Birthday Blessings

I used to get all worked up about birthdays. The first spiral of angst would involve the fact that my years were inching upward. I was so distraught the year I turned 20. I thought my life was over! 29 was another bad one, just the anticipation of the following year of 30. 

As I fretted over my life slipping away, I also worried that I wouldn’t be celebrated on my birthday. That no one would make me feel special. That I wouldn’t feel loved. Validated. Remembered. My expectations skyrocketed, leaving those around me trembling that they wouldn’t do enough or wouldn’t do it right, that I’d fly off the handle, tossing out accusations that had no basis in reality.

Thankfully, the Lord worked on those things and I’ve been in a whole new place for about ten years. No longer do I lament the rising number on my birthday cake. Nor do I have any expectations for celebrations of any kind, for I know the people that love me love me every day, not just one day a year. And I know that the celebration of my birthday is really my own personal celebration of Jesus, who knew me before the foundation of the world, who gave me breath and life, who made me a new creation, and who is even now working in me to will and to do His good pleasure.

But a funny thing has happened in that place of contentment over birthdays. The celebrations--big and small--have become so much sweeter than when I depended on them to fulfill an empty place in me. Now I cry when my friends lavishes on me a gift I didn’t expect. Or another friend spends time choosing something a token that shows how well she knows me. I could go on and on. Unexpected blessings at every turn, raining down and soaking me in the way I’d always desired, but no longer need. Because my God is good like that. 

Meet Stacy of Chick Lingo--And Win Prizes!

I’m so excited today to get to tell you about a fun company and its founder—and to offer THREE really cool giveaways!

Stacy Tomisser is the founder of The Painted Word, a manufacturing company that sells decorative wooden signs to gift stores and has just launched a new online store, www.chicklingo.com, to sell her products, too. I have been pleased to be on both the receiving and the giving end of her products. They are so fun!

Let's meet Stacy:

So glad to have you here, Stacy. Could you give us a brief history of The Painted Word?

The Painted Word is our wholesale manufacturing company.  About ten years ago I began making decorative signs for my home and for friends, just for fun. I have always loved words, sayings and quotes and I wanted to decorate with them. But at that point there wasn't much available in my colors so I created what I couldn't find. Eventually I showed what I was making to a friend who owned a boutique and she loved them and made an order. A very long (juicy) story short - it blossomed into a manufacturing company.  My husband decided to leave his career to come take this on, we hired a handful of wonderful people and here we are, by the grace of God, still standing.

I love that story! So after a few years of wholesale, how did the Chick Lingo online store come into being?

Chick Lingo came about after a long and lively conversation with my fabulous mother-in-law, Jan. She said "Why don't we open an online store with all of your decorative signs and frames?" (from The Painted Word - she and Jim's dad are our business partners in both companies.) I loved the idea of having a retail store filled with my products as well as other things that women would love. Our niche would be products with words, quotes, sayings - I love words! In addition to decorative signs and frames we would also include jewelry, mommy necklaces, etc.  And we needed a name that was different and fun but also described what we are selling: voila! Chick Lingo!

Very fun name! So your family is all involved in the business and I know you often work from home. Do you have one fabulous secret to juggling an at home business and your family?

I don't really have one secret - though I wish I did because that would sound really cool! I guess if I were to pass on some advice it would be learn to step away from the business, computer and phone - unplug sooner than later. It's easier said than done but the work will always be here, my children won't. The balancing act doesn't get any easier, but I've become more creative in how I balance it all because my family means the world to me...they are my motivation to make it all work.

Shoot! I was hoping to find out that one thing that makes it all work! Ok, so to follow up on that, on your craziest days, what do usually end up feeding your family for dinner?

Well on my craziest days I usually make a phone call and have dinner delivered. Sad but true!  But if I know I am going to have a crazy busy day I usually put on a pot of something delicious in the morning.  It's those unexpected crazy days that can throw me for a loop!

I completely understand! So, back to business. What is your favorite product you've ever created?

I love everything that has the "You are my sunshine" lyric on it - I sang it to all of my babies.

Any last words about why you love what you do (because I know you do!)? 

I love being creative, meeting fascinating people, making others smile, hearing someone's story, learning something difficult and new, it's all a gift. I feel God's pleasure when I dream up something new, am kind to a customer or tuck one of my kids in bed.  All my work, as an entrepreneur, mom or homemaker is ultimately for His glory and that makes me truly love what I do.

So isn’t Stacy awesome? Check out her store at www.chicklingo.com but be sure to leave a comment (and email address!) to be entered to win one of the fabulous signs or picture frame pictured in this blog post. Yes—THREE winners will be chosen!

Leave your comment by Monday, Sept. 20 at midnight CST. I’ll draw three names from those leaving comments and announce the winners here on Tuesday!