Friday Favorites ~ Natural Glow

My mom has asked me quite a few times in recent weeks if I’ve been tanning. Now, I used to tan a lot, but not anymore. While I love the sunshine and being outside in the summer, we all know, the rays from the sun are damaging to our skin. I don’t need anything to make me look older faster. And I most definitely don’t want to take any additional risks with skin cancer.
I think the only reason my mom keeps asking me is because I started using this great lotion that gives me a wonderful sun-kissed glow. It’s called Jergens Natural Glow Face. It’s not like usual self-tanners; it doesn’t leave an orange tint or any streaks, just a natural tan look. I use it every about every other day (along with my regular moisturizer with SPF). I love this stuff! You should give it a try.

Friendship

Yesterday I took some time to call one of my friends, Trisha. We met about 11 years ago, at work, and we became good friends. This was before either of us was a wife or a mom. I know I've leaned on her through some of my ups and downs, and I hope she can say the same of me. She's one of those people that is always happy, and has an amazingly positive attitude. You just know when you talk to her; you'll leave the conversation a bit happier and wondering why you don't talk more often. She's a great wife and a wonderful mother, she's devoted to her family and she's an inspiration to me as a mom. Each time we talk it's as if no time has passed at all, we seem to pick up right where we left off.

I hope everyone has the pleasure of having a friend like this, and I just want to tell her thanks for being one of mine.

Friday Favorites ~ Scentsy

There was a boy that went to elementary school with my brother and I that had scars from being burned by a candle when he was just a toddler. Quite a few years later a guy I worked with had his house catch fire from a candle his wife left burning in their kitchen.
I love the way candles make a room smell, but I’ve always been hesitant because of the danger that come with burning a flame, not to mention the smoke from the wick. But last month one of my coworkers introduced me to a great way to avoid these problems. She invited me to a Scentsy Party.
Scentsy is a company that makes “wickless candles”. The candles come in the form of a scented wax bar that you melt in a dish on top of a warmer. The warmer uses a very low watt bulb to heat the wax, instead of a flame. The wax bars come in dozens of different fragrances. Another great thing about these is that the wax is reusable. Once the wax is completely melted, if you choose, you can pour it back into the package it came in, store it in a cool place, and save it for use at another time. This way you can interchange fragrances without having to dispose of the wax.
They also have Room Sprays and “Car Candles”. The room sprays are fabulous, one spray and the room smells great for hours (blueberry cheesecake is my favorite). And the “Car Candles”, they are wonderful too, Ronnie loves the leather scent, he says it makes the car smell brand new.
If you love the smell of candles, but hate the danger and smoke that come with burning a flame, log onto www.scentsy.com to find a sales rep in your area. Or you can just contact my favorite rep, Tracy at www.scentsy.com/tracyc or at 801-674-8876.

Happy Smelling!

ABC's about Me

A - Attached or Single? attached and extremely happy about it
B - Best Friend(s)? I'd have to say Ronnie
C - Cake or pie? Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake...yummy

D -Day of Choice? Any day I have off from work
E - Essential Item? lotion-gotta have it
F - Favorite Color? Depends on the day, today...yellow & purple
G - Gummy bears or worms? neither...sour patch kids
H - Hometown? Midvale
I - Favorite Indulgence? Ice Cream/Popsicles
J - January or July? July
K - Kids? two amazing kids...Ethan & Sophia
L - Life isn't complete without? my family
M - Marriage date? 5-19-00
N - Number of brothers and sisters? 1 brother & 2 sisters
O - Oranges or apples? both
P - Phobias and fears? snakes
Q - Quote? "Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. If you ignore it, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder" (borrowed this quote from Tracy, its a good one!)

R - Reason to smile? I have a great family and they are all happy and healthy
S - Season of Choice? Spring, without all this damn rain
T - Tag 3 people: Whoever wants to
U - Unknown facts about me? I was a bully in kindergarten (thats where Sophia gets it from)...sorry
V – Vegetable? Cauliflower
W - Worst habit? worrying myself into an anxiety attack, especially over things I have no control over
X - X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y - Your favorite food? steak.. :-( I miss steak
Z - Zodiac Sign? Capricorn

