Well, this truck pull out from our house earlier this evening carrying everything we own, headed for SLC, Ut. You’d think that we LIKE to move! (insert deep breath)… onto the next chapter in this ‘adventure’ section of our book of LIFE!
We sold our home, which is an absolute miracle in this market-and as we have been contemplating all the options, Eric has decided to complete his Chinese degree at BYU. It’s kinda feeling like ‘full circle’! but he is so excited, and things have fallen into place perfectly. We have been kicking ourselves for not finishing school 14 years ago when we decided to take a job that moved us to Vancouver, BC. He is only short by a couple classes, and now’s the time. i am excited to live close to my side of the family for awhile. My siblings live around SLC and I am excited to get to hang out with them. I am excited to live closer to my extended family, as well as some old friends: Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird. We’ll be living near the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon, a mere 10-15 minutes drive to the ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’. My childhood/adolescent playground. My dad taught me to ski when I was 3 years old, and I can’t wait to get Capri and Connor up on the hill- since I can’t even keep up with Colton and Cory already! I LOVE the mountains, and indeed, it’s been a LONG TIME! I am excited to live closer to a couple of my House of 3 partners! (much closer to Provo than China!)
Some additional UTAH perks (in no particular order):
Italian Village for Pizza Benders
Hires Big H
Fall foliage
White Christmases
My grandpa’s cabin in Oakley, Utah
Mtn Biking in Milcreek Canyon
Hiking familiar trails
Knowing my way around everywhere
So many temples
Attending KJ’s Halloween party
30 miles from Park City (I LOVE PC)
exploring UTAH w/ my kids- camping!
LAGOON
I have been filled with mixed emotions. When we moved back, we weren’t really sure how things would play out, but I can see the hand of the Lord in our life, and can’t deny the many blessings and tender mercies that have directed our path and truly blessed our family. As I am sad once again leaving friends and family that are here in AZ, it’s comforting knowing we aren’t going as far away as CHINA! And we have lots of reasons to visit…
I have been getting several emails wondering about CHA, new products and my relationship with Advantus…
Right now, my focus is on House of 3… and I am LOVING it! I have needed to change, grow, expand, try something new…etc. The ‘creative spirit’ is a very fragile thing; and you have to listen to it, and follow it. There is that saying ‘follow your bliss’. And there is a lot of truth to that. You just can’t fight change- you have to accept it, embrace it and take what you have learned from the past, and apply it to the future.
I will not be attending CHA, and I do not have a new product release at this show. The Heidi Swapp brand will continue through Advantus… I will continue to teach classes, travel and promote it along with House of 3. Our relationship will move forward on a per-project basis. I have been tremendously grateful for their support.
My days of creating new (physical) products are not over! (I do have some things in the works!!) But I must admit, I have hit a bit of a ‘reset’ button in my creative soul. My capacity to work isn’t the same, my ability to stay up all night working and then functioning without skipping a beat the next day has diminished! The demands of my family is ever increasing, as is my desire to meet those demands and enjoy my role in doing so. I will also admit that all the change and adjusting (of the last couple years) has not been easy, or without significant stress. However, I believe that there is a purpose behind all things; and I have felt so empowered and energized by taking a leap, and venturing into something unknown…it’s strengthened me, my marriage and our family in ways I’d never imagined.
SO, there it is in a nutshell… I don’t even know where the good scrapbook stores are in SLC surrounding!? I know that I am in good company there… Rhonna, Margie, Elizabeth, Teresa, Robin, Jefra, Nichole, Sarah, Rachel, Layle… I do know that there is a movement going on there … of women who create in all different ways- because they just feel it inside; that desire to create beauty all around them. I’m excited to join in.
Best part: I know it’s where we are supposed to be right now. That is all that matters!
(big smile, tired body)
Heidi, I wish you the very best with this new chapter in your life. I have been a big fan of your contributions to the industry and have several of your goodies in my happy scrappy place. Your creative mojo juices will follow you. Change is good and inevitable. Your fans await your next adventure. hugs, bren
Posted by: bren yule | July 17, 2009 at 02:29 AM
Wow, on 'the move' again! I truly admire the strenght you have (yes, as well as your creativeness!!!) and wish you and the fam. good luck!!! Hope you'll be having a great studio again in your next home?
Posted by: PJ | July 17, 2009 at 02:49 AM
My prayers are with you next week, hauling your family northward. Best of luck & be safe. And help me know what to do for poor Emily who is very, very sad to see you go.
Posted by: Heather Bailey | July 17, 2009 at 02:51 AM
Quite exciting things going on around you! I´m really curious what inspiration you get by this new chapter and hopefully share with us :o)
I wish you and your family all the best, good luck!
Posted by: Sandra | July 17, 2009 at 03:16 AM
What about Cafe Rio? Everybody always talks about that.....
Wow! What a life. Best with the Mooooooove.
Posted by: Kage | July 17, 2009 at 04:38 AM
My favorite scrapbook store in Utah is:
Paper Creations
1140 E Brickyard Rd, Suite 30
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Did your husband serve a Chinese speaking mission? That's great that he is able to go back and finish at BYU.
Posted by: Holly Thatcher | July 17, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Heidi So happy things are working out for you the way they are supposed to. Good luck with the move and getting settled.
Posted by: Chiara | July 17, 2009 at 05:45 AM
I think you are amazing and such an inspiration to us all. I am excited for you and look forward to what the future brings in the world of scrapbook for us all. What experiences your children will have and remember and that is most important.
