...dear dr bester...

...i've been putting off writing this letter to you for 12 weeks and 1 day. the truth is that i think about doing it everyday, but what words can i ever put on paper that will adequately explain how eternally grateful i am for saving me and my baby, mila! you were there in my most terrifying moments, this baby that i loved before she was even conceived, my child, my daughter, we came so close to losing her. from the bottom of my heart, and with my whole soul, i thank you! thank you for being there, thank you for acting so quickly and thank you for giving me every moment from that second you delivered her safely. you will never be forgotten. i will think of you with gratitude everyday.

one day when mila is old enough i will tell her about you and what you have done for our little family. today, i will put these words on paper and send it to you!

forever grateful...

~ chantelle arpesella

...is it a bird, is it a plane, no it's...

...the teaser of our sixth badge. we can't wait...

...six of the best and not one less...

saying thank you for me is also about showing gratitude. i spent the past weekend (first weekend in april) with my family celebrating my sister angelique's wedding.
i am grateful for the time with my five sisters. the first time we have been altogether in twelve years!
this is all of us on  chapaman's peak drive.

~ lorraine

...@%*# you...

...these days we are all more likely to say and hear '@#*% you' than thank you. well the theme for this chapter is to encourage every one of us to say thank you. now not the dismissive, thanks wave, you quickly mouth out to the car guard, you don't feel like tipping, as you drive off. we mean a real THANK YOU, you have gone out of your way to help me, or you make my day better and I REALLY appreciate it. it takes sooo little effort. if you've ever been really thanked by someone, you know how great that feels to be validated for your efforts. so let's make a special effort to REALLY thank people the next time you feel that someone has brightened your day or helped you in some way. ask to speak to their manager, supervisor or boss and tell them how happy the person has made you by doing a great job! let's try validate the unvalidated, and spread a little love...

p.s.
anja found a quirky blog that takes saying 'thank you' to a whole new level, enjoy.

~ c&h

...are you sweet or soutie...

...two of our members collaborated on these beautiful badges. kristen from design kist and mandi from unwrapped. tiny envelopes containing either a 'soutie' image or a 'sweet' image was placed in a bowl and passed around the table.

we just love our new colourful badges, what a great idea...

...and the lucky gal is...

... kristen! thanks to shop bow peep we had a stunning pressie to give away in our lucky draw. look-see, look-see...

...good food, great company...

... what more do you want at a lovely venue like woodlands eatery. we celebrated life, creativity and new friendships...