Monday, October 31, 2016

Essentially Monday



Pictured above are some of our favorite oils....ones that we use many days a week ~ and a few that are used every single day.

They are doTERRA's, Breathe, Slim & Sassy, Lemon, Lavendar, Deep Blue, Wild Orange, Peppermint, Serenity, & Purify.

Here is how we use them and any tips we have come up with ~First is information from the company.

Breathe ~ Maintains feelings of clear airways and easy breathing, Helps minimize the effects of seasonal threats, Diffuse or inhale directly from palms, or rub on chest when environmental threats are high (allergies).  We have used this in the little personal inhalers with the cotton wick, rubbed on chest or bottoms of feet for stuffiness and discomfort ~ haven't put it in a diffuser yet, but that would give great benefits to the room you are in. 

Slim & Sassy Blend ~ Promotes healthy metabolism, Helps manage hunger cravings, Calms your stomach, Lifts mood, Caffeine free.  Greg and I use this daily in vegie capsules ~ 2 capsules a day.  For me, if definitely helps manage ~ curb hunger.  And since its caffeine free, I don't have to worry about dizziness or sleeplessness.  We usually use at breakfast and early afternoon times.

Lemon ~ Cleanses & purifies the air and surfaces, Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion, Supports healthy respiratory function, Diffuse to promote a positive mood.  I add lemon daily to my cold water to drink ~ helps add a little flavor so I drink more water.  I also add it to my hot spice tea for an extra flavor zing.  A couple of weeks ago, I made a countertop cleaner with vinegar, water, and lemon essential oil for my kitchen countertops, cleans them and smells great...not chemically!

Lavendar ~ Widely used for its calming and relaxing qualities, Soothes occasional skin irritations, Reduces the appearance of skin imperfections,  Helps to ease feelings of tension.  Another daily use oil ~ I use it nightly on the bottom of my feet to help with a restful night.  Amy has some in a spray bottle mixed with water for a night time pillow mister.  I have used it with skin irritations ~ bites or minor burns.

Deep Blue Blend ~ Apply on feet and knees before and after exercise, Perfect for a soothing massage after a long day or housework, Apply to hands and feet after gardening, Rub on lower back after a day of heavy lifting.  This product is what "sold" me on doTERRA over any other brand.  We all use it ~ I have it in the oil form and the cream.  Mom used the cream on her knees before her knee replacement surgery.  James rubbed it on his side during a kidney stone attack.  I use the oil and cream for muscle aches from arthritis.  Amy has used it monthly.  Greg uses it for shoulder or knee discomfort.  The cream goes on at room temp but as it warms after it connects with your skin....feels great and smells great.  We mix a few drops of the oil with Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) in a roller bottle for small aches like fingers.

Wild Orange ~ Contains powerful antioxidants, Add a drop to your water for a burst of flavor and to promote overall health, during cooler temps, take one or two drops of Wild Orange in a capsule to support a healthy immune system, During cleanup, use Wild Orange to cleanse and purify countertops, tables, and other surfaces.  I used a few drops daily in my hot spice tea with the lemon ~ yum!  This oil has many of the same benefits as lemon with the cleansing, boosting your immune system, and delicious scents!

Peppermint ~ Rub on temples after you wake up for a morning energy boost, diffuse when feeling fatigued or low on energy, take one or 2 drops in a veggie capsule to alleviate occasional stomach upset, promotes digestive health, Place one drop in your mouth to help freshen breath, Helps reduce bloating, gas & occasional indigestion, commonly found in oral hygiene products, add to shampoo or conditioner for a stimulating hair massage, repels bugs naturally. I love the smell of peppermint!  I use it regularly in my hot chocolate.  Disclaimer ~ I can not use this topically without a carrier oil (coconut oil)....it burns my skin.  Most people have no problem, but not me.  

