The Future Is Looking Brighter Than EVER!

I am excited to get back on writing my blog because so many amazing things have, and ARE happening! I want to share my trials and triumphs with the world in hopes of inspiring others! (I've updated my page and my tab info so take another look around if you will! Changes will continue on occurring!)

I also look forward to share everything I am learning!

So what's new with you?

Let me tell you what's new with me!

 

I've dropped 4 dress sizes in the last year and I am still going! I am getting ready to slip into my size 6 H&M dress next month when I drop the last 2 dress sizes that I am currently in the process of losing!

This has been HUGE for me because my 60+ weight gain slammed my self confidence and esteem to the ground. If you've been there, you know.. it affects every area of your life. That is what it did with me. I made the decision to change that and I am winning!! So when I got to the point where I really felt better about myself, I went forward and.....

Got Licensed to teach Zumba!! It hasn't stopped there! I went back to school to finally finish what I started and made the change to invest my educational time and money on something that will improve me and serve my purpose..that is helping others be healthier and happier! So I've changed my degree pursuit to Kinesiology - Exercise Science and will also be getting certified in Nutrition in Dietetics. Now I don't necessarily need those degrees to be able to help people the way I've been helping with my Arbonne business, and now with Zumba. But I am about improving myself and making myself the best I can be. Plus, either way, I'm determined to finish what I started 9 years ago when I started college..may as well apply my purpose with the piece of paper, right? Right!

2013 is going to end with a BANG! I am taking my team to the top of our company, and I am bringing my husband home and giving him the time freedom he SOOOO deserves. 2014 will be where we see the fruits of my efforts because, Lord willing, we will be buying our first home!!

It's amazing what thinking outside of the box does for your dreams, hopes, and life!

I would love to hear from those of you who read that..What are you working towards in 2013? State is with certainty and don't give up, don't quit, and definitely do NOT settle for less!

God bless you all!

Blog Makeover!

It's been a while since I last blogged.. But I realize that I really need to!! With so many wonderful changes that have occurred since I first started this blog, I NEED to start blogging and using this great tool to be a blessing in other people's lives!!

That is why I will be doing a blog re-model in the next couple of weeks! I revamping and re-aiming!

I will be focusing on Wellness Living; inside out and all around..

Wellness- living isn't just what you are eating.. It's also about what you are putting on your skin, what you are exposing yourself to and your daily environments!!

I've realized my passion for people and helping others live healthier, happier, well rounded lives is my goal!

I really want to hear your feedback on each topic so be sure to interact! I want to hear from you!

Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you! Memorial Day is a day dedicated to those that have sacrificed to keep our country safe! I love our armed forces, and I am so thankful for anyone who is currently or has ever served our country!
Memorial also has another meaning! It's the unofficial start of summer, and time to pull put the bathing suits, shorts, and sunscreen!

By this time I hope you've already been working on getting beach ready. But if you haven't there is still time!

Arbonne's 30 Day to Fit program is the perfect way to lose weight and look great for summer!

It isn't just some diet. Diets don't usually eliminate the toxins that are causing fat to be stored. The more toxins you have, the more fat is being stored. That's why most people will gain some lost weight back after ending a diet (that and many times you are losing water weight, not fat.) Also, most people don't realize it but sometimes you are losing a little bit of fat, but also muscle. And muscle is NOT something you want to be losing!

The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism, and the more fat you burn.

Finally, one big mistake people do (and I am guilty of this myself) is that they go back to eating the same junk that put them in that position in the first place. Many people today do not know how to eat healthy. Others feel they do not have the time to eat healthy, so they depend on fast foods, processed pre-made, boxed, and junk food to get them through each day (also very guilty of this!)

My friends, this should not be so! My goal is to help others live healthy, meaningful lives. Make the right changes, and to get permanent results!

So what does the 30 Day to Fit do for you?

1. It teaches you to eat right! I put this one first because it truly is the most important in my opinion. Weight loss is 80% nutrition, 20% exercise. You have so many companies that gloat about their weight loss programs or methods, but those programs just give a "quick fix". A healthy lifestyle isn't just about a supplement, or shake, or bar, etc. The Fit guide teaches you what foods you should be avoiding, and which foods you should be eating. Knowing how to eat is so important to Long term, permanent results.

It reminds me of a saying:

"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for the night. Teach him to catch a fish, and he will eat for a lifetime".

What I enjoy about what I do is that I teach others to make positive changes that will impact their life for the better.

2. The 30 days to Fit eliminates toxins. Like I mentioned above, the more toxins, the more fat. Now in a perfect world we would not drink, not smoke, not Inhale the toxic air, eat fresh fruits vegetables and fresh lean protein, etc. We would exercise every day, and drink a percentage of our body weight in water. But this isn't, so we don't.

If you drink, smoke, breathe in air; eat fast food, boxed, canned, or processed foods; stress, or use a lot of your popular shampoos, lotions, makeup , etc ..then you are putting toxins into your body.  Our body's, so intelligently created, will use fat to surround each bit of toxins to protect our organs. Our detox tea aids in detoxifying the liver and kidneys. Those two organs are a HUGE part of toxin elimination. Remember. Less toxins. Less fat stores.

By a) eliminating the toxins in your body and b) decreasing the amount of toxins you are putting in .. you can achieve better results in your health and appearance.

3) It helps build and maintain muscle. Protein builds muscle. And when you work out, you are tearing muscle. What you do after you work out determines how your muscles will heal and increase. When you take protein within an hour and a half of working out, not only will you help your muscles recover better, but you will also build more lean muscle. More muscle. More fat burn. Our protein shakes and nutrition bars will provide you with all the protein you need to build strong, lean, and healthy muscle.

4) It boosts your metabolism. That is the rate of calorie/fat burn. The higher your metabolism, the quicker you burn fat! Arbonne's Fizz Sticks are going to help you there. These sticks are dissolved in water quickly to give you a delicious energy drink that will curb appetite, boost your metabolism, and for my caffeine lovers- give a healthy, calm caffeine boost (the guarana plant is our caffeine source) without the crash! If you want an extra, EXTRA boost in your metabolism, you can get the metabolism boost supplement!

5) Reduces junk cravings.
If you are like me, you probably have a difficult time maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I am virtually no will power with certain sweets! I love chocolates, and sweets! When you eat those things, your body begins to crave it. The only way to reduce is is to cut it out completely, right? Well..yes and no... Technically yes because you need to cut the junk out, but that doesn't mean you cant satisfy that sweet tooth! Aside from our deliciously sweet shakes, Arbonne has yummy Fit Chews. These chews are bite sized candies that will curb your appetite, aid in reducing cravings, and satisfy your sweet tooth! You can get them in chocolate, caramel, and soon in lemon! They are delicious and perfect to just pop in  between meals or when you need something sweet!

6) Feed your bones, organs, skin, hair, etc.
Although not part of the actual kit, you can maximize results of the 30 Day to Fit kit by supplementing to give your body what it needs! I won't go into great detail (contact Me for more info on anything I've mentioned ..etc) ..but your body needs vitamins, minerals, etc to function best. Todays foods do not contain the nutrients it had 50 years ago. And many of us are not getting what we need. That is why we supplement with vitamins, minerals, calcium supplements, omega 3s etc. All of our supplements are formulated for maximum absorption!

7) Gives you your fiber!

