Stories are EVERYWHERE!

I'm having an big-time story overload! Seriously big! I don't even know where to start this post......

Reason #1: Jessica Sprague's "Stories in Hand" starts today! You have until midnight tonight to register for FREE, yes FREE, class! Click here! This class is going to be amazing! A little crafting, a little story finding...actually, A TON of stories will get organized and sorted...and if you know me...I'm all about getting your stories.....well, "in hand".

I'm working on "day one" right now, and this project will be an amazing gift to ME and to family and friends on my holiday gift list. I'm so going to make a TON of these as gifts! I don't want to spoil the fun! ....you have to go check it out for yourself and get signed up NOW! (clap-clap-clap)

Reason #2: Over the weekend I was helping my mother and aunt, who have a combined age of over 115 years, (yikes!) finish up their Cherish Bound Storybook project. This has a been an ongoing project for the last few months, but I have to say....I'm 100% shocked at how much these two fine ladies have done on their own, 2500 miles away from me.

We've had to communicate via phone and email only...which means, I've walked them through learning how to download pictures, scanning, turning pictures, even EMAILING a picture! Woo-hoo! Yes, it took over an hour to learn how to download a picture, but they got it! I realized I took my simple computer knowledge for granted....huh! Try chatting on the phone with these two for an hour or so....exhausting fun!

The "tech" part of helping them with their first attempt at a Cherish Bound book has been quite the experience. When the project started both could check their email, but that was about it. Seriously. With some coaching, patience, some more coaching, and a lot more patience, they are about 99% complete with their story book.....

Now what book are they doing? What story have they been writing? Together they have written an entire life history of their childhood, and growing up with their brother and other sister. This book was written in their point of view but will be a Christmas gift to my other aunt and uncle. They have capture their memories, stories, big events, simplicity of life, and lessons learned. They added many beautiful pictures with stories beaming from the images.

As I went through and started editing the book for them I was lost in their lives. I was so taken back by the many stories that I had never heard. I was mesmerized by the 100's of lost photos that had been found and made familiar again. I learned about family members that I never knew existed. I was reminded of the beautifully simple lives that people led. I met grandparents and family friends that I'd never met before. I laughed, cried, plugged my ears....yes, there were stories that I may not have wanted to know about ;o) I couldn't believe the stories that sat before me....I couldn't believe I hadn't heard them before.

After I was done editing the book, I called my mom at my aunt's house (taught them how to use speaker phone) and we just laughed! 2500 miles away, we were connected. I realized that they had so much more to them...they were kids, teens, troublemakers at one time. They had actually lived real lives! I learned where I come from. I saw so many of my own characterises and traits in them.

I can't wait for them to submit this book. I've already called a copy of the book! I can't wait to sit down with my kids and husband and share these stories with them. Stories are powerful, they do connect and they will teach.