Bloglovin on My Brand New Blog

So I have some good and BIG news to share with you...

After almost a year of not feeling comfortable in my own blogging skin, I have finally taken the leap and created a new blog title and am still working on a new look.

I feel like "Foto Friendly Family" just sounded like a family blog title, which was it's original intent...so that makes sense.  But since Dec 2011, I have grown a lot in my blogging interests and style.  I felt like I wanted a title that had more to do with me as a person, as a whole, than all family oriented.  Now of course I will be blogging about my family life here too.  Because that's a HUGE part of "me", but I needed to get away from just the family blog title.

Then Creating Cassie was born. :)

So please grab my new blog button and subscribe to receive updates via email along the right sidebar.  You can also follow me on BlogLovin by clicking the link below.

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Thanks for sticking with my through all my changes and look forward to see you in my future!

Rockin' The Bump at 17 Weeks

Almost half way there!

With my first pregnancy, I was doing pretty good at taking baby bump pictures at least once a month.  Well this time, I've let 6 weeks go by since I took a baby bump photo...Ooops!  Mainly because I forget, or I don't feel pretty enough to get behind the camera to have a picture taken of me, or because chasing after a toddler exhausts me by the end of the day...

Yesterday I finally captured my 17 week (and 4 days) bump with baby #2!

Today, after reading Allison's link up post,  I am linking up with Shell over at Things I Can't Say for the first time for her Rockin' The Bump link up!

I have always loved seeing women rock their baby bumps!  Something about having a conversation with a woman knowing there's a little tiny kicking, punching, hiccuping baby in her belly makes me giddy!  I believe that all pregnant women are beautiful!  I mean come on!  What isn't beautiful about carrying the miracle of life inside of you for 9 months?

Well...if you consider the nausea and vomiting, fatigue, outlandish cravings, gas pains and acid indigestion, swelling, dark skin spots, stretch marks, acne...  (Need I go on?)  Those things may not make you feel particularly pretty or wonderful by any means.  But there's a reason that God gave woman this gift.  Because we can handle it.  Because we are capable of having the necessary emotional connection with our baby without having met them yet.  Because we are able to immediately provide nourishment and unconditional love for this being.

It's a beautiful thing.

Baby bumps are beautiful.

Babies are miracles.

Mommies are special.

So Rock Your Bump with pride!

If you're currently rocking a bump or want to go through your old baby bump pictures and relive those precious moments, link up here!  #RockinTheBump

On Board With Bloglovin

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Trying to finally get on board with Bloglovin, since Google Reader is no longer available.

That is...if I have any followers left!  Haha!  Oh I hope I do!  I'm back, I'm back!

XOXO

The Color Run 2013

Back in December 2012, I had mentioned here that some friends and I had signed up for "The Happiest 5k On The Planet" aka The Color Run!  I had every intention to train for this event and actually try to run the whole thing, which would've been a first...but one slight...ok major  detail changed that.  Fast forward to May 19, 2013 and the day had come!  The only thing that had changed between December and May was the fact that I got pregnant and was having bad sciatic pain already.  I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to actually run the 5k with my girls, but very luckily, two of my other good friends and had signed up and were planning on walking!  So YAY!  Built in walking buddies!

Fawn, Takia, Christina and I all woke up at the butt crack of dawn, hopped into one car and headed down to Washington D.C. for the day as we were PUMPED to get to do our first Color Run...and do it together!  I was a little apprehensive at how well my back would hold up, because at 10 weeks pregnant, I had done a 5k (with my mom and daughter to help benefit Breast Cancer Research) two weekends before and I was in pain for about a week from it.

Here's a quick shot from that day!

Anyway...at 12 weeks pregnant and just peeking into my 2nd trimester after a very rough 1st trimester, I was ready to take on the challenge and have a BLAST while doing it!

