Host a fabulous Picnic (It's EASY!)

There are a few things that I think of when it comes to picnics... Friends, Family and Fun!  I find that many of the online tutorials for picnics focus on all the things that don't matter so much!  Having the perfect foods, decor and containers is NOT what makes the picnic!

Vacation time!

I so excited to be headed out today for a family vacation!  We are headed to Houston to stay a few days with family friends.  I've planned a team meeting for while we're in town, and then we are headed to the beach for a little while.

The last family vacation we took was 3 years ago!  That was a wonderful drive across the country ending at Disney World :)

I hope that you and your family are planning a little get away of your own.  It can be a stay-cation at home - unplug, draw the curtains and camp in the living room!  Everyone needs a break.

Rough Week...

This has been a rough week. I've been sick with a sinus infection for nearly 2 weeks, on antibiotics and steroids for over a week.  I spent 2 whole days in bed.  I'm not gonna lie, it was nice to just lay around and do very little!  And, by very little, I mean that I played a LOT of Jewel Quest on my phone.

I've been in a bit of a funk this week, and so has William.  He's still looking for a job (anyone need a great Project Manager / Operations Manager?) and had two promising prospects fade away.   I'm very grateful for my income from my direct sales businesses, unemployment checks, and alas... today is the day I applied for food stamps.  I'd really like to steal away for a private vacation...

But, duty calls, and I'm back in the saddle today.  Lots of emails, messages and people to catch up with.  The rest of the household is cleaning, I've had a baloney and cheese sandwich for lunch (why do I crave those when I'm sick?  it's just strange!) and I confess... I had a wine cooler too!  Jamaican Me Happy form Seagram's Escapes.  I'm hoping that it will live up to it's name!

To know where you're going, look where you've been...

This has been a really difficult season in our lives.  Well, a difficult few years.  Since Ian died, it seems like it's been "one thing after another".  Sometimes it's really hard to keep your head up, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, look on the bright side, keep truckin', chin up, remember all things happen for a reason, God doesn't give you more than you can handle.  Blah, blah, blah...

Deep breaths

Mothering requires a special kind of person.  The kind of person who knows how to take deep breaths, step back from a situation and let the best solution grow.

I was not that person this morning.

My trip to DPS to renew my license

My oldest niece is going to the DPS today to take her permit test.  I am going to the DPS to renew my license.  We are both girls (ahem, I still consider myself a girl) which means...

pictures

Which means...

makeup

and hair

and jewelry

and deciding what shirt you want to wear for the next 12 years.  (In your driver's license photo anyway)

When I was 15 & 16, getting my permit and then my license, this was great fun!  I spent the whole morning (of every day the week prior) thinking and planning.

Today, I am 38.  As I got out of the bathtub and started blowdrying my hair, it dawned on me...

Next time I have to do this will be when I turn fifty.

Wow.  My mom is 50 (not really, but in my mind she is)

Today, my oldest is 14.  When I renew next time my youngest will be 14.

Today my youngest is 2.  When I renew next time, my oldest will be 26.

Today I have 5 children.  When I renew next time I might be a grandmother.

As I think back to the last time I renewed my license, I realize what an entirely different person I am today.  

Last time, I was 26.

I was pregnant with my 2nd child.

Sleep Cycles - find yours

I recently found an interesting website!  http://sleepyti.me/

You can put in the time you need to wake up and it will tell you the ideal time to go to bed.  I tried it with a 6:45 AM wake-up time:

You can also find your ideal wake time, based on when you go to sleep (does anyone else think this is great for kids?!?!?)

I put in 8:30 PM:

This goes a long way to explaining why my 4 year old gets in bed with us between 2-3 almost every night!

Check it out - it's completely free!   http://sleepyti.me/  I hope you enjoy :)

The Happy Trunk - This is adorable!

My kids would love this - I bet the kids on your shopping list would too!  It's just $14 each month, and FREE SHIPPING.

"Butterflies" Happy Trunk

"Sun and Sand" Happy Trunk

Each project box contains 2-3 craft projects with all materials included. Besides this, the Happy Trunk boxes include at least one science project kit along with the craft projects, appropriate for the 3-11 age group.

Kids hands on projects delivered right to your door. Holiday sale, first box for just $14.

