can read more by clicking on this sentence.) After I had Josh via c-section, I had a really hard time getting my strength back and lost a lot of weight and had to be on TPN (intravenous nutrition) for a few months. I was in a lot of pain because of all the scar tissue from the multiple abdominal surgeries that were disturbed during the c-section and my wound ruptured along the c-section scar, so it took many months to close up and heal. The pregnancy took a huge toll on my body, causing many GI issues, which I’m still trying to manage. The malnutrition, weight loss, and constant electrolyte imbalances are the reasons why it’s taking me so long to recover.

Obviously, I was so sick, blogging was completely out of the question. For a long time, we were in survival mode. I didn’t go anywhere – not a simple run to the grocery store, church, or getting together with family or friends. All I could do was take care of my babies and muster up enough strength for doctor appointments. When I finally started feeling stronger and had more good days than bad, I just savored the good days, catching up on housework and spending time with my family.

Untitled design copyI had not intended to take such a long break from blogging. At the time, I could only focus on getting my health back. Even when I started to feel better, I decided to stay off all social media, because I didn’t want to have the pressure of feeling the need to return before I was ready and prolonging the healing process. I’m sure most of you can understand.

I’ve definitely missed blogging, cooking and writing. I am so happy to once again be able to take care of my children, my home, the grocery shopping, cooking and being more social once again. I really hope I can slowly ease my way back to blogging and sharing new recipes with all of you. I still struggle with health issues and am trying to establish my groove as a Mom of two little boys, so I can’t predict how everything will unfold here on Olga’s Flavor Factory. I will do my best to return just as soon as I am able because I truly enjoy it.

Untitled design copy 2Everything is so different than what it was just three short years ago. I find myself looking around at my messy house strewn with little boy “treasures”, and can’t believe that this is my life now. Going on walks with a smiling baby in the stroller and a curious toddler running next to me, stopping every 5 seconds to pick up rocks and sticks is a dream come true. Through these simple, everyday moments, I am reminded over and over again, how amazing it is that I get to experience the miracle of being a Mama and that my boys are healthy even though they had such a rough start.

It feels so good to be writing a blog post. It’s like coming home after a very long, tiring and stressful journey. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I ease my way back to sharing recipes with you once again.

 

 

73 Comments

  • Julianne

    It’s so good to hear from you again! I can’t wait to read more, or not as you enjoy your life and family. I love your recipes.

  • Viktoriya

    Welcome back! It’s so good to hear from you! Your boys are adorable & you truly have a beautiful family! Take care of yourself and cannot wait for new recipes!

  • Shura

    Welcome back (kind of?). I’m grad you are doing well. I love your recipes and look forward to new ones. Your boys are adorable. My daughter is 2 (a fourth round of ivf) and I feel the same way – when I look at her I feel so blessed to have this miracle in my life. Enjoy your family. I hope you feel all better soon.

  • Oksana

    So nice to hear from you and so glad that you are doing well!!! We’ve missed you, but take as much time as you need to get all your strength back. Your health and taking care of your family is more important than anything else right now! God bless you and your family.

  • Valentina @Valentina's Corner

    Olechka,
    Welcome back, my friend! Our thoughts and prayers have been with you.
    Your blog will be here once you are fully recovered, and that’s what’s most important! Sending you and your family God’s blessings. Praying God’s healing hand over you, strength to raise your boys and wisdom for your hubby to be your rock through it all:). Your posts were missed<3.

  • NatashaM

    So glad to hear your doing better and on your way to recovery! We love all your recipes and are looking forward to new ones when your ready to post again! I have 3 kids that are 3yrs and younger and can’t imagine running around after them all day while not feeling good. You are in my prayers for God to give you health to be able to injoy your miracle babies!!!!

  • Luba

    You should’ve seen my excitement when I received the email saying you have a new blog post!!! And you should’ve heard my awwws and oooohs when I was looking at al the pictures. I sure don’t know you in person but all your posts are so personal, it just was always such a pleasure reading them. Thanks for posting all those family pics, your boys are SO adorable!!!! God bless your little family!

  • Ella

    Welcome back! Glad you are doing better. I was just thinking about you and then I saw your post on Facebook.😊 I can relate a bit to what you have been going through..I have an almost 9 month old. And had some health complications also. All is good now thanks to Jesus! God bless you and your family.

