A Wedding Weekend to Remember

This past weekend we had the pleasure of being a part of my cousin's wedding.  We also love the groom and his family so it was a truly special weekend.  Julia and Harrison both were a part of our Cru ministry at Alabama and it was so fun to see their relationship grow over the years until Saturday when they took their vows of marriage!

The rehearsal dinner was at The Club and it was awesome!  They ended the night with fireworks looking over the city of Birmingham.  It was so neat! 

Ellie Kate and Abigail got to be flower girls and boy did they love getting all dressed up and beautiful!  

And I took quite a few pics (even though I got reprimanded by the official photographer. ha). 

This was their first time to see Julia 

Barrett is the groom's brother and we just love him!!!  

He was an All American Alabama football player and he is one of the kindest young men who loves our kids:). 

The four flower girls were so precious together! 

The custom calligraphy on all the papers (invitations, order of service, etc) were so beautiful

And the flowers were gorgeous. 

You gotta love a good southern traditional wedding! 

The reception was at The Birmingham Country Club. 

A storm had rolled in earlier that day and snapped their power.

It got pretty hot in that hall. 

But it didn't stop the fun! 

Kiddos were mesmerized by the bride and groom's first dance

My kids seriously danced the night away. 

I think they will remember that night for a long time. 

They absolutely had a blast despite the heat. 

The girls ditched the tutu's and danced in their leotard.

Samuel was woo'd by my cousin's wife Cat.

He loves her!  She really helped him come out of his tween shell and he danced with her a lot! 

And then he danced with me!  He even taught me some moves he learned from Cat:).

It was awesome to see my buddy have so much fun! 

See how sweaty we all were?

Thanks to the Hokes and Jones for allowing us to be a part of your special day!

It was such a fun weekend!  

A Few of My Favorite Things Summer Edition

I love favorite things posts! I always seem to learn a lot and try out new things when I read other bloggers favorite things.  And I've done a few before that have maybe been helpful to others??:).  So here we are again.  I'm going to share what I'm loving right now during the summer of 2015.


1.  21 Day Fix Workout Routine and Eating Plan

I've done a lot of the Beachbody exercise programs and online challenge groups and I really can't recommend them enough.  I have benefitted greatly from the accountability the challenge groups offer, but I have also loved being able to exercise from home the past few years!  I have seen great success in learning out to eat clean as well through Beachbody.  I lost about 25 lbs a few years ago and kept it all off until January when life took over and I gave in to lots of stressful emotional eating and stopped exercising.  Homeschooling and moving took it's toll and I have gained about 10 lbs since January. YIKES!!!! NOT COOL.  So I knew I could count on Beachbody to provide some accountability and exercise.  I decided to try out 21 day Fix and I'm loving it so far!  I'm well on my way to losing those pesky pounds that crept back on. It comes with great workouts you can do in 30 minutes and a doable meal plan that basically tells you how much and what to eat to lose weight!


2. GOD Centered Mom podcasts

I really like the ones where she has Kirk Martin on (she has 3 episodes with him). He has great tips on strong willed children and how to handle conflicts, etc. I listen to these podcasts while I work out a lot.  It's a good diversion rather than listening to the instructor say the same things over and over again.


3.  This avocado slicer!  I got it at Target and it sure does make slicing up an avocado easy.

4.  My zoodle maker (I found it at CVS of all places).

Samuel actually saw it and thought I would like it.  I LOVE it!  I'm pretty sure it's an as seen on TV type of product but it works great for what I need it for.  I'm the only one who will eat zoodles so a small one like this is all I need.  I basically just eat zoodles now every time I make spaghetti.  Kids and Jeff eat the whole wheat noodles with the meat sauce and I eat the noodles:).

5.  Rodan+Fields lip renewing serum 

Of course I LOVE all my R+F products but I'm really loving my lip serum.  I have always always always suffered from dry chapped lips year around.  I have a thousand lip glosses and chapstick laying around the house.  This serum is amazing and I can really tell a difference in my lips! They contain peptides and antioxidants to help lips retain natural moisturizing factors, smooth lip texture, and reduce the appearance of lip wrinkles.  Each canister has 60 capsules (I get two uses out of each one).  It has been featured in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and more!