A little family update

I can't believe that it is December!  The pic above was taken at Thanksgiving (I just LOVE the beautiful weather we've been having in Texas!  80 degrees today!) and you can see how big the family is getting!

Calvin will be 14 this year.  He's enjoying skateboarding and Minecraft.  Jordan is 11 and enjoys music and modeling.  Aaron is nearly 2 and started walking today!  Gavin is 4 and enjoying preschool.

William enjoys wearing sunglasses :)  I'm enjoying my new retro / rockabilly look (I'm easing into it here!)

I've been quite busy with my Jamberry business (my team is now over 100!) and Solavei is saving us money on cell phones and starting to generate a nice little side income too.  William and I have both been struggling with health issues, but we're still kicking!

Ever wonder why SAHM's don't go to the doctor's office?

If I had someone with me, I could have just kept snapping away.  It was almost entertaining to watch the shoes drop, the shirt thrown, the paper flying.  At some point though, it became a little dangerous!  Of course, if I had someone with me, then I wouldn't have had the boys there either :)

Diagnosis: Bronchitis

Bright side: Chest X-ray was clear

Down Side - I didn't have my camera to snap a pic of Gavin (the 4 year old on top) greeting me wearing my bra that I had removed for the X-ray!

oops - they did it again! Kid's photo contest $100+ prize bundle!

Source: apps.facebook.com via Noel on Pinterest

Oops - they did it again! Kid's love to wear mom's make up and polish, which one did it best?

You know how it goes... There is a peaceful silence you enjoy for a bit. Then you remember, silence isn't good unless they're asleep! You creep around the corner, camera in hand and there it is... They've gotten into your stash!

Share your picture for a chance to win a prize bundle valued at over $100 from Noel Giger DFW Independent Jamberry Nails Consultant, Katie Chretien Independent Consultant with Mary Kay and Pink Zebra Home - Independent Consultant, Lauren Rudick


To enter, upload your favorite picture (one entry per Facebook account please). The entry with the most votes will win! You are highly encouraged to beg your friends and family to vote for your picture ;)

Please also "like" the pages of your contest hostesses! Karma begs that you leave them a sweet note too!

Hotel Replaces Bible With '50 Shades of Grey' - Yahoo! News

 

"In this secular age it seems distinctly odd that anyone would expect to find a religious book in a hotel bedroom."
So what are guests who are not the book's "target audience" supposed to read on a visit to the Damson Dene Hotel? Denby isn't banishing the Bible altogether. Instead, he plans to keep a few copies behind the reception desk in case someone asks.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20

I wish that I could say that I am shocked by this, but in reality - he is correct.  This is a secular age, a "post-Christian" society.  How sad!  We are in an age where right is wrong and wrong is right - everything is upside down.

We must decide what will be our standard.  How will we chart our path through a world that is twisting and turning?  How will we decide what is right and wrong?  One thing is very clear: we cannot depend on culture or mainstream to make those choices for us.  We cannot even rely upon our pastor, parents or friends.  We must make and individual choice.

You cannot allow your morals and values to be based on a sliding scale, they must be firmly rooted in something unchangeable.  I know where mine are rooted.  Do you?

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15

Hotel Replaces Bible With '50 Shades of Grey' - Yahoo! News:

'via Blog this'

Amazing New REVOLUTION: Solavei

UPDATE:
Registration is OPEN to everyone!  Check it out now!


My friend Laura shared this with me today:

I am a founding member of a brand new company that will benefit millions of people by saving them money on a service they use everyday. It will revolutionize commerce as we know it, and help thousands of people in a myriad of ways, especially financially.

We won't be launching until September 21, 2012. Most of you KNOW the benefit of learning about a company before it launches. We are in pre-launch and therefore need an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before I can share details with you. If you would like for me to send you an email with an NDA link, and more information about this amazing new REVOLUTION, simply message me with your email address.

I am so excited to share this very exciting NEW and revolutionary idea with you.

Have you heard the buzz going around about this company in the pre-launch phase?   I feel honored that I have the opportunity to share with my friends and family!

It is definitely an advantage to learn about opportunities before the rest of the world!  Solavei will be a blessing and benefit to millions of people. Solavei will help people by dramatically lower one of the monthly bills you are paying right now and it is NOT being done by anyone else (NO it's not energy :)

96% of the US Population qualifies to take advantage of this.  E-commerce and technology together in a company that consumers will consider a blessing each time they pay their monthly bill.  Since they are in the prelaunch phase, I am able to invite you to simply learn more about it after you click through a non disclosure agreement.  I love it because it will help so many families reduce their monthly bills.  I also love it because there's a pretty phenomenal incentive for those that are interested in additional streams of income off something you're already paying for.  If  you're interested in learning more, let me know, and I will email you information to learn about it!


