Awards Night & Recognition Banquet.... Plans come to fruition...

Well we are very blessed in Australia as we are still fairly small that we are able to have dinner on Sat night along with the Awards night..

We all get dressed up in our fineries... And hit the town.... Well Convention Center.. It's lovely to see us all in our best dressed...

We had a few hours to fill when we got back to our room.. I was feeling low.. so I decided instead of staying in Canberra for an extra day with some of the PaperANGELS to do the touristy thing.. seeing as it was a public holiday in Queensland... I decided I would fly home on Monday.. If I could change my flight...And I did...
Leonie came back to Bec's and my room... and we all did the very girly thing with getting ready together.. It was like a girly sleep over.. Way cool... I did everyone’s makeup (or something to do with the makeup) Then I had to get ready too.. and my hair just wouldn't work... I was feeling deep sadness.. I had no idea why... Just something was not right... I forgot to put on my Sash and jewellery... I put the sadness down to my being hormonal...
We got to the Convention Center.. I took some photos.. Sat and waited.. And just felt like crying.. I couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling of emotions.. So I needed some me time.. I went for a brisk walk back to our room, without my phone.. or my jacket.. (It was cold.. I didn't feel it...) I found my jewellery and Sash.. Gathered my thoughts etc.. kept telling myself on the way to stop being such a Carrot... Derek's talk about something.. I can't remember now.. but it was really good for the analogy of how you face your challenges... It was a great story.. If someone can refresh my memory that would be great!!! Thanks.. I just remember chastising myself in being such a Carrot!!!
With myself pulled together I was able to enjoy the rest of the evening... I had to try out the Cameras 'food' setting.. (Aaron had bought me a new 10 mega pixel Camera for Mothers day.. but gave it to me early for convention so I could take better photos.. he is such a dear!!! And so thoughtful!)I took some photos of the beautiful arrangements on the table and at the entrance to the dining hall... We posed for some group photos... and ate the yummy dinner

Jen Wells adorning the beautiful 'PaperANGELS Stampin' UP! Convention 2009' Memorabilia Sash with pride... and she put some pink in her hair for the night.. Oh I miss my PINK hair!!! Must get it back!!!

Then onto the Awards night.. Several of our group go t to do the walk across the stage in recognition for their achievements in Stampin' Up! sales, recruiting etc for the last year...
It was very difficult to catch a good photo.. Most people walk really fast...

Then the highlight of the evening was when Shelly was leading into the Heart of Stampin' UP! award..

This is where we PaperANGELS were glued to our seats!!! We so wanted Liz to be recognised and had been conspiring for months to send in our individual nominations on why we thought that Liz should be nominated... Kate, Leonie and I had even joked that if she didn't win it that we would rush the stage in protest!!! We do have some restraint.. we wouldn't have rushed the stage... But we all felt so strongly that Liz needed this recognition... That she deserved it for everything that she has done willingly and unselfishly for us all...

When Shelly began... It was a little of a mystery.. She told of the many letters that were sent in.. the wonderful and amazing things that our Australian Demonstrators do in their own spare time... How they use Stampin' Up! to bless the lives of those around them.. Especially those in the community... So many wonderful and beautiful things... Then Shelly said something like, 'this demonstrator has 4 children...' Kate grabbed my leg... Now Kate .. She was sobbing beside me... (Kate made me promise that I would not tell anyone... Sorry Kate.. It's something that needs to be told!) I only bought 2 tissues... Thanks to the lovely ladies in front of us.. (I think they were part of Ngaire's down line..) They were able to pass along a few more.. Cause we needed them!!! Then Shelly read out some of Leonie’s letter...

Talking about how she had prematurely lost her Twins... and soon after another Son.. And how this demonstrator had helped her to have purpose and healing with the planning of a fundraising event to honor and support the Marter Mothers Bereavement Program... We all knew it was Liz then... and there were lots of sobs from us all!!! It is all so appropriate that the PaperANGELS support the ANGEL BABIES, and their families... (I'm crying now... My head hurts and my throat is aching!! Holding in the tears is not a good thing....) Then Shelly announced “It is my pleasure to award this years Heart of Stampin’ UP! award to Liz Collett..” Of course Liz was totally humble.. and in true Liz form said to Shelly that it was not all her.. She had lots of help… Of course she did but we wanted her to be recognised above and beyond our own means.. How do you thank someone that does so much and blesses so many? How do you help them to realise they are special and a blessing to many.. Their life works are touching others… reaching above and beyond anyone’s imaginations or realisations!!! When someone’s very existence is a blessing and they are using their talents and love to bless others it is truly a gift from God!!! Thank you Liz!!!!

It was a beautiful moment!!! very memorable!!! We were all so proud!!!