Sunday, March 5, 2017

Why I Sell LuLaRoe

That God created her perfectly imperfect.
Let's back up a bit...
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Saturday, September 17, 2016

New Baby Products I Can't Live Without

I am amazed at what new and exciting things there are for babies! Between Belle and Will so many awesome products have come out. For those of you new mamas or those seasoned mamas curious about which product are worth a purchase, these are my thoughts:
1. The Soothe Shirt by Lalabu. This shirt has been amazing! I throw it in my diaper bag and when Will fusses I throw it on over my cami and put him in. It's easier than dealing with a wrap and clips and figuring out how to get him in and out. It's quick, simple, and he loves it.
2. Any of the mamaRoo infant seats. There are different models, but we got the rockaRoo and it i more than sufficient. It has taken the place of our bouncy seat AND swing. I used to spend hours sitting on the couch bouncing my babies with my foot in their bouncy seats. No more! I put Will in, turn it on, and I can walk away and get things done.
3. My Brest Friend nursing pillow. I have always been Boppy user for nursing, but after discovering this pillow I am convinced! It has been around awhile, but I have just recently decided to take the plunge. It straps around your body, which gives you more support, and since it is stiffer than the Boppy the baby easily rests on top without falling to one side or the other. I can also walk around the house with him on this pillow while nursing. A MUST for this mama of four---you know, to save Sam from hurling himself off the countertops.
4. DockATot. It looks pretty simple, and there isn't much to it, but it is pretty awesome. I have had to wean my kids from sleeping in the Rock n Play. They were used to sleeping at an angle and snuggled in, so moving to a crib was tough. My kids have also loved to fall asleep on my chest, but it always makes me nervous to fall asleep like this since they could easily fall to one side or the other. This is a nice alternative. The babe can rest right inside, still feel snug since it isn't as spacious as a crib. I feel comfortable with those occasional co-sleeping nights when Will just needs to feel closer to Mom and I desperately need him to sleep. I also use this as a changing station. My main level is all hard floors and I keep it under my coffee table for when I need to quick change him.
5. Baby Brezza Formula Pro. While I haven't use this quite yet, how can it not be amazing???? I will report back once we are using it more!
I received no compensation for any of these reviews. This is from one mama to another who wants to share some life saving products during those early survival weeks when you have a baby. I have been around the block a few times when it comes to baby products, and I am bummed that I never used ANY of these until my last babe. If I was on top of my life I would have posted my own pictures using these products, but stock photos are just easier with 4 kiddos running around!
Hope this helps any of you who are looking to register soon or wondering whether any of these products are worth the purchase. From a seasoned mother of newborns I encourage you to go for it if you are debating any of them! You won't be sorry, and you might sleep a bit better ;-)

Saturday, April 23, 2016

What You May Not Know When You Ask Her "Are There Two In There?"

I actually hadn't planned on writing this post, but I realize that this is something most people do not think about, as it isn't talked about much, or all that common. So, I thought I'd share my story.

First, some of us may think it's obvious why you shouldn't ask a pregnant woman if she is having twins, as it implies she is looking rather large.  While this offends some, this doesn't bother me as I know pregnancy brings about a big belly, and I can get over that.  But, the real reason I think we all really need to think about asking a woman this question is much deeper.

You see, when you ask a pregnant woman "are you sure you don't have two in there," what you may not know is that at 7 weeks she went in for an ultrasound due to some stomach pain.

What you most likely don't know is that during that ultrasound the tech looked at her and said, "Now this is interesting.  I see one baby....and I see two babies."  And in that instance that mother TOO saw two babies.  Two babies.  Two flickering heart beats.  Two souls growing inside of her.

What you don't know is that in that moment her heart raced out of pure and utter fear, but perfect excitement. In that moment her heart instantly grew and she was a mother who was now in love with not just her baby #4, but her unexpected baby #5.  

What you don't know is how uneasy she became when the doctor came in and said "I am concerned about the viability of Baby A.  The heart rate is low and growth is a week behind."  How she heard him mention a few statistics, but all she could think of was how she so badly wanted that little runt, Baby A.

What you didn't know was that for the next two weeks she and her husband prayed incessantly for God to care for both of the lives inside of her.  That although they were scared to death, they knew there were two beating hearts inside of her that belonged to them.  Their babies.  Their children.

And what you might not know is that for those same two weeks she feverishly Googled "Vanishing Twin Syndrome" to help ease her fears that Baby A would just become another statistic.  That she would find herself getting excited over the thought of bringing two babies into this world, but squashed her excitement with fear and sadness if she was to find out that Baby A didn't make it.

