30 Nov
one thousand posts!
This post marks my one thousandth blog post. I’ve written 1,000 posts! Is that crazy?
1,000 posts.
5,563 comments.
4,000+ visitors a day {yesterday hit 5,000! thank you pinterest}.
3 URL’s.
6 blog makeovers.
4 different blog titles.
8.20.07 … my first post titled australia {on my iweb blog!} and here I am today … over four years later … writing my one thousandth post!
I’d also like to take a minute to give a shout out to the 246 posts {yeah, I counted them} I wrote while owner of Broadway Paper. And I may have had to wipe away a few tears after reading this post. And this one. It literally seems like an eternity ago.
Anyway. Back to the present post. Have you heard? It’s number one thousand!!
In other related {celebratory} news … today’s my birthday!!!
I knew this {1,000th} post would coincide with my birthday and I’ve thought long and hard about what I could do to celebrate here with you. I think what I’ve decided on will bless big! At least that’s my prayer!
The girls and I won’t be doing our RACK’ed activity this year … pretty much cuz we won’t be here through Christmas, but also because I’m trying hard to focus my {physical and emotional} energy on the girls and our family.
What we’re doing instead are small blessings throughout the season. We’ve rung Salvation Army bells {people can never resist the kids!}; Operation Christmas Child; we’ll be donating many of the girls toys; the girls are each sponsoring a new Compassion child; I’m doing some anonymous giving; and we’ll be packing and donating lunches to an organization our church is involved in. Basically just keeping an eye open for where we can help out.
There’s one other thing I wanted to do this year to bless others, but I just couldn’t get it together … mostly, I wasn’t sure how to get it together. Someone emailed us at MODsquad last year, sharing how they put an ad on Craigslist. The ad was something to the effect of asking for someone’s need and then filling it. I couldn’t find the email anywhere and my obsessive mind got all caught up in the specifics/logistics and well … I just haven’t put it out there.
But! What I did decide for this grand celebration of mine? I’d like to bless three people this Christmas season. It could be you or someone you know. Someone that is really in need. That can’t afford to buy their children gifts, food, electricity bills. A real need.
Do you know someone? Is it you? Please leave a comment, or if it’s too personal, contact me through an email or the contact link at the top of the page.
The girls and I will go through all the requests {names will remain anonymous to them} and we’ll pick three needs that we’d like to help fill. One thousand is the lucky number, because that’s how much we’ll be spending per need! I won’t be sending cash/check … so please make it something tangible … I can call the electric company, or I can send gift cards, etc.
Make sure to have your requests to me by next week Wednesday, December 7th. I won’t be announcing any “winners,” but I’ll contact you via email {please be sure to leave a working email address}. If I email you and don’t hear back by Friday, December 9, we’ll choose another recipient.
I love blessing others and I’m looking forward to this giving project!
Thank you dear readers … I love connecting with you … I’m encouraged by your kind words, your support and your open hearts. You’ve blessed me here in more ways than you know!
Posted in birthday, broadway paper, family thoughts, giveaway
4 Aug
highschool sweethearts :: engagement session
Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
~Voltaire
Could this couple be any cuter? I think not. And I don’t think they could be any more in love either.
Katie’s a graphic designer and used to intern at the store for me … I love her creative energy! I’ve been wanting to try a more stylized session and this was the perfect opportunity. Katie and Nick were game for most anything! Despite the crazy, sticky humidity and 85+ degree weather … we had a great time with this session. Thank you, thank you for allowing me to capture these memories for you!
Okay … I totally had to share this brilliance! Katie and Nick are going to use these photographs as their table numbers for the big day! Are you loving?!?
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Posted in broadway paper, photography
18 May
realization :: growth {tuesdays unwrapped}
Some of you may not know that one year ago today, I handed over my 8 1/2 year old baby to a new owner. One of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
But I always knew that when the time came, I’d be ready. And quite honestly, once I was ready … I’ve never looked back.
Right now, at this very moment the National Stationery Show is in full swing in NYC. It’s the crème de la crème in the paper world … one that I’ve been a part of for the past 8 years and had fully intended to be there again this year.
But as the time drew near … it’s dawned on me that’s not my life anymore. I’ve grown into something else … I’m on to a new chapter in my life.
Why is it so hard for us sometimes to move on to that next chapter? Why do we cling to the past? Comfort maybe? The past is all we know?
This past year for me has been amazing. I’ve seen myself {and my family} grow in ways I never thought possible. I’d never fully imagined what was in store for me.
And although my health has declined a bit … my spirit has soared.
None of this would’ve been possible though, if I hadn’t let go of the past. As hard as it was, I needed to realize that I was growing into a new person. A new mother. A new wife. A new person in Him.
Sometimes … actually, often times … I think it’s important for us to step out of our comfort zone. To take a leap, take a chance or risk … I don’t think you can grow if you don’t.
So … if I’m not at the Stationery Show … then where did I end up? Instead of the hustle and bustle of the city, I grabbed my two favorite paper-peeps and headed south of the border!
