Mission Accomplished!

Happy HAPPY Sunday!!

... and Happy Father's Day!

Well.

I did it.

It has taken 12 years of learning, stretching, growing, crying, planning, sweating, selling, teaching, mentoring, believing, doubting, laughing and stamping ... and I've finally done it.

I have finally earned one of the coveted Stampin' Up! Incentive Trips.

We leave for a 7 day cruise around the Greek Isles in July, 2019.

Un.  Be.  Leavable.

It is SUCH a mix of emotions!!!  On the one hand I can't believe I did it!  On the other hand I KNEW I would do it.  I'm overwhelmed.  I'm grateful.  I'm shocked.  I'm proud.  I'm excited.  I'm humbled.  I'm ecstatic.  I'm exhausted.

I crossed the finish line Friday night - at my 2018 Catalogue Launch / Open House event that I held for my team and club members.  It was AMAZING to be able to get there with my best friends and cheerleaders in the room as I did a quick tally to see how close I was.  I need $1,130 in sales.  As the orders kept coming in the calculator was at about $800 ... then we spotted two more orders ... $900 ... one more ... $1,000 ... final one ... $1,300!!!  ** Cue the tears at this point!  It was hugs, high fives and tears all around. 

I did it.

It is going to be SOOOOO amazing!  Craig and I will take the trip alone.  While it would be fun to have the girls with us and I'm sure that after 4 days away from them I'll be wishing they'd come but I REALLY want a "proper" holiday with just Craig.  HE has been the one to support me the last 12 years.  No, he hasn't helped me do the business per se but HE is the one who had to deal with me when I was stressed.  HE gave up his "man cave" every Friday night for as long as I can remember.  HE was the one who had to feed the kids or walk the dog or buy the wine ... he was the one behind the scenes doing what needed to be done so I could do what I needed to get done.  We sail July 2019.  Our 15 year wedding anniversary is April 2019.  What an amazing way to celebrate 15 years together.  We really haven't had many get aways together, just me and him.  In 15 years we've had 5 nights away in South Carolina (when I earned a mini Getaway Vacation with SU yearrrrrrrs ago), and a few weekends away to the mountains every 5 years.  Heck, it's been 15 years since we had a solo vacay - our wedding!  We eloped to Jamaica.  7 nights away.  I think we're due a romantic cruise alone.  I'll send the girls to Uncle's house for a holiday and adventure of their own.  Craig and I will get to be a couple, rather than parents.  Yes, we'll miss the girls but we will have two weeks to connect and enjoy each others' company without having to "adult"  (yes, we're gunna extend the 7 day trip to 14 to tour around Rome!!)

There just aren't words to express the depth of my gratitude to everyone who has helped me along this 12 year journey.  I earned the trip THIS year but it has taken me 12 years to get to the point in my business to even TRY to earn the trip.  Until January 2017 the trip was always WAY beyond my reach.  I KNEW the work and sacrifice it would take from me and my family and, until last January, I just wasn't able ... or willing ... to try.  The first 11 YEARS have set me up for the last 18 months.  All my planets were in alignment and it was time.  I have SO many people to thank.  SO many in the last 18 months have really tipped the scales for me but you know what?  It's all the little things and all the little "failures" along the way that have helped just as much.  Obviously every person who ever had a party, bought a card, came to a class, "liked" a FB post, joined my team or joined my club has helped ... but Im also grateful for all the people who bailed on parties ... the "difficult" customers ... the incorrect items ordered ... the PROBLEMS I've had along the way.  I learned just as much from what went WRONG as I did from what went RIGHT!

It has been a journey, alright.  It has been an amazing one.  Looking back over the last 12 years just blows my mind at how far I've come and what can be done with one little Stampin' Up! Starter Kit.  Absolutely mind blowing.

Who'd'a'thunk?

I'll leave it there ... just some Sunday morning reflections to start your/my day.  I'm off to walk Doodle Dog and watch the new born goslings down at the lake ... and take some time to smell the roses.

Have an amazing day My Friends. Thank you.  For everything.


Tam

(** here are some pics from my Friday night event)