My Youngevity Story

As a Heritage Makers consultant for nearly a decade I became pretty good at telling a story- and the one I'm about to share is long one (really long); but to me, it's worth sharing and recording.  As an HM consultant I LOVED my "job", and was consistent with sales and sponsoring. I strived to be a good leader and worked hard to build a team of like-minded individuals who were also passionate about helping others. 

My "WHY" with Heritage Makers was always to Make A Difference- and I believed I was doing that through giving women an opportunity to be part of a great company helping them to earn an income and gain confidence through leadership, helping families connect and heal relationships through the Heritage enriching power of story, and also solve photo problems and help so many others record their stories. As I think back on my amazing journey with Heritage Makers- I feel blessed and honored to have experienced the journey. I never knew something was "missing" until given the opportunity to really GROW! 

Eight months ago (August 2013) Heritage Makers was officially acquired by Youngevity and become one of their brands.  Youngevity is a wellness company, with a focus on Dr. Joel Wallach's message of health. Youngevity has partnered with many brands over their 17 years as a large publicly traded company; included Ancient Legacy (essential oils), Youngevity Mineral Make-up, Go Foods, Beyond Organic, and Soul Purpose (bath and body scrubs). I wasn't sure what my "place" with Youngevity would be and I was anxious and excited for the future. From the first time I had heard about the possibilities with Youngevity, I was comfortable and confident that those who were at the head of company were people of integrity that I trusted. Of course, there were some tense conversations and misunderstandings during the transition period and also areas of confusion- BUT, my gut, heart, and head, always told me I was in the right place at the right time. I was prayerful in my decision to move forward with Youngevity- and once given the guidance that my family needed this company and to move forward as if on a crusade, I never doubted. 

This is the new Youngevity display we have at the Clothing Outlet-
it used to be strictly Heritage Makers and now we can appeal to a much larger audience! 

When the merger was announced at our HM Reunion in August there was a  variety of reactions from my team and others I had worked with for years.  In being completely transparent with this story, I will say that during this time we lost several leaders in our company who were disappointed and angry with the direction of Heritage Makers. Some felt like it was a sell-out (which it actually was- Heritage Makers sold to YGY to grow both the 90 For Life mission and the HM brand), some just didn't want to sell health/wellness products (they of course had the option to focus on solely HM and still make commission- in fact, all previous renewing sales had been "grand-fathered" in at a higher rate of commission which was AWESOME), and some felt like they had been cheated out of their business because it wasn't what they signed up for. I can't argue against their perceptions of the company- I just knew what worked for ME. For me, the Heritage Makers brand which I had poured so much energy, time, and effort into- was safe. With Youngevity we had a home that was protected and cared for, one that was respected and loved. A company that had an executive team of leaders who listened and learned and KNEW what we needed to grow.  Another key ingredient in place, was that the founder- Dr. Wallach, had committed his life to sharing with others his knowledge of health and wellness. He is a man who has fought not only for his company, but for the health of our nation! *BTW: Kirk had worked for a Network Marketing company for a few years when we lived in Utah and tried all sorts of products- non of which really worked, so we kind of thought maybe these products would be the same. However, after a few weeks of using the products we noticed a positive difference in the way we were feeling. 

One of the big perks of merging with Youngevity, was the fact that Kirk was now able to be a large part of the business. He was always supportive of HM, but it was difficult to talk about scrapbooks on the golf course and to his friends. With the new business model it was easier for him to jump into the business and start to build. Within two months he advanced to the rank of Director and was the first man to hit that rank in HM- of course, he was building through the Youngevity products- but we hadn't fully transitioned over so it was still considered an HM rank! 

At the August convention a new incentive was announced (and I'm never one to shy away from earning incentives) that the Top HMer's would have the opportunity to attend the Youngevity Cancun dream vacation in November. I went to work immediately and together with Angela Rydalch we earned a week in Cancun. It was an awesome vacation being able to enjoy the beach, all inclusive restaurants, and days in the sun; but the best part was the networking and learning from our new Youngevity family! Everybody was so kind and willing to share their stories. I was embraced and welcomed by leaders in Youngevity. I knew that they cared about my success and wanted to help me grow my business. There seemed to be no jealousy among top leaders and I only felt love and respect. Hours were spent between the six HM girls that were there and top leaders and corporate staff as they helped us to understand the new compensation plan, possibilities for growth, and opening our eyes to a broader vision of the future. 

How blessed we are to have Tom and Denise Chenault as our upline leaders and mentors.
 Not only are they smart and funny, but they know how to love like crazy.

