Reflection

O, and when the love spills over 

And music fills the night 

And when you can't contain your joy inside, then 

Dance for Jesus 

Dance for Jesus 

Dance for Jesus and live! 

And with your final heartbeat 

Kiss the world goodbye 

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side

Come to Jesus - Chris Rice

Happy, Happy

16 years ago today, Keith and I got married while on a spring break ski trip with the big girls.  We had a morning ceremony followed by green scrambled eggs and I think Keith may have even had a green beer.   Everything edible was a lovely shade of mold.  Our only wedding picture was taken under a moosehead and Keith had sheared off his hair 2 days before.   I'm not sure if it was this day or the next that Lori cracked her head open on the ski-lift.  Kaci and I laughed as we saw that lost ski under the lift - until we got off and noticed Lori being put on the meat wagon, but that is a story in itself. 
The girls were so excited to send us off that evening for a moonlit sleighride, serenade and dinner under the stars - which Keith and I quickly realized was a never-ending, butt freezing hayride through a smelly cow pasture to some (hopefully not green!) hot dogs on an aluminum plate and a Minnie Pearl Wanna Be was starring in a hoe down.   We toasted our life together with not hot chocolate and that tingly feeling was a direct effect of frostbite.
Our beginning was anything but normal, it's no wonder our life together has been so interesting. 
  I wouldn't change a thing.1993
Ok, maybe  one thing.  or two. 
Were we really that dorky looking?
2006
Christmas, 2008

It just gets better.Happy Anniversary Honey!

Checking In

Just checking in!  I moved my domain, which you'd think would be a simple and quick process.  It takes up to 48 hours for all the ducks to get in a row.
This is Spring Break week - Lexi is gone until Wednesday visiting her twin cousin.  Nicholas and I will be hanging out at home.
Our kitty Sophie has been found.  She will soon be a dozen, as we expect babies at any time.  Lexi has spent hours out calling for her after she escaped from our house through the doggie doors in September.  I saw a black cat walking down our street and pulled over.  When I called her name, she ran right to me.  I lugged her into the car and brought her home.  I wasn't sure it was really her until she saw her "mother" - our dog Wilbur.  They gave kisses and were immediately friends.  I don't think this would have happened with a stray cat.   The longer she's here, the more I'm convinced.  Sophie used to pat her paws at the mini-blinds - and she still does.  She sleeps in her old favorite spot.  
Anybody want a kitten in a few weeks?  The size of her she's going to have many and this will most definitely be her last litter.
Until later!

Hiatus

I love the blogging world.  Not only writing and sharing, but I follow about 30 different ones, from Christian friends and frugal mamas to home decorating and cooking to downright funny bloggers.   Checking my feeds a couple of times a day is something I really enjoy.
As many of you know, we've been  shaken up with the turn of the economy and our financial circumstance.  I put my kids in school and started a job search in January.  A friend asked me if I had considered having my own business.  I actually had thought about sewing or web design, but there is only 1 me, 24 hours in a day and the dollars did not compute.   I decided to sell my professional business abilities to the highest bidder, put my passions and dreams on hold and rejoin the rat race.  I was incredibly frustrated in my job hunt and the price to give up the life I love was far greater than the income I'd be bringing home.  Early one morning, I quietly turned my search to God and agreed that my actions would be intentional and in faith.  I would trust Him to lead me.  Totally.
Job prospects were slow, but trickling in.  I was moving closer to chaining myself to an office 50 hours a week.  The opportunity of "being my own boss"  surfaced - and this was presented to me.

• What if you don't have to convince people to buy stuff?
  
• What if you could tap into incredible marketing dollars for team building?   
  
• What if you could build a passive, residual income and be home to raise your kids?
• AND BE HOME TO RAISE YOUR KIDS.   
  
• What if you could trade a fixed income for unlimited compensation?
  
• What if you don't have to know everything, just be coachable?
• What if you have a team ready and willing to work for and with you?  FOR you?
• What if you could earn as you learn?
• What if ANYBODY can do it - even you?  (this made me smile!)

Well, what idiot would say no?  .........   I did.  
I "got it" the first time, but the simplicity made me wary.  If I designed a "job", this would be it.  

I hated the whole concept of multi-level marketing.   But quickly realized I didn't have a clue what it really was - and I unfairly judged all companies by the perception I had of "something I heard  about from someone who might have tried something one time that didn't work".   

But because just having a chance to keep my dream kept tugging at my heart, I finally decided to examine my objections a little closer.    
I researched, called, interviewed and listened.   I educated myself about an industry that has been misused (but what hasn't these days?).   I examined the unique affiliate marketing plan and compensation structure.   I called on Mr. Analytical Number Cruncher Husband, who delved even deeper.  I contacted the BBB and corresponded with the Jack Conway, Attorney General for the State of Kentucky.  
I participated in training before I agreed to become a representative.  I attended 5 business overviews and watched the online DVDs multiple times.  I'd just shake my head at the logical, sensible, and thoughtful genius of this company's vision and what was possible for my family if I was willing to work for it.  
I stepped forward in faith.
I'm now 30 days into building my business and busy getting my life back.   The hardest part is dealing with people just like me - afraid to dream, cautious of making change, being ignorantly judgemental and doubting they have the power to really impact their own circumstance and destiny.   Underneath the fear, there are people just like me - with a WHY...and now a HOW. We're building an incredible team, having fun AND making some money.
One thing I know for sure, I've found the right company at the right time and have the right skills to build an incredible business.   Paul Orberson had the vision, the tenacity and the heart to build this company.  He's walked the walk and earned the title of "Champion" in every respect.
I've warned my children that they will be painted with the same brush of those they hang with - but not to judge a book by its cover.   As homeschoolers, we are reinforcing that they CAN do whatever they (& God) set their minds and talents to do.  That work isn't a cranky daddy gone half the time, plugged into a phone or a laptop the other half.   Work isn't a mom rolling in at 6:00pm with take-out and grouching about the messy house and pile of laundry.    Money isn't everything - but freedom is.   
So folks, it isn't a sit-on-the-couch-money-rains-from-the-sky business, it requires my focus for the now.  Blogging isn't a priority and I am wrapping up my final web design projects.   I'm keeping Facebook, or you can e-mail or text me (I'm learning how to answer without hanging up!!).    I have a 2-5 year goal, which beats our work till your dead and hope for the best plan.