L to R: Me, Christina, Takia, Fawn - Before the race

We arrived about an hour before race time, got to pick up our packets with our Color Run Tshirt, a packet of color powder to throw at someone at your convenience, 2 removable tattoos, your Color Run race number, a sweat band...how thoughtful!  We were ready!  :)

Our plan was to meet my two walking buddies around the start line.  We headed to the there only to find out that you couldn't get any where near it because  you had to wait in line through thousands of people to even see it!  It was insane!  We probably waited in line for about 40-50 minutes.  Met a very nice unicorn who offered to get his picture with us while we waited. :)

We also decided to snap a good bit of "before" shots since we were still nice and clean.

We finally arrived at the start line, I met up with my two walking buddies, Kat and Emily, and Fawn, Takia and Christina took off running and we agreed we would meet up at the finish line!

Here's a picture of Kat and I, before we got to any color

Kat, Emily and I after getting hit with a little orange

We tried to snap some pictures as we went along the course, but no one really wanted to take out our cell phones, because our hands were covered in colored powder and we didn't want to take the chance if it ruining our phones.

Each kilometer you run through you get sprayed with a different color (5 colors total).  By the end of the race, we looked like this:

It was SO MUCH FUN!  The only thing that was not fun to say the least was that my sciatica back pain was beyond throbbing and beyond painful.  I just wanted nothing but Tylenol, a bunch of water, something to eat, and to lay down.  It hurt so bad to get through that race and cross that finish line.  But I needed to.  I came that far, it was planned 5 months in advance, and I had nothing but support from my friends who were there with me!  Just as we came around the last turn and the finish line was in sight, I kicked up my pace and actually managed to jog across the finish line!  Despite my immense pain, I kept a smile on my face.  Fawn snapped a great picture of me as I finished!

Even though my head is half cut off, I still love this picture!

We all had a very busy, fun and personally rewarding day!  So glad I got to share it with some of the girls I love!  I can't wait to do it again and maybe next time with my family of four!  :)

3 Decades and A Smile

I guess I should give myself a post of my own to pin point my celebration of existence for 30 years.

On April 4th, 1983 a little Greek baby girl named Cassandra Marie was born :)
(in case you were wondering...that's me)

On April 4th, 2013, now a wife and a mother, that respectively still young woman is now 30 years old.  I'm sure this makes my parents feel much older than I do (Sorry mom and dad!).  But yes, it's true.  I'm officially 30.

I never had any reserves about aging.  When I first met my husband, he had indirectly taught me how to look at things differently and more positively.  With his help, I've graciously accepted the simple truth that "it's-better-to-grow-older-than-to-die-younger" mindset.  Plus it's Only 30! 

Since we had discovered that we were expecting another baby on April 2, and we had plans to go out to dinner with family on April 6, or so I thought...Justin and I had talked about making an announcement to our close friends and family while we were out to eat.  Well unbeknownst  to me, the actual plan for Saturday April 6, was for me to go out to lunch with my girlfriends and come home to a Surprise Party with my close friends and family there waiting to celebrate with me!

After my girlfriends picked me up at home, we headed out to one of my favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, for lunch!  (No one knew the baby news yet)

Well...since it was my 30th birthday and I usually have at least a glass of wine when we get together and I only ordered water, I figured they would get suspicious.  Finally after everyone ordered and received their drinks, we did a group "Cheers!" to friendship and birthdays and in the midst of all that, I also blurted out "to New Additions!".  Everyone gasped in surprise and cheered as most of them got the insinuation right away.  :)

We headed back to my house (I drove since I have a vehicle that fits all 6 of us) and when I got to my road about 1/4 mile from my house, I saw a lot of people standing outside on the sidewalk on either side of the street.  I thought maybe someone was having a yard sale at first.  Then I saw people were holding signs!  Then I saw the signs all said something about me!!  It was the coolest thing ever to see a bunch of people I know and love holding up a sign that said something about me having a birthday or turning 30!

All of these pretty happy faces were lined up and down the street for me, along with many others!

A huge THANK YOU to my cousin-in-laws, Paige and Sasha, for doing all of these signs that I love so much!

 I was so excited seeing all of these signs as I passed that I probably honked the horn about 50 times within 100 yards!  I pulled in the driveway and just started hugging anyone I could grab! :)  My whole front lawn was filled with people I knew and loved!  It felt as wonderful and special as my wedding day; having so many people in one place because they love me.  Such a great feeling!  Thank You All!

