SCENTSY 10% OFF SALE

ATTENTION SCENTSY FANS!!

February is the perfect time to STOCK UP on all of your favorite SCENTSY products. To make room for our exciting, NEW Spring/Summer 2010 products, everything in the Fall/Winter 2009 catalog will be offered at a 10% discount for the month of February. (Some exclusions do apply) Check my web site at http://www.amyo.scentsy.us/ for a list of the current fragrances and warmers that will be DISCONTINUED come March 1.

Call me and let's set up a Scentsy Open House or Basket Party!! They are lots of fun and you can earn FREE product.

Scent of the Month - VANILLA SUEDE - Classic, comforting vanilla combined with rich amber and hints of sandalwood and spice - a cozy and subtly masculine fragrance.

Warmer of the Month - PAWS - Animal lovers everywhere can now express their affection for their furry friends and add beautiful Scentsy fragrance to their homes at the same time.

A Getaway Giveaway!!

WOW!! Go here or here for the most amazing giveaway I have ever seen!! Seriously. Browse around and you'll find some really great work!

Have a SUPER GREAT weekend!! Mine has started by getting my butt kicked by Kelsie in Candy Land, making brownies with Jacob, and dancing all around the kitchen to 'FOREVER' with Kayla. Add a movie and some popcorn or a Chiawana Basketball game (we are still undecided) with Kevin and this weekend is off to a SPECTACULAR start!!

So Random

I can't believe it is now the 13th Day of 2010 on this is my first post of the new year. What's up with that? I use to be a devout blogger and blog follower, I am not sure what as happened. I think I need to learn some time management or maybe I have been spending my time on more important things than blogging. Is that possible? Yeah, I think it is. Maybe not as fun but possible. I have numerous things to say, not to anyone in particular, just things I need to jot down for myself, to help me make sense of my thought.

• I have been analyzing myself since the beginning of the new year, maybe a little too much actually. I have some things to work on. I need to be a better friend. I need to just randomly show up and say "Hey, how are ya?" I need to make those phone calls to keep connected and to start getting better connected with those people in my life that uplift me and that I want in my life. I need to serve more.
• I feel like I have been such a Debbie Downer lately. I feed off of positive energy and I try to create my own, but there are times, lots of them lately, that no matter what I try there is negativity slapping me in the face. I don't like that at all. I like to smile and laugh and be happy. It takes too much energy to be mad or in a bad mood, but I feel like that cloud is just hanging over me. Hopefully there will be a change in the weather (or a new house built quickly) very soon.
• I have been overwhelmed by the amazing women in my ward. They have no idea how much I NEED them. I love seeing each of them on Sundays. I recently was given the new calling of Compassionate Services Leader. I truly thought it was just setting up meals for families who just had new babies born. Boy was I wrong! There is so much more to it than that, and I am loving my new calling. It's keeping me busy, but the love and willingness to serve from the sisters in this ward is seriously overwhelming. If your phone rings and my name shows up on your caller ID and you live in my ward, I will probably be asking you to serve in some capacity, or maybe just to say hi!
• I love my kids. They are simply heaven sent angels. When that cloud is raining on me, you can bet that those three can blow it away. With their sparkling eyes, amazing laughter and unconditional love, they let me know why everyday is a good day.
• It's in the water. Babies everywhere. From dear little Eva to dashing little Jeremiah and so many more in between, what's a girl to do? I try to love on them and hold them and then give them back. Problem is sometimes I want to take them home with me. Everyone keeps asking me if you are "done" yet. To be honest, I don't know. One thing I do know is everyone tells me to go to the Temple for my answer. I know they are right, but I have a feeling that whatever the answer is I probably won't like it at first. I don't think that I am ready to take this question to the Temple yet.
• One word: LAZY. I have been soo lazy so far this year. What is the deal! I despise getting up in the mornings. I am not really a morning person. I have been taking late showers thus starting my day later and later. I don't want to do those little things around the house that I know should get done but don't necessarily need to get done. It's really sad that I get winded just carrying the laundry basket from my bedroom to the laundry room. My body is not happy with me. I am out of shape and a few pounds overweight. I am not happy with me. I feel icky. I don't like running in the cold, winter months. I only run March through September. I can't afford to join a gym, or maybe it's an excuse, I don't know. I have some really great workout DVD's and Yoga DVD's that I really love, but again, I am lazy. To use them would mean to get up early all on my own and actually do them. I need to put on my running shoes and just run. I need to challenge myself again. I need CAMI to say she's gonna pick me up in the morning because that was the only reason I got out of bed at 5:30 in the morning. I want something to train for, something to look forward to. I want to feel like I am gonna puke and my legs to feel like jello from a good run. Did I really just say that? I guess I did. And you know, I think I really mean it.
• I think I am going to start being really selective about where I volunteer my time. I feel that I have said yes one too many times and I am spreading myself way too thin. All the things I have going on right now are just about enough. I don't think I will be taking on any other roles for now. I will finish out what I have started and then not replace that hat with a new one.
• I need to reconnect with my husband. Can I just say right now I have THE BEST husband ever. He knows me so well. We annoy Ashley when we finish each others thoughts and sentences. The girls love to giggle and point when they see us acting like Troy and Gabriella, their words not mine. But since we have had "roommates" for the past 4 1/2 months, things have changed, not in a bad way, just different. He's a trooper, not many men could deal with the in-laws for that long. Hopefully just a little while longer. I am thinking of taking him away for Valentines Day or maybe his birthday in March. Nothing fancy, just an over night trip, somewhere not too far away. Portland? Idaho somewhere? Spokane? Chelan? Even Tri-Cities? Any suggestions?