People are not eating enough fiber today, and that is ashame. Fiber keeps your GI tract running smoothly and efficiently. If you are looking for weight loss, getting efficient amount of fiber in your daily diet could help you lose an EXTRA 9.5 lbs a year! I always put the Daily Fiber Boost into my protein shakes, pancakes, etc! It's flavorless and odorless too!

Still not convinced ? Well, you would need to determine it for yourself! Try it for yourself to see for yourself how awesome the30 Day to Fit program is! From now until the end of June, I will be offering my wholesale discount on the entire nutrition and wellness line. But you must let me know you read about it on my blog to get the discount!

Arbonne's 30 Day to Fit program has been a HUGE part of my weightloss success thus far. Make it part of your weight loss success and contact me today!
Happy Memorial Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

WOW!

It has been a while since my last point, but glad to posting this new year month!

Want to know my favorite part of a New Year? RESOLUTIONS!

It's so sad to see/hear people say that they don't make resolutions because they never stick with them.

I think that just shows that

1)They are afraid of failure
2)Settle for a life lacking challenge (and I love challenges)
3)They don't believe in themselves enough to believe that they can set a goal and achieve it!

It is really sad. There have been sooo many resolutions of the past that I had not achieved/accomplished. But that will not keeping me from adding it to the new list the following year and striving towards ONE DAY being able to go back to the list and cross it off!

Even if you may not accomplish that goal, you may be much closer to accomplishing it than had you not even set out to accomplish it in the first place!

So for my first post of 2012, I am writing down my 2012 Resolutions. I WILL make this the first year that I accomplish ALL of my resolutions! That being said,

#1 Is to accomplish all of my resolutions for the first time ever! (hehe)

Here are CARMEN's 2012 RESOLUTIONS..... (feel free to keep me accountable hehe...)

1. Accomplish all of this year's resolutions
2. Read my Bible from cover to cover
3. Lose the remaining 30 pounds and tone up
4. Start cooking more
5. Implement a HEALTHY eating diet for myself and my family
6. Become More Organized!
7. Manage my time better
8. Take Andrew to the park at LEAST once a week
9. Make working out a regular part of my life, at LEAST 3 times a week
10.Read at LEAST 1 book a month
11.Get a 2nd Car
-Okay..I already know this is going to happen in a few weeks but it's nice to have a for sure goal to cross off right away LOL
12.Earn my White Mercedes by December 2012
- Regional Vice President here I come!
13.Help 12 people achieve financial/time freedom, replace their income, travel more through Arbonne's amazing Business Opportunity
14.Help 10 people KEEP their weight-loss/fitness resolutions
15.Bring people to church more often
16.Back back on track with my Educational goals
17.Take my family on 2 Vacations, with at least ONE of them being out of the country :)
18.Take Andrew to Disneyland for his first time!
19.Do a spontaneous activity that I've never done before, like Sky-diving or Bunjee Jumping
20.Have at LEAST 50% of our down payment for our house in a separate Savings from our regular savings by December.
21.Get Mike a bike again
22.Help at least 1 person a month feel better about themselves
23.Meet 100 new people and get to know them
24.Be content in any situation
25.Show thankfulness more


........

I will probably continue adding to this list as I think of more things I want to accomplish by the end of this year. I will also be crossing them off as I accomplish them! Some are super simple goals that I will no doubt accomplish. But I will rejoice in all of my accomplishments, both great and small!

What are some of YOUR new years' resolutions?

Week 1 of 30 days to fit!

As I near the end of my first week of the 30 days to fit, I am getting more and more excited because it's becoming more obviously that I will be hitting my of getting back to my 135-145 range by January 25th (Our 2nd wedding anniversary)! I've already begun to see a difference. Now I have not weighed myself, or taken measurements yet. I'm debating as to whether I want to do that at the mid-point or just wait until the end. I'm leaning towards just waiting till the end for the technical results, and focus on the visible results! I'm definitely starting to feel more energized each day, and the eating plan is super easy to follow! I will admit, the first couple of days I was hurting for some junk food! I'm a junkie for unhealthy foods, and my body was very much aware that I had not had my daily fill of fats. Plus I'm actually eating normal portions for dinner (please the normal serving of shakes ), so my stomach was calling out to me saying "that's it? You usually give DOUBLE that!"... Yes.. I eat a lot too.. Is it any wonder I got to the point I'm at? You can't eat all you want, be completely unactive, and expect to still look model-worthy. But as I near the end of this first week, the cravings are starting to dissipate, and my stomach is becoming okay with eating normal portions LOL. Now for the BEST part! I'm already beginning to see the difference physically! Now I know my exercise regimen helps (I'll get into that in a bit), but its a fact that if you aren't eating right, exercise will only do so much. My stomach is already beginning to flatten out (My hubby was actually the one to point it out to me!) and there's less fat blocking my rock hard muscles hidden underneath! lol. My body has been aching the last few days but a good way! I've been working out every day (and will continue to do so every day). Workout of choice: ZUMBA! I'm loving it! I do not have to drag myself to work out each morning (I look forward to it!) and I become so energized afterward! And did I mention that the shake is delish!? The fizz tabs are already a favorite of mine, so I look forward to starting my morning with a fizz tab (which boosts your metabolism, curbs your appetite, and gives you a nice little caffeine kick without the crash!). So how does the Arbonne 30 days to fit work, you ask? And what am I doing? Let me walk you through me day :) -Wake up -Energy Fizz tab -Arbonne Protein shake (breakfast) -Exercise (ZUMMBAAA!) -Arbonne Chocolate fit chew (satisfies my chocolate/sweet fix!) and a healthy snack or mini protein (ie, 1 hardboiled egg) -Arbonne Protein shake (lunch) -fit chew and healthy snack (I got some Veggie chips..i had never heard of veggie chips until I read the guide suggestions! They are GREAT!) -Healthy dinner Super simple.. and VERY worth it... I will probaby be posting some progress comparison photos at the end of week 2! I am so excited.. I'm even dress shopping right now because I want to buy the dress (in a size 5/6 thank you!) that I will be wearing out for our 2 year wedding anniversary on January 25th! I LOVE IT! If you are interested in joining me and hitting your own weight-loss goals.. msg me on facebook (www.facebook.com/mikencarmen.wardwell) or email me at wardwell.c@gmail.com

On My Way to Feeling Fit in 30 Days!

I'm on my way to feeling fit for the new year, and I am so excited! I've gone the route of continuing my weight loss (which had become stagnant at 183-5..it would fluctuate) and jumpstarting a newer, healthier lifestyle! 2012 is going to be a year of success in finances, family, and health! What is the 30 days to fit? A 30 day guide to “reboot” your system and give your life a fresh start to a healthier lifestyle. It uses Arbonne's Nutrition and Detox products, along with a a guide to healthy recipes to keep you eating right.

