Making Mountains Out of Stepping Stones

Where have I been for TWO WEEKS?!

Mountain climbing.  And every time I get to the top of a peak...I find a new, bigger mountain beyond the one I just conquered.

I turned in my application for our Conditional Use Permit for the Town - check!  I almost had to sell my first-born child to some traveling gypsies to pay for it, but we decided we would miss her if we did.  (At least until the next time she sasses me...then that plan is fair game again.)  Now we just waaaiiiit for the public hearing on June 12th to find out if it will be approved or not.  That's a long time to hold your breath...

The business plan is written - check!  I learned four things from sitting at my computer for 12 hours and writing that blasted thing:

1. You shouldn't skip eye doctor appointments, because I'm pretty sure staring at the computer screen for that long melted my last pair of contacts to my eyeballs.

2. Being a "writer" is of no benefit when constructing a business plan because you're supposed to use the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid!). That meant I had to constantly go back and remove my beloved adjectives, adverbs, and personal flamboyance.

3. Retraining your brain to write about yourself in third-person is ridiculously hard. I don't like it, and the whole thing sounds, to me, like Elmo wrote it.

4. I am not a fan of writing business plans.

I worked with the Director of the Small Business Development Center through e-mail and it has been edited, revised, and polished.  Now I'm just waaaaiiiiiiiting to meet with the SBDC's Certified Public Account to complete the Financial section.  Shockingly, it turns out that some people have things in their life going on besides getting my business started (ummm what?!), and the CPA is unavailable until next week. 

I did meet with the Loan Portfolio Manager from the bank to discuss loan options.  I was pretty indignant when I found out that my children do NOT count as collateral.  ("But THAT'S where all my money is?!")  I was also informed by the LPM that my financial statement was the funniest one he had ever received.  (Baby Steps for Stepping Stone)  Not because of my financials (which would've been MY guess), but because of all the notes I had stuck on it.  His favorite: the note in the middle of our monthly budget that said, "Don't judge me."

I certainly haven't sat idle while waiting for the inconsiderate CPA to return from her vacation, however.  (Seriously...how COULD she leave at a time like this?!) 

I have turned my attentions to Social Services (a.k.a. The People That Own Me Once I'm Licensed and Forevermore) instead.

First of all, I was an idiot for thinking that reading their 99-page Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers guide three times (with a highlighter...and I took notes!) was an accomplishment.  I was informed by the woman I spoke with at the Central Licensing Office that I also needed to make friends with the following documents:

Code of Virginia (56 pages)
Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (42 pages)
General Procedures and Information for Licensure (37 pages)

No problem.  I like to read.  I mean, usually it's like, a murder mystery or historical fiction....but, I can be a good sport and highlight stuff and take notes in all these manuals, too.  I'll have to do it in my "spare time" though, because she dropped another pile of "to-do" in my lap, as well.

Also, it turns out that having a degree in education, and 7 years of teaching experience, isn't enough to qualify me as the Director of my own facility.  If you're thinking, "No way!" don't worry, I'm right there with you.  Ok, so a 20-hour online course to get "management training" and a Director's Certificate, it is.  No biggie, I've been through worse.

Now let's talk employees...

I was patting myself on the back for having most of the "who" parts worked out.  THAT is always my first mistake - feeling accomplished.  Finding the perfect employees is a drop in the bucket.  I also need to make sure that they have/receive the following:

1. 24 hours of staff development (before we open)
2. CPR certifications
3. First Aid training
4. MAT training (for giving out meds)
5. Training in identifying and reporting child abuse
6. Training in performing Daily Health Observations
7. Tuberculosis screenings
8. Background checks (including sworn statements, criminal history, and registry checks)
9. Staff orientation

Well, that's cool...I'm just going to have to talk everyone into giving me their entire summer.  I'm sure they won't mind.  I will bribe them with...love and appreciation. 

And while I'm reading, taking an online course, and training my staff... I just need to type up a few documents.

1. Emergency Preparedness Plan (which has to be coordinated with your Local Emergency Manager)
2. Injury Prevention Plan
3. Playground Safety Plan
4. Student/Parent Handbooks (with Policies & Procedures)
5. About 30 different forms for registration, medicine, allergies, etc.
6. Employment applications
7. Employee contracts
8. Schedules for each age group
9. Schedules for employees
10. LOGS FOR EVERYTHING

No problem!  I'm an organized person.  I found some resources online for a lot of it (I'm a Google pro...but so is my mom).  I even have a friend who offered to help type and create documents (LOVE her!)