4th Of July Fun

We enjoyed a lazy and fun 4th of July. 

For most of the day we played at home and literally did nothing.  It was nice. 

Then we went over to my parents and had dinner with them and my brother, sister in law, and niece. 

I got my big camera out for the first time in awhile!  

I always love when I do that and don't know why I forget to take better pictures more often. 

The iPhone is just so easy I guess:). 

Annie - 3 1/2 years old

the kids love riding the 4 wheeler at my parents!

Abigail - 6 years old

Samuel - 12 years old (only a few months away from being a teenager)

Ellie Kate - 8 years old

After making them take good pictures for me, they all got a little wild.

It's good to get crazy pics too! 

cousins 

Ryan, Erin, and McKinley and baby on the way:)

we never get pics of just us!

We did some sparklers and then headed to the Mall of GA for their big firework show.

The kids loved the fireworks. 

And I have to say, I'm enjoying having my kids get older. 

It just makes things like this easier:).  

Hope everyone enjoyed a great day to celebrate America!

It's not perfect and it's not exactly what I wish it could be, but it's still an amazing country 

and I'm so thankful for Freedom and for this place we call home! 

***************************

DON'T FORGET MY GIVEAWAY BELOW in the next post!

Only two people have entered!  

Leave a comment under that post to win some FREE 

(seriously it's FREE) Rodan + Fields products! 

Like, why wouldn't you enter:)?  NO strings attached y'all! 

It's a mini facial and they are some of my favorite R+F products!!!! 

A Story, New Venture, and GIVEAWAY

All my life (since puberty) I've struggled with breakouts. I've done Accutane twice, tons of antibiotics, birth control, topical creams, essential oils, and more. Infertility meds and pregnancy just wreaked havoc on my skin. After Anna Mitchell it was the worst it's been since I was 15. I tried birth control for over a year and other things with no help.  It really stinks to have aging skin and still deal with acne! I had heard of Rodan and Fields skincare but just didn't want to spend the money on it. However, about a year ago, I took the plunge.  I actually sold things on FB garage sale sites to pay for my first regimen.  I was worried it wasn't going to work, but I stuck with it using the products twice a day and within about 3 months my face had really cleared up!!!! I couldn't believe it.  Some days I look at my skin in disbelief that it's actually so clear.  It's not perfect, but I am so pleased with my results from using Unblemish.  When I do have a breakout, it clears up so much quicker now too which is so nice (cause I do still get a blemish every once in awhile).  And I love that it doesn't dry my skin out like other brands.  

I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.  I feel confident and able to set my mind on other things.  Sometimes it feels a little vain to worry about my skin and face.  And over the years, it has been a struggle and tension to work that out with the Lord.  I didn't want to worry about it.  I didn't want my outlook on life and my confidence to be based on if I was in the middle of a big breakout.  But after half my life of struggling through acne, I am just so thankful for this skincare regimen!!! I am so thankful to not be in the daily struggle of that.  

Here I am a few weeks ago with NO MAKEUP ON AND I DIDN'T EDIT OUT ANY BLEMISHES!
I would have never felt confident enough to post a pic of myself on social media before using R+F.
As you can see, it's not perfect...but a million times better...TRUST me:). 

So, here I am a consultant with R+F!  I won't claim to suddenly know everything about skincare.  I'm not a dermatologist and I haven't been to med school.  We do have some great training and our website offers the advice of the doctors and nurses who have been trained more than I have. I really just want to be able to provide others who have struggled with their skin the opportunity to feel amazing about themselves and see results like I have.  R+F has a host of other products and is one of the fastest growing premium skin care companies.  If acne isn't your struggle, there is still something for you with R+F.  

I'll go ahead and acknowledge that everyone seems to be selling something these days.  I know some of you are tired of hearing about it all.  I know it can be annoying that your FB or instagram feed are full of someone selling something.  But I love these products and I think so many of my friends will to!   Of course, I would also love to make a little extra money:).   With this move and with our kids growing and becoming more expensive, I would love to help provide for our family. I also really want to use any extra income to bless others and give to the needs Jeff and I are passionate about around the globe.  Being on a minister's salary doesn't always afford us the opportunity to give away all that we would like (although we do already give above and beyond our tithe, we would love to do more).  I still have one munchkin at home with me all day so this opportunity to "work" from home is a good fit for now! 

