i'm back:)

I know, I know

it's been almost a month since I have probably visited you

or even written on my blog

but a couple of things before I begin...

thank you
all of you that so kindly reminded me to get with it

and come back

and get back to normal
and do a stinkin' post

and write again

i'll be honest though

it's just been a little rough for me with a few things

and these past three months

{this is where I take a deep breathe}

have been the roughest
when things like that happen
I stop writing
because you don't need to hear it all

the verse that has lifted my spirits this past month

"Cast all your care upon Him; for He cares for you"
I Peter 5:7

and then I have focused on many many great things in my life
and I tell you what
even though these past months have been difficult

they have also been so very wonderful
I have close family and friends that are always there for me
my business has been very exciting

and this past month I finished earning my business incentive trip
 I'm going to Atlantis in August
{happy dance}
{happy dance}
{happy dance again}

so just so I honestly have been focusing on those good things

depositing into those

{not that this blog isn't good}

but I had to get away from a few things to really focus on some other things

I'm thankful for an amazing business, family,
and

amazing friends that live here and afar

friends threw the absolute best suprise weekend for me for my birthday

all you {my blog readers] have meant the world to me

and that's why I felt so badly about being away

the reason why it has taken so long to get back into sharing our life
is because I wondered...

 if it was too late to continue this blog

by being away so long
if i lost you all...

so i have a few things to share

of what good things we have been up too...

wonderful, fun times with friends and family

Madison graduated preschool

I cried, of course

because i was excited for her

but it always makes me feel like time goes by waaaaay too fast already

we are enjoying pool time
well just three days of it so far

 it's summertime

and this is my happy time during summer

I'm so happy that my hydrangeas are about to start blooming

and the rest of my flowers are filling out

 I do have something to ask your help with

 I would really love from you is your help and/or opinion

my friend is a fantastic photographer

and i needed to update my business pictures for

my business website

business cards

and any other marketing i needed pictures for

so she put together a fantastic business package for me

I wanted to do colorful

outdoor pics

to liven up my look and to also go with what i do

out of the pictures she took

i chose some of them to use on my blog

and some for my business

we also snuck in a family picture or two because we haven't had one in a bit

so what i would love, love your help with

is helping me decide

what photos should i use for my business website?

what are your favorites for my business cards?

I would love outside feedback

I like to have a couple of different business cards

using different pictures

so please choose your top 2 or 3 for business cards

so if you would be willing to choose your top three

i would be so appreciative:)

And by the way

Kristen was fabulously fabulously patient with me

if you know me well

you know i get nervous with photos

especially by myself

if i'm in a picture with family, friends, etc.

i'm okay

because I'm not the only one

i really struggled at times

and Kristen couldn't have done a better job of helping me through that

and being patient with me

If you live within an hour or so of me

and need family photos or business photos

I would definitely consider Kristen

so just to show you our family photos first

because of course that was the easier part for me

and yes...

 I really did wear color in these photos

no gray or brown:)

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I think Kristen did a wonderful job

so her information is already on my sidebar

but click here to visit her website

if you are interested in her business packages just shoot her an e-mail

via her website

thanks in advance for your help

xoxo

next time i'll share with you a few of my summer wishes

for my fam and I

realizations

I've been tossing and turning on this topic for quite some time now

really tossing and turning

because I don't usually "go there" on certain issues

we all have some things that are just too personal to share

{most of the time}

granted...I feel like I get real sometimes, right?

I probably haven't in awhile

I finally feel "as if"

I'm supposed to share this whether I like it or not

for it's not always up to me

{as much as it's my comfort zone when it is up to me}

I think I have finally processed how to share a few thoughts jumbled in my mind

and I cannot seem to rid of them during my runs

like I typically can

a wonderful person in my upline shared this video with me

that pretty much

tied me in knots

twisted my thinking up
held me there

then untied and unraveled me

rearranged my thoughts

and finally did a sort of
"put me back together" again

 the video applied so much to my life right now

it is very hard to admit that

 my hopes of

"going there" with you in this post

is not out of lecture or "I know all" place

it's because

just maybe

what if someone else needs to hear it too

to be honest

I've fought with myself on this post
I didn't want to share this or write about it

