Heritage Makers Reunion

So this past weekend I went to the Heritage Makers Reunion. What a fabulous time I had. I got to learn about all the new products coming out, got some extra training, and just had fun. I got to mingle with the top leaders in the company and see how 4 years ago they started small and struggled and with persistence eventually made. I love my job. It allows me to stay home and be a home and still get to be myself. I work with amazing women and I work for an amazing company. I get to help people strengthen their home an family through the power of storybooking by helping them preserve their pictures and memories. Heritage Makers is one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. and if you would have been able to see what I saw this weekend you would see why. I am so glad that I signed up to be a consultant for Heritage Makers because it is going to be a huge company. Thanks to My mom and to Brittany for watching Steven, and Thanks to my mother-in-law and my husband for helping with Elizabeth. What a great way to spend a birthday.

Dress up

So this is what happens when you are two and you let your big sister dress you up. Notice the heels even. Daddy was very disturbed. These are go going in his wedding slide. Great black mail pictures. He is pretty cute no matter what he's wearing even if he's a pill.

Another Year Another birthday

So I have a little catching up to do. Last month was Elizabeth and Steven's birthday's. There birthday's are only 5 days apart which is not a bad thing right now, but I give it another couple years of combined party. We started the celebration by going to Utah on the 11th for Kellie's baptism in Oak City and then on up to Salt Lake for grandma's doctor appt. While we were there we went to Hogle Zoo. It was great fun. Monday it was back to grandma and grandpa's house where we had a little birthday party for them for the family up there, then Tuesday we came home and got ready for the birthday swim party at home. Well actually thanks to our lovely neighbors that let us use their pool for the party and barbecue. Elizabeth had a couple of friends and some family over. Grandma the talented made a fabulous Hannah Montana guitar cake for Elizabeth and then a bat and ball cake for Steven. They got some great presents and had a lot of fun.

Dancing with the stars/Disneyland

O.K. so I'm not fabulous at the blogging thing but going to try to amend that. A couple of weeks ago we went to the finale of Dancing with the Stars that I won from our local abc station. My Mom and Dad went down with us to help with the kids. We left Saturday the 16th after my Heritage Makers training class. We drove down and made pretty good time. We got to our exit for our hotel and decide to get gas. Then according to the directions my mom had printed off mapquest we started to drive to what we thought was our hotel. We we started driving on these roads that were so narrow that only one car could pass and we started seeing expensive cars and were making turn after turn we realized we were not in the right place. My dad pipes up and says were is the map I printed off. Yea so when we got off the freeway we should have gone right not left. We did have a good laugh over this even though it was 1030p.m. The next morning we told Elizabeth we were taking her to Disneyland. I wish I would have had my camera for that. She sat there with her mouth hung open in complete silence for a minute. It was great. We spent quite a while a Disneyland. We were in Tomorrow land as our last stop. My Dad, the kids, Jerry and I were on Autotopia when we got to the end they stopped us for like 10 minutes before they let us off. When we got off and went to ride the Nemo ride one of my favorites, they told us that the ride was shut down and every ride was shut down at the moment and they weren't sure why. So it was 9pm by then and we still had an hour drive back to the motel to get our bags to go to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. On our way out of the park we found out the reason that the rides where shut down. There was a 5.0 earthquake. I am so glad I was on a ride that already rumbled because one of the things I fear about going to California is the earthquakes. We never felt it though. The next morning we decide to go to the beach instead of back to California Adventure. We again started out going the wrong way but eventually turned around and made it to the beach were Steven had the time of his life despite the freezing water. We had to drag him out of the ocean. We made it back to our Hotel at 10 to 3p.m. thinking we had an hour before we had to be downstairs to meet everyone else. We get a call saying everybody is waiting for you. You were suppose to be down here at 2:45. I have never done my hair and my makeup so fast in my life. They told us they would wait till 3:30 then they had to go. We made it down to the bus at 3:25. We drove a short distance to CBS studios and after waiting 20 min to get into the building through security we went to our seats that were labeled just for us. We didn't have to wait long for the show to start. It was amazing. My voice was so hoarse from cheering afterwards. After the taping we waited around to get pictures with Derek and Mark. Because Mark and Shawn did so well we waited a while because they were doing interviews. Jerry and some of the other winners were able to sneak down to the celebrity section and get autographs. The only thing I had for them to sign were my business cards. Gilles was signing and Jerry told him it was for his wife who was tired and seating in the seats. He hollered for me to come down. So down I went. We ended up with pictures taken by the abc lady since we weren't allowed cameras or phones in there. We got them with Derek, Mark, and then Gilles had to get in the action, then here came Cheryl and then Shawn came to join in and then Tony and Mellissa. We got all their autographs it was great. The kids stayed with Grandpa and Grandma that night so we order room service since we didn't have a car. It was yummy too bad I was fighting a migraine or it would have made our anniversary weekend better. The next morning we got something to eat after they picked us up. Then drove home. We had a great time.

