Part 2: Utah Tour

Early Sunday morning, after Leadership was over, we hopped on a plane to SLC for my sister's, Annie, mission farewell. Boy, were we tired!! Luckily our flight was on time and everything happened really smoothly. Charlotte was already in Utah. She flew with Tahnee from Georgia. 

Annie gave a wonderful talk, cracked some jokes, in true Annie form, and then brought some tears to all our eyes. I seriously can't wait to read her emails each week. Texas is lucky to have her. 

After her talk, a ton of friends and family came over to say goodbye. Once her Provo friends left, we had a dinner with our family and her roommates. 

At midnight, maybe a little before, we did an In-N-Out run. I couldn't believe how tired I was. But of course I was thrilled to go. 

The next day, we started the day at Kneaders. Best. Breakfast. Ever! And continued on to Gardner Village. It was freezing, but fun, as it was decorated for Halloween! Utah has a lot of cute things to go to, which I do love. 

Later for lunch, we grabbed Cafe Rio, because, why not?! And Swig! Why does Utah have amazing food chains?? 

The next day we spent with my dad, while mom watch Eleanor and Charlotte. Thank you, Mom!! We went to Top Golf, which are popping up all over. We have one in Atlanta but have never been to it. It was a lot of fun. My first time to ever swing a club! And for the record, I beat Tahnee! Then we headed down to BYU campus. Even though I didn't go to BYU, I was still there almost everyday visiting Josh or bringing him food. I also grew up going to EFY there every summer. It was so weird to see all the changes they have made and continue to make. We really enjoyed the years we spent in Provo. We are at the creamery and couldn't leave without getting some ice cream either. Yeah, we basically ate our way through Utah! 

Wednesday, Josh went riding with my dad all day, so Charlotte, Annie and I headed over to Evans Family Farm pumpkin patch. We wanted to try Cornbellys but only had time in the morning. We got a few photos and then left. 

Made a quick Swig stop on the way home and hung out at my parents house the majority of the day. Later that day, I colored my hair DARK. A little darker than I was hoping for, but it will fade. 

Thursday, we all drove back to Orange County for Michael's wedding. Post coming tomorrow!!  

LuLaRoe Leadership Training

I should have never made a commitment to start blogging again because I am slacking big time!! I wanted to document our trip out west so I am writing this on the airplane!! 

Josh and I flew into Orange County last week, October 12, for the third Leadership Training this year. It was so much fun and I was thrilled when Josh agreed to go. It took a LOT of convincing but in the end, he was really glad he got to go and experience it. 

We arrived Wednesday night and my friend, Carolyn, picked us up. We all stayed at the Hilton in Anaheim, across from Disneyland park. Because of the time difference, it was about 2:00 am east coast by the time we arrived and got to bed. We were exhausted! 

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel with Carolyn and then went to register. In the past, the registration took forever at each event, so we got in the registration line early. We hardly waited at all (thanks to starting the process earlier than they had told us). I took my headshot and then Josh and I received our lanyards, swag bags, wristbands and purchased my 2017 planner. It was easy breezy!! 

His

Hers

Collette Miller Wings

We pretty much had all day to hang out until the opening party that night. We headed over to Downtown Disney and basked in the INCREDIBLE Southern California weather. For lunch we met up with my friend, Katie and her husband, Alex. Katie was the first consultant to join my team over a year ago. We know each other from working at the Missionary Training Center together before we were married! It's been so fun to reconnect with Katie. She is such a great LuLaRoe trainer and does a great job with her business. We headed over to the ESPN Zone for lunch. 

We eventually made our way back to the hotel and got ready for the opening party. It took place at The Grove in Anaheim. There was a ton of food, music acts that the owners asked to come, dancing, loud music, and food from the ever so popular leggings (French fries, donuts, pizza, cupcakes)! 

The next day started off with breakfast in Carolyn's room with our team. It was so nice to get to know one another, since most of us live all over the country. We had a special drop-in surprise from the first consultant of the company, Kim Roylance and her husband! They talked to us about the Mentor trip to Guatemala and chatted with all of us the whole time we were in there. I am not one to get caught up in the "celebrities" of LuLaRoe, but Kim and her husband have been really successful and have a lot to teach. They are down to earth, and it is really refreshing to talk with them. 

Training started early and we had great speakers. Always encouraging and motivating!! Josh and I slipped away for a couple hours to meet up with Josh's brother, who was in town. We headed to California Adventures. It was super crowded, so we only stayed for about 3 or 4 hours. We were able to go on the new "Soarin' Around the World." It was awesome!

Once our time was over, we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner. Our team went down to Ruby's in Newport Beach. I didn't even know it was there! It was the cutest little shack overlooking the ocean. We had team building time and a chance to really connect with each other, bounce ideas around, and help each other better our business. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture with everyone that was there. 

  

Saturday was the last day. Carolyn took us all out to breakfast, which was a blast! Once we arrived back to the hotel, the day was filled with a lot of speakers, including The Alison Show, who I follow on Instagram and has been working with LuLaRoe for a while. She was hysterical. If you don't follow her, start now. And if you live in Utah, go to one of her parties! 

Finally had In-N-Out!

That night, LuLaRoe threw a closing party at 90's Grad Night themed party at a local high school. Again, there was a ton of food, music and socializing going on. 

