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I woke up this morning a new woman. I felt so good I didn't even want to shower, afraid the glow would wash away. One shower later, I'm still feeling radiant. So, what's new? I discovered how to take care of my skin -how to maintain it with products that have balanced my PH levels, changing my very oily complexion into healthy skin; repairing with super charged cell helpers and microderming the dead cells away; protecting my fresh, new, baby skin with Texas' #1 rated sunblock.
Am I a walking advertisement? You bet I am. I daily see the difference in my skin because of the Maintenance, Repair and Prevention regimen from BeautiControl. And I LOVE IT!
Battling acne and blackheads since I was 10, I finally went on Accutane -the heavy duty, "we ain't messin' around no more" acne medication- this past year. It treated my adult cystic acne and, truly, my breakouts now are much less severe and only occasional. Being off Accutane since February, I was (gasp!) washing with hotel bar soap and a store brand, oil free moisturizer. My blackheads were still with me and, though my complexion was for the most part clear, my face remained as oily as a teenager's.
I attended my friend, Jen's, BeautiControl spa in mid-August. I liked the products, but felt it was unnecessary to invest in facial care since -hey- I'm a bar soap gal. Realizing, though, that I did need to step up my facial care program (30 is just a few months away...) I decided to get the very basic maintenance pack -and get 40% off by booking a spa with Jen. Sounded like a deal to me! I used the cleanser, scrub, alcohol free toner and moisturizer that night and again the next morning...and I couldn't believe my eyes.
Note: I am NOT a product hound -on anything (except Dove chocolate -the best cheap chocolate you can get, dollar for dollar.) I am particularly skeptical of things sold at home/hostess parties. They must be scamming you, right? And you always feel guilted into buying something even if you don't want or need it. I was taking all of the BeautiControl stuff with a grain of salt. And then I saw the results...
The very next day I noticed a major difference in the balance of my skin tone, as well as the lack of oil that typically left me glistening by mid-day. What does this stuff have IN IT?! Whatever it was, it was working magic and I loved the results! I used the maintenance pack for over a month; the results stayed the same: less oil, more balance, healthier skin than I had seen since I was -say- seven.
I finally decided to sign up and be a consultant -I was already basically selling the product to others, I might as well have some on hand to share. Plus I couldn't wait to get the repair and prevention products, as well as all the other Spa Goodness BeautiControl offers. I cannot begin to go into detail on how much I love the various foot treatments, instant manicures, the intense hand lotion that lasts through 3 washes, etc. My raving goes on and on. Brian is about to grow mammary glands listening to all my gushing on how wonderful my skin feels and how much fun I am having.
Our master bathroom is literally Spa Heaven. Friends and family can attest to that. You should come over! It's too much fun -detoxifying mud masques, herbal foot creme, acid peels, microderm abrasion, instant face lift creme and serum that are basically botox in a bottle. The prices are ridiculously reasonable and the products are out of this world.
Every woman needs to take care of their skin AND take time for themselves. BeautiControl has it all and because of their pharmaceutical-grade products (that rival Lancome and Clinique) at Mary Kay and Avon prices, I am experiencing a whole new side of me -a more confident, healthier and younger looking me. You have GOT to try these products. Let's do a Spa!!
Happy 1st Birthday, Aravis! May a sweet niece have a sweet party! 
Front of photography business card.
Back.
Those of you who have seen our home know that central command is the kitchen. It's where I have my "office" and where life generally gravitates towards. With so many new undertakings (more on that soon) I became desperately aware of the need to organize the area I spend the majority of my time. Here's a sort of before and after series to illustrate where my new sense of order originates from. 
*Sound of angelic choir, "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"* 'And, lo, there was an organized work space. And God said it was good.'
Holy Toledo. Space! Lots of space! Hm... now, what can I cram in there? Maybe....NOTHING ELSE. We'll see. I will put my stationary collections/files in there, but other than that I think this is staying as is. For awhile.
Sometimes we just don’t know when to stop, do we? Ambition, enthusiasm, guilt, responsibilities -all these things push us to keep going and take on more “to dos.” Think about where you are right now. Is your plate overflowing and your stress level ridiculously high?
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A few snaps of the fruit of my labor, conquering my September goal. Here is my pretty, girly room -reclaimed! No toys (well, Wilder keeps throwing random ones he drags from upstairs behind the furniture) and all froofiness. Just looking at this room has a calming effect.
