Collaboration over Competition

What does Collaboration over Competition mean to me? It was about finding my tribe. My entire life I have been a little confused by women. I liked women - as a whole. But individually I found them relatively bewildering. It was if all girls, and then women, were in competition with each other. For almost….. everything. Competition is something that doesn't resinate with me. It’s almost as if I didn’t get that particular gene. Which in some ways has been good. I’m not a sore loser. I don’t feel bothered by others achievements, and I am rarely - if ever- intimidated. But it also makes having relationships with other women difficult at times. I didn’t quite understand the rules. I’ve been extremely lucky to always have a few close friends. But I learned that large groups of women were dangerous. That women who felt lacking in particular areas, would lash out at women who didn’t appear to share those failings. That women who achieved were villainized. “Progress further at your own risk!” To me, women who achieved were interesting. Women who were doing new things and meeting great goals were worth knowing. Were worth the effort of friendship. Would help me grow. There was a time I had given up on having a large group of female friends. I had relied on finding them though mutual life experience. Women in my church. Women with children the same age as me. And while I met many very kind people, it never quite fit. Then I became an entrepreneur. I will never forget the first Entrepreneurial meeting I went to. It was a revelation. A group of women discussing their ideas and goals - receiving nothing but sincere excitement and approval. Women contributing advice and praise - even when no personal gain was to be received. Women who did NOT SEE ANOTHER’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS THREATENING. I felt myself speaking plans, ideas and hopes, without reservation. The room was full of capable, smart, interesting and driven women. Not there to prove dominance - but to offer community. I went home that night and told my husband that I had finally found my tribe. To me - Collaboration over Competition is about women being strong enough to be the people they aspire to be. - And understanding that helping others with that same goal raises all of us together.

Happy Mother's Day

It's been a year! Does anyone still blog these days? - No matter - Happy Mother's Day to you!

Downtown Boise Photoshoot

Could not be more in love with these photos from Amanda Cherie Photography and our photoshoot in Downtown Boise. Love Love Love. 

Here's to winter in Idaho.

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A little color, just for fun. 

Happy Fall

Taking a walk in Eagle Idaho. My baby isn't a baby anymore. 

You can see more of our Idaho adventures at my Instagram page Hello Meridian. 

15 Years

In news. I'm still alive. 

I now work as a Social Media Strategist so blogging is kind of a sad sometimes affair. 

Working from home as a Stay at home mom is a challenge. Naptime is everything. 

Shane grew a wicked beard. I think it may be here to stay. 

We celebrated 15 years of marriage. 

Marriage is awesome. I wrote a post about maintaining a good marriage here.

I still get really great emails about it, so thanks. 

People should take more anniversary photos. Why should engaged people have all the fun?

I really love being married to this guy.

Photos by Camille Marie Photography. 

xoxo

Spa Birthday Party!

Lydia turned 10 this weekend! So she invited 9 of her friends over for a fantastic Spa Party.

Photo booth to show off cute jammies. 

To make manicures a little more fun, we played "Manicure Spin the Bottle". Each girl picked their favorite bottle of mail polish. Then we spun an extra bottle, and whoever it landed on decided what finger everyone would paint using her color. 10 girls for 10 fingers and everyone ended up with identical manicures. 

We did pedicures and the girls painted mud masks on each other's faces. Cucumbers on eyes, Pandora spa station and battery candles set the relaxing mood. 

Lastly appetizers, fancy drinks (watermelon lemonade with a hit of sprite), and a big naked cake made by Daddy. 

Perfectly lovely for our lovely girl.

Happy Birthday Lydia Jane!

From Our Family To Yours

Hope it found you surrounded by those you love most. 

Photos by Lillie Ranae