Jan Avellana | Hazelnut Cottage

the 101010 project | jean simrose

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Jean Simrose!

Jean Simrose

Jewelry artist, wife, mother, grandmother
Blog: www.jeansimrose.typepad.com
Etsy shop: www.jeansimrose.etsy.com

I was born and raised in Canada in a very creative family. We were encouraged to work with our hands and pursue creative hobbies. My sisters and I were taught to sew, knit and crochet at a young age. I liked to design clothes and jewelry to go with them.

My careers were varied and diverse. I was a hairdresser. I worked as an administrative assistant for an oil company while my two sons were growing up. After they moved out on their own I went back to university and became a social worker. I worked with people with disabilities and mental illnesses for many years. Art and crafts became therapy and a way to connect with my clients. I facilitated support groups and encouraged my clients’ creativity and skills as well as developing my own.

In 2005 I remarried and moved to the Seattle area. I took a Silversmithing course offered at a local college. I made jewelry as gifts for family and friends and as I learned new techniques my inventory increased. I started my blog and an on-line Etsy shop in 2009. Since then I have enjoyed participating in art and craft fairs in the U.S. and Canada. I love connecting with new people and expanding my knowledge of this very diverse craft.

I hope people enjoy my jewelry as much as I enjoy making it.

What do you need to STOP doing in your business?

- comparing myself to others
- comparing my work to other work
- listening to negativity
- underestimating myself
- wasting my time “surfing the net”
- letting myself get distracted from my work….especially when I’m inspired and need to “go with it”.

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | alease michelle

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Alease Michelle!

Alease Michelle

Name of Business: The School of Creative Business
Blog: www.schoolofcreativebusiness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AleaseMichelle
Twitter: Alease Michelle

Years in business: 4
Brief Bio: As an expert, Alease lends knowledge to the press, editorials and serves as a subject-matter expert. She is a sought-after presenter in the areas of creative marketing, personal image, branding and fashion.

As a professor, Alease is committed to her student’s education, furthering their exposure and considers their success a direct reflection of herself.

As a mixed-media artist, Alease participated in several exhibitions. Wishing to market her artistic endeavors, she found little advice available. This, coupled with her passion for education – she tracked her online marketing & branding journey and founded The School of Creative Business.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 

Taking on clients who don’t match my target audience and who lack the basic skill sets to be successful in an online business. It sounds mean- but I’ve realized that it has become a waste of my time and we know time is money.

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | nolwenn petitbois

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Nolwenn Petitbois!

Nolwenn Petitbois

Business Name: Inner Worlds
Years in business: 2

Brief bio:  I am a self-taught Mixed Media artist.  Dreamer. Lover. Passionate. Gratitude Warrior. Bookaholic. Cook. Art Journaler...

 I would never have thought that painting and creativity would be in my daily life and even less my business until not so long ago. I believe that nothing happens by coincidence and so that I do have powerful messages to share through what I create. I am a Mixed Media artist because my heart and soul need to play and discover all the time and Mixed Media allows me to mix and match techniques and materials.

My artwork usually represents strong whimsical women (that I called «Nixies») who have a positive message to deliver to the world, to you. I believe in the important power of Positive Affirmations and of Gratitude, that both guide me in my creative process. I am a life-long learner, and love to unravel new ways to make my path lighter and stronger. Healing is a huge part of my life path, I am now also a Practical Reiki Master and noticed how it shifted the way it affects my creativity and the entire process of it.

I am also an art journaler and is currently a teacher in the art journaling collaborative playground 21 Secrets that opened its doors in April 2012.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 

I need to stop comparing myself with other artists. Whether it’s their art (and the «ooooh I wish I had created this first»), or their apparent success.

I know it’s useless and just makes me feel sorry for myself (yay for pity parties from time to time, nothing better to start on a new foot afterwards !).

Blog: http://inner-voices.net
Shop: http://InnerWorlds.etsy.com          
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InnerVoices.net
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NolwennP
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NolwennBC
FlickR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolwennp

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | robin norgren

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Robin Norgren!

Robin Norgren
Name of business: Robin Norgren Studios
Years in business: 4 years
 
Robin’s Bio: I strive to live life to the fullest.  No matter what.  I have grown into myself through my love for Jesus and HIS LOVE FOR ME. Art, motherhood, business, creativity and yoga are the cherished vehicles for this deepening.   Life can be FULL, JUICY, MEANINGFUL, PURPOSE FILLED, LOVELY.  I want to help you come to your fullest life.  I create workbooks, ecourses and workshops that chronicle my change and growth and offer you ways to find out what YOUR FULLEST life will be.
 
 What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?
 
I need to stop reading books on how to do business better and get to work.  Have you ever found yourself here?  You feel like you need to read another article on social media or take one more online business course or get more advice?
 
