Two years ago and some change I started on a journey to write a book called So Close To Amazing.

When I first started thinking about the book and planning for the book and hoping and dreaming about the book it was like standing at the bottom and looking up a giant mountain. I looked up at the crevices and steep cliffs and layers of sedimentary rock and sharp jagged outcroppings….

….and thought I’ll never make it.

(total aside: can you tell my father was a geologist?)

I can’t climb a mountain.

I can’t scale those heights.

I can’t find a foothold.

I wanted to dive back into bed and pull the covers over my head and go all ostrich on myself and my book dreams.

But instead?

I took a step—a tiny, tentative, minuscule step up the mountain. I remember that first step. It didn’t feel like much. It felt like I was still standing on the ground. It didn’t feel overwhelming. It didn’t feel scary.

So I took another step. And another. And another.

Until I looked down.

AND REALIZED I HAD CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN.

That’s the thing about mountains.

That’s the thing about dreams.

That’s the thing about journeys….

….they all begin with one tiny step.

Thank you for celebrating mine today.

So Close To Amazing is about celebrating the incredible, awesome, special individual within each of us.

I wrote it to celebrate imperfection. I wrote it for anyone who has ever mismatched their shoes or added too much soap to the washer and watched it overflow or trimmed their own bangs when a professional might have been a better choice.

It’s my story.

It’s about getting it almost right―and how, instead of giving up, we can choose to simply embrace our real selves right where we are. It’s a story of transparency and honesty and recognizing that perfection is completely overemphasized and overrated. It’s about grace and learning from mistakes and rejoicing in every victory, no matter how small. Because when you find joy in the “you” God created you to be….

….you’ll discover the amazing that was there all along. 🙂

And now to celebrate this book and all things AMAZING

I’m partnering with one of my favorite companies on the planet.

LAMPS PLUS

They have beautiful lamps and tables and chairs and everything and anything you could ever want to decorate your home. I have worked with them for years and they offer quality products at affordable prices.

And they are giving away $1000 to decorate your home to one lucky Thistlewood Farms reader.

And the best part?

I’m going to help you decorate.

I’m giving away a design consult and a signed copy of my book, too.

Simply enter below for your change to win.

HAPPY LAUNCH DAY.

Note: This giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to Katie R. and Betty B!

So Close to Amazing Giveaway

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