Our Anniversary

Eight years ago today, I walked down the aisle and married my soul mate and my best friend. For those of you who don’t know our story, we were set up on a blind date. My Aunt Diane met Ronnie through her neighbors (Ronnie’s grandparents), and somehow she knew we were right for each other. I was at a point where I really didn’t want to meet anyone, I was happy being single and not worrying about dating, but she did not let up. She kept calling me until I promised to meet him. So on one Sunday afternoon, we met and as corny as it might sound, when I opened the door and looked at him, I knew he was “The One”. A few years later he admitted he felt the same way when we met. That first week, we went on three dates. After that, we saw each other everyday and we’ve been together ever since.
We were married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas, but it was not a spur of the moment thing (as most assume when they hear “Las Vegas”). I actually booked the garden we got married in about six months prior. We had family and friends there; it was one of the best days of my life. Looking back, there are a few things I’d change. I know people always tell you not to over plan that it’s just one day, and unfortunately, I think we bought into that concept. I wish we would have over done it, just a little. I wish I would’ve done bridal pictures, I wish we would’ve had a sit down dinner reception, I wish I would’ve made a bigger deal about getting my hair and makeup done. Who knows, maybe one day, on one of our big anniversaries, we’ll do it all over and enjoy it more, knowing how great our marriage truly is.
These days, where people seem to believe marriage is something you can walk away from at the first sign of trouble, eight years is a long time. But when I look forward at our future, eight years is only the beginning.
I love the life we have built together and I’m so excited for our future!

Friday Favorites ~ Reading

When I was younger I loved to read. No one ever had to make me read or tell me how important literacy was. To me it was just plain fun. You could go anywhere and do anything and be anyone you wanted. Yes, I grew up in the Reading Rainbow era, and I loved it. Things sure have changed since then, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate technology, but in some ways it is making us all lazier. Have you seen these books that come with a pen that you kids can point at the words on the page and the "book" will read the word? I'm sure it was suppose to help kids read, but in my opinion, it wasn’t the most brilliant idea to make books that actually read the story to kids. It makes getting them to like reading that much harder.
I was talking to the literacy teacher at Ethan’s school about this and she directed me to this great website; www.trelease-on-reading.com. There is a lot of information on this website, but my favorite part is the lists of suggested books to help make reading fun. I took the list to the library and checked out several of the “read-aloud” books to read at bedtime. My kids absolutely loved every book I brought home. I love hearing their laughter and these books sure made them laugh. I will be using more of these lists in the future. Hopefully I’ll be able to spread the reading bug onto my kids.

Here are two of their favorites:

Chewy Louie by Howie Schneider

Rotten Teeth by Laura Simms

***WARNING***

This isn't one of my happy, loving, touchy-feely posts. As the name of this blog states, there are also the bad times. There have been two enormous catastrophes this past week, neither directly relates to me, but it does affect me.

I have this intense sorrow for those that are there and suffering, for those that have lost someone they love, for those who have lost everyone they love, for the thousands upon thousands who just had their entire existence turned upside down and don't know where to go or what to do next. I feel awful for not being able to help them.

It makes me so thankful for all I have: a great husband, two amazing kids, a loving family, wonderful friends and neighbors, a home, food to eat; the list could go on and on. It makes me realize you can't waste time worrying about the things you have no control over. Don't waste time, hold grudges, or wait for apologies to find you. You can't worry about what others think or say about you. We should all learn to forgive and forget, to give second chances and live in the moment, you never know when your life will be turned upside down and you won't have that chance again. You should spend time with those you love and appreciate that time you have together. Don't take for granted what God has blessed you with.

And please, remember those who are suffering in Myanmar and China when you say your prayers tonight.

Breast Cancer Walk

Last Saturday I took part in the Susan G Komen for a Cure 5K walk/run. It was the first time I had been there and I was amazed at all the people that attended. They estimated that 17,000 people did the 5K this year to raise money for breast cancer awareness, treatment, and one day a cure.

An estimated 40,480 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2008. Those numbers are huge! I want to do my part in raising money to help people suffering from this disease, and the thousands that will be diagnosed this year.

I won't lie, the 5K was rough, but it was also one of the best feelings I've ever had and I'll do it again next year.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

I absolutely love being a mom! How could I not with these kids.

To Punish or Not to Punish, That is the Question

So, my eight year old just hung up on me. Now before you start thinking of ways I could punish him, let me explain why I'm not sure there will be a punishment.

