'Twas the night before Kindergarten

  And mommy was a hot ass mess. No, but really. If ever there were a definition of an overly emotional mother, it's me tonight. Tomorrow Lily starts her education career. This is the start of what will be the biggest chapter in Lily's life, for over a decade. I know it seems dramatic when you put it like that, but it's crazy to see your kids moving through the motions, the same way you did. Sometimes, you want those motions to slow down. Lily came to me today and said, "Mom, we need to pick something F A N C Y for school tomorrow." that hurt my wallet and warmed my heart at the same time. I know school will be nothing but a thing for Lily, she's the smartest 4 year old that I have EVER met (I know... I'm biased), but for me, it's scary. This is when you send your precious little soul out into the world and hope to god that nothing taints it too much. That her feels will be spared for the most part and that when the time comes to help somebody else out, she knows to do the same. A lot of people think that sending your kid to private school protects them from the outside world, but let's be real, kids are kids no matter what school they attend. I was often bullied in elementary school and middle school, to the extreme that, I failed 5th grade simply because facing the girls that called me names and consistently picked on me and would leave me in tears (this sometimes included teachers) just because we didn't have very much money, was more than I could bare. I would hang out in my neighborhood all day long until I saw the buses come and then I would come home and erase the school messages saying that I was absent.

I can't wait to capture this outfit with my actual camera tomorrow!

  I know Lily has a lot more as a child than I ever did and I know that no matter what, I refuse to let her fall victim to the same things I did, but her actually starting school tomorrow really puts it in perspective that I can't always protect her from the world. I think sometimes my head can't wrap itself around the fact that she's almost 5.... okay really I just refuse to accept that fact. Tomorrow, it's going to be real though. I let her help pick out the colors for our 2nd annual first day of school chalk board and she was more than thrilled. We also made a special trip to target to pick her out some really awesome clothes for school. Thankfully, we don't have to buy a single school supply! Seriously... none. By thankfully I obviously mean that I'm super bummed. I L O V E school supply shopping as much as I love football and fall. I kind of wanted to force Lisa Frank folders and pencils on her, because...Is there a school supply better than Lisa Frank!? No. That unicorn and yellow puppy take the school supply cake.  So there's that... tomorrow is the start of a new chapter for her, as sad as I am, I know she's ready.

  Aside from school starting, a whole lotta nothing has been happening. I had my highest selling Premier show on sunday and that made me feel really good and confidant in what I'm doing. I will say that I need to find a way to branch out my business. It's hard having a direct sales business when you're living in a pretty tight knit military community. There are only so many of us that can have the same kind of party, before we all know the entire routine of the show forwards, backwards and side ways. I think starting school in a career primarily dominated by women, is really going to help, but I still have two months before that happens. Patience is a virtue that I am lacking currently, but I guess i'm gonna have to work on that one.
  Alright y'all, it's time for me to head to bed and get ready to cry my eyes out tomorrow, BUT before I go, I wanted to link you fine people to my friends new blog and youtube channel. She just got it up and running and I know a lot of you are curious as to what in the hell you do with make up/hair and let me tell you, she's a guru. I do a lot of my techniques the same way she does and while I don't have time to document them, this bad ass momma does. So take the time to check her out and soak up the beauty knowledge bombs that she's gonna drop on you often. Trust me, you're not gonna be disappointed.  ALSO! I know a few of us have been discussing the differences between Ipsy and Birchbox, she does an unboxing every month, so that is going to be helpful as well for those of you without either.

This is her brand new blog!

And this is her amazeballs YouTube channel!

  Have a spectacular night, morning and day... until next time. 

<3.

Amanda

p.s.

It's never too early to get ready for fall right? Like... back to school FOR SURE means fall, so decorating is legit. 

This southern piece of perfection makes my heart happy.

Fall fall is on it's way!

