Vision boards

I finished my vision board today.  I made my very first one in October.  I'm going to be honest when I say that I didn't look at it everyday.  I printed pictures of things I thought I wanted, and wrote dates next to them because I was told that by those dates I will receive what I had envisioned.  It's hard to receive something you don't think about daily, or envision.  I had a goal to hit a certain rank with my company by the end of the month.  That didn't happen, so I crossed off the date and wrote a new one.  That one also didn't happen.  I just stopped looking at it.

See, the problem here was this.  I put things on my vision board that I THOUGHT I wanted, but wasn't really sure.  I also put things on there that weren't believable to me.  I'd look at my board and think "oh yeah, that'd be nice!" but I didn't ever believe it would happen and I didn't FEEL what was on there.  It was only ever just, there.  

This time around in creating a new vision board, I wanted to make one that I actually liked looking at.  One that I didn't feel was thrown together just to have one, and one that didn't look like such an eye sore.  I found what I wanted, and all things I found I actually felt myself appreciating having those things, or doing those things.  I put positive affirmations on there that I will read every morning and every night.  When I look at this board, I just feel.  This is how I know it's the right one right now.

I put different categories on there including FINANCE, HEALTH, TRAVEL, HOME, WORK, and GIVE BACK.  For each section I posted a couple or more pictures of what I can see having, happening or doing.  I printed off a check from The Secret website and wrote filled it out to me with an amount I want to receive and a date I want it by.  I also placed a picture of a road with a destination to financial freedom.  I have this feeling when I look at it that I will receive it somehow, someway, by that date on the check! 

For health I printed off a picture of myself when I was happy, and feeling great in my own skin.  A time where I felt the best about myself.  I also placed a picture of a body that I want to achieve.  I don't have a date on that one yet, but I can already feel myself having that perfect body.  

In my give back section, I can feel the sense of appreciation for having enough to give as well as just feeling good for helping others.  Whether it be money, food or shelter, it feels good to give what's needed where it's needed.  This Christmas I want to be able to give the gift of a warm and happy home with good food on the table to those who go without.  Along with many other things. 

I want to travel the world.  That's all that needs said in this section ;) 

For my home, I have a picture of a new couch along with a matching swivel chair, a new bedroom set that I've had my eye one for a while now, and a home that I used to live in with my parents (that I loved and have always wanted to move into with my own family).  I can see my bedroom in that house with my new bedroom set, and I can see the living room with the new couch and chair.  It's beautiful :)

For work, my next rank comes along with an auto bonus.  I have a date set to hit that by the end of this month.  It's the same goal I set to hit at the end of October and then again in November.  That's what made me quit looking at my vision board.  This time, I can picture myself hitting that goal by that date and I know how to get there.  I also put a picture of the car I'm going to get when I hit that bonus.  My next step is to go search for it and test drive it so I can picture myself behind the wheel! 

Of course, I also have some uplifting words and love and happiness on there.  Who doesn't want love and happiness? 

If you're wanting to make a vision board, check out these great sites.  Then post a picture below of your finished product. 

http://christinekane.com/how-to-make-a-vision-board/

http://marthabeck.com/2008/07/the-subtle-tricks-to-building-an-effective-vision-board/

http://jackcanfield.com/how-to-create-an-empowering-vision-book/

I say a finished product but we're never really finished with our visions! 

My Thrive Experience

I hosted my very first team call tonight.  I shared my Thrive experience and a couple of my friends shared theirs as well.  I try to keep it short enough that it doesn't get boring, but long enough that people believe THIS STUFF WORKS!  In light of that call tonight, I thought I'd share my Thrive experience with all of you.

              

The short version:

I found Thrive in July 2015.  I had a 3-day sample and was sold.  I felt clean all-day energy.  I felt focused.  I felt discomfort relief, appetite control, digestive support.  EVERYTHING that Thrive says it does, I felt!  Fast forward to January 2016 and I'm still feeling the great effects.  Add the Plus Line and I'm feeling a lot more!

The longer LONGER version:

My friend BreAnn posted a picture of this "sticker" type thing on her arm one day in July 2015.  She said something to the effect of "do you want to feel as good as I do?  Ask me how."  So I pulled out my phone and I text her and said "What is this Thrive?"  She explained to me a little bit of what it is, told me she has energy to play with her kids after a long day of work, has mental clarity, appetite control..  She then said she has a 3-day sample for me.  I met up with her for the sample and was so excited to take it the next day.  I set the capsules on my nightstand along with a glass of water.

The next morning, my baby started crying (my alarm clock), so I reached over, grabbed the capsules and swallowed them down with some water.  I went in to get my daughter and I started to feed her.  I noticed I wasn't bobbing my head trying to stay awake like I normally did.  I was actually smiling at her, laughing with her, talking to her.  About 20 minutes after taking the capsules, I went in and mixed up the Lifestyle Mix with some milk.  I downed that, which I thought tasted great!  I used to drink protein shakes and would have to get chocolate because any of flavor was disgusting.  This was vanilla (or birthday cake as they called it then, and it smells like birthday cake) and I loved it!  I pulled out my phone to text BreAnn and say it was actually really good.  She told me I probably wouldn't like it.  I then threw on my DFT sticker and was so excited to sport it around.

A couple of hours went by and I put my baby down for her morning nap.  I went in and laid in my bed like I normally did to fall asleep, but after 5 minutes I was up getting ready, cleaning up the house, and wanting to do things.  I felt that way all day and didn't have that energy drink for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Day 2 was the same, but I will admit that I did get a little tired that day.  I didn't drink any water like I was supposed to so I felt like I was dragging a little that afternoon.  Nothing like without Thrive, though.

Day 3 was also a great day with more water intake.  I also noticed that I wasn't getting hungry for a snack at all.  BreAnn asked me how it was going and I replied with "how do I get more of this stuff?"  She connected me to one of her leaders who has been doing it a lot longer, and she explained to me the product, how it works a little, how to get it for FREE, and the difference between a customer and a promoter.  I asked if I could be a customer now and promote later.  They both told me yes but instead I decided to just start promoting.  I wanted everyone to feel as great as I did on my sample.  Little did I know, it was going to get better.