First off, I must say, today is Picture Day at Ethan's school and he's been planning what he was going to wear and how he would do his hair all week (yes, were already at that point). Apparently before school this morning Ethan tried to step in and break up a fight. One of the kids that was in the fight wasn't too happy about that, and yup, you guessed it...Ethan got hit, right under his eye. Normally I would question Ethan's involvement, because I don't believe parents should always take their kids version as the whole truth, but this time it wasn't Ethan who told me, it was a teacher who witnessed the fight. Ethan called me and I could tell he was crying, he doesn't want his picture taken. Because he's in school I cannot see what it looks like, I guess it's red and a little swollen. So what can I say to him over the phone that will ease his mind about this, not much. I tried to explain to him that he should go ahead and get his picture taken, and if he doesn't like it he can have them taken again when they do retakes. That's not much comfort to a kid who has already started to worry about their appearance. That's when he hung up on me.

So how do I punish him for hanging up on me when I want to praise him for trying to do the right thing by trying to stop a fight?

And just in case you were wondering, the boys who were fighting did get in trouble, and the one that hit Ethan is being suspended.

Fridays Favorite ~ Marbulous

I have something I must confess, I’m a little old fashioned. I think kids should stay kids as long as they can. I think in this day and age the world makes kids grow up too fast. But that’s something to delve into in another post, at another time. What my point here is, I want my kids to play like kids, for them to run and yell (outside of course), I want them to make messes and memories and most of all, I want them to use there imagination and have fun. I don’t like my kids to sit in front of the TV and “veg”; we don’t own a Playstation, an XBox, or a Gamecube. We have discussed giving into the Wii craze, just for the fact that you actually get up and move. I want them to play board games, not video games. They have a lot of games that they like to play but they do have a favorite.
You see, for Christmas a couple years ago, my kids received the greatest gift from one of our friends and neighbors. It's called Marbulous, and it is marvelous! There are several different sets; the one we have has 250 pieces, which includes tunnels, ramps, funnels, pinwheels, and marbles. There is also a book that has several suggested ways to put these together, or you can let your kids’ imaginations run wild (which I prefer). Once you put something together you drop a marble in the top and watch, and listen, to it run down the track, through all the twists and turns, and pinwheels and bells.When this gets pulled out of the game closet, it usually stays out for hours. My kids love this game and I love that they get to use their imaginations.

Look at these happy faces:

Keeping Up to Date

I admit it, I'm not the best at keeping up to date pictures posted. Don't get me wrong, I love pictures, I love taking them and I love looking at them. The problem is, I don't like downloading them, in fact, I leave that to Ronnie, and I usually wait until the memory card is almost completely full before I nag him about transferring the pictures over.
Several of you have mentioned you'd like me to post more pictures, well here you go (I nagged Ronnie about it last week):

The Family

Me and Ronnie (the love of my life)

The people that make my world go round

Grandpa Jess, Ethan, Sophia, and Nana

Ethan taking direction from Ronnie

See the walkie talkie in Ronnie's hand

JD, Kila, & Kenna (yes, and my arm)

How Dang Cute is This?

Me and my boy (look at those sparkling blue eyes)!

My daughter, the lookout (if you look really close you can see that

Christian is trying to climb the fence)

***AS PROMISED***

Back when I told you all that we cut Sophia's hair, I promised to post pictures of before and after. Well, since then I've been trying to find a really good picture that shows before.

This is the kids with Santa back in December and then a picture of Sophia and Ronnie bowling. I know the lighting is awful, but it really shows how long her hair was.

Before

After

How Proud Can a Mother Be

Not that I didn't already know, but this morning I was reminded of just how wonderful my kids are. You see, last night they went with their Nana and Grandpa and when they came home they had bought them a lemonade that they had to share. They each drank some of it last night and this morning Sophia took it out of the fridge to finish it, but got distracted and walked away. Ethan finished it off without realizing Sophia hadn't had any. When she saw him throw the bottle away she started to cry. Ethan looked at her, then looked at me, and I could see in his eyes, he didn't know what to do. I suggested that it might be nice of him to get a dollar from the money he's been saving for Pokeman cards and after school buy a drink to share with her.

A few minutes later I walked in his room to let him know we were ready to go and he looked at me and I could see the tears in his eyes. He felt bad for making his sister sad, and as weird as it sounds, that made me so proud of him. I was proud that he cared enough for his sister that when she was sad, he was sad. I was proud that he recognized that something he had done had hurt her feelings, even though that wasn't his intention. And I was especially proud that he wanted to do something to make it up to her.

Siblings fight, it's what we all do, and we all know it, but how wonderful is it that when it really comes down to it, that bond we share will always prevail.