I am so impressed - I know you will be too!  This could be a great answer to prayer for William and I!

Please let me know your info so I can share this with you - you have nothing to lose and perhaps lots to gain!

UPDATE:

Registration is OPEN to everyone!  Check it out now!

~*~*~*~
If you pay more than $49 a month for your cell service, you can SAVE money with Solavei.
If your friends pay more than $49 a month for their cell service, you can MAKE money with Solavei

50 Business Card or Photo Magnets for $2.00!

I just created some cool magnets and got them for just $2.00.  That's a savings of $17.99 - pretty cool!

They have great designs to choose from. 

This would be ideal for teachers to give to parents at the beginning of the school year, teens who want to babysit, moms to give to caregivers - the potential is unlimited.

Of course they are great for business too :)

Click here to shop

and use coupon code:

MAGNET2

My Sunday Weakness

I love Sundays!  I got to participate in worship this morning at The Crossing Church, followed by a great message on parenting by Dr. Garland Ownesby

His message came from Joshua chapter 1 - where God tells Joshua repeatedly "Be strong and courageous".  This scripture has come up over and over again in the last few months.

I am tired.  I am tired of being strong.  I am tired of being brave.  I am tired of being... I am just tired of BEING.

Source: mehimandthecats.blogspot.com via Noel on Pinterest

North Dallas: Free Parenting Seminar

In conjunction with its Family Matters series this Saturday and Sunday- April 14 and 15, 

The Crossing Church is having a family seminar. 

Special Guest Speaker- Dr. Garland Owensby will hold workshops on how to deal with the problems teenagers and kids are facing today. The event is open to the community. He will be dealing with issues that all families are facing in the twenty-first century. 

There will be two different opportunities to attend the workshop on Saturday-from 10-12 or 2-4. Many people have games on Saturdays so they wanted to make this accessible for everyone. 

Please, help spread the word about this weekend, and RSVP as to which session you will be attending so that they can have proper childcare workers in place. (Childcare is provided!)

RSVP to Facebook Event Page (10 AM)

RSVP to Facebook Event Page (2 PM)

RSVP via email

Why Jamberry?

First - congratulations to Lisa G. of Missouri for winning the Jamberry Easter Basket giveaway!

Many friends have asked me why are you doing this Jamberry?  I thought you were taking it easy!"

Source: dfw.jamberrynails.net via Noel on Pinterest

As I re-read my post where I announced my resignation from Gold Canyon, I was reminded of just how crazy busy I was last year, and how dangerously close I can come to that again!

When I discovered Jamberry in November of 2011, I considered adding it as a second business.  I even requested a sample from a consultant in California.  I told a few friends about it, but never did much more research into it.  In January one of those friends sent me this:

Crafting with a toddler

If you're like me, that title brings simultaneous emotions of excitement and dread!  I'm always (ALWAYS) happy to create.  And I really enjoy helping my children express their own creativity.  And as a mom, I always tell them their project turned out great!  Even when they used too much glue. :)  I learned a long time ago not to be too critical, not to try to show them too much, not to make too many suggestions.  Once the supplies come out, it's game on!  They just want to go for it!

So, how do you do a project that you are both really proud of?  Here are a few suggestions - and I'd love to hear yours too!

How to get your husband to do more around the house

First, make sure that you appreciate him for what he does do, even if it's "his job". When he takes out the trash, say thank you (even if it's the third time you've reminded him) Don't nag. You can remind him, but do it in a loving way (i.e. Honey, tomorrow is trash day, would you mind putting the garbage cans out tonight. Next day: Babe, today is trash day, could you please set the trash out for me? Later: Sweetie, did you remember to take the trash out, I know you're busy so I just thought I'd remind you.)

Milliners are underpaid (or "How to make a pill-box hat")

My in-laws celebrated 40 years of wedded bliss last weekend.  My mother-in-law, Donna, wanted a simple pill-box hat to match her dress.  Armed with the knowledge that everything that IS was made by someone, we set out to create our own.

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