  • Iryna

    Welcome back. How cute are your boys. Such a blessing. And I was so excited to see this blog post.
    Praying for your health issues to lessen and for you to be strong mama for your sons.

  • Polyna

    Great to see you back and congratulations, Olga!! So happy that you’re doing great – and thanks for the inspiration to reflect on keeping a balanced life.

  • Valya @ Valya's Taste of Home

    Welcome back Olga!!! It’s so nice to hear back from you. Your little boys are so adorable! Take care of your self and may God bless your family!!!

  • Masha L

    So glad to see that you are doing okay and that Lord blessed you with two babies of your own. Brings tears to my eyes looking at your pictures and what journey it has been for you. May the Lord Bless your family!

  • Violet

    Welcome back Olga!!!
    I’m so glad to hear that you are doing better! Also very excited to have you back! May God bless you and your beautiful family! You have very adorable boys.

  • Olesya

    So glad to see you back and to hear that you and your family are doing great!!! Take care of yourself!! God bless!!!

  • Marina

    Welcome back! I am very glad your are doing better and recovering your health and strength back. Your boys are super cute❤️

  • Vitaliya

    I kept coming back to your blog almost everyday for your delicious recipes, so excited for new recipes to come as well! Love you guys!

  • Natalya

    Welcome back! What a blessing and a miracle from God! Such a beautiful family! May God bless your family abundantly! We are so happy to see and hear you again!

  • Oksana

    Thank God that you’re doing better. I’ve remembered your family more than once in my prayers. Your boys look really healthy and happy. I’ll continue to pray for you, so that you have less bad days, and more good ones. Takes lots of energy to keep up with 2 boys. God bless Sergey also, I bet he’s been the strength for both of you many days.

  • Larisa

    So glad to hear you are doing much better. Your boys are incredibly handsome, just adorable 😍. Praying for a full recovery of your health. May God Bless your young family!

  • Lana

    It is so nice to hear from you. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and let us know that you and your precious family are doing great. Praise God!!!! I have been cooking sooo much from your blog just in a month of July and august. I looked at my planner and I made all these goodies: apple Dutch baby, cheesey chicken meatballs, orzo with roasted veggies, spring chicken and vegetable soup, split seconds (oooo so good), lazy lasagna, antipasti Stromboli, chocolate volcano cake (yum), peach hand pies. We had creamy chicken & broccoli rice casserole for today’s dinner after church. Thank you for all of your delicious recipes!!! Can’t wait to see your new creations:))) May God bless your family! Your boys are so handsome;)

  • Alla

    Olga! Praise God you’re feeling better! Soo glad to hear your updates! may God give you strength and patience as you fully recover. Can’t wait for new recipes!

  • Alla

    Dearest Olichka!!!!!! It’s so great to hear from you again!!!! We were defiantly worrying about you!!!!! Thanks to the Lord that you are better, although still week!!!! You look so happy and your boys are sooooooooo adorable and cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May God bless your adorable family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May God bless you and send you health and strenght!!!!!!!!!!! We all love you and sooooooooooooo happy to see you back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Marina

    Hello Olga! It is soooooo great to hear from you! Your family is very beautiful! I’ve been praying for you every time I thought of you! And checking the blog to see if you have posted any updates about you well being & of course using your previously posted recipes! I’m so thankful to God that you’re feeling better & thank you for the update! May God continue to heal you & give you strength!!!! Love to have you back! 🙂 🙂

  • Ruslana

    Hi Olga,

    Even though I don’t know you personally I feel like I have gotten to know you after reading about your life story and trying out many of your recipes. You went through so much but leaned on God and came out strong and that is such an encouragement to me. So when I didn’t see any more posts after your last one I assumed it was too hard for you ( and at the same time was hoping everything was ok and said multiple prayers for you ) and was very sad about it, and kept checking in occasionally hoping that maybe one day I will see a new post about how you are doing. And when i opened my email today and saw a new post by you i was so pleasantly surprised, it kindda made my day. I was so happy to see you are doing so well and your boys are getting so big. Thank you for all you share with us, the ups and downs. May God continue to bless you and your family and give you physical and spiritual strength in your journey.