I feel right now is a very happy and confident time for me personally

with my business...friendships

just a happy place

at the same time

I have a few things that are weighing on my shoulders

that I wish it wasn't so

but that's life, you know

I guess my point is that

other than a few things
I'm doing great

but I am dealing with some lows
that are bringing me down
  a few things that are just preventing me from really

"blooming"

what works for me

always has been either writing or talking it out

and since I'm writing it out

that is what you'll are stuck with

and to think I had such fun and vibrant pictures of valentine cookies to share

from a wonderful, wonderful girls night

geez...
sorry for perhaps bringing the mood down

heck I've probably hyped this up to be more
but first is first
my inspiration words for this year
talked about here

love and embrace

three days after those words were pressed upon my heart
my Grandpa ended up in the hospital for emergency surgery
and then a couple of weeks of living at the hospital
for him
but also all of our family too

then he was back to surgery while I was gone at my conference
and a month and a few days later
things are really "still tough"

you see
I've always had a very strong relationship with my Grandpa
he was the most important male figure in my life besides my dad growing up
he ended up living down the street
and if I didn't seem him 6 days a week
it was at least 4-5

to me...
he is the heart and soul of our family
and over the past several years
Alzheimers has set in
and since this last surgery
it's hit or miss whether he remembers the girls and I when we visit

so the video I watched really struck a few cords with me

I always assumed he would be "grandpa" like he always was to me
I was thinking

"what if this...."
"what if that..."

that is not a good place to be at

and from watching video by Craig I learned

that fear is placing your faith in the "what ifs"

scary sort of thing
as these past 8+ months I've also had some health issues that I cannot get figured out
and it prevents me from increasing my running mileage because it gets really, really aggravated
when I try to do more

that may seem so trivial
 whether I run or not
or can go past so and so amount of miles

but running is my "thing"
and without my "thing"

I'm not sane
{chuckle}

I'm not going into details about my health issues
as I haven't really shared with anyone but my parents
and a few other friends/family members have found out "some" in conversation

so with some of the stressors I have right now

I've been living in the "what ifs"
with a few things in life

"what if this...."

"what if that?"

"what if my health issues are going to affect or are related to my reproductive/fertility issues
I've had in the past"

and

"I'm the same age about as my mom when she lost her ability to have more
what if it is my time too"

for awhile I just didn't know but recently found out that it has nothing to do with my past fertility issues

and back to

"what if this or that happens with Grandpa?"
or
"what if Grandpa sees me as
 a young girl visiting him"
 that he may not recognize again

 I feel it is one of the best times of my life right now
funny how that is

so I'm trying only to think of the good
because there is quite a bit of good

but the honest truth
it makes me feel guilty sometimes
that things are really good
like I don't deserve it to be that way

how twisted is that?

then I feel guilty about the tough things going on
and not addressing them

I see right in front of me all that is good
and I feel it is hard to complain 
 because my health issues are not life-threatening
and my Grandpa is still here with us
doing his best

but when I watched the video
{a sermon by Craig Groeschel from Life Church}
and he said

"fear is placing your faith in the what ifs"

I felt as though a

"told ya so"

was happening

because that is what I have been doing
ugh...

but in the video Craig also said

"what you fear is also what you value the most"

umm...hello

that names the stressors I do have in my life right now
every.single.one.of.them.is.what.I.value.the.most

the thing is
when all that happened with my Grandpa

I was very upset about my inspiration words for 2011
as in my original post I talked about them kind of scaring me this year

and then I was upset
because I didn't want those words to be true
I didn't want to embrace that my Grandpa may never be the same
I knew I needed to love on him
that was the easy part
but there was no way I was going to embrace it...

or accept it...
or "whatever" it

but you know what?