Posted by: Carol | July 17, 2009 at 05:49 AM
You just totally blow me away! Good Luck hang in there you can do "anything" just remember to also find "Heidi Time"! Hugs Grace XOXOXOX
Posted by: Grace | July 17, 2009 at 06:30 AM
Love you...excited you're coming...praying for the best for you and your darling family...
Kiss kiss
m
Posted by: Margie | July 17, 2009 at 06:35 AM
Pizza benders rock!
Posted by: Stacy B | July 17, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Heidi,
Wishing you and your family the very best in the next chapter of your lives. It sounds like the Lord has a definite plan for you and he's leading you along his path.
Luckily you already have family and friends surrounding you guys over there making your transition a little less stressful. Good luck, be safe and happy travels!
Hugs;)
J
Posted by: Jaime Benavides | July 17, 2009 at 07:12 AM
Heidi,
I have been a huge fan of your products since the first chipboard letters I bought! Every year I always look forward to seeing your new stuff. And always have to have ALL of it! Every layout I make has something Heidi Swapp on it. I finally got to meet you at cha last summer. I had just started an online store.
My dream has been to work for you or someday have my own product line. I will be at cha in a few weeks, I'll miss seeing you and your new stuff, but I am loving House of 3. Before House of 3 I had never tried anything digi before, and I'm getting hooked!
I want to wish you the best. you mentioned that the Lord had His hand over you. That's the best place to be! The Lord can do amazing things through us, if we let Him! I love that you talk about the Lord on your blog. That is an awesome thing to share about the Lord!!! I pray the moving and adjusting goes great and safe and that the Lord blesses all you do.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | July 17, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Heidi, when I think of you, and the women you will be living close to, it makes me want to move to Utah. The creative enery when you gals get together must be crazy great! God bless as you follow this path.
ps i'd want to take the pool too ;)
pps keep rockin' at the Hof3 I can't get enough of those downloads and will be using the wall art soon (redoing my lil' girls room)
Posted by: Kerry Stong | July 17, 2009 at 07:20 AM
Heidi, I so admire your strength and your spirit and your ability to rely on the Lord. I am a control freak and probably wouldn't be able to deal with all the change that you have in the past few years...you are amazing! Good luck with the move and I hope you and your family settle in quickly!!
xo Tal
Posted by: Talia | July 17, 2009 at 07:31 AM
yay! i hope you will be teaching classes around here. i live in park city and i wish we had a scrapbook store that you could come teach at, but i am willing to travel. also, we are heading up to lagoon today. i agree, it is so much fun. good luck with the move.
Posted by: alison | July 17, 2009 at 07:33 AM
wow girl! good for you...i hope you have a safe and easy move!!!
love that you are following your creative spirit...i've always love the Heidi Swapp products and now I am SERIOUSLY ADDICTED to House of 3!
Have fun
Laurie
Posted by: Laurie | July 17, 2009 at 07:42 AM
wooohooo!
you know how I feel! soo excited!
hugs & can't wait to SEE YOU!
xox
R
Posted by: Rhonna Farrer | July 17, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Wow...best of luck Heidi to you and your family for this move. Seems like you just got back from China...time doesn't stop for anyone or anything...does it? So glad things have fallen into place for you...that's why I'm a big believer in "things happen for a reason"...we may not know the reason at the time...which can be stressful...but if we embrace the belief that "this too shall pass" then the reasons show up so much faster for us. You amaze me with your energy as a mother alone with all those beautiful kids...let alone trying to keep your creative business ongoing. Your are right...follow your bliss...do what makes you "creatively" happy and not what the industry demands. After all...creatively is about "experiencing" new things and not following someone elses rules...YOU GO GIRL...safe travels.
Fondly, Roberta
Posted by: Roberta | July 17, 2009 at 08:00 AM
I live near the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon too! Maybe we are going to be neighbors. It's a great place to live. I love it! It's really close to the freeway and we are literally in the middle of Salt Lake, so it's usually 15 minutes in either direction to get places. If you need anything, I'd be happy to help. I'm really good at cleaning, unpacking and making your chocolate chip cookie recipe. ;) It's my boys' favorite. You can email me at [email protected].
Posted by: Kim H. | July 17, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Congrats! That puts you practically right next door to me (at least when you visit the cabin) :) And reading your list reminds me of all the things I love about where I live. But I still need to try the Pizza Benders!
Posted by: Alayna | July 17, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Yea, we'll be neighbors too. I live at the base of BCC too - and I can't believe I have found someone else who loves Pizza Benders and Hires. Good luck and I hope to see you around.
Posted by: Marian H | July 17, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Oh that is great Heidi! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family! I think your children are pretty content just so they have your both as parents!
God gift to you is your talent, if you create or not! You will come back when need be and for now Family has and always will be first!!!!
Bless you heidi in your adventures!!!
And to live by Liz and margie, no words to describe the fun you will have!!!!
take care and we will miss you here in Arizona(I can't get out all my life here, LOL) but, you will be back for CE and I am sure times in your life!!!!!
Posted by: Michelle Aguilar | July 17, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Heidi,
Thanks so much for the reminder that we listen to what our souls need. I have been a sahm for the first time EVER for the past few months and while I love it, you reminded me of the importance of being active with our families and not just there :)
Good luck to you and yours :)
Posted by: Tina | July 17, 2009 at 09:59 AM
WOW! That's fabulous!!! Wishing you and your family a very safe and happy journey. Keep us updated with all your new adventures in life!
Posted by: Brittany Homen | July 17, 2009 at 10:06 AM