I waited a couple of weeks to place an order, and during that time I was back to napping with my baby and drinking those energy drinks.  I didn't want to do anything.  When my order came I was so excited!  I started taking it again August 19th and I noticed that about 6-7 days into it, I had energy and motivation to walk outside and clean my truck.  That was something I dreaded doing after having my baby but I actually WANTED to and was having fun doing it!  My baby woke up a couple hours later and I even brought her out with me and put her in the pack & play so I could finish.  I love this stuff!

Day 9 I was signed up to run a 5k.  My first 5k I didn't time very well.  And whenever I work out, doing a lot of knee bending, my knees act up and I can't keep going.  Running was the worst type of workout for me, and as much as I wanted to love it, I absolutely loathed it!  That night I ran over 1 mile straight without the need to stop!  My knees did start to act up but I was able to keep going.  A couple weeks later, I decided to give nightly running a try.  After putting my baby to bed, I would get my dog ready and we'd go for a run.  (My mom was there with my daughter, so I didn't leave her alone)  Each and every night I would beat my mile even by a second.  I would run over 1.5 miles without stopping, and I noticed my recovery time was improving.  The Black Label DFT came out during this time and I tried it.  It gave me a little more energy to push myself even harder so after my run, I would get back and workout some more!  It was great :)

Adding MOVE from the Plus Line to the mix made my knees stop aching.  I've also tried the REST which helps shut my mind off at night for a better nights sleep, although, I started noticing I wasn't tossing and turning AT ALL with just the core products.  I now only take REST if I know my mind will stay active and boy does it work!  I take the BALANCE on a nightly basis because I have a problem with my digestive tract.  It helps to regulate things.  I also really love the BOOST mixed with my Lifestyle Mix.  16 servings of Fruits and Veggies, just pure yumminess!  The ACTIVATE is great when you need just a little more energy in the afternoon to get things done.  My mistake was taking it at 8pm one night because I was starting to get tired.  I was up until almost 3am because I had the energy to keep going!

Fast forward to a few months later, and I had kind of an ah-ha moment.  I started taking the shakes only 4 days a week rather than one everyday, (the Lifestyle Pack)  and I noticed the biggest difference without the shake.  I started to feel even better than before when I was dropped my dosage down.  It was then that I noticed this stuff really will ALWAYS do what it says it does!

I am loving the Thrive Life and will continue to Thrive for the rest of my life!

                         

Promoting has been challenging, due to the fact that I'm a really shy person.  I missed all of my bonuses within my first 30 days because I wasn't sharing like I should have.  I was getting in my own way.  I did hit my 4k rank the day after Thanksgiving 2015 and have hit it ever since.  I'm on my way to 12k this month with my autobonus.  I have grown as a person so much starting this company.  I know that everyone NEEDS this product, and I'm finally getting out there to announce it to the world!  I'm growing a business, but I'm helping people feel better each and everyday!  When you get a message from someone saying they are craving healthier foods and water, and they actually cleaned the house while playing hide and go seek with his daughter which wouldn't been possible without Thrive... THAT'S what makes me feel good and THAT'S what makes me want to keep sharing!

If you haven't heard of Thrive or if you want to find out more, visit my FREE website Shaeburbank.le-vel.com.  Send me a message via email and I can help get you set up with your own ABSOLUTELY FREE account for life.  I can help get you started Thriving to feel great and on the right track to living the life you deserve!

Shaelee4850@gmail.com
435-705-4850

Pinterest Recipes

Well, I've missed two days of posting which means I need to play catch up!  It'll be easy, though, because I already have the topics I want to write about.

Pinterest has been awesome for recipes lately.  Actually over the past few years!  I've tried quite a few of them whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner.  I have to say, they've all turned out really good!  Here are a few of the ones that have been repeats, or will be!  Try them out and ENJOY :)

             

Breakfast:

1.  Pumpkin French Toast:  Easy and yummy



2.  Bacon, Egg and Cheese Brunch Ring:  I love breakfast and this was just too good for words.



Dinner:

1.  Cheesy Chicken Roll Ups:  Great with a side of ranch dressing!



2.  Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole:  This has been a great hit.



3.  Mexican Chili in a Tostada Bowl:  My 10 month old LOVED the chili



4.  Copycat Cafe Rio Salads:  I make everything that's in this list and its AMAZING! My favorite, by far.



5.  The Worlds Best Chicken:  I don't know if I'd say the "worlds best" but it was okay.  I oven baked some potatoes, zucchini and baby carrots as a side.



6.  Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread:  While my husband thought this was good, I don't think Ill make it again.



7.  5 Different Freezer Crockpot Dinners:  All 5 of these were delicious!




8.  5 More Freezer Crockpot Dinners



9.  Oven Tacos



10.  Oven Baked Chimichangas



11.  Chile Colorado Burritos



12.  Dorito Taco Bake



13.  Hawaiian Grilled Ham & Swiss: I actually found this one on FaceBook, and searched Pinterest for the exact copy.  While I couldn't find the same one, there are plenty of other variations that are similar.  This is a video of the recipe I followed.



And this is the one I am making tonight!  There isn't a link to it but here are the directions!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos:  Dump 1 envelope of taco seasoning, 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts a jar of salsa in the crockpot, stir and cook on high(4-6 hrs.) or low(6-8 hrs.) Should be able to shred with a fork. Place meat mixture in tortillas and top with your favorite toppings!




So apparently I've made many more dinners than anything, but usually we will have leftovers for lunch the next day.  Have you tried other Pinterest recipes?  Post them in the comments for me to try as well.

My Take on Getting Photos Taken

I love photography.  I've always wanted to be a photographer, and a few years ago I got my first DSLR.  I have taken pictures of a few families, mostly just close friends.  I've tried a shot at newborns, a family with a toddler, maternity, and a couple with a dog.  I've also taken most of the pictures I have of my daughter as well as a ton of my dog!  I don't pull it out as often as I should or would like to.  I'm thinking of starting a challenge of a picture a day so I can get used to always having it, and of course get better at taking them in all lighting.