 I have to

I have to start acknowledging this
and begin moving forward

that is what I'm called to do

believe me...I don't talk about my faith and my relationship with God on this blog
because I never want to sound like I'm preaching or "I know it all"

but I want you to know
this is all coming from a "place of good intentions" from me

 me sharing this
is because
I cannot get it out of my mind
and because
"what if sharing this video helps someone else"
that would be worth going "there" to me

the part where I felt twisted up and knotted from the video
is realizing that when he said

"what you fear is where you trust God the least"

I'll say it again
because I had to watch it again personally

"what you fear is where you trust God the least"

 that put me in my place
very, very quickly

because I wasn't trusting God with my Grandpa
I wanted him better
right now

I also wasn't trusting God with other things like whatever is going on with my health issues
funny what has helped the most with them
is things I can get from my business 
it was.right.in.front.of.my.face

 all of those issues have been weighing me down at a very, very good time in my life

I couldn't be more thankful for my family, business successes,
wonderful, wonderful friendships
ones that build you up
make you laugh
but also let "you be you"
ones that also "call you out" nicely when needs be
and then love on you all over again

I've finally found those friends again

 back in October of last year I shared with a close friend of mine some personal stressors
during a conversation
and she said to me

"Martha...what is the worst that can happen?
"this..._______"

she then said
"you can't carry that by yourself"

and she continued to fill in the blank for me
and I said you know what....

"you are right"

Just as Craig said in his sermon

"Even if my worst 'what if' comes to be…there is nothing man can do to hurt me if I’m ultimately trusting God with my whole life"

and you know what...
these past several weeks

I've been upset about my Grandpa
but I've also been going there very happy to see him
 even if he doesn't remember every single time
I'm just so happy to see him

and when I just gave my health issues to Him
I've realized I'm beginning to heal

I'm excited to say this is the first week that whatever is going on with my health
is starting to get somewhat better
and I have to know it will continue to do so


for when it continues to get better
this week
the week after

I can start increasing my mileage again

because I've been stuck physically

but mentally I've been ready to go further for quite some time

so I'm ready to make a better effort of putting my fears

away..and moving forward

one foot in front of the other

I know this may be out of left field me talking about my faith

because I just usually don't

 but I felt I should share this

my hope is that

whatever you fear...that you trust in Him

because it is what you value the most

but also what you are not trusting Him with

my inspiration words this year

love and embrace

 have taken a new meaning these past two weeks

when I was given those words

I thought

"that is what I should be offering to everyone else"

you know...

the thought of 

"how I should be taking care of everyone else around me"

never did I consider

"myself"

and this week He placed on my heart

that

loving and embracing

are not meant just for others

but for me as well

and that is not selfish

to put "you" first sometimes

too often I have put Me on the sidelines

{every woman/mother can probably agree}

but this year

I know I'm being told

"you are off the sidelines"

I'm very thankful for this video being sent to me

as sometimes

friends know just the thing to share with you

much love to you all

and thank you for staying with me on this very long writing

I hope it has helped someone else

xo

"I sought the Lord

He delivered me from all my fears"

Psalm 34:4

btw....the pictures are my Valentine cookies I brought to my girls night

it was a very fun night

too bad I was writing about "fear" with these pictures

to see the video click {here}

reality

this week I've been very afraid at times

and really discovered the meaning of my inspiration words for 2011

words I literally just wrote about

"love and embrace"

image found here

it's been a long week

a week of uncertainties with health issues

and a week of seeing the heart and soul of our family in the hospital

Grandpa "M"

in all honesty it has just been plain hard

it's been a week of giving and needing

 great big "it's okay" kind of hugs

 Grandpa is doing better and better each day
{in different ways now}

and that's a relief

but in all honesty I'm a bit behind

on things...
and for one I probably won't backtrack with reading blogs

but I honestly couldn't be more grateful for the flexibility I have

with my life so I could be there so much
that part has been really great

this week I've felt...

a great big community with all our family coming together

as well as all my besties checking in with me throughout the week

and that is a tremendous amount of love I'm very, very thankful for

at the moment I'm sitting with another bestie

a glass of "Velvet Moon"

{we were just introduced this evening at Trader Joe's}

along with another fav

 no-brainer trash tele shows

that I plan on watching while I catch up on a few things tonight

what is not on the list

is telling anyone in my household

that I may have flushed a kinda-small toy down the potty

instead of taking the time to fish it out

the girls must have dropped it in there playing

since the bathroom always seems to be a communal area in our home

meaning "no privacy" while in the shower, getting ready, or anything

so I will admit I stood there and comtemplated that decision

for all of three seconds

and the final second
 I thought

"I'll give it a whirl, and I think it'll make it"

down the pipes and out to the wasteland

without causing a call to the plumber

*hopefully*

*hopefully*

yes...

