Genuine Love

Every now and then I'll hear something, or read something that someone has commented to me, and it resonates in my head until I have to write it down.

When we were at Disneyland over spring break, we were in line at the Haunted Mansion. As we were turning a corner in the line, someone said my name. I looked up, and it was my friend Sarah whom I haven't seen in six years. We used to work in PR at Edelman in the Bay Area. She currently lives in Wisconsin. The last time we saw each other she had just had her first baby. Now she has two. I am horrible at picking people out of a crowd, even movie stars. So I was excited that she recognized me. As we were passing each other, I told my husband to quickly take our pictures. We didn't get much chance to talk, as the herd of people would riot, and chew our limbs off if we did not shuffle along (now I have "everyday I'm shuffling" in my head).

 Sarah and I

One comment Sarah made, hasn't stopped ringing in my head. After she hugged me she said, "you look just like your picture on Facebook."

I didn't quite know how to respond. I'm thinking she meant that that was a good thing. Which, of course makes me happy. Then it got me wondering, isn't that the point? The fact that we get to reconnect, stay in touch with family and friends near and far, don't we want to be genuine? I hope that when people meet me in person after browsing my blog, will find that who I am is the same on paper (the Internet) as I am in human form.

I'm sure we've all met people who we're so excited to meet, due to our online relationships, and sometimes, are disappointed, or sometimes we just simply don't recognize them, because the photo we've been associating them with, isn't them. Then there are the wonderful moments, where someone you like turns out to be exactly as they are, or even more vibrant and fun in real life. That's pretty sweet.

In a time where it's so easy to get caught up in the impersonal side of the Internet, it's nice to be told that you are genuine, and you are what they see.

Another comment that hit home, straight to my heart was from my friend Tresa, who after seeing this picture of my daughters and I, wrote on Facebook, "I love how much your daughters love you."

photo by Justin Hackworth

I just sat there, staring at the photo, and the comment for the first time. I even went back to it, just to read it again a few times. I'm so accustomed to my daughters, and our relationship, that I had never articulated, or had it stated to me so clearly. She's right.  I am a recipient of their love, and that love colors my world so brightly. It's a massive part of why I have such a good time being a mom. The day-to-day stuff isn't always fun, and isn't always easy, sometimes it's downright filled with grumpiness. Yet, we do it anyway, because that's the essence of our characters. I am very blessed to have two girls who often thank me. They find ways to show their love, and I'm starting to realize how very unique that is, and what a responsibility I have to honor that.

My daughters fight over who gets to cuddle with me. They tackle me with hugs, they share notes with each other that make me so glad. They forgive me when I trip up, they run to me when their hearts are broken, and their eyes dance when they are thrilled. I want to have Tresa's comment ringing in my ears daily, so I can remember to be more patient, and more what my girls need, because they have trusted me with their hearts.

I'm grateful for friends who can share such profound messages in my life that leave me pondering them for days on end. 

What about you? Anything running around in your head lately?

Cheers!

Less Than Nothing

Last week, my oldest came home and recited a part of a book she read at school. I asked her if it was a class project that they had to memorize. She said no. She just really, really liked that part of the book, and memorized it on her own.

That's my daughter.

The book they read in class was Charlotte's Web.

image from Wikipedia

When I told her I wanted to record her reciting the part she memorized, she happily obliged. She also tapped her sister for a little help.

screenshot from Goodreads.com

I can't even beging to tell you how wonderful it is to watch my kids pursue things they love, and then put in the work to achieve something. LOVE IT. I'm also grateful that she has my husband's amazing memory.

The quote my daughter loved from Charlotte's Web - is impressive in its message. I love that a strong theme from the book is how everyone, even some pig, has worth. If that's what my girls internalize, I'm fist-pumping forever.


Cheers!

Breathing Space Blogger Retreat 2013

This fall I'm looking forward to attending Breathing Space Blogger Retreat 2013. As this will be my first year, I am imagining exactly what the name suggests, time to breathe, energize, feel inspired, and gain knowledge, while having fun.

Below is a video of what I'm in for in September.



Early registration opens June 1st. What do you look for in a blogging retreat? Will you join me? If so, I hope to see you there.

