Tuesday, August 31, 2010

MAKE YOUR DAY!

Congratulations to my dear friend Nocona for meeting her goal and becoming the newest Mary Kay director. I am so proud of her and her achievements with her company. YOU ARE AWESOME!!

I wanted to share this excerpt with you:

You can go to http://www.jennychildress.com/2008/09/glitters.html to read the full post. I wrote this post almost 2 years ago and stumbled upon it this morning when I was updating my blog. I just wanted to share this excerpt with you


I am reading a new book called, "48 Days to the Work you Love" by Dan Miller (and a foreword by my fav Dave Ramsey)pg 48 of this FABULOUS book states, "considerable evidence indicates that expectations of your future do, in fact, tend to create your future. Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, head of the world's largest church, says: 'What you have in your heart becomes your experience.' People often end up where they expect to end up.

It seems reasonable to spend some time determining specific, worthwhile expectations that will make your life more meaningful. Keep in mind that only about 8 percent of the general population can identify clear goals and only about 3 percent ever actually write those down. These are specific goals, not just the 'I want a bigger house' variety. With this process, you can quickly put yourself into the 3 percent category, noting that those 3 percent ultimately accomplish more than the remaining 97 percent."


So remember to be specific about what you want to achieve and when. You are in control of how things work out! Congratulations to Nocona for making a goal and sticking with it! You are an inspiration to all but specifically for those of us with our own direct sales businesses!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

19 Weeks

On Tuesday I begin my 20th week of pregnancy! WOW! I am feeling great and still feel like I have more energy than I have had in a long time. It's getting harder and harder to find things to wear and I am excited about all of the new clothes I will begin to wear soon.

Week 19 of Pregnancy

Your baby's skin now has a protective coating, while you might be hoping for something to protect you from painful leg cramps.

Your Baby in Week 19 of Pregnancy
Have you ever seen a mango dipped in cheese? Well, that's what your baby looks like this week due to a little growth spurt (she's about a half pound in weight and six inches long) and a substance called vernix caseosa. This greasy white stuff covers your baby's skin, protecting it from the surrounding amniotic fluid. (Without it, she'd look totally wrinkled as she entered the world.) The vernix sheds as delivery approaches, though some babies still sport a bit of the coating at birth. *whattoexpect.com

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom —
about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. *babycenter.com

Kyle's mom went with a friend to a craft fair in New Braunfels this past weekend and brought back the above goodies for Kennedy Kate! I LOVE that headband and can't wait for her to wear her western onesie.
Here are all of the goodies that have been given to Miss K to date. Thank you to Whitney Hanna, Crystal Gelber, Diana Waggoner, Ashley Snell, and YaYa. What a blessing.

Friday, August 27, 2010

What to Do?

Lately it seems that all that has been on my mind is baby. There are so many things that I feel need to be accomplished before she gets here (its fun to be able to say "she" instead of "it") and I feel overwhelmed at times. Here are some of those things:
  1. I want $10,000 plus in an emergency fund
  2. but I want to keep working on our debt snowball but think saving is more important
  3. she needs a dresser? Of course she does! Why didn't I think of this? Thank you Jami
  4. Pet hair. We have 4 pets and I've had it with the hair. Does anyone want a Stetson, LuLu, Shiner, or Belle (JK) but Shiner and Belle are getting a HUGE NEATO dog house ASAP. I don't need labs sleeping in my house.
  5. My husband and I own our own business and I am the main presenter. What will we do once the baby is here? I think our team should get used to web presentations STAT! :) Kyle is awesome at presentations too so I am so blessed that we get to work together. We make a great team.
  6. Which brings me to #6. Dreaded number six. Who's that girl that is now behind 4 months in receipts for our books for taxes? It's me! It's me! (insert Spartan cheer voice there). Can you believe it? I think I swore HERE that I would NEVER let that happend again! How does this happen? I think I need to hire help on this one :) who likes to organize and has patience (with me)? and wants to make $10 an hour and $100 when spreadsheets are complete? I'm serious!! The little print on receipts makes me CRAZY!
  7. Im just gonna throw this out there because well, you might have some words of encouragement: I know. I know. Im pregnant but will my body that ran a marathon ever come back? Thank the Lord for BFF's who are personal trainers (Christina Joy Coleman) You will be on duty the DAY Dr. Rutter says you can be :)
  8. Will I be a good mommy? She's gonna need shoes, socks, outfits, food, diapers and changes, lots of my milk, advice, cuddles, birthday parties (im not creative), etc.
  9. Please please let her be healthy Lord!!
I know that there is more but I don't want you to think I am wallowing. I am just VERY goaly, planny, controlly (i know), and I want everything just right. So here is my prayer and I ask that you would pray with me:

