Stacey McElyea

Please Tell Me That Your'e FINE!

2011-02-21T15:16:00.004-07:00

You know, this has been such a long winter for the McElyea's. The last two winters we may have had a sniffle here or there, but nothing to really stop us. This year. . . Holy Smokin Rockets!!!. . .we've had it all. . . and more than once! The flu, several colds, bronchitis twice, allergies, etc. It's been a winter of non-stop ICK at our house. Heaven forbid we run out of tissues!!!
I've learned something while wading through our sea of cough syrup and Vicks Vapor Rub. . .
When we see or talk to someone and ask how they are, most generally the answer is good or fine. We take that for granted and so quickly say it. I, like most, take it for granted that the day is fine. I forget to be thankful for those "fine" type of days. Fine is often boring. Fine is like being in a rut. But is that a bad thing?
After being so sick this last week, I've decided to try hard to remember to be thankful for "fine". I need rejoice in "fine". "Fine" is something I know well. It's comforting and safe. When things are "fine" I know my kids sleep well. "Fine" tells me that there is no strife or conflict. "Fine" is reassuring. It dawned on me that that is a good thing. Then, because I had a lot of time on my hands while in bed, I looked up the definition of "fine". I found. . .

adjective, fin·er, fin·est, adverb, verb, fined, fin·ing, noun
–adjective
1. of superior or best quality; of high or highest grade: fine wine.
2. choice, excellent, or admirable: a fine painting.

"Fine" is sooooo much more than we give it credit. I can't really change that, but I can change my attitude toward it.
I'm sure many of you think that I'm now sick in the head. Well. . . maybe. . .but I think that we need to be grateful for our "fine" type of days, because when things aren't "fine". . . . is when we long for it.
So. . .I hope things are "FINE" for you today.

It's TIME!!! They're HERE!!!

2011-01-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

Coloringz and Shimmeringz are finally here! Do you want super intense color? Reach for one of 11 colors of COLORINGZ. Do you want crazy shimmer? SHIMMERINGZ are for you. No color, just mind blowing shimmer in 5 shades.

WAIT!!! There's more!!!

Coloringz and Shimmeringz are all on SALE!!!

You can see all our Shimmerz Products here!

I'mmmmmm Back

2011-01-18T21:04:00.005-07:00

Cough, cough. . . whew! Blowing off the dust from this blog. It's been a really long time since I've been here. So, let's get aquainted again. My name is Stacey and yes, I'm still alive.
So much time flies right by and before we know it, it's been months. I've missed blogging. After Rena passed away, I just sorta checked out for a while. Coming back here was just too painful. Seeing her face and hearing her voice in my head was just more than I could handle. Well, because time and the Lord heals wounds, I can say, I'm stronger and wiser. I still hear Rena's words in my heart and my head and I never want to loose that. Her words were a gift that I will always cherish, but it's time for me to step out and continue blogging. . . because I do love it.
I've got a lot to share, but first. . . I have to share my family. They have grown a ton! Even Dave and I have grown. . . older! YIKES!! He's still a hottie though. :)
Sami, Kaleb and Gracie. . .UGH those faces. . . they truly make me smile and bring me so much joy!

I want to thank you ALL for your kindness, prayers and words of support and love during the past few months. You touched me deeply.

My life is still crazy. . . but now I'm ready to share that craziness again.

I'MMMMM BAAAAACK!!!!!

My Broken Heart

2010-06-17T19:45:00.005-07:00

I lost my 2nd mother today at 7:20 am. She's gone and I'd give anything to bring her back.

Rena and I met in the Boston airport 20 years ago. She hired me to be the nanny to her 4 boys. I was terrified. Never been that far from home, but the instant I saw her I knew that everything was going to be okay. She wrapped me in her arms and told me how happy she was to see me. From that day on our relationship grew into something so special that there just aren't words to describe it. Rena told me that I was the daughter she never had and I was blessed to have two mothers that loved me. My love for her only grew over the years. She met Dave and loved him too. . .just like she'd known him for forever.

Rena could disagree with someone yet make them feel good about it. She loved unconditionally. She loved life. She wasn't afraid to try new things, meet new people and welcome you into her home and life. She loved completely.