I've seen soooo many awesome results photos of people who have incorporated the Nutrition plan into their lives. People, like me, who are trying so hard to lose those extra unwanted pounds, and others who may not need to lose weight, but who want to cut those unhealthy lifestyle habits and eat better. I've got at least 40 lbs to lose. And I am so excited to get close to my goal, because you better believe I will be rewarding myself along the way! Reward #1 - Zumba guru :)

Anyone who's known me knows I love love love to dance! I no longer live a life that includes clubs and such (which is where I got to enjoy my love ), but I've found a way to turn my love into something that's wholesome and helpful! How? ZUMBA! Everybody loves it, and its so awesome because you are really working your body out without even feeling it! I know if I run 15 minutes on a treadmill, I will get tired and bored. But I can dance for hours, sweat dripping, and not want to stop LOL. Plus, I love helping women feel better about themselves. So why not combine the 2 by becoming a zumba instructor?! YES! Now I personally would not be sold on having a zumba instructor that is overweight...and that is why I've decided that I'm going to reward myself for losing the first 20-30 lbs by getting my certification to be a zumba instructor! I mean, my business allows me the time to do what I want, so why not do ZUMBA and get paid for it? Its a win-win situation! Reward #2 - Strike a Pose

Another great love of mine is being in front of a camera (acting, modeling..but in this case modeling ).. But I know that I cannot get booked for work the way I currently am physically.. unless I want to be a plus size model (2 thumbs up to the lovely ladies who are plus sized models)... and that is not the route I want to take. When I hit my ultimate goal (which is 135-140..estimated to be by the end of January).. I will be re-embarking on a side job/hobby of modeling. Of course, my background in modeling includes tradeshow and import modeling... I wont be doing the import modeling (I'm a wife and mommy now..) but I would still like to do some tradeshow modeling (the more professional ones of course) and commercial, print, etc modeling. So when I hit my goal.. I'm making some moves! I cant wait! 2011 has been a very rocky year, but I am so excited to starting 2012 with a fresh start, a happier me, and a SKINNIER me! Oh! Here are some examples of weight-loss results from others who have done the 30 days to fit program! If you would like to jump on board with me to being leaner, meaner (jk not meaner), and healthier, I would be so thrilled to get you set up for the best 30 days of your life!

The Holidays Are Coming! Oye!!

I've always loved the holidays! The cooler weather, Fall fashions (MY FAVORITE!), eating, getting together with family, and best of all, PRESENTS! This year has me a little worried, I must admit. I am actually split in half on my feelings of the holiday season this year. I am oh so happy in one way, because it'll be Andrew's first real holiday! He was a just under 2 months old for Thanksgiving, and just under 3 months old for Christmas. This year he will be just over a year old! He's running around now (walking as of 10 months old!); and he is so curious, alert, and full of joy! I am determined to make his first real Thanksgiving and Christmas a SPECIAL one! I've never been super big on decorating, but the hubby and father in law are already warned: This year we are going BIG on decorations! I want our home to be filled with the Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit! On the other end, I am really concerned with how things are going to happen. My family has always been big on being together for the holidays. I've actually been elsewhere on a couple of holidays in the past, and my mom did not let it go for a while after! But things are so different this year. My parents separated a couple of months ago, and its not looking like there's any possibility of reconciliation. My dad is in one city, my mom is in another. There's a lot of bitterness and negativity going around (with one of the parties mentioned..won't specify with whom though), making it difficult to even want to be around! Part of me wants to just be in my own home with my little family, in PEACE. But it will also be saddening to not be together with my whole family, as in the past. I know it'll be a hard reminder of how broken my family has become. My middle sister in one place, my youngest sister with my mom, my dad in another. Funny thing is (well not really funny, but I guess that's just how the saying goes) last Thanksgiving my whole family (parents, one sister, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousin, husband, baby, etc) sat around the dinner table, each saying something. And one thing that was said more than once was that we hoped to get to next year, all together still. Most of us knew this break would be coming. It really saddens my heart. So what do you do? I have no idea what to expect for this year? I guess the only thing I can do is focus on my own family. We will plan to just stay together in the comfort of our own home this year. I have not picked sides with either of my parents. I don't agree with some things, but I love them both the same. It's just so sad to think that this is the very first holiday season that they will not be together. It is what it is though, so I can only focus on what's best for my family. I am REALLY looking forward to making it an exciting one for our little munchkin though. As messed up and dysfunctional our extended family situation may be, we still want our home to be one of joy and happiness! That's exactly what it will be! Soon, we will be getting all the decorations and trees; Daddy and Grandpa Dave (Father in law) will be hanging up the lights (hehe). My focus will not be on the problems in the extended family, it will be MY SON. And making this an exciting holiday season for him!

Arbonne Mama :)

Its been almost a week since I officially signed up as an Arbonne International Independent Consultant! Each day that goes by, I am so excited!
On day 2 I got my first business builder, and I am so excited for her! She is going to do great!

The path is clearing up, and I can see my family's future more in focus! I look forward to what God has in store for me!

Why did I choose Arbonne?

A few reasons.

1) I really liked the products. --I was first introduced to it back in 2005. I thought the products were great, but taking care of my health and my skin was not a big priority to me. It is 2011, and now at the age of 25 (and with one child), it has hit me that I am not going to be young forever! Not to mention, that now I have an amazing husband that I always want to look my best for! So I've started taking more interest in myself. I want to look good an feel good. I started using the products again when I decided to join (ran out of the older stuff, and didn't care enough about myself in those terms to get more), and I already see a difference. I've never had issues with acne. During my pregnancy, I never DID NOT have issues with acne LOL. Now, post-prego, I'm back to normal for the MOST part. However, I do find myself breaking out from time to time. The Arbonne products have helped that. Also, Andrew's has had patches of dry skin recently, so I started using the baby cream samples, and it's really been helping.

2)I don't really care too much for the other direct selling companies. I'm in a Mary Kay driven family. My grandmother and aunt sold it, my mother has sold it since I was little, and continues to every now and then. I've never really taken an interest in it. Plus, growing up with Mary Kay for so many years, I know little bits here and there about the company. I know when Mary Kay was still alive, she made sure that Mary Kay continued being a "word of mouth" company. She did not want to commercialize it. A few years after her passing, the Mary Kay commercials began to pop up. I feel a company that is not willing to honor the founding vision/legacy, will eventually lose its appeal. Mary Kay Ash stood for some much, and its a shame to see whomever is currently running it sell out to, what seems to me to be, greed. That's the beauty of being part of a direct selling business. We cut out all of the middle men. When you add advertisers, retailers, etc..you drive up the price of the product. Then it becomes just like every other item you can buy in the stores. To anyone sells Mary Kay, if its treatin'ya well, awesome! It's just not for me :)


3) I LOVE what Arbonne stands for. "Pure, Safe, Beneficial". I've learned so much about beauty and health since I've begun this journey. It shocked me to find out that the average woman comes into contact with an average of 515 chemicals a day. 515?? REALLY? It's crazy to me! Being a fan of Anatomy and Physiology. I was already aware that our bodies absorb things through our skin and into our bloodstream, but I did not know that the rate of absorption was 60% quicker through the skin! It's really made me more aware of what kind of environment I put myself in, and what I'm putting on my skin! I love how everything is plant/botanical based and just there is something for everyone! I also love that they don't sell random things. All of the products are common household products, things that we are already purchasing on a regular basis (shampoo, conditioner, creams, vitamins, makeup,etc).

4)I love the unity! Since I've joined the realm of Arbonne, I've made so many new friends. Many of whom I have never even met! Its great reading people's stories, or seeing what inspires others to succeed. I feel like I've added an extension to my family, family I have yet to meet! The support is amazing. I am getting constant support from my sponsor (and I think I talk to her a whole lot more than I talk to my own mother!..I know.. I need to start calling my mom more lol). I am building my own business, but I'm not building it alone. I am in business for myself, but I also have a team. I'm virtually surrounding myself with others that have high hopes, dreams, and aspirations. And I love it!

