Brandy Jesperson
I’ve been at Paper Crafts for over four years now. I’ve worked as an editor, senior editor and managing editor.
Over the years I’ve helped oversee special issues, regular issues, blogs, writers, copy editors and interns. I’ve sent hundreds of thousands of emails, taught at conventions, attended trade shows and made countless friends.
I’m a lucky girl, and I know it.
Celebrating Paper Crafts’ 5th birthday at CHA.
My luck continued this past February when my husband and I welcomed our first child into the world. Cooper was even featured on this blog – the newest member of the Paper Crafts family. He’s sweet and cuddly and everything a parent could want in a son. He had my heart from the moment he was born.
Our mini Cooper, 15 weeks old.
It’s because of him that I’ve decided to take a break from the world of concept meetings, corporate budgets and submission judgings. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly. I love my job. I love my co-workers. And I love all of you who have allowed me into your homes and in the pages of your magazines.
I have enjoyed meeting many of our talented designers in person. Thanks Ms. Alice Golden for welcoming my family into your home.
Luckily, (for me, at least) you won’t be completely rid of me. My name will still pop up in the pages of your favorite Paper Crafts publications, as I’ll be doing a little writing from home. Between naptimes and bottles, I’ll be oohing and aahing over your beautiful projects and visiting your blogs for inspiration.
I have loved being a part of this fabulous magazine and such a perfect paper family! Thank you to everyone for your friendship and readership.
The Paper Crafts family, minus Holly and Ahtanya.
Farewell…for now,
Brandy
Enjoy your precious little one.
I, for one, don’t think you’ll ever regret this decision. We’ll miss you, of course. Enjoy your little one—they are angels.
Farewell for now, we all know you will be back to the paper craft world. Enjoy this time with your beautiful boy.
enjoy your adorable baby, brandy:)
Want to send you the biggest of hugs. Enjoy your time w/Cooper because indeed time flies when your having fun! ((HUGS))
Enjoy the change of pace and scenery!!
Enjoy Cooper! You are lucky to have the option, time will fly!
Awww, I can’t believe you are saying farewell! But he looks like a pretty good reason to me, I don’t think I could resist him either! Wishing you all the best, you’ll be missed lots!
Best of luck and I’m glad that you’ll be able to stay home with your mini Cooper–they grow up so fast!
Dear Brandy…
Good for you! The days just slip through your fingers, and you don’t want to miss a minute of it. I’ve recently “retired” from raising 5 gorgeous children who are all out and on their own now. And guess what? I don’t regret a minute of the time I spent with them. At the end of your life, I promise you won’t say, “Gee, I wish I’d edited just one more issue.” You, my dear, have chosen well. I know not everyone has the ability to make this choice, but when you do, it’s truly a beautiful thing. Blessings on you and your sweet baby boy!
Good luck with everything! I totally understand. I had to make the same decision 13 years ago. It was a really hard decision, but ended up being totally worth it.
Congratulations on your decision. I, for one, have never regretted making that decision 12 years ago. Your constant presence in the PC world will be missed!! (((great big squishy hugs)))) for that darling little man of yours!! xoxoxo ~rae
I am so happy for you! Cooper is adorable. I think being a mom is the most important job we have and for those that have the ability to be at home are blessed. Enjoy.
OH BRANDY! We’ll miss you!!! But what a rewarding decision. Enjoy the moments with your sweet little man
Babies sure do change everything, don’t they? We see things so differently when they come into our lives. You will have so much fun being at home with him. We will miss you!
Great decision! I’ve been home with mine for 10 years now. My first bunch o’ kids (my baby turned 21 only 13 days before we brought home our 10 year old…now I have her and a 9 year old at home) all went to school and all grew up and now all have families and careers of their own. But I tell you, it happened in a split second. So when these kiddles came along we have done everything we can to slow things down a bit and we try to absorb every moment.
You will never regret this decision – your sweet Cooper will benefit the most, but you will love this brief time at home with him!! In a flash he’ll be in school, and you will not know where the time has gone, but you 2 will have precious memories to treasure. Good for you!
I cannot imagine that this was an easy decision for you to make! I wish you lots of luck! Cooper is one lucky boy to have a mom who will be spending a lot of time with him! I’ve been at home with my girls, and I’ve loved every single moment of it! Take care!!
Congrats on your decision! I am a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful kids and I do not regret a second of it!
congratulations-I just made the same decision in May. you won’t regret it!
Brandy, there is nothing quite as rewarding and humbling as being a mom! Enjoy the time you have with your little guy because before you know it he’ll be 2 and in the thick of everything! We will miss you dearly!