After coming home from Cancun I was FIRED UP! I started hosting weekly opportunity meetings and talking to everybody I knew…. but then, something that I didn't see coming happened: I was rejected. A few people told me "No", and that I was wrong for doing network marketing, that Dr. Wallach is cRaZy, and that nobody really makes money in this industry. Even though I knew that I was in the right place, I was feeling discouraged. Christmas was fast approaching by this time and as any mother of three school age children, I was busy.  My business naturally slowed down a little bit in December, but by January I was again ready to hit the ground running. 

In February I went on another incentive trip- this one was earned strictly through Heritage Makers, and was one of the best trips of my life. It was an eight day cruise to St. Maarteens, St. Kitts, Peurto Rico, and Haiti. Spending a week vacationing with like-minded individuals was truly a memorable event.  During the cruise a few business meetings were held and several corporate Youngevity team members spoke. I again knew that this company was the right fit for me and my family. And Kirk, of course has found a great fit as he builds a career in this industry. The relationships and friends that he has made while on this journey together has been priceless. Watching him excel as a distributor and sharing his passion as he invite people to join him makes my heart happy. 

Hanging out on the cruise ship playing "Sardines/Shmee with some of my favorites. 

This last weekend we attended Youngevity's yearly convention. This was to be a turning point for many HMer's…. they were curious to see if Heritage Makers was really part of the company, and if the brand was important. WOW- Heritage Makers was shown such an incredible amount of love!!!! We received the largest time slot for break out sessions, front row seating, huge amounts of recognition, and during closing banquet Best of Heritage Awards were presented. 

Just spending time with MariLu Henner and Dr. Joel Wallach... no big deal :) 

With Bill Andreoli YGY President, Michelle Wallach YGY COO, Fashion Designer Marisa Kenson, Creative Memories Co-founder and now HM Consultant Rhonda Anderson, and Patti Gardner YGY VP of sales. What an honor for me to associate with people of this caliber! 

So, if you're curious about what I think about being part of the Youngevity family- there's my story. I'm 90 for Life- FOR LIFE! 

Receiving rank advancements awards and new GOLD JACKETS as new VPMD

Instant Replay

I'm not much of a baseball enthusiast and rarely follow the game on a local or national level. But this week Kirk and I began talking about a new policy in the MLB: the Instant Replay Expansion that went into effect for the 2014 season. Basically it's the ability for managers to have at least one chance per game to review a play and have a call changed (if the manager reviews a play and gets the call revoked- they have the opportunity to have another play reviewed- thus giving them up to 2 replay reviews per game). "The new system will give managers valuable recourse in potentially game-changing situations."  In one of the first games of the season a manager storms out of the dug-out ready to challenge the umpire, he throws his hat to the ground, stomps his feet, and raises his voice. Just as he's nearing the umpire he looks up towards the review box and notices that a technician on his team is giving him the "DON"T CHALLENGE this play" signal. He immediately knows that he is wrong and the call was fairly given. Sheepishly he walks back to the dug-out- probably a little embarrassed, but also grateful that he was stopped before he created a bigger scene and wasted his "Instant Replay". It's always a bit humbling being told you are wrong and knowing that it can be proved. 

Something that stands out to me with this new policy is the ability to be proven WRONG or RIGHT. It's an ability we don't always have on this earth life. We may feel that we are Right and others are WRONG- but do we really know for sure? As we were driving home late last night with our three children in the backseat- they began bickering with each other for their "fair share" of space on the seat. Mostly they were tired and ready for their own beds, but none of them were willing to make concessions or give up any of THEIR real estate they had staked claim to (I will admit that with growing children, three kids on one bench seat does seem a bit tight at times). I shared with them the new MLB policy and asked them to look at their individual reactions to the situation through the eyes of "instant replay". It was immediate that they were able to see things that they may have done which could prove them wrong. 

I believe that when death takes me, that I will have the opportunity to watch the instant replay of my life. The good, the bad, the ugly. Some parts I am eager to watch on the "Big Screen" and will be proud of many decisions that I have made. I also expect that there will parts of my life that I will cringe as I watch them unfold. As I pondered these thoughts, it occurred to me that I don't have to wait until death and endure possible "cringe-worthy" reactions to my own actions!  Through my relationship with God, I can watch an instant replay of my actions on a daily basis. I can then choose which parts are RIGHT, thus emphasizing those areas; and which parts are WRONG, thus working to eliminate and correct those areas.  Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ I can ask forgiveness and repent of my wrongdoings. 

As a parent I regularly ponder my responsibility to teach, to inspire, and to provide guidance, direction and example. And while I ponder my children ask the penetrating question: WHY? Like most parents I know we give guidance and direction because we have also experienced the same situations our children are now facing. It wasn't very long ago that I was the age of my daughter (ok, so it doesn't SEEM like that long ago), and was facing the dilemmas of being a student at Madison Jr. High just as she is now. The pressures of school work, combined with responsibilities at home and church, only to be buried under the intense awareness of social acceptance and friendships- often make growing up seem impossible. My Avery is handling herself with all the grace and confidence of any 13 year old girl! I can see myself in her on a daily basis- it's not only an "Instant Replay" but I often can see the outcome before it happens. It is during these times that I try to help her to be cautious of her actions and reactions as they will become part of her movie of life. She is a bright, and talented child (more so than I ever was)- and I see her being an influence for good for many. 

