5.30.2009

Southern Living At Home

As most of you know, I hosted a Southern Living At Home party last week and had a blast! It was definitely a successful party, including: friends, food, beautiful home decor and an eye opening opportunity.

For those of you that are not familiar with Southern Living At Home, it is a company that that brings to life the beautiful products found in the Southern Living magazine, into the home. Your home! Southern Living At Home also offers a fabulous opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to realistically own their own business and achieve personal and financial freedom.

I am so thrilled to become part of the Southern Living At Home family, in starting my own consulting business out of my home. I love the products and feel that the company is genuine in their goals and opportunities provided for their consultants.

I am thoroughly motivated to get started in this new business endeavor, but as most of you know... I am expecting fairly soon! With that in mind, I will be launching my business as of August/September. My motivation to beautify the homes of others with these gorgeous products is through the roof! I cannot wait to get started!

***Between now and the launch of my business, I am happy to offer company and product information, while also taking orders at any time! Host a party: in your home, catalog only or virtually online- and earn 50% off to even free gorgeous home decor!

If you have any questions, are curious about the company or would like a catalog for yourself- please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to help!

ArmitageKL@gmail.com
(971) 678.5100

Sleepover

When I was in high school and before I got married, I used to have sleepovers with all the girls (my nieces). I used to go all out with themes, dance parties... the whole bit. Ever since we moved into the new house, I've been wanting to have a sleepover. Andrew was scheduled to work last night, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to hold a long-overdue giant sleepover! The girls arrived around 6:30pm and the fun began! We watched 2 movies, ate popcorn, candy bars, ice cream sandwiches, otter pops and drank lots of lemonade as it was way too hot in our non-air conditioned home. We danced, joked, laughed and stayed up late! In the morning, I got up around 7am to find the younger four girls, awake and playing. We had cheesy eggs, french toast and cantaloupe for breakfast... yumm-o! The girls played on the Wii until their moms picked them up!
Now that the girls are getting older and so mature, I want to soak up as many opportunities as I can to be their aunt. I love it when they tell me about school, activities their involved in, their friends and especially boys. I will cherish my relationships with them always. Love you girls!



5.27.2009

Farm, Family & Fun

Andrew, Sumo and I head up to the Milne farm at least a couple of times a week to spend time with the fam. Andrew LOVES to shoot his bow and take joy rides in their go-cart. Sumo absolutely loves playing with their black poodle Jack. They are best friends! Sumo is always thoroughly tuckered out after their play dates. He sleeps for hours and is usually sore after several rounds of wrestling. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's even more fun to go play outside on the farm! Thanks to the Milne's we get our farm fix whenever we visit!
Here are a couple photos of Sumo in the car on the way up to the farm. He is getting much more comfortable with car rides and loves to feel the wind in his fur!



Here is Kyler (and Kam in the background) after a bath. Lovin' the do, kid!


Andrew takes all the kids for rides in the go-cart. Ever since Kayla had her accident, everyone is much more cautious in this fun-filled buggy!




Kyler dancing to "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"

5.22.2009

"Whatever"

A glimpse at what we're in for with Londyn... and her attitude.


Click on the link below to view the video!

Author Event: The Nine Lessons

Last night, we were able to attend my brother's event at Barnes & Noble for his new book The Nine Lessons. It was such a treat to see him shine in front of his faithful readers/fans! Their response to the book was more than positive and I was just proud to be related to such a talented guy! If you'd like to check out more info on Kevin or his book, feel free to check out his website or blog.









Oregon Coast Trip

Last weekend, Andrew and I were able to get away to Lincoln City and enjoy some R&R. We stayed at a quaint little inn, The Coho Inn with a beach entrance just around the corner. The weather was perfect and couldn't have been any better. We enjoyed some light shopping, Mo's famous clam chowder, swimming in the indoor pool, some sun on the sand (Andrew actually dove into the ocean... he's nuts), the Tillamook Dairy Factory, a fabulous car show in Tillamook, beautiful scenes and views all weekend long... and most of all, time spent together.

Here are some photos of our fun time!






























5.13.2009

Lincoln City... or bust!


