Ten on Thursday

1. Things have been busy, but not.  Just seems like it is always something! Over the last six days all five of us have had a stomach bug to one degree or another - so time flies by and stands still all at the same time.

2.  We are headed to Vegas tomorrow night for five days so that I can attend WPPI - a photography conference.  I will be working at the Beloved trade show booth, attending seminars, and trying to network as much as possible.  I also received a scholarship to attend a class called Going Pro Bootcamp, where three pros are going to tell me what I need to do to get my business to the point of truly bringing in INCOME.  I am nervous beyond belief for what they are going to tell me to do.  It is scary to re-start an entire business!  But, I have a feeling that is what it is going to take.  Excited and terrified... should make for an interesting week!

3.  This video cracked.me.up.  I shared it on facebook, but wanted it here so I could come watch it whenever I want!  =)

4. My Dad turns 60 today.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dad!!! I'm glad we will see him tomorrow.

5. Justin and I attended the Love & Respect conference last weekend, and it was amazing!  We already know the concepts inside and out, but we were able to see new ways to apply them.  I learned that Justin needs to hear that I still like him, not just love him.  Ladies, does your husband know that you LIKE who he is?  Don't dismiss how important this can be!

6.  Thinking of lots of friends and praying for them lately.  2012 has not been a great start for many this year.  Hoping spring will come and things turn around!

7.  Okay, not really hoping for Spring, since it brings us closer to Summer.  Winter is just fine, thank you.

8.  Following a new blog called 52 Choices. Head on over there and sign up!  Every week you will get a new goal to implement on your way to a healthy lifestyle.  We are only on week three, and you could easily catch up.  Let's do this together for our families' health!

9.  Finally ordered some wall prints (from LAST summer, ahem) and now that they are here, they feel much too small. My clients always say that too.  Measure the space you want to use and order the largest print that will fit in that space, you will not regret it!

10.  Trying to be thankful today.  For lots and lots of things.  Everything. At this moment, I am thankful that I have not had to clean up any vomit for 18 hours!  Speaking of which, I better go switch the laundry.  :P

Have a great day!  I am sure I will have lots more to share next week!

Zoo trip

We were invited to go to the zoo with Jaclyn and Harper on Tuesday, and had a wonderful time!  Lauren was a little offended that she didn't get to go, but after I reminded her of her field trip next week - she got over it!  =)

I'm not feeling very wordy today (shocking!), so I will let the images speak for themselves.

Thanks for the fun morning, Jaclyn!  Paige has not stopped talking about it!  =)

Jan 27 - Maniacal laughter

Jan 26 - Love waves on her

Ten on Tuesday

It is Tuesday, right?!?

1.  Do you ever get to where you feel like you are behind on everything?  That is where I am right now.

2.  On Saturday, Justin and I were able to go use his gift card to BLT Steak that his company gave him for his 5 year anniversary with them (thanks Nel - for watching the girls again!).  It was amazing!  Great ambiance, wonderful service, and the food was amazing!  My personal favorites were the two things that were complimentary - ha!  First they bring out Gruyere PopOvers with creamy, flavorful butter and sea salt.  DELICIOUS!  I could have eaten a dozen, easy.  And after dinner, we were too full for dessert - which was sad - but then they brought out two little chocolate petit-fours that were amazing!  Best one-bite dessert ever, and the perfect way to end a filling meal!  If you have a chunk of change to spend on a date night, I highly recommend BLT!  Because of their prices, I seriously doubt we will ever eat there a second time, but a girl can dream anyway!

3.  I am back into serious coupon-ing, and am reminded how much I don't enjoy it.  But, it will help with the budget, so I am forcing myself to stay positive about it!

4.  There is an amazing opportunity for me to interact with some of my online photography mentors in person next month.  I am praying that this will all work out, since if it does it will be free.  A crucial word in our vocabulary these days!  ;)

5.  In case you are wondering about all the budget talk, it has overtaken many of our thoughts and conversations around here as of late.  Justin's company reduced everyone's salaries by 20%, so we are scrambling trying to figure out how this will work for us.

6.  The hardest part of a tight budget for me right now, is constantly explaining to the two older kids why we aren't doing something.  They are used to doing whatever we all feel like doing, whether that is eating out, picking up drinks and snacks while shopping at Target, or going to a museum or movie on an off day.  Reminding them why isn't a fun conversation, and their reaction hasn't been the best so far.  UGH!

7.  The second hardest part of me is the healthy food issue.  I have a strong desire to only feed our family real food.  No chemicals, dyes, artificial anything - which is in more things than you realize.  And sadly, food corporations have made it expensive to eat healthy in this country.  Absurd.

8.  Jogging was doing something nasty to my knees, which I still can't figure out, so I bought Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred on Amazon instant.  My first day was yesterday, and it was hard.  But nothing could have prepared me for how sore I would feel this morning!!!  That's how you know it is working, I guess!

9.  Could someone give me a free vacation?  A real one?  That would be fabulous!

10.  I love having this blog, as a place to put everything out there!  If you got this far, thanks for reading!  I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!!!

January 20 - The Wii Coma

Jan 19

She is a very messy eater.

Her favorite thing to do is run her gooey fingers through her hair so I have to give her a bath.

She loves baths.