Some CHA Photos:).

 

 

 

 ruby, me, suzanne

 mindy and me

 

 

 

first time seeing the booth all decorated:) 

 me and carisa <3

 can you find mindy??

 there she is!

 

 sweet ruby and moi 

 finally!! a lightening bolt!:)

CHA was nerve-racking and fun and exciting.  Since it was my first time going, I didn't know what to expect...how my stamps would be received...even meeting people I only knew 'online' was very intimidating:).  I kinda like the buffer of being behind a computer screen.  I'm very quiet and not super social, so knowing I would be seeing people face to face made me get butterflies:).  But-- it was a pleasure!  I met a lot of super awesome girls...all of whom were absolute sweethearts!  

Angie, Ruby, Mindy, and Suzanne were in the Little Darlings booth, and those girls are a hoot:).  One thing I guess I should announce is that I am *not short.*  I might come across short online:), but I'm actually 5'6" and 5'9" in my heels:).  I could have carried around Mindy in my back pocket:).  lol.  Ruby and Angie, too!  Suzanne is my height, wa-hoo!!!!  (And, can I just say, she cannot have teenagers, because she looks waaaaaay too young!!:)  All of these girls-- absolutely beautiful people, inside and out!

I also met Colleen (totally the sweetest lady ever!) and Sandie (I loved listening to her accent:)...Sorry, Sandie:).  I got to say hello to Debbie and even had dessert with Carisa:).  It was fun saying hello to the people visiting our booth, too!  I even passed along some stamps to this cool chick:).  Awesome!

Besides the CHA fun, I was able to spend 6 days with my best friend, my mama:).  She has always wanted to see Chicago, so I was excited when she decided to come along!  We ate really big meals and had our Chicago pizza!  She visited my booth and met the girls.  And we even got to check out the city one day.  We hopped on a boat tour that cuts right through the streets and between the skyscrapers.  It was so  amazing-- and so special.  And on our last night, we got to watch a pretty awesome thunderstorm from our hotel window.  I took over 900 photos to get, like, three lightning strikes, lol.  I love the memories we made, and I'll cherish them forever!

So...that was CHA for me.  Whew!  What a week! 

And now I'm back home with my babies and hubs:).  I don't know if I would have lasted another day away:).  They had a donut cake waiting for me when I got home!!

Yes, the way to my heart is by presenting me with a cake made of donuts.  Truly, I will love you forever.

Time apart really does make a girl appreciate--all over again-- the little daily pleasures of having a beautiful, loving family.

Thank you everyone who wished me well...encouraged me about leaving the family for the week...and posted sweet messages throughout the days on FB and my blog.  

You all have become a real soft spot in my heart...

xx