  Oh hey, y'all! You're probably getting sick of my month long blogging breaks by now, for that I'd like to say, "SORRY NOT SORRY!" I've been actively trying to soak up every fun filled minute of life with my family and friends that I possibly can this summer, before things get banana sandwiches come fall. So what's the haps in Amanda land? Let me fill y'all in. Probably the biggest thing is... LILY IS STARTING KINDERGARTEN NEXT WEEK! We had her tested by the school district here and they informed us that Lily has the IQ equivalent of a 2nd grader (I acted surprised, but we all knew that already.) after she passed the academic portion of the test they had to test her in a classroom setting, where unfortunately (and by mistake I swear) they claimed Lily was "nervous" and "anxious", if you know this little diva at all, those are two words you would never use to describe her. She basically walks into a room and commands it completely, but there's not much I can do. Honestly, I had a mini break down when they told me that she couldn't start. I cried... for hours. H O U R S Y' A L L! How on earth are these people going to recommend that she goes BACK to pre k when they JUST told me last week she was beyond advanced smarts wise? yeah, no happening. Lily's been attending the local Goddard school in our area for her Pre-K education. She goes 3 times a week all day and currently we're paying $300 (I know... i roll my eyes at people throwing money into blogs too, but hold tight) To some people that seems like a lot of money, but if you break it down, it comes out to roughly $75 a week and let me assure you that was after the owner discounting us $300 already. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else, there is no better place that I can justify investing money than into the future and education of my girls. ANYWAYS, I got off track, I immediately called Goddard and talked to the owner about our situation and to say that she was just as upset and confused by the backwards ass school district that we're in, is an under statement. We set up a time to meet with all three of us present and hoped for the best. To be 100% honest, both Bryce and I went into the meeting thinking that there was no way we'd ever be able to afford full day Kindergarten there, it's a rather pricey private Kindergarten, but we figured we had nothing to lose.

her first day of pre-k

  When we met with Kim, she didn't waste time explaining the program to us. It is an accredited kindergarten and it truly sounds like an AMAZING program, but we still hadn't talked price. I was flipping through the program folder she gave us and stumbled across the price and in that moment, my heart either sank or dissipated all together. To attend the private kindergarten there it costs $968 A MONTH PLUS a one time testing/supplies fee. I wanted to cry and panic all over again. I just looked up at Bryce and he looked at me and then Lily's angel of a director spoke the sweetest words I had heard in two VERY LONG days. She was going to let Lily attend their program for less than HALF of the normal cost. We're going to be paying $400 a month for her to have the best education she can possibly have AND she gets to stay with the friends that she's made over the past year of being there. It took every single ounce of energy in me to not break down in that office. The only words I could manage were thank you. Being a military family is rewarding, we're all so proud of what Bryce does every day for us and I couldn't be more thankful of our lifestyle, but financially sometimes... it's no picnic. I know it seems like I was being dramatic over something small, but there will be nothing more important to me in life, than shaping the future of Emory and Lily and making sure that they have EVERY SINGLE opportunity possible, within their grasp and that starts early now days. I needed this good to happen to me, I prayed for it. Which is a weird thing for me and the big guy pulled through. 

  So! The big girl starts school on Tuesday and our new price wont even kick in until September. The overwhelming sense of relief that I'm filling, is indescribable. Tomorrow we have Goddard's annual family jam (last years was australia and this year it's Jamaica.) and I can't wait to see what that has in store. Last year they had a wallaby, dunk tank and so much more.... I truly love this school and I'm glad we took the steps to have her in private school from the get go. Aside from Lily's school stuff our other little diva turned 2!!!! AHHHH!!!! We didn't go all out for her birthday party this year and I'm not gonna lie, I'm sad about it. If there is one thing I love more than most things in this life, it's party planning. The girls ALWAYS have spectacular birthday parties and it's something that I know I picked up from my mom. I can't remember ever being disappointed with a party that my mom threw for me. She always made a point of going above and beyond and I can honestly say that was one of my favorite things about my childhood. I try and do the same with the girls, but this year, Bryce made a valid point that made me tone it down. I was full blown party planning and asked him, "Do you think this is too much?" what does my man reply with? "Amanda, can you think back to your 2nd birthday and remember anything about it?" Touche'. We invited a few family friends and celebrate and guess what, She loved it the same as if it were the biggest party in the world. I seriously still cannot grasp that it's been two years since I've had her. It seems like just yesterday she finally made her way into this world and I fell in love with those sweet cheeks and that smile. From the get go Emory has made sure to keep us on our toes, but that's what being the youngest child is all about right? Right. She did have another cardiology appointment last week and it went about as well as it could have gone.

how bad ass is the cake Ashley handmade!?!

