Celebrity Parents: Stacy Julian

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Balancing Work - Family - Life

By Helen Williams

Stacy Julian’s passion for scrapbooking is matched only by her love for being a mom. As founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine, Stacy has watched the industry change and grow over the past decade. Her latest endeavor, Big Picture Scrapbooking, has helped her take scrapbooking to a whole other level - bringing fans of scrapbooking together and teaching them to look beyond technique and skill. This BIG approach Inspires crafters to celebrate their lives through the pages they create.

I sat down with Stacy to find out how she manages her busy career and family and to also learn more about what makes this leader in the industry tick.

How long have you been scrapbooking?

Since 1994, I was expecting my second son Chase and wandered into a rubber stamp store (I was a D.O.T.S. consultant at the time) that was also half scrapbooking. I was intrigued and signed up for scrapbooking 101.

Why do you scrapbook?

The short answer is because it is fun and colorful and has taught me how to recognize and embrace my own creative process. Not sure we have room here for the long answer – essentially, scrapbooking provides space for reflection. Reflection in my life invariably results in overwhelming feelings of gratitude and humility – and these are traits that bring about great things in a person. Scrapbooking has made and continues to make me a better person.

What would you tell the mom who has boxes of photos and not enough time to scrapbook?

Keep taking pictures, and let go of the expectation to “creatively” scrapbook all or even most – instead, focus on your memories and use your pictures to illustrate one story or thought or feeling at a time. You’ll be surprised how these random glimpses contribute to a wonderful record of your life.

What does scrapbooking bring to your life?

I have learned through scrapbooking to live with a greater degree of intention. I am a happier wife and mother, as I enjoy the present and value simple everyday things.

Lets turn our attention to the subject of many of your scrapbooks. Your family! How many children do you have?

I have five children. Clark (14) Chase (12) Trey (8) Taft (6) Addie (1)

You recently adopted your little girl, Addie, from China. Can you tell us a little about this experience?

Addie is from Korea and we first met her in the SeaTac Airport in Seattle in October, 21st 2006 (Gotcha Day.) She became an official member of our family in April 2007, when the adoption process was finalized. Honestly, the process was long – and often frustrating. I am amazed however by the way it has changed our perspective and brought so much more awareness into our home. I knew I would love Addie, but I had no idea that she was “missing” from my family – we are now complete!

Do you have any advice for parents considering adopting?

Proceed prayerfully. Adopting a child (especially from another country and culture) is not a trivial thing and should be carefully considered. I have friends that long to give birth. Since I have both biological children and now this adopted baby, I can tell you that the love you feel for your children is abundant and unconditional, regardless of how you bring them into your home – it’s a miraculous and wonderful gift.

Fans wonder how you do it all. Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry. How do you manage? Are you a one-woman show or do you reach out for help?

I sincerely hope none of us attempt to “do it alone” – I don’t! I have over the years learned how to organize and delegate. I have had a nanny off and on since the magazine was started -- someone that comes into my home two or more days a week and “buys” me longer stretches of uninterrupted time. This summer, I had Jenna, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30; she did most of the laundry, in addition to making sure my children get to and from all the appointments and other places children go. I also have a house cleaner, who comes to deep clean twice a month. I do accomplish a LOT every day, but I don’t balance my checkbook, shop at the mall, go to lunch with my girlfriends, watch T.V. – there is a long list of things I don’t do too!!

You obviously love what you do, how do you find a balance with so much to do?

The balance question is tough – really tough. I have to be able to “walk away” from my work and even my family at times. I do not give 100% to any part of my life for any length of time, and I have become adept at saying, “Ok, that’s good enough – I’ve got to switch gears now.” I’m responding to this interview on a road trip with my family. Picture this: seven people in a mini-van, a tired/fussy baby, the radio is on, kids are talking and interrupting me – I have taught myself to work in less-than-ideal situations. I know how to tune all the way in and tune all the way out!! I am most grateful for portable “technology” that makes this kind of on-the-go work possible.

I believe that balance is worth striving for when you feel that you are doing worthwhile things. Being a good mother and parenting my children well is a top priority for me and so is engaging myself creatively and developing talents in myself and others -- it all comes down to priorities. We say we have them, but how good are we at structuring our lives to reflect those priorities. It’s human nature to let things that matter least take time away from more important pursuits and we all struggle with that!!