 I walk into my house and it's filled with balloons with ribbon!  Everywhere!  I loved it!

I go into the dining room where I find a yummy looking cake!  (with purple trimmings of course)

Then I'm told there is one more surprise...

And my dad and step mom from New Jersey pop out of our basement door!  Hugs are flying again!

Crazy enough my daughter had slept through all of that commotion (and horn honking), so we woke her up from her nap and put her in her "announcement shirt" and let her walk around to get some reactions out of people.  :)

That day was so much fun, I didn't want it to end!  :)  It was a great way to bring in my 30's and I'm so blessed and lucky to have these people in my life!  A special big "thank you" to my hubby for planning all of this for me, even though we said we wouldn't do something big for my birthday because of funds, but he managed to find a way to make it happen for me anyway because he said I "deserved it".  Thank you, baby!

Love to you all!

Dusting Off The Keyboard For A Big Announcement

It's been way too long since I've blogged and I've missed it.
I miss catching up with blogging friends through reading others' posts and writing comments that are well deserved.  I miss the "me time" that I used to give myself after putting the little one to bed, and typing non stop on the keyboard until I could hardly hold my head up.  I miss putting my thoughts and my family experiences with pictures out on the world wide web (aside from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

It seems as though I lost my "blogging self" for awhile.  I have still written random thoughts into a journal that I have been keeping.  To catch you up a little on what has been going on with me, well that would take more than one post...which it's going to, so bear with me.

Here's the main thing that have been going on with me in the last few months.

Most importantly that definitely needs to be mentioned here on this blog is the biggest change yet that our family of three is going to experience.

We're going to become a family of 4!

Most of you probably have already heard the news in some form of social media or another.  As you may recall on this post and this photo in March, we were just beginning to announce that we were "officially trying" to grow our family.  Well, little did we know at that time...we had already conceived #2.  We definitely didn't expect it to happen so quickly, since Annaliese took 5 months to conceive and even that was fast for us.
So there you have it Blog, we're gonna have a baby! 

2 days before my 30th birthday(April 4th), I took my first pregnancy test

Annaliese is excited to become a Big Sister!  We announced the news to our close friends and family at my Surprise 30th Birthday Party on April 6th.

On April 23rd, we made the grand Facebook announcement.

Tomorrow on June 21, I will be 17 weeks along already.  We are officially due on November 29, which is the day after Thanksgiving.  However, since I delivered almost 2 weeks early with Annaliese ...and on a full moon, I am going to make an educated guess and say that I will probably deliver early with this baby and for kicks, lets just say around the full moon on November 17.  Justin and I are waiting to find out the sex this time and I couldn't be more excited!

Already this pregnancy differs much from my first.  Pretty much ever since I found out I was pregnant...I was sick...all day for over month.  Luckily in mid-May, I found the culprit and switched prenatal vitamins and have been fine ever since!  :)  Also a few weeks ago, I had some really bad dizziness to where I passed out.  Thank God that Justin was here working from home that day because I don't want to know what would've happened in any other case.  I have also had really had sciatica pain very early this time around whereas with my first pregnancy, I didn't get bad back pain until I was over 30 weeks pregnant.  Hoping some physical therapy or chiropractic assistance will help!

So because this has been the main thing going on with us, I figured I would get back on the blogging radar with this announcement, and will be filling in the timeline within the next few posts.  I promise it won't be a month until they happen.  I need to spit them out soon so I can get back onto track with actual current events :)

For those of you who are still around to read this blog, thanks for your patience and support!

XOXOXO,

Hello...Is It Me You're Looking For?

**This was written almost 2 months ago on 3/25/13...apparently I was asleep when I hit the SAVE button instead of the PUBLISH button...so here's a slight recap before I get to the actual newest post.**

Ever have that feeling that you're so far behind that you shouldn't even bother to try to catch up?  Well that's me with blogging...except, I DO want to catch up!  In the last month...technically two...almost three, I've been TERRIBLY bad at making blogging a priority as I have in the past.  Which also means I've totally NOT kept up with that part of my New Years Resolutions either....well here's why.