About Breathing Space

• Full three-day blogger conference
• Classes will be offered more than once so you don't have to miss out on the class you really wanted, or have to pick between two great classes.
• All classes will be in walking distance of the hotels.
• This year there will be a mix of business and pleasure. Plan for classes including hair and makeup tips, as well as business classes focused on social media, copyright law, accounting, etc.
• Hands on classes and workshops.
• Amazing teachers and speakers.
• Accommodations/Venue
• Solitude Mountain Resort
• Beautiful time of year.
• Great deal on lodging, $100 per room, per night. If you share with 3 friends it's only $25 per night.
• Great rooms and meeting spaces.
• Parties
• Breathing space is known for its fabulous parties, and this year will be no different. Expect themed parties, and delicious food.
• Registration
• Opens June 1, 2013.
• Early registration before July 1st is $199.
• Cost after July 1st is $249.

Breathing Space is currently taking applications for speakers and sponsors. Ikea is a sponsor of Breathing Space, I can't wait to see what they have in store for the retreat.


Cheers!

Connect with Breathing Space online:
Facebook
Google+


This is a sponsored post.  All opinions, and anticipation are my own.

Shabby Apple

I love bright pops of color. I love contrasting colors, and strong hues. So when I discovered that after going through the audition process, and the selection process for Listen To Your Mother, that I would have the privilege of standing on a stage, reading my words to a crowd at the historic Crest Theater in Sacramento, I had one, ringing, echoing, panicky thought in my head....

WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?

Twin Palms dress from Shabby Apple. Love the yellow, and those buttons. 

Imagine my delight when one of the first sites I stumbled upon was Shabby Apple. The pages are filled with wonderful, whimsical colors. I immediately found the Calliope skirt, and I was hooked. It was me. I wanted it. 

Calliope Skirt from Shabby Apple - I need this skirt.

Then I did something very, very silly. I stopped from buying it that instant, thinking it would be available after I checked out some other options.

After I scoured every other single site online, visited the mall, and department stores. I realized, the only thing I wanted to wear for LTYM, was the Shabby Apple Calliope skirt I had fallen in love with the first time around. So I went back. Alas, it was sold out. I could not believe it. I was devastated. I pursued every avenue I could to locate the skirt, and sadly, there's no Calliope skirt to be had in my size. *Sigh*  

I did however, buy the flouncy underparty slip, just in case.

Underparty Slip from Shabby Apple (I tried the outfit on last night, and am not wearing this slip. Turns out my hips don't need any add'l poof)

Eventually, I was able to select a different outfit. I still pine for the Calliope skirt, but for now, I think I found a lovely little ditty to wear for my stage debut, on Mother's Day.


I'm saving my Shabby Apple outfit reveal after I speak at the Crest Theater. I will tell you that wearing my outfit makes me feel like skipping, twirling and eating cotton candy. I think my outfit is definitely flirty, fun and feminine.

Tea Time from Shabby Apple. I love the whimsy.

I do recommend you read the Shabby Apple clothing reviews before you purchase an adorable item from the website. There are helpful comments regarding sizing which will help you with your selection. Shabby Apple also has a handy live operator help via their website. I've found that they are friendly, and helpful.

Another benefit of shopping with Shabby Apple is the opportunity to help women all over the world, simply by buying a garment. Shabby Apple donates 5% of it's net income to support work with 62 microfinance instituions in 31 countries throughout the world. That kind of information, gets me excited.

What would you wear if you were speaking on Mother's Day? Let me know in the comments. 

Cheers!





Shabby Apple provided the outfit of my choice for my LTYM performance. All the excitement, giddiness, and opinions are entirely my own.

Empowered

I have many goals as a woman, and as a mother. I'm a writer, a speaker, a... dare I say it? *Gulp* Creative. I have dreams to accomplish, and work towards. I'm also a mother, with precious souls to guide. Aside from making sure my daughters know that they are accepted and loved, no matter what, I seek earnestly to empower them. I want them to grow up believing that they can do whatever they set their minds to.

My parents were both college graduates. They overcame, and sacrificed much as immigrants, and dedicated students. They always told me that I could do whatever I set my mind to. They often quoted Earl Nightingale, to remind me that, "we become what we think about."

Watching them succeed in a new country, with a new language, working hard every minute of every day, showed me what I could do with dedication, and hard work. They never made excuses. They didn't expect someone else to do it for them. They expected challenges, and they scaled them. They did it, despite the odds stacked against them. They never felt sorry for themselves. They empowered me through their example.

I never felt the pressure of immediately getting married, and having children. Never. Instead I knew I wanted to get my college degree before marriage, and before having kids. I had seen too many women who almost got their degree, but upon marriage, gave that up. I knew that personally, I needed to have my degree in hand before even talking about marriage with anyone. I knew that the more education I had, the more opportunities I would have as a woman, and as a future mother. It also helped that my parents helped with college tuition, with a caveat that if I did get married before finishing my degree, I would be on my own financially. I can guarantee, I'll be issuing that motivating carrot to my daughters as well.

