Another year older, following your passion and some exciting news!!

I have been keeping a secret for what seems like years...even though it has only been about 6 months.   Since today is my birthday and this secret is a dream come true for me, I decided today was a good day to share! 

Before I spill the details, I wanted to share a few thoughts as I enter the last year of my thirties!  Long story short, it took me several years to find my passion.  As a 20 year old, I became a mom and a wife and put all my focus on that.  I didn't really get the chance to explore my passion and find my niche like most young adults get to do.  I left college when my daughter was born to care for her.  My husband and I worked our tails off to provide for her and to create the lifestyle that we wanted.  That included years of living paycheck or paycheck, doing without any extras, driving old cars....etc!  But you know what, we did it!  We did it without any help, but all through hard work and determination.  My husband is one of the hardest workers I know and he continues to march up the corporate ladder today, I am so proud of him and all his hard work!

That story leads me to the "now".  For 18 years, I have raised kids, been the nurse, been the counselor, the cook, the  hostess, the chauffeur, the courier, the maid, the best friend, the worst enemy, the advice giver, the hairdresser, the tutor, the teacher, the shopping partner, the ATM,  the one that knows nothing, the one that might know something, the best mom, the worst mom...you get the idea.  And through all the ups and down that motherhood brings, I wouldn't change a thing and I am so grateful that I was blessed with 2 amazing daughters!  With that said, I think it is easy to lose a little bit of your identity when you are a stay at home mom and as my girls got older, I craved to have something that was "my thing"....something that when my girls were all grown up and had their own lives, I had something that kept me motivated and that I loved to do!

When my youngest daughter, who is now 8, started school a few years ago, we had just moved into the home we live in now.  Randomly, I started posting updates on Instagram of how I was decorating our home.  I had done interior styling work in the past but it was just a part time gig when someone was interested.   All of the sudden, I noticed that people, other than my mom and a few friends, started following me and were interested in my work.  All of the sudden I was connecting with a whole group of talented people that shared the same passion as I do.  All of the sudden, I was excited and passionate about my work.  All of the sudden, I started brainstorming new ideas for my home and was excited to get creative again! Don't get me wrong...I was perfectly fine being all those things mentioned above, but it was so refreshing to have my own "thing"!  After posting for about a year, I got an email from a major home decor retailer asking me if I would be interested in guest blogging on their company blog....ummm....what?  Of course I agreed, but was terrified of not living up to their expectations. However, I knew that if one of my girls were presented with an opportunity that would make them grow as a person and challenge them to step out of their comfort zone, then I would tell them to go for it....so I had to, too!  Before long, I had  other companies reaching out, companies that I had been a customer of for years and years.  These people wanted to work with me!!  I couldn't believe it!  While my goal of sharing pictures on Instagram never included making it into a job, I couldn't be more thrilled at the opportunities that have come my way.  I feel blessed everyday that I get to do what I am passionate about and contribute to my family!

Stick with me here...I am getting to the good stuff!

So last fall I got a private message from Kim Leggett of City Farmhouse asking me if my home had ever been featured in a publication.  I had been approached a few times, but things didn't work out due to the fact they wanted me to stop posting pictures of my home on social media and I just couldn't agree to that.  Of course, I was bummed about that because one of my dreams was to have my home featured in a magazine but I knew it would happen when the time and details were right!
I replied to Kim not really knowing what this was all about and told her no, it had not.  She then replied asking if I would be interested in having our home featured in the new book she was writing.  Ummmm......what?? Ummmmm...yes, please!!  I immediately replied that I would be absolutely honored to be a part of the book and after signing a contract and having to keep quiet for awhile, I am so excited to share the news with all of you today!!

In less than 4 weeks, Kim and her crew of photographers will be coming to Dallas for the week and setting up shop in my home for the book shoot.  Of course I keep moving things around and keep questioning everything I have done in my home up to this point, but I am also reminding myself that she contacted me because she liked what she saw! However, I will continue to be anxious and excited for them to get here and see the process!

The book will be released in the fall of 2017 and while that seems like a long time away, I cannot wait to share updates with you and bring you along for the wild ride!!  You can read more about Kim, her amazing antique shop and the book on her website: City Farmhouse! Be sure and check out her press release about the book here: City Farmhouse Style !

My whole point in posting this long, rambling post is to encourage you to find your passion, follow your heart and work hard!  You just might surprise yourself with what comes your way!  Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this!  Thank you to each one of you that follow me on social media and like my photos or leave encouraging comments.  I am so thankful that you all have encouraged and supported this little journey I am on and have been such a huge part of it!  I also realize I did not win the Nobel Peace Prize or an Oscar and this might not be a big deal to some, but this is a dream come true to me and I am so excited!  My house...featured in a coffee table book...forever...pinch me!!