The Fall 2014

All of last Fall was very busy for us.

In August I started homeschooling Hallister.  We did Saxon Math, All About Reading and Handwriting without Tears.  He also attended a co-op on Fridays where he took Unit Studies, History and a Farm Class.  He really likes his classes and made a good friend through them that we have play dates with.

As part of the co-op one parent has to volunteer 6 hours. I chose lunch duty so 6 different times I helped the kids during lunch and helped to clean up.  It was really neat to see Hallister be a leader with his new friend, always leading the way to a table for them to sit.  The environment was peaceful.  I love how the director chose one student to pray before lunch started.  Each time I picked Hall up he showed me something he made and talk about his day with enthusiasm.

I still can't believe I said I would never home school.  Never say never.  It's like every time the thought of putting Hall in the school next to our house entered my mind I would see on the news something about a stabbing or abuse or bullying.  Even the school next to us had a man with a gun on campus. That school is just so big.  I didn't want Hallister to become a number.  I know we can't protect them from everything, and we may do public school eventually, just not in this season.

In October I decided designing the Iowa Kids and Wedding directories, Jamberry and homeschool was all too much.  I gave my notice for the directories that I just could not design them any more.  I wondered how much longer she would be in business anyway since after 3 years they were still just 16 pages.  When I designed the Waco Kids Directories we went up to 40 pages some deadlines.

The next month I found out the Iowa publisher closed her business, so I would not have continued to
design them anyway.

October was also a hard month because some dear friends of ours decided to get divorced.  Jonathan and I both went to the custody hearing.  That was the most brutal thing to sit through to see our friends who had been married for 11 years tear other's character apart.  I left their feeling I had left a funeral, mourning the loss of this friendship of a couple we were so close to, and now feeling like we had to choose sides.  To this day the divorce is still not final.  They are both fighting for full custody.

The only "good" that has come out of it is talks Jonathan and I have had to make sure we keep our marriage strong, regularly take retreats, keep God first, marriage second, kids third.  We definitely don't want things to fall apart once the kids leave.

In November I promoted to Executive with Jamberry!  That meant that I had two Team Managers on my team, sold $8000 as a team and $30,000 in my downline of 180 people. Directly "under" me I had 20 consultants and then the other 160 people were from their team branching out.  I manage my own team page on Facebook called You're In Good Jams. It is a group where we support each other and encourage one another.  I offer incentives if my team reaches certain goals.  I love all the friendships I have made with Jamberry and I'm looking forward to National conference in Dallas in July.

It is still amazing to think I have a degree in Architecture and I design nail wraps now. Ha!  But there is still a consistent demand out there.  By hosting Facebook parties, at least 3 a month, I am able to continually meet new people and to maintain rank I must sell $700 a month in Jamberry.  I average $1000 in sales monthly though and really aim for that as my minimum. I am very thankful for this business that brings in an income and provides me with an outlet.  We have been able to go on mini-vacations and pay for homeschool curriculum with my Jam income.

In December we really debated on traveling to Austin Christmas.  Remembering all we need to bring, especially with Liberty's allergies, is such a task.  My women's intuition kicked in though that we needed to see Paw Paw.  We didn't know when it would be his last day.  The kids had not seen him in quite a while.  We arranged to stay with my sister and go for a visit before heading to Austin Christmas with my Dad's side of the family.

I am so glad we got in those last moments.  3 weeks later Paw Paw passed away. The timing was orchestrated interestingly on MLK day. Luther's famous words were ringing out for PawPaw that day, "Free at last, free at last." He is now free.

Hallister Turns 6

For Hallister's 6th birthday we had a Star Wars themed party at Peter Piper Pizza.  There is a new one here in Waco and it is very nice.

I, of course, had to break out my Jam-baby, the Star Wars Jamberry wraps I designed!

I really enjoyed not having to clean or do much.  They provided food and entertainment. I just brought the yummy cupcakes!

Camp Gladiator

May of 2014 a friend of mine asked if I wanted to try out Camp Gladiator with her for free.  I remembered seeing on Facebook how she got up early in the mornings to go work out and she really enjoyed it.

I decided to give it a try.  I had tried everything, doing videos during nap time, going walking by myself early in the mornings, but never stuck with it.  I knew with working out, as with anything else in life, I needed accountability.

So twice in a week I got up at 5:00am to go to 5:30am hour long workouts, and I survived.  The people were great and the trainer was encouraging.  After my free week I went ahead and signed up for a year.

We work out in parking lots, or if it is rainy or real cold, in a local church gym.  We do interval training, sprint and agility drills, stations, plyometrics, body weight strength drills, cardio mix, and much more. Camp Gladiator is designed to increase your functional strength, speed, stamina and, most importantly, to deliver results.  I attend at least three times a week going to camp at 5:30am or 5am. I thought it would be hard getting up but it really isn't.  I have made so many new friends, a lot that also homeschool, plus of course they notice my nails and I've sold Jamberry and even booked parties through CG.

I have definitely seen results, but also realized how much getting healthier is all about the kitchen.  You can lift weights and run every day but if you go back home and eat carbs and sweets then all your hard work is lost.  I have seen amazing changes as we have cut back on gluten, really some of it just by switching to gluten free waffles, spaghetti noodles, mac and cheese.  I do try to eat less dairy as well.  I don't know how much weight I have lost but I can definitely tell I have gained.....strength, confidence and friendships!

So early this year I arrive at Camp Gladiator and find a new station is there to film us as one of the options you have to work out.  My trainer Jason asked if I wanted to speak on camera!  I am sorry I don't have the video to share.  Everyone said I did well but I was nervous.  It was fun to have my second round of "15 seconds of fame", the first being the movie I was in, The Rookie.

One of my goals going into Camp Gladiator was to gain strength to run a 5K!  That post is coming up next.