Cancer took Rena from us today and with her a piece of my heart will forever be gone. This is THE MOST painful thing I've ever been through. I have to wonder. . .how long will it hurt this bad? Does the pain ever go away? I serve a wonderful and mighty Lord and I just have to trust that He knows what is best. My heart is just so broken.

In this video that her son Brett put together, you may recognize me in an orange sweater and much shorter hair, but what I hope you see is that she had such a zeal for life and deep love for family.

Slideshow: momfinal - Slideshow

I love you Rena. I will always love you! I miss you already so much.

Pick a COLOR any COLOR!

2010-05-11T10:59:00.002-07:00

You asked, we listened......and are so pleased and excited to announce 11 NEW exciting Colors to expand our Pearlz Line!!! Check it out........

Pearlz are available today right here in the Retail Shimmerz Shop.....and even more exciting.....if your order is at least $35 you will receive a FREE Jar of Pearlz! (offer good through May 17th, 2010)
Be sure to join us on Facebook to see the new colors featured throughout the day.
We can't wait to hear what you think

Bad Blogger. . .Bad. . .Bad. . .Bad!!!

2010-05-05T12:44:00.002-07:00

I can't make excuses. . . well I could, but I know better. Blogging just hasn't been a huge priority for me lately. I get caught up in all of lifes craziness and then before I know it, a month (or two) has gone by. YIKES!

Well, lots of stuff going on at my house. Let's see. . .

*Shimmerz (of course), we have a new Shimmerz Pearlz color release next week. Oops! Spilled the beans. lol Be on the look out for those. Dave outdid himself of these babies!

*Gracie got her ears pierced (finally). I guess the 4th time is a charm. :) She was also a model in her first fashion show for Dillards. Super fun!

*Kaleb is golf crazy again. Just would be really nice if the weather would somehow cooperate. It's really not fun playing golf and trying to learn some mad skills when the wind blows 40mph and then the hail kicks in. It seems like every Mon. and Wed. the weather is yucky. Kaleb is also making noises about drivers ed. Eeep!!!

Sami turned 18!!! She's legal (as she puts it). She was talking about moving out with some friends, but hopefully the financial reality of that will smack her and she'll put that off for a couple of years. My heart can't take that!

Dave and is getting grayer each day, but still just as charming. He cracks me up. What a funny, sweet guy!

I'm FINALLY doing well. Had a couple of complications from the Splenda, but doing so much better. The anxiety is gone, the depression is gone, food doesn't take like dirt anymore (although I won't complain about the 20lbs I lost), I don't ache, and I actually have some energy again. Of course I wish I had the energy of a 20 year old, but let's be realistic! I've even been creating again. I've missed that soooo much! I'll post a picture very soon.

I have lots of pictures to share and I will. I just need to make some kind of collage to consolidate them.

Thank you so much for all your sweet words of comfort and support during my little Splenda breakdown. Your prayers . . . I can never thank you enough for those. You all are such a blessing to me.

(((HUGS)))

I Am So Excited!!!

2010-03-30T14:43:00.002-07:00

We have some Exciting News to share......

Liz Kartchner is the newest Face of Shimmerz!!!

She is excited to become a Shimmerz Endorsed Instructor and will be using Shimmerz Products in her upcomming classes!

Liz writes a monthy column for Creating Keepsakes Magazine called "Dear Lizzy", she wrote the book "52 more Scrapbooking Challenges" and has a fun Craft Line called "Dear Lizzy" from American Crafts.

Welcome to Shimmerz Liz!!! To learn more about Liz you can check out her inspiring Blog Here

It's Been Too Long To Be This Sick

2010-03-17T20:30:00.004-07:00

It has been almost 2 months since I've blogged anything. I'm sorry for my lengthy absence. Let me tell you why I've been MIA.

As many of you know, I've been struggling with horrible anxiety attacks. I was doing better for a while, but then the bottom dropped out and I've been dealing with a wide range of issues. After seeing two different doctors and lots of blood work, I've been diagnosed with . . . .

* Adreanal Fatigue - which causes anxiety, fatigue and a fear of leaving my house.
* Ovarian Failure - which literally throws me into early menopause.
* Depression - that speaks for itself.
* Chronic Fatigue - so exhausted that I just can't function.
* Hypoglycemia- which is low blood sugar.
* Everything I ate tasted bitter, so I stopped eating. I know. . . not good.

