60 miles...of HOPE

In November 2007 I walked 60 miles in 3 days to help support Breast Cancer. It was one of the most significant memories of my life. I cried, laughed, and cried even more as each day went on. The support from the communities and cities that we walked through were incredible. When I was asked to do this, I immediatly thought of my friend Lynne's mother. Eunice passed away in the summer of 1995 from breast cancer. So I told Lynne that I wanted to walk in remembrance of her mom. I raised $2500.00 with the help of family and friends and began my journey. After the 2nd day I told myself pain or no pain I will do this again. Then day 3 came and I thought I would NEVER be able to do this again. I got shinsplints sooo incredibly bad that I was not even sure I would be able to finish the 3rd day. They were in both legs and I could barely walk, and when I did I would cry. When we reached the first pit stop I asked the medical personal to wrap my legs...and they did just that...from my knee to my ankle on both legs they wrapped them tight and gave me extra tape just incase. Well I made it...all 60 miles in pain, but I did it! Well me being scared of such pain again I have not done it since! So this year I conquered a 1/2 marathon, running the entire way without getting shinsplints, that I have decided to walk again in the 3 day, 60 mile Breast Cancer walk this November. I will again walk in remembrance of Euince, but my list has grown to add survivors in as well. Both my mom and I have already had the scares of breast cancer and see our specialist on a regular basis. I feel there is no better way to support a cause than actually participate in helping the research. And that is just what I plan to do. My goal is to raise $3000.00 this year. I am right on track and cannot wait to cross yet another finish line of success in November. 

  

One Sweet Chic

Morgan is growing so fast. With growing comes new adventures of being a toddler. Every morning when Morgan wakes up she always says "mommy up" as she is stuck in her crib. So this morning as I was laying in bed listening to her call for me, I decided today was the day for a BIG girl bed...not sure what I was thinking, but I just felt like she was ready...

So...away I went...re-arranging her room AGAIN, and transitioning her crib to the next stage. Morgan was in there helping me the whole time saying bed, bed, momma, big bed. It was too cute. As I finished she crawled up into her "big girl bed" and looked at me and said "nigh, nigh". I was unsure how this was going to work with nap time and bed time, but so far so good. Within five minutes of me patting her back she was asleep for nap time, then tonight I put her in bed, read her a story, turned her music on, kissed her goodnight and left the room. She cried for a few minutes, but did not leave her bed. She is now fast asleep and I am so excited for her "big girl bed". She is One Sweet Chic...and growing up so fast!

Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho...it's off to the Park we go.....

My oh my how we LOVE Spring time. Beautiful weather, sunny skies, and LOT'S of play time at the park! Morgan LOVES the park...she asks for it when she wakes up, and then pretty much all day long after that. We have a beautiful new park that is minutes away from our new home. So on Friday we ventured over there with some friends of ours. Morgan's two favorite things at the park are swinging, and the slides.

Today she starting crawling through all the tunnels and kept getting shocked...she would say "ouch" then laugh!

Here are our friends Avery, Allie, and Emily. We were feeding the ducks...well these girls were! Morgan was...well....

eating the bread of course! What else do you do with bread??

Then Grandma should her how to feed the ducks and every time Morgan threw a piece at the duck she would look at me and say "wow".

Here are our Pretty Pink Princesses posing for a picture!

On Saturday we walked over to the other park in our neighborhood and played a little more. This time Shawn and Zach got to join us.

Zach and Shawn were competing at jumping the farthest off the swing...I think Zach won!

Still such a kid...but that's what makes being a parent so much fun!

Morgan and her bubbles....my how she LOVES them!

A little more Madness....

Ohh Toys R Us how we LOVE you. On Monday we took a trip to the toy store, and the mall. My mom let Morgan push this around the entire store...popping every step of the way...now it is in my home...pop, pop, popping all day!!

Monday evening we headed over to a friends house for a BBQ to celebrate a few of us girls being "Stars" in Mary Kay. Bubbles are such a hit with Morgan right now...she just LOVES them. I think that is even her favorite part of story time at the library!

Here are all the kids in their hot new glasses. They had such a great time playing.

I am sure I will come across a few more "March Madness" pictures before the close of this month! Until then...HAPPY SPRING my fellow bloggers!

March Madness

During the month of March we have created a bunch of MADNESS...well not really, but I feel like it has just been a month of Madness. We have been keeping busy with moving, Mary Kay, family events, and so much more. Here are just a few of our best shots during the past month.

Does it look like she is on a roller coaster?.....

She's not...just in the car for a very long ride to the Renaissance Festival. I did not even realize the shot looked like this until I uploaded it.

We met Shawn's family at the Renaissance Festival this year for a little fun.

Zach and Tristin goofing around.

Logan and Morgan...don't they look so happy together?

Zach participating in the paintball wars. (I think he was just about fed up with me and the camera by this point)!

