just another day in paradise

Ok- so I have been MIA for several months, but we are doing well... and about to turn another page in this chapter of our life. I am looking to do more of what matters, and less of what doesn't... and capture it all on film! I hope to start a photography class and effectively multi task (because if I am horrible at blogging and keeping a journal, and yet a picture is worth a thousand words... I'll be all caught up in no time!) Woo Hoo for me! These photos are of 2 of our daily occurances, playing ball (or at least pretending to) and "don't eat pete!" (our personal favorite!

quarterly post!

Our quick family free trip to Mexico... the best way to travel is free! April 2009
Hunts LOVE THE BEACH! Porter loves his muscles!
Our date night to Phil Vassar concert for Justin's birthday! With our closest friends Paynes & Elams! Brian won the "cowboy up" award!
My brave kids on out swingset! I tell em not to, but do they listen??? NNNOOOOO... so I just take pictures instead! (The clouds were amazing little dots this day)
Papa & Grandma came to take Porter fishing for his 4th birthday at our neighborhood lake in February!
How much are those kiddos in the window?? arf arf?!?!?
Happy Easter
I love this squishy face! This was at least a year ago!
Our family Business trip last year to see the Jagers and play in California!
WOW! Flashback!
a dorky chocolate lover like his mom!
my 2 cute blondies in the middle with their 2 best friends!
these chubby feet get me every time!
rub a dub dub my thick babies are in the tub!
this was still on my memory card from christmas 2007- see... i told you i never update this!

ok- so you will think I am dorky, but I have not been so excited about blogging for the past 3 years because I did not have a way to get my 6000 photos from my 2 memory cards to my camera... until this week when my son's primary teacher begged me for a photo of him for a mothers day gift & I forced myself to sit down & figure it out... proud to say... 3000 of my photos made it... and here are some of them from since 2007! (I know I am a dork... get over it)

Holy Roller Coaster!

Well- to define my life in a nutshell- it is one of unsurety at the moment. But one thing I do know for sure is that- I AM NOT ALONE IN THAT FEELING. The economy is affecting lots of people in different ways- and none of us asked to be here- so the quote I like best is...

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS- IT IS ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN!!!

So lets dance!!!

I do not know what the future holds, but I have a family that loves me, and I love them- and they need me to be happy and proactive, and to keep going.

Ever feel like that? Man- it has just been one of those days.

Good thing is- I am a HECK of a date! My 29th birthday yesterday consisted of an $8 meal at Chuy's (for both Justin and I... cheap huh?!) getting cleats for Taylor at Goodwill, a mexican store with a cute $8 shirt (the rest was crrreeepy), a trip to Kirklands for throw pillows and a mirror (which we didn't get), and coldstone (samples)... we can definately date for cheap when we don't have a job for almost 6 months now- have a lot of fun doing it, and the cool thing was- we didn't want to be anywhere else in the world... well- at least we were pleased in the moment- come on- who wouldn't love to spend their 29th birthday in Italy or France, but if I can't- mexican shopping and cheap food works too. I'm easy to please.

I am just checking in!