Yes, yes, they are totally crooked and too close together, but they're staying that way until I can stomach popping more holes in the wall (it's pretty swiss cheesey thanks to my highly accurate "eye balling" technique.) I have had this window box sitting in a closet unfinished for over two years. Now, it's DONE and hung.
Previously my craft area, the bookshelves were stocked with gross looking disorganization and a melange of crafting crap, cds, books, and sheer randomness. Along with the closet on the opposite wall (not pictured) which was packed with stuff that kept begging me to weed through, these two areas are now transformed into lovely pockets of order. *Sigh* It's good to tackle these kinds of projects.
Woah, talk about a blast from the past. At least it's not my school picture sophomore year. Knowing I had a 19 week pregnancy shot from Wilder's incubation I thought it'd be fun to compare it with one I took yesterday. Oooooh, babies! I am so excited for our little "dumpling" to arrive. I've been eating up (not literally, of course) my friends' infants, basking in the knowledge that soon we'll have a new addition swaddled in our arms. True, I'll be exhausted and have no time for anything but surviving the first few months with an infant and a toddler, but that will pass and I can't wait for more family fun and precious moments to come!
Wilder has always been one for accessorizing, but recently he's insisting that I adopt his style. Finally, pictured (poorly) here, Wilder began wearing this scarf a la the way he was commanding me to do so all weekend. I can't wear it around my neck, shoulders, bulging pregnant belly, but must wear it on my head. He found his reflection in the oven door and greatly enjoyed admiring himself and chatting to himself. Each new discovery of his brings great amusement, that's for sure.
Ah, the widdle old woman.
I was able to snap so very treasured photos of my two most favorite men on the planet. These are definitely getting framed.
At 19 weeks into my pregnancy, I am still feeling great. Having this weekend to relax and do very little but sit and enjoy my beautiful family, I have been able to feel our little girl's strengthening kicks more often than I usually get to. I have been cherishing this time of family solitude and am so thankful for the chance to get away and simply "be" together.
I find myself wondering if a kid could get any cuter, but this one eventually does and I am continually astounded. Becoming a parent, the metaphor of God loving us as a father/parent has blossomed more richly than I ever imagined. If I love Wilder this much and God loves me (and all of us) with more passion and persistence than I can love my son -wow. Just, "WOOOOOOOW!"
This weekend we tucked away in a cozy cabin just minutes away from the heart of Austin, but you wouldn't believe it if you closed your eyes and magically appeared here. We're surrounded by trees and have a beautiful, open, wooded view from a spacious deck. It's my sister-in-law's place they rent so they have a quiet spot to stay on visits from their home in Houston. It definitely makes one want to downsize, as well as live in the woods. What peace. Well, what peace when Wilder's in a mellow mood, like these photos show. What wasn't captured was the rest of the time when he was either bouncing off the walls (and couches,) throwing toys at our heads (he has quite an arm, we're rather in awe of it,) or throwing tantrums on the floor. But I have faith and a strong feeling that tomorrow will be a calmer day and all three of us, plus the dog, will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful retreat.
A few new developments. On Monday at work Brian was told he had basically two options for his future in the Army. 1) Reenlist and serve as a drill sergeant for the next 3 years in SC, or 2) Make Special Forces. He immediately marched over the the Special Forces recruiting office and signed up for the November SFAS course. And he is currently researching many civilian job options with great zeal. So, several more months of training for him and another 20 days of hell, but he feels confident that armed with the knowledge and lessons he gleaned from his first time around he can charge through this next course with much less difficulty.
We're keeping our sense of humor and focusing on the important stuff -like squeezing our heads through the banisters while singing in Pig Latin. Okay, bad example. But it's good to regroup and readjust after several months of heightened anticipation and exhaustion (the latter was mainly on Brian's part.) Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone! We're definitely not laboring, and hopefully neither are you. Many blessings to you and your family from me and mine.
With a 95% surety on gender, we're ecstatic to announce the upcoming arrival of our little girl. Due date is still January 30, 2010. We're happily focusing on our girl names now and I've decorated a refined list to prettify the refrigerator. We'll celebrate today by buying our first little outfit and, hopefully, making a cake. Hooray for our pretty little dumpling!
