My New "Job"

So, I decided to take the first step toward a new me. I have decided to start selling Scentsy. I know to some it may seem adding one more thing to my plate might not be the best decision. I thought long and hard about doing this because I know in order to succeed some things will have to be sacrificed. I also know that when I succeed it will free me up to do so much more with my family.

Anyway, I decided to sell Scentsy because it is a good quality product that is easy to use and everyone can use it! If you've never heard of it, you're missing out. It is a great way to add a wonderful scent to your home without the dangers of  burning it down. Candles are nice but you can't leave those unattended. With Scentsy, you can turn the switch and let it go all day.

Here's my website: https://amandaenis.scentsy.us/Home

You can read more about the company and the products. If you're interested in hosting a home party or an online/bag party, let me know. I would love to do it! And, if you think it's something you'd like to sell, let me know. We can get you started too.

Until next time...
Amanda

2012...

Well, it's another new year. Another chance to actually do this whole blog thing. I think the reason I'm having such a hard time with this blog is that I don't really have a purpose for it. I've been thinking about that stuff a lot lately. Not just a purpose for my blog, but for me. I'm sure you all have been there. You go to work EVERY day. Come home. Cook dinner. Then you go to bed just to start it all over the next day. Sometimes, I wonder what else I'm supposed to be doing. I feel that there's something more.

Earlier this week, I met a person that is truly inspiring to me and I'm sure everyone else who knows her. I've heard her name via Facebook but never met her. She and several of her friends have been helping a family here locally. They did not even know this family and yet they put everything they had into helping them have a better life. They are raising money to help build a small house for this family. I know it has to be a lot of work but they're doing it because it's the right thing to do.  On top of that, her daughter has special needs. She wanted to participate in beauty pageants but none were available that fit her. So, this inspiring person started one a few years ago and the idea has spread across the country.  Isn't that awesome?

So, this year, I've started trying to find my purpose or spiritual gift. I know what I think it might be but I don't know for sure. I just think that it's going to slap me in the face this year. I feel that big things are coming but I just don't know when or where. But I can't wait for it to happen!

I pray every day for God to reveal something to me that will show me what I'm supposed to be doing. He probably has and I've been to wrapped up in myself to see it. I think I do that A LOT!

For 2012, I'm going to try to be a better Christian, better Wife, better Mom, better Sister, better Daughter, better everything. I'm not sure what "better" means but hopefully small changes will lead me to find my "better" self and the purpose for me.

Until next time...
Amanda

I LOVE FALL!!

It is finally September. I feel almost like I wish the year away to get back to my favorite season, FALL! It always seems that we don't get a lot of fall weather here in Arkansas but I enjoy every bit of it while we have it. I thought I would list a few of my favorite things about fall.

#1 Razorback Football

There really is no further explanation for this one. :)

#2 Baking!
I love to bake. I made an Apple Pie yesterday for our Hog Watch Party.

I'm not a big pie maker. I normally go with cookies. LOTS of cookies. Or, cakes. Baking, to me, is fall. It just brings the warm smells into the house and just makes everyone happy.

#3 Fall Decorations
I have become addicted to Pinterest for ideas to decorate the house. I have found so many cute wreaths that I want to make. I'm not normally a crafty person but I'm feeling some inspiration from these ideas so I think I might just try it. Plus, the colors of fall are just wonderful. Reds, oranges and yellows just make me feel all cozy. And, really, is there anything better than fall colored Mums for your outside decorations.

#4 Thanksgving is coming!
Most people say that Christmas is their favorite Holiday. Not me. I do love Christmas but Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. It's all about the food! In case you didn't know, I love food. There's no stress about gifts or whatever. It's just food, family and football. :)

#5 Cooler Weather
I think that temps in the 70s are perfect. Most people would break out the long sleeves for that temp. Not me. I love them. I have always been hot natured. I guess I take after my Daddy.  I love that crisp feeling that the fall temps bring. Ahhh...it just feels nice when you can open windows and let the breeze come on in.

That's my Top 5 things I love about Fall. What do you love about it?

Until next time...
Amanda

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So much to do...so little time!!!

Wow! I haven't blogged since March! I really wanted to be a good blogger when I started this but life happens.

So, pretty much, my summer is about to get super busy. Here's what we've got going, in case you are interested.

#1 VACATION!!! Finally! We are going to Biloxi and plan to go to New Orleans for a day. I am so ready to go the beach. I hope it's nice. I'm nervous because I really wanted to go to Gulf Shores but the hubs doesn't like to drive. Biloxi is closer so that's where we are going. I'm sure it will be GREAT!

