These last weeks have taught me so many things, and I just felt like sharing.
1) Life, of course, is not guaranteed, and we need to make the most of EVERY moment we are given. Things that seem like a big deal, eventually become the petty things we regret.
2) Everyone we meet is facing a battle of some sort, and compassion costs little, but means the world. As I walked around in a complete daze, bumping into things and driving aimlessly, I began to wonder who else around me was feeling as lost as I was. A random smile meant the world to me.
3) There's always time for work and chores. There's not, however, always time to be with the ones we love. For the three and a half weeks he was dying, I spent every second I could with him. I sat there feeling ridiculous that I had let my business get in the way of spending more time with my family, and if I could do it all over again, I'd have spent way more time with my dad. He was so full of love and laughter, and just lit up when I came to visit.
4) I want to strive to be the kind of person my dad was. There is not a single soul that didn't adore my dad. He had a glow about him that just made people flock to him, and he had the cutest dimples ever. If I could be half the person he was, I'd be doing great!
I have been filled with a peace I can't explain (Phillipians 4:7), and I am grateful he isn't suffering anymore. I'm happy he is with his brother who passed when he was just a teen, and I know he is rejoicing in heaven. I miss him though. I miss the way he would head straight for my fridge when he came to visit. I miss the way he would smile when the kids were talking. I miss the ways he would encourage me to be the best I could be, and most of all, I just miss his smile. One day, we will meet again.
Love you daddy.
]]>Conroe Baseball Opening Weekend - Sat, March 5, 8-2
Spring Extravaganza Show - April 2, 10-5
Houston Pet Expo - April 9-10, 10-5
Fashions4Jesus Runway Show - June 3, 10-5
Waller County Freedom Fest - July 3-4, 10-5
Bridal Extravaganza Show - July 23-24, 10-5
Looking forward to meeting all of you at one (or all!) of our upcoming shows! There will be a free gift for anyone who mentions this post to us at one of these shows. :)
See you there!
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1) We purchased a new 24" plotter, which gave us two 24" machines
2) We purchased new software to help us create custom rhinestone designs
3) We purchased a new 14" plotter, which gave us three 14" machines
4) We increased our rhinestone inventory from 6 colors to 40!
5) We increased our vinyl color section to include ALL colors of chrome, glitter, and reflective car vinyl, plus most of the glitter HTV colors available
6) We switched servers for our website, creating this new site for you
7) We created a business facebook page, and added a facebook store
1) We plan on attending various shows throughout the year, including bridal shows, dog shows, and craft shows. We will bring specialized products for each industry, and are hoping to "make a name for ourselves" at these shows!
2) We are hoping to get our products in some of the local schools here in TX, as well as some schools in CO. We are already in one of the schools out here, and have a salesperson ready to go to sign us up in CO!
3) We plan to have a professional redesign our website. We are NOT website design pros, so we want our website to look more professional.
4) We plan on interacting with our customers more on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and will hold more contests and giveaways as the year progresses.
5) We already have a few local shops out here requesting to carry our products, so we are hoping to have products in ten stores by years' end.
6) We plan to add great content to this blog, as well as our Facebook page. Email us if you have suggestions for stuff you want to see us post about!
Love,
Kevin and Erica Ryan
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