I have so much to tell you and once again I'm not sure where to begin. I always make a lofty goal to blog while I'm at convention but the truth is I try and spend every last minute with my girlfriends and by the time my computer gets opened my eyes shut a few minutes later. What an amazing time I had with all my friends! I wasn't sure I was going to make it to convention with Alexis before I left for Florida. In fact, since we arrived in Florida the kids have been fantastic. Alexis has been her normal happy go lucky self and Brandon has captured every lizard possible he can find. It's so great to see them happy and free for the Summer.
Back to my convention story. If I had to sum it up in one word… AMAZING! Stampin' Up! really went all out this year. I think I say this every year because I am a huge fan of Stampin' Up! events. You have to go to understand but when you see how much time and effort they put into the events you appreciate everything much more. I love how they made announcements this year and there was tons of free stamps/products given to us this year. Again, it was amazing.
Awards night was bittersweet. When I left convention last year I walked away knowing this year would be different and there was no way on sweet earth I would retain being the #1 demonstrator with the move and other obstacles that came my way. In the beginning this was very hard for me to accept. I think my worry was more of the expectations of others than myself. What would "others" think of me if I did not bounce back from this move? I know, I know! Stupid thinking, but seriously my mind works in a crazy way. It wasn't until January that I finally came to my senses. More than likely I came to my senses because it was clear this was not going to be an over the top year for me with Russ being deployed. I knew a few life changes were going to happen and it was going to be okay. While these obstacles have not been easy, I know that in order to be successful you have to endure many obstacles or what I like to call Big Bumps in the road. I've had so many Big Bumps over the last 8 years and some how I always bounce back. These Big Bumps have taught me many lessons. My biggest lesson has been learned this year. Right now Russ and my kids are the most important piece to my life puzzle and therefore my priority. Do you ever feel like your life is a puzzle? Ha! Mine is for sure! This doesn't mean I'm not working my business or not playing with the best crafting products known to man… it just means I take a few steps back (or more) and do what I can, when I can. This brings me to the SWEET part of awards night. Lucky 21 is where I placed and I am grateful. I worked hard this year through all the big obstacles and feel like Lucky 21 was PERFECT! It was NOT luck that got me there. In fact I think it was years of hard work that paid off during a year I couldn't put 100% of ME into it.
I'm so grateful for the many friends that I have through Stampin' Up! this year. From my customers to the many demonstrators that I've talked to, I am truly grateful!! You have been amazing and I am super thankful for your support this year. It was SO exciting to hug so many of you at convention. You are special people!!!!
Great things are coming this year with Stampin' Up! It's going to be another amazing year. I have a team filled with the best personalities and creativity and they are ready to ROCK this Stampin' Up! year. That is exciting!
Here are a few pictures of my great time at convention.
These are some of the great ladies on my team. We are missing a few that were there. One of my favorite things about convention is watching first time convention attendee's and their faces at the fun craziness that happens there.
Awards night picture. Glad to be there!!
Some of the finest ladies I know. On our way to seriously shop!
Cathy and I were VIP's and super excited to make it to the VIP room for the meet and greet with Shelli. When we finally made it to the room we were about the last in line of 150 people. Cathy and I decided it was best to take a seat and enjoy the donuts they had in the room. Wow they were yummy. Two hours and TWO donuts later we finally were able to meet & greet with Shelli. By this time we were on a massive sugar high and giddy. Poor Shelli.
We were ready for awards night. These two ladies made me laugh so hard each night! They are the funniest people I know. We were almost asleep one night and started laughing hysterically one by one. Oh my word.
My sweet friend Maxine! I could write a book on this fine lady. She is the one person that heard it ALL this past year. The aches and pains of moving. The tears when Russ left. The mommy moments I wasn't sure I was going to make it through… she really heard it all and always turned my negative into a positive. She always had the right thing to say and always ALWAYS recognized the good things going on in my business. Even if it was a little thing, she made it a big thing. I can't thank her enough for the listening and friendship she provided this year. Truly priceless!
Last but not least, a little 3 x 3 card I made this week. Simple and fun!
Again, thank you so much for all your support and friendship. I read every comment and appreciate every single one of them!!
18 thoughts on “Lucky 21!”
I really enjoyed our quick chat at convention, You are a sweet sweet woman and I pray for you and yours, for sanity and that your Prince comes home soon!
Dear sweet Kimberly. "21" is only a number. When you look at the big picture and what you do everyday, the obstacles you have overcome, the encouragement you give others, and still have managed to be in the top 100, is amazing. Many of us would love to be there and don't have the stamina you have to get there. At least not yet. I'm trying! So keep up the good work.
Congratulations on your Lucky 21! I have been a demonstrator for 6 years and have enjoyed your story! I think you are one of the most beautiful people and have handled what you have been given with beauty and poise. I am so lucky to read your blog! Thank you!!
I've just got 6 words for you….
"we are the people of walmart".
Love ya!!! Thanks for all the laughs last week!!!