Just a little randomness.

Oh Hear The Angels Voices

Random thoughts before Christmas

• Here we are, three days before Christmas, and I have accomplished a lot, but yet there is so much left to do. Gifts still need wrapped, which means I will probably pull my usual all-nighter on Christmas Eve, and a couple gifts that still need to be purchased.
• We had a Family Meeting last night to discuss our plans for Christmas. We are so blessed to have family very close to us on both sides so the Holidays are always a schedule juggle. Jacob, who is still holding on to the magic of Christmas with his heart even though I think his brain is telling him otherwise, really wants to wake up here, at home, on Christmas morning. We usually juggle Christmas by spending the 24th with my family, spending the night of Christmas Eve at Kevin's parents house, and then waking up Christmas morning with Kevin's family. This all meant that Santa had to come to our house on the night of the 23rd and we would open his gifts Christmas Eve morning. This worked out fine in years past, but this year Jacob is not buying it. So we will be staying home and waiting for Santa to come on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning I am sure will be a mad rush of excitement with opening gifts then quickly getting dressed and ready to drive to Warden for the day, then Moses Lake for the evening, but I am sure that great memories will be made.
• My original plan to spread Christmas cheer with the gift of homemade tamales was a bust. My mom and I could not workout a schedule where we were both home, ALL DAY, on a Saturday to make our yummy gifts. We were both feeling bad that this was not able to be done, so we are hoping that maybe we can get them done as New Years gifts. Until then, we hope some of you will enjoy our treats that we whipped up quickly for you. Merry Christmas!
• I am enjoying having my kids home for break. We spent all day yesterday playing LOTERIA, Mexican Bingo, and we had so much fun. Kelsie is the bingo queen!! She won so many times and she LOVES yelling BINGO when she does win. Lots of giggles and playful bickering and great memories were created on day one - Now on to day two!!
• Ashley is also home from college for break. She is currently asleep on my couch, such is the life of a college student, and I am using her laptop. My whole family is literally HOME for the holidays. My parents and Ashley are patiently waiting for their NEW HOME to be built. It'll be about 90 days, and their new home will be ready for them. They are very excited to pick out all of the fun stuff that comes with building a new home, like carpet and paint and appliances. Jacob's favorite things about this are 1) He'll have his room back and 2) My parents house is being built right around the corner from his two friends CARSON and TYLER. He thinks this is the coolest thing ever.
• Christmas Sunday at church was perfect. All the right words were spoken and the right feelings were present. I was surrounded by sisters who I love and the ones who were not actually in the building, I could feel because of their amazing strength and awesome examples that they are to me. Thank you all.