While serving a mission for my Church was on the table, I never felt strongly either way to go. I certainly didn't want to serve a mission, if I was only doing so because I wasn't married. For myself, I thought that was a poor excuse to serve. Instead, I returned home after graduating college in three years, to a career in public relations. I was then called to teach early morning seminary for my Church, for two years. I like to consider those early morning classes I taught, for someone who isn't much of a morning person, my own personal mission.

I have always felt empowered to deliberately choose the paths I would walk in my life. I refuse to be forced into choices I don't want. I want my daughters to feel the same way. I want them to look back at their lives, their choices, and take ownership. I don't want them making excuses, or blaming organizations, people, society, etc for the choices they consciously made. I want them to own it, to be proud of their choices because they are masters of their lives.

That's why it thrills me that my daughters will see me speak on Mother's Day at the historic Crest Theater in Sacramento, as a cast member of Listen To Your Mother. I'm beyond grateful that I am a member of this inaugural group of women, and the fact that my daughters will get to see me sharing what I love. The fact that this will happen with a microphone, seals the deal. They will grow up believing that if mom can do that, they can do it, and that their futures are filled with unlimited possibilities. 


This is Nichole Beaudry and I on KCRA with fellow LTYM cast member Deirdre Fitzpatrick from the April 25th broadcast. Thank you to Margaret Andrews for putting this clip on YouTube.

I'm also a contributor to the book, Lessons From My Parents. I ordered some advanced copies, and when they arrived, I quickly opened the book to see my name listed with all the other contributors. While that made my heart jump up-and-down, what made me ridiculously proud, was seeing how excited, and how my daughters' eyes glowed with pure joy as I read them what I wrote. My oldest daughter immediately took the book from me, and snuggled herself into the couch to read my words again, to herself. I love that now that they see that I have written something in a book, that they will believe they can too.

You can find Lessons From My Parents on Amazon.

I guess what I'm saying is, even though these experiences might seem like small accomplishments to some, to me, a woman, they are dreams come true. These wonderful things are made more profound for me, because of the ripple effect they have, and will continue to have on my daughters, as they live empowered lives.

What things do you do to empower your children, and those around you?

Cheers!

IF you're in and around Sacramento on Mother's Day, and you're looking for a unique gift for that special mother in your life, time is running out to get tickets to Listen To Your Mother in Sacramento. The tickets are a chance to be filled with stories of hope, emotion, joy, humor, and resilience. Not only will you have a "me too" moment, you will come away empowered to share your story with those you love. That's a gift that is simply, priceless.

If you're not from Sacramento, check these national listings to see if there's a local show in your neck of the woods. 



More posts about Listen To Your Mother:

Meet The Cast - Stephanie Huang Porter
Listen To Your Mother - Courage
Listen To Your Mother

Fairytale Town Hosts Mad Hatter Meets Mad Men Fundraiser

I love fairy tales. I love imaginary worlds, and characters who are imbued with otherworldly characteristics, and abilities. I've always love sharing those stories with my children.

In Sacramento, we have our very own Fairytale Town, filled with attractions for kids to enjoy from their favorite stories. For the adults, on Thursday, May 16th, Fairytale Town is hosting their first-ever, off-site fundraising event, and let me tell you, they are swanking it out for us. I can't wait to dress up! Seriously, you need to be there. 

Imagine, if you will, a crowd filled with folks sporting the most unbelievable Mad Hatter hats, and ladies and gentlemen oozing that undeniable quality of the Mad Men era dancing to the big-band stylings of the Rotary Rooters nine-piece band. Mix-in Ginger Elizabeth Hahn of the impeccable Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates as the evening's honorary chair, a live auction, and you've got a night to remember.

I will admit I'm looking forward to the Mad Men photo booth, and finding out who wins the Maddest Hat contest. Get ready to get zany. 

In addition to all this fun, save room for tasty treats from 24K Chocolate Cafe, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Bogle Vineyards, Bombshell Brownies, Buca di Beppo, C.G. Di Arie Vineyard and Winery, Carvalho Family Winery, Clarksburg Wine Company, Crew Wine Company, Frank Family Vineyard, Gekkeikan Sake, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates,  Icing on the Cupcake, The Melting Pot of Sacramento, Moniz Family Wines, New Helvetia Brewing Co., Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pedroncelli Winery, Perry Creek Winery, Sinful Treats, Tower Cafe, Zia’s Delicatessen and more!

