Meet the Blogger: Katy Rawson From Moving Through Life

In another installment of our Meet the Blogger series, we chatted with Katy Rawson from Moving Through Life.

Give us a brief overview of you and your blog.

Ya know, ever since I became a mother, I struggle to define who I am. I used to have an answer, but now I have to make one up every time I'm asked. What I know for sure is that I'm Katy Rawson, a mother to three beautiful children (including twins!). I have a fierce love for coffee that needs to be tamed, and I'm striving for super mom.

My blog, Moving Through Life, chronicles the life of my family of five. Though I would say I am a lifestyle blogger, it seems people visit me for three popular topics: babywearing, parenting twins and my review of the Samsung Galaxy S4, in that order. However, I talk about so much more than that.

What’s your favorite part about being a blogger?

Few people believe me, but the truth is the connections I make. Many people I work with, talk with and interact with because of my blog I have known online for 10 or more years; they've known me longer than I've been a mother! I “meet” people from all over the world, all walks of life, all styles of living, all different views of the world, and it is so fascinating. A lot of these connections I would have never made if I had not become a blogger and part of the community. And every single day, I'm thankful for these relationships and friendships.

What’s one of your favorite blogging moments?

About six years ago, I stood on stage at a blogging conference and spoke to an audience of about 250 people who had signed up to be part of my “session.” Afterwards, I roamed the conference hall and spoke with other bloggers. For that moment, I felt real success as people I have never heard of knew my name. I was met with a reaction of celebrity status and a whole slew of “thank you, I have learned so much from you!” And that, that was worth more than any other thing I have done with blogging.

What’s your one “can’t live without” app?

Oh my gosh, just one? If I had to choose just one, it would have to be my Gmail account. I'm hopelessly addicted to my email. But... let's make it more fun, yes?

One “can't live without” social app: Facebook, though it might slowly turn to Google+. We'll see.

One “can't live without” game app: Dots. Seriously, have you played Dots? You think it's going to be mindless, but it's not!

One “can't live without” messenger app: Have you grabbed the Verizon Messages app? Drawing on my pictures before texting them is crazy addicting.

What was your “AHA” technology moment?

I was 14 years old, and it was Christmas day. My dad and stepmom go ALL OUT for Christmas, as in crazy big. I had no real wishes that year, but I now know I got the only thing I really wanted... my first computer.

My dad, a technology rock star, rebuilt his old PC for me just before Christmas that year. And after all the presents were open, we sat on the floor, next to the Christmas tree, and he taught me how to use it. The next day I took it home, back to my mom's house, and with my sister's help, signed on to AOL for the very first time in my life. The minute we were connected, my sister and I looked at each other and said “oh, wow.” I still remember the look in my sister's eyes, like I had unleashed the power of the world by clicking “sign on.”

The conversation from there was about the “endless possibilities” this would bring. What would they think of next? What could we do online? How much cheaper/expensive would “getting online” cost us? It was the AHA moment of all AHA moments. She and I still talk about that moment, from time to time, and that conversation always ends with “we couldn't have seen this is where we'd be now.”

How long have you been reviewing Verizon devices and services, and what are a few of your favorite Verizon devices and why?

I have only been with Verizon for about six months now. Not long enough, I'll tell ya!

Hands down, of all devices I've ever had my hands on, my absolute favorite is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I'm so in love with that phone that my iPhone 5, which I adore way more than I should, is being replaced ASAP. I love it because it's a mini computer/tablet on the go with me, in my back pocket. And, as crazy as this might sound, I have big hands, so I like the way the size of the Note 3 fits in my hands. For some people, it makes the single thumb texting a bit difficult, but for me it's perfect. The camera, oh my gosh, my kids have never been so cute in pictures! It makes Instagram that much more fun.

Since I'm also a weight loss surgery patient, I am into the fitness products Verizon offers. We checked out the Jawbone UP, which has some really cool features and is so easy to use. I also own a Fitbit, which I have adored for the better part of three years. If you're into fitness or weight loss, you must have one of these!

Recently at one of the Verizon stores, I had the opportunity to check out Beats Wireless Headphones by Dr. Dre. Have you put these things on? No wonder everyone has gone crazy for them. Oh my gosh, the sound quality is INCREDIBLE! Head into Verizon, NOW, and put them on. I promise you'll be surprised.

What’s a good personal motto to live by?

I have two mottos that I really strive for every day:

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” - Zig Ziglar

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Gandhi

Who influenced you most and how did that lead you to blogging?

My long time business partner, Mindy, has been the single biggest influence for me to blog. In fact, my first blog, many years ago, began because the domain name was a match to Mindy's domain name. She and I were two peas in a pod. Her praise, support, encouragement and push have been the reason I have a career in blogging at all.

Make a prediction about technology based on where you’d like the world to be 10 years from now.

Ya know, 10 years ago I was sitting in traffic from Las Vegas to California on a Sunday afternoon. If you've never experienced this traffic, it is nothing short of a parking lot. It's awful. A four-hour trip can easily turn in to eight to 10 hours. I looked over at my partner and said, “I'll be thrilled when we have hovercrafts and I can just rise above all this and go.”

It's 10 years later. I'm still waiting on my hovercraft.

In all seriousness, I believe we'll see our devices get smaller, yet more powerful. And, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we have done away with laptop and desktop computers to make way for tablets and hand-held devices.

Our 4G LTE service will be a thing of the past. We'll be flying at much higher speeds and this little map....

Well, my guess is that it'll probably become “all red” as Verizon covers the country with its 4G LTE coverage.

Whatever happens, I just know that I want to be along for the ride!

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