So sorry it's been a while. There have been multiple times when I've wanted to "blog" and get my thoughts or stories out there, but every time I had it at the top of my head, I would be driving, running errands, dealing with the boys, etc etc. And by the time the boys would be in bed, that's where I would be headed too!
This past Saturday I came home from the most amazing FREE incentive trip I had earned through Scentsy...HAWAII! The only thing that would have made it even better than what it already was, would be if my hubby was able to be there and experience it all with me! My new goal is going to try and earn the next incentive trip for TWO! In a week and a half I'll be heading to Indianapolis for the Scentsy Family Reunion (Convention), and that's when I will find out where the next incentive trip will be! The biggest obstacle that will be happening during the "qualifying period" will be having a baby, however. And going from 2 to 3 kids. YIKES! It was already quite the challenge this past Holiday Season to put 110% effort into my business, while not neglecting my 2 boys, we'll see how I'll be able to juggle being uber pregnant, have a baby, care for 3 boys AND work a business that I truly love! While looking at what will all be going on during the next qualifying period, I can only keep telling myself that anything is possible if you truly want it and work for it! I NEVER thought I would come close to earning a trip with Scentsy, and I did! But truly, it's all thanks to my extremely supportive husband and family members who helped watch the boys so I could go to my parties (or watch them so I could package up the crazy amounts of Scentsy that was delivered), along with my most wonderful Hostesses, Customers, Team Members, and my awesome Upline who kept pushing me to keep going! I could never have done it without any of these people. I am forever grateful. Below are just a FEW of the pictures that I took. I didn't post any of the wonderful Scentsy Sisters (or 'cousins' as they would refer to everyone in Hawaii. Lol) I met because I wasn't sure they'd want their pictures in my blog :)
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| Aloha Hawaii!...Awkward picture by myself. Lol |
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| Breakfast! |
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| Virgin Daiquiri and a Real One :) |
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| We ordered way too much but it was all AMAZING! |
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| My college friend moved to Kauai a few years ago and flew over to Oahu to see me! Thanks Brooke! |
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| Fish in a pond outside the hotel |
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| I went Paddle Boarding! |
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| Making a headband and bracelet at the luau |
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| Pretty headband was NOT cute on. Lol |
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| Hawaii tattoo painted on |
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All the Hawaii Incentive Trip Earners before our beach themed dinner!
Mahalo Scentsy! |
When I landed, Travis and the boys picked me up and we went straight to my Grandparent's 65th Wedding Anniversary Party! My relatives (most of them) were there from Washington, which was so fun! Times are far and few between when we get to spend time with those cousins. It was fun to have all the 2nd cousins running around, playing together as well! I know my boys LOVED it! Besides seeing relatives, it was such fun to be able to celebrate the most special couple in my life. I love my Grandparents dearly, and feel blessed that they are still here with us.
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All the grandchildren minus 2 were able to make it!
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And on to this Monday. Monday was the dreaded ultrasound. Most people can't wait for the ultrasound and being able to see their baby. Even though both the boys we have are perfect in every way (in our eyes:)), their ultrasounds were a different story. With Talan and Grayson, they BOTH had a white spot on their heart, which is one of a million "markers" for possible down syndrome. By the time we had Grayson's ultrasound, we weren't worried at all. We had Talan's level 2 ultrasound and everything was fine, except still seeing the "white spot", therefor the news with Grayson wasn't as big of a deal. They still wanted to have us do a level 2 ultrasound to make sure everything was OK. So back we went. Yep, the "white spot" was still there and there were no other signs for downs. However, they couldn't tell if it was the shadowing of the ultrasound or if he had a cleft lip. They brought in different ultrasound techs to get opinions, along with different Dr's. As I would be laying there with tears welling in my eyes, trying to hold back from completely melting down, they couldn't give us a for sure answer. They couldn't tell us if it was a shadow, if it was a cleft, if his pallet was going to be affected, nothing. Regardless if anything was wrong with either of our babies, we knew we would love them just the same. It's just hard not hearing that everything is "perfect". For those of you that do know us, Grayson was born with the most minor incomplete cleft lip and had a repair surgery when he was 10 weeks old. He now sports a cute little scar, but honestly, if you don't know him, you would never be able to tell he had a cleft lip. His pallet wasn't involved at all either. We are truly blessed. And everything about him goes with his personality. I wouldn't trade him for anything.
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| Morning of Surgery |
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| After Surgery. Poor Buba's had to wear "no-no's" so he wouldn't bump his lip |
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| 6 months and a HAM! |
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| My handsome healed up little guy at 1year! |
So back to our appointment. We waited for quite some time. We spoke with a genetic specialist, and waited some more. Travis whispers to me, "it's like they already know somethings wrong, and they're waiting to give us the news." The genetic specialist calls us back into her office before the ultrasound. She looked up Cyclic Vomiting Syndrom, which I told her I had when asked about our health history. (I had told the genetic specialist we had with Grayson as well, but they left it at that.) When she told me she found some information on genetics with CVS, I had to tell myself to keep listening. Don't cry. It's fine. (And why do they always have to give you news when your hormones are already going crazy!? I mean seriously!) As she was talking all I heard was "it can be passed down maternally". I stopped listening and broke down. No, it's not the end of the world. They can't die from it, but it is definitely life changing in many ways. The research is too new to even tell us the probability or the statistics of it being passed down. All I can do is pray. I NEVER want to watch my children go through what I went through as a child. I'm still dealing with it as an adult, but on a much different scale. And...I've learned to just "deal". I'm surrounded by a supportive family who has helped whenever they can with the boys. It has been tricky here and there to have it as a mom, since I now not only have to care for myself when episodes happen, but also care for 2 little boys.
The ultrasound, however, came out perfect! Hooray! When the Dr. came in to give us the results and said everything is completely normal, I belted out, "there's not even a white spot on his heart!?!" I was shocked! We are having another BOY! For someone who always thought I would have all girls, this is quite hilarious. Obviously God has other plans and knows what He's doing :) I couldn't be happier!
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| Team BLUE |
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| Team PINK (everyone who could be there) |
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| Team "ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT IT'S A HEALTHY BABY!" |
*It's not uploading our balloon reveal, but it's posted on my facebook page :)
