"50 Moments That Matters Most" New Book Contest!

I'm so excited to share my new book with you--just fresh off the press and available for preorder. (Go here for more details.) It will be shipped the first part of May.



I LOVE this book and am excited to tell you why. Here's a little background.

My oldest child turned 17 last December. Wow--I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I remember staring at him through the window of the hospital nursery--dreaming of our life together and all the happy memories we'd make. I vowed I'd capture every birthday cake, Christmas present, Halloween costume, Fourth of July firework and Easter egg hunt during his time with us. I'd then preserve all these memories in beautiful scrapbooks.

Guess what? Four children later and I haven't kept my promise. As hard as I've tried, I haven't been able to keep up with all these events. The problem? Like everyone else, I am a busy person plus I take a gazillion photographs.

I've accepted that I'll never be caught up. Now don't get me wrong--each of my children will leave home with many amazing scrapbooks (with some great holiday pages thrown in the mix).

A scrapbook my mom and dad recently gave each of my children has got me to thinking about the scrapbooks I've been creating. This scrapbook doesn't feature birthdays, holidays or even summer vacations. This scrapbook tells what's really important in life. It gives advice and wisdom and the honest to goodness truth according to Robert and Clarine Downs. It is a scrapbook that I will love and cherish all my days and will reflect upon over and over again after they are gone. It will be passed down from generation to generation where hope, courage and love will be gleaned from its pages.

I decided to make a scrapbook like this for my children and posterity. I wanted it to include the pages that matter the very most in life. I began jotting notes and making lists in my daily planner about what these pages would include. I transferred these notes to an index card wheel and included my favorite quotes, sayings, anecdotes and '"important things in life according to Lisa Bearnson" with each subject. My goal for this book was for it to be a comforter, adviser and teacher for anyone looking at it--long after I've departed from this life.

For example, if my girls are at a point in their life when they aren't feeling good in their own skin, I want them to remember this layout in the section called "You're Beautiful."



I'm hoping it's the one scrapbook that will be saved should there be a fire or natural disaster. It's the one book that will be picked up should my family need extra support when I can't be there. It's the one book that will show the way I lived, the way I loved, the way I laughed and what's really important in life. Some of the other 50 topics in the book include "Take Care," "Think Big, Dream Big," "Silence is Nourishing," "It's a Balancing Act," "It's the Truth" and "Family Traditions." Throughout the book, I give some ideas for fun family memories and suggestions for living a more fulfilling life. Also, I share my favorite quotes on almost every page.

Thanks to the many awesome scrapbookers who contributed pages in this book. I love how you put your own spin on each subject and put your heart into each page.

For example, here is Suzy Plantamura's page in the "I Love Home" section.



I want to give away 10 of my "50 Moments that Matter Most" books (I'll autograph it). Just guess where MY favorite place in my home is (this is featured in "I Love Home" section of the book). Remember to be specific. If you get it right, you'll have a chance to win! I'll randomly draw 10 names at 9:00 a.m. (MST) on Monday April 21st. (If you're the first to guess it right, you'll automatically be a winner!)

Good Luck! And--I just got back from camping over Spring Break and can't wait to share the details! It was definitely an attitude builder!

Sincerely,
Lisa