Serenity ~ Creates a perfect escape with its calming, renewing fragrance, Promotes relaxation and a restful sleeping environment, Diffuses into a subtle aroma ideal for relaxation, Lessons feelings of tension and calms emotions, Apply to bottoms of feet at bedtime to help wind down before going to sleep,  Add 2-3 drops to a warm bath with Epsom salts to create a peaceful, renewing aroma.  This is a new blend to me....as in I've had it, but not really used it.  I have started diffusing it at night in our bedroom and sleep is very restful!  The scent is pleasant and we both like it.

Purify ~ Refreshing aroma, Eradicates unpleasant odors and clears the air, Protects against environmental threats, Diffuse to purify and freshen the air, Use to soothe away irritations from bug bites.  Honestly, this is not one of my favorites to diffuse...but it does an awesome job of eliminating doggie odors.  But it does an awesome job of taking the sting/itch away from bug bites ~ we mix 8-10 drops in a roller bottle with fco and use it.

Not all essential oils are created alike.  This is definitely a case of "you get what you pay for".  Oils that are really cheap ~ are most likely just a few drops of oil and lots of fillers.  Read labels, contact companies, research!  On each label that doTERRA attaches to an essential oil, it gives the usage information ~ topical, aromatic and/or internal.  With that information, you will know its safe for your family.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

I would love to share more information with you, if you have any questions, please leave a comment or visit my online shop at http://mydoterra.com/jacksonsessentialoils.



Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wedding Wednesday

We decided to DIY our planner to suit our needs.  No 2 brides are alike and no 2 weddings are alike.  First the ring ~ last the dress ~ in the middle the planner


Amy's gorgeous ring was my engagement ring from my 1st wedding ~ very sentimental value to her!

We found this cute notebook on clearance at Office Max ~ Amy isn't going to do plain if there is a bling option!


Our dividers ~ we did find wider dividers to use with page protectors




Our categories are Calendar, Venues, Clothing, Food, Invitations, The Day, Ceremony, Reception

The printables were free from www.PrintableWeddingPlanner.com and www.BridesClub.com

Here is a tiny detail oo the dress ~ you didn't really think I would show the whole dress did you? Long and white are the specifics!

Speaking of dress ~ Davids Bridal called on Monday and her dress has come from the warehouse.  They had told us last week it could take till February to get it.  6 days was a shock!  We are driving down to get it tomorrow!

Monday, October 24, 2016

Essentially Monday

doTERRA has a great many resources for Wellness Advocates to use and share.  Todays post is going to be recipes for Health & Beauty ~ all the links will come from the doTERRA site ~ these are found on my online store under the heading DIY. If you have any questions, or would like to purchase oils, please follow the link to my online store ~ http://mydoterra.com/jacksonsessentialoils


DIY: Lip Balm


                                                                                              






Say goodbye to commercial lip balms and go natural, your lips deserve it! These easy DIY lip balms are not only moisturizing, but healthy for your lips and your wallet!
Ingredients:
1 ounce beeswax 
1 ounce coconut oil 
1/2 ounce shea butter 
1/2 ounce cocoa butter 
20 drops Peppermint essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
Lip balm containers 
Note: This recipe makes 3 ounces of lip balm so make sure you have enough containers. This recipe will make 20 lip balm tubes. You can always reduce the batch size by cutting the recipe in half.

Directions:
  1. Line up empty containers. If you are using a lip balm stick, make sure it ihas been twisted down.
  2. Measure butters and oils and place in glass jar.
  3. Fill a large saucepan with 1-1.5 inches of water and bring to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, add glass jar to center of saucepan.
  5. Stir every few minutes until ingredients are melted and combined. 
  6. Once wax is melted, remove from heat and let sit 3 minutes then add essential oils.
  7. Pour mixture into lip balm containers and let cool. 
  8. If you would like to make tinted lip balm, move to the next two steps.
  9. Add a pinch of colored mineral makeup until you get your desired color. Stir until combined.
  10. Pour tinted lip balm into containers and let cool.
Tip: If you want a harder lip balm, add an additional 1/2 ounce of beeswax. For an even softer lip balm, add an additional 1/2 ounce of coconut oil.
This lip balm makes a great gift and can easily be customized. Change the color or the scent by using a variety of mineral makeup and essential oils. If you don't have time to make your own lip balm then the doTERRA Natural Lip Balm with Peppermint and Wild Orange essential oil is a fabulous alternative!