  • Liliya

    Hi, Olga! I am so happy to see you back, even if it was just a few pictures. I think and pray for you often and am so overjoyed for your family. I’m glad your eeling better, even if just a little better. Excited for more of what The Lord has in store for you and your family. And wow, Nathaniel is such a little Klychits and Joshua looks so much like your family ❤️

  • Inga

    So glad to hear you are “alive and well” and recovering! You look wonderful, and you’re glowing with health, although every day may not feel like it. Your family is beautiful. Bless you and may the Lord continue to keep you and your family. I’ve been checking your site once a week for a long time and saying a little prayer for the Lord to bless your family – and today I see this great news! PRAISE His Name!

  • Angelina

    Welcome back! Your story and optimism has always kept me following you! I really enjoy your blog! Such cute little boys you have!

  • Tanya

    Oh my goodness, hello hello! Missed you! You look happy, healthy and beautiful! Little Joshua looks like your dad! Glad you hear you are alive and well. Still love your recipes and pop in here (making plov today). Enjoy this season, no pressure to post. Still lots of good things here!

  • TAMARA EARNHART

    You and your family are such an inspiration. I am so happy you are doing better. Looking forward to many more post from you. Do it at your own pace we all will be enriched by your sharing your life with us. God bless you and yours.

  • Sweet

    I am soo glad that you and your family is doing great. Soo happy for you, and it’s good you found a little time to post something for your readers, soo nice of you. May God bless you and your family with lots of health and happiness, and return to blogging anytime time soon

  • Mary

    Oh my lord!
    So grateful to hear your life is coming together and both boys are sweet and handsome looking, enjoy the sunshine and keep sprinkling sweetness around you and your young family.

  • Vita

    Welcome back Olga! 😊 It’s really been an amazing and uplifting journey to follow along with you! You are an inspiration and a beacon of light! Thank you for sharing your love of life and food with us! Wishing you and your family all the best, and your boys are just so adorable! 😍

  • Tiffany

    God bless you and your family, Olga! Welcome back! I enjoy the recipes and am inspired by all the wisdom in this blog. Nathaniel and Joshua are such an adorable pair–so handsome and grown-up after a year! Thank you for sharing your remarkable life and positive personality with us all. Take good care of yourself, enjoy the rest of summer, and we look forward to the possibility of more posts 🙂

  • Aneta

    So glad to hear you and your boys are doing well. Take all the time you need to recover and enjoy your beautiful family 🙂

  • Ilona

    Welcome back beautiful!!! So glad to hear you are doing well! God bless your family and I personally still enjoy using your blog’s old recipes. Get well soon! Will pray for you..

  • Courtney

    Wow! You have gone through so much! I have been stuck at home for a long time with my two boys as well, due to my seizures, so I at least understand that. My boys have developmental delays, it is so hard some days. Please know you were missed. Blessings to you!

  • Alla

    oh what can I say: FINALLY you’re back!!!
    WELCOME BACK
    I had a baby when you had and reading your story
    1. I feel kind of jealous because I had to return to work in short 9 weeks and there where either you’re coming back to work or you’re unemployed.
    2. I started to appreciate God’s gift of having my 4 kids healthy, recovery wasn’t easy after all of the babies, but I managed. From day to day I realize how many couples want to have kids and they either can’t or it takes too long. All of my pregnancies were surprised and within short period of time after having each child. In other words, I even didn’t get to plan when to have another baby, it happened to us every 9 or 10th month of post partum 🙂 🙂 🙂

    I am glad you’re back because I am missing new recipes from you 🙂

  • Olya

    Thank you for the update! So excited to see you back. Your family is very beautiful! Can’t wait for more yummy recipes from your kitchen. May God bless you & your family abundantly in everything you do!

  • Laurel

    Happy and joyful for your blessings! Of course you were missed, and I continued to check this spot in hopes. Continue to put yourself first so you can be strong for your wonderful little family! God surely has a delightful plan for you!

  • Tanya

    Olechka, Welcome, welcome back!!!!!!! Oh, it is sooooooooooo goooooooood to hear from you!!!!!!!!! When I saw your post, I wanted to leave my comment, but my computer kept acting up. So, I told myself that as soon as I fix the computer, I will come back. Along with other readers, I am so glad that you’re doing better! I am so glad that you’re starting to feel better and your boys…they have grown so much in such a short time! You made my day! I had tears of happiness when I read that you’re finally got over that difficult mountain of being sick. I too been there and I so understand you! It’s a very frustrating and very difficult process! I hope that you continue to feel better! Again, thank you for telling us that you’re doing better! We love you soooooo very, very much!