When it comes to my family getting pictures, I look to other photographers.  Not that I wouldn't love to say "Yeah, I took that.  Tripod, running, and all!"  But it's just a lot easier, stress-free, and when you have kids involved you pretty much need someone behind the camera the whole time making them smile and keeping their attention.

I've had a photographer since my husband and I got married.  I worked with her at a dental office, and she was also my hair dresser!  How convenient :)  She took my bridal pictures and reception photos free of charge because she was just starting her business and wanted some experience.  The one I actually hired for my reception baled on me so I was very thankful to have her there!  From that point on, I used her every year for our family pictures.  Well, all but one year.  I had a different photographer do them once because I was looking for someone a little cheaper than what my original photographer charged.  I also loved all of the other pictures I had seen from this new one.  I also had a different one for my maternity photos because I wanted something more boudoir type, and she then took my daughter's lifestyle newborn pictures.

I have found out after these many times of getting pictures taken that it's most definitely true that you get what you pay for.  Don't get me wrong, I have some photos from these others that I absolutely LOVE, but when I get the gallery from my [favorite] photographer, I fall in love with every single image!  She gets the lighting perfect, and knows just how to edit them!  She's always making sure during the session that hair is perfect, smiles are perfect, and she captures such sweet real life moments.

One of my favorites from my [favorite] photographer

I get all of these images back on a disc when she is finished editing.  There are anywhere from 25-40 images, depending on what the shoot was for.  They are all edited, and I don't have to choose which ones I want because she chose the best ones for me.  The hardest part for me is limiting which ones I print on canvas for my walls!  I pay her upon retrieval of the disc and that's always been perfect for both of us!  She gets the disc to me typically within a week of the session, so I don't ever wait long!  There has been one time that I actually waited 3 weeks, BUT her father-in-law just passed away a few days after the session and it was terrible timing to edit!  I completely understood and wasn't in any hurry.  That was a rough time for her and I wouldn't want anyone calling me about photos I just took right after a death in the family.

The lady who took my maternity/newborn photos worked in a similar fashion.  She did take payment when the session occurred and I actually waited a little bit longer for the disc.  However, I didn't have to choose which ones I wanted because she, too, chose the best and put them on a disc.  I can't remember how many there were but I do remember that there were A TON of pictures.  Too many of the same pose in my opinion.  She has a studio with very bright natural lighting so the photos were all very bright.  I'm not complaining about that, though.  It was just a lot different feel than the others I'm used to.

My Beautiful Baby at 1 week old

35 Weeks Pregnant

              

The year I was pregnant for family pictures, I chose a different photographer because I liked her style as well.  She always posted such beautiful pictures.  When we got ours done I was only 5-6 months along and had a belly that wasn't very big.  It was more of the "is she pregnant or just fat" type of belly.  At least, in my opinion.  She ended up taking a ton of maternity-like pictures.  We also had our dog in most of these family photos.  She wanted payment at the time of the session, which wasn't discussed beforehand so I didn't have it.  She said it was okay but she was going to keep the pictures until she got paid, understandable.  About 30 minutes after our session ended, she posted two as a teaser on FB!  That was super quick!  I made sure I paid her the very next day because I was so excited to see more.  When I got the disc back, not only were there the edited photos, but there was also all of the photos she had snapped through the whole session, unedited and all!  I didn't like these photos as much as I thought I would, and I didn't like having all of the "negatives".


My [favorite] photographer moved after I had my baby and I am still very upset about it!  So this year we went with someone else who I've used for other boudoir pictures in the past.  I loved those ones, and so did my hubby ;)  She does a great job, but this time I wasn't wowed with them either.  My mom was!  But they weren't what I wanted.  It could be that it was gloomy that day.  She rescheduled from what was supposed to be the day before, which was warm and sunny, so my husband was upset about that.  Our colors were maroon and grey and I felt like the whole set of photos turned out gloomy due to the grey as well.  The for this session was that I pay before booking and I get 10 edited images.  It was a mini-session.  If I was to share the deal on FB and tag with her hashtag, I would get an extra 5 images, and if I tagged 3 people I would get an extra 3.  So a total of 18 images is what I was expecting.  She also told me the day of the session that she would have them back to me in a couple of days so I could get out "Happy Holiday" cards.  It was way to close to Christmas for Christmas cards.  That was perfect!  We got a sneak preview 5 of them a few days later but that was it.  I finally had to message her and ask where they were and she finally sent an email to me today to choose my top 15.. TOP FIFTEEN!!  Her reason was an extra 5 for waiting so long.  I was supposed to get 18 to begin with because I shared, tagged 3, and hashtagged.  This was something that was not discussed beforehand so I'm not arguing.  I now have to choose my favorite 15 out of a ton of UNEDITED photos.  I don't know how to do that because they aren't edited and I don't like them the way they are!  (I won't go into detail about how the boudoir photos were finally given to me, but I should've learned).

Sneak Preview

Sneak Preview

The moral to my story is that I have learned a lot of lessons when it comes to getting pictures taken, and I will now go over every detail with the photographer beforehand.  I will let them know that I am not paying them to make me choose between all of the raw images, but that I want the completed projects only with as many photos as was agreed upon booking.  If that's not how they work and will not do that, then I will find someone else, even if I have to pay a little more.  I will also throw in that I don't want ANY negatives because I don't pay for those either.  And I will discuss location, color scheme, and payment arrangements beforehand as well.  You live and learn, right?

Now I know that a lot of people want any and all photos that are taken of them or their family, and I get that.  But when I am PAYING someone to give me PROFESSIONAL photos, I don't want some with closed or half-open eyes.

Keeping the House Clean... All. The. Time.