CANDY CANE SUGAR SCRUB

Looking for a festive and fun way to spread Christmas cheer? Try this fun candy cane scrub made with Peppermint essential oil! This scrub takes only a few ingredients and can easily be customized with your favorite colors and essential oils.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil 
12 drops Peppermint essential oil 
Skin safe food coloring
Tip: In place of white sugar, you could use sea salt. In place of Fractionated Coconut oil you could use almond oil, grapeseed oil or olive oil. 
Directions:
  1. Combine sugar and Fractionated Coconut Oil in bowl. 
  2. Divide mixture equally into two bowls. 
  3. In one bowl, add red skin safe food coloring. 
  4. Layer red and white scrub to create a ‘candy cane’ effect.

SCENTED LIQUID BODY WASH

Scented body wash is a fun way to wake up your senses in the morning or calm them down at night. Scented body wash can provide valuable nourishment to your skin, if it contains the right ingredients. Try making this easy DIY Body Wash with essential oils! Your whole family will love it!

Ingredients:
8 ounce glass pump bottle
1/2 cup unscented Castile soap
4 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
3 tablespoons doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil
10 drops of your favorite essential oil
Note: You can find vegetable glycerin at most health food stores. Vegetable glycerin will help the body wash be thicker, creamier, and lather better.

Directions:
  1. Combine ingredients into glass pump bottle.
  2. Add desired essential oil(s).
    Tip: For an uplifting body wash try these essential oils: Citrus Bliss®, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Lime, or Eucalyptus. For a relaxing body wash try these: Lavender, Serenity®, Bergamot, Geranium, or Roman Chamomile.
  3. Shake to combine. You're done! Make sure to shake before each use, as the ingredients will separate.












Thursday, October 20, 2016

Wedding Wednesday

Yes, wedding Wednesday, is a day late.

And what do I have to update?

Amy said "Yes, to the dress!"

She is gorgeous!  So is the dress.  Its Mom, Dad, and Granny approved.  Her sisters and aunts have seen pictures. 

Here is my "consumer report" on Davids Bridal ~ GO!  Ok, more details ~ we went online the morning of the trip to make an appointment.  That means that when we walk in, someone is "assigned" to us to help us in any way we need.  *Tip~ go with a budget in mind that the bride is aware of...it would be very hard to say no when her heart is set on a certain dress that is way out of your budget.*

Our "helper" was awesome!  She listened, she helped, she made constructive suggestions, she was supportive, and she was knowledgeable.  She asked up front about style and budget.  We did end up going over the budget by $100.  But that was ok.

The dress Amy chose was the first one she tried on there.  She tried on 5-6 more and then went back to the first one ~ which, hands down, was the best.  She was happy, I was happy, Dad was happy, Granny was happy. 

The stores custom is ~ when you chose a dress, you ring a bell and make a wish for your future.  All the sales people come to look at you in the dress, clap and congratulate you.  At this point, I cried.  Then Amy cried.  Then our awesome sales person cried too!  Tissues were passed and we pulled ourselves together.

They determined that Amy could use a smaller size in the dress, so there wasn't as much alterations.  Its been ordered and will take a couple of months to get here.

