Tonight My Heart Aches...

As news has spread of this tragic event that has taken place in Connecticut... I find myself at a loss. My heart is heavy with sadness. My deepest sympathies, hugs, love, prayers, and thoughts are will all of those (even a nation) who are suffering tonight... with those who have lost their children, their loved one(s), the co-workers, their parent(s)... their friends.

I woke up to my sounding loudly at exactly 5:40 this morning. I quickly dressed and headed out the door with my oldest son, Chase, to take him to early morning seminary at our church. After telling him I loved him and to have a good day, I drove back home to pack lunches and fresh water bottles and snacks for my youngest sons. Cole is in Kindergarten this year and Gavin is in fourth grade. At 6:45 (like clockwork on Mondays thru Fridays), I woke up the boys, made breakfast, made sure teeth were brushed, packed backpacks, and then headed out the door together to hop into the truck and make our way to the elementary school. We laughed and talked all the way there. As one of the teachers opened up the truck door to help them out, I yelled out, "Be good! I love you guys! See you after school!" They always yell back, Love you too, mom! See ya!"

... and we all wave until they disappear through the school doors for the day.

I drove back home, made breakfast for my hubby, then proceeded to pick up the gallon of paint I had sitting in the garage for three months, and hauled it back to Chase's room to finally finish painting the walls. Time went by so quickly. Before I knew it, it was time for me to head to the car rider line to pick up the boys.

As I sat in the car rider line waiting, I picked up my phone and opened up my FB...

WHOA.

So many posts about a tragedy in Connecticut. I thought maybe there had been some sort of natural disaster. I decided to look up Connecticut in the news... and that's when I saw it. My eyes immediately filled with tears and my heart sank. I slowly began to realize that as I sit here in the car rider line... waiting to pick up my Kindergartner and fourth grader... that there were parents... right this very minute... who would never have this opportunity again.

My insides were now hollow. My shock turned into horror.

I sat in my truck and sobbed for close to half an hour... realizing that I needed to pull myself together before the boys were dismissed and headed out of the doors. That didn't work very well... by the time we made it home, I grabbed them both up into my arms and held them tightly. For a brief moment, I felt a huge pang of guilt that I was able to do this when these parents of these babies in Connecticut could not.

Those little babies...

The brave and valiant staff that laid down their lives to protect these little babies...

Tragic. Senseless.

Welcome!

Ever since I can remember, my mother would to take me to our local library. She would take me at least once a week and I would check out 1-2 books. I remember it always being so difficult to choose! I'd often have them both read from cover to cover in a day or two, then complain and whine that I had to wait the rest of the week to go back again.

Until recently, I'd browse the book and magazine section of our local grocery stores, or Barnes & Noble and pick up a couple of really cute books that I knew my youngest boys would love to read together during our nightly bedtime ritual...

1. Shower

2. PJ's

3. Brush Teeth

4. In to bed

5. Bedtime Story

6. Family Prayer & Kisses Goodnight

I was fortunate enough to stumble across Usborne Books & More while browsing around my Facebook page one day. I clicked the link to the Usborne Books & More website - I was giddy! (yes, i was absolutely giddy!) As I began to look more into this company, I realized that they offered an incredibly amazing business opportunity. I was intrigued, but also a bit unsure. You see, I have been in the direct selling business for years and years and years. Nothing has ever worked for me... and, to be completely fair, I have never really worked at being successful in any of these opportunities either. I just didn't have "that passion" or "niche" for any of them in the end. Making a short story even shorter, I signed up, ordered the HUGE starter kit (right now, it's on sale for just $99) and waited for everything to arrive. In less than a week, it was at my doorstep.

I. Was. Ecstatic!

I've never looked back. Usborne Books & More has been such a blessing in my life... a blessing way beyond that of any financial venture. I have made life-long friends, my children LOVE the books, the activities, the learning (YES! They love the learning books!), the music, sharing the products and opportunity with others. I love our founders. I've had the opportunity to meet some other amazing ladies and gentleman who love their Usborne Books & More businesses too!

Reading has ALWAYS been a huge love and passion of mine. From the very moment that each one of my children were born, I've read to them. I've encouraged them to read. I've encouraged them to use their imagination and to dream big. I've been able to share and pass on my love for good books and stories to my children.