Last year I was a vendor at Swiss Days in Midway, Utah.  It was an amazing experience!  Over 40,000 people and 180 vendors in two days.  I had applied to be a vendor totally on a whim… I worked my buns off for 5 months and made over 200 signs, around 12 kid benches, and 10 of my welcome posts.  I came home will 12 signs and 1 welcome post.  So… it went pretty well for me.

My booth last year after the first day.

This year I had applied and was notified that I did NOT get in.  I was kinda crushed.  Actually I was SUPER BUMMED OUT!  I knew what I could do better and that I could probably make double of what I had done last year.  But, it wouldn’t be happening… such a bummer.  I resigned myself to be okay with it, I could spend more time with my kids and not have the stress of “Swiss Days” breathing down my neck.  It would be a good thing for me and for my little family.  I could relax and focus on making my product even better.

The line outside my booth last year

We’ll a month ago I had a little feeling in my bones and I told my husband that I felt like Swiss Day’s was going to call me and tell me I got in.  He let out a stressful sounding sigh and said, “No way, you wouldn’t have enough time to prepare.  You’d have to say no.  And I will be out of town, so I wouldn’t be able to help you out.”  Okay then, maybe this funny feeling was just wishful thinking….

On Saturday, the 26TH of July, the Chairman of Swiss Days called me on the phone.

HE CALLED ME.

I WAS IN!!

He explained about how their new computer system had messed somethings up and they were just catching this mistake- I didn’t really hear everything he said, cuz my mind was spinning.  He then asked if I could be ready in a month and would still come?

I asked for an hour to think about it and talk with my husband.

BREATH LYNN!

My mind was racing.  I talked to my husband and he reconfirmed he’d be gone and wouldn’t be able to help me at all with set up.  He’d support me and help where he could, whatever I decided.  So, it was all up to me.  Would I be able to get everything ready in time to make it worth my time?  Would I be able to find the help I needed to set up and run my booth?  Who would help watch my 3 small kids while I did all this?  Who would make dinner, do laundry, change diapers, give hugs, tuck my kids in at bedtime?  How would I get this done and not loose my mind, my patience, and.. .. what about mom guilt?!

I’m still not sure how everything will work out or come together.  I had a good talk with my husband about helping me around the house a bit more (he’s a big help already) and about making sure I had the booth set up figure out and all that jazz before he left.  A few of my sweet dear friends have offered to help me with set-up and in the booth if I need it.  My lovely mom has offered to fly in from Seattle to help with kids.  My sweet sweet mother-in-law and sister-in-law have also offered to help with my kids.  I have a good support team.  AND THAT my friends is how I will accomplish this crazy task.

My best friend asked me on the phone how the heck am I getting all this done?! I told her with a little bit of crazy in my blood.  But, really it is my insanely supportive husband and family.  My husband has owned his own business for the last 11 years.  He knows and understands the feeling of being an entrepreneur- the excitement of making it happen and the fulfillment of working hard and seeing great results (also the crappy side of being self employed, but that’s for another day).  He is happy that I have branched out on my own and am trying to start my own business.  He gets excited with me- he is my best friend and greatest cheerleader.

That is how I am doing it.  He comes home from work- we eat dinner, give each other a little kiss, then I smack him on the buns as I head into the garage to get to work.  I try to take a break and help tuck the littles into bed.  So far we have still ate a healthy dinner every night and tucked our kids in bed together.  And yes, I am tired already.

I fail and get angry when I’m tired.  I have a huge pile of laundry that has sat in my hall way that has been there for a week.  I am breathing.  I am trying my best.  I am not perfect, I might cry at random times because of stress.  But, it will be worth it.

Last year with my Swiss Days money I bought dental insurance for my whole family.  I took my cute family on a trip to CA  and to Disney Land with the money “I” made.  I bought some “needed” furniture and new dishes for my house.   I bought my hubby an i-pad for Christmas.  ME!  This here little ol’ stay at home- college drop out- mom helped with the finances.  That felt good.

We have been fighting our way to get out of debt the last 4 years too and guess what we just did it!  I like to think my little side business helped with that a tiny bit too.

Moral of the story- this is a blessing.  A crazy jam session of a blessing.  I know it will help our family and it will also be fun.  I will hopefully do as well or better than last year and hopefully get to meet some of my amazing readers.  Come give me a hug at my booth!!!  I would be overjoyed to meet you!  I might have something special for my readers and IG followers if I can get it together in time.  

I will breath.  I will focus.  I WILL GET IT DIZ-DONE!

Now I need to go in the garage and get crafty with my bad self….

For more information on Swiss Day’s click HERE

Thanks for reading- I think you are great!!