Sometimes life gets filled to the brim. With silly boys, mountains of papers to grade, middle school kids to inspire into science, soccer games to attend, some spontaneous dances in the kitchen, and loud laughs.
It gets so filled and busy it has to say goodbye. Goodbye to friends that have touched hearts and imprinted souls. Life-long pals whose names bring smiles when said them aloud.
Yep.
It is time to divert the journey and break the six pack. :)
Yep.
It is time to divert the journey and break the six pack. :)
I remember my first CHA. It was a bit scary for me. Out of my comfort zone for sure!! :)
Look who welcomed me with a big smile. :)
Such an easy and fun friend to have. Susan. <3
Look who welcomed me with a big smile. :)
Such an easy and fun friend to have. Susan. <3
Little did I know that I would have the honor of working closely with this wonderful woman. Me? A Go-to Gal? WOW! Don't think that I ever felt I deserved that title BUT boy was I ready for the ride.
So then it was official. Florida CHA! WOW. That is me. With the moxie fab gal, Cath.
She holds a very very special place in my heart.
Always.
Then the time came. Jess. Kim K. Kim H. Teri. Betsy. Stick 6 women from all over the country in 3 rooms in Utah for ed. board. You know what comes, right? Giggles, late nights, instant friendships that exceed ALL assignments. :)
I could call on any of these women at any time. That is how real it is with them. Goofy, yes....I have been guilty. Camera happy? Who me? Hee.. hee.. Loud? Well....you gotta have fun, right? I am just so complete and happy in their presence that I do admit, I can be a 'bit' boisterous! ha!
I could call on any of these women at any time. That is how real it is with them. Goofy, yes....I have been guilty. Camera happy? Who me? Hee.. hee.. Loud? Well....you gotta have fun, right? I am just so complete and happy in their presence that I do admit, I can be a 'bit' boisterous! ha!
What a ride it has been? Flying off to Montana for World Card Making Day. Spreading the joy of card making with AMAZING ladies.
Yep. I got to hang with these AMAZING chicas at CKC Seattle!! Aren't I a lucky duck?
Back to CHA. Look at these REAL smiles. Gosh....the tears are flowing now. How I LOVE these women.
Back to Utah. Trips to American Crafts & Doodlebug. Always full of inspiration and laughter.
CHA Chicago. Super Show time! Such high energy. And I kept up this time!! :)
Gorgeous P Kelly. <3
Always supportive Jennifer. <3
It is with a VERY VERY heavy heart that I say goodbye to ALL amazing, strong, inspiring ladies (& Matt). P K, Kerri, Ahtanya, Susan, Jennifer, Courtney, Cath, Holly, Renae, Kim K, Kim H, Teri, Betsy, and Jess.
People who believed in little ole' me.
Some people are jobless or work in places that do not bring them joy.
I have been so blessed in my life to be able to expand my creativity with Paper Crafts.
And now I will continue to put my energy towards my other love. Teaching.
I will still be around. HA! You aren't that lucky!
But it is time for another person to enjoy that ride. To live a dream.
To be touched by amazing people.
To make friends and be inspired.
People who believed in little ole' me.
Some people are jobless or work in places that do not bring them joy.
I have been so blessed in my life to be able to expand my creativity with Paper Crafts.
And now I will continue to put my energy towards my other love. Teaching.
I will still be around. HA! You aren't that lucky!
But it is time for another person to enjoy that ride. To live a dream.
To be touched by amazing people.
To make friends and be inspired.
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30 comments:
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! You're leaving too!!! You will BE missed!!! I sooo soooo soooo enjoyed the privilege of meeting another fellow middle school teacher and artist!! I love your wonderful style and terrific projects!!!
HUGS HUGS HUGS!!! Good luck with the little ones!! I hope we still see your beautiful work around Paper Crafts!
Good Luck in your in adventure Maren. I know all the girls will miss you. Keep in touch and make sure you save some time to create and of course share your inspiring MOJO with US!
Tough decision, I know - but we will no doubt see you and your work often. Thanks for sharing all your talent with us as a Go-To Gal!
You will be missed as a go-to gal! I wish you all the continued joy in the world in teaching and in life :)
You will be missed! Wishing you all the best in the future.
Tears are flowing. And I'm not one to cry. I love you so much Maren Benedict. <3 <3 <3
Maren~Wish you the best life has to offer in your new adventures!! You will be missed!
