Saturday, November 29, 2008

Can't help it!

This is one of my favorite days of the year. Saturday after Thanksgiving. Most of you that know us and our story know why. Here's something to jog your memory:



Two years ago today, I moved to Guatemala to get my hands on this little guy. We've rarely been apart since. This will always be a special time for us. It was the beginning of most stressful time of my life thus far but also the gateway into the sweetest blessing. I still can't believe he's ours. God is good. All the time. Happy Saturday after Thanksgiving, everyone!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

SO much to be thankful for. I'm blessed beyond my own imagination. I hope you all had a wonderful day today and that you are enjoying your own black Friday. Random thing to say, I know, I just really love black Friday morning. It makes me happy. Even times like this year when there's not mucho $$ to spend, I enjoy the sport of the events this morning! Similar to last year...

Anyway, my parents are in town and that doesn't happen too often, so I'm not going to be blogging too much this weekend. For those that need a few pics to hold you over:



And for those that need an Arbonne deal this weekend: Here's my 'black Friday/weekend' special:

Option 1:
"Sweet Talk Me" For Your Ideal set
Sweet Talk Me For Your Ideal set
3 separate items, all irresistible and perfect for all ages and skin types! The sugary shades , candy colors and frosted body balm inside this dessert-inspired collection defines the modern day sweetheart. Regularly $70, now for $30! Now, I'm no mathematician, but that's a good deal! The set includes body balm, powder duo, and lips & eyes color palette.

Option 2:
SeaSource Detox Spa Set - Save 50%
For 3 days only: Nov 28, 29, and 30th, Any Detox Line Product is 50% off! Your order must be placed by 9pm Nov 30! Gift suggestions? My favorites are the Hair Mask, the Sea Soak bath powder, the Rescue Wash, and the Renewing Gelee! Amazing products at a great price! Check out www.arbonne.com for details on the products or email me and I'll send them to you!

Option 3:

For 3 days only: Nov 28, 29, 30, Buy $175, Get $175 for FREE!!! Combine with friends or stock up on your personal products while finding the perfect gift for those on your list!

Every order between Nov 28, 29 and 30 gets a coupon for a FREE product in December! Email me to place your order!

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to say thanks to each and every one of you! I am blessed by your support in my business and don't take it lightly that you shop at my Arbonne store when you have so many options! Because of your support, I'm able to stay at home to raise my son from Guatemala which has always been a dream of mine! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

easy yum.

Two words that make me happy. Easy and yum. Reading one of my parenting magazines I ran across this cookie recipe that claimed it was those two aforementioned words. Get your pencils ready (actually writing it down may be overkill...)

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg


That's it. Stir and roll into balls. The recipe said to roll the balls in sugar before doing the fork-squishy-thing to make them look like the stereo-typical pb cookies. I added a cute Mayan to execute the fork-squishy-thing. Then bake. Then eat. Done.


Easy yum.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Numbers



Oh my. I've been in my share of weddings but this one 'took the cake'. I misplaced my camera after the first couple days we were there so I don't have many to share but I have stolen a few from friends on facebook.

This last week I had the honor to be a bridesmaid in Melissa's wedding. (To catch any newbies up: Mel and I became friends in Guatemala and she is still living there waiting for a visa for her sweet daughter.)

So, numbers. Let's talk numbers.


48 people in bridal party.

20 siblings in her family.

14 bridesmaids.

8 stomach aches from laughing.

7 flower girls.

6 day trip.

5 hours of sleep each night. maybe.

4 people wanting to see our house while we were gone, wish we would have cleaned it.

3 dear friends reunited.

2 times Russ saw "Role Models" with the grooms party.

1 "gato" that Eliot was O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D. with. (cat)

1 gorgeous bride.

1 stolen t-shirt.

1 exhausted photographer.

1 greasy breakfast w/ a great friend.

1 12-year-old diamond that fell out of my wedding ring.

1 couple commissioned for the mission field as part of their wedding ceremony.



The t-shirt thief.

A 'few' of Mel's younger siblings...

Oh! My Sharon! Doesn't she look so cute??? It was so great to see her!

Mel's mom...more on that later.

(Eliot running on the family farm yelling "Chicken coming!" and not referring to dinner.)

(Mel with 3 of her sisters)

More later, must process all that took place.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Overwhelmed.

Craziest 4 days of my life. Will post details later. Here's a couple pics to get you started:

Monday, November 17, 2008

$1.65

That's how much I filled up my car per gallon with today. Warm fuzzies.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Great Christmas tradition!

Russ and I used to do this, some how we got away from it and that saddens me! It's time to bring 'er back!! It is long, but worth the read!

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it--overspending... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike.

The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears.

It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope.

Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us. May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

by Nancy Gavin
(This story originally appeared in Woman's Day magazine 12/14/1982)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Daily Laugh

I'm not super sure how I found this website, but there's a blog that I subscribe to that gives me a daily chuckle. It doesn't take a lot of thought or brain power and it's ALWAYS entertaining. I highly recommend adding it to your reader even if you don't have lots of time for blogs, just to make sure you get a laugh in everyday. It's called Cake Wrecks and the blogger highlights professional cakes gone wrong. It is truly unbelievable sometimes!!! Check it out: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ You may find yourself casually peeking at the bakeries near you, looking to score a perfect storm.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Comparison time!

Why? Because you clearly haven't seen enough pics of us lately and because I'm obsessed with watching Eliot grow.



Have my knees gotten cuter or what?

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Thursday, November 6, 2008

The pics are in!

You've seen a few of the teasers Jodie posted so far and if you're anything like us, you are amazed at her ideas, creativity, eye for great shots, etc. Today I picked up our disk and Russ and I looked through it. And then looked through each one again. And then looked through it talking about our favorites. And then talked about our crazy kid. And then looked through it again! (are you noticing a pattern?) It may take several days to post our favorites, but I wanted to get them up. Also, while we were in Cancun, Eliot was snuck off for another photo shoot and those pics are over on Amanda's blog (my SIL). (Those using a reader of some sort, there's another one on our header, so check it out!)

Without further ado...(I enjoy an opportunity to use the word 'ado'.)
















(More Batman to come tomorrow! Too many pictures!! Great problem, huh?)
We are so thankful that Jodie decided to pursue her passion! It's been a tremendous blessing to us. These pics are ones that we'll cherish, we already do! If you're considering/needing family photos done, please consider Jodie and trust her creativity.