Faith. Family. Story.
Prepping for RootsTech + Periscope plans
I'm really wanting to be better this year at simply checking in and documenting more regularly what I'm doing and thinking and anticipating. I miss doing that kind of blogging (the just for me and my family kind) because it's so fun to go back to read. This is the first time really since completing the bulk of writing for my *almost* book that I've had the urge to sit down and write. I've been enjoying that wonderful "no deadline" feeling and the freedom to pay more attention to my house and healthy eating and better exercise and the little clean-up and organize projects here and there. I've still got my RootsTech presentation looming, but with all the work I did on my book, it's coming together pretty easily. I uploaded my syllabus last night (late of course) but I'm feeling a sense of relief about that this morning.
In addition to being a presenter—a very small presenter—I have also had the good fortune of being a RootsTech Ambassador, which means I get to attend the media dinner and sit in really awesome seats for all of the general sessions, so that I can take pictures and post information and updates to social media. This really is a HUGE and exciting event to attend, and it dovetails perfectly with pretty much everything I'm passionate about (scrapbooking, storytelling, family, family history, entrepreneurs and innovation and SUPER inspiring keynote presentations) so it's kind of a Disneyland feeling for three straight days! Anyway, I'm working on my Keynote (powerpoint) slides today and tomorrow and looking forward to seeing my family members, including Clark and his new girlfriend (yikes!) in Utah next week. I fly out on Tuesday and return Sunday. My parents are coming from Seattle, so Darci and Kevin waited to schedule Cache's baptism so that we could all be there -- this makes me extremely happy!
I feel like I'm slowly figuring out where I want to fit in and what I want to focus on and I like that. The whole rejection thing sucks. I've been fighting those "I'm a loser" feelings, but I'm coming out of it now and I'm getting back to finishing some of the projects I started for the *almost* book and honestly, creating just makes me happy (period.)
Uncommon Goods for my whole family!
So, it's no secret that I'm playing catch up this holiday season. I've been crazy busy with my book project, but I finished and turned in my manuscript Thursday, did a second photo shoot yesterday and I'm now focused on making Christmas happen.
It's been a very long time since I've published a list of FUN christmas gifts. This is one reason I'm super happy that Uncommon Goods asked me to take a peak at their current product line, and pick some favorites, because I REALLY need to get gifts and guess what? I found (and ordered) awesome gifts for each member of my family, so how super convenient is that ...
Review + Giveaway: More Than The Tattooed Mormon
I am thrilled to be a part of Al Carraway's blog tour today. I have never met Al in person, but I feel like I have, because of her gigantic open heart and the come-in-sit-on-my-sofa-and-let's-talk tone of her blog and now her book. Al has become a Mormon sensation over the last four years, because she has so openly and honestly shared her journey to finding faith in Jesus Christ and learning to trust God.
5 Things I've Learned about Storytelling
I'm blogging today from Seattle as I sit at the back of a CreativeLive studio. I was invited by my dear friends at Close To My Heart (CTMH) to fly over and teach a short, 20-minute segment on the importance of telling our stories. The crazy thing is my Keynote slides didn't get loaded in the production room, so when I stood up to talk, there were no slides and I had to wing it, live! I don't really have a hard time talking, but this was a test of my professionalism, because I REALLY wanted to make a "T" with my hands and shout "Time Out!" I presented a couple weeks ago at the CTMH Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I tweaked my message there for my segment today. As I look back on 20+ years working in the scrapbooking industry, there are a few things I've learned about storytelling that will help you stay focused on what matters.