What you don't know is that at 9 weeks her ultrasound was one of her most bittersweet moments.  She instantly knew when she looked at the screen that her biggest fear was true.  Baby A's heartbeat was no longer flickering, no longer present, and no longer alive.  In that moment she battled between rejoicing for a healthy, active Baby B, and feeling crushed as she looked at Baby A's smaller, almost vacant sac.

What you don't know is that she sobbed with her husband, and felt guilt for having such grief while she had so much to be thankful for.  She was carrying a thriving Baby B.  Baby #4.  

What you don't know is that a miscarriage is a miscarriage and that no matter if you have another baby, you so deeply mourn the loss of the baby you no longer have, even if you only knew about that baby for 2 weeks.  You equally grieve for the loss as you rejoice for the life.  

What you don't know is that she met with the nurse after this ultrasound who hadn't realized the results and exclaimed "Congratulations!  How exciting!  Did you know you were having twins?!" So while your heart freshly wounded you had to explain that in fact, you did know, but that you no longer carried two babies.

What you wouldn't know is that she cried the entire way home while she listened to "Good Good Father," and because she knows her Father, she belted out:  
You're a good good Father
And I'm loved by You

What you don't know is that when she hears of someone having twins it stings just a bit.  When she sees two babies in the grocery story her heart aches for just a second when she thinks of the "what if."

What you don't know is that she rejoices with this new life inside of her, but knows this pregnancy will always carry with it some loss.  The birth will be joyous, but there will be a side of her that grieves what "could have been."  There will always be an ache in her soul when she remembers that flickering heartbeat at 7 weeks.  

You see, when you ask "Are there two in there?" she really REALLY wants to tell you "yes."  She so wishes the answer was different than the actual response.   When you ask her if she is having twins it stings, because she can't tell you that yes, indeed, she is carrying the two babies she had prayed for not that long ago.

What you can be sure of is that we are happy, and Baby B is growing and thriving.  What you can be sure of is that we rejoice for the gift God has given us, and we look forward to someday meeting our Baby A.

(If you ever asked or joked with me about twins, it's okay :-)  This isn't meant to guilt, and I know that it is all in innocence, but I also know that sometimes we don't realize someones journey or story.  I know my story isn't common, but I urge you to think twice before you ask a woman if she is carrying twins.  I know 100% that no one has ever meant harm in this common joke)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Happy 6th Birthday, Isabelle Mae!!

I say it every year, but how did we get here?  6 years ago I was sitting at your dad's softball game in labor with no clue that I would soon be meeting you!  6 years ago is when you came into this world and made me a mother--the most amazing and crazy job I have ever had!

Belle, on your 6th birthday I want you to know all of the things I have learned about you over this year.  Not much has changed since last year, but you still continue to teach me new things and amaze me with the person you are becoming.

  1. At the end of DK your teacher described you as a kid who "knew how to be a kid."  I have been so proud of this statement.  To me, this showed that you knew didn't take life more seriously than you needed to, and you took full advantage of this amazing stage of your life
  2. Purple is still your favorite color.  
  3. You, my girl, keep proving to me how much of an athlete you will be.  You thrive on the soccer field, you have perfected the RipStik, and you can run fast!  I cannot wait to watch you flourish in this area.
  4. You have lost two teeth!  AND, you are currently working on a third! As a kid I LOVED writing letters to my tooth fairy, Harry, and it has been so fun to watch your excitement with the tooth fairy and losing your first teeth.
  5. You and Evie are best friends and worst enemies.  You gang up on me together (something I don't anticipate ending soon), you fight passionately, and you love on each other like crazy.  Watching the dynamic of your sisterhood is so intriguing.