This weekend is our wards' Father/Son Outing. Why am I so thrilled... you ask?! I get to go to the coast with my husband! How... you ask?! Well, the outing is being held at Camp Clark on the Oregon Coast. Andrew will be going to the camp-out with my dad and doing "guy stuff." The outing is from Friday night to Saturday morning. I on the other hand... will be relaxing in a hotel 30 minutes away from the camp at The Coho Inn in Lincoln City... enjoying the beautiful oceanfront view and walks on the sand, as much DVD viewing as I want, a new place... which means a lot for someone who is stuck at home on her sofa all day/every day, a heated indoor pool that I am dying to get into, and of course... food.

We will be heading for the coast Friday afternoon... where we will enjoy time together in the expected 70 degree weather! Andrew will take off in the evening for the camp-out and I will simply... relax! In the morning, I will sleep-in upon my luxurious bed... enjoy a complimentary breakfast and get ready to spend the day with my man. He will pick me up in the late morning and we will explore the Oregon coast, which he has never experienced!

I am absolutely thrilled to be having this short getaway before the baby arrives. Not to mention... anything to distract me from my discomfort and antsy-ness for her arrival. With Andrew's military and work schedule, I always miss him. I know it will only get more difficult as our lives get busier and our family expands. All the more to take advantage of an opportunity like this!

5.11.2009

To Blog... or NOT to Blog...

Lately, I have been playing around with my blog layout, accessories and colors. I have spent far too much time on this task and have pretty much driven myself batty! I can't seem to create one that is to my complete and utter liking. I have probably changed it 6 times in the last 24 hours and I am still not satisfied. I have much better and more productive things to do that would probably be much more fulfilling... but I just can't seem to leave my blog alone. For some reason I want it to be just perfect, and apparently haven't achieved that status yet... according to my personal standards. A thought came to mind that maybe this is part of my nesting period.... considering I am fixating on blog perfection. Since no one is perfect... how can I expect my blog to be?
Oh the agony...

5.09.2009

Happy Mama's Day!

Women I am grateful for...

... my own mother who used all her faith and strength to adopt me and provide a life filled with unconditional love and support. My mom goes above and beyond the mom role. She is always there to help even when you're convinced you don't need it. She loves me even when I don't deserve it. She is beautiful in every way. Heavenly Father knew that I needed a mom as strong as mine to raise me. I am truly blessed. Thanks mom!

... my biological mother for making the decision to give me a chance at life. Now that I am having my own child, I can only imagine how difficult that choice had to have been. I think of her as a very courageous woman with a good heart. Thank you.

... my Mother-In-Law Brenda who raised 7 wonderful kids including my husband. I am so blessed to have a husband who respects his parents, adores his mom and treats me with the same appreciation. Thanks Brenda!

... my grandma Donnie who has been such an amazing example to me. She is such a real woman who has seen a lot in her lifetime, influenced many people to do good and loves her family. Thanks grandma!

... my grandma Mary Milne. Although I was too young to remember her now, I do think of her often. I wish I knew more about her and I probably think of her so often because she is somewhat of a mystery to me. I know that she was a very hard-working woman who loved her sons. I would have loved to hear stories from her about my dad as a young boy. I love and respect my dad more than I can express and will thank her when I see her again. Thank you grandma.

... my sister Jenelle for being my second mom and putting up with me all the way from an infant, through the teenage years and into young adulthood. I appreciate her way of always staying calm and sensible in stressful situations, her ability to deal with chaos, unbelievable baking skills, and her motherly instinct to raise 4 wonderful girls and staying sane! Thanks Jen!

... my sister-in-law Rebecca who I don't even consider as an (in-law) because she truly is my sister. In the past few years as I have grown into adulthood, I have become much closer with Rebecca and love everything about her! She is a very supportive wife and amazing mother of 6. I look up to her as she is able to multi-task family, friends, missionary work, a tidy home and even personal well-being. I am able to confide in her and not only consider her my sister, but my friend. Thank you Bec.
*******
These 7 women have influenced my life in so many ways and I genuinely want to thank them for their example to me. As mothers, sisters and women... we have the ability to make a difference in people's lives. The lives of family members, friends, acquaintances and even complete strangers. Now is the time to take care of our families, help those in need, lift each other up and take care of one another. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, those celebrating their own mother and women that will one day become mothers.