                   

I like a clean house.  Every room has a made bed, things picked up off the floor, organized, and put away.  But I don't always have one, and it drives me insane!  It feels like the second I get done cleaning, there's another mess.  This was before I even had a child!  My husband would get something out and leave it there, which would in turn make me leave something out and then it would escalate to a messy house, just as it was before I cleaned it.

Our first house was 3 stories, so it was really hard to clean the whole thing in one day.  And if I did, I never cleaned the floors!  I would vacuum, but never did I mop.  I always left that for my husband.  When we moved out of that home and into our camp trailer, it was really easy to keep that clean.  It was small and everything was right there!  We didn't have a whole lot of clutter because we sold everything, so what we did have we kept in the back storage compartment of the trailer and out of the way!

The next house was a little easier to keep clean than the first because it was smaller with only one level.  The thing that drove me crazy was it didn't have any carpet so everyday there were new dust bunnies in the corners and the tile always looked dirty from my dog and her sloppy drinking!  The next house was big but easy enough to clean in one day, but it was almost an everyday thing!

This time around, after finally fully moving in and finding places for everything, I decided I don't want to clean everyday.  Nor do I want to have a clean house, then messy until I decide to clean again.  I've tried cleaning schedules in the past, and while they're great they just didn't work for me.  Here's what I've decided to do to help me have a clean house daily.  It helps, or course, to have the entire household in on it, too!

1.  Do a load of laundry every (or every other) day. 

            - I hate folding the laundry so if I do a load everyday, it won't feel overwhelming having to fold everything to put away a million times a day!  I've done all of my laundry and left the clean, dry clothes laying out so I could fold and put them away all together, and I can't stand that either.  I've also folded after every load and put them all away at once and I hate that, too.  So to win with laundry, I'll do a load everyday (which keeps me caught up) and when I have a little more and am feeling up to it, I'll do two that day!

2.  Clean up after every meal. 

            - This one can be hard to do when it's evening time after dinner.  Having to get the kids bathed and put to bed and the rest of the house cleaned up before you go to bed.  The last thing you want to do is scrub dishes!  If I clean up right after we're through, or better yet WHILE I'M COOKING, it doesn't take long because there's usually not as much scrubbing.  The food doesn't sit there and get dried to the plate or pan and I can rinse and put in the dishwasher.  If I clean up as I'm cooking, that's the best because there will be very little do to afterwards.

3.  Put everything back right where you got it.

            - My husband has a hard time with this.  When we move in to a house, or when we purchase something new, I find a specific place for everything.  He'll ask me where something is multiple times, and each time I tell him it's where it always is, he tells me it's not.  He didn't put it back in the same spot and I haven't used it since.  If we both know where things belong, and put them back after using right where we found them, it will be easier to find when we need it and it makes keeping the house clean a lot easier.  If it's put back right after each use!

4.  Tidy up after every play time. 

            - I have a 10 month old daughter and she has already accumulated a ton of toys.  Our house is pretty small and we usually never hang out in her bedroom, so all of her toys are in the living room.  Of course, the majority of the space is taken up by the big things like a jumper, stand-and-dance toys, walkers.  And I don't have room to store them, so they're out in the open like they're part of my home decor.  The other things I put in a "toy box".  I just bought a cute storage bin type thing from Family Dollar that her toys fit in (for now) and it matches the actual decor.  I clean it all up when I've put her down for a nap, or when she goes to bed at night.  Sometimes, I'll have her help me beforehand so I don't have to do it after!  That way I'm not stepping on anything in the middle of the night. 

5.  Vacuum and mop.

            - I don't mind vacuuming, but I don't do it everyday like I probably should with a baby crawling around.  Mopping I absolutely dread!  Maybe I just haven't found the right mop, yet.  But I do this when I feel like it really needs it, or at least try to every other day. 

6.  Hang up jackets and put shoes away.

            - My husband has a pet peeve about having shoes lying around.  I used to but somehow got over it.  I have a million shoes and don't wear the same ones everyday, so I will grab a pair and then when I get home just leave them by the door.  They get piled up.  I've since made some room for each pair in the hall closet so when I get home, I take them off and put them in their spot so they are out of the way.  It helps to make the house look nicer. 

7.  All clothes go in the hamper.

            - I don't always leave the house, but I do get ready everyday.  At the end of the day I make sure to either hang my clothes back up or put them in the hamper when I am getting ready for bed so I don't end up with a pile of clothes on the floor.  Once one thing is thrown on the floor, it's so easy to add to it!  My husband is guilty of this as much as I am, if not worse.  But we are both getting better!

8.  Make the beds.

            - I feel like a room isn't clean unless the bed is made.  All growing up my sister and I would make our beds every morning.  We weren't forced to, but we liked to.  And if we didn't do it before school, my mom would so it was nice to come home to.  I was that way up until I got married.  I just decided that no one ever sees my house (my husband was working out of town at the time) but me because I didn't get many visitors, and they didn't usually go to my bedroom if I did.  I would just get back in it at night, and I had so many pillows that it was a pain to take them off when I was really tired!  I like when the bed is made and so does my husband, so this is now a daily routine.  The bed has to be made when I get out, no more than an hour later. If/when I take naps, it's always on the couch so I don't even worry about that.  I still have too many pillows for my liking and I need to get rid of some, but it is so much nicer to walk into a bedroom with a bed that's made and without pillows all over the floor!  Although, my dog and baby did like the pillows all over the floor.  

Keeping up with all of this might seem like a lot, but if it's done on a daily basis, it's pretty easy!  Now there is still the deeper cleaning, like cleaning the entire bathroom and dusting the house and what not.  And I still do those, but keeping up with this list will make the days that I do do those chores not take me all day!  It makes me feel accomplished going to bed with a picked up house :)

What do you do to make it easier on yourself to clean?

The Day I Found Out I Was Pregnant

Today has been a pretty busy day, and I've got a half hour until it's tomorrow!  I made a goal and I'm sticking to it, I WILL NOT miss a day of a blog post :) I thought that it would be easy enough (is it cheating?!) to share one that I had already written a year and a half ago.  In light of my post yesterday about finding out I was pregnant, so we didn't end up moving to Hawaii, I thought I would share the story of finding out :)  Enjoy!