I think our children ask "WHY" for the same reason that I often ask my Heavenly Father "WHY". It's because I want assurance that what I am doing is right. Maybe like the manager that is rushing towards the umpire to challenge a call, we may glance up in the direction of somebody who knows FOR SURE the answer before we proceed.  If I will remember this, and remember to search, ponder, and pray before I make a fool of myself my "movie" will have more acts of love, kindness, and service, than it will of embarrassment, negativity, and foolish behavior. 

   

Upper Valley Idol 2014

For the past 10 years Rexburg has hosted Upper Valley Idol. It's been a great event for the community and hundreds of local performers have competed for the title of UVI.  Avery has wanted to tryout for several years but there have always been conflicts with the dates. This year, about a week before the first audition she decided she would participate!

The day of the auditions was the first day that Kirk and I were leaving on our cruise so she went to the audition with my parents and some of her friends..... we didn't really know what the next few weeks would bring or we may have prepared sooner! Over 100 people (ages 12-18) came to the first audition. Avery was thrilled to make it into the first round as one of 22 people.

                          
  She began immediately working with Elizabeth Bossard (BOSS) to get her song ready. The first week of the show she sang Orange Color Sky. She did an amazing job and we were so proud of her. The competition was tough, and like most competitions you just never know what's going to happen.  We were hoping that she would make it to the next round, but also fearful that she would.... Mitchell had a karate competition in Utah the next weekend and we had already planned the trip. Plus, she didn't have another song ready :). I guess the judges and the audience (25% of the judging was done by audience voting through donations) loved her as much as we did- and she was one of 14 chosen to continue to the next week.

Week One: Avery Performing Orange Color Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW7_eNI-grc

The next week was full of song choices, school, end of the trimester, gymnastics, and everything else that we can fit in. She choose a song that she was already familiar with because she knew practice time was limited. Kirk and I left for Utah with Mitchell on Friday morning and left her in the very capable and supportive arms of my parents (Chris and Barbara Mann are pretty incredible parents/grandparents- who not only brought flowers and gifts to each performance, but stayed up making posters and writing notes of encouragement). Wyatt also wanted to stay home and support Avery- I've rarely seen a brother who is so fiercely loyal to a sister; listen to the video and you can hear him cheering and hollering for Avery.  The second week she sang "Who Says" (Selena Gomez)- and looked so darling on stage. She hasn't really had any experience performing on stage- she once did a talent show for the ward Christmas party, and this was only her second time; but she was a natural.

Week Two: Avery Performing "Who Says" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcP8VW-jeK0

At this point in the competition, we knew only six would be advancing into the finals. I was on the phone with my mom as they were announcing the winners and it was fun to be a part of it even though I wasn't there. We were so excited for her, and she could hardly get to sleep that night.

The Final Six

For the next week she had to choose two different songs. It took several days to decide what to sing and it wasn't until Tuesday and Wednesday that she started to learn them. She has also been on the Jr. High dance team and had dance recitals and final performances that week. Needless to say, she was exhausted and stretched. Each day she would go to Elizabeth's house to practice. Boss has been a fixture in the community with music for decades and we are so blessed to have her as part of our lives- FYI: I've known Boss since I was young, and over the past decade have become best friends with her daughter Angela. After singing Avery would run to dance or gymnastics, go to Young Women's activities, work on homework, and eventually get to bed. We kept reminding ourselves to help her prepare earlier for things like this so we aren't so ragged by the end of the week.

Avery and Boss

On the day of the Finals she woke up a little sick and was stressed about performing. She was the youngest one in the group (by about three years), and was getting anxious. But, in typical Avery style she stepped up to the plate and did an amazing job. The judges were so kind to her and gave her great encouragement and suggestions to improve her performances. As a mother I couldn't believe the talent that this child of mine possesses.  I suppose all moms have a difficult time expressing how their hearts skip a beat when they watch their children shine, but it was a feeling of pride and joy.

Week Three (FINALS) First Song: Mean- Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFdwXRVKE4

 Last Song of the Competition: Gimme Gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L02NITMEr-8

Avery didn't win but she says she wants to  do Upper Valley Idol again. I gave Avery the same advice I was given by my dad in 8th grade the first time before I went before a panel of judges: "Win or Lose, Don't let your self-worth be determined by a panel of judges."