All I want for Christmas is My FIRST Haircut

Yes, it's true. Kelsie is 3 years old and had her very first haircut ever yesterday. Kelsie is well known for her beautiful, curly hair with ringlets that go on for days. I love her hair - except for every morning that I have to tame her fro from all of the tangles of her bedhead. I should buy stock in the Suave Detangler Spray, but Kelsie is a champ. She sits there everyday and lets me do whatever I want to her hair. Some days I don't hear a peep from her as I am combing out her locks, other days she peeps a lots. I decided in recent weeks that it is time for a knew do for Kelsie. Nothing drastic, just trim off all of her uneven baby hair and update her look. Kelsie, however, was not on board with my plan. She would simply just tell me NO when I would suggest a haircut. Fine.

Last Thursday, Kelsie and I were driving around town on errands and she said to me, out of the blue, "Mommy, it's time for my haircut." Really? I told her that I thought that was a great idea, only problem was she wanted to go RIGHT NOW and that wasn't on my scheduled day. I convinced her to wait a few more days and she agreed. Yesterday, was THE day.

I really wanted to take her to a friend of mine who is a FABULOUS hairstylist, but Kayla had told Kelsie about Monkee Dooz and Kelsie's mind and heart were made up. She was very excited to go there. On the drive there she says to me, "Can we go there later, not right now?" I told her we had to go now because we had an appointment. I could tell she was nervous. This is a picture of Kelsie waiting for her turn. She was happy and smiley. That all changed VERY QUICKLY.

Here she is as they are laying her down to get her hair washed. She was so apprehensive and nervous. Her whole body stiffened up and there were no more smiles and giggles.

They asked her what kind of shampoo she wanted. Chocolate, Raspberry, Orange, Blueberry, Coconut, Bubblegum, WOW! No response from Kelsie. She would not speak. She would only shake her head yes or no at me. She chose Raspberry.


She was happy when that was over, but still no smiles or any reactions at all. Stiff and still.

She was pretty excited about the Barbie Jeep she got to sit in. She really liked the penguins on the cape she was wearing. Isn't she so cute, even with no emotion.

These WERE her beautiful curls. It was SO long. It stretched right down to the top of her bum. I was sad and excited both. When the hairstylist asked me how short I wanted it I asked her to go to her shoulder blades. She informed me that would be about SIX INCHES!! WHAT!? That kinda freaked me out so I changed my mind. How about 3 inches. Sounds good.

This was the first snip, getting rid of her baby hair. ((TEAR))

Here, I am holding 3 inches of curl and showing it to Kelsie. She obviously is NOT amused.

I asked for a little bit of layers to give her a little bit of volume.

Remember, this was Kelsie's idea and she looks like someone just broke her heart.

I wonder what she is thinking here? My little baby, growing up right before my eyes.

TADA!!! This is the finished result. I told you it was nothing drastic, but it was enough for Kelsie and me, too. She still has some curl left, but I fear, the more haircuts she gets, the more curl we cut off and then I will not have those long beautiful ringlets anymore. It's pretty much growing in wavy, not curly.

They finished her off with a cute Topsy-tail and some sparkles, but not even those would make her smile. Don't you just LOVE that face!! Of course, after we left and met daddy for lunch, she was all smiles and giggles again. She told everyone about her FUN haircut. Her version of the story is a little different than what I witnessed, but that was her take on it I guess. She did admit to Kayla that it was a little scary but then she said she can't wait to do it again. Not for a long while Kelsie. She was flipping her hair around all night long, it was so cute to watch. I hope now that combing and styling her hair everyday won't be such a chore for either one of us.

Feelin' The Love

I am totally loving this Christmas Season. New babies, friendly faces and my children who teach me everyday what the true reason for Christmas is. After running some Christmas errands yesterday, I came home to find THREE plates of goodies that were left by some of the best friends I could ever ask for. I was speechless. Let me tell you my friends can BAKE!! They were all so yummy. NO! I did not eat them all, I just sampled a little from each plate:) It also reminded me that I need to get started on my goody giving! Time is running out!

While going from store to store, I encountered TONS of really nice and friendly people out there. In fact, I don't think anyone was rude or unfriendly at all. This really shocked me because I can usually count on coming home with some story about how rude or impolite someone was to me or someone else while I was in town, not this year, so far.