So we have four main regimens for different issues/complaints... 

1.      Redefine – Aging skin

2.      Reverse – Sun damage, sunspots, post pregnancy pigmentation and an overall brighter appearance 

3.      Unblemish – Acne and Acne Scarring

4.      Soothe – Redness, irritation and sensitive skin

We also have two amazing tools that have been featured in tons of magazines...

AMP MD System  –  Featured in Allure magazine, the Today Show, and more! It's clinically proven to safely and effectively improve the appearance of skins firmness.  The AMP roller can be purchased as a bundle with most regimens at a 20% discount and will accelerate Regimen results by 500!! Watch this You Tube video to get a better idea on how to use the Tool.

Macro- Exfoliator  -  for extreme smoothness and radiant skin -  In one use it will clear away 5 Million dead skin cells leaving behind only your smooth healthy looking skin! Also can be purchased with a Regimen at a 20% discount! Watch this You Tube video to get a better idea on how to use the Tool.

And last but not least we have a game changing new product called ACUTE CARE.  Acute care is wrinkle filling strips that work like botox but without the needles!!! They have been featured in Allure magazine and on TotalBeauty.com. With acute care, you don't have to visit your dermatologist to get botox or do something that could be potentially damaging in the long run.  These run about $200 for two months of treatment.  Pretty good price! 

Here are a few before and after pics from some of the different regimens...

I know you just want to know the bottom line.  You can see prices online. If you want a Regimen and Tool buy them together as a “bundle”  (you’ll see them grouped together online) and they are priced 20% off.   Any other price you see,  take 10% off and get free shipping if you sign up to be a “Preferred Customer”.  

To become one of my preferred customers, you will pay a one-time $19.99 enrollment fee and will be on a 60 day auto replenishment program for products. HOWEVER….you DO NOT have to order every 60 days.   You can either change the product you want them to send you, or you can delay your order until whenever.   Really anyone that orders needs to sign up as a “preferred customer” because even on your first order with the $19.99 fee its still ends up being cheaper with the 10% off and free shipping.  And let me assure you again, you are not “locked in” to any sort of commitment and can cancel your membership at anytime.  Also, R + F stands behind their products and offers a 60 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your results or products.  

I do also want to say, I realize that it is a lot of upfront cost, but honestly our products last a long time.  If you do your regimen day and night it will last about 2 months, if you’re a once a day person it could last 4 months!  My first time on Unblemish, it lasted about 3 months and now I can go at least 4 months between orders. The Amp roller tool will last at minimum a year, and Macro-E tool forever!  So your “re-curring” costs will likely just be your regimen at 10% off and free shipping every few months.  $50 dollars a month on average for amazing skin is not a bad deal!  As women, we spend a lot more money on our hair, clothes, shoes, and accessories regularly!  

Please let me know if you are interested in trying Rodan + Fields!  I would love to help you.  You can visit my PERSONAL WEBSITE and look around. You can also contact me from there!  We can message back and forth or I can give you a quick 5 minute phone call to talk you through everything.  Be sure to check out the SOLUTIONS TOOL on my website and it will give you personal recommendations from our world renown doctors/dermatologists! 

NOW FOR THE GIVAWAY!!! 

I have TWO mini facials (one pack of micro dermabrasion paste with one capsule of night renewing serum and lip renewing serum).  These are three of my favorite products and will make your skin feel fabulous!!! So to win one of these just hit "post comment" below this post and tell me which regimen or tool you would be most interested in trying and I will enter you to win!  I will draw for these next Monday July 6!!! 

And for the first person to become a preferred customer after what you have read on this blog, I will give you one of our very popular products...Redefine Eye Cloths!!! So just message me through the website (or leave a comment here) that you want to order and I will put you down for these babies! And then we can discuss which products you want and figure out what's best for you:).  This offer good through July 15!