Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger


Maria Elena from Our Home Away From Home. 

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.

Good Saturday every one.  This week we have a special blogger Maria Elena from Our Home Away From Home blog.  You will love getting to know Maria she has traveled the world raising her kids and her blog is fabulous.  So sit back and read and get to know Maria and then head over to her blog and say Hi.




Hello, everyone!
 I was so happy and honored when Kris asked me to be a part of her "life behind the blogger" series.
Thank you, Kris! I really appreciate you thinking of me.
  My name is Maria Elena and I blog over at Our Home Away From Home. 


Although we live in TX, I was born and raised very far from here, in Madrid, Spain where my parents 
and two brothers still reside.


I married my best friend and soulmate in 1981, he had just joined the US Army the year before and leaving my beloved Spain and my family behind was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do.
This year we will celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary, so I guess it is safe to say, 
he was the best decision I ever made. :)


We spent 23 years traveling the world while raising our three children.




In 1995 I followed my life dream of working with young children and went back to school to get my degree in 
Early Childhood Education.
For many years after and while my husband was still serving, I worked for the military child development program.
Almost at the end of my husband's career, he received orders for San Antonio. It was one of the hardest moves we have ever made since the kids were older, but it turned out to be the best thing it could of happened to us.

In 2001, when we knew San Antonio would be the place where we would retire, I was able to achieve what I worked for so many years and I became the proud owner of a private preschool in our city. 


My husband finally retired from the military and we built our dream home.


Our home is everything we ever dreamed off and the fact that we don't have to move again is such a blessing to us.

We put a lot of pride in our home and you will always find us together working on a project or another to make improvements.
Many people have asked me what is my decorating style and I have to say, I do not have a clue. :)
I buy or make for our home what I like without really following any decorating trends. 
All I worry about is achieving a homey and comfortable home for my family.



At the end of 2008, the recession hit my business pretty hard and I had to make the hard decision of letting it go.
It was very difficult, but meant to be.
 Just a few months after, I received very bad health news and I had major surgery, which took me months to recuperate from.

Today, I am fully recovered and a very happy stay home mom. I love having the extra time to spoil my family and take care of this little girl.




I love to "play" in my home and I finally have all the time I want to pursue my other dream, decorating and crafting. :)
 I started my blog in September of 2011 as a way of sharing my decorating adventures. 
As is happen, it has proved to be an amazing learning experience.
I am so happy to be part of this wonderful blogging community!

2015 has been a special year for us. 
My husband and I have finally became first time grandparents to this beautiful baby boy.
He has brought so much joy to our family and he sure has changed our lives forever. :)


And that is it! 
I hope the life behind this blogger was not too boring for you. :)
I want to thank Kris for letting me be part of their wonderful blog series.
 I am very grateful to be in such great company!



Thank you so much Maria for sharing yourself and your story with us today.  Happy Saturday everyone.
Kris
:)

22 comments

  1. This was such a treat, Kris, I've been following Maria fr such a long time. Thank you!

    Maria, I'm so happy to learn more about you! You have a lovely family and your grandson is precious! Your home is absolutely gorgeous and whatever your style is... maybe you should go into interior decorating! I love your craftiness and your sewing is wonderful. I treasure the three pillow covers I won in your giveaway last year.

    Great post---not boring at all! :)

    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Kris,
    Another great blogger to get to know! Love the lime stone on the exterior of her home, and she must be over the moon to not have to move again.

    I will visit her soon.

    Xx
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have followed Maria Elena for a long time but never knew most of this. What a great testimony to hanging in there and never letting go of your dream....and, speaking of dreams...her home is just beautiful. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a GORGEOUS HOME! Y, HOLA SEÑORA! My roots are Spanish too!

    Hey Kris! Loving the holiday spirit coming upon us? Have a lovely day you two!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you all and thank you Kris. What a treat it is for me to be featured here today! Enjoy your weekend! xxx Maria

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Jann, Maria Elena seem like a very lovely blogger. Wow her home truly is a dream home. Thanks for sharing. Jo

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful recap of Maria Elena's life - and that little boy is absolutely precious!! That face!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What s sweet, special lady. Thank you, Kris, for introducing her. I'm on way way now to visit Maria Elena's blog. Happy Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kris, It was good getting to know about Maria. She is a family person and I like that. What a sweet little grandson too. Hope you are surviving the snow storm. It was not to be bad here and it's already covered everything and getting heavy. Blessings, stay warm, xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, I just adore learning more about sweet Maria Elena! She is a well loved blogger, and to know all about her personally now better is awesome - this is such a NEAT series, Kris! Thanks for sharing such wonderful bloggers with us all.

    Isn't ME's home gorgeous??!!??

    Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have followed Maria Elena since I began blogging. She is a very sweet and kind friend, who hosts a great party by the way! ;) I did not know some of story, so it was interesting to read. Thanks again for featuring another great blogger. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kris another introduction for me, thanks for your delightful Saturday spotlights! Maria Elena I enjoyed your share and playing at home is always a joy. Hope you get to visit Spain and family often. I love your beautiful stone home (my Row-home is stone on the front and stone and brick in back) your interior is beautifully detailed, interior design divine. I must say having Grand children truly has been my greatest blessing. I look forward to following your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, what a lovely home. Also a beautiful love story.
    Thank you Kris and Maria Elena for sharing.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've always loved the pictures of your home, and it is so nice to meet you and learn your story. We were first time grands at age 65...so we finally know what a blessing it is, everyday. Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marie Elena is so talented and I love her beautiful home! I enjoyed learning more about her life. Didn't know that she once owned a preschool. Congrats on becoming a grandmother!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes she has a beautiful home....i will have to go visit her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  17. HI Kris,
    Thank you featuring another great blogger that I did not know. I am off to visit her blog next!
    I loved reading about her and her husband - 34 years, that is something to be truly proud of!
    And it's nice that after all those moves she has found 'home'!
    I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs, Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
  18. Another wonderful feature, Kris! I must visit her blog! Such a beautiful home and family and a very interesting life.

    xo
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have followed Maria Elena for some time - she's a sweetie.

    ReplyDelete
  20. She has a lovely home and family!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love Maria Elena and never knew a lot of the things here about her!!!! Thank you for this wonderful feature!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The blog are the best that is extremely useful to keep.
    I can share the ideas of the future as this is really what I was looking for,
    I am very comfortable and pleased to come here. Thank you very much!
    home curtains in abu dhabi

    ReplyDelete

sponsor