MIA to say the least.

I have been MIA to say the least- I mean I am not missing in action per se, I am literally sitting in my house, if you need me you can find me! yet I am feeling very lost. 

I guess I haven't been here for about 8 months, which really sucks, and I am positive that my previous post said that I would be trying to be more present. I guess I lied. I haven't tried, I haven't even thought about it. That kind of makes me feel terrible, but in reality- this is a weird time, and people are all reacting differently. 

Let's be perfectly honest, it's not like I was blogging much before Covid, so I can't really blame it on that- I can only blame it on myself, and choices that I have made.

Should I even say that I am going to try harder,? You know when you have a friend that has, let's say a nail shop. You love them dearly, and every time you see them you tell them "oh yes, I need to make an appointment, I need to drop in and get my nails done!" Yet you haven't, and you probably won't. Of course you say it with the best of intentions, but you know that you don't get your nails done, so you won't be going- Yet you still say this every time you see them. Stop it. - I had to, and I had to apologize to my friend for basically lying to her. 

So I guess  my answer is- I'm not going to tell you I am going to try harder, because I am not sure I will. 

BUT IN HAPPY NEWS! 

I have been working on other things, I have been following my dream of being a picture book maker.

In the past 3 year, I have illustrated 7 picture books- 2 of which I also wrote. I am so focused and thoroughly enjoying using my gifts, and my education to create content in a world that will I believe never give up on books, because books are magic.

I am so excited to be on this journey, I get to work with other people, and help them realize their dreams, it makes my heart sing!

So amidst all of this crazy cover chaos, I hope you are following your dreams, I hope you are working towards your goals- Even if your goal is merely to survive this, get up in the morning, and survive the day. I mean-  I'm having to give myself stickers in my agenda on the days I shower, and the days I go out for a walk. Fingers crossed today is a gold star day- Ps. if you think gold stars are not a motivator for adults, try giving yourself some when you do something you are proud of- you'll see!

I'm going to share a link with you where you can download 3 free prints- Strong, Brave and FEARLESS... these are children's prints from my latest book!  

https://www.melissabakernguyen.ca/prints.html

There are colouring pages, printable, activities for the kiddos, and great stuff there.

And for those of you who need a little downtime and self care, here is a colouring page for you :) 

Share the love,

M.

Reader and Day Dreamer ©LostBumblebee | www.lostbumblebee.com | Free Printable | Personal Use only

Grown Up Colouring : Rhino

Good morning to you! How was your weekend? Mine was insane! I was selling my art and working at a conference for the past 10 days, I am ex-haus-ted (to say the least!).  I'm currently knee deep in coffee and work  -I'm not sure I'm going to make it! lol

I feel like my body is jet lagging and I haven't been on a plane.  I'm trying to finish up my list of things to do- that has been accumulating for the past few days - but I wanted to take a minute to remind you that you are amazing :) Created for a purpose and beautiful.

Happy Monday, take some time today to stop, realize, and accept that you were created with a destiny and purpose... and the fact that you are living on this earth, is evidence enough that You are amazing.

Be inspired. Share. and Love.
Share the love,
M.

Be sure to catch up with me on Facebook and Instagram to see my final piece.

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Grown Up Colouring : Let's Be Adventurers!

my version so far :)

I love the idea of adventuring all over the world and seeing new things... but what I love most is the people. I love watching the people, trying to communicate with the people. Seeing how they do what they do- Because we all do it differently. And it is awesome.

When we were in China last year, and the verbal communication between me and the people -whose paths I crossed every day -was basically non existent. Oh but communicate we could. I am slightly dramatic (or so I've been told) in conversation. I taught ESL for 10 years- so I got use to asking people to repeat themselves without feeling badly about it, I got used to deciphering gists of conversations- The one international symbol that I did notice is that if you smile at people, it warms their face. Things melt away, the stress, the frustration, the fear 'Oh my gooooodness! is she talking to me in English?' A smile can melt many hard emotions and bring peace to a situation.

As you know we are going to Uganda. (If you didn't know, you can check it out here). I look at the photos of the children from the Orphanage, their faces are lit up with these huge smiles... it makes me so excited to meet them. I am not stressed about meeting the children, their smiles give me hope, and peace. They will teach me so much more than I could ever offer or bring with me.

So to all of you who dream of being Adventurers... you can start in your own community, talking to those you don't know... loving on people, and radiating love- and move on from there. What was your favourite adventure from your travels, feel free to leave a comment here, or go to the Facebook page and leave it there :)

Share the love,
M.

Grown Up Colouring- Giraffes

I'm thinking of taking all of my designs and turning them into a colouring book. It would be a complete labour of love, because I don't know if I have the time to figure this out at the moment- I guess it would be the passion project that happens early in the morning, and in the wee hours of night, when I ought to be sleeping.

What are your thoughts about me creating a colouring book?

In the mean time, I hope you are finding peace and rest while colouring these pages. That is my hope and prayer for you <3

Share the love,
M.

Note: If these seem overwhelming, feel like they will never be done? Consider this : I consider my personal grown up colouring sheets like a puzzle. I colour all of the pages that I create, I don't necessarily sit and complete an entire image at one time, I do it in stages - take this one for instance... I have only coloured in a few of the top leaves... so don't be overwhelmed.... take your time, all the time you need... relax... enjoy... breathe.  M.

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