Elevate 2016

I guess it's official now!

I am a real blogger because I went to a blogging conference!

I don't know how true that statement really is, 

but I will tell you I had the most amazing time at Elevate 2016!

I got to be in a beautiful place full of amazing women!

There was a perfect line up of activities and speakers for this creative soul!

Liv and Hope

I got to hear speakers that made me laugh and cry and think!

The Crafted Sparrow

 These ladies shared their hearts and their stories fearlessly!

 Persnickety Prints

I got to meet lady bosses that shared their products with us.

Me and My Big Ideas

Having time to create during the conference was one of the best parts!

O'verlays decorative fretwork

I got to talk with blogging friends that I had only known from my screen face to face.

 Belong Magazine
 Diary of an Addict

It was a gift!

A gift to recharge.

A gift to be inspired.

A gift to learn more about blogging!

A gift to make connections with so many mamas!

I was blown away by Jen and Summer's attention to all the details,

the way they love their tribe,

the community that they have created!

I am beyond grateful to be included into such a great circle!

I am still processing everything I learned,

but I already have plans to attend next year too!

Elevate 2016, you ROCKED!

*All photos are by the AMAZINGLY talented Chrissy Delacy of 
Let Me See You Sparkle Photography

Following My Heart

Here's a little disclaimer...I have a pretty amazing life just as it is.
My boys are my joy, my husband is the best, my job is secure.
As good as things have been, I know I need to move forward 
to make a better life and a happier me.

 

Learning to find my way has been quite a journey.

All my life I have been the good girl 
with a side of stubborn and competitiveness.

I was one of the smart girls in school, so sciences and math were pushed.
I wanted to be the top kid, so I worked hard to see my name as high score.

There was the ability to succeed, but a true love of the academic world was never there.

I loved the art projects and the creative presentations assigned.  
Those things made my heart full!

No one ever encouraged me to pursue something that fed my creative soul as a career,
 nor did it ever cross my mind to head in a creative direction.

Doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher...those jobs are what academic achievers do.

Just now as I turn 40 am I realizing that my heart yearns to create and make beautiful things.

I love seeing the potential in homes,

in a yard of fabric,

in a slab of wood,
or an old piece of furniture.

I have been in a classroom or on a retail floor doing the right thing
to make sure the bills were paid and food was on the table.
Now I long to shift into creating all the time.
I worked on a project all of Sunday and I didn't even realize how much time  had passed.
That shows me following my heart is the right choice.

It wasn't work and I was smiling all day.

I long to create beautiful spaces.

I just realized this week I have always been wired to decorate and create.

The tree house in my grandparents' backyard needed curtains,
my homes needed cozy, warm touches, my classroom must be calm and nurturing. 

How I feel when I enter a space is beyond important to me!

The bottom line is this...
smart and creative can go together.
I'm not quite sure how to be my own boss just yet
or if all these plans floating around in my head will work,
but I do know I have to focus on making it happen.
Being creative and making beautiful things is
just too important to my heart to just be a hobby anymore.

dream chaser

I've been dreaming about changes in our lives for a long time.

New and different and exciting mixed with scary and unknown.

It all seems to be coming together.

I'm finding myself more and more.

Realizing things I have daydreamed about could become reality.

Now it's time to get to work and work the plan.

If you know anything about me you know I'm not afraid of work, 

but I am afraid of not being secure.

This year is going to be all about trust in our dreams, my dreams. 

Knowing that everything we have set out to do we have accomplished.

Every time I turn around I keep seeing the words "dream chaser".

I love the little nods that I am heading in the right direction!

Pictures all courtesy of my crazy boys...

payback for being on the other side of the camera!