May 2015 is when I started selling LuLaRoe

I am so glad Josh ended up going to this event with me. It was really important to me that he sees the potential in the company, hears from the owners, and talks with other consultants and their husbands. He only sees the side of me selling clothes, but the LuLaRoe culture is so much more. It's about blessing lives and strengthening families. We have a lot of ideas we can't wait to implement and help those on our team! 

Charlotte's Birthday

Today was quite the success!! Before I went to bed last night, I set up all her gifts and got everything ready to go for the big day. She walked right passed my display, but quickly found it and exclaimed, "is this for me?!" She had to wait until Josh came home too pen anything. No biggie! 

Charlotte took her donut holes and goodie bags to class, where she also wore a birthday crown and was sung "Happy Birthday" to. 

While she was at school, I cleaned got the birthday cake baked (but that turned into a disaster so it ended being cupcakes), and worked a little. I don't know why, but (attempting to) baking a cake for Charlotte is really important to me. Even though I can't cook/bake and really don't enjoy being in the kitchen, I feel like baking a birthday cake is so special. Yes, weird, I know. Charlotte was so excited and helped frost the cupcakes when she came home.

After school, we ran some errands and then headed to the MARTA station for a huge surprise!! My parents flew in for her birthday!! They told me a couple weeks ago but I've kept it a secret. She is so happy to have hem here!!

We came back home and waited for Josh. Once he came home, we opened presents!! I was most excited for her real tea party set. I was so excited when I found this at the Pottery Barn Outlet.  

She also got a new dress made by my grandma, with matching purse and fun things inside!! Thank you!

Charlotte got her first out of Nike shoes for her new "Playball" after school extra-curricula activity. 

During our Labor Day shopping, Charlotte picked out a new lunchbox and matching water bottle for her after school activities. She loves the water bottle so Michigan, she brought it to dinner! 

Birthday pajamas just might need to be a new tradition (like Christmas). I couldn't resist these donut PJ's I found at Costco. I mean, you all know how much we love donuts!! And yes, she's sleeping in them now. 

After presents were opened, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. But opted out of dessert since I had chocolate cupcakes and vanilla ice cream waiting at home! 

The day couldn't have been more perfect. We love you baby girl!! Happy birthday! 

Where did the last 4 years go?

Charlotte turns four today. WHAT?! I just cannot believe I have a four year old. But more of what I am amazed and grateful for is my miracle baby. I can't hold the tears back when I think about the way this little girl has changed my life. How can I love this little human so much? Why did Heavenly Father send her to me? I feel like the luckiest mom. 

Charlotte's little existence started as quite the surprise to me, Josh and our whole family. We got pregnant a lot sooner than we had planned, but we all know how that goes! We were thrilled from the moment we found out I was pregnant and for nine months, we kept imagining our lives with a little baby. Charlotte was born right after we moved from Provo, UT to Orange County, where I tell Josh all the time, was the best year of my life. We had lovely doctors, loved where we lived and from the moment Charlotte entered the world, I enjoyed every second of her. 

I was induced two weeks early and after having an incredible pregnancy, I had an even better delivery. We opted out of having her go to the nursery each night and she slept in my hospital room. Josh went with her to all her testing the rest of the day. The day after she was born, Josh had to leave and move us in our apartment. That was one of the hardest days. It was actually horrible. I realized right then and there the special bond the three of us instantly had. While Josh was gone, Charlotte was next to me in her little bed and I just looked at her and talked to her and told her how much I loved her. I still do that every day! Josh came back that evening and we had an emotional reunion. We hate when he has to be gone from us.
{Birth Story}

The next year was amazing. We went to Disneyland at least once a week, the beach frequently, and we went swimming like every day. Josh made sure we were having fun and living a great life. I am so grateful I could savor every moment with Charlotte. I do feel very fortunate. 

When we moved to Charlotte, NC, I had a hard time adjusting but luckily, I always had Charlotte. She brought so much happiness to me and cheered me up even on my saddest days. We spent so many days at Carowinds, exploring new parks and splash pads, hanging out with friends and continued to have so much fun together! 

Now we are in Atlanta and she is more lively than ever. She always makes up songs and asks, "Mom, is that a sad song it a happy song.?" She loves reading books and is great at her alphabet. She can spell and write her own name and gets smarter every day. She is very into her baby dolls, playing in her kitchen, coloring, and painting with water colors. She gets excited to go to Sunbeams and preschool. This school year, she will be attending every day along with ballet after school one day a week and "Playball" once a week, exposing her to different sports! Charlotte shares well and has lots of friends at school. Her teachers always have nice things to say! She loves her cousins and talks about them all the time. She is having a lot of fun living by Eleanor and seeing her often. She keeps everyone laughing and wants to be included in everything. 

Josh and I love Charlotte. She is our everything. We are so proud of the little girl she has become and look forward to all that she will accomplish. 

Today she will be going to school, taking donut holes and goodie bags for her friends (since we aren't doing a party this year) and then there will be some fun surprises during the day. Josh will be home for a special birthday dinner, presents and dessert. Yes, I am baking a cake per Charlotte's request! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLOTTE! 

(If you have read until now, wow! Even though I'm not good at blogging anymore, I have to record my feelings.)