I can become obsessed with the information gathering.  But here is the thing. I bet you (like me) know enough to, as Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth says,
 
“Launch and Learn.”
 
When I finally took the leap to get certified as a life coach, guess when the instructors thought it was ‘safe’ to give me a green light to coach: THE VERY FIRST WEEK.  I thought, ‘how in the world can they think I am ready?’
 
But you know what?
 
I was ready.
 
I am ready.

Website: http://www.robinnorgrenstudios.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robinlnorgren
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/wellofcreations.myetsyshop

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | kelly warren

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Kelly Warren!

Kelly Warren

Name of business: Happy Shack Designs
Years in business: 7
Brief Bio: An artist with a short attention span, I create work in artisan jewelry, fine art photography, mixed media, and book arts. I've also been known to sew a thing or two. I work full-time by day as the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development at a large four-year college in Florida, and am the lucky mama to wonderfully sweet eight-year-old twin red-headed daughters. I have been married to a handsome man of great patience who's put up with my art shenanigans for 17 years now.
 
What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 
 
I learned what I needed to stop doing in my business about two years ago.  I think the biggest mistake a creative business owner can make is comparing herself to other creatives.  Because none of us is exactly alike, we all bring something a little different to the table.  And what we each bring to the table is special in its own way and can’t be compared to anyone else. 
 
I love all the Stampington publications…Somerset Studio, Art Journaling, Sew Somerset, etc, but for a while there I have to admit I started seeing the same types of art over and over again.  And it really wasn’t the type of art I was attracted to.  Was is art that was selling? Maybe it was, as it was certainly art that was getting published.  But what I realized was that I had to stop comparing myself to what everyone else was doing and just do what made me happy instead. If a particular style of jewelry was taking off, I learned that it was important to me to NOT follow that trend. I needed to stay true to me. Or if I was seeing a similar theme in so many mixed media pieces, that didn’t mean that that was how I needed to style my work if I really didn’t care for that style.  Sure, look to others for inspiration if you feel you must—I certainly do at times—but don’t compare yourself to others.  Be true to you.
 
For my website, visit http://www.happyshackdesigns.com
For my blog, visit http://happyshackdesigns.blogspot.com
For my jewelry on Etsy, visit http://happyshackdesigns.etsy.com
For my art and photos on Etsy, visit http://kellywarrenphotoart.etsy.com

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | sonya mccllough

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Sonya McCllough!

Sonya McCllough

Name of business: Sonya Mac Designs
Years in Business: 12

Sonya’s Bio: I’m this crazy JESUS loving creative … with 2 children living smack in the middle of Tennessee. The seeds of my creativity were watered with knitting needles, yarn and nine kittens on a rock covered patio in the mid sixties. Today, we hold the fort down with a few less kittens (3) … and thankfully my creative edge remains in tact. I’m often inspired by some odd ball stuff & compelled to create by the sweet whispers of the HOLY Spirit. An idea generator am I. Creative collaboration is a sweet spot with me and many have locked creative hands with me to work on projects like The Bond & Respond Quilt project of 2010, Inspired Studios Magazine & The Creative Biz Marathon. My service to HIM in the body of the church currently is that of Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Southeast Baptist Church Murfreesboro TN. 

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

I need to stop doing the easy. Plain and simple. Some talents come easy to us. Because those talents have already been honed, honored and achieved. I need to stop doing the easy. You who are reading this ... need to stop doing the easy. We need to stop doing the easy and do the hard. Deliverance is found in the hard places. Where are your hard places?

To find out more about Sonya, find her at:
http://www.sonyamacdesigns.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sonyamacdesigns
https://twitter.com/#!/sonyamacdesigns
http://www.youtube.com/user/sonyamacdesigns

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | kelly thiel

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Kelly Thiel!

Kelly Thiel

Name of Business: Kelly Thiel Studio
Years in Business: 10

Kelly’s Bio:  An artist and a mother of two young girls, Kelly Thiel lives in South Carolina, USA creating award-winning clay and bronze sculptures, as well as doing art journaling and mixed media paintings.  She just finished building a new studio at her home, and is dying to log some real hours in there!  Kelly is doing her best to live life to the fullest and enjoy each day, with her art and her family.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

I need to find a way to stop spending so much time on the smaller items I make for wholesaling.  These items help to bring in money, but they eat up all of my studio time, so that I can never move on to bigger projects.  There are so, so many things I want to create in the studio, and only a fraction of them will ever get made at this rate!  In some ways, I like making these smaller things, because I can work out ideas or colors on smaller pieces before moving on to a bigger piece.  But what ends up happening, is that I suddenly need 30 small pieces for a show or an order, and then all my time is suddenly sucked up making small pieces and none of the other sculptures in my head ever get started.

