The past few days, I was in San Diego for HP Print & Pamper. This year, I have had the privilege to work with HP to create unique content using their products. It has been absolutely amazing.

Sometimes, I feel a little shy about when this blog brings opportunities. There are times are feel unqualified and silly about sharing what I’ve done. Other times, I’m as proud as a peacock to be able to stay home and contribute to the family. It’s a hard balance – to make sure that I share what I truly think is a good product and what you will enjoy seeing, without ever sounding like an ad or wasting your time. Over the past few years, I’ve settled into a more comfortable groove. I really enjoy ambassadorships. I like working with a brand over time, so that I can get to really know them and they can get to know me. And I absolutely love when I’m able to give you gifts from these relationships. I think that makes it all worth it!

 

Mary Alice and I boarded a plane Thursday morning. She was an absolute rock star, but wow – that traveling with only two hands thing is hard.

Brian sent me the best text ever as we were boarding. He said, “If you get lonely or anxious, just look into those beautiful eyes.”

It was perfect timing.

The conference was so fun. I was able to see friends in real life that I’ve only met online. The resort was beautiful and the food was delicious.

I hosted a craft table on Friday night. Now, you know that I love my hot glue gun, my pens, my cards, and my photos, but that does not make me crafty. I love crafts. I love people who can craft. Me? My projects sometimes look like my four year old completed them.

I sat at that table and smiled as other craft tables filled quickly. A few kind souls walked up to my table and said, “hey, I’m not crafty and I’m intimidated, is your craft hard?” I smiled big and told them they were at the right table! We proceeded to have the sweetest conversations.

(Pic via Jen, One of the sweet ladies at my table – @stylishlysocial )

My craft was all about encouraging your children with words. My two oldest’s love language are definitely Words of Affirmation. What does that mean? Well, there is a book called The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman. This book explains how to show your children love in a way that they will understand. I explained that I thought Julia’s love language was Receiving Gifts for the longest time, but then I noticed that she was saving the notes that I wrote to her and could really care less about the new candle sitting on her desk.

I am really excited to show you this craft. (I’ll let you know when it goes live on HP’s site.)

Now for the coolest part – I felt a little better about the craft after having such awesome conversations at the table that night, but then, the next morning, our speaker, Arlene Pellicane, co-wrote a book with Gary Chapman! Don’t you just love when God makes everything so clear for you?! It was like He whispered – “yes, your craft was simple, but it was perfect. Remember? My timing, not yours. My glory, not yours.”

I’m so glad that I went. Sometimes, it is really nice to be around people that understand this whole blogging thing. And HP treated us like rock stars. We even played shark tank! It was too fun.

For now, I’m so very glad to be home. I missed my other people.