Easy to see why you fell in love with that little guy. I did the same thing with my son and never regretted it. Have fun. Nice to know you’ll still be contributing.
Although you will be missed, I have to say I don’t think you will miss this decision. They grow up so fast you won’t want to miss a second!! I was a stay at home mom with my 2 children and I don’t regret it for a moment. Good luck and best wishes to you and your family. You will not be forgotten.
Enjoy your time with your little guy…these years are so precious!
Such a hard thing to do…. but sooooo worth it. Best of luck with your at-home-mom status. Yeah for motherhood!
Good luck Brandy. I can see why you made the decision you did. Your Cooper is beautiful, i would want to spend all my time w/him too-lol!! Have fun!!!
Congratulations Brandy! I stay home with my son. Money is tight and now that he is three sometimes I dream of working. Ha! Seriously… this is the best ‘job’ I could ever have. I feel so blessed to be able to raise our son and not miss a minute of this short and precious time that I have been given with him. Enjoy it and take in every second because as I am sure you already know… it goes way too fast!
Brandy, you will never regret your decision. These time with your son are so precious! Just remember if you start feeling “alone” to come say HI to your Paper Crafts friends. As a SAHM for the last 17 years, I sure do know what a wonderful adventure you are in for!! Enjoy every moment!
Congrats Brandy! You will not regret your decision. Enjoy your time with the little person-it goes by before you know it. You will be missed.
You will never, never regret your decision to stay home. I did the same thing when my son was born, now I’m a SAHM to 2 boys 2 and almost 4.
You are amazing! I’m glad you’ll still be around here, but you’ll love being at home. Nothing can compare…
I wish you the best Brandy as you enjoy every stage of your little one. I stayed home for 14 years with all 3 of my kids and never regretted it. They are precious years!
Bye for now Brandy. I hope your free time is spent making your sweet baby smiling.
Good for you! They grow so fast, and this is a time that you don’t want to miss a minute of! Best of luck and much happiness.
Congrats on making a very tough decision! I remember making the same decision when my second was born. It changes your life in ways you can’tg imagine. Try to enjoy it, even the hard times! Have fun and best of luck!
Best wishes!
Brandy, when you look back on this time in your life you will *never* regret taking this time to be home with your little boy. All the cliches are true — little ones grow up so fast. My “baby” is somehow 6 years old and 4 feet tall, but I could have sworn I just had her yesterday. Best, best wishes.
Wishing you all the best, Brandy! Will certainly miss the occasional email that pops into my account at times from you…because they always tend to be fun ones that brighten my day!
Enjoy Cooper, and motherhood, and family time!!
HUGS,
Lea Lawson
Congrats to you Brandy!! You won’t regret having lots more time to spend with your adorable boy!! It goes by so fast and now you’ll get to enjoy every second! We’re all secretly glad that you won’t be too far away though!! Best of everything to you and your family!
Cooper is such an adorable baby……you are so lucky that you get to make that decision and stay home and snuggle with that sweet little face. I know that you will be missed, but I am happy to know that we will still see you around a little bit. Enjoy your time at home with Cooper.
Hugs,
Amy ♥
Awe, have a wonderful time staying home with your adorable baby boy!
Dear Brandy,
You have chosen well. God has truly blessed you with your beautiful son, Cooper, and to have the priviledge to spend more time with him. Wishing you all the best!! We will miss you as will all at Paper Crafts Magazine.
We’ll miss you, but understand. It’s a tough decision that most of us SAHMs have had to make, but one that comes from the heart. Enjoy that beautiful boy!!
(-: Heidi
Enjoy your time, they don’t stay little for long! You will be greatly missed here and at the magazine. I hope to see a personal blog pop up some day where you will share some of your awesome good taste! Best wishes for you and your family. ~Diane
I wish you well Brandy, I have enjoyed seeing your work but totally understand wanting to spend time with your bundle of joy. In Canada we get a year for maturnity leave and that isn’t enough time either!
Glad you will be sticking around for the special issues~
Oh my goodness i am so sad. I know that little Cooper will love the attention! Good luck with all your endeavors! Please allow the girls to give updates on Cooper and yourself!
NOOOOOO! You will be missed! But it is for a very good reason. God Bless You!
Brandy,
I have never regretted staying home with my children, and I have a feeling you won’t either.
{{Big giant hugs}}
We will miss you dearly, but how great you can still write from home
xoxo
latisha
Hugs!!!! You will love your time at home with your little boy!