Tips ~

*Its not easy to find a modest wedding dress or semi modest (depending on your standards).
*Its not easy to find one in a lower price range ~ meaning well under $1000.
*Send pictures of the dresses to Dad so he can help choose (and have an emergency budget meeting if necessary)
*Don't be pushed around by bullies in these shops ~ this one was great, but we went into a shop earlier in the day and she was extremely snobby and rude.
*Shop early ~ this could take till Feb. at the latest to get here.  Then alterations ~ my talented daughter in law, Amy Kate has agreed to this.  We sent her pictures too.
*Have a budget, which is a good starting point.
*Have fun, try to relax, go to more than one place if necessary.
*Be prepared to change the style of your dreams ~ this dress is nothing like we "thought" we wanted but its gorgeous!
*Listen to what the bride wants ~ Amy wanted lace, sparkles, and a train. Its her day ~ its what she got!
*Be strong ~ after you choose the dress, they want to sell you lots of extras ~ the only extra I got was the garment bag for the dress ($10).
*If you go to David's, look for coupons.  I set up an account, with my email, and that morning got a $40 coupon.  They honored it....which basically paid for the sales tax!

Thankful for ~

this item checked off our list
finding what Amy wanted
the approval of everyone
compassionate sales personnel
a phone that takes pictures
a fun day with 3 generations
lunch date with Greg




Monday, October 17, 2016

Essentially Monday

Oils, oils, oils! 

Here are some more favorites of mine ~~~~~~~~~

Enhanced with the powerful respiratory benefits of Cardamom, doTERRA Breathe™ is a remarkable blend of essential oils that promotes feelings of clear airways and easy breathing. This proprietary blend helps minimize the effects of seasonal threats and can be applied topically or diffused at nighttime, allowing for a restful sleep
After a long day of work or physical activity, many of us could use some soothing comfort. Deep Blue® is dōTERRA's soothing solution to this challenge. Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, Helichrysum and Osmanthus work together to provide a cooling effect and can be a comforting part of a massage. For topical use only.
Many essential oils have been recognized for their digestive health benefits. DigestZen® takes advantage of these well-established healthy compounds in a proprietary blend of pure essential oils. Ginger, Peppermint, Tarragon, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander and Anise each have specific attributes which add to the overall efficacy of this potent blend. When used internally, dōTERRA's DigestZen helps reduce bloating, gas, and occasional indigestion.* For aromatic, topical, or dietary use.
dōTERRA Slim & Sassy® Metabolic Blend is a proprietary formula of CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils designed to help manage appetite between meals.* Slim & Sassy includes a blend of Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint, Ginger, and Cinnamon essential oils. Add to water and drink between your healthy meals throughout the day to help manage hunger, calm your stomach,* and lift your mood. For aromatic, topical, and dietary use
Disclaimer ~ *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

I would love to help you with any oil questions or purchases.  I can have any order shipped to me and then mail to you. 

And HOW do you get oils for 25% off everyday?  Glad you asked!  doTERRA has 2 ways to get this discount on oils for you and your family!

1. Become a Wellness Advocate (I Am).  The cost is $35 for the first year and $25 for each year after ~ at each renewal you also receive a bottle of Peppermint.  Or become a wellness advocate and buy one of the starter kits ~ then the $35 is waived.  You do pay the $25 renewal each year.  I you choose this, you can also sign up for the loyalty rewards program and earn points on your monthly orders & shipping for free products.  You must order monthly or you lose your points.  But getting free stuff is awesome!  There is no minimum order ~ you just have to order.  Once you begin incorporating Oils into your daily life ~ you will find that ordering every month helps you stay stocked up on what you use and you can add in new oils you want to try.

Another aspect of Wellness Advocate is you can sign other folks up and help them on their Oily journey.  You do earn some extra benefits as a WA for each person you sign up.  This is not required but its an incentive if you do sign folks up.

2.  A new program is the Wholesale Customer Account.  Cost is $35 for the first year, and renewals are $25 each year after that.  This entitles you to buy every Product you want to use for 25% off the retail price.  It really would not take long to earn back your initial $35 in product savings.  With this program, you simply order with the discount applied ~ you don't earn any extra points. 

