Ask me about my inky life and I'll tell all. More personal than that and I keep stum. But after years of sharing with you through WOYWW, it feels right to break the rules... Many of you know I come from a professional dance background, am married to my Belgian music hubby and have spent a lot of life abroad. A dance life has been totally fabulous but also extremely demanding. Yet despite a wonderful career, I was less good at taking care of myself. You know things aren't right, but struggle to wave a white flag when everyone thinks you're so "artistic" and have "got it all together." Over three years ago, with me running on empty, we decided to drop the lot and move this way.
The release from the hectic demands of dance were wonderful, but being 'stripped' of my creativity left me very insecure. Creativity is indeed part of me, but what you do isn't who you are. It's hard to accept that with or without an artistic dance life, I am worth the same... . Around this time I decided to 'go a bit further with inky stuff'... the rest as they say is history. It has been my sanctuary and life saver in so many ways. I never thought I'd discover something that would win my heart and soul like dance did. But the humble ink pad did. We're in it for keeps. Life also showed me my fairy god-mother was not about to wave her magic wand, but it was time to tackle my baggage... and so began a long journey of learning to love, forgive and taking care of me. I'm a work in progress... Aren't we all?
In September aged 40 and armed with a previously unknown working body, hubby and I wondered if we might just catch the last bus to Parenthood.
Our very first ride was well timed and two weeks later we were blown away to discover our little one is on the way! We are so incredibly grateful to the Big Man upstairs for such grace, throughout all our lives. We still can't get our heads around it all. I'm wobbling in places I didn't know existed and Bridget Jones knickers are top of my shopping list...
Plans for the craft room are on a par with the baby room. My husband is my hero and knows how special my art is.
His faith, acceptance, friendship and love are my absolute everything. Wonderful creative doors are opening up and it's a path I long to walk. I'm still passionate, driven and perfectionistic, just learning to coax it down the right road. Tweaking buttons until 2am is indeed bonkers, but it beats getting up at 6am to run 10 miles in the rain. Someone asked me what I really wanted in life. "Just a happy home, a family and a creative lifestyle". I'm realising that may not be too much to ask... Sarah.
76 comments:
So wonderful to read your thoughts - so glad that you have found such a niche in cardmaking (me too) and congrats on your pregnancy - hope all goes well - how exciting - (Hazel, WOYWW #10) x
OH sweetie, I am so happy for you! loved hearing your little story and huge congratulations! As mum of 4 I can assure it is a fabulous new road to go down!
Happy WOYWW, Debxx #8
Awww this post made me well up! What a lovely story and huge congratulations on your pregnancy. As 38 year old mum with two little uns, I can tell you it's knackering at times (and for a while you probably won't have the time, let alone the energy to craft! :lol:) but absolutely worth every moment.
I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy and lots of beautiful baby photos to scrapbook come summer! :)
Ali
I'm thrilled for you and wish you all the very best!
I loved reading your story. Congrats on the baby! Danielle #22
You are such a special person, Sarah, and what you have gone through has shaped you into who you are today - the person God intended you to be. I pray that you will be richly blessed with exactly what you wished for - a happy home, a family and a creative lifestyle! You are such an inspiration to me.
Blessings & hugs,
Linda
Oh that's wonderful news Sarah, congratulations.. & Thanks for being brave and sharing yourself with us, you are a very kind hearted person with an amazing talent, and no doubt you will be an amazing mother too xx
Happy Wednesday x
Minxy x
Congratulations!
How wonderful for you. Congratulations. I know this will be another life changing event, just like those ink pads were. Happy WOYWW. What happened to you this week? I'm # 30 and slower than slow, apparently.
Such wonderful news and I feel honoured to be part of the community you have shared this special news. Maybe the staying up till 2am is training for what is to come. How exciting.
Sandra
#32
Oh wow! Totally entranced with your tale! And how lovely to have a baby! When I was single I was always wondering about women who wanted babies, and then I had a baby and my heart welled up and overflowed! Congratulations! I am sure you will be even more inspired- but I'm sure you'll be doing more scrapbook pages than cards, etc! Patsy from
HeARTworks
thank you for "breaking the rules" and sharing your wonderful blessing with us. i am soooo happy for you, Sarah! congratulations! sending you prayers for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.
happy WOYWW, and thanks for sharing!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS
Thanks for sharing with us.