Life.

I won't say that I've been busy every day all day for the last month, but my priorities have changed a little.

Toddler.  Geesh, can this girl run!  Annaliese is very active, always on the go!  She is also very exploratory and independent.  It's hard to get everything that needs done in a day, especially with a husband that still gets daily headaches (sleep test is scheduled in May) and sometimes comes home from work and goes straight to bed.  Annaliese keeps me on my toes!  And boy is she headstrong!  If she can't figure something out the first time around, she throws herself down into a fit.  Wonder where she gets that from???  For those of you wondering, she actually gets that from both of her parents.  Poor kid!
Also on that note, Justin and I have decided that we are officially "TTC" again!  So stay tuned for an update on that when we're finally successful!

Money.  Since joining Scentsy in December, I am (to my surprise) doing really well with my Scentsy Business, and I am bringing in extra money (Shout out to my awesome customers and recruits!), but until I become even more established, I have been applying my tush off for other part time jobs.  I've had one interview so far and it seems pretty promising.  I have a few other prospects and Justin possibly has another job opportunity that will mean him traveling 2 hours each way Monday - Friday for at least a year until we would relocate closer to his job.  So we'll see what happens with that!  *Just thought I would put this out there - I am able to do an online party for you if you are interested.  A blogger friend is already making it happen!*  It's just hard to picture myself going back into the working field after being out of it for 2 1/2 wonderful years!  My goal for this year is to make Scentsy my primary income and be able to take my family on a vacation this summer/fall!

Parties.  My sweet maternal grandmother's 80th birthday happened, (February 18th, to be exact)!  My mom had been inviting family and friends from all over the country for months and the total head count as of now is about 120 people!  My grandma is one of eleven kids (HOLY MOLY...could you imagine???) and all of her siblings who don't reside in Heaven came up celebrate!  All of her daughters were there and all of her grand kids, and of course her only great grandchild, Annaliese!  Many of her cousins were there as well as many of her life long friends she has made over 80 years of life.  I cannot tell you how excited and happy I was/am for my grandma to have this day, this celebration of life!  We all had a blast at the party!

Birthdays.  Well more recently, there are more recent birthdays coming up.  My big 30th is April 4th and Justin's (a couple years graduated from 30) is April 18th.  For the last year, Like I mentioned before, I wanted to throw myself a big 30th birthday bash with an 80's theme!  Well unfortunately it looks like that won't be the case.  Trying to keep afloat on our bills (including the expensive cold season we're still in) we have not been able to save and extra money to make this happen.  I won't lie...I'm disappointed, but I've accepted it.  I know that my birthday will still be special in it's own way.  My girl friends have a nice lunch at Olive Garden planned for me on April 6th, and we have a family dinner planned for that evening at Dave and Jane's Crab Shack where I will be indulging in all-you-can-eat crabs!  *Please note: I will be in a complete food coma on this day*

Books.  I have made an attempt to read more like I wanted to this year and I have.  Going from zero reading to some reading is actually a feat, but it's happening at least!  Plus, just recently I have found an awesome website and app called GoodReads!  I'm sure most of you consistent readers out there already know of this site, but I found it to be my missing reader's link!  It's a place where you can make lists of what you have already read, what you want to read and what you are currently reading as well as have "friends" and read their reviews and get suggestions of books!  Go find me so we can be reading buddies! :)

So that has been my last few months in a nut shell.  I'm sorry it's taken me forever to write this post and that I haven't read many of your blog posts that I have missed.  It sometimes doesn't take a high rank on the priority list and I have somehow managed to not even make it appear on the list!  I'll try to keep on top of things!

I have lots of pictures to post and lots of other news to share, so I will be doing that here soon!  As always you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  *please take note that I have changed my user names to CreatingCassie*

Love to you all...if you're still out there!

A Week In Pictures

Yeah...I'm sorry...again.

It's been 10 days since I've written (or read) many posts lately.  I'm totally going against my resolution of wanting to blog more...BUT in the meantime I AM concentrating more on advertising my Scentsy business, getting Annaliese to more play dates outside of our home, and working out!

