2016
2016 was a great year, common theme was personal growth and healing. After a re-shift in perspective we found that life is about quality, not quantity, about gratitude and relaxed energy, rather than rushed and "more" mentality.
We are programmed to "keep up", to "show up" and to build up everything in our life and at times the season calls for self-care, peace, joy and making memories and less about saying yes to everything and everyone.
We enjoyed a year of some travel. January Tara was in Texas for her annual New Year Kick Off with Isagenix. Then in February she traveled with her mom to an event for business that was in Vancouver. (first time for Tara to travel to that part of our beautiful country). In April/May Cam and Tara went to Arizona, where they spent some time hiking in Sedona (beautiful spot on our agenda to travel to with the kids in the near future). We also took time to see our new 150,000 square ft, state of the art World Headquarters in Gilbert, AZ. It is beautiful and we are excited for the many countries that will be opening in 2017. (who said Europe?) We also enjoyed a personal empowerment conference in Phoenix during our travels to Arizona. It was lead by a great mentor of mine (who is much younger than I am), named Peta Kelly. She helped me understand the importance of alignment and being myself 100%...never looking for permission or approval from anyone.
In July my mom threw a surprise 40th for me. Completely surprised, as I would never expect a summer party when my actual birthday is in December. It was a great time and I was honoured to have so many family and friends who were able to join us...best part is I didn't worry about anyone getting caught in a snow storm on their drive to or from our place. In July we also enjoyed our annual camping trip with the kids to Killbear Park with friends. (the Christmas card we sent this year had photos from our time on a hike at the dog beach) - Tex (our retired k-9) was with us for the first time this year...and he loved the water so much.
As the summer went on, we made a last minute decision to travel out East. The kids and Cam and I went to New Brunswick, where we enjoyed some sights and sounds (and lobster) and we met Bill (Tara's biological father) and his wife Diana, for the very first time. It was a nice day we had together and although 4 decades have passed since we would have seen one another, it was a natural meeting.
In September, I traveled back to Vancouver for another fantastic personal growth - trainer program - a program that I wished that I had before I ever stepped foot into a classroom 15 years ago. It was by far the best training program (for speakers/trainers) that I've ever attended. David Wood (Canadian) and Colin James (from Australia), were a dynamo pair and I am grateful to have the ability to continue learning from them for the next 12 months (thanks to technology). On my way home, I stopped in at another conference for women in Kansas City lead by Sonia Stringer. My friend Pamela was a speaker at that event and I learned a lot about my profession as a Network Marketer. (we are not as weird as people assume...we really are people who care to make a difference in the lives of others...however like with all professions, some make it bad for our reputation).
September was also the month that Hannah started grade 4 (in a portable for the first time). Jack started grade 2 - and started in a split grade 2/3 class, but was moved to a straight grade 2 in the 3rd week of school. Kate started SK and we heard from her teacher that she became quite the leader over the summer. She also decided that instead of being Kate, she would now print her full name and wants people to call her Katelyn. (I love her independence).
The kids and I tried to launch our idea called Moral Compass Kids, yet the closer we got to making it a reality, it became very apparent how many legal and professional fees were coming up. Insurance, laywers, decisions such as: corporation, sole proprietor, not for profit etc...so many things I hadn't actually thought about before we began to dream really big...so it has been put on hold for now while we evaluate if this is best for our family or not at this time. Being a business owner in a Network Marketing business is much less stressful with very little overhead, so we started to recognize how truly grateful that we are to have a business that runs itself when I focus on providing great customer service to my team members. We may move forward with Moral Compass Kids, but it may look different than we originally planned. Like with any business venture, it takes a lot of planning and determination. We have both, yet we just don't know if is the best area for us to focus our energy right now. We have however - rebranded our business. Cam has had a much larger interest in the Isagenix business we've been building since 2009 and he started contributing to the ideas around our brand. Our corportation is still called: See it when you BELIEVE it Inc. and now we have created Empowered Families as our way to focus on all sizes of families (with or without children). We believe this opportunity is for everyone looking to create more choices in life. The business isn't easy, but it is simple (much more simple than a traditional business model)...however most people will never want to do what we do, even though they want more choices. They feel it is too hard, or that they have to be good at sales. We know differently...this business is 100% about relationships and being genuine and caring with people. It is also about becoming a better YOU. It has often been said that this business is a personal growth journey with a compensation plan attached. Nothing more, nothing less. So as we embark on our 8th year...we look forward to impacting many more families than we have so far.
I write this in December and as I handwrite 250 envelopes, we are all getting ready for our 2016 Christmas and holiday season. The kids are excited that we have snow now. (they even had their first of many snow days yesterday) Cam surprised me with a trip for my 40th birthday to Huatulco, Mexico. It was a beautiful way to celebrate my birthday (considering I've always had snow or cold rain on my birthday the past 39 years). I was trying to think of a way that we could move to a hot climate in the winter. Snow is great at Christmas time, but our entire family of 5 feels the same about palm trees and sand...warm weather is our dream.
We hope that you and your family have had a beautiful year. We also hope that 2017 will be a great year for you. We have experienced a few losses this year, which reminds us to hold your loved ones close, don't leave anything left unsaid...if you love someone, tell them. Quality time is key and taking care of yourself is also a priority. We often take our health for granted...and without it, not much matters. Sometimes we learn this lesson the hard way, and for others, it isn't too late to change it.