Dancing With the Stars

So in case you haven't heard, I won our local ABC's competition to go see the Dancing with the Stars Finale. I am so excited. It's the only show I watch faithfully. We get to stay 2 nights at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. They provide transportation to and from the hotel to the studio. Since we are going down we have decide to take the children and my parents have consent to come along and we are going to surprise them with a trip to Disneyland. The children that is my parents know we are going. Elizabeth has been asking for the last couple of months to go and we have told her next year after Daddy graduates, but this opportunity came up that we were going to be there. She is going to be so excited. I already had a fancy smancy dress as I say and just needed shoes which I found. We will be on the Finale the 18th. We get to meet Mark and Derek. I am so excited. Did I say that already. It's going to be exciting for both things. And Yes I am taking my husband. Our Anniversary is the 16th so Happy Anniversary to me.

Elizabeth's Ballet

Elizabeth started ballet class last Saturday. She did pretty good for her first lesson. Of course she loves to dance. She listened really well. She did have a crash with another little girl during free dance that she felt really bad about. But it went well. She will have a break for a week because the teacher who also happens to be a lady from our ward is not going to be in town. She is not going to take the break so well. She asks me every day if she has dance today. Of course I already had a ballet template so I am already working on her book. I love my job especially when I can use it for my kids.

Words of a 15 year old. I'm mean 5 year old.

So we were on the way to the DMV today and Becky and I were talking about somebody knowing everything. Elizabeth pipes in and says she knows everything. "I am in Kindergarten, and I know everything." Oh heaven help me. I am raising a teenager already. I thought they weren't suppose to know it all till they were teenagers. What happened to the last 10 years of her life. I knew I was forgetting things but 10 years really? Add her already teenage rebellion with her red headed attitude and that's a dangerous combination. I might not survive her teenage years if she's like this already.

Elizabeth Lesson.

Last Monday when I did Elizabeth's hair for school I notice pieces shorter then the rest on one side and I thought oh no she has had a lot of breakage, that was until I went into the bathroom and found her hair in the trash. Sunday night when she was suppose to be brushing her teeth she decide to cut her hair. Now it was so noticeable that it couldn't have just blended in and been fine, but I decide that she needed to know what happens when she takes cut her hair into her own hands. She didn't want me to cut it, she said I don't want to look like a boy. I told her well then you shouldn't have cut it, because now I have to fix it. And you won't look like a boy, it will look like Annalynn's hair cut. Well I think it looks really cute, and she likes it I think too. It is much easier to do. We don't have a melt down now every time I say its time to do your hair.

To quite.

So I was working on a book last week and Steven was playing. He had climbed in the toy box and pulled toys out. I realized its was really quite I got up to check on him and I found him fast asleep face down in the blankets and pillows he had pushed off the couch. It was so funny.

Pay it forward...

Pay it forward...

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch though...Post this same thing on your own blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. Fun, huh?

Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift!