So, I've been busy, but it's been good :)

In no particular order, I'd like to share with you my week in photos!

Taking care of business :) *by the way, these are 10% off through Jan 31, if you're interested*

I was asked to be in a wedding of a friend from high school and this is what our bridesmaids dress will look like, all in shades of purple (minus the sweetheart neckline)

Annaliese had a little music lesson from Uncle Alex when he came over for dinner

(left) I got from my across-the-world-friend, Maureen. (right) I found on Instagram and had to share! (By the way, this is indication that I've been working out) -hehe

We Skyped with my dad and Jackie aka Papou and Nana

Annaliese cannot get enough of this Little People Princess Castle!  I'll admit, I love it too!  #jealous

We found our belly button and have been obsessed ever since!

We had 2 play dates with our friends Nicole and Norah

This is my awesome "to go" cup from my BFF that I've been using when I leave the house :)

We even went out to dinner as a family :) (mommy not pictured) ;)

It's been busy lately, but life wouldn't be life if it weren't busy!  I'll be back soon!  I have to update you all of Annaliese and her "15 month update post" as well as Justin and I's upcoming date night this Saturday!  We'll be celebrating Valentine's Day since it's the only time we have (with a sitter available) to go out together!  I hope you all are doing well and I'll try to catch up on some of your blogs soon!  Much love to you all!

My 2013 Resolutions

Resolution  [rez-uh-loo-shuh n]  noun
Definition:  determination, strong will


Many people don't participate in making New Years resolutions for themselves.  A lot of people don't want to "waste their time" making a list of something they feel that they probably won't commit to.  That's understandable.

I used to be one of those people.  I would make a list of things I wanted to do within the new year and would stick with it for maybe 2 months tops and then start slacking.  It's a shame really.  I've disappointed myself too many times doing it this way.  But this year...I feel more headstrong and feel that with a little help and support from my family and friends, I WILL accomplish my goals and will have a bigger smile on my face come December 31, 2013 than I have in previous years on that date.

So without further ado, here is my list of goals for 2013.

Write it down.  I have depended so much on electronics for things within the last 2 years of not being in the working field.  This is not a bad thing, but for me, I noticed it was.  When I worked I used to have sticky notes all over the place in my office, of "to do lists" or goals, or reminders.  Same with being at home.  I would write lists of chores, or meals, or "to-dos".  Since I've gotten away from having an organized office space, I've used my lap top and phone more for things like that and I have realized that if I don't have the list in front of me, it doesn't get done.  If I have to search for it in my phone or app or laptop then it will get overlooked more than looked at and will get pushed to the back burner.  This year I will be physically writing down my work outs, my Scentsy meetings, my chores, my grocery lists, etc.  And to do this, I have purchased my first Erin Condren Life Planner!  I have seen so many people use these and speak so highly of them, so I thought I'd give it a try!  I'm already in love!  Plus it was a nice gift to myself for beginning my own business :)

Isn't it pretty? :)

Believe in myself.  There's a particular reason that I've learned and it is why I haven't done well at following through with things.  That is fear of failure.  If/When I quit, I don't give myself the opportunity to fail.  I don't have to make myself deal with the disappointment.  I think the path that I am on is a good one and it's making me realize more and more how to believe in myself and when I actually do, I'm usually rewarded.  I am also learning how to deal with disappointment because nothing is perfect and nothing will ever go 100% as planned.

Stick to fitness.  Using my first resolution mentioned above, physically write down a weekly workout plan and stick to it.  I can't drink coffee without a lot of cream and a lot of sugar, so my goal is to stick to hot herbal teas with honey.  Drink more water.  Eat less junk.  Sometimes I think that maybe I don't want it bad enough to keep starting and stopping, but I really do.  Motivation is key and it needs to happen every day, not just every now and then.  I'm working on that!  I am running a 5K race in 131 days after all.  I have to be ready for it!  Plus I seemed to have gained my baby weight back.  :(  Damn you holiday treats!