this is all because I was too tired to figure out how to fish the darn plastic rock out

lets hope that was the right decision

because a call to the hubs that a plumber was called this week

may get me into some trouble

that I don't need or want right now

{chuckle}

 just making it clear

that the small grey plastic rock

was not the toy I flushed

I *promise* promise*

that one gets blamed on "ribbit"

and that's all I'm sayin' about that

oh I'm in trouble:)
that was a really really really poor decision
I'm afraid

well...now I'm ready for a refreshed week ahead

xo

btw...the flowers in the picture are yarn flowers

and I love that idea

they are just the "happy" and inspiration I need for the week

{love} and {embrace}

i've been thinking...

and asking myself...

thinking some more...

and then asking myself again...

then putting it aside
frustrated

and then I finally realized to quit asking myself
and just stinkin' talk to you know who about it...
Him
{duh}

because I always learn that the third or fourth time after I've asked myself
realizing that I have gotten nowhere asking myself
{a little late to the start sometimes I am}

so what came about it?

guess I should tell you about what first, right?
I don't do resolutions

okay so I did one time {2009}...because it was really needed
an "about time" kind of one
and that was about dresses

want to know more about that?...
then you may read "this is me" back in February of 2010
but other than that
I don't do resolutions
it's too much
and frankly prefer to have some inspiration words to always refer to instead
you know those constant reminders
in the back of your head

that's what works for me

so the conclusion this year

 two words

and they are:

"loving and embracing"

I'll be honest here...

the embracing one freaks me out a little bit

okay, actually a lot

but I'm taking it in the positive 100%

I looked "embrace" up for a little peace at heart and understanding

 embrace goes quite well with loving in its obvious definition of embracing {hugging} someone

but it also includes

"accepting opportunities and challenges eagerly and willingly"

 that made me smile

a big ole' smile

because I am going to embrace my opportunities and challenges

with a renewed spirit and with love

and know that those I didn't achieve last year

are absolutely achievable this year

and isn't this funny...

as I glanced up from writing right now 

I saw on my dream board

my all-time favorite quote

I mean favorite, favorite

 favorite quotes...

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. --- H. Drummond

so as I've found what my inspiration words were this year

I remembered the ones last year

they were

{faith}

{hope}

{belief}

the funny thing is...

I could use those same words again this year

I really could
you don't always need to re-invent the wheel, right?

but instead of tossing those three aside

I will use them again
but add to...kind of thing
 a little modification to that wheel

 my focus with it all is

loving

embracing

when I wrote

"the road underneath me"

last year

I had many hopes and dreams for my family

and for myself

although some hopes, goals, and dreams I didn't achieve

I know I still will
for my journey is not the same journey as anyone else

I am not one that gives up easily
if you didn't know that already
but I'm sure most of you do by now
{chuckle}

either because I'm determined or stubborn
most likely both
okay...definitely both

but stubborn can be good too, right?
that's at least what I tell myself
at least I openly admit it
{laughing again now}

I never knew my 2010 inspiration words
{hope, faith, believe}
would be so meaningful for myself and our family's life last year

as I wrote in "sweet serendipity"

a week or so ago

we had a really great year with a lot of great memories in 2010
and that is what I choose to remember
hands down

but in reality 2010 was quite difficult for us too

I didn't realize when I wrote down those three words on January 2nd of last year
that strength would carry me through some really tough times

my words were very relevant last year

so that horse with the head down I referred to last year 
in "the road underneath me"

was how I felt sometimes throughout the year

but

what I didn't realize then but I do now
is that same horse eventually
raised it's head high
with grace and confidence

and looked up to see all the love
and all the wonderful things to embrace before her eyes

and that's what I am going to continue to do this year
because that is not only what I did at the finish of 2010
but also many times throughout the year

we had so much fun with family and friends...

