Is this a smooth guy or what?

Here is a super cute video of the little man laughing at mommy.

Mary Kay Seminar

So for the past 2 years I have been a beauty consultant. When I signed up I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Dawn (my mother-in-law) recruited me and I, of course, didn't want to say no to my mother-in-law because nothing ever ends well when you do that! LOL

I signed my agreement the very day that we were scheduled to close on our home. This was so frightening to me to start a business the same day as we were trying to save all the money we possibly could to pay for closing costs. But nonetheless, I plunged in head first having know clue what I was delving into. That was May 15th, 2007. By July I had sold nothing and done nothing. Dawn came to do my business debut at the end of July and things turned around immediately. I had 11 women in my living room who were practically dragged there by my threats :-0 I was so scared that she would drive all the way from Dallas for nothing. We hardly got many orders, it seemed, yet we sold $400 in product that day. I was forever amazed that in 1 hour we had made what I barely made in one week. AND... here's the thing... I HAD A BLAST. Are you kidding me? I just got seriously paid to have fun with my

friends? And put makeup on people!??

That was the first perk. Then as I started attending weekly meetings I realized that was only scratching the surface of what I had signed up for that wonderful day of May 15th. To name a few... I work for a company whose business plan is "God first, Family second, career third." and whose philosophy is the Golden Rule. This is in an industry that is filled with "so called" catty women yet there has been more love shown to me through the women that I have come in contact with than I can put into words. The only way I can succeed in this company is to put others needs above my own and help them to succeed first. You can't claw your way to the top

here! I am actually in direct sales and I have not felt the need nor the desire to pressure anyone into anything because I sell the product that has been number one by a LONG shot for 16+ years. The product sells itself. What other company could you work for that just for showing up they reward you, give you prizes, give you the use of a free car with insurance to boot? I stand amazed at the legacy that Mary Kay Ash left for people like me. 2 years ago I was in a dead end job (not the job I just left but a previous one). I wanted so badly to get out but saw no way to do so. I wanted to pursue cosmetology but didn't have money or any way to get money. I wanted to work with women and make them feel like a million bucks inside and out. Suddenly I found myself able to achieve all this via the vehicle that is my MK business.

My favorite perk is this: I found out I was pregnant last year just before my very first MK seminar. I was terrified, and thrilled all at once. I made a resolve in my heart that I would not have a baby and throw him into a day care so I could work 40+ hours to afford that day care. I knew God had given me the gift of a son so that I could raise him with the standards and values that have been passed down to me. My business has literally made that possible. It brings tears to my eyes to imagine what my life would be like had I not invested that $100 into my future. People spend more than that on shoes or even a manicure/pedicure these days. I have chosen to use that small investment to change the lives of every woman I meet. Whether it be to lift their spirit (and their face) with a facial or to give them the life altering career opportunity I am fully committed to doing just that.

Oh and to add yet another bonus to the list of how great this is... I am in the most recession-proof industry ever. Women will never stop washing their faces or wearing makeup. NEVER.

I just attended my second seminar in Dallas. Last year I didn't even qualify to sit in the arena (as there are 35,000+ women in attendance). This year I did and it was A-MAZING!! Here are some pictures

This is me in the lobby of our hotel.

This is the arena... wow :-)

I met Jasmine Murray in the elevator at the hotel to later find out she was singing at our seminar! She rocked it. She's so sweet. Of course I was dressed to the nines all week but the moment I happened to meet her first I was in my PJs. Because that is life. Oh well.

Tap Dancing

This is Baby J dancing a little ditty! I love the look on his face when Daddy is playing with his toy! Life is such fun with this little guy.

A Date With Daddy

Last week Ms. Ann took Judah, Micah and I to a baseball game. Here is a picture of the proud Dad at his son's first game. Judah loved every waking moment of it. I just went for the nachos and huge drinks :-)

Motor Skills

So apparently Judah is functioning at the rate of a 6 month old and he's 4 months old!! I know that's only 2 months but in baby time that's like light years! Mainly this was determined by his fine motor skills. He is picking up toys and switching hands. He is putting most everything in his mouth. That is a fun stage!

The camera incident has not been resolved so you will have to settle for over-pixelated phone shots... sorry! Here are a few of Judah trying to decapitate his worm... He thinks it's funny!





























And here are a few of my newly highlighted hair (self inflicted, of course).

What a Week!

This week has seemed never ending! Micah had Music Camp and so I helped him with that. It was quite the adventure. Baby J was the camp mascot :-) The kids loved him so! I would come in every day and help the girls write music. We had songs ranging in topic from making the world a better place to the "frilly sock blues". Children make me laugh so much!

Then early Friday morning I began doing hair and makeup for an Indian wedding. If you've ever been to an Indian wedding you know they last 3 days and the women in particular have a different outfit for each ceremony. They also want to change their hair and makeup with each wardrobe change... fun! I would post pictures but the other eventful thing of the week happened.... One of the dogs (Bishop would be my guess) chewed through our camera charger. Nice. He's been subtly lashing out since the birth of our son. Oh jealousy. My guess is that he sees how much joy it brings us to take pictures of Judah that he discovered the way to end it all! Smart dog, darn it!

Then Friday evening Steve and Dawn came to stay the weekend for Dawn's birthday and Father's day. They helped watch Judah while I woke up at 3:45 on Saturday morning to start doing hair again by 5AM - ahh! I don't know how I made it through all that. Here's a mobile pic from Melissa's phone of them giving my son Coffee!! (not really but it so looks like he's just drinking away!)


















Micah preached this morning and did wonderful. I, of course missed the last 30 minutes due to a hunger melt down in the nursery. I was glad to have heard as much as I did, though.

And in other baby news... Judah has started chewing 2 more things this week... his tongue and his bibs or blankets. He likes to have the cloth buffer between the fingers. He chews his tongue and looks like an old man. Then he gets really angry because his tongue hurts, but he things we're doing it because he looks at us like "why are you letting this pain get out of control for the love of God??!!" So cute. He also holds himself up from the tummy position brilliantly!!