Hello! Happy new year to you! Saying goodbye to 2014 is a bit bittersweet for me. Some fantastic things happened, some hard things, and it was the first of everything all year w/out my sweet Grandma.
I would say though, that the biggest events and changes this year had to do with my beautiful girls.
My oldest daughter, Mackenzie graduated college just a couple of short weeks ago. She has already found a job in her field as a graphic designer, and begins her new life and career on Monday. She was just home for a little over a week at Christmas, and I suddenly realized that was probably one of the last times she will be able to just come home for a week or two at Christmas and in the summer months. That was a bit of a bittersweet moment. I am so excited for this next chapter of her life to begin, but that was also a little bit of an ouch moment. This momma is still at times struggling with the whole empty nest thing.
I know amazing things are going to happen for this girl, though. Like I said (and please forgive my unabashed bragging for a moment) she found a job in her field in just a week after graduating. But she has also illustrated an ad for Nashville Lifestyles magazine that will come out next month. She interned for them this past semester and designed several ads for them as well. She has been involved in TWO children's books as the illustrator. (neither have hit publish stages yet) As her senior thesis she designed a magazine called Clever, and found herself so in love with that process that she plans on continuing to publish that quarterly. You can read a copy of her first issue right here. (there's even an interview with me in her magazine with a glimpse into my studio) So yes, all around I am super proud of my daughter and can not wait to see what happens next for her in this chapter of her life.
My baby girl turned 21, has worked all year making the difference in the lives of young adults with disabiliites, and signed the lease to move into her first apartment. Which, of course, made me an official empty nester. Again, I have been excited to watch her next chapter unfold, but that too was quite bittersweet. You see, I have been a Mom since I was 20 years old, so I not only grew up with my girls, but also devoted my entire adult life to them. At first I had all of those questions of "who am I besides a mom?", and "what do I do now?", etc.
But it does seem as time has gone on that I too, am enjoying the next chapter of my life. My husband and I have become even closer, we have traveled more, gone on more date nights, and even began taking selfies. Ha. I'm usually one that really shies away from the camera, but I've been trying to change that a bit.
Here we are in a dark and grainy date night selfie. (in the car) Maybe with practice we'll get a bit better at it. :)
So, I am happy to see what 2015 will bring. Last night Michelle Gellar posted on instagram that her mantra for 2015 was to make her a priority. I think I too will adopt that as my mantra this year and discover more about who I am as a 43 year old woman with grown children.
I'll be back tomorrow with a look at the year for The Little Pink Studio and what looking forward is going to be like for the shop. I'll also be back this week to share some of the fantastic swaps I participated in this holiday season.
Much love, and best wishes for a blessed new year! Cerri
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