With the awesome technology available today ~ you don't even have to be local to take advantage of any of these deals.  I am doing lots of training classes over the internet with groups in Mississippi and Tennessee.  There is lots to learn and loads of information out there.

http://mydoterra.com/jacksonsessentialoils



*phots and decriptions of each oil were taken from the doTERRA website.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

?? Saturday

I haven't thought of a good name for Saturday posts.  They are usually pretty busy since everyone works during the week.  This is the day for catching up on chores,  getting some farm work done, and sleeping in a little later. In the fall, there is lots of college football watching!  Usually there is cooking going on since our church does potluck meals the first 3 Sundays of every month after the morning service. And Saturdays are usually date morning for Greg and I.

Today ~ we slept in.

The guys of the farm got up and drove to Athens for the UGA game.  They are playing Vanderbilt today.  James is most excited about this since its his first game ~ he found the tickets....nothing frugal about this outing!  Those tickets are pricey!   This is Gregs 2nd game (1st was 30 years ago).  Will is there too and its his first game.

Amy and I walked around our towns craft fair/fall festival for a couple of hours.  And didn't spend a penny.  I did run into a couple that I went to church with years ago, so it was nice to visit and catch up with them!

Amy is off to work and I am going to play with Aiden.  Then PaPa is joining us after the game for dinner. 

Happy Weekend!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Frugal Friday

Coming up with some Frugal things to share ~

Wed. is Senior Citizen day at our local Kroger grocery store ~ so that has become the day I shop ~ I am not too proud to get this discount!  I saved over $70 on my groceries this week by combining sales, the senior discount, Will's employee discount, online coupons, and a 10% off your total order coupon I got in the mail!  Score!  It was great!

Craft shopping ~ we rarely pay full price for anything at a craft store.  We either wait for sales, use the published coupons, or shop after a holiday.  Frames are always on sale at Hobby Lobby ~ either open back or photo frames ~ they flip the sale in between the two every other week.

We love essential oils and I do pay for quality ~ doTERRA!  But I buy my "gear", droppers, roller bottles, diffusers, empty vegie caps, fco (fractionated coconut oil) online at Amazon.  Great prices!  And Monday I will share how I get my oils at a 25% discount everytime!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for ~

4 little boys who call me MaMa ~ they are all healthy, happy, and thriving

3 of our 7 children being happily married - #4 gets married next year

living closer to Mom

a nice house & land kinda in the "country"

pantry full of food & a remodeled kitchen to cook it in

the internet ~ I had a nice long chat with a friend in Honduras last night over fb messenger

wedding dreams with my daughter

quiet times

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Wedding Wednesday

So in following with the theme of picking a day for specific topics ~ Wednesdays will be for weddings.  Ideas we find, updates, fun things, etc. (I didn't post yesterday but it should have been named, destroy your computer Tuesday, since I was locked out by an update, Argh!  My awesome husband stayed up late last night and fixed it.

So onto wedding stuff ~  Granny, Amy and I went dress looking yesterday.  There is a little shop in our town that has formal wear including wedding dresses.  This gal is closing the end of the year, so she was a motivated seller.  Out of the  dresses Amy tried on 2 were good and of the 2, one was perfect~fit and price....but she wants to keep looking.  She is looking for something with a little more lace detail.  Since our handy dandy daughter in law AK can alter and would love to frufru a dress, its definitely going to be remembered.  Here are the dress details....long, white, modest, has a train, looks beautiful on her ~ and I didn't cry! 

We have printed off a bunch of wedding planner sheets and are making our own planner.  We found a cute 3 ring binder at the office supply store and bought wide dividers for our sections ~ to use with our page protectors.  Next is to print off a calendar to add. 

Colors are chosen ~ turquoise, coral, with a little pink & orange thrown in for good measure.  Tammy and I had pinned several things with those colors on the "not secret anymore" wedding board and Amy & Austin both liked them, so that was easy! 