So where does that leave me?

Tired.  That's where.

And yet...still excited!

I'm working with a designer that a friend hooked me up with on my logo.  (Eeeeek!)  I have my website up and published.  (It's still a work in progress though - I don't have all the info I need to call it "done" yet.)  I'm scheduled to attend my orientation with Social Services on July 8th.  (I was told to bring all of my "friendly" documents along...ugh.)  I'm also supposed to meet with an insurance agent to get quotes on liability insurance for the business in the next few weeks.

Oh yeah...

And I'm still teaching second grade full-time...while trying to fit in the whole "wife and mother of two" thing...

The hubs needs a shout out here.  He has been cleaning (only as is absolutely necessary, but still...whatever he does - I DON'T have to do)  He has been dropping off AND picking up the kids.  He has been the "dance mom" when I couldn't.  He even took on the task of researching grants for me.  He's earned major brownie points.

The important thing to remember is this:  It CAN be done.  It WILL be done.  And WHEN it is...

“Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling, enduring, and accomplishing.” - George Sheehan

 

♥M

 

Baby Steps for Stepping Stone

                                  

I promised readers that I would post regular updates about my new adventure in the world of small business and opening a child care center, and there is much to update you on, so here goes...

First, let me just say that the reaction to my last post, Jump Into Your Purpose, has been INTENSE.  I'm going to push pause right now, so that I may say THANK YOU to everyone who has responded.  There has been ZERO negative feedback, and TOTAL support with enthusiasm for this chapter in my family's life.  (All of the buzz has really cut down on my projected advertising expenses, as well - so to my local readers - keep up the good work! Haha)

Also, I want to acknowledge the INCREDIBLE amount of work that my predecessor put into this particular project before me.  (The building's previous owner completely renovated it with the intentions of opening it as a daycare.) A lot of the battles that I have been prepared to fight - he already did; and I have been able to fit my footsteps neatly into his.  Certain zoning issues, almost all of the building's renovations, and even certain permits/public notices had already been taken care of.  I've never met this person, but every time I discover an item he inadvertently has checked off of MY to-list...  Well, I am beyond grateful for all of his hard work.  At times, it almost makes me feel guilty to benefit from someone else's hard work.  Then, I look at the mountains I have yet to climb...and I go back to just feeling grateful.

I have kept my pace of "full steam ahead" for the most part since my last post, and didn't waste much of the past five days.  I kicked my Friday night off with a visit to the Town Hall, and by the end of the weekend, I had met with the town's Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Treasurer, and a Councilwoman (twice).  I learned a lot about the history of the building, and finagled as much information out of the treasurer as possible.  (She threatened to quit her job at one point... so I only asked for like, three or four more things after that.)  I tracked the county's Building Inspector down at home (luckily, he's someone I've known since I was a child), and I only harassed him about half of a dozen times between Friday and Monday.  I left a message with the county's Director of Planning...and then three or four other people did too - Whoops!  (He probably threw his phone out of the window after he heard my name the fourth time.) 

Monday, I met with the county's Building Official and Building Inspector on-site and discussed any items that still needed to be done in order for the building to meet code (which the bank was already well on top of).  We also talked about the big "mysterious mystery" that plagues me still:  CAN we live in the upstairs and run the business downstairs?  I was told that "zoning is it's own kind of animal" and that we needed to be very sure about the answer to that question before proceeding on an assumption.  Which, I think we all know, means that I will be leaving a lot more messages and making a lot more people sick of my name until we find out.  (I blame the 5-year-old inside of me saying, "Are we there yet?!  Are we there yet?!")

The Loan Portfolio Manager from the bank that was kind enough to make the offer of personally walking me through the business budget and financials, had the pleasure of being tracked down by myself today, as well.  He had e-mailed a financial worksheet and a list of documents that he needed in order to start putting together some pre-qualifications for me, and I did my best to oblige, but... Phew.  I don't consider myself to be a stupid person, but after spending an hour digging through files and scrounging through my tax returns, then squinting at the teeny, ant-sized boxes on the "worksheet," I called it quits.  I stuffed everything that I thought looked important into a pretty envelope (that counts for something, right?), flipped the worksheet over, scrawled out MY version of my finances, and tacked a note at the top that read, "FYI - your worksheet made me feel like an idiot. :) M"  I hand-delivered it to his office and introduced myself as the woman that he would probably wish his wife had never made friends with.  Luckily, he seemed to have both a sense of humor AND the patience of Job, so he may survive working with me after all.

