The Wind Out of My Sails

My mother-in-law called in sick for her day with the kiddos tomorrow. It's a blow. Thankfully I got some stuff done already this week and Hayile will be at school while Brady naps, but I was really hoping to get out of here.

I was just thinking tonight how glad I am to be home with the kids but how quickly that changes when a free day disappears. I know I'm spoiled because I even have a free day.

People keep telling me how hard these years are when they are young. I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel but I don't even remember what it's like.

Now instead of the highlight of my day being with friends for lunch and visiting my cousins new baby, it will be the parents workshop at Haylie's preschool at 7pm and working out at the FD after. Not all bad I guess. I could still dress up for at least the workshop. Not so much for working out. ;o) I should be thankful we're not the ones sick. I'm sure our day is still coming.

I've been having fun with the Stella & Dot stuff, I'm excited, but it's hard waiting for things. My first party is not until November 14th and the next not until December 5th. There are still possibilities for others but they aren't on the calendar yet.

The Lord knows best and I'm trying to trust. I HAVE to believe it's all in his hands and should use this time wisely.

I was reading in my journal an entry I made the night before Jenny (now my up-line) called me and asked if I would be interested in doing Stella & Dot. It went kind of like this:
Up at 3:45 am.
Got health care and belly fat on the brain. (the silly things that creep into our minds in the middle of the night)
How am I going to pay off one and get rid of the other.
Then I listed all the things I feel we need and some I want.
Then I listed things I thought we could do without.

So far I've basically made enough to cover health care for this next month and with the anxiousness of this new venture I've lost weight. I know it's not God's will for me to be anxious but it's funny how he can even work through things like that to accomplish a desire of our heart and bless us when we look back. Right now I feel like I would much rather read God's word and spend time in prayer then eat. Food has lost it's luster. I really truly yearn for the Lord. I know he's the one that satisfies. I want to cling to him and not lose hope. I would like to see things through his eyes because it will bring faith. It's said that his unfailing love does not disappoint and I do not want to be disappointed. So tonight I will go to bed and pray for a new outlook on tomorrow, filled with God's purpose for my day.

Just Like Playing Dress Up (P)

I had so much fun at my launch Trunk Show. There weren't many people but I think it worked out perfectly. I was at a disadvantage because I had never actually been to a Stella & Dot party, I hadn't seen much of the jewelry. But Friday night I got to try it ALL on. It was a blast. The black scoop neck t-shirt was perfect with EVERYTHING too! I took some pictures because I LOVED how it displayed too and a picture of the necklace that started it all!

Is It Too Soon For This? (P)

Haylie wanted to see pictures of Hawaii so this is what I found. I told her I wanted to be right there on the hammock.

Learning So Much

It's been made clear to me this morning that IF this thing is going to succeed, it's going to be ALL the Lord that does it. He's also made it very clear He IS in it with me, so YEAH! Thank God too because I've already had some great opportunities to learn from my mistakes.

Scripture brought to me last night:
Proverbs 19:2
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Thanks Lord, I needed that. Could have used it sooner but it probably wouldn't have spoken to me if it had come earlier.

Now is a good time for one about redemption:
Psalm 130:7-8
O, Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all it's sins.

And add a little of this:
Psalm 37:23-24
If the Lord delights in a mans ways he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

I like that one because it says "though he stumble" not "though he MAY stumble". When I read it or try to memorize it it seems the MAY keeps popping up in there. There is no MAY about it, we WILL stumble but we will NOT fall. In the scripture before it talks about "full" redemption. Really Lord? FULL?!?! 'Cause that would be GREAT!

I had a couple of scriptures about advice brought to me the other night that were a God send, here's one of them:
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise.

I've been getting a lot of Proverbs lately. Guess Solomon was pretty wise. Your perfect timing too Lord.

Romans 7:24-25
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Looking back over the scriptures I've written in my journal over the last two weeks, God has made himself VERY CLEAR! Now I just have to wait on him. Waiting is not the easiest, I always get tempted to DO something. ;o)

This one melts me heart:
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.

I want to be like David, a man after God's own heart. Even though he made mistakes, ones that many people paid for, God still blessed him and fulfilled His promises of great and wonderful things. Wish I could say my mistakes are over but I guess if God can use those too, then great! Dare I say "bring them on"?!?! I don't think I have to ask for them, I think they're coming one way or another. ;o)

Growing Up Fast (P)

My Mind is A'Racin'

Boy, this jewelry business has sure got me going. It's fun, exciting and overwhelming. At first, with reading about the business, I was getting overwhelmed with all the different aspects but I'm finding it to be SO MUCH FUN. Still don't even have my jewelry yet!! ;o) It's been great to have a creative outlet and the fact that I'm adding this to a couple of other things on my plate (plus always the children and the home) has actually forced me to manage my time better. Routine/structure is something I've missed since I got laid off. This is a neat way to bring some in, AND I LOVE THE CREATIVE SIDE OF IT!!! I just got done making labels, and invitations tonight, FUN! My mind is going wild thinking of display possibilities. Still have to remind myself to take it one day at a time and OF COURSE give it all to the Lord. If this is going to be fun and actually go somewhere, it's because of Him....and MAYBE the really cute jewelry. ;o)

Yes, I Jumped Off the Bridge

After a week of debate, research, discussions and prayer I have decided I'm going to take a shot at home party sales. As my mother said..."we've all done it", with a tone of disgust in her voice. Maybe we haven't all done it but I'm sure it's crossed through many of our minds. And for those of us who have tried it, sometimes even multiple times, well, it doesn't bode well for a newbie. I've been to many home parties, candles, cookware, food, purses, jewelry, make-up, home decor, *ahem* sex toys, and the list continues. So have you begun to sense the critical tone in my voice now?

So why am I doing it? Like so many moms with young children, being able to stay home and still make some income has got appeal (not to mention getting out of the house).
What company? Stella & Dot.
What will I be selling? Jewelry. Classy, fun jewelry.

To be honest it all started when I fell in love with a necklace at a wedding. The entire outfit screamed CLASS and the necklace was the exclamation point!
LOVED IT!
Found it.
It was Stella & Dot.

The story goes on, but after viewing the catalog I knew I loved every piece! Ya Right, I'm on a budget now...a shrinking one at that. Then someone suggested if didn't want to have a party, because of money, maybe I should sell it and make some instead (and get some jewelry to boot). hum.... Ya, I know it's the Stylist job (that's my title now ;o) to expand the sales department, but it actually wasn't a bad idea. It's a job. A sales job, which I never dreamed I would do or even WANT to do, but here I am. I'm excited. Not because I think I'm going to rake it in, but if God is in this then I know it will go far and serve the purpose for our family that it might be meant to do. I may not wear a lot of jewelry now but this is the stuff I could see myself in. I'm sure I'm not the only one either.

Oh, of course you WILL have to check out my website if you're reading this. It's at least fun to look even if you're not in love with the idea of spending money (I know the feeling) but please feel free to contact me when you are. ;o)

www.stelladot.com/ktmcconn

The necklace I feel in love with was the Natasha Embroidered Bid, need to check it out.