Lovin' the weather. Yeah, it's been frigid, but it's winter, it's suppose to be cold. We are very happy about the tiny bit of snow we have so far and hope to get lots more. Call me crazy, but I am looking forward to the kids being out of school next week and hope to get some good play time in the snow in.

All in all, this winter ROCKS so far!!

Twilight - Mormon Style

Thanks SO much to HEATHER for posting this video. ENJOY!!

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

Can you FEEL IT?

I can, and I really needed to. I'm talking about Christmas and the wonderful spirit and feeling that it brings with it. After Thanksgiving, none of us could wait to get out our Christmas decor and spread it through out the house. There was only one problem - The Tree. For the past three years we have used an artificial tree and it worked out just fine. Some people have very strong feelings of fake vs. real, but for me it's always kind of been whatever is easiest for that year. Our little artificial tree has been great and served it's purpose and was beautiful every year. This year however, I needed something more, and I KNEW it started with the tree. I know that this year I need to feel ALL of the spirit of Christmas, the real Christmas not the commercial one. We headed out to the local nursery on RD 68 as a family in search of the PERFECT tree for us. We each had an idea of what we wanted. Kelsie even took a picture form an ad in Sunday's paper to make sure we got the right one. The man at the nursery was so nice and helpful and I could tell that he knew how important this was to all of us. He showed us the different trees on the lot and each one was either too small, too big, had a bald spot, too skinny. It was cute to watch the kids walk from tree to tree and form their opinion, Kelsie with her picture in hand comparing each one. It took all of about 20 minutes, and there it was. Everyone ooooed and awwwed because we had found our tree. It was so exciting! We loaded it up in the truck and took her home. Once we got home we found that our perfect tree fit perfectly in our front window and it was time to start the trimming of the tree. One small problem - NO LIGHTS. You see, our artificial tree came pre-lit so we had no lights for our tree. Kevin and I run off to Wal-Mart and found lights and a new tree topper, rushed home and then started the decorating. We had such a good time! Kelsie was just so giddy and giggly I couldn't help but smile the entire night. My mom helped me find the right spots to display Christmas splendor throughout the house. It was great! Since Monday, I have loved the feeling in our home, I hope it lasts all of December and well into the new year. I love it all!

• Christmas music playing 24/7 in the house and car. There is no way you can feel anything but happy when you have Christmas music playing. Love it!
• Frosty, cold weather that makes you break out the gloves, hats and scarves. I even had to scrape my windshield before taking Kayla to school this morning - and I enjoyed it!!
• Singing Christmas Hymns in church on Sunday. I can't sing, and I try not too sing too loud on any normal Sunday, but this month I will sing out loud, so I apologize in advance to any of you sitting within earshot of me.
• Kelsie woke up the morning after we decorated the house and saw me putting the tubs away and screamed in protest because she thought I was going to put everything away. I assured her I wasn't and she was okay. Every morning she runs into the front room to check on the tree.
• Whether it is politically correct or not, I will be wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
• The SCENT of Christmas. Cinnamon, evergreens, peppermint. It also helps that I have all of my Scentsy warmers going and it smells oh so amazing in here!! If you need some, come visit me, I have a few on hand.
• Baking! Good thing I lost a little weight before now because I am pretty sure it's all coming back. My mom and I have decided to make tamales as a Christmas treat for ourselves and for those friends that we love.
• Basketball. Yes, I said basketball. I absolutely LOVE to watch a good college basketball game with my husband and it all starts in December. Last nights Zags victory over WSU had Kevin beaming!! We think WSU is great, as long as they are not playing against Gonzaga. Kevin is a die hard Zags fan and has been for years and years.
• We've scaled back on the gifts this year and we are very happy about it. The kids are on board with our plans for service and giving and we have been feeling that little something extra in our hearts.
• I am going to try and be more Christlike. Be forgiving and patient. For me, this is a challenge, after all I am still human and a very stubborn one. I am trying to love those who offend me and try not to let other people bring me down. I choose to love and be happy.

I hope you feel that same thing in the air that I do. It fills up my heart and makes me smile.