I'm A Mormon

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In my church, members of our congregation are asked to serve in various capacities to help our ward unit function fully. I have served as a Sunday School teacher,  Primary leader, Relief Society instructor, as Activities Chairman, Camp Director, ward Historian, visiting teaching supervisor, Ward Bulletin specialist, Activity Girls leader, and a variety of other callings. Each of these service opportunities have strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and have helped me to serve others and gain compassion for those around me. (I have always accepted the position I have been asked to serve in- except in one particular situation when asked to work with the cub scouts that resulted in a "change of plans" after my tearful/stunned/distraught reaction).   I am currently blessed with the opportunity to serve in the Young Women's organization in my ward. The Young Women groups includes all the girls ages 12-18 and I serve primarily with the Laurels (ages 16-18). The Young Women of the Burton 2nd Ward give me faith that the work of the Lord will go forward. The girls I work with are more than beautiful, talented, inspirational women; they are natural leaders with a unique ability to live the gospel and share their testimonies- while also being actively involved in their schools, sports, communities, and family activities. I am a proud leader. 

This year one of our goals as a Young Women's group was to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. We started the first week of summer and our ending date is set for this Tuesday. Throughout the summer we have centered our activities around the Book of Mormon. Today I completed my goal and finished reading! I have read the Book of Mormon many times, and each time I become more attached to the stories and feel deeper connections to those who kept the sacred records. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true, and that the stories are actual events that took place.  It was written for us in our day, and through reading it is the surest way to grow closer to Jesus Christ. As I read it this time, knowing that my own daughter was also reading, learning, and praying about the teachings- I was uplifted and strengthened as a parent. I feel great joy knowing that God lives and loves me, I know He hears me and answers when I pray. I know His Son- Jesus Christ is my redeemer and that he died for me that I may live with Him again. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and that we have a living prophet today. I know that families can be together forever, and through sacred temple ordinances we are sealed for eternity. 

Grateful for the blessings of being together forever! 

I don't think that I have many blog readers, but if anybody who may see this post would like to learn more about the things I believe- I would be honored to send you a free copy of the Book of Mormon. 

Let Freedom Ring

Remember a few months ago when I was sure that I was going to keep up on my blogging? Yeah, that fantasy didn't last very long. BUT, with one of my favorite Holidays this week, I had too much to keep quiet about. I absolutely LOVE Independence Day. It's at the perfect time of year when the days are long, the nights are warm, and friends are always around. Even though it is a Holiday- it always turns out to be one of the busiest days of the year. A few years ago I even managed to squeeze in the Annual local Liberty 5K run- but I was too exhausted with everything else going on to continue that (one time) tradition!

This year I decided (for the first time in 7 years) to NOT have a booth at the Day in the Park festival for Heritage Makers or Clothing Outlet. I actually enjoyed the morning walking around main street, and watching the parade. Avery, Wyatt, and Mitchell all rode in the firetruck with Grandpa Mann and the City Council- and love the attention they get from leading the parade.

The parade was long and the day was hot, but I was so happy to be enjoying the sights of sounds of small town Idaho on the 4th of July. I have said for years that Rexburg is the best place to celebrate- we have a fun parade, the best snowcones in America, lots of people you know, and a family friendly environment (except for the lady sitting near us at the parade who wanted all the adults to sit down and the kids to not run out and get candy)- the day was perfect!

After the parade, we went to Menan (about 15 minutes away) to see what all the rave for "Menan Days" was all about. It lived up to the hype! They had a great festival with some unique vendors, fun games, short parade, and good food. All the kids won the ring toss at least once, Avery had her face painted, Mitchell bought toys (that ended up to be an empty box after we got home and opened it), Wyatt found some friends, and everybody was in a good mood!

The night ended with a party at Russell and Angela Rydalch's house for all the local friends that were in town. The "little" boys (ages 10-14) are OBSESSED with fireworks and have put all their earnings into making sure they have the best show on the block. Of course, because all the neighbors are there it's really the only show on the block. The adults were able to sit around and visit while the boys put on a fantastic show.

I feel like I could say so much more on my feelings about my love for America, my appreciation for those who fight to keep us safe, my concern for our freedoms, my respect for politicians, and the joy that feels my soul when I see my family and friends together enjoying a perfect day..... But, my writing never seems to express my sincere feelings so I will close this post with some of my favorite pictures of our 4th of July 2013!

During the hot parade after we found Mitchell-  he was "lost" for an hour or so! 

Wyatt and Kirk at grandma and grandpas house. 

The "little" kids getting ready for the firework show!

The kids with their "winnings" from the ring toss.

The end of the parade route

Without offending any other parents out there.... my kids really are the best! 

The best friends a girl could hope/pray/ask/ wish for! 

