Desert Blossoms

The best things in life happen when you are not expecting them.

I will be totally honest and add that MOST of the BEST things in my life were totally unplanned. Yep. Never planned on living in Nashville (Toni!). Wasn't thinking of having kids (Baylee) or dating that "guy" from work (Billy)! And who would have thought by volunteering at a book fair I would meet one of my BFF's (Melissa)?! The list goes on and on.

So I shouldn't be surprised that the once "thorn in my side" playroom (do you remember THAT post?!) has become my own little dream come true. I did get the playroom/ craft room/ "just go put it in the front room" under control... somewhat. But it never felt right. It was missing something. Perhaps the totally wicked Pottery Barn Kids Cameron Creativity System with it's clean lines, cubbies and bins? At $1,471 and being a part time kindergarten teacher that just wasn't going to find it's way through my front door.

And Cinderella says it best, "A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

Let me tell you, I like to dream BIG (house on the beach, trip to Greece/ Italy, Lamborghini Diablo, published scrap booker, 6 kids, children's book author, teacher, party planner, preschool owner, etc.!) Of course I never thought I would really leave my kindergarten position at my beloved school. I mean THAT was my dream. Right?!? I can't remember a time I didn't want to be a teacher. AND I had always, always. ALWAYS wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. But... yes there is that darn word!

I don't like that word. BUT what else can I say? I had some lemons that began to fall from my tree. At first it wasn't so bad. I could step over them, ignore them, I even tried to pick up a few. Then they began to fall fast and before they started to rot I decided to make some good ol' lemonade. Down home G.R.I.T.S. (girl raised in the south) style.

Unexpected? TOTALLY!!!! But it is the sweetest by far. Because from the seeds of those lemons sprouted new blossoms... Desert Blossoms to be exact.

And this nuisance of a room went from this:

Toys galore

Scrapbooking, paints, stamps... you name it.

Kids T.V., books and more of the family pets!

Yeah... not so pretty.

To this:

The former T.V. wall is now books & games. 2 small tables and

chairs are the center for small group learning, crafts and meal time.

The wall that was once home to my many craft

supplies is now the calendar wall.

We now have learning center activities stored in new cubbies.

Fresh paint now covers our once white walls.

Make believe and pretend play is still vital in a preschool environment.

The threshold that opens all possibilities to our future.

Big changes. ALL unplanned. Unexpected. BUT it fits. It is better then I dreamed. I am the wife, the mom, the teacher, the owner of my new venture. Every morning my house smells of coffee, paints, and creativity. You can hear the giggles, the songs the whispers of learning. I get to embrace EVERY moment.

This weekend I hope (I WILL) get a blog started on Desert Blossoms Preschool. I just recently created a web site with my friend Amber. Click here if you would like to check it out! I will post the link to DBP Blog when it is up and running.

And I must add that I really couldn't make all these things happen without the support of my husband, family, and friends. All my little ones enrolled in the preschool are WONDERFUL friends of mine with the sweetest kiddos! I am honored that they have picked me to be their child's teacher. You are all my cheerleaders.

Thank you for believing in me and sharing a tall glass of my homemade lemonade!

oxox