I've tried naturally remedies, prescriptions, massage, accupressure and accupuncture, trying to find some relief and cure. Nothing was working at all. I was becoming more exhausted and more depressed. It was ruining my life, but I tried really hard to put on a smile and march forward for the sake of my family. It was awful!!

Then I had a heart to heart conversation with Dave. He explained how tired he was and just wasn't feeling great either. I told him that something was seriously wrong with me and I didn't know how much more I could take. So we began to list possiblities that only affected us and not our kids.

We came to the conclusion that we drank a lot of premade iced-tea that came in gallon jugs. It was green tea with ginsieng in it. It was supposed to be healthy. It didn't have sugar or caffeine in it. It contained Splenda. Even healthier. . . right? WRONG!!!!! My coffee creamer had Splenda, our ice-cream contained Splenda. I baked with Splenda. And since food tasted horrible to me there were days when all I had in my system was iced-tea. . . with Splenda. I drank a lot of it in a day. Up to a gallon.

So we Googled side effects of Splenda. Here's what we found. . .

*Anxiety
*Depression
*Metallic taste
*Ovarian problems
*Fatigue
*Heart palpitations
*Blood sugar issues
*Joint and muscle pain
*Memory problems

And the list went on and on. I was SHOCKED to say the least. I was suffering from ALL of these. There were even testimonials of other people telling about their health issues and they were all leading to one thing. Can you guess? SPLENDA!!!!

I immediately stopped drinking the tea. Oohhh, how I loved that stuff! I had already given up caffeine long ago because of anxiety issues, so that wasn't part of the equation. I began drinking huge amounts of water to try to flush out my system as much as possible.

The result. . . it's been almost 3 days and I feel like a totally differnet person. Seriously!!!! I'm not depressed, not one anxiety attack, no chest tightness, no bitter taste, I can read an email and actually remember what I read the first time. I'm not moody, my joints don't ache, I have energy and actually "want" to do things. I am amazed!!! Dave is sleeping better, has more energy and his joints don't hurt anymore either. He wasn't drinking as much as I was, but he's feeling a marked change.

So I went to the doctor to confirm this, and yes indeed, he confirmed that I was poisoning myself with SPLENDA. Literally poisoning myself. I was blown away. I was so incredibly relieved and also angry at the same time. The FDA approved this stuff and told us all it's safe and it's just like sugar. THEY LIE!!!! And I'm living proof.

I have no doubt that if we had not found the answer that it wouldn't have been long before I was admitted to the hospital for a nervous break down.

I am so thankful for God's healing hand and loving leading in helping us find the answer. I believe that this hunch was truly inspired my Him.

So, I encourage you to look for yourself. Google the side effects of Splenda. Take inventory of your health and especially the health of your kids. Save yourself the worry, and anxiety that I went through.

My prayer is that this blog post can reach out and help others.

(((hugs))) to you all.

P.S. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and family.

NEW Product Release -- Part II

2010-02-02T10:07:00.004-07:00

I've been waiting anxiously for this release. We've been working hard to create Vibez in 16 incredibly vibrant, super shimmery colors. Because they are so VIBRANT, you can spritz them once and get amazing color saturation with a level of shimmer that will blow you away.

Of course we've got goodies to give away. So click on over to the Shimmerz blog, http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com to see all the details. Then click on over to the Shimmerz website www.shimmerzpaints.com to get your Vibez today.

New Product Release----Part I

2010-01-13T11:00:00.004-07:00

What an EXCITING day! We've been working hard on this release for months. Today is the day. We are releasing Shimmerz PEARLZ. We are also teaming up with. . . well. . . you need to watch the video to see.

Be sure to go to the Shimmerz blog today and win! http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com We are giving away a set of Pearlz each hour.

Okay are your ready? Here it is. . . .

It's a New Year----So What's New About It?

2010-01-05T14:09:00.002-07:00

I'm not a person to make New Year's resolutions. I don't like to set myself up for failure. Besides when you're a person that over-thinks everything from every possible angle anyway, making resolutions can be a painful process. :) I do like to set goals for myself and my business. You know sales goals, new release goals, etc, etc.

Then there are personal goals. Like, making more time for myself to recharge. Being more mindful of my relationship with the Lord. Being a more "fun" mom and wife. Going to CHA and networking. Making a name for myself in the industry. Finally learning how to really use Photoshop. Being everything to everyone all the time. And my list goes on. It's crazy!

