We got a Lexus for Christmas!!!

It was so exciting to have my step-daughter, Lexus, here for Christmas this year. It was the first Holiday we've ever spent with her in 16 years. It was an awesome time having her at the home and sharing in the magic of Christmas with her.

I love this girl so much. I have always wanted to be a mom and even though things haven't worked out in my favor, with having my own children, Lexus has made me a Mom and for that I am so grateful.

There were a few nights when Ryan had to go to sleep early, to get ready for his graveyard shift job. Lexus and I took that time and made the most of it, just hanging out, just the two of us.

-We went shopping at Old Navy with some of our Christmas money. Got matching scarves.
-Introduced her to the best Ice Cream at Cold Stone.
-She educated me on some of her favorite musicians and songs while driving in the car. The song, "thinking out loud" by Ed Sheeran is now a favorite of mine.
-We went to my parents house to hang out with them and some of my siblings. I loved seeing her interact with everyone, and everyone with her. She and my Dad had some good chats. He declared that she looks like a young Doris Day. I agree. Such a beauty.
-We took a few stops to 7-11 for our favorite drinks before driving around.
-We had some really good talks.
-We made a gingerbread house
-We watched 1D music videos.
-We went to Temple Square for all the lights.
-We had Happy Sumo for Christmas Eve lunch


Gosh, I just loved hanging out with her. She is my favorite 17 year old by far. ;) I feel so lucky to be her step-mom. :)

Here are a whole bunch of pictures of our time together...and totally out of order.

We got her a laptop for Christmas so she can continue to pursue her photography.

She was thrilled!!!

Christmas PJ's.

Hanging around Temple Square with all the other thousands of people on Christmas Eve. 

Daddy/Daughter picture

The girls got matching PJ bottoms. We're so hot! 

Visiting my parents on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Eve Lunch. Happy Sumo. Yum!

Photo op outside Happy Sumo. 

SHE'S HERE!!!!!!

The day before she got here Jane and Jasi and I went to Tucano's for lunch. So yumm! Love these fabulous ladies. So grateful we're family.

Lexus getting acquainted with Max.

^^A day at the aquarium^^

Cold Stone was a HIT! 

Time passing

The end of October is upon us now. Crazy to think that my last entry was in June. Not a whole lot going on. 

I love my new job at Nexsense. I am sooo incredibly grateful to be working for a company that has Integrity, Values, and Thrives in having fun, and being a family. I am blessed indeed. It such a neat experience to be a part of the start of a company, a company whose mission is to provide happiness. Being a Call Center Manager is no easy feat, but it sure is rewarding. I'm enjoying every aspect of this right now. I am grateful to be working with people who support me in my decisions and lets me make those decisions by giving me wings to fly and make it the best. 

On the home front not a lot is going on. My Younique Business has been great and very exciting. Can't wait to see where I am a year from now. :)

Ryan is struggling finding a job. It's been tough on him. Please send prayers his way. I know something good will come his way as he trudges through lots of job postings, applying, interviewing and ultimately rejection. He's so talented. 

On the real side...everyday is a struggle for me. I have lost all control with my eating habits. I don't work out like I was in the spring. I struggle emotionally and that has turned to seeing a therapist. I tend to think that when I'm not eating right or working out right that everyone is looking and their so disappointed in me. I have a lot to learn about me, and a lot to work on. 

Oh life - why can't it just be perfect? lol! ;)

In the meantime I need to write more. I need to keep my journal going. 

 

New adventure

So, I did something totally unexpected a few weeks ago.

It started with being on FB one day and seeing a group invite to my friend's Mascara party. Yeah, you heard right. MASCARA PARTY. On Facebook. An online party. Say what?!

I was intrigued when I saw before and after pictures of women showing off this "magic mascara". I was so intrigued that after a few days of being tempted to try, and after lots of you tube videos showing demo's of it, I bit the bullet and bought it, much to Ryan's dismay. 

A few days later it came in the mail and I was hooked. And after seeing that my friend earned over $100 in FREE makeup I contacted the Younique Presenter that was doing my friends online party and asked her how I could do a party. She explained it all to me, set up the party and the rest is history. 

To make a long story short after my party was over, and I earned $55 worth of FREE makeup and 2 half off items, I talked to the Presenter, Corina, about the details on how this whole thing worked. 

