ok PLU’s …you are officially busted…

my comment section works… for you as well as my precious friend Paige K {i know you are there because of this neat little thing called google analytics….you are mapped by city, state & number of visits including loyalty….}…so ha….bet you didn’t know that right? 

or….maybe you did…

i am really ok with writing to a quiet audience because i have decided that you are here for different purposes….hoping that you are encouraged and that you just find something interesting or transparency…and there are those who just want to know what is going on….and that is ok too.

anyway….i love that you read if i am going to write but all kidding aside i did enjoy your comments…you kept me company as i spent hours on a bench at baseball {when i wasn’t keeping the scorebook- i can’t even bite my fingernails during those minutes much less check my email}…

sooo…i am working from home today…in pajamas….while mia is coloring an entire city on entire roll of white butcher paper while she is wearing the cutest and cleanest of outfits {note sarcasm}- although it is a christmas nightgown.  love it… on second thought tho….she does look cute… i would stop time if i could….

scattered today in my thoughts and tough to stick to just one thing as projects swirl, emails build…laundry runs….and children grow…

but right this minute i had to stop and give a winner and a virtual trophy…

i have to be honest…when i decided to do a contest i had no criteria in mind before i typed it – and i am grateful that i did what i did…

your comments served as a tremendous encouragement, a blessing that you went to the trouble to write and compile your thoughts and the fact that you were able to impart insight into the planning process for fall was priceless. 

thank you.

please know that i did not set out for compliments, affirmation, or pats on the back….if you know or knew me personally you would know that words do not make me tick…{my people/those very close know that i appreciate just a simple thank you but nothing else is required…if i say it i mean it then… that is that}…

that said.

another thank you.

i did have to pick a winner…i have read every single one of the entries and every single one was helpful {not being flippant here…insert a big “i really mean it face”….}

The winner is….

J. Gaddis:  she writes…

“First off, I LOVE your clothing! We have purchased a few things and I always get lots of compliments and my kiddos get great wear out of everything! I have never actually attended a trunk show but I would love to! I would say that the number one factor for me is pricing. I am a stay at home mom and we work hard so that I can stay at home with the kids. Along with that comes a very strict budget. As much as I would LOVE to have my kiddos in amazing clothes everyday, our budget just does not allow for a high clothing fund! Kids grow so fast so it is important to me that I get a great price and great wear out of whatever I buy them. It is hard for me to attend a trunk show if I know that I cannot afford what I fall in love with. Just too much temptation! =) Along those same lines, quality and comfort is extremely important. I want clothes that my kids will love wearing and that last as long as possible. I also want something different (not the same thing that every child is wearing) and your clothing definitely provides that! Other factors definitely include my schedule and location of the show!

Like I said, we love your clothing! The customer service we have always received in your store has been beyond incredible! It is so hard to find people who actually want to help you these days! You guys go above and beyond! Thank you for what you do!!!”

I chose this comment because of several reasons…

i so appreciate the fact that we all have family budgets that we need to respect {we do anyway}…also our goals as a company are to provide soft long-wearing clothing that is of great quality and craftsmanship.   in addition…i am grateful that she even went as far as to affirm the BBTN girls…Amelia, Shelly, Lindsay, Benita, Sheila, and Kristen….they work incredibly hard and they do a great job of serving you….i hear them and they bless me by their words & their work ethic….i am blessed to get to be with them daily! i am hoping with every ounce of my being that you receive the compliments on each of your children & that the outfit might just be the cherry on top…they are all beautiful no matter what they are wearing….and in the scheme of eternal things….it just matters not.  

God help us to put just the right amount of emphasis on what we choose for our children to wear….God help us to worry so much more about their hearts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i had asked for what made you choose what shows you went to and what i have concluded at the end of pondering each comment is that as long as we take these things to heart and try to incorporate at least portions if not all of each….we are at least headed in the right direction. 

with all of that said…..i have to give a virtual trophy and i will send her a prize for sure…..

i would like to introduce you to our favorite BBTN comedian- one of our reps….tampa, fl if you must know…. {Benita is a close second though} ….

she has to remain nameless for protection of the innocent…i guess…but truth is i just didn’t ask her permission….but i guess since it is posted here…

” I really pick shows based on the amount of wildlife you can see while shopping. For example, If you can be flipping through racks of gorgeous gingham while a squirrel sits on the sofa and observes. The small furry creature can help you decide between threads for appliques. I feel so many trunk shows just offer muffins and coffee- where a rabid animal is really what I long for each trunk season. Hope this helps!”

this is obviously a comment stemming from a long laugh because of a squirrel invasion during a trunk show….we have laughed uncontrollably with this representative since she started with us at just about every single exchange…..

if BBTN does not hire her….the stand-up comedy channel will….

j. gaddis…email me!!

thanks for playing ….we will do another one soon!

until next time….all of my love to my precious people and all of our most wonderful BBTN customers….

hey friends…

ok so my camera did not get thrown in the lake {did i even tell you how incredibly frustrating it can be if your camera is not working quite right?…..}…the nice folks at Wolf Camera helped me figure out that my white balance had a goofed setting deep down in the custom light setting and we are now back in business…a near miss though…the lake, the nikon…..it would have been sad but i would have felt better….maybe….

speaking of lakes…..{in a second anyway}

i checked my child out of school {don’t tell anyone} for a mental health day…mia and i basically kidnapped him….i am certainly not a rule follower and do not pride myself on doing what i am SUPPOSED to do…but i always feel bad when it comes to school…

so we snuck him out {kindof} and went to the movies….the dollar movie at that….one of the best days…..we ate junk, got a doughnut after the junk….and then went on a walk and on to the park…we went to my favorite trail that is a 10 minute walk from my house….it’s in the neighborhood and it is a super duper treat that i certainly try hard not to take for granted…..a favorite spot for sure….

my kids have really not been old enough until recently to walk this far…and come to find out they are BARELY old enough now…to walk for an hour….together…they did not complain because they chose it…{which is something we are working on}… sometimes we get to choose and sometimes we don’t….we are required not to complain most of the time ….but especially when it is more than optional….get me?

so we all felt totally refreshed….it’s amazing what a “weird” day can do for one’s mindset…

so a few “fixed” camera shots…right BY the lake…so glad my camera is not at the bottom of it…

all of my love to my people…and i have more to share…maybe something like a giveaway for the 300th post…

it won’t be a month i promise….although the past few weeks i have so enjoyed curling up at night sans laptop and watching my favorite shows….there are so many funs things coming with this time of year….

see you soon!!