My husband has pushed me for YEARS to get an assistant to help with these things.  And I think I will eventually do it.  I’m excited by having help in the studio; getting them to help with some of the small tasks involved in making the pieces, so that we can make more of them faster.  Sometimes I work better too, when someone is there with me, creating.

I think that once I have some forward momentum, and things are getting busy again, I will start looking for an assistant.  It will be hard – I know I’ll have to find the right person to share my studio with – but in the end, I think that it will be right for the business.

To find out more about Kelly, find her at:

kellythielstudio.com
kellythielpottery.blogspot.com
twitter.com/kellyTpottery
facebook.com/KellyThielSculpture

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | stephanie amos

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Stephanie Amos!

Stephanie Amos
Name of business: KoiStudios
Years in business: 7 years
Stephanie’s Bio: I live in the mountains of Colorado with my amazing husband, three loving dogs, two handsome horses, and the queen of all cats. When I'm not out riding, I am usually in one of the two studios at our home where I paint, throw, sculpt and shoot my camera. I am more or less a free spirit in the sense that I can never sit still and am easily distracted by my interest in trying something new. I am fascinated with color and texture which is not limited to just art, but architecture as well. I love to travel and have been to many beautiful places and look forward to seeing the rest of the world real soon.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

Procrastinating! I see many people with creative businesses that are so involved with their art community, creating non-stop, and networking all at the same time. I find myself standing on the sidelines wondering why I’m not doing the same thing. I have narrowed it down to procrastination. I understand that it happens to the best of us, but I have a severe case of the disease that tends to linger instead of disappearing. Staying focused on your goals and creating any chance you get will be my future ammunition to prevail!

To find out more about Stephanie, find her at:

Web: http://www.koi-studios.com
Blog: www.samos-koistudios.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stephanieamos
Etsy: www.muddypotts.etsy.com, www.samos.etsy.com, www.stephanieamos.etsy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/samos/39883324558

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | leanne wargowsky

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Leanne Wargowsky!

Leanne Wargowsky
Name of Business: From Chaos Comes Happiness
Years in Business: Approaching 1

Leanne’s Bio: Born,raised, and living in the Chicago land area, this happily chaotic soul is definitely a newbie in the universe of creative businesses. Last August, after 25 years in healthcare, I was released from days of insurance and hospitals and I started listening to my inner artist. My dream, From Chaos Comes Happiness, was born.  I'm not doing it alone, though, as my support system is wide and deep with a husband who encourages me and two beautiful daughters who inspire me. While I have a long way to go in this business ofmine, I'm determined to remain true to who I am, and stopping just long enough to smell the roses along the way.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

Questioning and internalizing everything . . . and then . . . stalling. I truly, like so many others, am my own worst enemy. I need to stop listening to the voices that tell me "I can't" and only focus on those that tell me "I CAN!" I need to believe in my goals, in my abilities, and move forward. A dear friend of mine always says, "If you aren't going to help me, then get out of my way so I can get the job done!" , and she truly exemplifies that in all that she does. When I look at the past, I find I have wasted a great deal of time in the "what if . . . " stage. My goal for this next year? To STOP looking in the past, and focus on moving forward to the *bright yellow* future.

To find out more about Leanne, find her at:
Blog: www.fromchaoscomeshappiness.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/From-Chaos-Comes-Happiness/125848910797771
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/chaostohappiness

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

happy 8th birthday seth :)

{april 29, 2004}

dear seth,

we love to tell you that you were once as big as a grain of rice, and then when we finally brought you home, as big as a loaf of bread. you smile incredulously at the thought of that. you love to hear about the day you were born and how dad and i went swimming at the pool the day before you were born, and how i felt my first contraction in the water. it felt like a tiny pinch. and then, a few minutes later, another.

i remember how FREAKED OUT your dad was when i told him i was in early labor. he didn’t believe me as i calmly had him help me change all the sheets on our bed and tidy up before leaving for the hospital and how FREAKED OUT your dad was 24 hours later when the doctor said i was ready to deliver—“SHE’S READY TO DELIVER ALREADY?!”

they put you on my chest so that i could meet you for the very first time and after we spent some time bonding, they wrapped you up in that soft blanket and put that tiny little cap on your head and placed you gently in your daddy’s arms. and then, he wasn’t freaked out anymore—he was in love—with you, as was i. since that very moment we have not ever been the same.

you survived our ineptitude and our trial and error first time parenting and we survived nearly 2 years of your sleeplessness and countless hours upon hours of crying. you were the most awake baby i ever heard of and to this day you don’t want to miss out on anything. we are seeing each other through this life, you, your brother and dad and i, we are and learning to live with grace and patience and love together.

i cannot believe you are 8. you are such a sweet, bright and kind little boy and we are so very proud of you, so very, very proud to be your mom and dad. you and your brother make me want to be the best human being i can possibly be. i love you something fierce.

love,

your mama