#2 VBS! I love VBS. As soon as we get home next Sunday, I have to go to Church to start decorating the food area for The Big Apple Adventure. I am so excited! I am "in charge" of the kids' meals this year. I say "in charge" but there is no way that I could do it without a lot of other people. I'm really just a list maker. Thankfully, I go to a wonderful church with lots of wonderful people. And, tomorrow, I am going to pick up props that my fabulous brother-n-law made for their VBS. I am getting a HUGE taxi and a bunch of other stuff. CAN'T WAIT to see it and I really just hope it fits in the vehicle. :)

#3 Ryan is getting his tonsils out on July 18th. I'm not so excited about this one but I am ready for this child to stop getting strep throat. We made the decision to get his tonsils out because he is starting Kindergarten this fall and I didn't want to take a chance of him being sick all.the.time!  I think this will make a big difference for him.  Thankfully, my in-laws are planning to come up and stay with him that week so he can rest and recover.

#4 And, PTO! I am the PTO President this year. I am very excited about this and looking forward to what I know will be an excellent year. We have so many things to do before school starts on August 15th. OH MY WORD! That is so close! STRESS!  Nah...we'll be fine.

I think that is all my brain can handle at the moment. Hopefully, once we get back from vaca, I can actually try to blog. Don't even begin to ask me about the whole "pay-it-forward" thing that I wanted to do. That has gotten really far behind. Hoping I can fulfill some of that when cooler weather rolls around.

Hope you are having a great summer. Until next time...
Amanda

A week of firsts!

Wow! It has been almost a month since my last post. That's a long time.

Anyway, this week has been a week of firsts for me and the twins.

First, I started a Women Can Run clinic in Vilonia on Monday. We meet Monday & Thursday for the next 10 weeks to train for the 5K in May.  I have not really excercised or anything in a LONG time!!! So, thanks to peer pressure, I signed up. And, I'm tired of looking pregnant and I haven't been in almost 5 years. It's time to get in shape! I had a great time both nights this week.  We walked for 5 minutes and ran for 1 minute. We did this 5 times, I think. I kind of lost track since I was really just trying to push through.  I am so out of shape. I am determined to do this though. It helps that there are a lot of great ladies to walk/run/pass out with each night. I'll keep you posted if I make any weight loss progress.

Second, Ryan & Mason started Baseball practice on Tuesday night. They were so excited to start! I was so proud that they actually paid attention. Grant attempted to play baseball when he was their age and it did not go that well for us. We actually quit the team before the season ended.  I have a good feeling that this is going to be much better!! Casey is one of the assistant coaches and, of course, he was on call this week so had to miss their first practice. He's going out of town next week so he'll miss at least 1 if not 2 more. UGH! Oh well. Better be thankful he has a job, right?!? 

Last, but certainly not least, tonight I made my first batch of laundry detergent! I bought the ingredients several weeks ago but have not had time to make it and I had a bottle that I needed to finish. Well, we ran out yesterday so it was time.  I did not realize that so many of my friends made their own detergent! It made me feel that it was super cool to do this.  I bought all of the ingredients for a little over $10.  I have enough left over that it will make several more batches. All I will have to buy is a bar of soap which is not very expensive.  I don't know exactly how much I'll save by doing this but we wash a lot of clothes so I feel like it will be a lot.  Every little bit helps.

I haven't cooked anything lately because I haven't been home. I need to get more organized, again, with meal planning so we don't have to eat out so much.  I do plan to make a King Cake on Sunday, maybe. I have a recipe that looks really easy so I thought I would try it.  I'll let you know how that goes.

Until next time...
Amanda

Look on the bright side...

So, I read a friend's blog the other day. She lives in Northwest Arkansas and they were snowed in last week. She gave a few pros to being snowed in for several days. So, I thought I would steal some of those and add some.

#1 Spending time with your kids. This is great since normally all you get is a weekend of family time. It would be better if my husband wasn't out of town. This is really only quality time the first few hours. Then, everyone starts fighting. We'll start all over again tomorrow. :)

#2 Saving gas! Since gas is $3 a gallon, it is nice to not have to drive back and forth to LR. So, I'm cool with that part.

#3 No make-up and your hair gets a break from the straightener or whatever you use! This is awesome because it gives your face a rest from all the make-up you wear each day. Your hair gets a nice break too. But, I guess some of you probably still get fixed up for snow days. Weirdos.

#4 Less laundry. For those of us not going out in the snow, we will only need our PJs each day. That means less stuff for me to wash. Between that and Casey being out of town, I should be caught up in no time.

#5 DVR catch-up! You can finally get caught up on everything you've been recording and never have time to watch. Of course, I am so behind on most of the shows so I don't really care to watch them anymore.

#6 Spring Cleaning. Well, this is not one I plan to do but you could. Just thought I'd throw it out to you.

#7 Lots of homecooked meals. This is your chance to make your family that meal that you don't have time for during the week. Again, this is probably not happening around here this week since they don't eat most of what I fix. Thanks to my sister, I dream of a big bowl of chicken & dumplins. May have to go to Cracker Barrell when we thaw out this weekend.

#8 Facebook. If you play the games, you could get caught up. I don't play any games but if you do, have fun with that. And, you can sit and read posts all day long about how much others are stressed by the snow.

That may be it for now. I'm sure there are more benefits but my brain is frozen. 

Till next time...
Amanda