Vlog Linkup 2

I'm linking up with the House of Rose again today to share a little bit of Wednesday craziness. The sound and the video are a bit off still, but I'm working on getting it all together. Sorry for my total amateur video, but that's how I roll. 

I hope you enjoyed that, and I'll try to have something better to tell you about next week.

Melting Pot Launch

An amazing friend of mine through MOPS is the manager of our local Melting Pot restaurant, and each month they host an even called Ladies Night Out. They have a special menu and drink specials geared toward Ladies. Additionally, they have local vendors come in and sell their products to the guests.

I promoted the event as best as I could - without really knowing that many people in the area. They had a relatively good turn out at the event too - and I had a great time. Here is my set up all ready to go - sorry for the glare on the jewelry - the sun was setting right through the window.

Scentsy all set up

Stella & Dot all set up

I got there to set up at about 4... and they opened at 5. We were done at 11. I'm BEAT today - my legs and shoulders are reminding me that I'm not used to that sort of thing. 

The parties are still going on my websites - for a couple of more days - and I'd be honored if you'd consider making a purchase as a part of the party. I had a giveaway of a full sized warmer and two scent bars for Scentsy for the people in attendance last night, and a set of bracelets in a storage box for Stella & Dot - but I'm going to do another giveaway of 2 scents of your choice for anyone that makes a purchase online in the next 24 hours. 

To shop Scentsy - click here - and remember there is a whole new catalog with the Spring/Summer scents as well as our new bath & laundry product line called, Layers. Additionally, if you'd like to be added to my monthly newsletter list - you can also comment with your name and email address.

To shop Stella & Dot - click here - there are some great sales this month, but just remember to choose Melting Pot as your party host at close out.

I am honored by every single purchase, and can promise you that any commissions that I make right now are going toward getting the boys a membership to the Children's Museum to enjoy for a year! I would love to take them to play and expand their minds through playing at our local museum - especially this summer when it will be a bit too hot to go to the Zoo.

Why I Blog

There are so many reasons why each of us choose to share our lives on the internet, and for me - what started for one reason has evolved into so much more than I could have imagined.

I started writing this little blog of mine, my focus was on having weight loss surgery. I wanted to journal my experience for family and friends... and have a record for myself of the changes and things that I went through in the process between having surgery and recovery.

Once we got through the weight loss surgery focused part of our lives, life evolved into our struggle with infertility taking center stage for a while. We battled with this much longer than is chronicled here, but the most intense part of the journey is documented here - along with the days after hearing that the doctors couldn't help me.

Our adoption journey is here, along with the craziness of finding out we were pregnant at the same time as our adoption going through... and the insanity of having two baby boys at home while going through a major job transfer with John's job. Then the transformation from working Mom to stay at home Mom.

It's all here - my 2007 to today. It's crazy how much my life has changed while blogging!

Additionally, I've always loved to write - it's therapy for me. I can put it out on paper (or the interwebs) while it's fresh in my mind and it just makes me feel better to process through my thoughts this way. I know there are folks out there that don't understand why I want to put myself out there like I do, but those usually are people that don't write or understand the beauty of social media.

I know that one of those folks is also one of my most loyal readers... my Dad. He doesn't understand or necessarily agree with putting it all out there, but at the same time loves to read. HA!

For me, one of the biggest joys that I found in this process was connecting with readers. I never anticipated that through blogging, I would develop some deep and meaningful relationships with other ladies out there going through some of the same things as me. At first it was my AMAZING "cut & paste" girls that helped cheer me through the weight loss surgery journey. Then, I met some truly remarkable ladies through the infertility journey - ladies that walked with me, prayed with me, and shared their journeys with me. Now, I find comfort knowing that I'm going through some of the same things as other ladies out there.

Bottom line, I don't blog for any other reason than for my own enjoyment. The fact that anyone reads - which I think is few and far between... is just an amazing bonus. Why do you blog? More importantly, why do you come around here and read what I have to say?