  When we got there she had her usual EKG (can I just say that EVERY TIME we go she is always so still and such a perfect little patient that the nurses cannot get over it?) and then her amazing cardiologist listens to her heart and does an echo. We found out once again that the hole is still there and the left side of her heart is still enlarged and working harder than it should be. As of right now we don't have to see the cardiologist again until she's 3 and if the hole is still there, we're giving it one more year before we discuss our surgery options. That's a scary thought to me, but lately, I've been thinking that I'd rather it go ahead and be repaired than to have to constantly worry about it. My mom told me the other day when I called her crying that God would never give me more than I can handle and let me tell you, his faith in me is mighty high these days. I've never been one to back down from a life challenge though, so I'm going to show life who's boss. 

  I swear I've written a novela already and I still have more to say!! My best friend from NC came to visit (2nd time this year!) and for the 4 days that she was here, I was the happiest person on the planet!! Some times it gets kind of lonely here, then my friends announce that they're once again driving 7 hours just to hang out, because they miss me and suddenly I'm so filled with love and happiness that I forget what lonely even feels like. I hope that everyone gets to experience a friendship like mine and Ashley's at least once in a life time. In the 8 years that we've been friends, we've been through so much and even though we can go months or YEARS without seeing each other, when we do, it's like it was yesterday. Now if only B. could wind up stationed in NC and we could live 2 hours away, my life would be perfect and I'd literally cry from pure happiness for days on end. She always reminds me that I'm stronger than I think I am and all while doing my make up and making me feel like a super model (Oh hey having a make up artist for a BFFLZZZZZ is kind of handy... did I mention she also does all of my website graphics as well? well she does. My best friend is better than yours.) Just being around her really makes me a better person. Beyond blessed, doesn't even cover it. Not to mention while she was here ALL THREE of my besties were under one roof.... Ohio wasn't even ready for the ninja rolling action that happened there. To make a long story short, this has been one hell of a week for me.

  Alright, y'all. I'm done here for now. Time to go call Creative Images and do some school talk and clean these carpets that my children decide to mess up on a daily basis. I hope your day is wonderful and I'll try and write again soon. 

Bye now!

-Amanda

And so it begins...

  Oh hey y'all! You know how when things slow down in life and you're finally like, "Oh yeah, relax time!" something A L W A Y S comes along to go, "I got you sucker!", well I basically just did that to myself. Last week I made the informed and very excited decision to make not one, but TWO big life changes regarding a very exciting career path. First! I finally requested information from the local cosmetology schools in the area and I have my first walkthrough/interview on Friday at Creative Images! AAAAHHHH!! I'm very nervous about it. Before Bryce and I were married I was in line to attend the Paul Mitchel school in Charlotte, but alas, marriage and love came first... then a house... then a major surgery for Bryce and then our sweet princess Emory and mommy's school got put on the back burner. I wish I could say I'm sad about that, but I'm not. Not every one is fortunate enough to be able to spend these precious moments with their little ones the way that I am and I know how lucky I am for that. That being said, I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED I CAN'T EVEN STAND IT!!! I'm 99% sure this isn't going to help my recent make up obsession, but hey, you win some... Bryce loses some.

Can we take a second to appreciate how cute Emory's
kissy face is... and that sweet bow necklace!?

