Maybe I'm a Dreamer...

Wow has the last few months flown by. Since New Years we have since found out I'm pregnant with little Monkey #2, and bought a retail store: Lizzie Bits Baby Co.

This year is proving to be a great year for change, and new experiences. My goals this year, besides to survive and succeed in it, are to find a strong work/life/family balance as a new business owner, continue working on Minikin Monkeys on the side, even though it has definitely been put on the back burner the last few months with my mind consumed by other things, and manage to ease into being a mom of 2 while still in my 1st year with the store. Gah! :)

I am so excited for the adventure that we have been on, and what is to come. I'm excited to grow the store, be a part of a community, and also use the store as a great opportunity to bless and impact peoples lives. How and what that looks like right now is still taking shape, but I believe we were given this opportunity by God to use for His glory and my desire is that people see the passion I have to make it a community involved store and that the impact I make is valuable to peoples lives. This is not only through the products we sell, but also through whatever community involvement I can get myself into.

I am almost through my first full month of ownership and have learned a lot, observed a lot and been so amazed by how much I have learned in my retail and schooling past that has helped me, and gained me the opportunity to know what and how to handle certain situations.

I woke up this morning amazed as I thought of all the titles I have. Wife, mother, daughter, entrepreneur, aunt, daughter in law, sister in law, business owner (which comes with it's own crazy set of titles - buyer, manager, merchandiser, human resource manager, etc...).

It made me think back in time to school days. I'm a dreamer and always will be. I remember always thinking who would I become, what will I do, where will my career take me, how will I handle it, who will be by my side, who will support me, what will my life look like? All of course dreaming of the perfect scenario's. Maybe my life hasn't been perfect or followed in my ideal life image, however when you picture who you want to become and you actually become, or are close to being that person it is amazing. It's such a wonderful moment and realization.

I have had many things I think could've or maybe should've held me back in progressing forward, following my dreams, or attaining my goals, but somehow when I look back at those obstacles, they are mere little bumps in the road. Small stepping stones to reach greater things. Challenges to mould me and make me who I am today.

I still have a ways to go, and many more dreams to follow. I don't think dreaming for me will ever end, but for now I am content with where God has allowed me to get to. The challenges he's placed in my life which have all proven at some point to teach me, guide me, and make me wiser and stronger in all my 'Titles'.

I hope through this adventure of life, and especially this year that I may grow, be challenged more, and stretched to see my abilities and strengths get stronger, and more developed. To show myself and be an inspiration to my little family to follow dreams and never give up trying to move forward, to take steps towards excellence and seeing every moment and opportunity as stepping stones to better and greater things.

Those are my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.

Liz