5) Finally, their compensation plan is awesome! The commissions, the bonuses, the TRIPS! Other than being born in El Salvador, I've never really been out of California (okay..I've been to Vegas..I've also been to Puerto Nuevo, Mexico..but I was in the mountains...lol)...I would love to go to new places! My sponsor is leaving in less than 2 weeks to ATLANTIS... not.. not Atlanta, Georgia LOL... Don't worry..I had never heard of it either.. I had to look it up..its in the Bahamas... I would LOVE to go to the Bahamas! AND her trip is paid for!..PLUS, I think she even got 1K to spend out there! I would LOVE to take my family on a trip. Mike and I spent our honeymoon in Long Beach..it was great, but I'd love to give him a second honeymoon in an exotic place like ATLANTIS LOL! Next year!!! Oh and I almost forgot! I can will my earnings to my family. Meaning, if something were to happen to me, they will continue receiving any residual income I am receiving. My family would be taken care of, or at least have an outside source of income. I love that!

Also..I cannot forget..the Mercedes...I've never really focused much on Mercedes..but then again, I tricked myself into thinking that something like that would be out of my reach. It is no longer out of my reach, and the more I see about Mercedes, the more I am loving the idea of having my own! Arbonne will pay for my Mercedes when I get to a certain point with my business..and it is not that far up! Only like 3 levels from where I'm at! Plus, I read all of the success stories..Its not like the lottery..very few will win...there are SO MANY success stories with Arbonne. You have your single moms, dads, people living out of their cars, blue collared workers, white collared workers, and so on. So many people from different walks of life have been impacted by Arbonne. And I am next!

I was nervous at first about making Arbonne my decision, because I did not want to invest in something that I would fail at. Now I am so happy to say, that I did make the right decision. The only way I could ever fail with Arbonne is if I make the conscious decision to quit. Which will NOT be happening here! The only way I see myself going, is up!

I'm always looking for others to take with me to the top. If anyone reading this feels like they want something more; if anyone reading this could use a little extra pocket money; and if anyone reading this is motivated to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others. I would love to hear from you. Arbonne can do for you, what it has done for me. It's given me a new hope, and an exciting new vision.

Let me help you make a change in your home, your health, and/or your pocketbook!

Carmen
Live2Dream.myarbonne.com
CarmenW@myarbonne.com
www.facebook.com/ArbonneCarmenW

Update

So although I have not been able to continue on with the diet (finances), we have been working out. No diets. No crazy supplements. Just straight working out. And I must say, I'm not too disappointed with the results thus far.

I've gained a more realistic view of my goals for weight-loss, and I've pulled myself out of this "I don't want to look nice until I lose all of this weight" slump I had been in. I'm learning to accept myself for me, meanwhile keeping my eyes on the goal of getting back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I will not lie. Sometimes I am guilty of comparing myself to others whom are as I once was. However, I've learned to use that as fuel to stay motivated rather than letting it bring me down. That attitude has made all the difference in my dedication and consistency. Not to mention, I have my #1 fan (LOL) by my side. I absolutely adore my husband. He is more than I could have ever even imagined to ask for in a husband. I'm not sure why the Lord thought I was worthy of having such an amazing man by my side, but I am so thankful that he gave me Mike as a husband. He motivates me, and is not letting me do this alone. He's right there pushing me, 4 times a week, to work harder, go longer, and to not waste time. I love you, Mike.

Okay, so we took some photos last night. Although I know I still have a long ways to go, I am happy to see a difference. That is all that matters to me. I will be comparing to the first ones I posted in April. Will update again soon!

Two Weeks, Two Scary Moments

Two things have happened recently that got my heart beating a little faster than I'd like. I don't remember the last time I've been so scared.

The first one was about two weeks ago. I was at home with my little one, and we were in my room. I had just gotten a phone call on my cell phone from some telemarketer, and for some reason this guy was not understanding that I was not interested in whatever it was he was selling. Suddenly, Andrew started crying, and I used that ask an excuse to be rude (it's hard for me to just hang up on people..but the baby was crying so I had to!). I hung up and put my attention to Andrew. Did he hurt himself with one of the toys we had there on the bed? Nope. Did he have a dirty diaper that was bothering him? Nope, clean diaper. I wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with him, but he would not stop crying. So I cradled my little angel, and he would not sit still. So I figured, stomach ache. I laid him on his stomach, and rubbed his back. But he just kept crying louder and louder. I did not understand what was wrong! He turned from his stomach to his back, and back to his stomach, then back to his back. Suddenly, I noticed he was starting to lose color in his face and lips. That was when I freaked. I called my husband right away to tell him, and he said without hesitation that he's on his way home. Thankfully he works a little less than 5 miles away from home. He was home in 4 minutes, although it felt like an eternity! We got Andrews things, and took off to Loma Linda Emergency room (which is also like 5 miles away, thank the Lord!). The whole way there I was in the backseat with Andrew, and boy, did he scare me during that ride! He was hardly responsive and kept trying to close his eyes and lay his head against the car seat head rest. I, in tears, kept yelling for him to "look at mama". It worked a little bit. As we arrived to the emergency room, he started heaving, and vomited. I unstrapped him and jumped out of the car with him while Mike looked for a parking spot.
You could imagine my frustration at that moment, while trying to explain what happened to the nurses, and them responding as calmly as though nothing were wrong (I know, they need to be calm, but in that moment, I needed to feel a sense of urgency from them for my son!). They took his vitals in the back, and since everything seemed normal, asked us to wait in the lobby till we were called in.

We waited about 15 minutes (felt more like 15 hours though!), and then we were taken to our room/bed. They did some things to check him, and decided to put him on an IV because he was becoming dehydrated. Then they did an ultrasound and x-ray, which is how they found out what was wrong with him.

Turns out, Andrew had what they called Intussusception, which is basically when the small intestine somehow sucks itself into the large intestine, and causes a blockage. They said this affects (other than the obvious intestinal obstruction) blood and oxygen supply, and could potentially be fatal. They explained what they would have to do. The first step would be to do something similar to an enema. They would fill his colon with water (pressurized) to see if that will cause the small intestine to pop out and back to place. If that did not work, then they would have to do surgery. Thankfully, it popped out. It was heartbreaking during the process. They had Andrew strapped in with his arms strapped back above his head so that he could not move anything. The machine they strapped him on turned in a circle, so at one point my poor baby was hanging face down, parallel to the table, crying loudly. After the whole procedure was done, and they saw that his intestinal tract was normal again, we still had to stay overnight so that they could monitor him (the chances of it recurring were about 10%). I was so relieved to see that he was back to his happy, rambunctious self after the procedure was done. I am thankful that it was not something more serious, but I would never want to go through that again with my precious little boy.