  My second life endeavor is that I joined the fabulous and fierce Premier Designs jewelry team! That's right y'all, I'm officially a jewelry lady and I couldn't be more excited/happy/ready to make some money if I tried. If you know me at all, this is hilarious to you. You're probably even laughing at the idea of ME, the yoga pants and tank top queen, being a jewelry kind of person. I too laughed that the idea at first and then I purchased my first Premier piece. It's a bracelet that they make called, "It's a wrap!" It's a super simple wrap bracelet, but my goodness I could NOT get enough. Once I had that bracelet, I wanted more to match it and then Bryce's ALS graduation rolled around and something in me said, "Uhhh... ACCESSORIZE!" and it was down hill from there. I bought my kit and have lots of training in my near future, but with the prospect of me going into a business that deals primarily with women, I think I'll do just fine.
  It's so weird to think that I'm going to get to do something that is 100% for me for once. I'm so used to being MOMMY and WIFE all the time, that I'm almost uncomfortable stepping out of that zone for more than a minute or two during the day. I really needed this though, I needed something to challenge myself and to really push me. At first I had my reservations, I was very nervous and almost talked myself out of it (like I do with everything), but this A M A Z I N G man that I married came along and said, "Amanda, you're going to be amazing at whatever you do. If this is what is going to make you happy, then just do it." It's moments like that one that make me so thankful that I was smart enough to marry my man meat. He's been so encouraging and so supportive through all of this, it really makes life a lot easier knowing that he's Team Amanda no matter what happens in life. I truly am one blessed lady.
  So that's ME right now. Lily is FINALLY home from her daddy's house and back in full swing. She came home her usual outgoing and sassy self, but I swear to you in those two weeks, she aged 2 years. When she got home she did something (lord help me, but I can't remember what it was) that just made me automatically tear up and want to cry. I looked at bryce and he just busted out laughing. I'm such a sap when I comes to these little princesses and sometimes it's borderline embarrassing. She started summer camp at Goddard the Monday after she got home and to our surprise they had a field trip planned for that day to the Dayton Dragons field. She was so excited to tell us all about it when she got home. Naturally, she made Bryce promise to take her to a baseball game and the requested to watch baseball (it wasnt' on) so she said, "Football?".... not on. Okay, cheerleading? nope. Hockey!? no ma'am. She finally settled on soccer, which she watched for a total of about 5 minutes and ran away to do Lily things with her hoodrat sister. Gotta love em.

  Alright y'all, I have more premier studying to do so I can be ready for my debut show on the 31st!! (which also happens to be Harry Potter's birthday... NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING!) and about 5 seasons of Doctor Who to catch up on. I'm mildly obsessed, it's becoming a problem. I hope your Independence day is amazing (i know mine will be) and that you take time to really appreciate every one that has sacrificed something in their lives to make sure that we can continue to celebrate the land of the free and every amazing opportunity that comes with it. Now in closing, LET'S GET STAR SPANGLED HAMMERED Y'ALL! OW OW! .... no but really, 'MERIKA!

G'night, Y'all.

-Amanda

Weekend warrior!

  It's Monday and let me tell you that after this weekend, I'm totally welcoming this bad boy with opened arms. I think the last time I blogged was Wednesday and since then a whole lot of crazy has happened. By crazy I of course mean a lot of fun (and some not so fun), but mostly crazy awesome fun... naturally. This is my and my crazy life we're talking about here.
  I had the honor of attending my very first Pinterest party last week! It was A LOT of fun to be around the other wives, just enjoying each other's company and getting to know on another on a more personal basis. The awesome crafts and delicious pinterest inspired food/drinks didn't hurt either. I actually wound up making an absolutely ADORABLE twine and felt flower wreath for the front door.

Cute, right!? Right!

Not to mention, three other wives have husband's in ALS with Bryce and we all made plans to go dress shopping for their graduation! Can I get a woot? How about two woots? K thanks. My friends Ayshia also tasked me with making a head band to match her little girls flower girl dress for a wedding that she was in this weekend and it came out SOOOO much better than I thought it was going to, especially since it was my first flower head band. All in all the party was a great start to the week.
  Usually I leave the yard mowing and weeding eating to Bryce, not this week. This week I had an extra surge of energy and decided to help out my man meat and take the yard into my own hands. We have an old school manual lawn mower, no engine on it (Bryce says its better for the grass and I love me some pretty grass... #grownupproblems) Who else just laughed at me calling myself a grown up? Good, you should have. The whole having no engine thing makes it a little difficult to mow, but it also made for one great workout in the sun and to be honest, I'm looking a lot like Casper, so the sun was much needed. Blah blah blah, i mowed the yard, moved the 6 million yard toys that we have, weeded the yard and called it a day. I then hopped in the shower and when I got out, what did I discover? I discovered the Prairies outside mowing my front lawn and running the mower/weed eating my back yard. -_- Bryce forgot to tell them that he's home from deployment so they're still doing my yard work for me. Usually I'd be really pumped about having their awesome services, that day, I just laughed... and really hard. Go figure the one time I trust myself to mow the yard and NOT take any body parts off in the process, somebody else would come do it for me. Oh life, life you are so funny. Thanks life.

It looked so amazing and apparently the Bride loved it!