we saw our two little babies blossom and make us laugh some more
a friend got married
we did some quite embarrassing things
but fun things
we laughed a lot
we sure did

we traveled
for my business conference
we went on a free trip with my husband's work
we strengthened friendships throughout the year
and had some lake trips with family and friends

we spent a lot of quality time not just quantity of time with everyone

I got my noise pierced
thank.you.very.much

I am still wearing more dresses
I took even more pictures of the girls for fun
not great at it
but I did it

we swam a lot during the summer
we did a couple more date nights than usual
thanks to my parents for watching the girls
although I'm sure they had fun too

my sister came to visit with my nephews during the summer
and we practically lived at my parents house that week

we came out loving, having a lot of fun, and standing tall
{I know I've forgotten a lot of great things so please don't be offended if I didn't mention something}

"the road underneath me is a constant
but the journey I take is up to me"
{words I wrote last year}

and this year
I'm going to do what I do best

love

and

embrace

love myself
love on my family
and love on those near and dear to me

family and friends
 those in my business
and everyone in between

I'm going to embrace
every.single.situation
whether it is the time of my life
or
a circumstance that just plain stinks
and even though the "plain stink" ones take a little more effort/time to embrace,
I will and eventually carry on
{not saying immediately because I do have a learning curve of honesty here}

the finish line in 2011
is another journey
that my family and I are taking together
five strong
{yes counting Miss Cadence...absolutely not pregnant...nope}
 we do include our pups as family members
even when she gets her "tude" in the "attitude" and decides to tinkle in the house
{ugh}
to make some sort of point
that she never seems to make

okay that's a little tmi and off-base
Happy New Year to you and your families
xo

yes and no pictures this time around
I've had a sick little girl today

sweet serendipity

"i don't need to play the lottery"

 not at all

i'm in love with the new song by Lee DeWyze

*in love*

*love*

with it

I hope you'll listen to the song first and then maybe read on...

afterwards

just don't mind the radio introduction at the beginning of the song

remember listen first

{lol}

yes this picture is minus Daddy on Christmas Eve

we were in a rush searching for some little girl's black shoes for over an hour

that we never found

so we had limited picture time with the girls

most of our pictures are blurry of the girls

but still really cute

Madison did take this photo of Daddy, Hayley, and I

{minus Daddy and Hayley's head..lol}

anyway...

this song reminded me of something I hadn't showed you all yet

I don't know why

but just realized I hadn't told you a couple of days ago

this year

  I made a decision in October sometime

also known as my *rebel* decision this year

but

I'll get back to the *rebel* decision in a moment here

to be honest

this has been a difficult year for my family

and my extended family

many issues I don't talk about here

because I don't have to share it all
and some things are personal to others in my family

I know I've talked about really personal things before

but I just won't on a few things

even though this has been a tough year...it definitely wasn't our worst

and that's why we're coming out smiling in 2010

there is plenty to celebrate

plenty to smile about

and plenty, plenty to be happy and thankful about

 the things Bobby and I have been dealt this year

{no I'm not talking about his traveling...}

but things in our life...

and things in our extended family's life

have been quite difficult

however

we are still smiling and celebrating what we do have

 all I can think about ending this year with is

twirls

 leaps

snow angels

{if we still had snow}

and anything good that exclaims happiness

because there is soooo much in our life we should be smiling about

this song makes me just want to dance with my family

knowing that yes sometimes

we've just barely landed on our feet with things

but the point is

"we landed"

"whether it was by the nic of time

or the skin of our teeth"

{lyrics from Sweet Serendipity}

that's what I'm choosing to remember from this year

was all the good things

and the fact that I took a leap with my *rebel* decision

and finally chose to not care about others opinions

{not care in a good, healthy way}

and finally doing something that was *me*

at the end of it all...