June 20, 2014

You know that feeling that something different is going on with your body?  Like when you first start your period, or even when you are starting to get sick.  Everything changes and you just feel so different.  These past few weeks I've been noticing some changes that I thought were just premenstrual symptoms.  For example, my lower back has been really achy, my pelvic area has been crampy, and I've been super tired and wanting big juicy cheeseburgers! :)  Everything that I usually happens before I start my period.  This time it all felt a little different.  The cramps were down really low, my achy back was not something that was easily going away, and I couldn't stay awake half-way through the day to save my life!  

I'm not supposed to have my monthly visit from Mother Nature for another day or so, but for some reason I felt the need this morning to head to the store to pick up some pregnancy tests.  

I got home, and luckily had to pee, so I took the first one.  I bought some cheapy ones because I'm not spending $20 on the digital for a negative!  I set it on the counter and waited a couple of minutes to check.  When I went back to see the results, the two boxes were negative.. but the vertical line showing a positive was BARELY there.  That can't be right.  I can BARELY see it.  I decided to take the other one in the box.  About this time, my dad showed up to take me on a motorcycle ride on his brand new Harley Davidson he just picked up!  I hid the test and let him in.  I finished getting ready and before I ran out the door to go with him, I sneaked a peak at the test.  It showed the same results!  Am I really pregnant?  It was on my mind for the entire ride! 

When he dropped me off at home, I looked at the paper that came inside the box with the tests.  The little diagram of pictures showed that no matter how faint the positive was, a positive is a positive.  Hmm... Well I don't know if I believe this.  I started to clean things up around the house and all I could think was "Am I really?".  I hopped back in the truck to make another Walmart trip.  This time, I bought the expensive $20 digital test.  I needed something more than a positive, I needed a PREGNANT or NOT PREGNANT.  I bought some water along with them that I guzzled on my way home.  After taking the first one out of the box, I couldn't help but stare at it waiting for the results.  The little black boxes were flashing while it was "loading".  PREGNANT appeared.  Wait, what?  There are two in the box, might as well take the second.  I downed some more water and took the other one. More black boxes and then.. PREGNANT.  Am I reading this right?  I set all four tests in front of me, all four positive tests, and sat there.. staring, and staring, and staring. 

Four positives....

 I looked at my dog, who was tilting her head to one side like, "What do they say, Mom?".  I said, "Mama has a baby in her belly".  She wagged her tail a little and then laid her head back down.  I hope I get a better reaction out of Justin!

He got home a little after 4:30pm.  I held the tests behind my back and told him when he walked through the door, "I have a surprise for you!"  
He said, "Another?  What is it?"  I hadn't decided if I wanted to tell him now or on Sunday.  We had a pretty busy weekend ahead of us and I knew we wouldn't get a chance to talk about it much.  
"Do you want it now or Sunday?"  Of course he was confused.  
"Is it good or bad?  Whenever you want."  Okay, I can't wait!  I pulled all four tests out from behind my back.  His look was priceless! "Really?" with a big smile on his face!  He gave me a huge hug and said "Please be nice to me!"  Hahaa that was the best part!

We sat down at the kitchen table and I told him how my morning went.  We knew we needed to talk about some things because our plans to move to Hawaii might have to be put on hold.  Talking would have to happen another day, he is going to check some trail cams and I am on my way to my mom's house to stay the night.  I am taking a certification test in the morning, and now I don't think I am going to pass because I won't stop thinking about baby!  And how am I not going to say anything to my mom?  This will be a tough night!


UPDATE:  I want to add something after reading this again.  The best part in my opinion.  During the Harley ride with my dad, we stopped by the restaurant my mom owns to eat lunch.  My sister works there and it just so happened that this day my husband decided to eat lunch there as well.  I had all of the people I wanted to know FIRST sitting right there at the table with me, and all I could think was "I AM PREGNANT!"  I had to hold myself back from blurting it out because I wasn't sure I believed it yet.  It was the hardest thing for me to not say anything to any one of them that afternoon!

Moving... Put off.

My husband and I got married in Maui, Hawaii.  He had vacationed on Oahu once before, and I had never been.  My mom actually came up with the idea for us and it fit perfectly!  We packed up and flew out for our destination wedding with my mom, dad, and sister in August of 2012.  It was beautiful and perfect!

Makena Cove, Maui Hawaii

Had to throw in this one! His smile is perfect and we were supposed to be funny!

Naturally, we stayed for a week for our honeymoon.  On the plane ride back home, I had picked up a flyer on the Hawaiian Airlines credit card.  The rewards sold me on it and we have since been able to go back to Hawaii twice.  The first time back after our honeymoon, we went to Oahu.  It was a nice change of scenery with a lot more to do, but obviously way more people than what we found on Maui.  While there, we made a decision that we were making it a goal to move to Hawaii for at least 2 years.  This was in January of 2014.  The next month we put our house up for sale and it sold in April.  Things were getting real!

While moving out of our home, we had a yard sale and sold almost EVERYTHING in it.  We sold our bed and all the spare beds we had, washer/dryer, kitchen supplies, home decor, everything but the couch and love seat.  (They were old, but looked new, and we couldn't even give them away if we tried).  We even got our dog ready for the move!  That wasn't easy or cheap.  Did you know that they need a microchip, two rabies vaccinations, AND a blood test to test for rabies before even stepping foot in Hawaii?!  The blood test itself cost close to $400.  If you're thinking of moving to or visiting Hawaii and want to bring a dog, check out their list here to make sure your dog doesn't get quarantined upon arrival!

In May, we finally moved out of our home and started to live in our camp trailer.  We parked it at an RV park so we could have all the amenities.  Our plan was to have my husband move out there in August to find a job (if he didn't already have one) and a place for us to live.  We tried doing it all online but it's tougher that way, in my opinion.  I was planning on going out at the end of October because the rule is the dog can't be there until after 4 months have passed from the time the blood test was taken.  I didn't do it early enough.