Then in one of those rare, still, quiet moments the Lord spoke to me and I finally got it! One of my goals should be about just being ME! God made me the way He wanted me. I was made and am according to HIS plan of who I should be. It doesn't matter if I'm known in the industry. It doesn't matter if I don't learn Photoshop. What matters is that I am a child of God. I need to just be me and learn to accept me---AND---stop comparing myself to everyone around me. I do that alot! I work hard and try really hard to have a successful business that also stands for more than cutting throats in order to make money. That's important to me.

So here's what I'm learning in a nutshell. . .

*I love my Lord and Savior inspite of me not being perfect.
*I love my husband, kids and family with all my heart inspite of not always being fun. I am here for them and make time for them. They are important to me and they know it.
*I love my business and am so thankful for it inspite of constantly second guessing myself and how I should run it. I have wonderful people that work for me. Wonderful customers who buy from me and I don't HAVE to do it a certain way in order to be successful. I have to listen to my gut, my instincts and my Lord. That's how it will be done.

So what are my goals? Well first and foremost. . . just breathe and be ME. All the rest will come and if it doesn't . . . well that's okay too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Shimmerz Meets Cards Magazine

2009-12-30T15:15:00.002-07:00

If you look at the January 2010 edition of Cards Magazine, on pages 16 and 17, you'll find that the "Things" they love are SHIMMERZ, BLINGZ and SPRITZ!

All of us at Shimmerz are thrilled and honored to not just be mentioned, but to be featured in such a wonderful magazine.

We are family owned and operated and I can honestly say my FAMILY is very excited about this editorial.

THANK YOU Cards Magazine!

BIG News in 2010

2009-12-30T13:51:00.002-07:00

Hi Shimmerz Fans!! I'm so excited to announce that I can't announce what we've been up to!! ;) But I can tell you When........
just in time for CHA WINTER 2010 we have a Big Announcement that we are SO excited about. It's been in the works for some time now and we think that you are simply going to Flip!

I can also tell you that it will include a Big Name and a Big New Release!!!

So be sure to keep checking right here on the blog for more updates as they become available. :)

I Wish You a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-23T17:42:00.003-07:00

I want to wish you the Merriest of Christmases and a New Year full of blessings, smiles and the most wonderful memories. I wish you peace and the love that only Christ and give. It's such a busy time for everyone. So just know that I am thankful for all of you who read my blog and take an interest in all the craziness of my life.

Here's to 2010! It's going to be a great year! We have some AMAZING things in store for Shimmerz. Please come along with us----it'll be a great ride!

God's Blessings to you and Big (((HUGS))) from me.

My Little Ballerina

2009-12-23T17:32:00.004-07:00

In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we paused for one special day. We had a very special little girl to celebrate.

Gracie had her very first ballet recital. Of course she was adorable! Of course I cried! The little girls were able to dance with the Ballet II and III class. It was so sweet to see the bigger girls helping and dancing with the little girls. So cute! Mia, was Gracie's pal. She was so nice and was doting on Miss Gracie.

After she danced her Daddy gave her a bouquet of pink roses. Her little face was priceless! I cried. . . again!

Our family was all there and we had a super time celebrating our Little Ballerina.

What Are You Thankful For?

2009-11-26T12:31:00.002-07:00

Today is the day that we are supposed to pause and reflect on all that we are thankful for. Unfortunately, when my feet hit the floor this morning, I didn't pause to reflect. I immediately started thinking about getting the turkey in the oven and making all the yummy food my family will eat in a few hours. I should have started my day with a prayer of thanksgiving.

One thought I have is. . . are we only thankful for the good things in our lives? Of course we are thankful for our spouses, children and family members, our jobs, our homes and our things. That's a given! But. . . are we thankful for the hard times that come unexpectedly? Are we thankful for the loss of a job, because although it's horribly stressful, it brings families together and forces us to put our faith into action? We have to rely on the Lord to "Give us this day our daily bread". Are we thankful for illness that stikes in devastating ways? Or the loss of a loved one? Or the war that our country is in? Or (and this a big one for me) our President?

