Basic Training.

Our Amazing Nation! 

My last trip to Utah was for business. (sorry friends who I didn't call, I only saw my family members once.)

(Since Steve was fishing he had the camera. Sorry Holly I stole these pictures off of Facebook...hope you don't mind!)

It was an amazing Business trip. I seriously have the best job that allows me to stay home with my babe.

Being a mother is and always will be my number one priority and the best job that I could ever ask for. But my Arbonne business is something for me. It is something that helps me each and everyday to be better, less lazy, more productive, more positive, more attentitive to my family, more of just about everything good. It really does help me bet better and I LOVE that!

The theme for the retreat was Basic Training. It was all about the basis that will help our business grow. It led me to thinking just how much the basics in our life help us in our day to day lives. The basics are the most important and I think I take the basics for granted.

I reconnected with friends who I had met over a year ago. I can't believe it was over a year ago that I began this amazing journey. I met some of these women over a year a go and only the one time and yet they feel like kindred spirits. AMAZING. And then, I met new kindred spirits who touched my heart and my life for forever. I love you all! How awesome of a job do I have where I get to meet new people every single day, make lasting friendships with people from Cali, Tahoe, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Jersey, and philly... and get uplifted by all these new friends?

Even Miss O. Had a blast! 

I am so grateful for my Arbonne business and just how much it has changed my life. I am grateful for the people who I have met, I am grateful that it has helped me be a better mommy and a better wife. I am grateful that I get to contribute to our family income. I am so very very grateful!

If you couldn't tell...we have a lot of fun! 

giveaway winner! + Life after a baby.

Congratulations to BROOKE who gets a FREE Arbonne Makeup Primer!! Brooke, just email me your address please! :)

Before you have kids people will constantly tell you that your life will never be the same afterwards. I hate how negative everyone always makes it sound. It was the same when I was about to get married and people use to always say to me "The first year of marriage is the hardest." what a terrible thing to say to someone who is so EXCITED to get married, same with having a baby.

I thought the first year of marriage was a complete adventure. Even the hard times were wonderful because we grew so close to one another. You will never hear me say this to anyone because I believe that the first year of marriage is unique and completely special.

My life after having a baby is definitely different. Yes my life will never be quite the same, and I am SO GLAD! I was contemplating a few things that have changed now that sweet Olivia has graced us with her presence.

1. I don't ever have to wake up to an alarm clock. I absolutely HATE the sound of an alarm clock. You are sleeping so nicely and then this obnoxious and LOUD beeping noise goes off. Isn't that the worst feeling? UGH, instead I get to wake up to this:

2. I am learning to love the mornings! I have no choice but to get up earlier in the morning. And seriously, no seriously, I really am learning to love it. I love the feeling of cuddling up to my baby girl as the sun starts to peek over the mountains and through my closed blinds. I love that it is 9-am my scriptures are read, i've eaten my daily bowl of cereal, my apartment is clean, I'm ready for the day, and the baby is down for a nap. I still have the WHOLE day ahead of me.

3. I'm pretty sure my arms are stronger than they have ever been...carrying around a car seat is work, whew! And let me tell you, Olivia is no light feather. Consequently, I'm pretty sure my back will never be the same...

4. I actually get out of the house MORE than I did before. I know this sounds crazy, because it really is a lot of work to get out of the house with a baby BUT she motivates me to get MORE done and that is such a blessing for me.  LAZY is my middle name, but I'm workin on it!

5. She also motivates me to exercise more. We take a nice walk most days. I know its not a HUGE workout but pushing a stroller up hill is more work than you would think. It's better than sitting on the couch right?

Steve took this photo...isn't it beautiful? 

Now these are all positive things but I would be lying if there wasn't SOME things that are harder now. For example:

1. Even though I am learning to love the mornings it would be nice to sleep in ONE day out of the week. Can't have it both ways can I?

2. Grocery shopping is a chore and I usually just wait until Steve gets home so he can watch the babe, but then the problem is that I'm so tired by that time of the day that I don't end up going...yeah you should see our fridge right now, it's empty...