  6. You still continue to be my drama girl.  You are getting better, but you can still go from 0 to 60 in no time flat.  
  7. You are the epitome of an older sister.  You are VERY concerned with Evie's safety and I Have to often remind you to worry about yourself, and I'll worry about Evie.  I love your concern for your sister, but if I were Evie I made have clocked you once or twice by now.
  8. You are no longer "not listening."  When I am talking to other adults you have your ears up and you often ask me later what we were talking about.  You are inquisitive, and you on't skip a beat.
  9. This year you gave yourself your first haircut.  First, I screamed, cried, and yelled...but in the end I realized it was just hair, and hair grows back.  You're still beautiful, and short little bangs say nothing about the girl you are :-)
  10. Speaking of hair, you can do your own now!  You brush it yourself, and you often put in your own ponytails and pigtails.  You are needing me less and less when it comes to getting ready.
  11. You just started all day, everyday Kindergarten. It is such an odd transition for me.  I have been so used to having you home most of the time, and now you spend most of your time with someone else.  I know you are ready, but not so sure I have been completely ready.
  12. You are still such an amazing helper to me! You love to do the dishes, keep an eye on Sam, and dust the furniture.  The one chore you struggle with continues to be putting your laundry away.  I feel you, girl.  We are SO alike!
  13. You have QUITE the fashion style!  Since I started LuLaRoe you love to mix prints, and put anything together.  I let you dress yourself, so it isn't rare for you to head to school in stripes, solids, and animal print all in one outfit! I adore your confidence :-)
  14. I am amazed at how one year has matured you.  You used to barely be able to make it through a church service, and not long ago you sat in the pew by yourself while I had Alive, and you never once misbehaved.  You are no longer that impulsive little girl you used to be.
  15. You are still my craft girl.  You LOVE to color, paint, and put things together.  You would rather make crafts than pay dolls or Barbies.
  16. Aside from crafts, you could play Minecraft all day.  I think you enjoy the freedom of building whatever you want, and you are really good at it.  If I'm not careful you would easily play Minecraft for hours on end!
  17. This summer you turned into a fish!  You conquered your fear of swimming underwater, started jumping off the diving board, and really fell in love with the water.  
  18. I love to just talk with you.  You have questions, thoughts, and stories that intrigue me.  I love being able to see the world through your eyes.
  19. You are trying so hard to read.  You love to sit down with books and sound things out.  Sometimes you give up quickly, but other times you keep trying hard.  On one hand it's exciting to watch you learn, and on the other I lament not being able to spell things around you so you won't know what I'm talking about.
  20. You still love music.  You became obsessed with Katy Perry's "Roar."  You know every word and your even have you own little dance to it.
  21. Speaking of dancing, you took your first ballet class this summer.  You loved it, and every part of me was in love with you in a leotard and ballet skirt!  
  22. The older you get, the sassier you get!  It is not rare for you to get mad and stomp around and slam doors.  I have a feeling your teenage years are going to be interesting...
  23. You are becoming more and more independent.  Picking out your clothes, making food for yourself, cleaning up your room, and doing your own hair.  You like to do things for yourself, and you don't often need my help for many things (although we are still working on you tying your shoes).
  24. I have found that new things, or a change in the norm can stress you out a bit.  If we head to the zoo or plan to go to Catch Air you are excited, but I can tell you have a heightened sense of anxiety.  You worry more about what Evie is doing, ask a lot of questions about what will happen, and begin to feel rushed.  Sometimes new situations seem to put your emotions in overdrive, so anything you feel, you feel 10 times more.  
  25. You have lots of friends!  It has been fun to watch you build friendships with your classmates in DK, and I look forward to seeing your relationships grow!  We have entered the world of play dates, pool parties, and birthday parties.
  26. While you are getting better at picking things up, your ability to leave things laying around is still going strong.  You like to move quickly to the next activity, and don't want to take time to pick up your last project.  You are much like your mother this way.  
  27. You thrive on being around people, and you hate to miss something or feel "left out."  You have inherited your FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) from your father for sure!  You hate the thought of things going on without you being there.  
  28. This past year you found your first boyfriend.  You were certain that you were going to marry  Bryce, and your teacher confirmed that you guys played together at school a lot!  I can't even tell you how many pictures you drew of you and Bryce.  Unfortunately, your first "love" moved to a different school this year, but you still talk about him!  No worries, girl, most people don't marry their first loves ;-)
  29. You are THE best at helping me with Sam.  He can be a cranky pants, but you know just how to make him laugh and how to distract him when I need to get something done.  You might only be 6, but I rely on you a lot. 

  30. You have asked Jesus to be in your heart, and I love seeing your faith develop.  You are learning Bible stories, and asking me questions about Jesus.  You still aren't so sure about praying aloud, but that's okay.  Keep talking to God.  Keep exploring your faith!
Happy 6th Birthday, Belle!  How fast it has gone!  Keep smiling, keeping learning about God, and keep loving life!

We love you SO much!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

I Heart LuLaRoe

6 months ago I posted this.  I shared with all of you that I was venturing into the world of "LuLaRoe Fashion Consultant."  It has been a crazy whirlwind 6 months, but I wanted to come back to share with you everything that has gone on!

I had never imagined the ride I was about to board when I signed to be a LuLaRoe consultant, but I am SO glad I did.  It has been a lot of work, but the rewards have been far more than I imagined.  I was super nervous to start out.  I wasn't sure if I had the skills, didn't know if I'd get parties, and was worried about the cost to start up.  There was a lot of "what ifs," but in the end I am glad that Paul and I took a leap of faith and went with it!

Let me begin by saying that I AM NOT a business person.  I have a bachelors in Social Work and a masters in Counseling.  Ha!  That might be the COMPLETE opposite of anything business related!  However, I knew I could talk with women, help them shop, and in the end help them find clothing that they would feel phenomenal in.  I am not shy on social media (as MANY of you have probably already experienced), and I just felt like this was something I could do. Quite honestly, in the end I was going to sell a product I LOVED and stood behind 100%.  If I was passionate about LuLaRoe, then I knew I could convey this to others.