I'm choosing to relish in

our family

the support we've had from our wonderful family

and our wonderful, wonderful friendships

this year we've had so many great times...I couldn't possibly count

that's what I love about a tough year

the "tough" things may have seemed difficult at the time

and they are and still are at times

I won't lie

but they are never the things I ever remember in the end

just the way it should be...

in my opinion

because we are doing just fine

and we do love what we've got

and that's all that matters

now for my *rebel* decision I made in October...

in all honesty

this was a decision a looooooooooong time coming

something I put off for about a year and a half

I have told Bobby I wanted to do this for a very long time

 here are two truths about it

it is *me*

and it was sooo much *fun*

I was with a couple of friends, and I mentioned my long-standing hesitation with doing this

I didn't know if I *should*

or if it would affect the business I am in just because with a personal business you do sometimes get judgments

I couldn't have had two better people to go right along with me

as they told me it didn't matter

just be me

and point two seconds later

all three of us were in the car and another girlfriend did it with me

by the way "*rebel* decision" was coined by another close friend of mine

and that makes me smile

my nose...

yes it is pierced

and you know what

I loooove it

it felt great doing it

there has not been one regret

Bobby, of course, loved it

and it makes me smile every time I see it

and I love it with my new hat that Santa brought

actually that's just an excuse to show you my hat

since I looooove my hat too

2010

even though you are an even numbered year

you all know I'm not a fan of even numbers by now, right?

it is a year to celebrate

a year ending in wide-armed twirls, smiles, a lot of fun, and a lot of love

xo

hoping you and your family had a very Merry Christmas...

and wishing you a very blessed New Year

thank you all for your sweet comments each and every year

they always make me smile

13 {secrets}

well, secrets
{for lack of a better term right now}

I thought I'd go with what's on my mind tonight

and came up with my predictable number 13

13 things inspired by my number in the picture
{so creative tonight I tell you}

yes...I will show you one decor item in my home this year
I haven't taken any photos of anything else yet

and the only thing on my mind this evening is a bunch of nonsense randomness

1. cold weather stinks in my book

every.single.day
I can appreciate it only to wear boots
that's.it
well and the snow does look really pretty
that's.it.number.2

2. I definitely failed at mom-of-the-year tonight
frustrations with attitudes

ugh :(

then all three of us ended up with attitudes
{chuckle}

3. but we did have a great dinner together

ding, ding, ding

4. I'm in love with a few inspiring pieces

found here...

5. I think I may go upstairs and give a few forehead kisses to two sweet girls

when I'm done

yes...these are guilty feelings talking

6. I'm excited about a few things happening this month for me

7. these stockings are my favorite
I'd take a picture of ours hanging
but I haven't gotten that far
but you may find them {here}
and that of course is Andrea's pretty picture and idea of hers

8. tonight I think I may start some wrapping

I feel a movie to go right along with wrapping gifts will be quite nice

comedy v action

haven't quite decided yet

but I better get going before the night slips away
I may even be accompanied by topsy's cinnamon popcorn

9. starfish in the winter = smile

and I found two today in our garage

for some reason
random, yes I know

10. I slept on my sofa last night freezing cold because I was too tired to walk upstairs

really, that's pretty ridiculous, huh?

especially since our downstairs is freezing during the winter

11. and then I woke up this morning to my most annoying alarm on my phone

the rooster alarm

yes I choose this on purpose

and each morning I regret it

especially when it is in "increasing volume"

but it gets me up sure enough

12. my girls do not like my alarm either

every once in awhile I do "bunk together" nights with them

and I left my phone upstairs one morning
as I was up before my alarm

and Madison finally shouts downstairs

"mom turn the bird OFF your phone!"

I take it she didn't like it much either

13. I would pay big bucks for someone to do dishes and unload the dishwasher

not really a fan

I used to enjoy cleaning for some crazed reason

now I just like the results of cleaning

fair enough, right?

to make this...

I'll share with you a few things you may need...

first

{duh}

a gingerbread kit

 courtesy of Trader Joe's

really I should be a spokesperson in our area for them

*love* that store to pieces

just wish we had one a bit closer

I've tried to suggest they put one in our town or the next town over

 my family and extended family would keep them in business

not to mention several friends too

but it hasn't happened yet

I'll just continue to suggest

until they decide to thank me later
after they do decide to open a new location near me for my convenience
and it's really successful

but anyway

thank goodness I have a job where I get paid to be a spokesperson

no,...
this is absolutely *not* a shameless plug for what I do

I'm being serious

about that

it's really not a plug

because there is nothing like loving something you get paid for

that's seriously my job

and I love it

just being honest

with you all

it's one of those *honest* kind of days

you know

fyi if you'd like a gingerbread kit yourself

this one was purchased for $7.99 from Trader Joe's

I haven't found one that is cheaper or cuter yet to be honest
just my opinion

if you don't have a Trader Joe's...