Enjoy the next stage and as I told my daughter (who's thinking of teaching)--a good teacher can affect so many lives! Enjoy your boys and teaching!!
Ok I'm about to cry. I know that I don't regularly comment but I hope you know how I feel about you. I'm sorely and I MEAN sorely going to miss you. I wish you the very best my Mare... {HUGS}
Best of luck to you in all your endeavors! Sad to see you go!
I'll miss seeing your amazing creations in the magazine as a Go-To Gal, but I am looking forward to seeing what you do in any of your new adventures! Best wishes! XOXO
best of luck to you!
You will be greatly missed!So I guess I'll have to be a blog follower now! Best of everything to you and your family.
Oh Maren. I've got the waterworks going myself, sweet friend. I have so enjoyed working with you in your role as a Go-to Gal, and I will miss you more than you can imagine. But more than that, I have valued the fact that we have understood one another on a very deep level since Day 1 without having to say much of anything at all. And even though we won't be working together in the same capacity, that connection between us will always be there, will always be strong, no matter where our lives take us. And as much as I, our team, and the magazine will miss having you as a Go-to Gal, I so respect your decision to put the time and energy that you do have into your little men and into being the dedicated and inspiring teacher I know you to be. You are an absolute inspiration to me, Maren. I hope I can be just like you when I grow up.
Love always,
Cath
sniff,sniff... Oh... Girl you have be tearing over here! But I totally understand and want to thank you for all the inspiration and fun and just awesomeness you have brought! I can't wait that you will share with us in the future ((HUGS))
I. Love. You.
{{hugs}}
YOU are amazing girl.... Just amazing. Xo
so sad to see you go, Maren!
Maren, you are amazing! I KNOW I will still be seeing your work in magazines and around because we just must. It would be wrong if you weren't sharing somewhere. :) But best wishes as you focus your energy on the other loves in your life. It takes a special insight to know when it is the right time to let go of something good.
Maren, I have missed your frequent posts but that makes the posts you do make that much more treasurable. You are an amazing artist and I can only imagine one hell of a teacher and mother. I'm sorry you will be leaving the paper craft group but am thrilled to know that I haven't lost being inspired by you on an occasional basis. From one teacher to another I can understand the pressures. Best of luck to you and again, I look forward to anything you create.
Oh DEAR this is sad stuff for all of us PC Mag fans! Kim, then Jessica, and now you, too!!! You'll be missed, Maren! You did such a wonderful job, inspiring us with your creativity and SMILE :)
So sad:( Sorry to hear you're leaving PC but I'm happy that it's to continue to inspire your students and to be the wonderful mommy you are:) You have always been an inspiration to me and I'm glad you'll still be around blog land:) BIG HUGS!!!
You are amazing, Maren. I don't know how you balanced it all. Everyone will be sad to see you go.
Maren, you are one talented woman and will definitely be missed! You better keep submitting so I have an excuse to email you every once and a while. :) Best luck with your next adventure.
Maren, I am so sad to see you go. LOVED looking at your smiling face in each magazine.
I hope that we will still see each other at future CHA's.
Hey....you got a camera on your head? Still my favorite comment of all.
Big cyber hugs!!!!
Maren, you've been such an inspiration in our little (ha!) paper crafting world! I'm so sad to see you leaving this gig, but I KNOW you'll be inspiring all of us for many years to come You'll always hold a special place in my heart!
Sniff... you're one of my favorite go-to-gal. I remember when I met you I thought you're like the cutest chick! Your smile could brighten the whole room! Hope you still continue blogging and making cards! Good luck on your next journey and may you always be blessed to do what you love! Hugs.xx
It's so difficult to make the right decision sometimes, isn't it? You are creative and beautiful and fun and inspiring! I was so happy to meet you at CHA in Florida - you were so sweet to walk around with giantly pregnant me, waddling around! Hugs dear Maren! :)
I will miss your creative input in my PC magazines and your fun stuff online. i have become a follower of your blog because frankly i can't do without your input :) you are definitely one of the go-to gals that i go to a lot for inspiration! And even though I am not a teacher of middle school children, i volunteer at our middle school a lot (and my youngest goes there now) and i have a special place in my heart for kids that age. I feel you are a true kindred spirit. Wishing you continued goodness in your life. Love to you and your family.
I know something about filling life to the brim ;) and what a difficult decision this must have been for you! Enjoy spending more time with your family and your students!
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