Sounds like you are finding your way and this baby will complete that journey!
Hi there.Congratulations on your exciting news! Thanks for giving us the chance to be part of your journey! Great to have a peek into your crafty world this morning thanks to the wonders of WOYWW! Hope the rest of your week goes well too.
Neil #48
Congratulations, this has to be the best WOYWW. Creating a baby is far more special than any card. Im so glad that the inky part of your life gave you a focus after dance. As well as big knickers you will also need a comfy crafting chair for you and bump and In time a lock On the craftroom! Please look after yourself and enjoy your pregnancy. Once again. Congrats
Many many congratulations! Thank you for sharing more about you this week, it was a privilege to read it.
This was like reading a book, a good story. Congratulation. ;o)))
That is, quite simply, the best news of all this week. I'm so happy for you both - parenthood is a roller coaster ride but with FAR more ups than downs! :)
Huge hugs this week!
Much love, LLJ #68 xx
This is really special news. Thanks for sharing it.
I'm just doing a quick dash round to see what everyone is up to this week before my daughter comes out with the twins. We are doing a fitting for her Wedding dress and making a start with the Wedding invites....I can see a busy day ahead of me :-)
Hugs,
A x
loving today's crafty snoop...thanks for sharing your special news...how wonderful...hugs kath 63
Wow what abeautiful heartwarming post!Congratulations and may i just say boy will this wee one certainly change your live for ever in many happy ways .Good luck and god bless you all
Happy wednesday and have creative week hugs judex55
Oh what a lovely post and such good news, I actually am having trouble writing this comment as my eyes are wet with happiness for you! Wishing you all the best!
Lots and lots of hugs,
Cardarian
Sarah this is so wonderful for you and your hubby. I wish you both much happiness and contentment in your new roles as parents. Such a gift and a blessing!!! A new chapter full of excitement...
x
Huge hugs and congrats on your wonderful news. Hope you enjoy this WOYWW. Zo x 89
what a wonderful read, congratulations on your news xxx
Congratulations Sarah to you and your husband on the upcoming birth! It is wonderful news! I recently had a life change and for a year fought it but I to have found a haven in my art! I have a lot to be thankful for! I am offering up some blog candy so come leave a comment on my blog and get a chance to win! Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Vickie #87
fabulous post Sarah, every happiness to you and your hubby...Your life will change, it will be unrecognisable but in the most wonderful way! Keep us posted!
(lyn)
Happy WOYWW
oh my! Congratulations Sarah, what fab news!!! Hugs, Trish xx
Such a beautiful post I had a wee tear in my eye, so Happy for you and your DH, congratulations to you both on the upcoming birth of your beautiful little one, Big Hugs May x x x
Oh Congratulations to you and your hubby!!! thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings, it was great for me to read, I'm 32 and see all my friends around me with little ones or indeed fast growing 'bumps' but I just don't feel ready yet but worry so much that time is passing me by.... reading your post has given me alot of comfort, I stopped by to see your always creative desk but have come away with much more, thank you so much :o) x
Wonderful news Sarah, congratulations to both of you, and just think - you will be early posting on WOYWW when you are up feeding a changing the little love at 2:00 am in future.
A baby is the most wonderful thing you will ever create.
Ann B
#65
How wonderful, congratulations! This will be the start of a most wonderful part of your journey, I have three beautiful children and they will change your life...filling it full of things you can't imagine...it's wonderful!!,traesure all these special moments!hugs tracex no53
Congratulations to you. I am a mother of 3 boys - the oldest is nearly 10. Treasure every moment of pregnancy and take lots of photos because after the birth you won't remember how big your tummy actually was!!!
laura #86
Your post is so moving and it is really special how you shared your wonderful news with us. We'll be here as the biggest support net to share your journey into parenthood. It will be an amazing time for all of us. I can't tell you of the joys you will experience along the way.
Enjoy every minute of this precious time.
Love JoZarty x
Thanks for sharing your blessing! You are on a new journey and the ride is awesome.
