Wake up (It's your creative birthday)

Meet Charlie & Lola. 

I found these guys while babysitting (or maybe just watching disney channel in college). Im pretty sure the first episode I saw was "I will NEVER eat a tomato" It was creative and weird and hilarious. Last year sometime I decided I would read Lauren Child's (the author) kid novels (that I also loved) and then finally, I decided to look her up. 

The story goes that she was a drifter, trying a job here and there, never really sticking to anything. She stays at her friends house and wakes up there on her 30th birthday and just cries when she realizes what day it is. She can't believe she's 30 and hasn't figured life out yet. She sat down that day and wrote Clarice Bean, That's me! and now here she is with a tv series and books. She recently adopted a little girl from Mongolia and named her Tuesday.

I feel like this first week of 2013 has been my "30th birthday" except I didn't do anything brilliant. I have needed to re-evaluate ... everything. Its been an ongoing creative direction meeting with myself. 

Things I have decided:

CREATIVELY

- I have to believe in it, can't be just to make money

- It has be 100%, can't be ok with half way done anything

-- (These are making me tired already)

- Take time to make it right, its worth taking time

- No one is as pushy as I am to myself

PROFESSIONALLY

- I have to believe in it and it is to make money

- Be choosey with my clients, I have to be right for them and them for me.

- Expect a lot from my clients and parents and hold them to it, if not, were all wasting our time. 

- Pray.

My goals are 

1) Wedding Invites

2) Prints

3) Take pictures of my before and after rooms and make a "portfolio"

4) Redesign the blog

5) Get my vintage looking guest book just right

It doesn't matter if I never "make it" with my creativeness, because it makes me

The End.

This has been a week of endings. How appropriate that the conclusion of this collaboration should fall on not just any Friday, but the "last Friday." So far no signs of the world according to the Mayan calendar coming to an end, but it's symbolic none the less. I had my doubts.

Speaking of doubts, that's how I'd like to approach my goodbye-summary of this whole experience. A year ago, Danielle petitioned a number of her girlfriends to be repeated guest writers on her blog. I happened to be among the group of women she invited to participate. She asked for a year-long commitment, with the goal of showing our readers that we were "regular" young ladies, all at about the same place in life, with similar interests but very different personalities. Immediately, I doubted her. Worse, I doubted her openly. Yes, I was the Judas of the group. I was concerned about many things. I didn't personally know the other women who would be involved, I was worried about everyone else's commitment level, I was concerned about the quality of the others' contributions. I was just plain doubtful, and sure that it would flop. By the time I felt reassured enough to consider being a "Yes Man" and playing along, she had filled all four slots with volunteers.

I then became a reader. I was already a follower of Danielle's blog; she's my best friend, so of course I read her work. But now, every week day, I was also a follower of her friends. After about three months, I was impressed everyone had stuck around. I was still doubtful about the overall project, though. I kept expecting it to piddle out when everyone inevitably got bored. But week after week, there were your five posts on Sunday Hatch. Reliably fun, educational, and entertaining.

About halfway through the year, due to extenuating circumstances, Danielle had an opening for Friday's guest blogger spot. She gave me - the Judas-doubter friend - a second chance. This time, I didn't doubt and I didn't hesitate. I said, "Yes! Count me in!" You might regret that decision, having to listen to me week after week prattle on about stuff, but I've really enjoyed it. I have been so impressed with these ladies, and so thankful that even though I've never met any of them, I have grown to feel as though we are friends. I have shared their lives for a whole year, as a reader and a fellow collaborator. I am proud. Proud of Danielle, for seeing possibilities, following her instincts, and being a talented leader. Proud of us for all sticking to our commitment. Proud of YOU for following along!

The way I'll tie all of this together is to remind everyone, all of us, that this is the Season to put aside doubt.  Doubt in ourselves, and doubt in other people. Spend time considering we have all been given second chances. We have all been forgiven. We are all free to become better people, to strive for peace, and to see the good in others. Danielle had the foresight to see what common good could come of this project. 