After the firework show..... as my kids get taller- I look like I'm getting shorter~!

Avery's L.A. Adventures- Take 2

It seems that all my blog posts start the same.... "I was going to stay on top of my blog, and post more regularly, but then other things got in the way." Seriously- I'm going to try to be better :)

Avery and I were in L.A for about a month and had a great experience! We started our first week with an acting class with Cynthia Bain (a casting director for Nickelodeon)- she is fantastic with kids and worked with Avery to understand the scene and figure out her role. All the other kids in the class were "working actors" and Avery felt a little out of place, but loved the atmosphere. During the classes, I was able to spend time with other moms and made some new friends.

Our days weren't filled with much busy-ness, but they were still full and we always had a plan (being in California was actually fantastic for my Heritage Makers business, because I had time to focus on work without lots of other obligations). Avery participated in gymnastics and tumbling classes that she enjoyed and was able to keep up her skills. We meet with the management company several times to discuss director workshops, classes, wardrobe, and interviews. In one of our first meetings the manager was a little hard on Avery (and me) about making sure to keep up on her look. He was strict about getting a facial and staying on top of any face blemishes, using white strips for her teeth, having manicured nails at all times, getting extensions, wearing the right shades of (and VERY LITTLE) make-up, and so forth. As we left the meeting my "mama-bear" instincts kicked in and I was very protective of my baby girl. Avery and I had a conversation about self-esteem, looks, superficial qualities, and much more. As I asked Avery what she wanted to do with the information we had been given- I was blown away by her maturity. She says, "mom, I understand their job- and they are right about how I need to look in order to get a part. I also understand that my looks don't make me who I am. I intend to work hard to reach my goals, and by looking my best and acting my best- it can help to make that a reality." I was impressed with her grasp of what is real and what is superficial.

For Avery the highlights were the photo shoot with famed photographer Linda Vanoff, acting orientation classes with Zach Burnett, having hair extensions done, and getting a facial. Lowlights for Avery: having to keep up on her math homework with a mom that doesn't understand her homework.

One of the best things about our adventure, and what really helped to make it possible~ was having great family members there to stay with and hang out with. We stayed in Upland with my mom's sister- Bob and Donna Ellis were amazing! They graciously opened their home to us and we enjoyed our time with them. Every night after working full time as the missionaries over the Bishops Storehouse, they would put together a full dinner for us. We tried to not be a burden and help out as much as we could, but their generosity was overwhelming. Avery always called Donna, "grandma" and we felt very comfortable there. Because I didn't have other obligations, I slept more than I have in years! It was heaven.

We also spent a lot of time with my cousin Jen Broderick and her darling family. Avery fell in love with the kids and wanted to take their 1 year old baby Graycen home with us when we left. Jenn teaches an exercise class at the church three days a week and I very much enjoyed staying connected to my workouts. Jenn also signed up as a Heritage Makers consultant and we did her grand opening workshops and got her trained and ready to go. She is amazing and my time with her was well spent.

We left to come back to Idaho in the middle of February, with the intend to go back as soon as the manager needed Avery for more auditions. We have been so blessed since~ Avery has had the opportunity to do Skype interviews and auditions for three projects. She auditioned for the part in a Hallmark style movie, a feature film, and just this week she had a big audition for a new Nickelodeon Pilot show that is currently being cast. She hasn't landed a role yet- but she is hopeful. For me, things as going exactly as I wanted. I like that this dream is moving at a slow pace, but that she is able to continue to work on her craft and develop her talents. For a mother, it's a great situation.

Thanks for all the love, support, and interest that has been shown on Avery's behalf.

Avery right after Grace did her extensions

One of my favorite nights was going to the Redlands Temple

Jenn Broderick with me outside the temple

Linda Vanoff doing Avery's new headshots

Working out at the church- Jenn kicked my butt most days

Tyson had to help Avery with math- because I was lost

A Few Questions Answered

Since I posted last week about Avery and I taking off to L.A. I've had mixed responses from people. Some are excited, some confused, and some skeptical. I am cautious about being defensive because I truly appreciate truthful reactions from my friends and loved ones.

The most concerned questions from people is that they are worried that we have put a lot of money into this process. The answer is NO. When Avery first started this journey, I read and researched everything I could find. What I discovered is that there are a lot of companies who are willing to "sign" as a manager if you pay them thousands of dollars upfront (Then pay for everything else they suggest). We didn't pay anything for our management company, agents, or reps. They only get paid after Avery does- and the percent is the industry standard of 15%. After Avery took the classes in Idaho Falls (that we did pay for), she had some support and contacts to get interviews and auditions with the management company we are signed up.