Why I Believe

Heritage Makers Trip

This past weekend I had the privilege of going with 3 other girls to Costa Mesa to a Heritage Makers Regional s. I got to learn about new product being released, updated coming to the website and just get inspired by our CEO of the company Doug Cloward, his son head of sales and marketing Brytt Cloward, and many other fabulous leaders.
We went down on Thursday night. Friday morning early afternoon we went to Newport Beach. It was a perfect day. Overcast, not to cold, not to hot. Friday night we had the opening of the conference, and Saturday we spent all day listening to wonderful speakers teach us how they are successful in their business. Saturday night we were very tired so we had a quite dinner at a wonderful little place called Pat and Oscars. Very good food. Sunday morning we drove Cherie to her friends house in Chino Hills to drop her off for a baby shower, then she was going to fly home. The rest of us grabbed a bite to eat then drove home. Heather and I didn't make it very far before we fell asleep. Poor Krishelle was bored without us to talk to. When we stopped in Baker to go to the bathroom so said we weren't allowed to go back to sleep. We had a great time.
Jerry was so wonderful to take care of the kids. Grandma and Grandpa helped a little. Jerry even managed to pull Elizabeth's hair back in a ponytail for school on Friday. Saturday night he took her to the UNLV/BYU basketball game while grandma watch Steven. She had a great time with daddy. She really got into the game. Jerry even managed to have them ready for church on time. Although I am told Elizabeth's hair wasn't pulled up just combed out. Oh well. The kids missed me and so did Daddy. I think he has a new appreciation for me now. He told me he understands now what I mean when I say "I need a break". He really did do a great job and I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who supports me.

Elizabeth and Steven

The other day I took some video of Steven dancing to his piano. Of course miss Elizabeth had to get in front and show off as well. I just thought it was so cute though of him dancing to his piano.

Elizabeth Starts Kindergarten

So Elizabeth started kindergarten today. She did really well on her first day. She didn't cry, mommy didn't even cry. I did my panicking on Saturday when I realized she only had two days left. I guess it was good to get it out of my system before when she wasn't with me.
So I of course wanted to take pictures before she left. I tell you she is going to be a fashion model. She CAN NOT take a picture without posing for it. I tried to tell her just stand up straight with your arms to your side. She would do that until just before the camera went off, then here comes the poses. She is growing up. She is 5 going on 15 for sure. As Rustin has already informed me, I am getting old. This was a day I was waiting for, but dreading. She has a really good teacher and I think she will do really well in this small class and come next year when she will be able to go to a regular 1st grade class.

Christmas in Enterprise

O.K. so I'm not fabulous at update my blog. The month of Dec. has been crazy. With going to the burn unit once a week and then me getting sick and having to spend a night in urgent care observation unit with a severe kidney infection and then spending a week in Enterprise, things have been busy.

We weren't going to go up to Enterprise for Christmas since Jerry had to work, but he insisted we go since we haven't been up there for two years and he wasn't going to be here to see the kids open there presents anyway. He said just take the video camera and record it and I will come up on Friday after work. Well that's what we did. He called me at 6:30 a.m. and said they were sending him home and didn't need him. He wanted to know if he should come up for the day. I said o.k. at first till I remember there was suppose to be a severe snow storm that day. He's not so confident at driving in the snow. I told him to just stay put and hang out with Jared. We were a little bummed about that but we couldn't have predicted that his stupid company would send him home that early because that can't plan things right.

The kids got up and Elizabeth was so excited about her presents. Everything she opens was just what she wanted. Such a drama queen she is. Steven wasn't all that interested in opening present. He was more interested in the basketball he got. I got a new camera that I wanted and to my great surprise Jerry and I got a wii from my in laws. My mother-in-law is a shopaholic what can I say. Love her. Especially when she does stuff like that. I really wanted one, it was just out of my price range. Elizabeth got her own camera which she took many many pictures especially of herself.

Jerry and Jared came up on Fri. night. We had gone to St. George for dinner for Hunter's birthday and so I waited for him and I drove the rest of the way since the roads where still covered in snow and ice. Saturday the Jared and Elizabeth played in the snow as much as we would let them. Steven wasn't to fond of the snow. He wouldn't leave gloves on, so his hands were cold. I think the gloves reminded him of his dressing to much.

Sunday early morning Elizabeth woke up sick to her stomach. To much playing I think. She was feeling better though by the time we were ready to go. We went to Logandale to hear Jessica speak in church about her mission. Then we made it home 20 minutes before tithing settlement.

Things have been slow since coming home. I have been trying to catch up with business and other things which were going o.k. till New Years Eve when I got sick with the stomach flu. So New Years wasn't that great. I laid in bed. I am feeling a little better but not fabulous yet. Not a great way to start to new year. I hope it only gets better from here on out. Hope everyone had a much better New Years than we did. May Our Father in Heaven bless us all with good health and a prospers year this year.