Get it together.  Organization is key.  Over the years, I have somehow become more and more disorganized and I have realized that it has caused me much unnecessary stress.  Hopefully in the Spring or Summer of this year we will be in a different house and can better organize our things since we won't be relying on a usually flooded, spider dungeon basement to store our things.  Also when we are able to, we will be getting rid of A LOT of things that we don't need or use and this will help!

Stick to blogging.  I love that I have picked up blogging a LOT in the last 12 months and I want to continue to do that.  My goal is to publish 2-3 posts a week every week.  Along with writing more often, I hope to finally come up with a new redesign and finally feel comfortable in my blogging skin.  Not that I don't feel comfortable now, I just feel different from what I started out with.  I'll just be "Cassie" instead of a mommy blog "Mama Cassie".  Not that I mind being a "mommy blog", but I'm more than just a mother.  :)

Be in photographs.  I have thousands upon thousands of pictures that I take and there aren't really many of them that I am in.  I also would like to have more pictures of Justin, Annaliese and I as a family of three.  We don't have many, other than "specific occasions  that we have a picture of us three in.  It's been almost 15 months.  This should stop.

Read a book (or 12).  I am giving myself a challenge of reading a book a month for the year.  And no, a 10 page Dr. Seuss book doesn't count here.  I do love to read books and blogs too, of course, but lately I have only been reading blogs and have put my books on the back burner.  I think I can.  I think I can.

More of me.  Concentrating on my new business, going to the gym, doing crafts, reading books, baking (healthy) goodies...these are all things that I love doing that I haven't given myself time for lately.  It's very challenging to find a balance of family, marriage, and personal time, but I know it can be done and it can be done in a healthy way.  Balance is also key.

More "us" time.  By the time the toddler is in bed and asleep, most nights the husband and I are too tired to even look at each other, let alone cuddle and watch a movie.  I miss spending time along with my husband, ya know?  He's still my world and my best friend and I want to spend more nights alone with him.  I think we need to arrange at least one night a month where we find a sitter and go have dinner out together.  We need time to ourselves on a more consistent schedule.

All in all these are things that I want to put my everything into trying for this year.  All I have to do is believe I can and I will.  Here's to believing!

CHEERS 2013!

Do you have any New Year resolutions?  If so, what are they and how do you plan to stick with them?

Countdown to Dancin' 30!

I must be crazy!

Who the heck counts down to their 30th birthday with joy?

ME!

In regards to any other decade mile marker...talk to me in 10 years.

But yes, 2013 has just begun and I am already counting down the days until April 4!

88 days!

A decade went by in the blink of an eye!  It's so strange to me how that happens.
My 20's have been great to me for the most part.  Early 20's (from what I remember) were fun.  I bought my first brand new car at age 22.  I met Justin when I was 23.  Even though that sounds so crazy and young to say, I knew I had found the man I was going to marry.  Then at age 25, after 2 1/2 years of dating, I got engaged.  After 1 1/2 years of planning, at age 27, I got married.  Five months later I got pregnant and at age 28, I became a mommy.  Here I am, a wife at age 29 with a 1 year old daughter.

For my 30th birthday, I want to have a big party!  Providing it's not in God's plan for us to get pregnant before hand, most likely on Saturday April 6th my closest friends and some family will get together to help welcome me into my 30's!

I would love nothing more to have a 1980's party!  80's music, neon colored wind pants, big bangs with a side pony tail, leg warmers, posters of old TV shows...the whole 9 yards!  I told Justin that if this doesn't happen with others planning it, I will plan it myself :)  Either way...it's gonna happen :)

Anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I LOVE to dance!  It's not a secret!  Where there's an open floor, I'm there!  Doesn't even have to include music!  I'm there!  Snapping my fingers and shuffling my feet ... singing do-i-ditty ditty-dum-ditty-do.  hehe!

I know that 100 times over I was blessed all 10 years of my 20's and I know for a fact that my 30's will be just as good to me.  This year is a new start to a new decade and a newER life full of endurance, determination and accomplishment!  I am ready for 2013!