Morgan was very interested in the glitter instead of getting her picture taken.

Zach was so excited to do this....then he froze..in the air...and did not even jump, he just let the bungees control his ride.

A few days later my best friend since....well forever...came into town. Misty Hicks-Valdez. I was so excited to see her and her family, as it has been about 5 years since our last visit. Her boys are so big now and this was her first visit with Morgan. We took the kids to the park to play...what a gorgeous day it was.

Me, Misty and Morgan.

Misty and I and our kids.

Our next stop after the park was to the Bondi's house were we had to pick up our famous girl scout cookies...well Shawn's cookies...I ordered only Thin Mints, because I do not like them and Shawn does, therefore I will NOT eat them and stay healthy! I thought it was a good idea...but Shawn didn't after the 12th box came home...needless to say we are freezing quite a few boxes. Here is Morgan with Tatum and Brooke...these girls always have so much fun with Morgan.

Then a stop to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Morgan will cry, and cry when we leave their house. It is so sad...but a good feeling for my parents.

Now that March is coming to a close we are hoping to finish unpacking, decorating, and do a little relaxing before we get to far into April and things get "MAD" again.

We have plans for some more park dates, library days, and shopping at the mall. We tried to visit the Easter Bunny....notice no pictures of that...Morgan SCREAMED!!! We will try again...maybe with her brother this time.

Morgan just LOVES her rocking chair at my parents house. This was my moms rocking chair when she was little and now Morgan is the proud owner.

Mary Kay Career Conference

I am a New, BOLD Mary Kay Independent Sales Director who is debuting on July 1, 2010. I am adding 5 fabulous women to my unit each month. I am focused for myself and my family. I will drive away from my debut in MY...yes, MY first FREE Mary Kay Car!
Over the weekend I attended my first company event with Mary Kay. It was here in Phoenix and we had a great time. We learned more about the company than we knew and we even got to hear from Mary Kay herself..via old videos, as she has passed away. We set goals, that include a deadline and an affirmation. My goal is to become an Independent Sales Director by June 30th and debut on July 1st. My affirmation is what I posted above and I will look at it and read it every day more than once so I can OWN it and succeed. It is a VERY large goal, but I know that if I work hard I WILL succeed.

Day 2 of our conference. This is Brittany and I.

Here we are at our special lunch that we all earned. We had to recruit a certain number of ladies and we earned a very cute pearl bracelet, standing recognition at the conference and this beautiful private lunch. We sat with Judy Harmen, a National Sales Director with Mary Kay. She was so inspirational to all of us.

Mary Kay Ash always started her meals with dessert, so that is how we started ours. The salad we had was phenomenal and the main course was chicken, stuffing, veggies. YUM it was all so good.

This was a short weekend...I am so excited for Seminar in August that will take place in Dallas and is 5 days long. I told Shawn and my parents we will be celebrating Morgan's 2nd birthday in Texas, as the events begin on her birthday!

The Stunning Shero's

As 2010 began we set goals for our lives. Business plans, vacation plans, and just plans to have fun. We are starting this Spring in a new home and just LOVING every minute...well except for packing and unpacking!! We ventured over to Scottsdale one morning and had our dear friend take family photos of us to start 2010.

Zach is always moving around and showing off his moves. I think a hip hop class is in his near future!!

Morgan got very excited when she saw the ducks. She LOVES to feed the ducks and it is part of our Wednesday routines. We head to the library for story time, then to the park to swing and slide, then to feed the ducks. We are very lucky that all of these places are at the same location and we can walk and enjoy the day! Many more posts to come as I need to catch up after being gone for so long!

19 months and growing....

Our little Miss Morgan blessed our lives 19 months ago today. It seems like it was just yesterday. She has grown into quite an amazing little toddler. Morgan is weighing in at 24lbs. Her ability to learn just amazes me on a daily basis. Morgan knows her body parts, she can count to 5, she LOVES dancing to music and if you turn the volume down she will sign "more" and say it at the same time with a VERY whiny tone!! Morgan LOVES, LOVES water fountains...not the drinking ones, but the ones that shoot water up. She will ball her eyes out when we leave my parents or sister. She says "Peace Out" when someone leaves, or will hold her hand out to you and say "See you". She gives "knucks" or knuckles. When she is ready for bed she will tell you "nigh, nigh", and want to go to bed right at that moment. We are currently working on the ABC's, and our colors. I can point to different people and ask her who that is and she responds correctly with their names. Mickey and Minne Mouse are still her favorite. Lastly...and our biggest step is potty training. I started potty training her when she was 17 months...well she was not too sure about it...now going pee on the potty is a must, she will tell me, "Mama, potty" and that is my cue. Now pooping on the other hand has not been so successful...she will tell you, but then she just will NOT go on the potty. Now that she is older we will be taking another trip to the Children's Museum soon. The last time we went she was 12 months and barely walking...so we are excited to go again.