Tickets are available for purchase at Fairytale Town's website, or can be purchased at Fairytale Town's box office. After you've purchased your ticket, connect online by visiting Fairytale Town's event page.

I'm already on the prowl to find something Mad Men themed to wear. I'll need your help, but in the meantime I'm checking out this great Mad Men Pinterest board.

image from here

Will you come mingle with us? If you do, be sure to say hello!

I've given you the goods on why you should go, below are the bullet points to get you there.

Fairytale Town's Mad Hatter Meets Mad Men Fundraiser Quick Details:
For: Fairytale Town's first offsite fundraising event
Date: Thursday, May 16th
Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
Location: Sacramento Masonic Temple 1123 J Street
Theme: Zany fun of the Mad Hatter, doused with the allure of Mad Men
Tickets: $50 per person
Event Hashtag: #FairytaleTownMHMM

Cheers!

Additional Fairytale Town Mad Hatter Meets Mad Men Fundraiser Sponsors include: Cook Realty, The Gartner Family, Jordan Blair, Karin Winters and Brian Mccollough, Merchants National Bank, MTI Business College, Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP, River City Bank, Sacramento Coca Cola, Sacramento Credit Union, and The Stieger Family.

Connect with Fairytale Town:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest


Fairytale Town is providing me with two tickets to the Fairytale Town Mad Hatter Meets Mad Men fundraiser. All enthusiasm, and opinions are my own.

20 Handy Tips for a visit to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

One of the great things about living in Northern California, is the relative ease of spontaneously driving to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. From where we are it's about a five-to-six-hour drive, depending on who's driving, and how many pit stops we take.

 Toon Town

Our eight-year-old has been to Disneyland four times. Our six-year-old has been three times. When they were four and six years old they did not want to go to Disneyland. We'd gone so frequently in their short lives, that they just felt overwhelmed by crowds. So we took a two-year break before they told us they wanted to go back. It was super-fun to see them enjoy the magic when they were three and five-years-old, but now that they're tall enough for most of the rides, we get have even more oodles of fun.

Today, I thought I'd share some of our "Handy Tips" - now that summer vacation is almost here. (We have 32 more days of school left, not that I'm keeping track, or anything.)



Handy Tip #1: Go with a good attitude. Make a deal with each other to be kind, and patient. Expect to keep the schedule fluid.

 Tram ride from the parking lots to the Happiest Place on Earth - Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks

Handy tip #2: Wear comfortable, colorful kicks.

We went with Sketchers. No matter how comfortable your shoes are, your feet will be sore at the end of the day. I blame all the lines.

Handy Tip #3: Take time for photo opportunities. Making memories are priceless.

Walt & Mickey, and Cinderella's castle

Handy Tip #4: Don't want to wait in line to take a photo with cast member, but want a picture with/of them? Take one from further away. Sneaky.

We walked through Aurora's castle, and stumbled upon Maleficent. I think it's safer to keep our distance.

Handy Tip #5: Wave during parades.

Handy Tip #6: Try.On.ALL.The.Hats. You don't have to buy them. Take pictures wearing them.

The shop outside of Star Tours of course.

Handy Tip #7: Snuggle

We love Pooh. (The shop outside of Small World)

 Handy Tip #8: Sleep with wild abandon. 

 On Day 2, they fell asleep on the way back to Disneyland. Such troopers.

Handy Tip #9: Ask your father's best friend for a shoulder ride, as a joke. He may just pick you up, and rescue your feet. This may also earn your sister a ride too.

Handy Tip #10: Watch your kids as they believe in the magic.

My youngest's favorite princess of all-time, is Ariel. Watching her in awe during the parade made my mother-heart burst with joy.

Handy Tip #11: When your kids reach the age that they not only can, but want to ride on the rides by themselves, feel elated. It makes you remember what it felt like when you were a kid tasting freedom.

Handy Tip #12: Apparently, Disneyland really is a small world, afterall. Running into a friend from Wisconsin, at the Haunted Mansion line, you haven't seen in over six years, priceless.

Handy Tip #13: Instagram and tweet your way through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, as you'll likely get to meet-up with friends you've made online, who happen to be there at the same time. Awesome.

The lovely Fleurdebee and her birthday girl.

Handy Tip #14: Take your kids on rides that were your favorite as a child. Be sure to let them know it's not real.