Lord God,
Thank You that You know all outcomes of all things and that You knew of Kennedy Kate before I was born! You blow me away Lord! I am in complete awe that you are knitting Your little princess together inside of ME! You know my heart and my desire is to know You more and I already think I do by this little one inside. Thank You that I don't have to be anxious about anything but that I can make my requests known to You. Thank you for the amazing family and church family you have surrounded me with in this time of great change and adjustment. Thank You Lord that you provide perfectly, are all things, and that You love me. Thank You that you take care of ALL.
AMEN!!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Lil' Miss Has a Name

My mother-in-law's maiden name is Kennedy and Kate was one of my great grandmother's names (Bonnie Kate). We are thrilled that our little girl has a name!!! Bring on January!

Cold Front?


Is this fall I feel? I woke up this morning around 9:00 to walk Belle who was spayed on Monday. She is still a bit groggy so we didn't get far but THANK YOU LORD for a cool(ish) breeze and the smell of fall!! I am dreaming of pumpkins, scarecrows, pumpkin bread, football, cornbread, chili...

What makes you happy about fall? Since lil miss (which is what I will call our baby girl until we pick a name) will be here in January I have never been more ready to get the move on with the seasons.

Thank you Lord for the bit of relief in the weather today. Thank you that you are in all things and are all things and that you hold me and kyle and lil miss in your hands. Thank you for the seasons and how you bring newness.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

It's a Girl!!!

Today was an eventful day. We woke up at 7:00AM to take our precious Belle (our chocolate lab) to the vet to get spayed, hit up Chick-fil-a for a breakfast burrito, returned home to sleep until 11:30 AM, cleaned house (ive been doing this a lot lately), and got ready for our 3rd baby appointment which was at 2:00PM. On our way to the appointment I checked Facebook on my phone and had a message from an old high school friend that said, "Hey Jenny, I went to high school with you!!! I keep checking up on your posts to see what you are having!! Congrats on your pregnancy!! How many weeks are you?!?! I actually work at a place where we do 3d/4d ultrasound but we also do the 2d to get the gender of the baby!!! If you were dying to know what you are having I could get you in this week and I wouldn't charge you!!!!" She left her office phone number so I called and she told me I could come in and find out the gender TODAY :) So immediately after leaving Dr.Rutter's office after a great appointment; we headed to San Antonio and found out the wonderful news! Within minutes Ashley was able to tell us that we are having a girl. We are beside ourselves and now must decide on a name. I have visions of barbie dolls, purses, pink, and bows. Kyle has visions of taking her fishing and hunting :).

How your little girl is growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Random Dozen


1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Funnel Cakes
2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Old clothes that are out of date and won't be worn again.
3. What is your favorite gift to receive? I love cards and flowers
4. When was the last time you tried something new? I am constantly trying new things in our business. Always looking for ways to be a better presenter.
5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre?
Memoir, Mystery, Political Intrigue, Romance, Humor, Historical Fiction, Historical nonfiction, Chick Lit, Self-Help, Other Favorite: Chick Let. Least Favorite: historical fiction
6.Silver or Gold? Both :)
7. What makes you sigh? Traffic on IH 35
8. If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? 26
9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? YES
10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? I would teach Speech again. I loved teaching high school students the importance of communication.
11. You're having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would let them know that I know that person and I'd rather them not talk about her.
12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts*
Words of Affirmation*

Monday, August 16, 2010

Week 17

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Exciting Things:

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Oh Baby




Well friends our little one is teaching us patience already!! We received over 20 images of our little bundle of joy but that baby would not show us if it is a boy or a girl. I will keep your votes ready and should hopefully have some news for you soon. The important part is that the images were so clear that we now know that our little one has all fingers and toes, a beautifully formed heart, and knows how to give a high 5. The baby kept sticking his/her thumb in their mouth which made me cry. Seeing our little one flip and turn was one of the biggest blessings in my life. What a joy!! The instructor said that she thought she could see something sticking out (possibly a boy) but she wasn't willing to confirm since we didn't get a clear picture.
I feel so blessed to have found Virginia College in Austin which offers free ultrasounds from students who are in school to be ultrasound techs. Since we are self employed my insurance only covers 2 ultrasounds and any others would have had to be paid for out of pocket. Since Virginia college offers FREE ultrasounds on Wednesdays from 4-6 for their students lab work I would recommend going there to any expecting mom. You can call them at 512-371-3500 EXT 2814. Again the only lab time available is from 4-6 on Wednesdays but it is a very private and intimate where 2 hours will be spent on you.
I am thankful for all of your kind words, well wishes, and prayers. Please continue to pray for our little one as it grows and grows. It can now hear our voices! How neat is that!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Random Dozen