Our plan was pretty close to solid and we were so excited.  Nervous, but excited.  June 18th I had went with my mom to get our hair done.  We were talking with the stylist about moving to Hawaii, and my mom had said, "You better not move there and get pregnant!"  I sort of laughed it off because my husband and I had talked about having kids and what it would be like to have kids in Hawaii.  Two days later, I found out I was pregnant!

Before we spread the word, my hubby and I talked and agreed that we wouldn't be moving to Hawaii when we were planning.  We would find a place to live where we were so I could stay close to my family for the duration of the pregnancy and birth.  I knew I was going to want and need my mom around and I'm so glad we stayed!

For our "babymoon", we traveled back to Oahu, 7 months pregnant and all.  We had points from our credit card and it was super cheap, so we went for a week.  It was relaxing, and the first time I felt my baby kick my ribs! (not so relaxing!)  My husband learned to surf while we were there and we rented a smart car!  Lots of fun memories for our last vacation of just the two of us. :)

We love Hawaii and would still love to move there, but I think being closer to family is what's best for our daughter.  She loves her grandma and her aunt and it will kill me to see her cry every time we FaceTime.  Hell, she already does!  Even if she just saw them an hour before!

My hubby and I both are in the process of building our own businesses so we can have all of the time and freedom in the world, so until the day comes where we can take the time to travel back and forth constantly, we'll stay here! :)  I may have to home-school my child if we do that, now that I think about it!

If you could choose any place to live in the world, where would it be?

Car Seat Cover DIY

Before I got pregnant with my daughter, I had found the amazing car seat canopy and just had to buy one because I had a coupon to get it for free!  Little did I know back then that you can always get coupons for a free one from Carseatcanopy.com.  I bought a gender neutral one so it wouldn't matter if I had a boy or a girl.

Well, I became pregnant and bought a car seat/stroller combo.  The canopy I had purchased wasn't quite long enough for my liking to cover the car seat I bought, so I decided to make one of my own!  I hopped onto Pinterest and found a great tutorial, here, and tweaked it my own way.  I found a picture of one that I LOVED but it wasn't available anymore on Etsy, so I used that as my inspiration. 

I absolutely love how it turned out!  The only thing I would've changed is making the hole a little smaller because the flap does like to fall through.  I made a matching car seat blanket, and found that tutorial here.

Here's my sweet girl at 1 day old getting ready to leave the hospital :)

So tiny and so she looks so cozy!  The nurse loved it so much that before we put my daughter in the car seat, she took it around to show the other nurses and doctors at the hospital!

About 5-6 months later, my best friend and my sisters friend were both due to have baby boys, so I decided to make them each one as well.  I went with something that fit their style and they both loved them!  

This time, not only did I make the flap wider than the hole, I added buttons to keep it closed (unlike the velcro I added to mine) as well as added some elastic to the inside on the front to keep the wind from blowing the cover off the car seat!  They are super fun and easy to make :)  I'm thinking of starting up a small business but then again I see so many nowadays that it's holding me back.  I'll just have to make a few and see how quickly they go and decide from there!

Quick & Easy Floating Shelves

Today has been a busy day for me.  We moved into our house not quite 2 months ago and we never fully unpacked.  I didn't even start to decorate until last week!  I was falling behind on a lot of it mostly because my daughter decided she wanted to stop sleeping, so I was just too tired to do anything.

For Christmas, I told my husband that all I wanted was 3 days in the house by MYSELF to put things away, organize, and decorate.  No baby, no dog, and no hubby.. Just me, myself and I.  He works 7 days on and gets 7 days off, so the last 3 days of those 7 days off he took the dog and the baby and went to stay at my dads.  Right now I'm on day 2 of being lonesome..

I figured I'd better sit down and write a post before the day was done!

Since I've been decorating, I've been using Pinterest a lot.  One thing that I found that I absolutely LOVE is floating shelves.  I mean, who doesn't like shelves that look like they're floating on air?!  I was at Wal-Mart the other day and I was leaving I passed Home Depot and decided to stop in to get some boards to make them.  My husband stained the wood before he left and I put them up!  I got a piece of pine 2"x8"x12' and had the guy at Home Depot cut it into 4 equal sections, each 3ft long.  Putting them up was easy!  I used the Kreg Jig that my husband had in the garage and put up 2 in my bedroom, and 2 in my bathroom.
(They're not decorated yet, but I'm getting there!)

Also, don't mind the boxes and random stuff thrown on them!  I'm still in unpacking and organizing mode! 

I'm so excited about them and to finish decorating my bedroom to the dream room I've always wanted!  I'll do another post once it's finished :)

These shelves cost me less than $3 a piece!  I found the tutorial here and it's the easiest way I've found to make them.  Let me see your floating shelves and how you made them :)

Then vs. Now

I've never been what some consider "big".  At 14 yrs old I weighed about 124 lbs and I've stuck around there ever since.  While my pants from that age don't fit me anymore (my hips got wider!) I am still wearing about the same size.  There was one point in life, at the age of 20, that I was the smallest I'd ever been and that was a size 0/120 lbs.  I'll admit, I wasn't healthy.  I never ate and I was super stressed out.  All I did was drink (yes, alcohol) and I'd throw in some Monster Energy drinks in between.  Not good.

Bridal shower, feeling great!

I started to work out after I had gotten engaged and bought my first house.  We moved into the house in December of 2011 and I started the next month I really started working out, like on a daily basis and sweating and stuff, around April 2012.  My wedding was in August and we were getting married in Hawaii.  Obviously, we stayed there for our honeymoon too!  When my wedding came, I was starting to get defined abs and really toned up.  I loved how I was feeling, but I had taken a break during our honeymoon and that was a terrible thing to do!  I never really got back into working out like I was.