We’re on our way home this morning … but it’s been a great time in the sun, sleeping in, watching movies, and having more than our fair share of chips & salsa!
Here’s to growth and moving on …
This post is linked up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky
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Posted in broadway paper, tuesdays unwrapped
13 Aug
greetings, etc. magazine {featuring me!}
I’m sure I’ve never mentioned that one of my goals dreams was to be featured mentioned in a trade publication called Greetings, etc. What trade you ask? Why, stationery of course!
And when do I get my big break? When I sold my business. Sigh …
No, seriously … it was a great parting gift! :) They wanted to do a feature on the store and the owner. Honestly, I can’t remember the details {that’s par these days for me!}. But when they found out I was selling, they decided they would change it to a ‘selling a store in this economy’ kind of feature.
I think the article turned out pretty great and I was pleased as punch to have my dream come true! You can read the full article here.
Posted in broadway paper
30 Jun
post broadway paper
We were outside a few weeks ago … right during the time when most of the days were still hiding Spring, let alone showing any signs of summer … when the afternoon sun brought a warm spell. We were just coming in from a walk when the girls came across a puddle in the drive.
Have I mentioned before what a killjoy and taskmaster I am? Mostly because I’m in a hurry to complete the next task, get on with life, stick to the schedule …
The girls mischievously started slowly walking through the puddle while getting small glimpses of me and my reaction. My instincts {and old ways} started saying “no, no … get out of the puddle, we’ve got to get in” … when something inside me said, “Nope, you actually don’t have anything to go inside for. Spend some time out here with the kids.”
And so I did.
I smiled at them to let them know it was okay and they had a blast. I sat out there watching them get soaked, then strip down to undies, and splash away!
Curt came on the scene and played with us a while when he said, “Want me to get your camera?” Um, yeah … do you have to ask? :)
You know those moments that are electrically charged with emotion? This was one of those times and what’s really cool … my husband recognized it and wanted me to capture it on film.
Each of the girls were busy doing their own thing and I felt blessed to watch it unfold in front of me.
Wynter is ever the drama girl. I’ll often walk into a room to find her in her own world, singing a completely made up song, oblivious to anything going on around her. This day was no different … she hopped up on a rock and started putting on a show. I love that her shows are for no one but herself. She truly had no idea I was watching or taking photos. In fact, if I would’ve asked her to ‘perform’ … she’d clam up and hide. She’s a special free spirit …
And then there’s my beautiful Piper. She spent a long time looking at rocks and hunting for fossils. She actually found one too … a worm fossil. That got her all excited and hunting for more.
When she was done exploring, she asked me to take photos of her jumping in the puddle. Love the big wind up, the jump, and proud finish!
So back to the original purpose of this post … bear with me {I’m gettin’ there}!
The day I took these photos, wasn’t too long after I had sold the store. In fact, the girls were still in school.
I’m the kind of person that gets anxious and feels ‘busy’ if I have 3 unaswered emails sitting in my inbox {please tell me I’m not the only one like this!}. So the day I took these photos, I was still trying to ‘relax’ and realize I have plenty of time to get things done. I should no longer be in a hurry to get to my next task … but it was pretty hard for me to actually allow myself to relax …
That said … I’m doing it! I’m actually relaxing! I’m enjoying summer with the kids … I’m slowing down.
I’ve had some photoshoots here and there, and I’m not stressing myself out over getting to the photos and editing and getting them delivered. I’ve set my guidelines so that I can ‘give’ myself what I need for timing. My goal isn’t to be crazy and all consumed … so far it’s going well.
Anyway.
I feel like I’m having a hard time writing this post and I’m not sure why. I’ve got all kinds of feelings and thoughts that have been rattling around for a while and now I can’t get them out.
I guess the bottom line is … I’m feeling peace. A lot of peace. Letting go of the store was not as hard as I thought it would be. And I suppose that means I was truly ready to let it go. I’m exhilarated at the opportunies I now have to be ‘present’ with my family.
- I’ve been able to take the girls every day to swim team and tennis at our local club {something i’ve missed out on the last 2 summers}.
- The girls and I have been doing summer projects and crafts.
- I’ve been able to do summer workbooks and reading with the girls.
- Taylor will be going to a new school next year, which is going to be difficult for our family. But we have a much better chance at making it work now that I’m home. I’m blessed to be able to present her with the opportunity to make this move.
- We’ve had a wonderfully consistent schedule this summer. For some reason, it’s crazy busy … but I’m here. I’m here with them.
- I have. not. been stressed to get to my computer. In fact, where I couldn’t wait to get in front of it … now I almost dread it. And I’m at peace with that.
- Taylor was signed with a modeling agency, so I’ve been able to help her work on getting her portfolio together and help her grow.
- I’ve been able to have better devotion with God.
- I’ve been exercising.
- I’m working on setting up my goals for the non-profit part of my business.
- My studio is coming together.
- I’m catching up with friends.
- I’m living.
- I’m at peace.
I guess a person really can’t ask for more than that, can they? I am blessed.
Posted in blessed, broadway paper, family photos, family thoughts, girls
