Birthday Ramblings and a Reminder....

Happy Friday, April the 30th! It's my birthday and while I usually tend to keep my blog on a less personal note- or as impersonal as art CAN be, I thought I'd "treat" you to a bit of birthday rambling and pondering......For me, as my birthday approaches each year, I find myself thinking over accomplishments- those accheived and things I'd hoped to do but somehow never got around to.

In looking back, I feel like I've done a LOT for someone my age......
I have:

• been lucky enough to know that I wanted to be an artist at a very young age
• been blessed with a loving family
• managed to survive the death of my brother (who was also my best friend) when we were seniors in High School
• I went to a college that I LOVED learning at and really learned about being an artist
• met and married a wonderful man who also happens to be my best friend- even after 18 years!
• have three wonderful- if challenging ;) children; Caroline- 16,  Emmie- 14, and Garrett- 10
• had the joy of living in the Carribean for seven years
• I was given the oppurtunity to design and teach the art program at my kid's school
• Won "Teacher of the Year" my last year there
• Been strong enough to help my children (and myself) readjust to "stateside" life while Bill traveled weekly for his job
• Once again become a full time artist
• Found Etsy and became active on it
• Began blogging and through it found lots of lovely friends in Bloglandia

So you see, I feel that I've accomplished a lot in 42 years!  Of course there's been heartbreak along with the joy and lots of growing pains throughout the process- what life doesn't have this?  I feel very blessed in the knowlege that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be- today, who knows where I'll be meant to be tomorrow?

Oh and speaking of tomorrow, don't forget to stop by Inspiration Avenue to LEARN YOUR LESSON at our "tutorial" blog party tomorrow and Sunday!

Have a great day, I know *I* plan to!

Cheers,

Stephanie