I have been floored by the support I have received in this venture!  I was able to pay off my initial investment within 7 weeks of starting, and in the meantime have even earned a cruise for Paul and I in February.  To say I am thrilled with my decision to join LuLaRoe is an understatement!

If you have followed m blog in any capacity over the years you have learned that I love making lists.  So, in good Betsy fashion, here is a list of why I love being a part of LuLaRoe.

  1. Can we say consultant perks?  I get first dibs on EVERY shipment!  I have my packages delivered to the UPS Store down the street.  Without fail, each box is ripped open and clothing is pulled out by the time I get home.  Waiting and receiving a new shipment is just as exciting every single time! Oh, and I get all the LuLaRoe I want at wholesale.
  2. LuLaRoe has been the perfect balance of work/being home for me.  I have always said that I could never be a working mom.  During my internship for my masters I thought I was going to lose my brain just trying to get myself and one kid out of the door!  Kudos to those moms who go off to work everyday!  I am not meant for full time work outside the home!  I have always said that going to work even just one day a week would be the perfect balance.  Step in LuLaRoe.  I am home during the day with my kids.  Sure, there are work things I have to do DURING the day, but I still get to wake up with them, and have the freedom to work my schedule with what works for our family.  
  3. I am reminded that I am more than "Mom."  Don't get me wrong,  Being "Mom" is a BIG responsibility and  honorable title, but somedays being "mom" feels like dirty diapers, mac and cheese, fights over Barbies, and endless laundry.  These jobs are important, but they aren't always the most fulfilling.  For me, LuLaRoe has given me pride in something that I do for my family that goes beyond the monotony of my SAHM life.
  4. Money.  People don't like to talk about money, but it is sort of an inevitable when discussing why I love being a part of LuLaRoe.  To be honest, it takes a good chunk of change to become a consultant.  The upfront cost scared me.  A lot.  However, I have learned that with a big investment comes a big pay off.  In the beginning I invested my profit back into my inventory, but since putting the profit back into my pocket I am shocked and pleasantly surprised.  Our kids attend Legacy Christian School. Tuition isn't getting cheaper.  I can already feel the financial freedom we are starting to experience easing tension in our home.  I feel proud about contributing financially to our household income.  No clue if Paul agrees, but I think it has to relieve some pressure off of him as the sole bread winner.  
  5. Women Power.  So cheesy, I know, but for real.  I am part of a fabulous network of women through LuLaRoe who encourage, support, and help out one another.  The wonderful thing about LuLaRoe is that the competition between consultants is really very minimal.  We all have different inventory.  We have sent customers to each other, and we meet each other to help each other out with inventory.   Our Facebook group is filled with laughs, cries, and women who genuinely care for each other, even though we have never met face to face.  It's freaking awesome.  
  6. The people that run LuLaRoe are the real deal.  Deanne and Mark Stidham are involved, motivated, and genuinely want great things for all of us.  I promise I am not just drinking the Kool-Aid.  I have met this fabulous couple and they make a point to know who you are!  Deanne makes herself available to every consultant and not a single one of us is too "beneath" her for her to invest her time and expertise.  Related, the home office is a group of fabulous people who truly try their best to help out each and every consultant.  The company is new, and with any young company there are growing pains, but they acknowledge where LuLaRoe can grow and how it needs to change.  It's good stuff, peeps.
I am sure I could come up with 100 more reasons I love being a part of LuLaRoe, but these are the most important ones for me.  

And now for the spiel where I offer you the opportunity to be a part of LuLaRoe like I am! :-)  (You knew this was coming).  For real, though, any of you who have had any experience with me know that I am not one to promote something unless I stand behind it.  Similarly, when I find something I love, I share it constantly!  If you have considered being a part of the LuLaRoe Fashion Consultant world, I would be honored to be your coach and biggest cheerleader.   

To learn more about this opportunity you can listen and ask questions on the call every Tuesday and Thursday 4pm PST (7pm Michigan time).  Dial in to 712-432-1500, and use the access number 778569#.  If you still feel like you want to know more you can contact me here: or email me at, or check me out on Facebook.

Then there are those that being a consultant isn't your gig.  No big deal!  I'd love to be your go-to gal for a Pop Up Boutique to help you earn free clothes!  Who doesn't like free clothing???  And, if you live out of Michigan be sure to check my Facebook page for my online events!  I often do live broadcasts through YouNow too! 

Huge thank you to my sponsor, fellow consultants, and customers who have made the past 6 months of this LuLaRoe train a fantastic ride!  Can't wait to see where I will be 6 months from now!