Hi there Sarah ah this is indeed a heart warming post and rejoice with you over the date of 12.6.12 and pray God's continued blessing on all this 0 it will indeed be a a further life changer, thanks so much for sharing. Happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #21
Oh congratulations hun, lovely news, well done to both of you, prayers for a safe delivery, xxx
Love the crafty space, fab, Happy WOYWW Hun, hoping this posts as I have had issues all week!!
Lou P
Congratulations on your pregnancy and i too hope and pray all goes well for you all! Your 'post' touched my heart and thank you for letting us 'share'your thoughts, i agree with all the others a baby is the best most wonderful thing you will ever create, I wish you all the very best and lots of happiness and love, i look forward to sharing your 'pregnancy' over the next months, fab fab fab news Hope you have a great week Lou x
What a beautiful post, many congratulations to you on your pregnancy, I hope everything goes well :)
Have a great WOYWW, Luv Karen #108
What wonderful and fantastic news! I am so delighted for you, Sarah! Best wishes for an easy pregnancy.... put your feet up when you can!
What a wonderful and terribly open and frank post. Many, many congratulations to you both on this new adventure. My first 'new life' was born on 11 June and so I hope that your baby brings you as much happiness and pride that mine has. It has been a privilege to be her mum (and for the second one too!) and I suspect you'll enjoy it is as much as I have xxx
Congratulations Sarah, from the middle of my heart I offer my excitement and hope that you experience all the warm love and happiness that I have. I was relatively late to parenthood and managed only one, but nothing comes close. I have the life you are walking towards and believe me, it is the most satisfying and enjoyable and un-scarey place to be. JUNE!! Oh my, a summer baby and that isn't long. Very excited for you both. Oh, and the photo...again, perfect.
Congratulations to you on your wonderful news!!
Aww, lovely news! Congratulations!
I'm attempting to get around everyone's posts this week (a new one for me!) I don't usually have time to get round everyone.
But I haven't done my own post yet - it'll have to wait til I get home from work this evening.
Sheena
xxx
Oh, Sarah, my eyes are filling up ... congratulations to you both, such delightful news and after everything you've clearly been through it's doubly nice. I think this is turning out to be your year with success all round for you. And your baby is due at the best time, summer ... time enough to enjoy and get the best from all those lovely warm, sunny days. I don't think you need me to wish you a wonderful week, you're going to have one anyway :) Elizabeth x #78
YAY!!! Im so pleased that I can officially say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Im still doing the Happy dance for you and Im am so thrilled for you both....You are not only on a creative path but a very wonderful road trip with family in tow xx Enjoy every single second!
Lots of love and happiness
Kazx
see you very soon x
Oh, How wonderful! Congratulations!! So good to hear some good news for a change, it seemed like all doom and gloom out there for a while.
Thank you for trusting us WOYWWers enough to share this with us.
Happy WOYWW
Thanks for a great crafty snoop, and huge congratulations
hugs
Enfys
I think it's fair to say life is odd, it throws up all sorts of challenges and choices, sometimes we think we don't have a choice and sometimes we just aren't brave enough to make that choice because it scares us too much.
To be brave and and make that choice and live that choice is great and inspiring and just look at the rewards! Thank you for sharing and congratulations. jo xx
Sarah, this is fabulous news, huge congratulations to you and your hubby. You guys will make fabulous parents. Lucky, lucky baby to have such a creative environment to grow up in.
You do know that you could also probably make a living as a writer, you write so beautifully.
Lin x
Congrats Sarah!!
Hugs Marleen #50
Thanks for sharing Sarah, and a huge congrats to you and your husband! Big hugs to you both...Lori
Sarah this is fabulous news, congrats to you both and thank you for sharing. enjoy the journey ahead. xx
What WONDERFUL news, Sarah! Thank you for sharing all of this with us - wishing you ALL the very best!
Wow Sarah! What a wonderful news. Congratulations! Take care for you and the title one.
Oh Sarah that, indeedily, is the most amazing news... congratulations to you and your lovely hubby. I know exactly where you are coming from with the change in "career" having been there and I am in no doubt that as well as your wonderful talent and creative streak, along with your hubby's musical talents, your baby is going to be just perfect.
I am wondering... would it be asking too much for you to wait an extra day though... June 13th is THE best day to be born :O)) Lotsa love to you xxx
Fabulous news Sarah, congratulations to you and your husband. Have to agree with Hels that June 13th is the best day to be born :)
Take care
congratulations! I am much younger but health stole the life I thought I was going to have and stamping has saved my sanity (and the perfectionist in me fusses with buttons until 2am all the time. Thank you for sharing your story so candidly.
