I hate saying goodbye. It's just stressful and makes me sad. I always have been this way with my family and friends. It's just me. So the thought of saying goodbye to my dear sweet friends is HARD for me. It I lived closer I know without a doubt we would be best friends. I have such a strong connection with Stephanie and Yvonne. I got to spend the weekend with these sweet girls. Then I got to meet Brianna- I call her Bri- Yvonnes daughter. She is really the coolest girl. She reminded me of my daughter McKay. They would be great friends.
Day two at She Scrapbooks- these girls took all three of my workshops. They were a wonderful addition to the good times this weekend.
Such fun and talented girls. I really enjoyed talking with each of them.
This is Janet. She flew from NYC for the weekend of workshops. She has the most supportive husband. I really enjoyed visiting with her.
This is Carol at the end of the table. I have to say she was a go getter. Talk about someone who is so kind and I loved having her in class. I felt a instant connection with her. She took all my workshops too. She was so excited about my cruise and I have a feeling I will be seeing her next year at this time.
I have to say it's always the best when you have happy smiling girls who just enjoy being there and enjoying the creative process. These beautiful girls were both happy and so welcoming. Thanks Lisa for your sweet comment on my facebook wall.
Ginger was in the workshops (in the blue) and she was just lovely. Okay... Suzette comes to my Inspiration Unlimited event and then came to this weekend. It was so cool to see her in FL just a couple weeks later. I have to say THIS PHOTO of Rachel was the best of the entire weekend. Look at the smile on her face. This makes my weekend. It sums up the feelings I felt this weekend. I promise girls I will help you be prepared for the cruise...wink!
I really had the best time talking to these girls about the Craft Wars show on TLC. We had so much fun talking about well lots of things. Tonya is the expert girl using the TC Stampmaker. So talented and she even has done video tutorials to help others to use their machine. I plan to share them here on my blog.
Loving the stamp station. Can you spot the Xyron- TC Sticker Maker and Mega Runner?
Mother and daughter crafting. This is the BEST sight! I loved that Brianna loved Tell Your Story.
Jean... shares the same name as my mother. The other two girls are teachers and I really enjoyed talking to them. I feel like I gain so much from talking to the girls as they craft. I am deeply humbled for what they contribute to society. They both expressed love for the children that they teach. This was sweet and genuine. One of the things I most enjoy while teaching is getting to know those who come. As they are busy creating and I'm not instructing, I enjoy that time getting to know them.
After the workshops were done, Stephanie, Yvonne, Bri and I made a trip to TJ MAXX. It is across the street from the store. They mentioned the store has great stuff. We had so much fun. Bri is so sweet and I took her for a drive (with the top down) in my rental mustang convertible.
When I got back to the hotel I got some photo texts from my kids back home. This is when I wish I could magically immediately be back home. I am so fortunate that my kids are so close. Taylor called me last night because she was missing me. She wanted me home so she could spend the day with me. It's so hard because I know she just needs her mom more than ever. She told me that I am her best friend. That is something I cherish.
One of the things that I have tried to drill in my kids heads is that friends may come and go...but family is forever. They need to really love and support each other. One of the reason I had so many kids was that I wanted them to experience the love and blessing of having each other. I had one sister and I would have loved to have more siblings.
Zach went to Provo yesterday to go to the BYU football game with his sister McKay. She had an extra ticket. He is a BIG fan. He even went to go see Gentry while he was there. My kids sent me a bunch of photos from yesterday that I am sharing in a post tomorrow.
It is now officially cold in Utah now. Oh, and he is now 15 and taller than both of his sisters. People always tell me that they think Zach and Gentry look alike. They are my dark headed cuties. This photo simply is evident to me of the bond they share.
Then McKay sent me this photo of them at the game. THIS photo is a big reminder to me of how WORTH is it to have and raise children. As they are getting older, I have enjoyed my children as I watch them grow and develop into young adults/teens. I had five kids before I was 29 years old... that was tough. Some days were so hard to deal with the needs of five kids. At times I felt like I baby since I was only 19 when I got married. Then Matt moved in with us when he was 12 years old. That was six children in our home... and I honestly took it day by day. My boys are only 14 months apart. My husband was super busy with his practice and often got home at 10 o'clock at night.
A very dear older and wiser friend could see I was struggling one day as I was chasing my kids at the park. She said..."Teresa, there is a time and season for everything. This is your season to raise your babies and let all the other things go." I had been stressed about the messy house, not being able to help out in the kids class as much and she knew I was feeling major guilt. I used her advice and took it to heart... there truly is a "time and season" for our evolving life situations.
Looking back, I would do it all again. The BEST thing I ever did was marry my husband Ty and give birth to five children. I love having two special bonus sons. They are mine too in my heart. My mother always had warned me how fast it would go by. She was the greatest role model to me. I raised my kids like my Southern roots taught me. I believe in kids have firm expectations and rules. (no dating before 16, curfews, saying please and thank you, no put downs etc.) I believe kids need to respect their elders and other people and be a positive role model in a society.
I remember as a young mother my mother often called me to encourage me. Oh I had my days of crying and wishing my kids had come with a "Parents MANUEL- how to deal with" book. I think my best advice for younger parents is to LOVE your children with so much love that when they are punished or have to be corrected they know it comes from a foundation and place of love for them. If my kids grow up knowing them are loved and adored then I have peace.
I have no idea WHY I shared this. I just wanted to share what my experience has been and that truly means the most to me. Now... it's time for me to get back to my family. I am flying home later today.
THANK YOU She Scrapbooks. I truly love you girls. This weekend was beyond my expectations.
