VBS 2010

There is a reason that I'm behind in posting and it isn't just having two kids. Our church's VBS program was last week and I was in charge. I know ... I'm crazy. But we had a great time, and I enjoyed the experience.

Our family in our VBS t-shirts. A sweet girl made a special one for Clara. Seth volunteered in elementary recreation for two days.

Caleb at "Mission Control." Our theme was space.

30th Birthday Dinner with Friends

I turned 30 this past Monday. It didn't bother me too much - just a little weird to be out of my 20s. On the night of my birthday, my good friend Jackie got some of our friends together for a casual Mexican celebration. (Unfortunately she got sick and couldn't come - missed you Jackie!) I'm so happy to have such a good group of friends here in Hendersonville!

Birthday girl in her birthday hat - courtesy of the restaurant. Yes, they added the whipped cream mustache as well...

I'm feeling very blessed at 30 years old!

Another catalog season complete – what will 2009 bring?

If you know me, you know that I can be hard to get a hold of from around November until January. This is the heaviest part of catalog season, which actually begins around August of each year. While in Anaheim, CA last week for an industry tradeshow, we received the 2009 catalog fresh off the press.

While, I’m thrilled to have completed a new catalog, I have to wonder what this year will bring. The buzz at the tradeshow was of course about the new regulations our industry is facing due to problems with lead and phthalates. While we all agree that we have to protect our children, the government is proposing unnecessary testing for small business such as Guildcraft. Basically we buy beads, glue, markers and other components that have all been tested and approved, and then we compile into kits that we sell to make craft time easier for teachers, camp counselors and such. Under proposed regulation, we will be required to retest these products using a third-party vendor. As a small business, we will not be able to afford this kind of testing on our products and may be forced to close our doors or change the nature of our business completely. Thousands of businesses nationwide face similar problems. Think of a stay-at-home mom that sews as a side business, she will be forced to test her goods. Think of all those house parties you are invited to that sell children’s clothes. If the maker hasn’t tested the clothes (even though the yarn, cotton, etc. has already been tested), they are breaking the law.

Fortunately, late Friday afternoon, a one-year stay was announced so we don't have to test the products until then. During that time, we are hoping for some revisions to this legislation. Basically we need to be able to rely on the testing done already done by manufacturer of the component. What do they think we are doing – sprinkling on lead as we compile the kit?

On top of that I’m saying my prayers for our nation as we continue in this down economy. It seems like everyone is talking about someone losing a job, facing a pay cut or having a hard time finding employment. This has of course affected church giving, and churches are Guildcraft’s biggest market. I’m hoping that churches will continue with VBS programming. What better time to get kids in church and learning about how faith gets us through tough times? Plus kids will probably be home more this summer due to families not wanting to take vacations. Hopefully parents will use VBS as a "staycation."

Just my current thoughts as I head into a new year of work. Hope job stability is good in your house!