From our home in Phelpston, Ontario, Canada - to yours, all the best for this holiday season and we hope that you have a wonderful 2017.
We are programmed to "keep up", to "show up" and to build up everything in our life and at times the season calls for self-care, peace, joy and making memories and less about saying yes to everything and everyone.
We enjoyed a year of some travel. January Tara was in Texas for her annual New Year Kick Off with Isagenix. Then in February she traveled with her mom to an event for business that was in Vancouver. (first time for Tara to travel to that part of our beautiful country). In April/May Cam and Tara went to Arizona, where they spent some time hiking in Sedona (beautiful spot on our agenda to travel to with the kids in the near future). We also took time to see our new 150,000 square ft, state of the art World Headquarters in Gilbert, AZ. It is beautiful and we are excited for the many countries that will be opening in 2017. (who said Europe?) We also enjoyed a personal empowerment conference in Phoenix during our travels to Arizona. It was lead by a great mentor of mine (who is much younger than I am), named Peta Kelly. She helped me understand the importance of alignment and being myself 100%...never looking for permission or approval from anyone.
In July my mom threw a surprise 40th for me. Completely surprised, as I would never expect a summer party when my actual birthday is in December. It was a great time and I was honoured to have so many family and friends who were able to join us...best part is I didn't worry about anyone getting caught in a snow storm on their drive to or from our place. In July we also enjoyed our annual camping trip with the kids to Killbear Park with friends. (the Christmas card we sent this year had photos from our time on a hike at the dog beach) - Tex (our retired k-9) was with us for the first time this year...and he loved the water so much.
As the summer went on, we made a last minute decision to travel out East. The kids and Cam and I went to New Brunswick, where we enjoyed some sights and sounds (and lobster) and we met Bill (Tara's biological father) and his wife Diana, for the very first time. It was a nice day we had together and although 4 decades have passed since we would have seen one another, it was a natural meeting.
In September, I traveled back to Vancouver for another fantastic personal growth - trainer program - a program that I wished that I had before I ever stepped foot into a classroom 15 years ago. It was by far the best training program (for speakers/trainers) that I've ever attended. David Wood (Canadian) and Colin James (from Australia), were a dynamo pair and I am grateful to have the ability to continue learning from them for the next 12 months (thanks to technology). On my way home, I stopped in at another conference for women in Kansas City lead by Sonia Stringer. My friend Pamela was a speaker at that event and I learned a lot about my profession as a Network Marketer. (we are not as weird as people assume...we really are people who care to make a difference in the lives of others...however like with all professions, some make it bad for our reputation).
September was also the month that Hannah started grade 4 (in a portable for the first time). Jack started grade 2 - and started in a split grade 2/3 class, but was moved to a straight grade 2 in the 3rd week of school. Kate started SK and we heard from her teacher that she became quite the leader over the summer. She also decided that instead of being Kate, she would now print her full name and wants people to call her Katelyn. (I love her independence).
The kids and I tried to launch our idea called Moral Compass Kids, yet the closer we got to making it a reality, it became very apparent how many legal and professional fees were coming up. Insurance, laywers, decisions such as: corporation, sole proprietor, not for profit etc...so many things I hadn't actually thought about before we began to dream really big...so it has been put on hold for now while we evaluate if this is best for our family or not at this time. Being a business owner in a Network Marketing business is much less stressful with very little overhead, so we started to recognize how truly grateful that we are to have a business that runs itself when I focus on providing great customer service to my team members. We may move forward with Moral Compass Kids, but it may look different than we originally planned. Like with any business venture, it takes a lot of planning and determination. We have both, yet we just don't know if is the best area for us to focus our energy right now. We have however - rebranded our business. Cam has had a much larger interest in the Isagenix business we've been building since 2009 and he started contributing to the ideas around our brand. Our corportation is still called: See it when you BELIEVE it Inc. and now we have created Empowered Families as our way to focus on all sizes of families (with or without children). We believe this opportunity is for everyone looking to create more choices in life. The business isn't easy, but it is simple (much more simple than a traditional business model)...however most people will never want to do what we do, even though they want more choices. They feel it is too hard, or that they have to be good at sales. We know differently...this business is 100% about relationships and being genuine and caring with people. It is also about becoming a better YOU. It has often been said that this business is a personal growth journey with a compensation plan attached. Nothing more, nothing less. So as we embark on our 8th year...we look forward to impacting many more families than we have so far.
I write this in December and as I handwrite 250 envelopes, we are all getting ready for our 2016 Christmas and holiday season. The kids are excited that we have snow now. (they even had their first of many snow days yesterday) Cam surprised me with a trip for my 40th birthday to Huatulco, Mexico. It was a beautiful way to celebrate my birthday (considering I've always had snow or cold rain on my birthday the past 39 years). I was trying to think of a way that we could move to a hot climate in the winter. Snow is great at Christmas time, but our entire family of 5 feels the same about palm trees and sand...warm weather is our dream.
We hope that you and your family have had a beautiful year. We also hope that 2017 will be a great year for you. We have experienced a few losses this year, which reminds us to hold your loved ones close, don't leave anything left unsaid...if you love someone, tell them. Quality time is key and taking care of yourself is also a priority. We often take our health for granted...and without it, not much matters. Sometimes we learn this lesson the hard way, and for others, it isn't too late to change it.
From our home in Phelpston, Ontario, Canada - to yours, all the best for this holiday season and we hope that you have a wonderful 2017.