What a lovely story Sarah, glad you decided to share it with us. Life is a journey and the path for all of us is different, yet it can still lead to happiness. Congratulations to you both.
Hugs
Brenda 115
Congratulations, that's fantastic news! You're really going to have to get heavily into scrapbooking now, then, lol!
Helen S (I haven't put a post up this week) x
Congratulations ...now you must really look after yourself. I am so very happy for you. Its not easy being a Mum but I think older mums are less stressed ...and take things in their stride ...dont forget we are all here for you if you need advice or just need a moan.xx
What a moving post - I am sat here with tears, I feel so emotional for you. Wonderful news, the best kind. Now you take care of yourself and no overtaxing. Your big WOYWW family will be watching every move you make and praying and waiting with bated breath for July to come along. God Bless you, your husband and your little one.
Neet #151 xxx (three now)
Sarah what a fabulous news! Congratulations.
Sarah, the biggest congratulations to you and your husband! Welcome to the world of the small people! Such fun!
xxx
Huge congratsto you & your hubby! Best news of the week, thanks for sharing!
Jo x
#143
Sarah, I am writing this with tears running down my cheeks! I was just so moved by your post. Congratulations on your wonderful news. I was 38 when I had my wonderful daughter and raising her has been the most amazing journey ever, she is by far my best piece of 'art' I also worked with dancers for many years... so have a little intuitive understanding of your experience. Sending you the biggest hug! xx
Congratulations on you news...I love the stamps you chose to show us...especially the I love you.
Wonderful news! Well done to you both!
Hello darling girl... I missed this great news last week, as I have been drowning in my problems here!! But this post has really cheered me and I am so happy for you...your art is always wonderful and your little new creation will be just as marvellous, I am sure
Frankie
xx
This is so exciting!! I'm sure you and your husband will be wonderful parents!
I'm so glad that you found your way to inkiness as you truly have wonderful talent.
Hugs,
Kay
OMG I am always the last to know everything!! How excited are you!!!! I am so excited for you both, so you must be squealing every day!!!
I never got around everyone's desks last week, and so I'm trying to catch up on 2 weeks worth of desks as I snoop. And this is the best news in the world.
So wobbly bits. Well afraid to say, as a dancer you would have blissfully had no idea what these were, but it's fair to say they won't go away. That is all part of the pregnancy deal. Gravity, bumps, wobbles. Not so good, but the result is worth it!!Wishing you all the best for a fab pregnancy and birth.
Oh and i guess you won;t be at AC then this time....just a few days before your due date??? I had 4 homebirths, so do have some experience if that's any help!! LOL
Leandra xx
Congratulations!!!! Your art is fun and I always love what you are doing. Peeped about, and love all your Heart creations too. I did not know that some countries do not celebrate Feb 14th!! Hope all goes will for you and you have an easy pregnancy. Children are so fun. Was not about last week so playing catch up.
OMG! I missed this last week! D'oh! BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you both! Wonderful News and just fabulous that a new door is opening in your life like this. :) Kimx
What marvelous news! (I'm reading this having jumped from this week's WOYWW post.) So glad you are having a chance at this wonderful adventure! My husband and I were married for 15 years before our daughter was born and she's the best thing that ever happened to us. Best, best, best wishes. ~ Laura
Oh wow congratulations, thank you for telling your story it's very inspirational. I have been catching up with blogs I loved to follow before life got in the way and at that time learning to get inky was replaced with my comfort of colouring pretty lol, I want to say a big thank you for your comment during this time, I made my daughter read all the comments and especially yours telling your ceoliac story, it's amazing the change in her, shes starting to look really healthy and at last smiles again, we do get the odd why me but she finds inspiration from stories on the internet and at ceoliac org. I am back to learning my inky/stamping and went back to where I was in the mojo monthly last November. I am working on vintage this month which is a first for me. Love all your articles in craft stamper (even though I have been a subscriber for 5 years I still haven't dared stamped more than an image lol). You will make a fab mum and I will end in saying Thank you for being you :-) Kezzy xxx
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