The biggest, most exciting meeting to date, however, was the one I had today at the local Small Business Development Center.  The bank President and Vice-President set up a meeting for me with themselves and the center's Director to get things started with my official business plan.  I was a nervous wreck.  I tried to look the part and wore my big-girl business clothes, grown-up jewelry, and even a pair of heels.  I also spent ten minutes on my hair instead of five.  I'm not entirely sure that any of that was necessary, but I was operating on the belief that if I looked like an adult, it would encourage me to act like one. 

I called my brother-in-law, who's a Certified Public Accountant, before the meeting; and I demanded that he answer 101 annoying questions that I thought knowing the answers to could potentially make me sound smarter when discussing business structure.  I still tapped my feet, drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, and chomped on gum the whole drive there. 

I managed to survive the meeting without saying anything too incredibly stupid.  They were kind enough to act impressed by the meager amount of homework I have done, so that puffed me up a bit.  (I say "meager" because when you put the pile of stuff I HAVE done next to pile of stuff I NEED to do...it makes me cringe a little.)  When asked about a timeline for completing the business plan (a.k.a. 25-page research paper), the Director indicated that it would mostly depend on how quickly I got it written.  The V.P. laughed, and told her not to be surprised if it was in her e-mail by Monday.

I know she was joking, but...

                  don't be too upset, dear readers, if you don't hear from me for a couple of days.  ;)

♥M

 

P.S. Guess what came up during my business meeting?  THE BLOG!  WAY TO GO! readers, on spreading the word!  Y'all rock!

The Rugged Maniac



As you will have noticed with this post, I did in fact survive the 5K obstacle course that all of my training posts were in reference to...

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 2

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 3

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 4

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 5

I have to admit, I had really psyched myself out about this Rugged Maniac race...and it wasn't that bad. 

I don't mean that I was some total badass that dominated every obstacle and sprinted the whole course.  Not even close.  I did TRY every obstacle and only failed at two; but there was definitely more than one challenge that required teamwork and a helping hand (or two). 

What impressed me thoroughly about the whole thing, however, was the whole atmosphere of the "race."  All of the super competitive, every-man-for-himself types must have been in the first few waves of runners; because, by my 10:45am heat, the whole attitude was one of FUN, "go at your own pace," and "we're all in this together." 

I had a blast, and told my brother-in-law when we finished, "I feel like I could climb a mountain right now!  I CAN'T!  But I FEEL like I could!"

And since my dedicated readers seem to remain loyal, despite the fact that I constantly remind you what a crazy person I am, I will share my 3 HUGE pre-race fears with you:

1. My contacts...because if I lose one, then I can't see (duh).  Like (-7/20) Rx can't see.

2. My hair...yeah, yeah, I might not spend a lot of time on it, but I do try to make sure I won't be mortally embarrassed if I see someone I know when I leave the house.  What if I lose my headband?!  What if my bobby pins come out and my bangs end up standing straight up with mud?!  These are valid female concerns.

And speaking of female concerns...

3. My lady parts...I am sooooo sorry right now for my male readers, but let's get real - no lady wants her undies full of mud.  And for those that were worried about it, I did remember to wear undies - you're welcome (Freaky Friday).

I am happy to report that none of  my fears were realized; and I was a well-sighted, mostly comfortable person with respectable enough looking hair - including my headband - at the end of the race.

The course itself was 3.1 miles long and had the following obstacles:

1. Small Walls  - After a decent trail run over pretty clumsy-person-dangerous terrain, we arrived at two pieces of plywood that we were supposed to jump over.  Yeah, I climbed over them.  Carefully.

2. A-frames - A huge wooden A-frame ladder...only the "rungs" were like 3 feet or more apart.  These were my favorite because I actually climbed up, over, and down like a spider monkey and that made me feel super cool.  I did take a kick to the throat by an excited guy next to me, but he said, "Sorry," so I forgave him.

3. Mud Crawl - Crawling in mud...under BARBED WIRE?!  Um, no thanks on getting sliced up.  I went a little overboard on staying low here, because I have been known to miscalculate the size of my derriere and bump into things.  Not that big of a deal if it's like, a table, but a super huge deal if it's like, BARBED WIRE.  So I stayed almost totally flat in a push-up position and drug myself through the mud by my arms.  A good workout, to say the least (but my bum stayed safe).

