I’m still alive I PROMISE. I have had so many sweet emails inquring about my health and if I’ve given up crafting . . . are you KIDDING ME?? Summer is always hectic at my house, as I’m sure it is at yours as well. I got back from Mexico a few weeks ago. I had such an amazing time. I forced myself to UNPLUG. No phone or laptop. I didn’t think I would make it. However, after the first day I realized what a blessing it was and that we all need to unplug once in awhile. I was gone almost two weeks. When I got back I felt more refreshed than ever . . . after 2 solid days of sleeping and recovering from jet lag. It was seriously a life changing trip. I had so many realizations about life in general. After really thinking and pondering and getting away from the chaos of everyday life, I realized . . . I really am happy. I love my kids, I love my neighbors, and despite the bumps in the road that we all must navigate, I really am blessed and I have a great life. I think when we are so rushed (which I usually am) that we forget to stop and enjoy the blessings. I am too busy putting out fires and focusing on the negative stuff. While I was there I had the chance to read “Gone with the Wind”. I am kind of a book snob and I LOVE the classics, so I am ashamed to admit that it was the first time I’d ever read it. This book touched me on sooo many levels. Mostly personal, stuff that I won’t bore you with, but it really put a lot of things into perspective that I have been struggling with. However, the greatest message I got was from the always capuring Miss Scarlett O’hara herself, “I’ll think about that tomorrow”. I am someone who has never lived in the past, seldom lived in the present and ALWAYS lived in the future. After I spending two solid weeks with my kids, I realized the only guarantee we have is today . . . so enjoy it! I came back realizing how short our time is with our kids. My oldest is 14, my bundle of estrogen in the middle is 13, and my baby boy is 10. These years are so precious. In addition to finding perspective and balance I have also been busy working on some new developments that hopefully I will be able to announce in a few days. I am soooo excited. I have worked my whole career with a sense that I was working toward something big. Something I was meant to do. It has been frustrating at times not knowing exactly what it is. I finally found it and the best part is that couldn’t be a better fit for my desire to put my family first, while still enriching myself personally, so that I can become the best me I can be with the talents that God has blessed me with. So stay tuned. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Thank you so much for all of the emails. I am still getting caught up, so if you haven’t heard back from me . . . it’s coming : )
Here are a couple pics from my trip. Okay, so I LOVE to give my kids a hard time. Do the “booty dance” at the gas station, Yell “I love you” when I drop them off at practice, and YES wear my prom dress to pick them up from school (I had to celebrate the fact that I could fit back into it . . .and yes I stayed in the car, I’m not THAT CRUEL). However, here is a joke gone bad. While we were in Cayman Islands, we went to a turtle farm. My daughter fell in love. When we were finished we went to grab lunch. On the menu . . . yep TURTLE STEW. I know you are saying . . .”Kristine you didn’t”. Oh, yes I did! Let me just say after two bites I thought I would loose it. I will never be able to look at a turtle again without feeling a bit sick to my stomach. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!!! lol