  • Diana

    Welcome Back!!!

    You have certainly been missed and I am really looking forward to reading and trying your upcoming recipes. Glad to hear you are doing better and wishing you and your family the best of health as you move forward.

    P.S. Your sons are just adorable!!

  • Yelena

    I am so excited that you are finally back! I have been checking your blog at least ones a week hoping to see new posts!!! Glad that all is well!!! God bless you and your beautiful family. Stay strong!!! Looking forward to your new recipies( whenever you are ready)

    Xoxo

  • Tzivia

    Hello dear olya and welcome back so glad to hear that you are slowly coming back again missed you tons baby girl omg wow your boys got so big don’t worry if you took a long absence you needed to think of yourself and your health Nathaniel looks like hubby and Josh looks like your dad take care and continue to feel good g-d bless

  • Luba

    Welcome back! May God Bless your family and heal you completely . Wow the littlest one looks exactly like your dad!!The hair especially……

  • Anna Demko

    Hi Olga! So happy you are back! Glad that you are doing better – you def deserved a break from the bloggin! Your boys are the most adorable and I can’t believe how different they look! One looks like your husband’s side of the family and the younger one looks like his grandpa! So adorable!
    Lots of love and prayers for your healing and recovery

    Anna

  • Dina

    Olga, I am so glad to hear you are doing better now! God bless you and may He give you strength and a full recovery soon. You have a very beautiful family! And your boys are very handsome!!!

  • Alla

    Olechka, so happy you are doing better. I was so worried about you and I am so excited that you are getting back on your feet. Take good care of yourself! Your sons are adorable, take care of yourself for them. I just sent my daughter to college and she asked me for a recipe book with her favorite recipes as her go away present. Lots of your recipes are there! Thank you and be well.

  • Lana

    Welcome back dear! Truly happy you are doing much better, thanks God! Your boys are absolutely precious, and your recipes are the best!May God bless you with a full recovery!!!

  • Terry

    I have been so worried about you and the family. Thanks for the update, and God bless you as you recover and enjoy your family. Take care of yourself. We are your friends foremost, and want you to be well. Take your time. Just got this today, but a bright spot in my day for sure. Boys are adorable.

  • Larisa

    Missed your blogging! So glad that things are getting better and brighter a bit for you. Sounds like you surely had a rough time recovering. May God continue to strengthen you and Sergey and give you both good health, wisdom, and energy to raise those handsome little men of yours! Looking forward to more of your clean and healthy recipes! Thanks for sharing glimpses of your past year in the few pics you posted. Them miracles of yours are just plain stunning with their bright smiles and thick hair. 🙂 It sure is a blessing to experience morherfood, but for some it comes with a higher price. Glad you’ve learned to look at things more positively and grateful for all that you have. Keep up the great job of inspiring others to do the same! Blessings!!!!

  • Lily

    Olga it is sooo good to see you back!!! I LOVE your blog and have tried a ton of your recipes that have become my family favorites!!!!!! Thank you for all that you do!!! May God bless you and your family and continue to bless you in this blog. You have helped me and I’m sure a lot more ladies to become more confident cooks!! :)) Thanks Again!! :))

  • Larisa

    Welcome back! Glad to hear that everyone is doing great!!! Feel better, and thank you for all the wonderful recipes, many of yours have become my regulars!

  • Olga P

    Welcome back Olga! I’m glad you’re doing well and are feeling well enough to post again! Thank you for also taking the time to share your difficult but encouraging journey. You are an inspiration for my friends and I and we were so excited about your post 🙂 Be blessed!!!!!!

  • DCfan

    Dear Olga,

    Thank you for the update and for sharing what’s been happening with your family. I am always so impressed with how at peace you look in your photos despite your health complications. I have often wondered how you are doing and am relieved to hear you are on the mend. Keep at it and know that you have the support of many blog readers. We are so happy to welcome you back.

  • Julia Stryzhenko

    Olga,
    you are such a positive person!
    I enjoy reading your blog and always looking forward to receiving emails about new posts.
    You are so organized – there’s a lot to learn from you.
    Thank you!
    Keep blogging!

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