  My Friday started out bright and early with none other than a... DUN DUN DUN.... puking Emory. She woke up at about 3 am throwing up and it was all mostly down hill from there. I camped out on the floor next to her bed so that when I heard her about to get sick I could catch it in a puke bowl (....oh puke bowls) and all in all it was a miserable 6 hours. After a solid nap and lots of water, she was back to her normal self. You know... trying to ride the dog, bugging her big sister and running from room to room calling for her daddy. Even after almost 5 years of being a mom and 18 of being a big sister, I can't stand when little kids are sick. It makes me feel so helpless, but my girls make it a little easier on me by reassuring me that they're okay even while they're sick.
  Let's see, what else? OH! On Saturday the family and I (after Bryce got back from volunteering at an MS walk that morning... he's kind of awesome) went to my friend Madeline's house for a Bunco/Girls night and let me tell you blog readers, these crazy women that I have the privilege of calling friends are something else! Maddie's awesome husband grandpa Ray played bartender for the night and made us one hell of a drink called a "Sex on the Driveway" and I'm pretty sure it was concocted to make sure that a night of drinking those would wind up in just that way. Quite a few jell-o shots later and A LOT of laughs had, my whole body hurt from laughing. The next day it felt like I had done 6,000 sit ups and my face was sore from smiling. All in all, no Bunco got played, but that's okay. I wouldn't have changed anything about it. Bryce was really awesome that night too, he played babysitter to all of the kids in the basement and everyone was pretty impressed with him, including me. I don't know what I did to deserve somebody as awesome as him, but I'm really glad that I did. NOW, I'm just ready for the next "bunco" night and hopefully Madeline brings the jell-o shots again!

We're an elite bunch, we are. 

  Alright y'all I'm verging on this being a mini novel and there's a treadmill in my garage calling my name. 3 miles won't run itself and June 1st and that Dirty Girl Mud run is right around the corner! Our team is making our shirts now and bless my southern little heart, they're too precious!

  Here's to hoping this week is as eventful and goes as fast and last week did!
  Have an excellent day y'all!!

-Amanda

p.s.
  I'm starting to finally see some results in the working out area and let me say, it feels really good too :)

This just reminded me that I need toilet paper.

Rock me momma like a wagon wheel.

  It's Thursday and while I have no pictures to share (mainly because I'm iPad blogging again) and nothing of real importance to talk about, here I am. I've been missing my mom and dad and bratty little sisters more than ever lately, so we decided to go visit the next best thing this weekend, my moms twin sister and her amazeballs family! Holla at me y'all! I'm so excited, but not excited for the 20 degree weather difference in good ol' Michigan. Besides, this will hold me over until our vacation after our vacation to see my parents/pick up the girls.
  Today was pretty uneventful. It rained most of the day, which always makes for one sleepy momma and two restless little girls. Bryce the great, let me sleep in (mind you sleeping past 8 is a task for me that usually requires me waking up every 15 minutes and making myself go back to sleep until 9) and got up with the ladies. After that it was a pretty relaxed day. Chipotle was acquired by my amazing husband (I love him a lot today) and we went and picked out our flowers for our garden this year and quite a few fruits and vegetables. We're going to go with a raised flower garden this year, because our back yard garden from last year doesn't have the best soil in the world..... And I want an excuse to use pallets in my back yard. Legit, I know. I'm looking forward to getting our back yard back in order, because there are few things in life that I enjoy more than sitting back there around the fire pit with the family, roasting marshmallows and drinking an ice cold.... Water.
  Bryce starts ALS on Monday and I'm dreading it already, but I know he will do just fine. He's seriously one of the smartest people I know, so it should be a breeze. I just know it means long studying hours and not hanging out as much, but that's the price you pay for more responsibility I guess. So we're going to make the most of our family time this weekend and I'm going to see to it that he relaxes a little, since he hasn't been letting me do almost anything since he's been back. Karaoke and beers will be had. Along with lots of laughs and a couple of hangovers, but it'll be totally worth it!

Alright y'all, time to finish up taxes (procrastination at its finest) and do some sewing/packing for our weekend! Here's to one hell of an awesome weekend away from gloomy Ohio!

G'night y'all!

-She who must not be named (see what I did there?! I made it seem like I was voldemort! I'm so funny!)