I doubted, but I see it now. And it was so so so good.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from my family, to yours.

With Love,

Waiting on a baby

So it is only fitting on my last blog post that I get to share with you Graeme's room all done! Sorry what was supposed to be "healthy and fitness inspired posts" this year by me turned into ramblings of a pregnant woman, but this is what happens when life circumstances change your focus. 

Now we are just waiting on Graeme Alan Runyan to make his arrival into the world! I hope you have a Merry Christmas! And here is to a happy and prosperous 2013 for us all.

www.madisoncary.com

May this be my attitude for the new year..
Do not fear my will, for through it I will accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in me. - Jesus Calling

Danielle R.

Au Revoir

Happy Wednesday! I can't believe that's the last time I'll say that.. hopefully not forever, but to you at least! What a year this has been. I feel very lucky to have been a part of this adventure 'Sunday Hatch' for the past year. It's an amazing thing to bring people together from all over to collaborate on a single project. It really is wonderful to be a part of something like this. I guess this is similar to a book club or community group... those are definitely going on my list for 2013. Anyways, I highly recommend a collaborative event if you are not already part of one.

As I wrap up my year, I can't help but look back in awe of all that has happened:

• I got a job- a real job- a job I actually love
• I also realized that loving your job is a true blessing and I am grateful every day for it 
• I mean not as grateful as I would be playing with the puppies all day... 
• No, no I take that back- I wouldn't have it any other way.. for now at least
• I planned a wedding
• Let me reiterate.. I planned a wedding.. and I didn't even get married! (I have to same some things for next year :) or the next.....)
• I learned in doing so that I do not want to pursue a career in event planning 
• I also learned that rain on your wedding day does not mean the end of the world
• I'm going to just keep telling myself that... according to Danielle I might get over it in the next two years... here's to hoping..
• I grew up
• Not sure when it happened really, or if it happened this year at all, but somehow I woke up one morning a 'grown up'. Although, I think saying 'grown up' probably contradicts that statement... an 'adult' maybe? Anyways, you get the picture
• I think it started about a year a half ago actually, but it has been a work in progress
• Looking back on where I was just a short while ago and where I am now, is a crazy thing- can't really explain it unless you've experienced it yourself. But I'm different.
• I'll probably say that again this time next year, but I think that's what your mid-twenties are all about... figuring out who you really are. So far, I enjoy this time of challenging and questioning myself more so than my early twenties when... well I wasn't doing very much soul searching... we can leave it at that 
• I learned that there are times when I need to just let go, to always trust in God, to accept adversity and to say no from time to time- for me these all go hand in hand
• This actually brings me into my plans for 2013... continue to grow 

2013 Happiness Project:

• I want to do my own happiness project. if you haven't read the book The Happiness Project, I highly suggest it! The point is to write down some things you want to work on that will contribute to your happiness and to actually work on them
• So far I have the following:
• Clean, clean, clean- every cabinet, every storage old box, even my computer- for me cleaning is both tiring and therapeutic, but mostly the piles of miscellaneous items in drawers hurt my heart 
• Focus on nature- not only by eating more organic and less processed food, but also spending more free time outside instead of in front of the TV 
• Putting others first- I do this 100% of the time at work, but I definitely want to work on transitioning this into my personal life more
• Learn about history- I have a hard time reading about past events and not questioning them. Needless to say, this creates a lot of confusion in my mind and heart, so I plan on digging into history- books, documentary, anything I can really
• I think the main thing to take away is to focus on challenging yourself. If you dedicate one month to one thing you want to work on, you will always be growing. And I think that is a lot better than a New Years Resolution that lasts for the month of January. This way, you start fresh every month! 

Okay okay, enough talking. But before I go, I do want to say thank you for joining us all on this adventure and listening to me ramble on about the many different things going on in my brain every Wednesday. It has been a pleasure. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

Peace!

-Sophee