Do you have a back to school tradition at your house?

I do, and it is something I did in my home growing up. I schedule one full day for each child just prior to the start of school – we call it “school shopping day” but it really is much more. We head out right after breakfast and spend some really great one-on-one time together. This generally includes some “fun” activity, in addition to lunch and school shopping. I’ve often thought that it really isn’t efficient to shop for paper, pencils and notebooks 3 or 4 times, but in this case, the memories far outweigh efficiency. You know you’ve established something good when with just a week of summer left, your teenage son chooses school shopping with mom over hanging out with friends!

Tell us about sprinkles, your “out the door” drawer, and your quest to be organized.

I advocate for little things that make a big difference. We use "sprinkles" liberally in our home to top yogurt, peanut butter on toast, in milk – you name it, because when you put sprinkles on something it feels special and everyday life can and should feel special.

The “out the door’ drawer is one of my more brilliant inventions because every time I open it I think “I have got it together” and that is a very powerful thought. Essentially, it’s a drawer somewhere near the most-used door in your home, that contains among other things, lip balm, hand lotion and sanitizer, tissue purse-packs, gum, finger-nail clippers, needle and thread or those little “sewing kits” – items that you seem to need and often spend time looking for as you head “out the door.” I think we as women often make organization harder than it has to be. Rather than making it a giant project that you’ll never get to, think about a drawer here and a closet there that could be set up to serve you better. Organization is actually very creative, as it’s all about problem solving or finding solutions. Organize just one little corner of your life and you’ll feel a boost of creative energy every time you go there – and that is of course a very good thing.

If you could give one piece of parental advice, what would you say?

Here again, I have a little thing that I think makes a huge difference – I’m not sure what to call it, but it consists of complete focus on a child’s level. If just once or twice a day you look into your child’s eyes (this means on your knees for a young child or taking a teenager by the shoulders) and just listen to what they have to say – really focus, magical things happen. I often do this and respond to a question or comment with a question or ask for more information “how did that make you feel?” etc, Kids have a short attention span – this doesn’t take a long time. But it creates a strong feeling of connection. It’s really easy in our fast-paced, on-the-go world to “multi-task” our way through the day and never fully engage in anything, especially conversation with children. I say “I love you” plenty, but I also say things like, “I really like spending time with you.” or “I’m keeping you forever and ever” or “You make me happy everyday”– these statements convey a personal and direct kind of love that kids really respond to – you can see it in the way they walk away!!

You say, “If you’re going to have a good 9 to 5, you have to have a 5 to 9.” Tell us why this works for you.

Whether you work for yourself or someone else, if you can “hit the ground running,” you get more done and your personal outlook and productivity goes way up!

Several years ago I made a short list of things I’d like to do each day, things that “fill my bucket” so to speak, so that I can be happy and prepared to give to others. They include meditation and prayer, scripture study, exercise, breathing fresh air, some kind of creative work towards a project, playful interaction with my family, and a few other things. When I get up at 5:00 am, I can easily cross three of these things off my list before anyone else wakes up – it’s a powerful feeling to know that even if your day spins out of control, you have already accomplished several of your “must dos.”

I understand you are a runner. What advice do you have for moms who are considering taking up this sport?

I have been running since I was fourteen and it benefits so many areas of my life. Sometimes I run to lose weight or feel healthier, sometimes I run to reduce stress. Every other year or so I set a running goal for myself, which is all about accomplishment; most of the time running is part of an ongoing need to escape and mentally process – which is important to my creative rhythm.

I honestly believe that anyone can run – you have to be realistic and consistent and you have to not care about looking cool or fast or anything like that. I also think you need to run outside, at least most of the year. Treadmill running doesn’t even come close!!

Your life sounds so busy. How do you and your husband stay connected?

I know our faith plays a major role in our marriage. For us, divorce is not an option. We believe we are married for eternity and if you are going to be with someone that long, you'd better like them!!

We don't have a regular weekly date night (although I have lobbied for this over the years) but we do prioritize time together. I think Geof and I respect each other and I think we try really hard to remember that we are on the same team. Neither one of us is perfect and so forgiveness is essential!!