Shelby's Last Shower Before Baby

I am horrible! Despite already having a gift ready to go, and having it written on my calendar I almost slept through Shelby's family baby shower! Luckily I did wake up and look at my calendar. I rushed to get ready and drove quickly to my parent's house so that we could go together. We were late because of me but we made it! This shower was pretty low key. It was a pot luck so there was a variety of foods to enjoy, and of course presents were opened but there weren't any games played and the decorations were minimal. I don't know if it was my rush to get ready, the lack of games and decorations or being distracted talking to my mom and sister, but whatever it was I didn't think to get any pictures! Here's a sample of what she got though:

Later that weekend I held my first doTERRA class at a house of someone I met because of doTERRA. The girl's name is Brooke and she did great at putting the class together. She had everything set up beautifully, not to mention food and cocktails for everyone. Emily taught the class for me, but I was able to co-teach by chiming in with personal experiences and stories. Afterward we talked with the group for a while about what oils they needed or wanted and letting them smell them. We drank and talked and had fun. Unfortunately no one had the funds to sign up or buy anything that day but it was a great learning experience!

My First Holiday Boutique

Saturday morning started bright and early for a change since I was helping man the doTERRA booth at a local holiday boutique with my up line mentor and friend Emily. Our booth was adorable, with all our materials and oils spread out for easy viewing. It was probably the best smelling booth as well since we had a nice holiday blend of oils diffusing next to our table. While we didn't actually sell anything, we did talk to several people, and hand out samples with our business cards on them so they can contact us if they are interested. The thing I enjoyed most though was just getting to sit and talk to Emily, getting to know her better and learning more about the business.


Emily and I at the doTERRA stand

After the boutique, I had a one on one meeting with a girl named Mia who is interested in joining my team as a business builder. I'm so excited for her to come aboard because I think she will be amazing and build a great business under me. Afterward Bob and I went over to Emily and Josh's house to hang out for a bit before going to midnight Sushi to meet Shane and Channing for dinner. I had some teriyaki chicken since it was the only thing that wasn't fish... Bob was just happy that he got to have sushi for once. We don't go often since I don't like anything Asian or seafood-y. Poor man, I sure am lucky he puts up with me even if I'm still a picky eater!

A Deep Debt of Gratitude

During this month of Thanksgiving and after a beautiful Veteran's Day, I just want to express my undying gratitude to the men and women who serve this beautiful country and defend it to the death. I am far too selfish. Too selfish to leave my family and friends, to march into the sounds of war only watch chaos unfold around me. I'm too selfish to give my life for this country. I'm too selfish to spend nights away from my handsome hubby. I'm too selfish to spend my nights, weekends and holidays working for a paycheck that is far too small. Luckily not everyone is as selfish as I am. They give everything to defend the freedoms that I take for granted every day. Thank you to all soldiers currently serving, all the ones who served in the past and all the soldiers who are no longer with us to thank. An extra big thank you to the handsome man in the photo below, who I am lucky enough to call daddy! Love you! Semper Fi!

Shelby's Baby Shower

Kynzi Joan Tolman will be here next month, so it was time for Shelby's favorite cousin (yours truly) and her best friend Brandi to throw her a baby shower! After weeks of planning and shopping, the day finally came last Sunday to throw it all together and cross our fingers everything worked out! I think it was a great success. The decorations were perfect, the food was delicious, and most of the guests were able to come. We started by going around the room and introducing ourselves and how we knew Shelby. Then we had Shelby leave the room and everyone had to write down everything they remembered about her before she left: What shoes she had on, what color shirt, did she have jewelry on, how did she style her hair, etc. Whoever got the most right, won a prize. Then we had everyone cut a piece of yarn they thought was the right size for Shelby's tummy, classic I know! The last game was supposed to prove the difficulties of a preggo tummy by having everyone put a balloon in their shirt like a baby and then tying their shoes. This was the game that went awry because we didn't think that everyone would be wearing shoes without laces. Instead, everyone just had a good laugh about the balloons and we went on to open presents. Shelby got a lot of great stuff for Kynzi, and everyone seemed to have a good time. The biggest hit of the night? The spinach artichoke dip I made and brought. It was gone half way through the shower, and everyone kept begging for the recipe! It was a fun shower and I'm glad that I got to be a part of it!



