Hola and HAPPY Wednesday!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind.

The travel part of my job picked up this summer. I’m a tiny bit exhausted. First World Problems, I know. I’ll shut up now. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I have two pretty huge life updates to share.

1) I went back to work at the Meyer Center.

Yes, you read that right! I am beyond excited. Let me share a little of the backstory…

A few months ago, Greenville360 did a story about the Meyer Center turning 70. We were invited to celebrate with the classrooms and take a tour of the school. I don’t have to tell most of you that I was IN MY FEELINGS the entire time.

If you’re new here and aren’t aware, the Meyer Center is a school for children with disabilities and also my first “big girl” job. I worked at the school for ten years. The place sort of raised me. The Meyer Center is where I met lifelong friends and realized my passion for special needs. JP attended the school for six months when we first brought him home from Guatemala. To say that the Meyer Center holds a special place in my heart is a MAJOR understatement.

When we were leaving the tour that day, I stopped by the office to say good bye to my friends. On a whim, I asked for paperwork to volunteer. “I miss this place so much,” I told them, “I want to volunteer.” To which they responded with, “why don’t you sub and get paid!” Duh.

The rest is history. I talked to the people in charge who ended up offering me a two-day permanent gig! I started last week and loved every minute!

2) We got the initial sketches for our book.

We’re excited that there’s been movement with the production of our next book. Now that we have the copyright, I shared more about the story, PLUS the initial sketches from the illustrator in this week’s newsletter. If you’re a paid subscriber, you can see the sketches and read the Introduction here! (The subscription is $7/month)

The Boys

JP’s art business continues to grow.

He now has a display at a cafe in Travelers Rest.

We dropped off fifteen new pendants this weekend for them to display. If you’re in the area, please stop in and support Kristen and her crew! They’ve been so supportive of JP, and we love their hearts.

Preston started high school and I could just die. How is he a freshman? 😭 So far, so good. Hopefully he’ll stay out of trouble and excel academically. God, please help him stay out of trouble and excel academically!

In addition to baseball, he’s playing more baseball.

Upcoming

At the end of this month, a.k.a next week, we are taking JP to another concert in Atlanta. The following day, I head to Tryon for the Earl Scruggs Festival (one of my favorite weekends of the year).

Saturday, September 13, JP, Laurie and I have a market at the local bookstore in Travelers Rest, “As The Page Turns.” Tyler and I will be there signing/selling our book while Laurie and JP set up to sell art, jewelry, and other miscellaneous items. We’d love to see you there!

Then, DRUMROLL PLEASE, I’m heading to Franklin, TN at the end of September to cover the Pilgrimage Festival! I am SO excited about this new partnership. While I’m there, I’m looking forward to popping over to Nashville. I’ve never been! I’m SO sad that Laurie and mom won’t be able to join me. Especially Laurie. Pilgrimage was a Bucket List festival for her. Preston is playing in one of his first travel tournaments that same weekend.

Alrighty. That’s all for now. I hope y’all are having a perfect week!