The second scare occurred just a couple of days ago, on Friday. I got a phone call from my dad saying that he was in the emergency room after having what he called a "minor heart attack". He had to get off the phone right after that, but said he would call me back. My heart dropped at that moment. I could not believe what I had just heard. You hear about things like this happening all the time, but I never really thought about it occurring to my own dad. He's only 49, and in seemingly good health. I called my husband in tears to tell him. His first response was to say that he's leaving work (my wonderful guy), but I stopped him and told him I'd prefer he just be on standby until I got into contact with my dad again. I didn't even know where he was taken, anyway. I got off the phone with him, and noticed I had a missed call on my cell phone. It was a number I did not recognize, but they left a message, so I checked it out. It was my dad calling from the hospital. The message was brief and somewhat comical. He said he had a heart attack, and was picked up by the ambulance but he doesn't know where he was brought to at that moment (not the comical part)..then in the background I heard a nurse saying something along the lines of "you just had a heart attack and should not be on the phone; plus this is MY phone you are using. You can't use MY phone". At that moment it was not comical, I got so frustrated and wanted to find out who that nurse was so I could go punch her in the face (I would not have really done that..but at that moment I wanted to because she was keeping my dad from telling me he was fine). Suddenly the message ended, so I assumed that he hung up right at that moment. I called that number back, and sure enough, it was the hospital he was at. I spoke to the attendant in the emergency room, and she told me that he was there, and the room number. She would not give me any other information, and told me they did not have phones for patients to use. I'm getting frustrated at this point, but decided to call my aunt (his sister) with whom he had been staying with those last few days. Thankfully she was there at the hospital with him, so I was informed on everything that was happening. He was there for a few hours, and then he had to transfer to the closest hospital for his health care provider. He ended up staying overnight, and the following morning they did a stress test on him (he had to run on a treadmill). A little after noon, he was released but told to take it easy and not get stressed or angry. I am so thankful that he is okay, and that it did not turn out worse than it did.

So yeah, those are probably the two scariest moments I have had in a VERY VERY VERY long time. I do not look forward to any other scary occurrences. This did open my eyes though. I realized I need to be a little more grateful for the people in my life. They may not always be around.

Thankfulness

1 Thessalonians 5:18- In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I must admit, I have been quite the "negative Nancy" lately; focusing on what I "need" (although they are really just wants) and what I don't have. It has made me ungrateful for the blessings God is bestowing upon our lives right now, and it has made me very discontent.

Yesterday, my pastor was preaching on Prayer, and used the Lord's Prayer as the template for how/why we should pray. One thing he mentioned that really convicted me when speaking on praying was for HIS will to be done, and not ours; and how we focus on what we want and what we don't have. That and other points brought up really hit home with how I had been behaving the last couple weeks. Usually I only act up for a few days (and then get spiritually rejuvenated Sunday), but we didn't go to church last Sunday due to a bug we caught. So, you can imagine how crabby I was. When a child does not get fed, they get fussy. The longer they go without being fed, the harder they will be to deal with. Boy, I know I've been pretty difficult to deal with these last couple of weeks. Thank the Lord I have a husband who is so wonderful, so patient, and even more, so forgiving. He probably should have wanted to get rid of me, but he didn't haha.

I've struggled with focusing on what I DON'T have this week;ranging from the small things(printer ink) to the very big things (new car/house). It all adds up and each thing weighs you down until you finally fall to the floor. I allowed those things to affect how I treated my husband, and I am very sorry for that. He is a wonderful provider, and if we can't get those things (even the small ones), it is because we are working so hard saving everything we can to get ourselves out of the financial rut WE put ourselves in; and here I am complaining. I've already asked God and my husband to forgive me for my selfishness. I'm so thankful they are BOTH very forgiving, because my eternal life and my marriage would DEFINITELY be in jeopardy.

So what did I learn after re-evaluating myself during service yesterday?
1) I need to REALLY improve my prayer life...I pray, but I don't pray as often as I could/should be praying.
2) I have not because I ask not....God tells us that sometimes we don't' get what we want because we don't ask him. I am guilty of this. Sometimes I am so caught up with trying to figure out how I/WE are going to get something, instead of just leaving it to God, and asking the provider of all!
3) If it's not HIS will, it probably won't be done!...I really need to learn to accept this! I need to realize that if I don't get something I want, it may just be that God has something better for me...or I may not be ready to get that thing just yet, and he's waiting on me to give it to me!
4)I need to be thankful for EVERYTHING! ...

Number 4 gets its own paragraph because this is probably the one thing I REALLY need to improve on the most. I'm praying that God will help me train my mind to be thankful for all the things, great and tiny. I know if I learn this and apply this daily, I won't be focusing on the negative things. In turn, I will be more thankful, a lot happier, more loving to my husband, and he will be a lot happier, too!

So I'm going to mention a few things that I am so thankful for this morning to get the ball rolling for the week..

I'm thankful:
because my husband, my little boy, and I were given one more day of life.
because we will all have food in our bellies today.
because our bank account has been and continues to be in the positive.
because we just simply have money in both our checking and savings.
because we have a home and a bed to sleep in.
because my husband has a job that allows him to provide AND to be with his family.
because we have a working car that gets us where we need to be.

Those are just a few.I am going to try to continue picking out things to be thankful for throughout the day. That should help me be a better person. Also, I am going to continue on in my reading of the bible (currently the book of Job;another thing I've been neglecting lately that I need to jump back on!)

Let's not let our own thinking bring us down to a state of discontent and unhappiness. Take it one day at a time, but try to focus on the blessings. Pretend you are doing a scavenger hunt, and continue looking for all the blessings-great and small-that God is giving you today. See if that doesn't turn that frown upside down!

On The Train Again.. The LA Train That Is!

As I stated in my last post, I am back at LA Fitness! Last night was my first night back at the gym, and I could not be happier! I even had a little kick in my step afterward! My darling husband and I worked out together for the very first time ever! He couldn't pass up the great deal we got, and we are both getting a goody bag with an LA Fitness gym bag, water bottle, towel, and I think more! Could life get any better? LOL.

Now, I am no fitness club amateur. During my "hey-days" I was in the gym "pumping iron" quite a bit! Actually.. I've never really "pumped iron".. I pumped weight machines and cardio machines..but not until last night have I ever messed with the free weights! Not sure why? I guess I've always considered that the meat-head zone and chose not to venture into the territory. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I, too, could benefit from the various range of weights! Mike was playing trainer during our session yesterday, as he coached me through various techniques and free-weight exercises. It was really nice working out with my husband. Oh how I love that man. So, I am determined to keep my goal of September deadline despite my slacking off and "diet-hopping" lately! We've committed to a minimum of 4 days a week at the gym, and I plan on making every moment count. Not to mention, I usually make better eating choices when I'm working out at the gym, so let's see how long before I start getting the noticeable results!

On another note, I am currently reading the book of Job, and I am being convicted left and right! It is a great book of the bible to read for anyone going through hard times. I will be putting up some of my lessons learned when I am done! I also just finished reading a great book, which I will be reviewing on here in the next few days!

No More Baby Weight!

I'm so excited, because as of today I will be getting a new membership to LA Fitness. Why? Because I LOVE LA Fitness. Back in the day, I was there 5-6 days a week. I would end my workout with a wonderful half hour of relaxation in the sauna. Overall it is just a quality gym, and something I have not been able to find when checking out 24 Hour Fitness and Bally's. Although the drive is a little farther than I would like to drive (about 10 miles away), I know that I will enjoy going there each day.
So come Monday, I'm back on the LA train. I'm so thankful for my husband. Although I was hesitant about joining again because of the drive, he basically gave me an ultimatum because he knows how unhappy I've been with my weight situation. The ultimatum was "You join, or I will go and join FOR YOU". LOL. I love him so much!

My Sunshines

Just wanted to share this precious photo of the two most important people in my life. My little boy really does have my heart (well both him and his daddy!)..Actually..he just melts it haha. We've been blessed with a beautiful baby boy who is already showing a loving, friendly, and joyful personality. He is also very very intelligent, and so funny! We just hope he continues to grow with this characteristics. How I love my sweet little boy.