HOLY SMOKES!!! JULY?!? Were the heck does the time go?!? I don't know- here's a recap... ward split- released from Young Womens- put in as primary chorister, just finished program... what a delight... there were angels with those kiddos. Paigee will go to NURSERY tomorrow- where the heck did that time go? I was brave and took the kiddos with me for a week to Utah, to a family reunion that will be in our memories forever! We bonded like never before with our "extended family" and saw 6 deer (and 1 skunk)! We spent time at the beautiful parks in Utah, ate my favorite treat (Carls Junior Chocolate Chip Cookies) stayed in a gorgeous condo, took time to stop and smell the roses, lost a pair of shoes in some restaurant (hey- don't judge me- I took a road trip alone with 3 kids for 10 days- they are lucky they all made it home in the car- shoes were the least of my concerns!), got in touch with long lost friends, and I got to speak in front of 800 people about my passion for living a fulfilling life... for standing up in this crazy world and making a change, starting in our own home. My kiddos got to come on stage, and we played the song "my wish" by rascall flatts.... LOVE IT (worth it to buy on itunes- promise...it is my wish for everyone I love)... anyway- as it started playing my cute little "Pudgey Paigee No Pants" started dancing (wiggling her cute chubby hips back and forth) and she got a standing ovation! It was a tear jerker!!!! Took 2 family trips of camping on the beach in California with our beach loving kiddos, and closest friends from Tucson, Celebrated Taylor's 5th birthday, Had a ROCKIN halloween party where I stayed up til 2am making a fabulous menu- and the kids honestly could've cared less.. but we had "salty bones breadsticks", bat cheeses, monster cupcakes, mini caramel apples (didn't turn out so hot), and so many fun games you would've thought I was a dang professional party planner (not to toot my own horn- but every mom in the neighborhood commented- and I LOVE TO DO IT!!! If I could plan kids parties everyday I would be a happy woman. I love kid watching (not watching kids... like babysitting) but sitting back and observing them in their innocence enjoy life!! Taylor is learning how to read (I am home schooling her with the "hooked on kindergarten" curriculum- it is great!) I had an awesome knock off purse party and got my coveted Dooney and Burke Giraffe Purse for $5 (vs. $85) Went to Justin's brothers last senior football game in El Paso, TX- we love that place, also to meet Lacie's new baby boy Jaxon! Had my first panic attack of my whole life... in Mexico- wow, I was scared.... Then we headed to Anaheim, California for a weekend retreat and training weekend (just Justin and I) and then I have been in Mesa for the past week trying to help my brother get situated as he has decided to up and pursue his dream of getting his nursing degree... and regardless of the fact that he is 31, and has 3 kids- he sees the loss of his job as the perfect excuse to STOP PUSHING THE SNOOZE BUTTON ON LIFE... and get busy doing something he's always wanted to do. I am proud of him. Depressed to be losing him at the same dang time we are "trying" to relocate... but the Lord has a plan for us and I do not doubt it! Oh yeah- and I coordinated and hosted a crafters boutique... we had such cute stuff this year! I hosted some wellness nights where I am teaching moms to be healthy, and be mindful of their kids health. Oh... and I caught up on my food storage (which has given me many sleepless nights... got all caught up at http://www.readystore.com/ ), got our water barrels, learned how to can meat, and make pasta from scratch, and bought a generator!!! We payed off all our debt, and finally feel like we can breathe! WOO HOOO! It feels good to have that out of the way. (I still need a butter substitute, and wheat)- but have lots of whole grains, beans, freeze dried veggies, and fruit, powdered milk, meat, snacks, zrii (like eating 60 pounds of fruit, so packs a great nutritious punch for food storage), and all the emergency essentials (water treatmeant stuff, sanitation stuff, camping gear, batteries and crank radios, lanterns, stove, jet boil system... it's been a lot, but well worth every penny! Justin is now my full time stay at home hubby (not of his own doing, but I'll take what I can get... he lost his job 3 weeks ago) and we are getting along just fine. We are so blessed, and for that I am grateful! Ok- so I am home now, I had a baby shower at my house today and a full day of catch up (I've been gone for 8 days) and going to bed. If I haven't posted in a while- this is why... life. ( and I started another blog for my business, it is dorky, but these things are time consuming www.teamofeight.blogspot.com ... and facebook (caryn)...I admire all of you for making this a priority... for me, it's a quarterly deal. Hope you don't give up on me! Thanks

frustrated with technology

ok- can someone tell me how to get this dang QuickTime video clip on here??? This is unreal! It's been "uploading for like 2 days- still nothing!! Is the a trick!?!?

Mrs. Luster

Mrs. Luster
Well- that's what I'm affectionately called by the Zrii-ites in the world. 1st of all- know this- I am not meaning to not post, but a) I am running a brand new business, and any of you that have ever owned your own business know that you have to put some time in to get it up and off the ground... but it is paying off! b) I LOST MY DANG DIGITAL CAMERA BACK AT CHRISTMAS- and I haven't had it to take pictures of my own kids and family life- except on my phone... Paigees whole first year almost is documented on my phone... and so I can't post pictures unless someone emails them to me from their camera- lame I know, but that is one HUGE piece of this whole blogging puzzle! c)I am a vata... you don't know what that means- but it means I am airy and spacey, and not a finisher... random at best... I meant to have you all take a DOSHA quiz to figure out what you are- because it makes interactions with people so much clearer when you know who you're talking to... and it would be helpful for you to know how to create balance in your life by knowing what are some things to avoid doing because they might throw you out of balance... make sense?!? I am Vata- I have a tendency, when imbalanced to feel anxious and overwhelmed- one thing I could do to help that is to finish things... Pittas are firey and hot, so they should avoid spicy foods, competitive sports, and anything that heats them up... all of this is so fun to learn about in my wellness nites I teach- once a month in Phoenix- you are welcome to join us, or go to www.EatTasteHeal.com to take the dosha quiz- then email me or post your results- I am so curious!
d) my computer has been broken for like a month!-annoying- all my bills were late, hello- I am paperless!!