Let's take a trip down memory lane before proceeding with the rest of the story...

I have been in the MLM (multi -level marketing) business for the past 8 years. 7 years with XANGO, and 1 year with my current company. However, I have worked on the corporate end of things meaning that I help Distributors succeed in their own business. Since doing this I have pledged that I would NEVER sign up with an MLM company, only because I couldn't do what they do...

-have at home presentations

-talking to everyone about their business and getting them to sign up

-paying for a monthly autoship

-understanding crazy commissions and compensation plans (ugh!)

Etc! It never appealed to me. EVER. 

Ok, back to a few weeks ago. When Corina explained how things worked I was shocked. Like seriously SHOCKED at how easy and non-complicated this company was. I learned that Younique wasn't an MLM company, but a Direct Sales company. THEY ARE DIFFERENT. Very different. There is no monthly autoship that you have to have. There is no renewal fee. You don't make commission when people sign up. Their commissions are paid INSTANTLY, instead of monthly like it is with MLM's. And best of all. NO HOME PRESENTATIONS (unless you really want to...I don't). I can have parties on Facebook. HOLLA! I mean it's so perfect. I'm on FB all the time as it is, why not make money doing it. 

I talked to Ryan about this and felt like I NEEDED to sign up. So, I did. And guess what? I have earned my start up fee back, and have actually doubled that price in 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS! 

I am so excited to be a part of the Younique family. This is a fabulous company! 

So, here's my website if anyone is interested in taking a look at their products, especially the 3D Fiber Mascara. It's life changing, I tell ya!

So happy for this new adventure! I'm looking forward to enjoying financial freedom. oh yes!

If anyone wants to earn free product by hosting an online party, let me know. I do all the work, all you do is invite your friends to the group page. Easy peasy!

-Shan

small successes

Check out my latest post on my new blog. Before/During pictures. This shows my getting healthy success thus far. Still have a LOOOOONG way to go. Baby steps.

Fun times with the sister, Jasi's b-day, etc

PS...blogger is being stupid and is messing up how I want to post these. And leaves huge gaps at the beginning on the posts...gah!

At the end of February my little sis Caitilin (Caiti) came to town with her youngest boy, Liam.

Fun was had by all. 

And now that she as made the announcement public...

She is having baby #4 in August. 

And...

IT'S A GIRL!

This Mom of 3 boys is finally getting her girl. 

We are thrilled!

Caiti and nephew Aidan hijacked my phone.

Liam & Lily are best of friends. They were so happy playing together, dancing together. And of course crying together when they bump into each other. 

Grampa with Liam & Lily.

Sweet picture of Grampa & Lily


Isn't he precious!?!

In the car waiting for Mommy.

We had a girls night and drove up to Maxwell's restaurant in Salt Lake to see little brother, Conn, sing
and do his Jazz thing.

Caiti excited about seeing them perform.

Rob is basically a member of the family.

Me & Conn.

Newscaster Ron Bird on Channel 2 news posted this picture on Instagram of himself, Conn and Rob, when they performed there one morning. Such a cool thing to see my little bro on TV. 

He's so talented!

Us silly ladies

More selfies in the car with Liam.

We had beautiful weather for the most part.

About a week before Ryan's b-day we went out on the town.
We are selfies fanatics...obviously.

almost 9 years of marriage to this man...never a dull moment.

My awesome, lovely, kind, funny SIL, Jasi, had a birthday in February. 

I love this pretty lady!

And I know she just LOVES me for having posted this montage of pictures of her. 

Hehe!

Valentines Day

Had a great Valentines Day with the hub. 

Woke up to a lovely bouquet of Roses. Ryan doesn't usually do flowers because...as he puts it...

"flowers die and my love for you doesn't die." 

Sweet. But I love flowers. 

This year he got them. And boy was I surprised! 

I kind of like that he doesn't get me flowers very much (3 times in our whole almost 9 years) because when he does get them it makes it that much more special. 

I told him that all I wanted for Valentines day was a love letter from him. 

This is what he came up with. (made it himself in photoshop)

I laughed so hard! This is his kind of love letter. 

Not what I was expecting, but I'll take it. I love his humor. :)

...and then I sent him this. 

Later that night we celebrated at Tucanos with Erin & Dave.

Had to do Valentine nails. :)