she

i am home. school started yesterday. i have a new schedule, a new routine, and a new plan of attack. and finally, with a lot of stuff behind me... i feel great.
i drove my kids to utah for CKU-a in provo 2 weeks ago. it's a 12 hour ride from here to there. eric was at scout camp for a week, and my mom planned a ton of fun "utah" activities for the kids, as she would be watching them during the event. if you have never been, SLC/provo area is unbelievably fabulous in the summer. it's beautiful, perfect temps, light until late, and full of a lifetime of memories of mine. i was happy to be home. i didn't have a return date specified. but i was pretty overwhelmed with the prospect of the album class!
what an awesome experience for me. i had one of the best experiences of my life. so many people ask me... "what is this SHE thing?"... and it's not a simple answer. i am sure those in my track were not sure what they were getting themselves into.
to put it simply, as simply as possible... SHE is all of us. women. we share so much. so much in common. we have awesome responsibilties, opportunities and lives. SHE is a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter. the SHE album is a tribute. it's a unique way of painting a picture of who that SHE is. what she loves, believes, dreams and is. i have known the power of the concept and have enjoyed sharing it. it's amazing because it is relatable to anyone, any age, any stage in life. but, i had no way of preparing for the emotions that happened in the track.
i was so emotional... and to those who were there... i apologize, and thank you for putting up with me!!! and let me tell you, i was emotional ON MY OWN... and then there were the comments, expereinces and lives that were shared with me during the course of the track. i thank those of you who shared those pieces of you, the insights and the pain. i wish i could share with you some of the stories of the women in that room. i was so moved... (obviously)... i loved it. it was just a little tricky to balance technique talk with these raw and real emotions that were coming to the surface for so many.
as i look at this class picture... and not everyone was there when we finally got this taken... but i was zooming in and looking at each individual face, and remembering some of the little tid bits of your lives that i heard, and i feel so grateful to have had that experience...
it was such a technique driven class, and that is what i like... i love to take people out of their comfort zone and show them something that maybe they hadn't thought of. it may have been a little TOO intense... i hope that those who were there will finish their albums to their satisfaction! best of luck!
i can't wait for stamford. so fun.
i had my wonderful team with me... and helping with this event was no small feat... but we have a blast togehter. Kara Wylie and Janet Hopkins joined us... and will be helping out with CKUs in the future. this is a photo of us having breakfast up at the Sundance Resort. it was SO stunningly beautiful there, and the temperature... devine (i know that i make a big deal about the temp, but i HATE HOW HOT IT IS HERE RIGHT NOW!). man, that was so fun... so yummy.

saturday night i left provo and drove about 35 miles east of SLC to my grandpa's cabin to join my family. i have never been so happy driving through the main gate. the stars were so bright and the night sky so beautiful. that place is so attached to so many happy memories of my life. it was a joy to see my children fall in love with that place... we had so much fun...
then ...
the highlight...
LAGOON.
(chuckling)
i LOVE lagoon. we had the BEST TIME! ALL DAY. non-stop. and my boys were tall enough, and it was their first time on big rides and they were LOVING IT. it was seriously like one of my favorite days as a mom. it was better than christmas. they were thrilled... running to do the big, fast "fire dragon" roller coaster that does 2 loops, at like 75mph... --5 times in a row. i was sad that eric missed it... but he kindof has a weak stomach... no time for those w/ weak stomaches. my mom LOVES the rides. we had a blast.
12 hours drive home.
and me... in recovery mode.

SUCH good stuff.
it's time for some changes. i just wish it were the WEATHER!! (lol)
but i have conn. to look forward to.. and those leaves, and the westin! and a little NYC.
yep... good stuff.

Comments

[Melissa]

I so wish that I could have been at CKU. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I live in AZ too and I know how darn hot it is. Can't wait for it to cool down soon!

[Michelle Hill]

That was a awesome track....still working on my album in all my spare moments...this is something I really want to finish in whole. Thanx so much heidi for everything....I had a BLAST...by far my favorite CKU..thanx again take care

[christina]

Oh I wish I could have gone...looks like it was a great time. Thanks for sharing :)

[Lisa]

Well, I'm going to add "box of tissues" to my packing list for CKU-A in Stamford! I'm signed up for your track and at first was scared, but now I am so excited!!!
It sounds like you had a great "working" vacation, you certainly deserved it. :)

[Heather]

I walked into my lss to do a little scrapbook shopping on Monday and imagine my surprise when I got to see one of the SHE albums completed. It's GORGEOUS! And so love the idea behind it. ::sigh:: so wish I could make it to a CKU-A session, but after getting to do the Dallas one, I think it's going to be awhile before I get to go again. I'd love to do your track.

So glad you got to mix your work with some family time. Sounds like you had a great time.

[Mallory]

After a long weekend, I finished my SHE album its so AMAZING and can't wait to show it off!!! thanks again for all the great memories. Have a great time in NYC (oh how I love NYC)

[alimoll]

This track was awesome on SO MANY different levels! I loved every minute of it! I've got about 8 more layouts to complete my SHE album! It is my priority!

[Adele]

The SHE track at CKUA Provo was amazing. Heidi, you are incredible -- you changed the way I looked a scrapbooking with Designing with Texture and now again with SHE. Thank you for a fabulous experience.

[Ksea]

I WISH I COULD'VE BEEN THERE AND TAKEN YOUR ALBUM TRACK, TOO!! From what I've seen, it's an awesome project!! And all of those scrapbooking goodies??? I'm really sorry I missed out on it! =0(

[tracy]

I hope to be able to take your track. I have heard so many raves and you are such an awesome creative inspiration!

[candace]

totally and completely jealous of the women who attended your track. please come to houston, texas.

[Desiree]

Yes, thank you SO much Heidi. What an awesome experience. I tell every woman I meet about SHE :) What an awesome concept and a beautiful album.

[Laura]

Hi Heidi! I just had to comment that I have that same "Charmer" shirt. :) Cracked me up to see you in it - that's my dog's name! (Also my name on 2peas). That album sounds awesome...Keep up the great work!

[wendy]

heidi so good to see your blogging again, yay for you.
i can feel the smile in your heart again and i am smiling myself.
your SHE class album sounds amazing, oh one day I will get to do a Heidi class at CKU - I can dream !!!
Cannot wait to see your handwriting book IRL.
Take care and kee smiling
hugs wendy in melbourne (yes fun stalker wendy LOL )

[Peggy]

oh I am so intrigued by your track I want to do a She album and I am so sad I couldn't attend this year.

[Kathleen Summers]

I'm also so happy to see you blogging again! And I'm another one who can't wait to get the handwriting book I pre-ordered! :)

[Dee]

Hey there Heidi,
I wish you could teach that class here, it sounds wonderful!

Thanks for sharing some of your home town experience. I am so looking forward to arriving in Salt Lake City. Is there anything I really must see while Im there?

Isnt it amazing the places we get to travel in this wonderful industry!!

See ya real soon:)

Dee

[Cami]

Your blog entry just made me smile. CKU-A just breeds insight and happiness and gratitude. I was blessed to be at the inaugural album format in Dallas. Loved it. I would love the opportunity to hang w/ you @ some future CKU and just ABSORB! Love all the new products... I use your stuff on every little thing...just makes me HAPPY. Thank you for that.

[Jessi]

Come to the Houston CKU in September next year...I would love to take your track!!!!

[Linda Beeson]

LOVED being at CKU-A - LOVED being about to take the SHE track! I was challenged, just like I wanted to be! I wasn't there to FINISH an album but to be taken out of my box a bit!!! THANKS! Linda