Anyhow- this is my Big Interview... they picked me to be a "pillar of the brand." We went to our "grand opening/launch" in May...Zrii is the fastest growing company in the history of companies (even mySpace, Utube, and Google) and they contribute that, in part, to what it represents... (the pillars of the brand) which are LIGHT, LUSTER, SPLENDOR, AND PROSPERITY. Light was leadership, splendor was about a person with an amazing journey, Prosperity was financial success... and Luster was me... attitude... I feel honored to be chosen as the first person ever to represent Zrii because of my attitude... what a tribute and compliment to have something so personal, and often confined within the 4 walls of my own home... be hand picked out of over 20,000 possibilities- and celebrated, because I am a MOM!!!!!!! And then to be interviewed in front of almost 5,000 people to tell my story...I love it! This is a safe place to be... it's more than just this amazing product- also called Zrii- that is changing people's lives (from an incredible health perspective) it is offering personal growth and walking us, hand in hand down the path to success in all areas of life... the people I'm working with ARE FULL TIME MOMS AND DADS- they have BOTH parents at home (or not- really they can take the kiddos anywhere- so why just stay home, right) and that is what I am working towards... bringing my husband home, to raise our kids together- and go serve the Lord (I have always been jealous Steph grew up in a foreign country- and always longed for that opportunity to do with my family... now I've found it, and it's WORKING, and it's FUN, and my SON DOESN'T SUFFER FROM ASTHMA OR ACID REFLUX ANYMORE, AND MY HUSBAND NO LONGER SUFFERS FROM ARTHRITIS, AND MY KIDS SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT WITHOUT BAD DREAMS, AND MY BABY GOT 8 TEETH WITHOUT TYLENOL- OR A RUNNY NOSE OR ANYTHING... AND I HAVE ENERGY TO GET THROUGH THE DAY- AND I DON'T SUFFER FROM CRAMPS, OR HEADACHES, OR POOR DIGESTION, OR BRUISING... crazy I know- it sounds too good to be true... but it's not... trust me- if you love me- you'll read the magazine I gave you, and let me spend 45 minutes with you explaining what in the world I am talking about- it may not be for you- but I am passionate that everyone needs to be on Zrii, and give it to your kids... not because I sell it (because I don't- I'm just a mom- not a saleslady "Avon Calling"- gag! I simply introduce it to you, and let you get your own experience on it) but because it has changed my life for the better (and I was pretty dang good before all this- trust me I was NOT looking). That's why I'm willing to share it- I would never share something I was not 100% confident in... but I am...I owe it to you to not keep my mouth closed any longer! Thanks for reading- this was just supposed to be a video intro- please watch it- it is a shining moment in my life- and embodies the message I am sharing (and in doing this PART time I have already retired 1 mom to be a stay at home mom FOREVER- she no longer has to send her 6 year old twin daughters to day care anymore... THAT'S MEANINGFUL TO ME...p.s.-I don't have my kids in daycare either (that would be a little hypocritical don't ya say)- I do this during play days-with my kids at the park, when Justin gets home or after the kids are down for the night... it really fits in to what we already had going on!) And it won't be forever- I am patient enough to put in the miles now- to be safe, secure, and HOME WITH MY KIDS FOREVER (regardless of what gas prices do, or "the economy")... now do you understand why I feel extra blessed? Healthy Kids, Happy Home, Plan for the future (if ye are prepared ye shall not fear)- Hope so! G'Nite!

no pics yet- from Utah

Hey I CAN NOT WAIT for the reunion! Let's plan for something Sat night late- it will be so freakin fun!!!!!! Love ya'll!! Let's get a plan so it actually happens!