My husband took our oldest when she was four, or five years old. He neglected to tell her that Star Tours wasn't real, that it was a movie. She didn't know that, and when the movie shown, crashed the ship, she seriously thought she was going to die. Poor thing walked out of that ride feeling like she had a new lease on life. It does make for a great story.


Handy Tip #15: The Mad Hatter hosts some swanky, wonderfully weird creatures. Visit, dance, gaze, and applaud.





Handy Tip #16: Visit Downtown Disney. You'll be surprised at what you find, and what you'll take home.

Handy Tip #17: Remember to take the requisite Disney picture. Although, they might ask you to get off the wall.

Handy Tip #18: Have lunch at Ariel's Grotto and visit with your favorite princesses. Remember your dresses.

Handy Tip #19: Visit Cars Land, and ride Radiator Springs Racers, if it's the only thing you do. 

Handy Tip #20: It's okay to feel sad leaving the Happiest Place on Earth. Make plans to visit soon, and you'll turn that frown, upside down.

What tips do you have?

Cheers!

ps. Disney provided my family with four, two-day, park-hopper passes to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. All opinions and handy tips are our own.

Senioritis

There's about six weeks left of school, and I'm having, what I believe is the same thing I had when I was a senior in high school... a bad case of senioritis.

Last week I forgot the date for my oldest daughter's assignment, and I've been late with book returns for my youngest, I can't seem to keep on schedule. My school brain has left my body, and is sitting on a beach somewhere, digging her toes into the sand, and thinking about nothing. The only brain activity allocated to my body is the slight motion my eyes make as they freely, lazily follow the ocean's undulating waves.

The weather this week is forecasted in the 80s, and all I can think about is what I want to do with my daughters this summer. I will admit that having only two months of summer vacation is a bit of a buzz kill. However, coming up with that list, and plotting planning what to do with them each week, is kind of a rush for the list-maker inside of me.

Am I the only one that thinks that starting school August 7th this year is insane? It is. It just is. August is summer, dammit!

I have a back-log of fun trips we've taken this year, so look for that soon.

How are you all doing? Am I the only one ready for vacation?

Cheers!

Fly, little one

The last month has brought an incredible change.

It's happened so fast, so dramatically, I need to write it down so I will always remember my sheer shock, and awe.

My little one has always been a bit more timid in public. At home, she is our spunky, funny, bundle of cave girl. When it came to anyone else she avoided eye contact, and tried to get out of responding to any conversation good friends of mine would try to make with her. She's gotten comments on report cards asking her to speak up more in class.

It's like a switch flipped. She is little Miss. Chatty. She doesn't just chat, she chats with sass, incredible detail, and moves with such style when she speaks, it makes me giddy, and I can't take my eyes off of her. The transformation is remarkable.

I love the confidence. I love the forthright way with which she conducts herself, and I am simply amazed by my daughter. Amazed. 



On Monday, we attended our Church's Activity Days for girls 8-12 years old. I'm a leader there, which basically means I help out. I love it because I get to be there for my older daughter. As a result my little one gets to tag along to big sister's meetings. 

Usually, the little one is too shy to  find a place to sit, or speak up. That day she raised her hand volunteering to lead the opening song. I was stunned. I wondered aloud who she was. She did ask  me to stand at the front near her, but she led the song  "Mother, I love you." I have to say, I had eyes only for her. I didn't realize that that little bit of ache of losing them to their own independence day-by-day, would be overwhelmed by how proud I would feel to see them unfurl their wings and fly on their own.

Man. This motherhood gig knocks my socks off.

Cheers!

Listen To Your Mother - Courage

Sunday was a special day.

photo shoot with Lisa Smiley at Sacramento's ThinkHouse Collective

Sunday 15 women sat down together for the first time to share their stories. Stories that would make us laugh, nod our heads, and shed tears of solidarity, and empathy. Our hearts broke for each other, our words uplifted each other, our humor united us, and our vulnerability made us whole.

My husband always tells my daughters how brave they are when they try something new. They question him when he tells them that something they did was courageous. He always has to explain that courage is not the absence of fear; courage is when you do something regardless of fear. That's what happened when each of these women put their words to paper, lovingly shaped their stories, and opened their mouths so we could hear the intimacy of their hearts. This is what you'll see on stage, on May 12th at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento.

I hope you join us.

I hope you bring your wife, sister, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, and relish connecting to these stories, and that you will return home to share your stories with your loved ones.

Cheers!

UPDATE: LTYM Sacramento is profiling each of the speakers. I'm the first one today. Check it out here.