No Pain, No Gain

I did it! It was hell, but I finished a half marathon! I ran the Halloween Half down in Provo, which meant I got to run in a costume. Since I'm such a slow runner, I decided to be ironic and run as The Flash. Bright and early Bob drove us down to the University Mall in Orem so I could meet the buses. Then he went to waste time before heading to the finish line to meet me. I was bussed up to Deer Creek Reservoir where I was to begin the run at 7 AM. Soon we were on our way. I honestly didn't train at all after my 10K in June so I thought I would die at 3 miles but I was actually in a zone. I slowed to a walk a couple times but couldn't maintain that pace because I was sweating and that mixed with the cool canyon air and the shade would have me freezing in no time so I went back to jogging to stay warm. I was able to keep that up for the first 7 miles and I was ahead of the 2 hour pacer. Unfortunately after mile 7 my bum knee started to act up. I tried to keep pushing but by mile 10, both knees were shooting pain through my legs, my hip flexors were giving out, my feet were numb and my butt was so sore from running up and down the hills that I thought some one was holding me over a fire pit! It hurt. I knew I couldn't go 10 miles just to give up so I alternated walking and jogging trying to tell myself to just put one foot in front of the other and I was one step closer to the finish line. If I stopped chanting that to myself, I would have started crying. Finally I left the canyon, entered Provo, and rounded the corner to the park where the finish line was. Bob got a couple pictures of me before I crossed the finish at 2 hours 55 minutes. I tried to walk to him, but my legs were gone. 13.1 miles was farther than they had ever gone before, so Bob had to come to me. He helped me limp to the shade of a tree. There he gave me water and fruit while trying to stretch me out a little. I was in so much pain, and I was so happy to be done and not have to run any further that I just sobbed while trying to hide my pain from kids walking by. After stretching, Bob helped me limp over to some massage tables where massage therapists were giving free leg and back rubs. That helped a lot! After collecting my things, we went to the car and I slathered my legs in deep rub. That was the relief I needed!


Official photo by Zazoosh

Waiting for the run to start as we
watched the sun rise







It was cold

Full costume before I started

Coming in to the finish line

Best view I had all day!

I couldn't wait to get to the end

My medal for finishing

Posing with the Halloween Half Hurst

Proof I finished, and got a time of 2:55

After showering, and some more deep blue rub, Bob took me to get a steak dinner at Long Horn Steakhouse. It was worth the running, it was delicious! Finally we were off to our first doTERRA class. Only my sister-in-law Dani, niece Mimi, and work friend Antonio were able to come but it was still a good class. Dani signed up that night, and Antonio seemed really excited and wanted to know more. I'm hoping this is a sign for things to come with doTERRA.

Silver Bell (Loose)

Today I was looking in the bathroom mirror and noticed something white in my hair. It wasn't until I grabbed it that I realized it was attached to my head... That's right, it was a gray hair! It's okay though, I'm pretty sure it's just a sign of the stress I have been dealing with recently and even if it's not I will rock the gray hair if needed. After all Storm from X-Men and Daenerys from Game of Thrones rock silver hair, maybe I will even develop super powers or have dragons too! I saved the hair long enough to show Bob when he got home, and then threw it away before I could take a picture so here are pics of my gray hair icons:


Daenerys

Storm

This week my sisters and I also found some time to pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch as a sister date. We really enjoyed wandering around trying to find one that wasn't rotting, bleck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Happy 1st Birthday Benton

Can you believe Benton is 1 year old already? This weekend we celebrated his 1st birthday! He was surrounded by family and of course Bob and I while he unwrapped presents (more like watched his mom unwrap them for him) and ate his birthday cake. I am so happy that I have been able to be around and watch him grow over the past year. He is the sweetest, cutest, happiest baby I have ever had the privilege of being around. I am honored to be your honorary Aunt Brittney, and that your mom has allowed me to spend so much time with you! Happy Birthday little man, now stop growing up!


Opening his gift from Bob and I

The bath time basketball game we bought him

The new outfit we bought him

Eating his cake like a doggie

Busted!

He had a good icing goatee going

He liked the frosting enough to keep licking
his fingers

I think he likes this cake

The final product