The only thing we are paying for while we are in L.A is: optional acting classes, optional updated head shots, and hair/makeup treatments she may need: and we get to choose what to do or not do. Avery is enrolled in acting class currently with Cynthia Bain- she is one of the best coaches in the industry and we love her (she's a casting director for Nickelodeon). We pay for these classes: but let me stress that the amount we pay is the same amount we pay for Wyatt to do a basketball camp, or Avery to do a cheerleading team. She is learning a skill that will help her in the future as she interviews for jobs, works in any field, and applies for college, and raises a family.

Thanks for all the continued support, love, and caution! It is accepted and appreciate :)

Avery's L.A. Adventure- Take 1

       What started as an innocent advertisement on the radio quickly became a major shift for our family. Avery has always been an actress and dreams of being on the big screen, I think every little girl has ambitions of being famous so I never put too much stock into Avery wanting the same thing. Once she heard the radio advertisement about a national casting agency coming to Idaho falls, it was all she could think about. She started to prepare monologues, practice voice, work on dance, and became engrossed in television shows featuring kids her age. We went to Idaho falls one Saturday in May: my thought was that I didn't want to be the one to crush her dreams, surely it would be a crazy tough process and I would have been awarded mother of the year for allowing my child to believe that she can accomplish anything she desires. 

          As we arrived at the audition, everybody is filed into a large conference center. The talent agent proceeds to give direction about what they are looking for: that they want natural, energetic, smart, focused, family oriented children to work with who posses high levels of confidence. While some families and children were intimidated by this, Avery was anxious for her chance to audition. When her turn came, she did awesome. Her commercial and monologue where spot on, and she was pulled out of the group to meet with other agents. Out of nearly 400 children, she was one of 12 who continued to work throughout the summer with a union actor refining her skills, working on her resume, and getting head shots ready. Near the end of the six week course a different agent from L.A came back to Idaho. I again thought I had done my job as a parent and the plan of Avery pursuing an acting career was coming to an end. 

          The casting agent and those we were working with suggested we take Avery to La to meet with others in the industry.  We really were quite busy in our lives, but I had a few days off during Harvest break and my mom was able to get away as well. We had an incredible few days enjoying time in upland with family, going to the beach, and visiting the area and homes my mother grew up in. On our last day of vacation, we had an interview with the owner of a management company. It was lovely to meet them, and was good practice for Avery to have an interview with people who know what working in the industry is about. The management company only works with about 35 child actors at a time and has lots of knowledge and experience. Most people we talked with explained to us that we would have several interviews before we found a management company. 

         We arrived back in Idaho, and within a few days I received phone calls and contracts that the management company wanted to represent Avery and asked if we could come to Los Angeles for pilot season in January. After several weeks (months) of being in denial and assuming that it wasn't really going to happen- Avery and I are actually leaving the cold snow in Idaho and heading to sunny California. We have a six week commitment there with some classes and auditions, with a week off in the middle to come home. Part of me thinks this adventure is crazy and we should cancel everything now, while part of me welcomes the adventure and looks forward to the next few months. 
Kirk and I have been prayerful in this decision and the entire family has been involved in the process. Wyatt and Mitchell are so very supportive of Avery and are excited for her. Kirk has traveled a lot for work, and so we know how quickly three weeks can go by. We will Skype  FaceTime chat, and talk everyday and will "joint parent" as much as possible. Avery and I will be staying with family in California and will be involved in the ward there. It can also be a great boost to my HM business as I build a team in that area. 

         There are certainly things that I am  apprehensive about- including leaving Angela to run the clothing outlet by herself for six weeks, and the driving in l.a., but every time I start to get nervous and want to change my mind something else falls into place. Maybe I just have to go into this adventure with faith, knowing that gods hand is in all things and through listening to the spirit we will be blessed and protected.

Heritage Makers Makes a Difference

I love being a Heritage Makers consultant. It is a problem solving company. When I first began as a consultant (nearly 8 years ago) I hadn't realized that it was an answer to prayers that I hadn't even spoken. In the beginning it was about the social aspect- I loved the women who were passionate about helping others preserve and share their family stories, and I knew that it was a needed solution. I would attend events and my friendships with others would be strengthened. I didn't want to miss anything because I knew that I would leave feeling uplifted and motivated. 

After two years of being a "part-time" consultant, my family started to rely on the income that my business was producing. I knew that I had an opportunity to give myself a raise. I worked my business smarter and started to build a team of consultants that also wanted to make a difference. My income would grow every month which encouraged me to continue to work hard. As a consultant I knew that the, the principles of direct sales compensation plans don't change- if you want to make more money, you have to do the income producing activities that increase personal volume and group volume. In Heritage Makers, the income producing activities are simple: workshops, sales, sponsoring, and training. 