3. The apartment never stays clean for long, and this drives.me.nuts. But i'll survive.

Because I am so in love with mommy-hood. There is no better job in the world.

Favorite things AND GIVEAWAY

Ladies how many times have we had to complain about our make-up? It isn't smooth enough, not the right color, doesn't stay on long enough, doesn't last very long, makes me break out, smears easily, looks cakey, etc...? It's happened to all of us I guarantee it. I use to hate my make-up. My main concerns...it would cause me to break out which is why I NEVER EVER wore foundation (even though I still needed it because..well I just did! lol), and it would never stay on throughout the day and I'm not one of those high maintenance girls that will go and touch up my make-up several times a day, I'm just NOT.

I am happy to say that I now LOVE my make-up and I am going to share some of my favorites and exactly why I love them. They are all from Arbonne of course! hehe. Arbonne's products are amazing because they are all botanically based, no mineral oils, no animal by-products or chemical fragrances or dyes!  I've listed them in the order that I love them the MOST! (But secretly I probably love them all the same:)

1. Virtual Illusion Make-up Primer! AHHH!!! Can you hear the angels singing too? Seriously. 

I love it because it smooths out my skin in a way that I can't even describe, seriously it does and it helps my make-up stay on ALL DAY LONG!!! This is what I call my miracle product and I mean it. LOVE IT! 

2. Mineral Poweder Foundation with SPF 15. I love this! Yes I wear foundation now because it never clogs my pores. Itt contains no mineral oil or any animal by-products. It protects me from the sun. I am not one of those people that feels like the summer time comes so I better get as tan as I can get. No thanks, I'll pass. Lasts forever. I've had it since I got it in August and I might be 1/3 of the way done with it. It goes on so light, which I LOVE. I can touch my skin after I put it on and it doesn't even feel like I have make-up on. Sign me up! 

3. Blush. Blush is blush right? NOT. Some blushes don't go on smoothly but this one goes on like a dream and want to know the best part.......I've had my blush for over a year now and I bet I wont finish it until December. Seriously amazing. 

4. Eyeliner. only one thing needs to be said. No smear. nuff said. 

5. Mascara. Even though it's last on my list this does not mean I don't love it, because seriously I do! It is the best mascara. Makes my lashes look long and luscious and stays on so well! 

I feel like I'm having a love affair with my make-up. hehe

So there you have it. Now for the GREAT PART. One of you will get this for FREE:

YES You're very own PRIMER!! YAY for a giveaway! Yay for healthy make-up products!! 

Here is how to enter: 

1. Become a Follower of "Happiness is..."

2. Leave a comment telling me how you wear your eye make-up (i.e. simple, no eyeliner?, blues,greens?etc..) 

The giveaway will close at the end of Friday April 8 

Good Luck to you all!! 

The Road to District Manager!

I'M A DISTRICT MANAGER! WOW, there were times where I never thought I would see this day, but I knew that if I never quit and I kept on going that I would make it!

When I really started Arbonne back in March I was in a pretty low place. My self-esteem was the lowest it had ever been and this was my reason for really starting my business! I worked hard for a good 2 months and even went into qualification for District Manager...but then I found out I was pregnant and I used that as an excuse to slow down. However, I never gave up and I never thought to myself... "I'm never going to do this." I just kept telling myself that I was going to make it... I could make it! It helped that I have the most supportive husband in the whole world! Seriously, thank you Steven for being there for me!

So in September I decided to really start working hard again, and it paid off! I worked hard in September and didn't see a whole lot of success... I was so down at the beginning of October... I didn't know how I was ever going to succeed and how I was ever going to reach my goal of becoming a District Manager but I picked myself up and kept going! October was amazing and I went into qualification again for District Manager... this time was different however!! THIS TIME.. I actually BELIEVED that I was a District Manager. I smelled it, tasted it, and actually felt like I already was one. This last month of November I worked hard, really hard, and I made it! Even on the last day of the month it didn't look like I was going to make it.... I was short over $600 from my goal... but I did it! I DID IT!! Doesn't it feel great to accomplish a goal? It doesn't matter how big or small.. it just feels great!

