What a JoY

It's not often, that I get to be the one to show up at some one's door and bless them with something. I have often wondered why that is.. am I not looking to help people? Are my eyes not open with compassion on other's? For I know that there are people all around me that need help. All. The. Time. Sometimes I just think..... there isn't much I can do.

But I love the times when I CAN do something. When my eyes are opened to see others. I pray that I become more like this.

And I was able to today.

I won't go into the details, for it isn't my story to tell.

But I was able to see how God has blessed me with some new kitchen tools and I was in turn able to bless someone else.

It was so. much. FuN.

I took great joy in it.

To see a need and know you can meet it.

Keep your eyes open friends to how you can be of use, because you are useful.

If I had a title it would go here.....

Can we take a minute to talk about garden hoses?? They have been the bane of my existence. ( dramatic?? maybe. Truth? absolutely.)

I hate dragging the heavy things around and then they get kinked and you have to stomp back and figure out where the kink is and fix it. I usually end up so angry at the end of attempting to water that it is just easier to avoid watering altogether.

I have a solution.

The pocket hose.

It is a thing of wonder.

Truly.

It is lightweight and does not kink.

I just need 2 of them.

It has put me in my happy place of gardening.


Anyway.

That's my tip for the day. Hope you enjoy.

This has been a busy week. It's only August, but it is actually starting to feel like summer. I don't know why it took so long to actually feel like summer.

We have spent 2 days this week at either the lake or the pool. It seems to put me in my happy place. I have missed the liquid babysitter.

Monday we spent the day at the lake with Joanna and the kids.

As soon as I told Emma what we were doing, she "oh my dosh, I so escited." I looked at her and she had this dumbfounded look on her face. It was pretty cute. Anything that involves her cousin "ei" she is all for!

She spent the day building sand castles with Elisa and laying on her princess towel. Oh the life of a 2 year old.

The boys spent the day pestering the girls and sliding down this slide. We were the only people that day at the lake, so the kids took full advantage of it.

After Maddie buried Elisa in the sand, Emma decided she wanted to be buried in the sand. I didn't think she would stand for it, but she did. She was there for about 20 min patiently waiting to be buried.

Yesterday was spent at a local pool. We were given free passes. I let Emma skip her nap, and while the other kids dove off the diving board, Emma and I went to the kiddy area. Emma swam like a fish and even got enough courage to go down the big slide. ( I of course, failed to get a picture. )

We went with our neighbor and her boys. So it was nice to have another Mom to talk to.

It was also Maddie's birthday yesterday.

The big 13!

Grandma Gail stopped by on her way to work to bring her balloons. She took her out last week for new clothes for her birthday.  She was able to find some really cute bargains.

 

I can't believe that Maddie Girl is 13. All those typical sayings keep coming back to my mind; "where did 13 years go?" "Wasn't it just yesterday she was born?" "It all goes so fast."

And it does go fast.

Does anyone get overcome with a deep sadness as your kids grow and hit these major milestones?

I was just kinda sad all day yesterday.

Maddie's party is Friday night, and I know she is looking forward to that.

Today, Melissa and the girls were able to come over. My shopping spree order was delivered today and the girls insisted on helping me open the boxes.

 I should have done it much sooner bc the girls loved to play in the boxes. That kept them entertained for quite a while.

These girls are so fun. I am so glad they have each other. And I am so glad to count Melissa as a true friend.

It's all around been a good week so far.

The Pampered Chef

3 months ago, I signed up for a... what I believe to be.... life changing experience.

I signed up to be a Pampered Chef Consultant.

I was introduced to the Pampered Chef probably 6-7 years ago. I fell in love with the company and the products right away.

The idea to sell has flitted through my mind, but it was never the right time.

With Jeremy's job being what is was during the spring, I was looking for the possibility of doing some supplemental income. I didn't know what that looked like. I just knew that I wanted to make money while still being home with my kids.

With my passion for cooking, one morning I was talking to God with the thought of Pampered Chef in my mind. I wondered if it was maybe a good time to actually look into this opportunity. But I told God that I didn't want to do anything that wasn't in tune with what He wanted for my life. I told Him that He would have to actually lead and guide me.

Well He did.

4 hours later......

Ellen, who was my high school teacher messaged me on Facebook.

I haven't really seen Ellen in the time since I graduated. I have only ran into her occasionally.

She asked me if I was ever interested in selling Pampered Chef.

Short, sweet and to the point.

I think I might have laughed right out loud.

I said... funny thing..... I have actually been thinking about it this very morning.

I  talked with Jeremy, who was probably a little skeptical but very supportive.

When making major life decisions, I try to take the decision before God and get some leading and some peace.

I quickly went to my Maker for some leading. And did I get it.

1 Samuel 7:3 - Nathan replied to the King, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

Isaiah 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness & streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 42:16 - I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them & make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

If this wasn't enough, I wanted to make no mistake that the Lord was in it. So I put out a fleece. I said I would do this if.....

And the IF came.

It was quite remarkable.

Less then a week later, I took the step and signed up.

And boy am I glad I did.

What a ride this has been so far.

I have some pretty amazing friends and family who have helped me get started on this journey and I am so thankful for them.

Through the Pampered Chef platform, I have been able to meet some pretty fantastic people, and I am looking forward to being able to meet many more.

I was just able to go to the  The Pampered Chef National Convention, which was held in Louisville, Kentucky.

I am not much or a "world traveler," so I was pretty excited just to be able to get out and enjoy this great nation. (sounds cheesy, I know, but it's true. This girl has never even flown. Shocked?)

 

 

I was able to meet some pretty fantastic people with some pretty similar goals in mind.

I don't know if I have ever been so sure that I was SuPpOsEd to be in a certain place for a certain time then that weekend. On Wednesday before I left, I started to question whether or not I should go. I saw my checkbook and thought.... I don't know about this Lord. I truly want to go, but I don't know how this will work.

While I was on my way to the bank, I was listening to the radio and a lady was talking and she made this statement..... if you are wondering about how you are going to get somewhere, just trust God to get you there. With tears in my eyes, I knew that that was meant for me to hear.

So off I went on a grand adventure.

I was looking forward to really immersing myself in the company and doing some in depth training.

And boy did I get it.

Ellen has talked to me about what my dream is. Do I have a dream? I didn't know how to answer that.

So I was really praying and hoping that I would get something to dream about.

Before going on this trip, I would think about actually going further in this company and I leaned more toward the Doubting Thomas side of life.

But now.

Now, my outlook has totally changed.

I feel like I have a fire now. The passion for not only this product but for how this can change other peoples life, like it has already changed mine.

I learned so much while I was in Kentucky. And I am so very excited about the direction that the company is going.

Can I tell you that I pretty much work for the greatest company? See all this?? This is great products that I was able to get either free or at a HuGe discount. I have another box coming my way as well.

And can I also mention that earned a $400 shopping spree with Pampered Chef!!!!!!! I don't think I can begin to tell you how excited I am. I am making my wish list and will placing my order very shortly.

I hope that you don't feel as if I am bragging. That really isn't my goal.  I just am in wonder about how God can take absolutely NoThInG, and turn it into SoMeThIng.

If you are struggling with something, don't hesitate. Walk in obedience with what you KnOw God is telling you to do. You will never regret that.