Easter 2011

Easter with the Clarks

Paul and I with Aunt Norma and Uncle Ray. Two of our favorite people.

Cousin Time

CHANGES

About four weeks ago I started a 90-Day Transformation program with Allison Lamar. This program is for self businesses and how to become successful and many other things. For me though, this became more than something to help my Mary Kay business, this has helped me to go ahead with changes I have wanted to make in my life. For the last few months I've been thinking that at my age, I'm not quite where I planned on being. Growing up, my goals were to get married and to start a family. I wanted to have 2 by the time I was 25. I wanted to be done with my family by the time I was 30. I wanted to be a young mom. I wanted to marry somebody older than me by two years and him have an education and be done with school. Somebody who can provide for us and live happily ever after. For knowing what I want I feel i'm pretty close, but things weren't how I planned. I found my prince. We have not been able to have a family pretty easily. It still frustrates me, but I know things will work out and will also happen on the Lords time. I will become a mother no matter how my children come to me. I have an amazing husband who is currently in school and will be for a little bit. I can't wait til the day comes when I will have my marriage without school. He will and does provide but education will be a good few years. I will have my happily ever after but it will come in time. The point is I know what I wanted and even though not all has happened yet I know it will. I don't have to just sit around and wait though, I can make things happen and prepare for things. I have to admit I have been feeling a little down lately, especially when I've realized I havn't gotten everything I wanted. I don't mean to sound like a brat or anything, but there is a way I've pictured my life. I have most of it, but not all. I want to have it all. I can have a positive attitude and make things happen. I want to be able to set goals and to reach them. This is where the transformation program comes in. One of my goals is to get my Mary Kay business going again and to be able to build clientel. Allison Lamar is a wonderful example of somebody I would like to be. She joined MK at the age of 26 with a lot of debt and she went all the way and made it to the highest position you can hold within 2 1/2 years. She retired from the company at age 31 and is now a motivational speaker for women, not only those in MK but to all who owns businesses and is in direct sales and whatever else. Anyways her first week was about Goals and the 8 lanes of life. I've realized that her whole lecture that day not only related to my business but to my life. It made me really think about what and where I want to be. It talks about Spiritual life, personal life, professional life,physical life, etc. That whole lecture is what inspired me and this post. I've realized I've made a lot of changes and i'm about to make more. I don't want negativity in my life. I don't want people who don't respect marriage and friendship in my life. At the risk of sounding like a brat again I will get rid of people and things that make me feel uncomfortable and won't put up with things that bring me down. I mentioned earlier that I have felt down, to get rid of it I've found a program that will help me detox the body of candida, lose weight and keep it off, and get more energy. I'll need the energy to keep up with kids. I hope this program works. I officially start Monday, but I haven't had any pop in a week in a half. Thats good for me. This transformation has caused me to really look into my goals more and has given me the chance to fix things so I can be happy. I'm really looking forward to it.

Busy Week

This week has been a busy week for us. Even though I never came straight home or got a night off til Friday night I had an awesome week. It is ALWAYS fun when we have family in town and birthdays to celebrate, but I don't think you need an excuse to have fun. My Uncle Chuck and his family came into town on Monday night and were supposed to spend a couple of days with us, but it ended up being more. They had quite a trip. They saved to be able to come for Spring Break and on the way here the car breaks down. They barely made it to my moms. On top of that my cousin had a toothache and ended up going to my mom's office and the tooth was messed up and something was going on that they had to pull it. Nothing ever goes right for them. Last time one of my cousins had to get stitches while visiting.At least it doesn't get them down and ruin the trip. It was great for us though to have a few extra days with them. We had a big family dinner for a few nights and we also went to AirBorne. Airborne is a trampoline place. It was so much fun. I loved the pit. I was scared at first, but it was my favorite. I have never been the best at tricks on trampolines so my plan was to just go and jump. I didn't know I shouldn't wear my socks. I jumped to the end, didn't feel like I was high enough so I stopped (which is something I shouldn't have done) and took a couple more bounces got ready to jump in pit, lost footing and slipped. That made me go face first in the pit. It was fun though. The best part was my mom belly flopped in the pit her first time. Paul was amazing and did a flip as he lost his footing. After that was the time my brother decided to tell us its because we were wearing socks. I think we were entertainment for their friends that were there. We also celebrated JJ's 24th birthday this week. We went to Ole Spaghetti Factory. It was fun to go out with his family too. He has a great family. Sarah is very lucky. Last night I had a girls night with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. It was fun. I love when I have busy weeks, especially when they are memorable.