As for my husband, I could not have asked for a more loving, caring, and selfless husband. I guess that is where Andrew is getting his amazing qualities from. Sometimes I feel as though I don't deserve this great man that God has blessed me with, especially during my stubborn moments that he so patiently deals with. I am so thankful to have him as my husband. He truly is one in a billion.

Ergophobia??

So according to the dictionary, Ergophobia is the fear of work; and I think I have it LOL. I've been thinking about my future in the working world again, and my brain sounds like a loud room full of thousands of people talking all at once. It has been over a year since the last time I had a "real job", and that one only lasted about 2 months (it was the bank, I did not like it, and I was pregnant and nauseous). Before that I was at a property for about 3 months (I feared for my life, the property was ghetto-rific, and the police were being called all the time for something). Then, before that I was a bartender for about 3 months (I got tired of wearing hoochie-fied outfits, and getting checked out by a bunch of perverts...plus Mike didn't like me having to do either LOL). During the time I worked as a bartender, I was also doing what I did before starting there, and during my long term positions prior to that; Modeling, acting, and dancing. Some wouldn't consider those real jobs, so I wont count them under the "real job" category; but I did make my living and pay all my bills just doing those 3 alone. Not to mention, I really enjoyed it at the time. So back to the real jobs. Before the bar, I was in property management. I did that from the time I was 18 till I was about 22 (not including that 3 month position later on).
I enjoyed it at first, and the money was beyond great...but towards the end of my long term stretch, I had gone through some crazy times, break-up, post breakup depression, and living alone in an empty apartment. Around the time I dropped out of college, and then the line of jobs mentioned already began.

So fast forward to today. I am 25 year old stay at home mom that has to mark the "some college" box wherever it applies, trying to figure myself out again in terms of work/career. Why would I have to though, if I'm going to be a stay home mom? Well for a few reasons.
1) Having nothing to do other than the house (not including my little one) causes me to go through these sporadic emotional roller-coaster moments of a very light (not serious though) depression. It comes and goes, mainly when I think about how frugal we have to be (frugality is very good, and I'd probably be frugal anyway..but there's a difference to me between being frugal because its your own choice, and being forced into frugality if you ever want to move forward with your life).
2)I need to have SOME kind of degree, period. I was raised hearing "No matter what you do, get some kind of college education. Doesn't matter what you get it in, as long as you get something to fall back on". It's engraved, and because of that I occasionally think about how I've failed my parents. I know, I know; I should be getting it for myself and not anyone else...but it still bothers me that I haven't achieved that, yet.
3)Although Mike may not need my help, I need to feel like I'm contributing SOMETHING; even if it was just to our monthly gas expenses. Especially right now that we are currently scraping every penny to pay off past debts in time to move to Long Beach by our goal of this December. I want to help reach that goal.

And I know I can, but for some reason the thought of work scares me. Looking through the different degrees offered makes me feel like I'm a freshmen in HS again; trying to figure out what it is I want to invest the next 4 years in (well, it wouldn't be 4 years. I have 2 years worth of credits already..I'd just need to take the degree courses for whatever degree I choose for my associates, and then whatever upper division coursework at the Univ. level). I'm pretty much a ball of confusion right now.

I've decided to start working as an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International, most likely starting this July. I will also be working with different property management companies, testing their employees as a secret shop. The Secret shop job is more of an extra cash job, and I choose which assignments I want to take; I like it because of that, and because I finally get to be on the other side of that table. I always did well when I got shopped, so I already know what I will need to look for when shopping employees. As for Arbonne, the challenge and mystery of not knowing what is to come kind of excites me, but it also scares me a bit. What if I don't succeed? What if I can't book parties, or gain team members under my belt. Lots of unknown questions there, but I look forward to seeing how I do. I'm going to have to work hard at first. This is one area the Ergophobia comes in. I sometimes underestimate myself..okay, I always underestimate myself. I've lost a lot of the self-confidence I used to have when it came to my ability to perform in the workplace, and that is why I'm afraid to work. I'm afraid to add another "failure" notch to my belt. It's "stinkin' thinkin'" I have going on, and somehow I need to overcome.

That stinkin' thinkin' also carries over into my college education decisions. I'm afraid that I am going to choose the wrong career choice, only to drop out again after realizing that the courses I am taking are not to my liking. I am still trying to figure it out, and I would hope to have made a decision before this fall. If I do, I may just be going back to school, again....for the thousandths time!

My Friday Night Walk Of Shame

Yesterday was day 5 of my diet, and it started off well. By my lunchtime meal, I was already starting to have "fatty food withdrawal". That is no fun when you are on a diet like this, seriously! You start thinking of all the things you love to eat that you know you shouldn't be thinking of at that moment. It didn't help smelling the Enchiladas that my father-in law was eating, or the hot dogs I made Mike for lunch (he quit the diet after day 1 and said he'll do it on the next cycle...quitter!..haha Just Kidding! He doesn't even need it!); all while I was eating eggs and peanuts, ugh! That was at 1:30 pm, which meant my next "feast" should have been between 4 and 6 pm. I started getting hungry at around 3, but I wanted to wait till Mike got home to eat my "dinner" with him. He got home early, but that was because we had to get ready for my little sister's play. I didn't realize it until after we left at close to 6 that I hadn't eaten yet, and I was getting pretty hungry.
So we go to the play, and it ended at around 8ish. I don't like eating this late ( and it isn't really recommended to eat so late), but I was counting down till we got home to eat my eggs and sausage for meal 4. Oh wait! First we had to go to Wal-mart to get some things for the baby. So we made a stop at Wal-mart, and I just felt myself getting weaker and weaker by the aisle (not physically..I'm talking about with my discipline). By the time we got to the check-out aisle, I noticed the brand new "Peanut butter snickers squared" calling out to me, and right at that moment I decided "I think I'll just cut this cycle short..just this time!". Yes, I know. What a weak, little soul I was at that moment. I couldn't help it! I was soo hungry! I told Mike, and we got the Snickers! My father-in law, Dave, told me that after being on this diet for a bit, junk food and sweets would not be the same. I must say, he was so wrong! That Snickers was just as heavenly as ever, probably more because of the peanut buttery addition!
I kept having to justify my actions in my head, and out loud to Mike. One of the first things he said was "So all I have to do is starve you a little bit for you to break, huh". LOL. Yes, that was the culprit for my mini failure. You can't expect a starving belly to stand strong against the vicious temptations of the Wal-mart candy aisle at check-out, right?
If that were not enough, we proceeded to the local In-N-Out. Beautiful. And you know what? I did not regret it at all! I need a break! Its hard when you have 50 lbs to lose. That's a long time to not be able to eat your favorite foods, except for the 3 days of cheat days in between each cycle (but even then you don't really get at a chance at everything..at least I didn't!)
So long story short, I decided I needed a short break. Not from losing weight, but from this specific diet. I get bored with things very easily, and this was no different. Plus, I'm down 1 dress says from when I started, and people have commented on the obvious difference! So I know, it's been worth it, but it is now time to start something different until I can eat sausage and cottage cheese again without practically gagging (yes, that's how much I've been eating with this diet).
So what's the next step? Insanity! I have to put those discs to use! This time I am going to attempt at following their nutrition plan while doing so, for maximum results! I've seen so many people on the Insanity Facebook page show the differences they achieved in the 60-day cycle, and I know I can do it! My weight-loss so far will be my motivation; and if I plan on doing some modeling again come this fall, I need to be ready! Plus, a High School friend of mine is getting married in September, and I don't want to buy a large dress. More motivation!
I do plan on doing the diet again, but I needed a break. 3 cycles consecutively is my limit. I'm going to give something else a chance to contribute to my transformation. Therefore, I will be blogging about my journey through Insanity for the next 60-days (starting Monday.......evening.....it's Memorial day!).