4. Jump Trench - When I got to these huge pits in the ground, I thought, "Crap."  I have NO confidence in my ability to jump over things.  I clench up in the air and drop like a rock.  My landings are terrible, even if they are on my feet.  I got a running start, held my breath, and made it over about three or four of the pits before I got to one that was like, 5 FEET across and I screeched to a halt immediately.  I am not Batman - I will not pretend that I can jump that far.  That is the one and only thing I refused to do all day, and I walked around it.  I finished jumping over the rest of the totally reasonable, albeit terrifying, 3-4 foot wide pits and carried on.

5. Crawling Trenches - MORE BARBED WIRE!?  Back on my stomach, but this time I frog kicked/army crawled through the mud, under that danged barbed wire.  I am positive that THIS will be the ONE thing that they got a picture of all day.

6. Mud Pit - It was a pit...of mud.  Naturally, I got stuck and had to hold onto to a super sweet girl who took pity on me, and pulled myself out of the quicksand-ish mud.  At this point, I am already starting to be annoyed by all of the MUD.  Really unfortunate considering I had 19 more obstacles to go through.

7. Buoys - Huge pit of muddy water lined with buoys.  People were swimming under them.  They obviously didn't wear contacts.  I climbed over them all (very gracefully, I might add).

8. Tall Walls - These were huge plywood "walls" that you were supposedly going to be able to pull yourself up and over.  What am I, a Navy Seal?!  Basically, my brother-in-law boosted me as high as he could and I grabbed the top and pulled myself up onto my stomach, slowly did a 180, and fell over the other side. Then, I got my entire right leg stuck in mud up to my thigh and the trusty brother-in-law had to hold my arm while I horse-kicked my leg out of the mud (very UNgracefully, I might add).

9. Ladder Walls - Basically a repeat of #2.

10.  Show Catcher - Appropriately named, this involved wading through muddy water that dropped off in random places and varied from knee-depth to chest-depth mayhem.  Then, you got to a straight up wall of slick mud....that you were expected to climb up.  The ONLY reason I made it over was because of some awesome people that took it upon themselves to lay across the top and hold their hands down to help.  I really hope they were from out-of-state (and that I never see them again) because once I had run-climbed the wall as high as I could, they helped haul me over the top - but I landed like, ON them...and rolled down the other side. 

11. Bag Carry - This one made me laugh.  You had to throw a weighted sack across your shoulders and run to the next stop.  Please.  I carry one 30-lb. kid AND one 40-lb. kid on my shoulders/back/hips on a regular basis - at the same time.  These people should be ashamed to tell any mom that this was an "obstacle."

12. Tube Crawl - You slid down a tube, landed in mud, waded through it, and climbed up another tube.  It was harder than it sounds.

13. Pole Hop - This is an inaccuracy on their itinerary - THERE WAS MORE BARBED WIRE!  This time I just lay down in front of it and log-rolled under the whole she-bang.  Great plan, except I had no sense of time and space when I stood up on the other side.  I had to climb the mud hill on the other side at a diagonal angle because I was so dizzy, I wasn't sure where the ground was.

14. Ring Cross - These were rings that you had to swing from one to the other across a pit of muddy water.  This was the first EPIC fail I had.  My hands were so muddy that as soon as I jumped off of the platform and went to swing from one ring to the next, my hands slipped, and I went swimming.  I had to do the climb of shame out of the water hole. 

15. Mulch Climb - This was a GIGANTIC mountain of mulch that you had to literally run up and then down.  I want to know what they did with it afterwards, because my front yard is looking kind of shabby right now...

16. Balance Beam - Literally a balance beam (across a pit of muddy water, of course).  I rocked this.  All you had to do was walk...quickly and carefully.  Score.

17. Twin Peaks - I dunno what this name is supposed to mean, but what it was - in real life - was a scarily forever-long, mud tunnel under the ground that you were SUPPOSED to crawl through; but my knees and shins were so shredded at this point that I couldn't.  Instead, I crouched/squatted and used my fingertips to walk through the tunnel Orangutan-style.  Luckily it was dark, so no one could see this.  Another stupendous workout.

18. Seesaw - You had to run up a huge seesaw and then down the other side.  It looked really scary, but was easy enough to boost my confidence and lead me to believe I could try the next thing...

