All of my life, I've always wanted to be a mom, and in my high school years, had hoped that someday I would get to stay home with my kids. So when we found out that we were going to have a little girl, Eloise was the name that topped the list. We found her name early in our pregnancy while watching a movie. This little flower shop made deliveries in an old yellow VW Bug Van, and was named "Eloise's Flower Shop". I fell in love with the name when I saw it written on the side of the van, and Chris soon did too. With that, the wheels started turning, and a new dream began developing.
If you know me, you know I love baking, cooking, decorating my old house, party-planning, crafting, homemaking, and basically pretending to be a Martha Stewart. I love these things for so many reasons, but I think the best way to summarize it would be with my Grandma Re, a 1940s housewife making ends meet, raising her children with joy, and giving to others on a daily basis. Doing these things makes me feel closer to her, closer to that my favorite time period, and paying tribute to her memory by serving and giving to others. I have a passion for these things, so much I would say it is my "calling", like others have a "calling" to be doctors, teachers, or engineers. I feel the most "at home" when I am able to do these things, and have found that this season of life is most definitely my most favorite. And I have many more years to enjoy it with hopefully many more babies! 
This season of life has also presented challenges that I didn't think I would feel. I didn't realize how much teaching and doing for others gave me a purpose and sense of community. I didn't think I'd feel like I was drowning in seemingly menial tasks like laundry and dishes. I didn't realize that being a stay-at-home mom, or mom in general, would mean my "work day" never ends, but is a continuum of house management. Basically, I thought I would be better at this motherhood thing. I am learning (and still have to remind myself) that life doesn't have to be perfect to be good, or only good when perfect. 
And then people have asked me what I think I want to do someday after all the kids are in school. Go back to teaching? Part-time job? Something else? Though teaching was a "calling" that I was proud to be, I think that ship has sailed in the night, never to return. I could be wrong, which I've learned that's one thing I'm always good at, but for now, teaching is not where I see myself again. It's simply too hard for this sensitive soul.
So, what would I do???
I began thinking more about that tiny dream that started growing as Ellie was growing in my tummy...A new "dream job" that lets me do what I love while allowing me to feel like I contribute to something outside the walls of our house. A creative outlet that would allow me to financially contribute to my family too. Here's what I'd love to do in my version of a "magical dream-world"...
NOW...
Craft orginal wreaths, baby headbands, and items I've made as gifts for others. Do "made to order" items, and be able to make this work during nap times or free time.
SOONER OR LATER...
Possibly open an Etsy shop, or a booth at the local craft mall. Hopefully in the next six months or so, one or both of these can happen!
NOW...
Make sweets and goodies for holidays, birthdays, office parties, or other special occasions. Help friends plan parties and showers, which I have always enjoyed doing. Just see where this takes me, and see what I love most about it. Some of my customers that are friends suggested that I do a Kickstarter to help fund and grow this business venture, and in the coming months I may consider doing that too. I'll keep you posted, of course. ;)
PROBABLY LATER RATHER THAN SOONER...
Ultimate DREAM in a magical dream-world: open a little treat shop that is a mashup of (for you local Oklahomans) Cuppies & Joe, Dara Marie's, and Victoria's, as well as an antique shop. A shop in an old house (I have the place picked out already) near downtown Main Street here in Norman, where we would serve a few lunch specials, but make our specialty sweet treats. Sugar cookies, fudge, cookies, pie, hot chocolate, coffee, homemade ice cream...You get the idea! Everything delicious. For decor in our home-y shop, I would love to use garage sale finds reinvented for new purposes and enlist the handiwork of friends to sell their art and homemade items. I have an ongoing list of those I'd love to join my "team", because they each offer a skill that would make "Eloise's Sweet Shop" a special place to be a part of.
So there you have it. All the hashtags of #eloisessweetshop and #eloisesflowershop now have a meaning to you all besides just me. I hope this dream comes true, but I realize it will be a lot of handwork and money too. As for now, I'll be living "the dream" of staying home with my kiddos and loving on them as much as I can. I don't want my new dream to overshadow the blessings of this dream achieved, nor do I want to wish these days away. And I couldn't spend a minute thinking of any of these things if I didn't have the best helper in every way as my husband, Chris. He makes my dreams come true everyday.
Thanks for your support, friends. Whether it's been reading my long and belated blogs, likes on Facebook, kind comments, or orders of sweets or crafts, I really appreciate you.
Your friendships do great things for my soul.
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