Oh, by the way. I guess I can give more details about the diet I've been doing. I shouldn't be so selfish and keep this great secret to myself. You can go on their website at

www.fatloss4idiots.com

I recommend it to everyone. Just remember to bring your willpower game if you have to do it to lose A LOT of weight like I do! I did the walk of shame last night as I walked into my house, but my belly sure was thanking me for it!

Maya Angelou

Very wise words have come from this lady, and since I love quotes and poetry, I thought I'd post some quotes from her!

Maya Angelou Quotes

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." 

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." 

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them." 

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." 

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." 

"Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently." 

"Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!" 

"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me." 

"If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?" 

"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." 

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her." 

 (my favorite!)

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." 

"There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth." 

"You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." 

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." 

"When you know better you do better."

"When you learn, teach, when you get, give."

"You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!"

"We need much less than we think we need."

"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean."

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. "

"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise."

"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet"

"Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman"

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope"

"Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between."

"Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging."

"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things"

"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option."

"When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow." 

"The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story..."  

"I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it.
Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute. " 

"a friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face."  

"All great achievements require time." 

What Every Young Girl Should Know: A Message To My Little Sister

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.- Proverbs 2:1-9

Despite being a young 25 year old, I would have to say that I've learned my share of life lessons. They say experience is the greatest teacher; but what if it isn't the greatest way to learn? Yes, experience gives you a hands-on education with certain things in life. Yet, sometimes it is better to learn from someone else's experience and save yourself the hurt, anger, shame, etc.

Looking back now,  I wish I would have paid more attention to King Solomon's words of wisdom to his son. I don't think I really turned to anyone for words of wisdom. Now although I appreciate all the "words of wisdom" my parents shared -no matter how unorthodox-with me growing up, I don't think I've had someone be the person I am trying to be with my little sister. The person whom I felt who truly understands what I was going through as a teenager, and who helped me avoid certain situations.

I have tried to be that person for both of my sisters. Jessica, who is 20, chose not to follow my advice. It hurts me now to see how my younger sister is struggling (but that is a story for another day). Now I am trying to show my youngest sister, 14 year old Brittany, that there is more to life than what she is seeing right now.

Now I must say, I was a pretty good girl in high school (I didn't say perfect!.). I got good grades; I had my small circle of friends and didn't try to be accepted by other peers at my school. I made my share of bad decisions, but they weren't very serious ones. Up until my senior year of high school, I was going to church and trying to live a good christian lifestyle. But after high school, things changed. I started getting wild and rebellious, and eventually that led to more mistakes.

So, I've made a list of things I feel my sister should know (and engrave into her mind! LOL). Some of these things, I've already told her; but it doesn't hurt to hear it again. If anyone reading this have more things to add, please do so!

Britt,
As you continue growing, and encountering new people, places, and things, try not to ever forget these important things:

1- You will have moments where you feel unloved and uncared for. Remind yourself ALL the time how much God loves you, and how much your family loves you. If you do that ALL the time, those moments won't come as often.
2- You are beautiful, intelligent, and have a caring heart. Don't let anyone ever change that. 
3- You will see (and I know you already see it around you) there are girls who will do whatever they can to get attention. They may seem "popular" now, but there will come a day (if it hasn't already) when they will wish they had never done the things they've done.  
4- Don't put yourself in the position to have regrets. Always think "Is this something I MAY regret later?"- If there's the slightest possibility that you may, it's not worth the risk.
5- Don't fall for "I love you's". Any guy can say that..doesn't mean they mean it. Let them prove it to you by just being there and by waiting for you. If you aren't worth waiting for, then they don't truly love you, and they are not worth your time.
6-Think before you act. That'll always help you.
7-Don't ever feel like you have to "prove" your love physically to anyone on this earth. 
8-Don't worry about disappointing people so much. Make sure you are doing the right thing, even if someone doesn't like it. 
9-There's always going to be someone (most likely another girl) that doesn't like you, for whatever reason. People like that don't matter. Take their attitudes toward you like a grain of salt. But still be kind. Don't stoop to their level.
10-Don't get offended very easily. When you realize who's opinion truly matters (God), you won't care so much about what people think.
11-Don't give in to peer pressure. You will always be held responsible for your own actions, regardless of who influenced you.
12-Don't drink. It isn't worth it. (But you already know that)..Don't smoke either..both are hurting your body.. and God gave you that body and expects you to take care of it!
13-Don't waste your time in bars, clubs, and parties. All it has to offer is drunken fools, girls looking too hard for attention, and guy's who probably will only try to get in your pants. (Yes there are exceptions but those exceptions are like needles in a haystack)
14-Don't ignore God's word. You can save yourself so much grief and heartache but just reading it,learn where God stands on different topics, and apply it to your life.
15- Don't bury your feelings inside, they will eventually come out, and it probably won't be pretty.
16-Learn to forgive, not doing so will only start cultivating bitterness inside (you've seen this first hand)
17-Wait for the man God has for you..I know I sound like a broken record...but once you find him you will understand why I repeated this. You will be so proud to give him the gift of your purity..I wish I could have given Mike that gift, but I can't and there's no starting over.

Remember the story I found online that I sent to you:

"A young teenage girl was being ridiculed by two other girls for maintaining her purity. Her reply: 'I can be what you are any day, but if you live a hundred years, you could never be what I am' " 




18-If a guy will only try to talk to you when no one is around, he probably doesn't have much to say that is worth hearing, and his intentions are probably not sincere (I think you know why I'm saying this) :)
19-Be happy with who you are. As women we always focus on our flaws and compare ourselves to others. While you are wishing you looked like someone else, there's someone wishing they looked like you. God made you beautiful just the way you are. You are unique, and you look like YOU. Don't try to look like everyone else.
20-Natural is always better!
21-If God gives you long life, be thankful and welcome it with open arms..age gracefully..don't be a 40something trying to act like she's still in high school. That's not cute...ever...
22-Set goals, and don't let anything get in the way that is not worth it. But be flexible too. If for some reason those goals don't work out, don't be too hard on yourself. Just make new ones.
23-Don't cuss. A lady looks and sounds so terrible when trash comes out of her mouth, and men do pay attention to that. Be smart, learn how to communicate your feelings without having to resort to pea-brained language.
24-Don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself, or disrespect you, man or woman.
25-There's a saying that goes " A women's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her" (Maya Angelou). This is SO true. 
26-If a man doesn't truly love God, he will never be able to love you the way you deserve to be loved (nor will he respect you the way God commands him to as a husband).
27-Have a heart for other people. When you focus more on others, and less on yourself, you'll have less to be unhappy about.
28-Choose your friends wisely. Plain and simple. "Tell me who you are with and I'll tell you who you are"...people will judge you wrongfully, and eventually you will start acting like your friends.
29-Go to church. Your spirit needs it, plain and simple...and you might find some great godly friends along the way.
30-Make God's will your own. As long as you are doing things that please God, and being obedient, he will bless you very very much.
31-Always pray. No matter where you are, what you are doing. God knows you inside and out, but he wants you to be the one to come to Him.
32-Don't live your life worrying (I'm still working on this one). As long as you are doing what is right in His eyes, he will never let anything happen to you that is not according to His plan.
33-Don't value yourself or others based off of what you have. Material things will go ask quickly as they come. If you let yourself feel that you are only worth as much as you have, you will end up chasing after a happiness you will never truly have. (You've seen this in others). 
34-Also along those lines,... "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised"-Proverbs 31:30. Don't be shallow..its great to look good, but remember.. looks eventually fade..focus more on whats inside, and let THAT shine..personality will shine a lot longer than looks ever will.
and last one for now...
35-Be a godly example. There may be someone who is looking up to you and trying to do what you do. Your example can affect how another person thinks, acts, feels. I'm sorry I haven't always been the greatest example in how to act and live. I want you to take my past as an example of what NOT to do..but I hope that maybe now, I could be that great example you need. Mike feels the same way about his past. He wants you to see his example and learn from it..I want you to see his example now, and if you can find a God-loving man like him, you will be so happy. I promise you.