19. Ninja - Four boards, set at an angle, diagonally from each other, over a pit - you are SUPPOSED to "Ninja-leap" from one to the other.  I ran, jumped, and after hitting the first board, my confidence died an immediate death - I called it quits mid-air and dropped into the pit.  Epic fail #2.

20. Mount Maniac - Another appropriately named obstacle.  This was the one that I NEVER would have done, nor probably EVER could do, without help.  There was an insanely high wooden wall you had to get to the top of...then a rope wall to climb across AND up...then a slide to go down.  The wooden wall you had to "climb" was ridiculous, and if my brother-in-law hadn't pushed me while another guy pulled me, I wouldn't have made it.  I needed the guy at the top because my hands were covered in mud and and even though I could jump and grab the top of the wall, I kept slipping.  He grabbed my arm after my hands slipped the last time and ended up completely pulling me over the top of the wall.  At one point he asked me, "Are you Ok? Do you have a grip?" and I told him, "NO!  If you let go, I will fall and take down all of the people under me!!!"  He yanked me over the top and I thanked him (again, hoping he was from out-of-state).  After that, the rope floor/wall was no problem.  BUT - the slide scared the crap out of me.  Sitting at the top of it and looking down was intense.  I almost climbed back down the wall.  A girl offered to push me...but that freaked me out even more, so I just closed my eyes and did it.  Phew!

21. Superhero - We swam through....you guessed it!  Muddy water.

22. Crawl Under - MUD.

23. Pit - MUD.

24. Cargo climb - Running up...and then down...a mountain of...MUD.

25. Fire Jump - Running and jumping over three separate rows of burning logs.  Terrifying stuff for a clumsy jumper, by the way.

And then...THE FINISH LINE!  1 hour and 45 minutes after leaving the starting line, we were DONE!  It felt...insanely euphoric.  Enough so that people were actually getting ENGAGED at the finish line.  I couldn't see well enough to tell if there was a ring, and it was actually planned, or they were just CRAZY high off of the race and acting on endorphins.  My brother-in-law and I watched that madness, celebrated with a respectably brief hug and then then bee-lined to the truck to grab our phones and snap pics of each other to send to our spouses.  We're definitely bonded for life after this, but not in a Jerry Springer kind of way.  (I live in a small town, I have to state these things, sorry.)

Because I was so invincible after my race, I decided I would take advantage of my "free beer" wristband that came with my race registration.  I have been through college (including being a sorority girl) and have NEVER been able to drink a beer.  But I was a Rugged Maniac now!  Surely I could drink a beer!?  Phew - I tried.  I ended up sipping on it for 30 minutes and then had to pass it off on my brother-in-law.  Apparently, I am not THAT rugged yet.  *Gag!*

Did I enjoy it?  YES.  Will I do it again? YES.  Am I insane?  YES.

The fact that the whole thing was like a personal challenge rolled into a team-building exercise was awesome.  Hopefully, next year we can talk some people into joining us and make a whole team!  The sense of accomplishment when you cross that finish line - it's like no other!

"You are never late to live."

♥M

Jump Into Your Purpose

First let me apologize to my readers for completely abandoning you for a SOLID WEEK!  I promise that I haven't been twiddling my thumbs, though; and I hope that my excitement over why I have been absent will help you to forgive me...

Last week, I got a message out of the blue from an old co-worker at the bank.  It was one of those innocent things that can start an avalanche in your life...and this did, for sure.  The message was basically this: We (the bank) own a building that has been renovated to be a daycare.  We heard you are staying home next year, and thought you might be interested."

Psssssh!  Yeah, right.  I had made it clear to the 278 people that had previously suggested it - I was NOT opening a daycare.  That was one of those life's dreams of mine, and I was all too aware of what the venture would entail.  It would mean giving up everything (and every dollar) to strike out on my own, risk my family's security, and all just to become a small-business statistic concerning failure in the first 3 years. 

So on Friday, I went and checked out the building with the bank's V.P. 

It took my breath away.  It was so perfect, it hurt my insides.  The set-up is such that we could actually live upstairs and run the daycare downstairs.  I could live at work.  (Which is great, because I need any help I can get with my genetic predisposition to being 5 minutes late...or more...everywhere I go.)  I started dreaming on the spot...and that made me nervous.  I didn't deserve this!  I couldn't pull this off!  I didn't have start-up money for a business!  Every concern I had was waved away, only making me more hopeful...which made me REALLY nervous.  "What do you need from me?  What are you looking for?" I asked my tour guide.  The short answer?  Someone with a passion for children, who will commit to this project 100%.  Someone who will put the blood, sweat, and tears into this place to get it where it should be, and offer this community what it needs.