We are looking online at some venues on the Alabama Gulf Coast.  So far the looking is online, but at the end of the month we are hoping to go in person after we close our MS house.  There is a state park that looks good and they have a meeting room that could be used if it rained that day.  There is also a Farm type venue which is really cute and not too expensive that would be great.  I just don't know what would happen in case of rain ~ gotta check that out.  I found another part on Perdido Key in Pensacola that is a huge pavilion ~ more rustic than we were looking for, but could definitely work.

Here are a few pins we are using for inspiration ~
Woods Flowers: Temple, Texas Lovely centerpieces for a bridal shower. Gerbera daisies, carnations, babies breath, and hydrangeas accented with burlap, rustic lace, and jute. Flowers were painted to get the corals and Tiffany blues that the bride wanted.:


Summer Wedding Colors | Daisy & Summer Wedding Color Love | Unique Wedding Invitations ...light blue and coral summer wedding ideas:


Thankful for ~

a beautiful color palatte
pretty dresses
a beautiful bride to be
availability of free printables
a year to plan
loads of DIY ideas




Monday, October 10, 2016

Essentially Mondays



I am going to start a new type of Theme blogging ~ and I am making it up as I go along! 

Today will be the first ~ Essentially Mondays....on Essential Oils!  I am going to start with oils we use, products & books we like and any tips I find helpful. 

Essential Oils are natural parts of plants, flowers, and roots.  You do have to be careful where you purchase your oils from, because many on the market are mixed or "stretched" with other ingredients, which means they are not pure oil.  There are premade blends available of different oils for certain issues or you can blend your own for your particular needs. 

Essential Oils have been used since Bible times and 2 were gifts to the Lord when he came to earth as a baby ~ Frankincense & Myrrh. Both have helpful benefits and would have been useful to the young parents of a baby/young child.

Disclaimer ~ none of the information I share should be taken as medical advice (I am not a doctor). 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifoliaOur most popular oil, Lavender has been cherished for its unmistakable aroma and its beneficial properties for thousands of years. Lavender is widely used and accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities.* For aromatic, topical, or dietary use.

Lemon

Citrus limonAnother favorite, this essential oil powerhouse is cold-pressed from lemon rinds to preserve its delicate nature and potent properties. Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser* that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use.
Peppermint

Mentha piperitaPeppermint is popular in countless forms, from toothpaste to chewing gum. As an essential oil, it is useful to ease breathing and as a digestive aid.* For aromatic, topical, or dietary use.
Wild Orange

Citrus sinensisCold-pressed from the orange peel, Wild Orange is excellent for energizing and revitalizing. It is also commonly used as an effective tool for uplifting mood, as well as for its wonderful citrusy aroma. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use.

The oils pictured are ones that I use daily!  The lavender on the bottom of my feet for restful sleep, the peppermint added to my hot chocolate nightly, and the lemon & wild orange in my hot spice tea every morning.  I also use the lemon to spruce up plain water.  When you choose to use an oil for dietary use ~ you need to make sure its a pure oil from a reputable source.  Each doTerra bottle will tell you if the oil is recommended for aromatic, topical or dietary, or if it can be used for all 3. 

The link to my doTerra storefront site is ~
https://www.mydoterra.com/jacksonsessentialoils/#/

If you have any questions about Essential Oils or how to purchase the oils or how to sign up to sell (you get a discount on your oils this way!), please leave me a message!

Happy Essentially Monday!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Dreams Do Come True!

Once upon a time on a New York Mission trip a young lady and a young man met for the first time (June 2013).  They laughed and talked and became facebook friends.  On the next years trip (June 2014), I had to stay home because James was in the hospital, but the young lady and her daddy took the trip.  I kept getting pictures of them together as "closer" friends.  At this point, I am getting suspicious!  On the June 2015 trip, the young man came to Greg and I and asked permission to "date" our daughter.  We said yes.  Thanksgiving Eve, 2015 young man (Austin) presented Amy with a promise ring.  In February 2016, he asked permission to marry her ~ we said yes.  He planned the "pop the question" for our Disney trip....in September.  That's a really long time to keep a secret!