Donna 🙂
Well I guess we were in the hot tub together on the night I learned that there were some who used to emboss using toaster ovens. 😉 I should have recognized you for sure because I love your blog (maybe I had Convention First Timer brain, hehe!). I take a minute to pray for your hubby every time I visit your blog, I have several good friends in the Marines. The video and story in the post below are just too sweet! 🙂 God bless.
Yay! I'm so glad to see your posts again, post-Convention! Congrats on making 21 this year, quite an accomplishment, I would say, given your year! Thanks for sharing with us, you never fail to inspire me with your creative genius, business success, family love, and real personness (is that a word?!). Hugs!
Kimberly,
Of course being a member of your amazing team, I know first hand what a wonderful woman you are. I think making 21 is a truly astonishing accomplishment considering the obstacles you have had to endure this year. This shows that you embody the true meaning of being a member of Stampin Up. Numbers and money do not matter it is the relationships in our lives. You are a hero as well as Russ, keeping your family functioning during this deployment. We love you and are so blessed to be a part of your team. Many Hugs!!!!!!!!
I am so glad to see you posting again 🙂 Congratulations on "Lucky 21"! You should be extremely proud of that and all the recognition you were given because you worked so hard for it. You are mommy & daddy while Russ is away and your beautiful children are proof that you are doing a wonderful job. You are all in my thoughts & prayers, always. And btw, I love the 3×3 card you made. So pretty – something like that would have taken me hours to make!
I didnt' get a chance to come up and say hi to you at convention. I am one of your loyal readers but bad at posting. I was really proud when you got #21 this year. You are amazing in all you do. I think of your hubby often and pray for him. I think you have your priorities in the right places: family first always. Thanks for your wonderful creativity and your fantastic inspiration.
Carey Rogers
aka Roscoe's mommy
it was a pleasure to have a hug, a smile & hear you speak…..my blogging friend; when I see all you great demos strut your stuff across the stage….it's a wow moment!!! you'll do well, this coming year, somethings won't materialize, but the most important ones will fall into place & work!! HATS OFF TO A GREAT LADY!!!
Congratulations on being #21, Kimberly! Don't ever worry about what others think! If they think less of you for not staying at #1, they are not people you need to waste mental energy on! You are an inspiration in the way you handle everything that life throws at you with poise, grace and determination to overcome. THAT is worth much more than anyone's opinion of you. I wish the very best for you this year (especially for a safe return home for your Prince!)
Loved all these posts — the one about your anniversary had the tears welling up!! Us Florida girls were cheering so loud when they called your name on awards night — and it IS lucky 21 — I was so impressed that you could move, deploy your prince and still pull that off. Enjoy the rest of your Florida summer and prayers are always sent your way.
Congratulations Kimberly!!!! You have had a lot to move around in the last year…and you still came through with flying colors – lots to be proud of – and we all know that you will continue on….your spirit and all of the love surrounding you will keep you afloat for a very long time!
You don't know me, but I feel like I know you and I just wanted to tell you how much you have inspired me over the years. I also have 2 sons in the service (one just came home from Iraq and the other one went 3 1/2 years ago) and I happen to know that it affects the entire family when someone is deployed. That being said, I just want to thank YOU for the sacrifices you are making for your family while your "Prince" (I love to hear you say that – it's sooooo romantic) is deployed.
As you mentioned being #21 in your post-Convention post, it dawned on me – You have joined only 22 other lucky ladies out of thousands and thousands of demonstrators who have the distinction of being #21 DOY. That's an AMAZING accomplishment in my book.
Please continue to put your heart out there for the rest of us to hear. You have a great sense of humor (we need it during tough times) and you have your priorities in order. You'll be just fine, I promise. 🙂
Hi Kimberly! I ran into you in the Marriott lobby Tuesday evening. You were chatting with a friend with your Venti Starbucks. I mentioned that I remembered you from last year and you rose and gave me a hug and smiled so beautifully. I was touched by your kindness. I have been following your blog since I returned home and am hugely impressed by your success and your ability to be an amazing Mother and wife. I will be praying for your Russ to return safely home to you!
I am so insecure with getting started with my own creations. I am insecure in sharing with others. I suppose my first starting place will be to sit and create and share and go forward from there. Thank you for being such a HUGE inspiration for so many of us! Blessings,
Kris
Hi Kim.
Congratulations on being #21 and in the top 100 demos!!! What an accomplishment especially when you stop and think about all you went through this past year. I wasn't able to be at convention this year but I cheered like crazy for you last year. I started "blog stalking" you after that and have shared some of your wisdom with my downline. You are an inspiration to me and many others. I hope you will remember that the only people whose opinions really matter are your own and your family. I hope to meet you at my first Leadership this January.
I was super excited that you were 21! Congrats! I think that is AWESOME after the past year! I wasn't expecting you in the top 50! And, if you're worried about opinions, mine is that you would only have disappointed me had you ignored the needs of your family this year to try to stay number 1. You're doing a fabulous mom as both a demonstrator, a wife, and a mom!
Hi Kimberly,
You don't know me but I'll be sure to say hello at Founder's Circle. You are #1 where it counts – as a supportive wife and Mom – I love reading about your adventures and honest reflections of your days.
Love your blog!!
Alison
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