Six Years

Six years ago last Friday I married the love of my life. Paul has been my best friend, a wonderful companion, and the most amazing guy ever! I'm so glad he is by my side and my eternal companion. We have been through a lot and I love him and am very lucky to have him. It seems like we try to out do each anniversary. Its fun, but expensive. This year we decided to stay home and have a weekend to ourselves. We turned off the phones and spent all of our time together. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Timpanyakis on Friday. Saturday we went to dinner and Desert Star Theater. We saw Beverly Hillbillies 90210. It was funny. I love just spending any time I get with him, especially lately as he is finishing school and stuff. I'm just thankful to have him in my life. I'm glad to have him Forever!

WHAT a weekend

This weekend was one of the best i've had in a long time. I was able to relax, and not dread anything coming up. There is a story to that but its more for a journal than a blog. Its a good thing I love my family since we spent it mostly with them. I was able to enjoy the What A Woman Wants show with my mom and sister (and her kids) on Friday afternoon. It was fun to go with my family. They had a lot of cool stuff and I came home from a great shopping trip. I always love going to that expo when it comes to Sandy. Hopefully one day I can have a MK booth there. The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent with Pauls family. His parents took us out to dinner on Saturday. It was nice to visit and relax with them. A few weird things did happen, but I won't go into too much detail, in the end though I just could not relax. Paul and I did a movie night after dinner at home. I love relaxing with my husband. Sunday we went to Drako's blessing. Afterward Rachael and Josh had a luncheon at their home. It was fun to be with most of the family. Drako was so cute. I have had a ton on my mind lately and today has not been any different. I know this doesn't really include the weekend, but oh well. Today is my brother Hayden's 27th Birthday. He passed away 6 1/2 years ago. I miss him tons. I'm so thankful to have had a wonderful brother. It may not always have been the best, but I'm glad he was part of my life. One of the last memories I have of him is telling me He loves me and thanks for being a good sister. I will never forget that and am thankful that was one of the last conversations we had. Its a good memory to have. I love you Hayden. RIP

Always There

My Wonderful Family

My AMAZING siblings with our dad

Most AMAZING husband EVER!

Paul's Wonderful family, and best in-laws ever!

Friends will come and go, but your family will always be there for you!

NO MATTER WHAT!

Even if our family is " full of nuts" they will always be there for us. I just wanted to let my family know how much I love and appreciate them. I love that I always have somebody to talk too. I'm so lucky to have found Paul and to be part of the Gardiner family. I have amazing sisters and brothers. Its amazing that with how different we all are, it works. I know they will drop whatever they are doing to come help us, usually without any questions. I'm glad that they hold the priesthood too. It was amazing to see all the guys be able to be part of the setting apart of Paul's parents for their mission last year. I'm just lucky to have the love and support I feel from them. I'm also lucky to have the most AMAZING mom ever. She is a great example. I love how close my brothers and sisters are. We have so much fun together. I love how JJ and Paul fit right into the family. JJ is amazing for Sarah and has been a wonderful husband to her and they have a beautiful family. I have to add that I have the cutest nieces and nephews on both sides. I've been stressed beyond stressed lately and have really appreciated the love coming from my family.They will never leave, even if it feels like I'm pushing them away. They have been on my mind a lot and I'm so blessed to have them in my life. I have the most amazing and supportive husband ever and wonder how I got so lucky. I can't believe we are coming up on six years of marriage this week.