Bring it on and let the countdown to 30 continue!  :)

New Year- New Title: Work At Home Mom

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With this being my first post of 2013, I have some exciting news to fill you in on!  (Not so new if you already follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram)

I am pleased and very excited to announce that after thinking long and hard about going into the Independent Consultant business, I am now an Independent Scentsy Consultant!  Check out my shiny new consultant logo to your right!  Click on it and it will take you to my official business website!  (thanks hubby!)

*applause*

Scentsy Fragrance offers a variety of home and personal fragrance products, including scented wickless candles and decorative ceramic warmers, which together provide a safer alternative to burning wicked candles.
If you remember correctly, I had posted here a few weeks ago about possibly going this route for a little extra income for our family.

So you ask why did I choose to go with Scentsy and becoming an independent consultant?

1)  I love Scentsy products!  I believe in their products.  I'm excited to represent their products.  If there's one thing I know about being in sales is you have to believe in what you're trying to sell and how they outweigh their competitors.  Done!

2)  I get to meet new people along the way!  Although I tend to be a shy person in some aspects, I am still a social person and love meeting new people!  You never know who you might come across.  They might become a good friend to you!

3)  I get to make my own hours!  I can set my own schedule!  I can't tell you how excited I am about this part!  Being a stay at home mom and having the desire to continue to be a stay at home mom, this is very important to me.

4)  I can feel better by contributing financially to our family again and by doing something I love and am passionate about!  I think this will help me in so many ways!

5)  I can be creative and market my business!  I can also do my own promotions and games to get some more clientele!  This is exciting!  Pinterest, here I come!

6)  I can make money!  I can earn all inclusive paid for vacations!  I can set goals for myself and strive for them!  Being out of the working field for over 2 years, I lost track of many things that I didn't think I would miss.  One of which was making financial goals for myself.  I'm back on it and it feels great!

I am very, very excited to announce my business to all of you and I hope that you will support me in my decision!  No, I don't mean ordering from me (although that would be really nice if you wanted to)...I just mean praying for me and believing in me.  That's all I can really ask for.
So THANK YOU in advance for your support!  I really appreciate it!

So now to get to the fun stuff!
Check out my business website : https://treatyournose.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Home

Also check out my Facebook business page and "LIKE" it while you're there:  http://www.facebook.com/TreatYourNose  This is where I'll be announcing specials and promotions!  So if you're ready to treat your nose, let me know! :)

Your Independent Scentsy Consultant,

A Day For Crying

I turn my head away, tears falling from my face.

I gather myself and stare down in my arms to my sleeping baby.

I don't want her to see me cry.

I don't want her to feel mommy's sadness.

I wipe away my tears and try to smile.

She is so beautiful.

Her innocence makes me smile.

I am so thankful that I am able to hold, touch and breathe her.

As she slowly begins to wake, I quickly dry my eyes.

I turn her around so she's facing me and give her a big hug.

I start to cry again.

"I love you", I say to her.  There is no doubt about that.

I know that if she could speak, she would tell me that she loved me back.

Oh how I cannot wait to hear those words from her tiny mouth.

Her hugs, kisses and smiles shows me that she loves me.

I set her down to walk and head for the kitchen.

My sleeve is soaked in salty tears.

My eyes are sore and bloodshot.

I listen for her in the living room.

She is just smiling and gabbing away.

I start to think.

I start to cry again.

I wish that life didn't have to be so hard and sometimes painful.

I hate that selfish, foolish acts take place every day on this earth.

I hate that my daughter is placed in a world that's so cold, but in a home that's so warm.

I hate that young, innocent lives were taken and just days before Christmas.

I hate the thought of those parents not being able to tuck their babies in at night.

I hate that I'm crying.

I remind myself that I am human with a big heart and it's okay to cry and empathize.

I head back toward the living area.

I scoop her up and step toward the hallway.

There we meet her daddy.

We join each other and embrace a long and needed hug.

Just us three.

Perfection.

My physical world is in my arms for that tender loving moment.

On days when I feel like I am crumbling, my family holds me together.

My flowing tears are shed for those poor people whose lives were cut short.

My dried tears remind me that I am so lucky to have my family here with me.


My thoughts and prayers go to the families who were affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last week.

*Images from Google Images