Target has a couple for $9.99 as well

{just thought I would share that in case you are a price kind of person}

so secondly...

and this one is completely optional...

it would be optional to me

but I really didn't have a choice in the matter

but secondly

you need

 help that thinks they know everything about buildings

particularly metal pre-engineered buildings

who also can manage the project
or has management skills

oops...

I almost forgot we are doing a gingerbread house

not a "pre-engineered metal" gingerbread house

so those credentials/requirements
{I previsouly mentioned}

are highly optional

unless that person is cute

then just maybe they can get away with project managing

{ahem...the one above}

thirdly...

and what worked for us

is a wee little one who just likes to entertain everyone

or shake the candy packages...

 maybe to make music
or maybe just to do it for fun

no particular skills required

but someone who makes you smile and laugh
{a requirement of any kind of project}

that would be this one in our family

see...

she just wanted to shake the packages of sprinkles, gummies

and that little mark on her cute face
she flat-backed herself at my in-laws house over Thanksgiving
ran right into the corner of the cabinets
it really did kind of scare me
ugh...
but luckily the mark is looking so much better now

so would this be fourthly?...

I'm thinking...fourthly isn't a word

so let's go with

next...

you need an assistant to the project manager

who likes to study

every.single.detail

to make sure it looks exactly like the picture on the box

so the project manager

doesn't have a misstep

or

the project manager doesn't have to submit a *change order*

for the corrections that have to be made

{oh yes Mr. Project Manager I've heard you loud and clear with the lingo these last 6 years

surprised the heck out of you didn't I?}

oh, and...

I need to introduce you to the assistant project manager

that would be this one

the one on the right of course
you've already met the head PM

I thought the project managers could use a picture together

  lastly...

{I really wanted to say fifthly...}
as in the number 5 with a "ly" at the end

but I didn't...

just so you know...that does not say filthy above....it is 5thly...

if your mind wandered

that is not my fault...
I'm talking numbers here

you also

 need someone to document

{I guess}

why is that always me?

did I mention over thanksgiving weekend

in the car traveling

the project manager

"this guy"

had me typing his e-mails

as he dictated them to me

and of course I'm supposed to know how to spell obscure construction terms

*that was a fun drive*

kidding...

I only had to do one short e-mail since he was driving
and I joked with him about it
that my payment for my time should be in new fall boots

should have gotten it in writing
before I hit *send* on the e-mail

but anyway...someone to document

that would be me...

by the way

this was a super easy kit

all you had to do was mix the icing

and for that you only needed a little lemon juice and one egg white

I must mention one disclaimer

project managers often like to do trial runs of the pieces

in order to show the subordinate workers how it is really done

and exactly how the icing should go between the pieces so it sticks together

just a warning

no really...

we had a super fun hour or so starting a new tradition of putting together a gingerbread house

and we all worked together perfectly

within our own roles

{wink, wink}

well...me the documenter

got in trouble for taking too long to document

i.e.
taking a few pictures

and was warned that the icing was going to get too stiff to use as glue
for the *panels*

 and then the candies would not stick either

okay...

so I got three warnings

but it all worked out just fine

and if you have spare icing on hand

{doesn't have to be gingerbread icing btw}

for back-up that always helps

 we didn't use our back-up icing at all
{smile}

 our result was two very happy girls with a job well done
of decorating it all by themselves
and the box
{that's according to the assistant PM}

voila...

fyi...

I have a PM for hire
if you need one
 for your gingerbread house

I know just the person

you may be able to hire him by the 1/2 hour

as long as the terms are agreed upon

of course by the project manager, himself
and most importantly by his legal team,
moi

of course I would get it in writing for you
accepted forms of payment would be
new fall boots for the PM's documenter,
moi

{chuckle}