I've decided to link up with 2nd Cup of Coffee and her Random Dozen
to help pass the time today. We are anxiously awaiting our baby appointment!!
Make sure to jump on in and answer the R
andom Dozen as well. I want to know yall better :)


1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried? On Sunday Kyle and I stumbled u
pon this video and laughed until we cried..haha I laugh just thinking about it and am moved to
"never give up"
2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it? Put in the "Baby's First Bank" that we received from the Waggoners.
3. Do you volunteer anywhere? I help when I am needed at church functions but am going to start in the fall with helping out with the youth group and girls ministry at our church.
4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it? Watermelon and I eat it like itcomes (not with salt)
5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?I would say that it is rather large but I have a small group of ladies that I just love to death and don't know what Iwould do without them.
6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go? Last summer the Ratliff side of our family went to Port Aransas for 3 nights for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. It was fabulous! Here is a recent picture of the whole group at my cousinAlison's UT graduation.

7. When you're feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up? Hug me :) or just tell a corny joke
8. Have you taken a vacation this summer? Yes! Thanks to FHTM we got to go to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. It was beautiful and so much fun!
9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time? hmm I think that most of the things I carry with me are necessary..maybe perfume but I think that might also be necessary in Texas in the summer.
10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far? I liked Inception a lot.
11. Describe a perfect summer day. Laying out by the pool with nothing to do.
12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!
West Texas Sunset
Last weekend I visited my grandparents in the great West Texas town of Roscoe (Population 1378 or something like that. I took this picture at sunset and it was breathtaking!!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

24 hours

Okay readers!! Tomorrow is the day we should find out if our precious little one is a BOYor a GIRL. Make sure to vote in our poll which is found in the top left hand corner of my blog AND comment on this post with what you voted. If you have already voted in the poll make sure you comment on this post too because those of you who comment correctly will have your names put in a drawing for a Target gift card. Tomorrow you should know if your guess is correct!
Happy Voting!!
MY VOTE: BOY
KYLE'S VOTE: BOY

Monday, August 9, 2010

Avocado


16 Weeks?

My husband pointed out last night that I only have 169 days to go...I could have gone without that number for sure.

Exciting things are happening this week with the little one:

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

In other news: My ultrasound is scheduled for WEDNESDAY from 4-6 and we just might find out the gender of our dear one. Be on standby for that news!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Thank You Very Much



It's Free Therapy Day!! That's right, it's Thursday, which means it's the Thank You Very Much day. The way it works is that you take out all your frustrations on people/things that peeved you off during the week and thank them in a very sarcastic way, for being who or what they are/doing what they did.
To the student loans that I STILL owe on after 4 years of being finished with college... THANK YOU VERY MUCH (you'll be paid off in a year)
To the FREE lab who barks and barks and barks...THANK YOU VERY MUCH
To the temperature that adds to pregnancy crankiness...THANK YOU VERY MUCH
To the baby who is already waking me up early..like 6:24 AM...THANK YOU VERY MUCH (but really I am so happy to be woken up)

Monday, August 2, 2010

Top 2 Tuesday...Simple Pleasures


Top 2 Simple Pleasures

1. A cup of coffee and a fireplace when its cold (can you tell the Texas heat is getting to me?)
2. A good long run. Now that I am pregnant I realize that I took those for granted. I should register for a race for next spring ASAP :)

Kyle's Answers:
1. Playing guitar
2. Sitting in a deer blind

15 Weeks



Tomorrow I will be 15 weeks into pregnancy! I am loving the second trimester so far and feel that I have much more energy. This might be the most exciting time of my life :)

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although hereyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

In other news we get to find out if the little one i'm carrying around is a boy or a girl next week!!!! I was on craigslist and found an ad for Virginia College and they offer a free sonogram if you come to the class from 4-6 and let "several students practice their sonogram skills" whatever!! I'm there and its free and the lady said they WILL be able to tell gender for sure :) How exciting is this?

I may FINALLY have a girl name ready so make sure to stop by my blog next week for an update.

Also, Kyle now has his own website so go to www.kylechildress.net and see what he is up to!