Texts, emails, phone calls, etc. ensued for months.  Everyone knew it was coming and when.  Except for Amy.  I am very proud of all her brothers and sisters for keeping this secret.  She was totally shocked.  She knew it would eventually come, but not on vacation!

Her engagement dreams included ~ have a photographer to take pictures.  Check and double check...the Disney photographer, me, Greg, and his parents....enough photographers? Yes!  Getting engaged at Disney and in Ariel's grotto (Amys favorite princess) was awesome!  We all cried ~ at least the girls!  I am surprised my pictures turned out halfway decent.  The funny thing...Amy is talking to Ariel and then getting a picture made ~ Austin gets down on one knee with the ring box open and Amy doesn't notice at first.  And for the record, she was so shocked, she didn't say yes,  she nodded yes, through her tears.  Successful surprise~  and an incredibly thoughtful young man to have put this much thought into her happiness and joy!

Tammy had the Ariel and Eric shirts made for the big day! Greg wore his Dadd shirt ~ Dads against daughters dating!

She has no clue whats about to happen!

Getting an autograph from her favorite character for her scrapbook!

totally not paying attention






The whole Gang....Will, Billy Kent, Tammy (Austins parents), Austin, Ariel, Amy, Me, Greg

her beautiful ring was given to me 34 years ago by her first dad, Scott

cute tshirts given to them by Austins cousin

Happy girl

Gregs got them locked up!



After Scott died in 1996~Amy was 7 months old.  We bought a paving stone at Disney.  We found it and Amy & Billy Kent traced in the engraving with black sharpies (it was really faded).


She has no memory of Scott but this picture is a sweet memory.  He would be very happy for her.

Amy and Austin holding hands
I will have to see if Greg can upload the video from his phone, it is precious!

And what is the timeline now?  Lots of DIY projects, picking attendants (already done, but they need to be asked!), finding a venue, and all the other details.  Wedding will probably be next September.

And I don't need to delete all my secret emails & texts anymore because its not a secret!  And Amy has been added to the secret Wedding Board that Tammy and I have been pinning on for months.

I love you Amy Lynn!  I am very proud of the young woman you have become.  You have been helped on this growing up journey by lots of folks who loved and care for you ~ Granny, Aunts & Uncles, brothers, cousins,  and 2 incredible Dads. And I am  very thankful for the Godly young man the Lord has placed in your life.  I wish you many, many years of happiness!

And Amy's hope chest is full to overflowing ~ in fact, it overflowed into the barn with furniture and gadgets, gizmos, thingamabobs, etc. 

Love is Sweet!



Sunday, October 2, 2016

Amazing Vacation

We've had an amazing vacation.  Lots of fun, rides, blisters, walking, sweating, too much yummy food, and a HUGE surprise for my Amy!

There will be lots of pictures this week of our time at Walt Disney World ~ but here is one of the most important~

Surprises are fun, this one was getting very hard to keep.  Austin asked our permission to marry Amy in Feb. and he wanted to propose at Disney ~ I really never thought he would make it that long, because he personally hates surprises.  But he, we, and everyone else kept this biggie.  And he fulfilled her "pinterest proposal" ideas ~ mainly....have someone there to take pictures. 

It was great, she was very surprised, we had lots of photographers, and witnesses.....the Disney photographer, Ariel (Amy's favorite princess), her parents, his parents and 1 brother, Will. 

More pictures coming!

And yes....I cried ~ Austins mom cried ~ Amy cried!

Lots of memories!

Thankful for ~

a successful surprise
Amy's expressions & excitement
lots of pictures
being there for the fun
a Godly young man for my daughter
Her sweet love for him