Veterans Day

Yesterday, many of the local schools held Veterans Day assemblies. As I knew would happen eventually, having kids in two different schools, the two schools we attend had their assemblies at the same time. Because Jacob was participating in the assembly at his school I had to tell Miss Kayla that I would not be coming to her assembly, she was not happy but she understood.

Jacob and the rest of his 3rd grade class gave a presentation about Veterans Day and why we celebrate it, and he was also asked to be part of the Color Guard along with all the other Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts in the 3rd grade. He was very excited to have the opportunity to do this at school. He got dressed for school in his Cub Scout uniform and rode the bus to school while Kelsie, Grandpa JR and I drove to the school and met him there.

I was very excited to go to the assembly and watch Jacob and all of his friends be part of the Color Guard. I was a proud mama with my camera in hand and I was just so excited to hear his part of the presentation and watch him do his part. That's all I was there for, that was the only thing on my mind.

This is a picture of Jacob and his classmates and fellow Cub Scouts before the assembly. Aren't they so cute!! We are very fortunate to be in a class that consist of mostly boys who happen to have a lot of things in common. This is a great group of boys.

Here, their teacher was lining them up and making sure that they all knew what they were suppose to do.

I love a man in Uniform!!

Here, Jacob is waiting his turn for his part of the presentation.

He said his part very well. He was afraid he would forget what he was suppose to say.

A strange thing happened during the assembly. I forgot that the ONLY reason I went was to watch my son take part and take some pictures. I forgot that the reason he was participating in this assembly was in honor of Veterans Day and all of the brave men and women who make our way of life possible for us. I was quickly reminded.

At the start of the assembly, before the color guard came in, they had the guests of honor all walk in. They were invited there by the children of the school, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, aunts, uncles & friends. As they walked in we all stood and clapped. As they filed in some of them were overwhelmed and began to cry, then I started to get teary eyed. The school put on a wonderful assembly. The guests of honor all introduced themselves and the child who invited them there. It was very touching to hear each one of them speak. One of the grandfathers even presented his granddaughter with his Purple Heart, it was very moving. I instantly thought, why did I not ask Jacob's grandpa Ed and Uncle Nick to come as guests? Why did I not submit the photo of our dear friend Jeremiah who was killed in Iraq a month before his 21st birthday or Jacob's Great Grandpa Cox. I think it was because I was too busy being a proud mama and forgot to be a proud American Citizen.

The assembly continued with an invited young Marine telling his story. You have to remember this was a gym full of children grades K-5, and every one of them was completely respectful and captivated by our guest speaker. I was moved to tears, luckily I wasn't the only one. After the speaker, the children sang some beautiful patriotic songs as they played a slide show. The pictures and images in the slide show of both past and present Veterans and scenes of war completely touched me and reminded me of why I was there. It wasn't just to take pictures of my handsome son in his uniform, it was to honor ans respect all of the brave men and women who fight our our freedom and liberty. They closed the slide show singing Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American. That song gets me every time. I saw so many children and parents moved to tears. There was a feeling of American Pride and unity in the gym. It was awesome. I am thankful to have gone to that assembly and to be reminded of why I have the opportunity to have my some attend a public school and he a part of the Cub Scouts and worship religiously as we know is true. Next year I will remember why I am really attending the assembly and make sure to invite those that deserve to be honored for their service.

When the kids got home from school, we talked about the assembly and they both thought of them. Kayla said her assembly was so awesome. I wasn't there, but for a first grader to come home and say that, it must have been great. Jacob said to me, "Mom, that assembly made me want to be a Marine." I paused for a long time. I wasn't sure how to respond. As his mother I am thinking are you crazy!! No way!! As a proud American I am thinking, thank you. I just simply said, "Well talk about when you are older and if you still feel that way, we will talk about it some more."

Today at 11:00 Jacob made sure that we took 2 minutes to pause and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. It was a great lesson to me that this was something that he had learned and felt very strongly about. Again, back to being a proud mama.

Thank you to all the men and women who serve so bravely for our country.

Jeremiah W. Schmunk

1983-2004
Branch of Military:Army
Rank:Spc.
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry
Unit's Base: Moses Lake, Wash.
http://www.timeofremembrance.org/schmunk.aspx