So if I can make it to District I can make it to Area and if I can make it to Area than I can make it to getting my Mercedes and on to the top! WOW... what a wonderful business I belong to! How many people can say that there job actually takes away wrinkles and stress? hehe!

Although I made it to District I know I didn't do it on my own. It took a lot of prayer and a lot of help from a lot of people. I have the most amazing Upline who have constantly been there for me. I have an extremely supportive husband. I have the best clients in the whole world and I am so grateful for their constant love and support. I have a mother who worked hard this past month as well to help me reach my goals! Thank you MOM! Thank you to everyone who has believed in me so far!

I know some people might say... well you're only at District...are you making the big bucks now? Guess what... I'm on my way!!!

Here is a great pic! Me and Laurie ran an Arbonne booth at a job fair a couple of days ago and saw more success! So excited!!

business trip to utah!

Many of you know that I run my own business, and I love it! It is hard work but totally worth the personal growth I have already seen in my life! This last trip to Utah was almost entirely for business. The majority of my time was spent with business partners etc.. and it was worth it!

I found my first business partner (MY MOM!), and she found hers! There are 3 of us on the team now and it is so exciting to see your business expand like that! I know it will only continue to do so! The 3 of us have been working hard, and I know we will all reach our goals. Gosh, it feels great to be in control of my future. I don't have to wonder... what will I be doing in 5 years? I KNOW where I will be in 5 years. I will be driving a White Mercedes Benz and living in a home I OWN! I am so excited to see what the future holds for our little family. Bonnie and I at the Logan Bridal Fair!

It wasn't all work! I did get to spend some great time with my family, and many of them came to support me in my business efforts and I just want to say THANK YOU! I got to spend a little bit of time with my cute nieces and nephews... I don't think they know how much I miss their cute little faces. I got to spend quite a bit of time with my cutest of cute grandma's. We talked, laughed, and watched "The Scarlet Pimpernel!" If you haven't seen that classic, you should... definite chick flick, and I love every minute of it. I also got to spend time in Logan which was heavenly, since we all know how I feel about that place. I ate my favorite sandwich, went shopping at the Utah State Bookstore, got Aggie apparel for sweet baby Angel girl (thanks Whitney and Alex!), and of course spent time with these two cuties! (this was them showing how sad they were that Steve wasn't there to play with us.)

And of course, just to show you how already our baby is a "true" aggie! I'm such a nerd!

It was a great trip!

Arbonne!

I love the company I work for! I love the people I work with, and I love how this wonderful company has helped me to grow! Thank you Arbonne!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAR6KRV2sIo

vegas.

This last weekend I went to vegas and it was amazing! Now, I don't gamble, drink, or smoke so you might ask what exactly I did do there!! Well I work with an international swiss skincare company and they had their Annual National Training Conference and to be perfectly honest, it was life changing! There is really nothing like being surrounded by nearly 10,000 women who have the most amazing stories! Women who came from nothing and who built a business that changed their lives for the better. I made so many new friends and I truly felt inspired and felt like I could get over fear and be more confident in myself and my capabilities! If you haven't gotten it yet, I had the most AMAZING time!! Here are some fun pictures!!

This is my good friend Tara! Here we are standing next to a beautiful white Mercedes...which we one day will have!! yay! 1 year!
This is Stephanie, a new friend and a darling gal! I loved getting to know her and she helped me to set my own goals! Thanks Stephanie!!
Some of the team...since many of us don't drink we thought this was a funny pic!
Tara and Bonnie (my upline!) aren't they just lovely? These two women are amazing. They have been so patient with me and never given up!
Durran Durran came and did a concert for us (my first official concert btw!) and we had a blast dancing the night away!

This is our Team! well atleast part of it! great AMAZING women!

This is Carla....and she is the sweetest sweetheart! hehe! I love her and I am so glad that we are now friends! Can't you tell we were having a blast?!?!?

Okay, seriously we had such a great time! We laughed tons, cried a little or sometimes a lot, and made new friendships! I feel so blessed to be involved in something so wonderful!!! Thank you ARBONNE!!!