I have consultants in my organization who sign up strictly for their own discount, others that do it because they have a photo problem,  some that do it for the fun and social aspect of the business, and others that want to take advantage of the entire opportunity that is provided: income, social, career, relationships, and paychecks of the heart. Over the years I have evaluated "Why" I am consultant. It seems to be evolving constantly and it's hard to describe. My heart tells me that being a Heritage Makers consultant serves a purpose for my life: it allows me the freedom to be home with my children and work around their schedules, it gives me the blessing of being able to help provide financially for my family, it fulfills a need that I have to be recognized and appreciated, but the biggest reason is that I feel like I am serving a mission for God. I believe that stories are the essence of who we are and that our lives are fulfilled as we share stories and serve others. I feel compelled to be doing what I do. 

Several years ago I was serving in the Primary organization in my church and working with the small children. During one particularly difficult Heritage Makers week of failed workshops, missed calls, and forgotten appointments- I began to question my continued involvement with HM. That Sunday during church the children began learning a song that I know I needed to hear. The sweet words to the song are: "Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear. Things I would ask Him to tell me, if he were here. Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea- stories of Jesus, Tell Them To Me. Oh, let me hear how the children stood round his knee. I shall imagine his blessings resting on me; Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, All in the love-light of Jesus' face." I was struck by the words of this song and I understood the reason for sharing stories of Jesus, reading scriptures with our children, and talking to them of God's grace is all so that we can connect and learn to love God. It is the same crusade I feel with Heritage Makers- I am passionate about helping other share stories and memories of loved family member- it helps us connect to our Heritage and helps us live better more fulfilled lives. I recently completed a Military storybook about my Papa Bill Henderson: when I was done I realized the impact it could have on generations to come. It helps my children be better citizens, serve more diligently, and love their ancestors. I have had similar experiences with other grandparent and family books. As a consultant I have been able to be an instrument to help others have the same experiences. Not only is Heritage Makers the best publisher in the industry, but the mission of vision of strengthening homes and families through the Heritage enriching power of story is a mission that I fully support. 

This year I was honored with the company Legacy Award- it is an award given to a consultant for making a difference in Heritage Makers and spreading the mission and vision. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I received my award at our annual conference and was at a lose of what to say. I am blessed to be a consultant, honored to be recognized, and most importantly: humbled to make a difference. 

I had my photo on the front cover of the opportunity magazine- August 2012

"WHY" I'm a Heritage Maker

The screen shown at HM Annual Convention that literally took my break away

Some of the amazing women in my organization who I have the honor to work with.

For more information about Heritage Makers, please visit my website: www.storybookforlife.com or contact me. 

Job Chart Success

I don't like a messy house. And yet, I find myself living in one. For the past 10 years I've tried to teach my children to simply clean up their own messes and help as needed. I have not been great at this process, and find that the house cleaning is a MAJOR part of my life. Is it really this way for all mothers?

I also try to teach them the value of hard work and dedication. My kids actually do work hard, but certainly more so when there is a reward attached. I have finally come up with a solution, that not only works- but that I am incredibly proud of. Of course, it was created at www.storybookforlife.com and was simple and easy to produce. If you have a Heritage Makers account I'd be happy to transfer the project to you, if you don't have an account go to my website and I'll help you get started.

Here's the process:

The charts were created on 12x12 pages and a FREE UV protector was added so that I can add more chores and write notes. Each member of the family has their own 12x12 board that the smaller pages can be added to (the chores were also created on 12x12 pages with 4 per page). Each square has an assignment with detailed instructions of what needs to be done in that room. For example: Downstairs Bathroom includes; dust picture frames,fold towels, restock toilet paper, clean glass with windex, clean sink and counters with Soft Scrub, clean toilet (bowl and around), wipe floor and baseboards. It also includes a Bonus: organize under sink, clean window.

Each chore also has a  dollar amount attached to it. I never liked the idea of giving an allowance without work involved- now they can earn money. And, they can now pay for things on their own. When we go to a movie as a family, they get to pay for themselves with the money they earned. They also can't do the "money jobs" without taking care of their individual responsibilities first.

I have the jobs on our back door that leads to the garage- it's a metal door so I can able to attach them with magnets (I used to be somewhat of a craft hoarder and have a HUGE roll of sticky magnet, and I find joy in finding a use for it).

When a job needs to be done, I move that page down to the bottom of the door. The kids can choose what they want to do, but it needs to be done before they have an option of choosing another job. That way, one particular child (Wyatt) won't grab all 6 jobs, slap them on his board and then spend the next two days to get them done. Because of the UV coating, the kids can check off the list and write notes on their boards. I write the amount that I owe them on their boards and then can pay as they need the money. 

Last weekend the kids wanted to go see The Lorax. I simply said they each needed to earn $5.00 and their were jobs that needed to be done. It worked like a charm! No more handing out money for doing nothing, no more arguing over jobs, and no more trying to explain everything that needs to be done for each room. It's right there in full color on the back of the door! 

