SHINE 2020

SHINE 2020 ended a week ago, but it won't be soon forgotten. It was my fourth in a row, but as always it left me motivated and still totally enamored of Noonday Collection.

They condensed the conference somewhat this year, so it felt like more of a whirlwind than ever before, meaning it was hard to catch up with as many ambassadors as I would have liked. Most of us didn't take as many photos as we would have liked, either! But we did manage to get a few.

One of the most special moments was impossible to photograph: The video montage that they used to kick off SHINE. Unbeknownst to me, my dear friend Amy worked with home office to contribute some really beautiful words, and fun photos, to describe how Noonday has affected me, and vice versa. I was floored, and SO moved. Inspired to keep it up, too! 

I was also thrilled to learn at the awards dinner that I was #10 in personal sales for 2019! I was pretty sure I had made the top 25 again, and dared to think maybe #20 or so (as opposed to #24 last year), but I was pretty pumped to discover it was way higher! Never in my wildest dreams when I joined in 2016 did I imagine myself in this position - and it feels incredible.

The final event of the weekend was really momentous for every single one of us. We were rallied by motivational speaker Brian Biro, who spoke about energy levels and breaking through limitations. We were then challenged to write down a big limitation for us on a one-inch thick board, and then broke through it with the support of our sisters around us. I was surprised by how emotional this was for me (and everyone else). I cried thinking about writing down my words, thinking about trying to break it. And then I cried when I looked straight into my friend and board-holder, Lindy's eyes when I aimed and then broke my board. I also cried when everyone else broke theirs. It was powerful and awesome. I think we all really made a breakthrough, too! (For the record, I wrote "not asking" on my board, because I'm really tentative about asking people to host and even worse about asking them to join as an ambassador.)

Of course, the best thing of all about SHINE is spending quality time with the ambassadors who have become dear friends. We laughed, we cried, we made goals. I loved having Saturday night to hang out, eat, and debrief all that transpired during the conference. I can tell that 2020 is going to be a big year for all of us. I'm so excited to cheer on everyone, and to know that they are behind me, too.

Nifty Number Nine

I don’t know why, but nine sounds really old to me - and not an age I am ready to ascribe to Laura. Nevertheless, she is officially nine years old - and chose to celebrate with Meghan for the fifth year in a row! We started the day by presenting her with her gift from us: a school for American Girl dolls. I figured she would enjoy playing with it all day with Meghan (who we picked up right after breakfast). It was fun to hear them “ooh and ahh” over all the clever details.

The weather was cold and rainy ALL day, putting a damper on their usual desire to play outside, so I took them to Stars and Strikes for laser tag, bumper cars and arcade games. One of the rounds of laser tag was just the two of them, which they thought was both cool and hilarious.

We broke for lunch at McDonald’s - one of the very few times of year we eat there. Later we headed back home, which was decorated with a Harry Potter theme this year (Clare has requested these things make another appearance for her birthday). 

Laura decided that for dinner she wanted to introduce Meghan to Eclipse di Luna, our family’s favorite. I don’t know that Meghan was blown away, but we enjoyed a fun meal regardless.

Finally it was time for presents (lots of LEGOs) and cake. Laura requested a “swirl design this year, so this is what I came up with. A wintry design for sure.

And now the girls are in bed for a sleepover, and our holidays are officially at an end. But clearly a great year is just beginning!