Before I got pregnant with my daughter I was at 133 lbs.  I started working out a little because I wanted to lose the "mommy pooch" that I had even though I had never had a kid!  I wanted abs and definition.  I was also planning on getting some boudoir pictures done for my husband for our anniversary! :)  Once I found out I was pregnant, I kind of slowed down on working out and eventually stopped.  I didn't mind it one bit because I was loving my growing belly!  I wasn't gaining a ton of weight, and it's probably the only time in life where it's okay to eat ice cream, cake, and candy all at once because it's a craving, duh!  Give a pregnant women what's she craving and nobody gets hurt. ;)

During my pregnancy, I gained a total of 44 lbs.  I was at 177 when I gave birth.  I lost close to 20 of it in the hospital and more during the first two weeks PP because I was breastfeeding.  At least, I'm assuming that's why.  I didn't start working out again until my daughter was around 6-7months.  I mean I would do a workout here and there but that's about it.  I never really did anything major.  Mid-August 2015 I started Thriving and began running every night.  I have to say, Thrive helped me push myself further each time and made my recovery so much easier!  The running lasted about a month because I went out to North Dakota, where it was too cold for me, and I hate the gyms!

Here I am now, just over 10 months after having my baby and I'm finally down to my pre-pregnancy weight!  I didn't do a whole lot of anything other than take Thrive on a daily basis.  The difference between now and what I was like before I got pregnant, is in the way I feel.  I feel healthier.  I feel stronger.  I feel leaner.  I feel so much better!  And the pants that I was wearing before, are now falling off of me.  I'm the same weight as I was then, but I've lost inches.  I wish I would have saved my measurements from the day I found out I was pregnant, but for some dumb reason (pregnancy brain is my blame) I deleted them!

The thing that sucks is, since I've always been about the same weight, I don't have a before and after picture to show.  I wear loose clothing and have been for a couple years now so I can't show how tight they were to how loose they are now because I've lost inches.  The only thing I can do is tell people how great I feel and how much I've lost and hope that my excitement encourages and inspires them!  I owe it to Thrive because I am now getting all of the proper nutrients my body needs; the pre and probiotics, the antioxidants, the enzymes, etc.  I honestly feel better than I did in my teenage years!  And this makes for one happy mama!  :)



I want to share this with the world!  So let's start with you :)  If you're not Thriving yet, check out this video that explains what it could do for you.  Then click here to sign up for a FREE account and take a look around.  Click here to check out some testimonials and here to check out some more!  Contact me with your questions and I'll get you started on the right track!

Shaelee4850@gmail.com
435-705-4850

I love what Thrive has done for me!  What can it do for you??

                                                 

Release the Positive Energy

About a month or so ago, I wasn't getting any of the sleep that I needed.  My husband was working the overnight shift at work for 7-8 nights in a row and my daughter was in a stage where she was only napping day and night.  As soon as I would go in to go to sleep, she would wake up and be awake for a few hours.  It wasn't the awake that she had to go and play or anything.  It was just that she wanted to be held and was completely content with me sitting in her rocking chair holding her.  She wouldn't fall asleep in my arms, just lay there with her head on my chest and look into the darkness.  It was comfortable, but not comfortable enough to fall asleep.

Every time I would try to lay her back down, she would cry.  I let her cry for a few minutes at a time, but that was too much for me to handle.  I was going crazy!  Her cry now gives me anxiety.  I was constantly crying and had an extremely short fuse.  Everything set me off, and I hated it.  I knew how I was reacting to things, and I knew why, but I couldn't help myself.  I needed sleep!

Some mornings my husband would come home and take care of our daughter so I could get a couple hours more sleep.  On those days, I noticed I did feel better.  One night, before my husband went to work, we got into a huge fight.  It left me in tears as he walked out the door because not only did we say hurtful things to each other, I knew it was me that brought it on and I wanted so bad to change that, and didn't know how.  After putting my daughter to bed that night, I knew I wasn't going to have much time before she woke up again, so I hurried and got on the computer to search how to release the negative energy I was feeling.

I found a few different ways, but none of which sounded like they would work for me.  One was to write down all negative thoughts on a piece of paper and afterward burn it, essentially burning away all the negativity.  Another was to get a washable marker and get in the shower, write all of your negative thoughts on the shower wall and wash it drown the drain with the water.  While they seemed like they might work, I didn't try them.  I thought, negatively of course, that it wasn't going to help because those negative thoughts would still be on my mind.  I just went to sleep instead and had more negative thoughts the second I was awaken by a screaming baby.

I've since gotten more sleep due to the fact that my husband came home from working nights and had a few days off, and my daughter is now starting to sleep through the night again.  I also started listening to and watching The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, and am changing the way and what I'm thinking about.  Although, I do still get some negative thoughts every now and then, but I have finally found a release that works for me.

                                         

I do not want to say that I am releasing the negative energy, because I would rather release the positive energy into the universe.  I'm rather changing the frequency of my thoughts from negative to positive.  My release, or way to change the channel, is to get in the shower.  I know that sounds strange, but it's what I have found that helps and it's the only thing that helps right now.  I have a daughter who climbs all over me, cries and wants my full attention all the time.  I have a dog who is actually the same way as my daughter!  I also have a husband who needs my attention and communication as well.  I have a messy house that we haven't completely moved in to and an empty fridge the needs to be filled.  All of these things need my attention and I feel like the only time I get to myself and give myself the attention that I  need, is in the small, quiet space of my shower.  It's not the shower that I dream of, but when I am in there I let the water run over me and I close my eyes to picture the shower that I want, and will have some day.  The feel of the hot water running over me allows me to change the frequency of my thoughts and to essentially "release" the now positive energy into the universe.  I am able to focus on what I'm thinking enough to change thinking of what I do not want, to thinking of what I do want.  I am able to fully feel the gratitude of having those things already and thank the universe for delivering.

That may sound strange to some.  If I would have heard this from someone even two months ago, I probably would have rolled my eyes and laugh.  But here I am now doing it, and I'm so grateful that I finally found something that works for me to change my entire day and life.