Here's the preview for the entire project I made: http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=2157877&productId=64&sponsorID=152741

Here's to long and workable job chart solution! 

I'm a Terrible Blogger

In my mind, I blog. For the past 10 months (which is the amount of time I've not posted on this blog), I *think about it all the time. I don't know if it's a lack of time, focus, energy, or just not feeling like my thoughts and ramblings warrant a blog post. I actually feel quilt over this~ which is silly because I blog simply for the joy of writing and connecting our family stories with others.

In reality, I've taken quite a hiatus from "blogs" altogether. I used to read several blogs of friends and family and recently have lost touch. It can actually see a difference in my mood when I lose that touch. I start to become more selfish in my every day dealings and stop listening and empathizing less with those around me. However, getting caught up in the blogging world can also have the same negative effect. When I start to believe that everybody has the reality they portray in their blogs I also get depressed. It is a fine line between perception and reality.

I guess Blogging does fill a void in me. I will make sure that my schedule permits me time to write, post, and share the things that are important to me.

Thanks for taking the time to let me share my quilt and resolve to change.

I don't need anybody to make me feel quilt- I do a good enough job bring it on myself. 

Strong Women

There are many amazing women in my life who have shaped me into the mother I am- all of the good I have in me comes from them: I don't know where all the bad parenting I have comes from....As I started my list of women who have influenced me it continued to grow and grow. Once I hit the 100 women mark, I knew that this could potentially be a very, very long post. I opted to just highlight a few courageous women in my life who I want to be like and who I gather the most knowledge and examples from.

The first on the list is of course, my own amazing mother. Do you know Barbara Mann? If you do, you know she is a pretty incredible mother, wife, friend, daughter, and example. She has always had a strong testimony of being a daughter of God, and I think that makes it possible for her to be such a great mother. She has always nurtured and taught with love, kindness, and affection. She is one of those mothers who seems to do everything "right". She cooks, cleans, works, serves, listens, and devotes countless hours to her children. I love her dearly, and am so grateful for her influence in my life. Did I mention my kids are SO LUCKY to have her as a grandmother, my friends have even commented that they would like to be adopted by my parents.

My Beautiful Mother

Another one of my favorite "Mother's" has never birthed children, nor does she raise any. My sister Karyn lives in NYC- she is surrounded by friends and spends her days working long hours, and her weekends doing things I only dream of (traveling the world, going to concerts, celebrity fundraisers, The Tony's, Broadway shows, and the list goes on and on). And though she doesn't have children of her own- she has influenced families in a positive way more than most women. She has worked in the Social Services field for over a decade and is a fantastic advocate for children. I have seen her fight judges, the foster system, and drug addicted parents to protect the welfare of children. She is the best aunt my kids could ever ask for, she is so good about birthdays and holidays and will spend hours on the phone talking to Avery and getting to know her. She is kind, generous, and loves unconditionally. I am humbled that she is able to help "raise" my children and influence them.

My Kids can't get enough of Aunt Karyn. 

These days I seem to be spending more time with my closest friends than I do anybody else. Grateful does not do justice to how I feel about my friends. I can't imagine my life being as happy or fulfilling without them in it. In high school I had a pretty incredible group of friends and I couldn't image that in my 30's I would be able to find those same connections. Yet, it is not only possible, but as life gets more complicated my friends have continued to lift me physically and spiritually. My wish for all the women in my life is that they could be surrounded with the caliber of women that I am on a daily basis. I pray that I can be as good a friend as the ones I have been blessed with. I don't know what I did to deserve to have these influences in my life and I strive everyday to be worthy of these great friendships.

Madison High School "Friends" class of '95

Some of my "favorite" friends from our annual Favorite Things Party. 

The last amazing women I would like to post about is my ten year old daughter. Avery is not a mother (and if I am able to channel the mothering skills of the other women, she won't be mother for at LEAST another decade)! But she is a great example to me, and is the reason that I am a mother. She was not only my first born but my only daughter. Through her eyes I see the future of women everywhere. I have always believed that women were strong and capable, but now there is a passion in me to make sure that women are treated with respect and kindness. Avery is so tender hearted and confident at the same time. She is friendly to everybody and wants to always make sure that others are treated fairly. She is excited to grow up, but also still loves to be a little girl. Avery is one of my heroes. I am grateful that Heavenly Father has allowed me to raise his precious child during this earth life.

As I look at this list, I feel like my words come close to what my heart is feeling. I love the strong women in my life and today I reflect on one of my favorite quotes. 

Strong Women: 

May We Know Them, 

May We Be Them

May We Raise Them. 

Happy Mother's Day to all Strong Women.