Photo a Day - Week 8 & 9

I missed last weekend, and I can't even remember why - I think I just never had a chance to get on the computer. I'm desperately trying to not use my laptop when the boys are awake right now because I had to have some warranty work on it recently because of them pushing it over and messing with it one too many times. I find that because of this and my exhaustion when they go to bed at night - I rarely get on the laptop at night either. I'm trying to find my balance... and as usual, I'm failing miserably at that.

February 19 - I made my boys some Rice Krispies Treats because they love them, and I really enjoy making them happy.

February 20 - My oldest niece's 16th birthday - she is a big Starbucks fan, so I had one in her honor since we couldn't be together.

February 21 - My Dad's birthday... but also the day that we got "Allie" the cat! She is such a sweetie, and settled in quickly.

February 22 - Allie truly was completely at home and relaxed in less than 24 hours of being with us here... she makes me laugh! 

February 23 - My 10th wedding anniversary!! So hard to believe we've been married this long - for this anniversary, Momma got her first Coach purse & wallet!! WAH HOO! John is such an amazing man, and I'm blessed to be his partner for life. I'm ready for whatever the next 10 years brings! 

February 24 - I took the boys on our first outing to the park by ourselves. They had a great time, and we managed to get in and play without losing anyone or getting anyone hurt! 

February 25 - Daddy had to work all day on Saturday - so we tried to pack in some fun activities. Only Mommy didn't get the memo to use FREEZER bags for the finger paint activity - and it was short lived because we busted the paint out!

February 26 - I typically do my most labor intensive cooking on Sundays... which means baking and fresh meals that aren't prepped ahead and baked later... I had some extra crescent roll dough and an apple... so presto - mini apple pies that we had with some ice cream!!

February 27 - While the boys were napping, I laid down with Allie... it was short lived as we quickly were on our way to the pediatrician for two sets of: strep swabs in the throat, flu swabs up the nose, and blood work... only to find out that both boys had a "red throat" and a virus. (Can I get an amen that VIRUS is the worst word ever for a Momma to hear from the pediatrician?!)

February 28 - I made a childhood favorite of mine for dinner - Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and Fresh Green Beans. It was amazing, and such great soul food for me. I will post the recipes on Momma Hawk Cooks as soon as I can.

February 29 - We took it easy and played with our toys most of the day on Wednesday. Momma put us in the car in our jammies to go get a Starbucks and a Sonic because she knew it was going to be a LONG day... she was right, and the drinks were helpful.

March 1 - John had to stay home with the boys because Tyler was still very sick. I had a party to give for my businesses, and once I was home - John did a little yard work, and I took the boys out to play on their swing set. 

March 2 - I got very ill on Friday, so I allowed this to happen with the toys. I literally just gave up and let them do whatever they wanted to... because Momma was a puky mess. 

March 3 - This cracks me up - Allie and I were resting during nap time yesterday... and I guess I was talking too much during what she deemed "quiet time"

Vlogs and a BIG SO WHAT

Well, I've decided to jump off a cliff and do another vlog... I'm linking up with House of Rose today and am also linking up with So What Wednesday on Life After I Dew.

It's a bit of a stretch on Shannon's link up, but I have the total attitude of So What Wednesday here - and I thought I'd just give it a whirl anyway. Truly, SO WHAT if my house is a wreck. SO WHAT if my kids are sick. SO WHAT if the kitchen needs serious scrubbing. SO WHAT if I haven't had a good nights sleep in DAYS. SO WHAT if I've got a hundred and sixty things to do for my businesses - Scentsy launch/Stella & Dot relaunch is tomorrow... I'm going to sit down and do something for me... post something on this here little blog of mine.

I've missed you guys... so here is a little bit of what I'm thankful for... and a little craziness from holding two toddlers while trying to vlog! Enjoy!

I have no idea what happened with my first video... but here is a bonus video because the audio was wonky and went out... video number two is just me - here you go!

I'll be danged if it doesn't go out at the end here too - I'll get my technical support (aka John) to look at it and see if there is something weird going on for next week. Sorry ladies!!

We are super unsophisticated over here - because Momma doesn't know how to edit... so you're watching it just as it happened, and I hope it'll make you laugh and get to know me a bit better. We had a super epic meltdown over here as soon as I turned off the camera... so at least I spared you that! If any of you do a vlog too, let me know - because I'd love to see it.