This post isn't just about the shower that helps me feel better, but more about the change in thoughts that I release to the universe.  What do you do to change how you're thinking and feeling?  What do you do to give yourself a break and a "release"?

How Do You Treat Yourself?

Do you treat yourself the way you want other people to treat you? - James Ray, The Secret

Ever since I can remember, I have been living my life with treat others how you want to be treated.  The Golden Rule, right?  Well, I like to think that I have been treating others really well.  I make sure they know that they are important to me, and that their time is valuable to me as well.  I put them first in most cases, no matter who it is, and that means I put myself last.  I have done that because I want to be important, too.  I want others to think of me as a valuable asset and that my life is just as important.  Do you know where this has gotten me?  Not where I thought it would.

I started reading, listening to, and watching The Secret by Rhonda Byrne a couple of weeks ago.  It came about because as I was at a leadership training for the company I'm with, Le-Vel, and there was a speaker talking about The Secret.  She watched it and brought it into her life and her life changed, she changed.  I thought to myself I better look this up when I get home!  Well, of course I forgot and my excuse was that life happened.  I then went to another training and heard about the same thing!  I finally looked into it a couple weeks later and started to watch the movie on YouTube.  I got about 2 minutes into it and thought, there's no WAY I can watch this all the way through! This is so boring!  I decided I'd get the book instead.  I feel like books go in deeper detail than movies, anyway. 

                                  

I started to read the book, but the only time I ever allowed myself to was at night, in bed.  I don't lie down until I'm literally ready to fall asleep, so I never made it far; a couple pages at a time, maybe.  I was busy one night after I put my daughter to bed and knew I wasn't going to sleep for a few hours, and thought I bet I could just listen to it, so I did and I'm so glad I did!  

I hated hearing that everything that what WAS my life and was IN my life was brought into it by me.  I didn't bring the negativity.  I didn't bring the living paycheck-to-paycheck.  I didn't bring the car trouble, sickness, or bad days to myself.  Why would I DO that??  And here I am a couple weeks later, still having a hard time with that.  I've come to except it, and I'm here to change the future, but I still hate hearing it.  

Every time I listen to or watch The Secret, I hear something new.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched it or listened to it, just playing in the background, and something catches my attention and I think to myself why didn't I hear this before?  It's like it changes every time! 

Well, this morning I had it playing and I finally heard what James Ray said about Your Job is You. 

How can you ever expect anyone else to enjoy your company 

if you don't enjoy your own company?  And so again, the law 

of attraction or The Secret is about bringing that into your life. 

You've got to get really, really clear.  Here's the question I would 

ask you to consider: Do you treat yourself the way you want other 

people to treat you?

I heard that and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Every time I schedule something, and it's been over the past few years, I get rescheduled.  It doesn't matter what it is or who it's with.  I schedule family pictures, a hair appointment, a nail appointment, etc.  It doesn't matter what it's for, I get rescheduled.  I don't think please don't reschedule me, or I'll probably get rescheduled.  In fact, this last time I scheduled something I thought quite the opposite.  I am important and so is my time. 

When I heard James Ray and his question, and finally understood why that has been happening to me.  It didn't matter what I was thinking or not thinking, it showed in my actions and the way I treat myself.  I reschedule myself on a daily basis.  Every time I tell myself I am going to do this or do that, at this time or this day, I reschedule.  I don't do it when I tell myself I will, or I just put it off completely.  I rarely ever stick to my own schedule.  With that being the case, how on earth is someone else supposed to keep me scheduled?  If I don't find my own time valuable, how is someone else supposed to? 

I recently got a Passion Planner (which I love and will write about in another post) and I started scheduling things at certain times during the day for myself.  When I decided I was doing this blog everyday, I wrote down in the 6:00am slot wake up, Thrive, blog.  It's January 2 and I haven't gotten up at 6am to Thrive and write in this blog.  Yes, I have written two posts, but not when I scheduled myself to have the time to do so.  I have put it off until I feel like I want to.  Today, I'm a little glad I did because I wouldn't have been writing about this right now.  I wouldn't have been sitting there watching The Secret and finally have heard what he said.  Everything happens for a reason and I believe that with every part of me.  However, I am no longer going to put myself off and reschedule because I am important.  My time is important, and so are the things I want and want to do.  

I've come to realize that while thoughts are so powerful, actions are just as powerful if not more.  I am starting this year off with a new mindset, in all aspects of my life, and I can't wait to see the changes happen!  

Let me know if you've ever read or watched The Secret and what it's done for you.  How did you apply it and what changed?

365 Days of Blogging Challenge - #1

I like blogging.  I have two already; one for my family and the other started when I found out I was pregnant and I update it with how my daughter is now.  I don't ever give myself the time to sit down and write.  I always come up with excuses like, "I don't have time", "I'm too tired", "I don't know what to write about", things like that.

Well, this is a brand new year and this is MY year!  With all of the changes that I am making to myself and my life, I feel like I want to document it all and have some type of "out".  This will be like my daily journal of some sort.  I don't have anything specific I will be writing about.  Everyday will be brand new and whatever I feel like I need to get out!

Today, I want to start with ideas of what I want to write about.  I'm sure I'll do repeat posts every now and then, and I'm okay with that!  Here's my list to start with based on what's going on in my life now:

1. Thrive by Le-Vel
          a. What the experience has done for me (my story)
          b. How I feel about promoting
          c, How promoting has helped me grow
2. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
3. Building projects and ideas
4. My house/home
5. Pinterest
6. Being a wife and mother
7. How I feel about my daughter turning 1 :( wahhhh! (you can imagine how this one will be!)
8. My fur-kid
9. Then vs. now
10. DIY cleaning

That's a start and I know I can get many posts just off of those 10 ideas!  I'm so excited to start this, and while this is mainly for me, I hope to help all of my readers in one form or another :) This is brand new and at the moment, there are 0 followers (which will be changing soon ;) ) but for those who go back and read this, please comment below and give me some other ideas of maybe what you would like to read about.  If I can relate to it, I'll post about it!  I look forward to hearing from you all.