I love you so much, and I'm proud of you so far. I know you are not perfect, and you will probably make some mistakes....but just remember some mistakes are not worth making...they will follow you. I know you are a smart girl, though. I am very proud to call you my little sister.

Work At Home Momma?

 

VS

I've really been thinking about getting into some kind of work at home business. My mom did (and still does) Mary Kay for years, and she's done pretty well with it. I personally wouldn't do Mary Kay, but only because I'm not sure I'd be good at making up OTHER people's faces lol.

So I've been looking into the different options. Avon is another Mary Kay, Party Lite and Scentsy seem kind of out of my interest; I don't want to sell something I don't care for (although I did that at a few properties I worked at in my PMmgt days lol).

I would really like to help Mike with a little bit of income (I feel pretty worthless not working, but I wouldn't want to leave Andrew with babysitters either).

I think being an Independent Consultant would be fun!

I am still doing side work in the property management industry..
But I'd like to do something else, something that doesn't include AS MUCH driving as my property management job requires.
Which brings me to my 2 top choices.
1) Arbonne International- an old friend of mine was a consultant, and introduced me to it. She did very well and I think at one point she was about to win the Mercedes they give at a certain level. I've purchased products from her that I loved, and think it'd be worth it
2) Lia Sophia Jewelry- I just heard about this today and I loved the website. I was already trying to pick out what jewelry I'd like to buy! I can see this doing well also because ...women love jewelry!

My only concern is the clientele based..I'd probably have to do a lot of networking to build up my clientele, which should be too difficult for me..I'm a natural networker lol. I've learned from others experiences that you can't really depend on friends/family to be big clients. So that would not be my main goal.

Both seem very interesting, but I'm not sure which one I would choose. I'm looking for opinions on which other people would choose. Who knows, maybe I'll do both haha.

A Lesson In Contentment

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.- Phillipians 4:11

This is something that I am still currently learning, and working on. It is something that I struggle with every single day, and also something that has caused me unnecessary heartache. The bible tells us that no matter what state we are in, we should be content. Being content means being satisfied. I should be satisfied with my life, no matter what circumstance. As of today, I am still working on it.

This past weekend, I attended a 2-day women's conference in Newport Beach. I must say, I was very much convicted. The Lord spoke, and I know he was speaking to me. Now this isn't the first time that I hear messages such as this and feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I'm a work in progress, and with each time, I am slowly being molded into what I know God wants me to be; a godly women whose focus is not what she has in this world, but what she has in her heart and layed up in heaven. The messages this weekend were amazing. One of the continuous themes of each session was something I struggle with. Finding joy in the Lord, and not in what you have (or don't have), is the main way to a life that does not include bitterness, resentment, etc.

One thing Penny Gibbs, the conference's main speaker, mentioned was how many times we like to make it seem like we have it all together. We, as women, work so hard to make it seem like we have the perfect life, and that we "have it together" to others; when in reality we don't have it together, and we don't have the perfect life. I guess I had never really realized that I, too, am guilty of this. But I am. Not because I want to be fake (can't stand fake people ..but that's a story for another day), but because ...well there are a couple of reasons:
1) I just don't like people know my problems. I tend to be very vocal with certain things (some of which I should just keep my mouth shut), and hold in other things (some of which I should actually be letting out). I've never been the type to involve people in my issues, and I also try to figure things out for myself (something I also need to work on, "let go and let God").
2) I feel like I'm being watched sometimes by those who don't like me...LOL...I sound like a crazy woman but I'm not. I've had a lot of practice in learning to figure people out. Maybe because at one point in life, I cared more about what other people thought about me. I've come to realize that there are people around me who are not "real" with their feelings/opinions toward me. Their kindness is not sincere. It is sometimes very frustrating and pretty annoying. I don't like people competing with me, especially for foolish reasons. "You be happy for me and I'll be happy for you" is how I think. Point is, there's always someone who rejoices in someone else's heartache and struggles..and I'd rather not give those people that joy.

I was raised in a home where my sisters and I got whatever we wanted. We had a beautiful home, my parents always had brand new cars (literally, every 2 years they were getting new cars), and we also got brand new cars when we got our licenses. I love my parents, and I am so thankful for how hard they worked for us; I am also very thankful because they made it a priority to provide for us the way they did. We never needed anything, and we had everything we wanted. However, that upbringing has affected my life as an adult, and not in the best way.

I recall, at one point, seeing that my parents had over 20 something credit cards. One for every department store in the country I think, plus all your major credit lenders. I owe my very high credit score at the age of 19 to them, because they put me on their cards, and I got the benefit of their credit history. So I went the path of credit, too. I had plenty, and was responsible with them. There came a time though, when I decided to focus on the "entertainment" industry, instead of my well paying property management job. I was also in school, so I got a student loan to pay them all off, and not have to pay it back until graduation. Long story short, I eventually dropped out of college (multiple times) and stopped working (after I got married). What was I left with? A student loan that needed paying because I was no longer enrolled in school.

My husband has his own story, but that's not for me to tell. Basically he has his own share of debt and costly mistakes coming into this relationship. So here we are, 2 debt-carrying individuals, now joined together as one. We've inherited each others debt. I am not working, either. Mike would rather I stay home with our little one. So my dear husband has taken the responsibility of both our debt with his income. We are currently in process of wiping out our debt. Its taking longer than I have the patience for sometimes, though.

It's become difficult for me at times. Not being able to get whatever I want. Not having my own car (which we had to give up to cut off the nearly $400 monthly payment). It's been a major eye opener for me. I  do not want my children to feel the frustration I feel sometimes. I grew up spoiled, and now living a complete opposite lifestyle is hard to swallow. But I am working on it. I am currently "going through the storm", but I know we will get out of it.

One thing I will say though, is that I truly believe this is God's way of molding me. He's shedding the spoiled layers off of me through this experience. Even though every now and then I get into my "I want what I want" moods; I've also become more conscious of need vs want, focusing on "Do we really need that?" or "We can look for bargains". I've learned to stretch our dollars and have extra money saved. God is clearly changing me, and I am thankful for it.

I'm learning to be content with whatever situation I'm in. I'm learning to wait on the Lord, and to be patient. I believe one day I will be able to get everything we need (and maybe even want!), have my own car, and own a home. But it will be in his time, not MY time...and I'm learning to be okay with that!