She described me.

I lost all control of my dreams, hopes, and "what if's." 

She handed me the key and told me to think about it over the weekend.  I spent the whole weekend obsessing, researching, and sharing my meanderings with my family.  I took the hubs to the building and showed him around.  He was immediately in love.  "M!  This is what we've been waiting for!  We can do this TOGETHER and BE TOGETHER like we always dreamed!"  I tried to talk him down.  "It's going to be our whole life!  It's all we'll do, all we'll think about, all we'll have time for!" 

"But we'll be TOGETHER.  We'll do this TOGETHER." he says.

And that was the end of my will power to say "No." 

I spent the weekend with my nose buried in business manuals, social services standards, and zoning and building code requirements.  I made lists and crunched numbers.  I called every contact I have that I thought could possibly offer me advice...or talk me out of it.  I consulted with a realtor, two social workers, a previous daycare manager, the principal of the school across from the building, someone on the county's board of supervisors, an insurance agent, a loan officer, and my pastor.  I spent hours on the Internet searching for helpful articles about starting a business, how-to blogs, and procedural manuals. 

I was a woman on a mission.

The most productive part of of it all?  Finding out exactly what people thought of me, and my potential business prowess:

"Sometimes, your plan isn't God's plan."

"Once your fire is lit on something, NO ONE can stop you - you WILL make this happen.  I know it."

"Life is like a puzzle, but you don't have the box cover with the picture, so you don't know what it's supposed to look like when you're done.  You just have to let Him fit the pieces together."

"If there was anyone that could succeed at this...it's you."

"Maybe this is what God's been preparing you for all along.  You've been through things and had experiences that, without them, you might not have been prepared to climb this hill."

"It's going to be a lot of work, but you can do it.  There isn't anyone who won't believe in you."

Wow.  As I'm sure you can imagine - hearing words like that...to your face...when you're feeling totally NOT confident...I cried.  (By the way - this stuff is documented now, y'all, so don't try to take it back when I fail miserably! Haha!)  I knew that I had super awesome friends, and that my family loved me... but to have that amount of support when you are doubting yourself?  Well, obviously, I was super awkward and said something to ruin the moment every time, but STILL - I heard their words, and it made my heart swell.

So what have I been doing this week?  Well, I have read enough state and federal material to probably fill three novels.  I have begun working on a budget and a schedule, researched and decided on a business structure, registered my business with both the state and federal government, secured my official certificate from the State Corporation Commission for my business... I've been busy. 

The to-do list is endless.  I still have to finish my research on all of the costs for start-up equipment and supplies, recruit top-notch potential employees, set up training and certification classes for said employees, get business and zoning and licensing through my town/county/state, and work my way through grants/loans. 

I should be overwhelmed. 

I'm not.  I'm enjoying the challenge.  I'm embracing the sense of accomplishment that each item checked off of the to-do list brings me.  That also worries me.  Why am I not freaking out?  Is six days just not enough time to fully realize what I am doing?  Will it sink in next week, or next month?  Or am I just actually on the path that I am meant to be on?  Am I FINALLY realizing a purpose, and a mission, and fulfilling some part of my destiny that's been waiting for me to catch up?  (Whoa, getting kind of touchy-feely again...)

Right now everything is in the "dream phase."  At any moment something could rear it's head and snatch all of my dreams away.  THAT is what my life's experience tells me.  THAT is what leaves me feeling skeptical at the conclusion of each daydream. 

But why let that stop me?  Why live waiting for the other shoe to drop? 

I can't.  I will never realize this dream unless I push through all of the self-doubt, ignore the people who aren't as supportive as my real friends and family, and take the biggest risk I've ever taken in my whole life.

Which leads me to what I decided to name my preschool.

I have faced many obstacles in my life.  Many things that I could have chosen to stumble over and not get back up from.  We all have.  Our children need to be prepared for the same thing.  If there is anything that I am passionate about, it is children...and their education beyond standardized tests and letter grades. 

Stumbling blocks in life are only stepping stones, but only for those who have been prepared to be strong, tenacious, adventuresome, and independent.

Which is why I am pleased to announce that I am the official owner and director of Stepping Stone Academy, LLC.

"Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall."  - Ray Bradbury

♥M