Difficult times of trial or testing do just that. . . they test our faith. Do we just talk about our faith or do we live it? Trials and tests make our faith practical. WE have to seek the Lord's will and put our own aside, because He has a plan when ours so often fails. We have to humble ourselves to the lessons that He wants us to learn. It's those lessons that make us better people. It's those lessons that truly make us a "child" of God. We have to sit at His feet and glean from Him His wisdom.

It's easy to reflect on all the warm fuzzy feelings we've had over the year, but I challenge you (and myself) to be thankful for the difficult. The pain. The tears and the troubles. AND. . . (this is big!) be thankful for them throughout the year. Each day thank God for the trials, because they one day will be blessings.

I wish each and every one of you a very BLESSED Thanksgiving! I hope it's a day that you can spend with the ones you love making the most amazing memories.

May God Richly Bless You!

DESIGN TEAM CALL

2009-11-18T13:50:00.002-07:00

ATTENTION!!! Shimmerz Paints is having a Design Team Call! We are looking for individuals who are not afraid to think outside of the box. Get Messy! We are looking for artists and designers who can create a variety of projects such as layouts, cards, altered art, and whatever else you can do!
Design Team Responsibilities:
3 required projects each month, posted on your personal blog and the Shimmerz blog. More is great! One must be Shimmerz specific.
1 tutorial with photos during your Design Team tenure.
Willing to promote Shimmerz on blogs, forums, Facebook, and anywhere else possible.
We are looking for Team Players!
Benefits:
Name and blog link added to the Shimmerz blog.
A Design Team kit to start creating Amazing projects.
Publication Incentives.
A Design Team Discount
New Product Releases!
Chance to be part of a Wonderful Design Team!
What To Send:
Submit 2-3 projects (Does not have to feature Shimmerz, but we want to see the sparkle and shine); Good Photography is a MUST!
Name and Contact Information.
Blog Address.
Previous Design Team Experience and/or Publications.
A few sentences on why you want to be a part of Shimmerz.
If interested in being a part of Shimmerz, please apply by emailing photos of your projects, and other information to mcelyea@q.com by December 28, 2009. The new Design Team will be announced on January 1, 2010.
Blog: shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com
Website: shimmerzpaints.com
Email: mcelyea@q.com

A Big Day at the McElyea's

2009-10-14T21:14:00.002-07:00

My baby is growing up and I HATE it! Gracie came to me a couple weeks ago and said, "Mommy, I have two loose teeth!" My response was, "Oh Wow!", thinking I had lots of time. Hhhmmm--not so much. She worked on both those teeth at the same time and in record time and before I knew it they were gone. I kept saying, "WAIT!, I'm not ready." She was so proud of herself because she got two teeth out and Sami and Kaleb only pulled one at a time. I was happy for her, but secretly mourning those first little teeth that came as a baby. . . my baby. UGH! It's so silly, but so incredibly hard to watch her grow up so fast.

Well, the Tooth Fairy came and left $5.00 along with lots of Fairy Dust. She was happy about the money, but over the moon over the Fairy Dust. She informed me tonight that the Fairy Dust was going to stay on her dresser forever and if we move she will scoop it up and take it with us. How cute is that!?

She'll always be my baby. That's a title that will never go away. I'll always call her "Baby Mac". She may hate it when she's 16, but I hope she'll always know that there is something special about being the baby.

HooooRay!

2009-10-07T11:37:00.003-07:00

Today is most definately a day that I will write on the calendar. As you know this has been a super yucky summer for me. This whole adrenal fatigue thing has wiped me out both physically and mentally. No energy, no clarity of mind, LOADS of anxiety attacks and so on.

BUT. . . .

Today I woke up with engergy and clarity. I am really feeling like a new person. I took all those things seriously for granted. It's like a dark, ugly cloud is lifting and all I can say is THANK YOU LORD! I just hope it all lasts. I'm still learning to cut myself some slack. I am what I am. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist. I always will be, but it's okay if things aren't perfect all the time. Right?

We put off our vacation later this month and broke the news to the kids a few weeks ago. I'm hoping now that just maybe we can put those plans back into action and still go. I actually feel like going now.

Dave and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary yesterday. I was going to post a wedding picture, but they are all packed in a box up in the attic. Sorry---I'm not digging that out. Trust me, we love each other so much more now than then. We've had some really hard years, but we stuck to our vows and we have been blessed for it. We're older. . . . Dave is really grayer (not me--tee-hee-hee, I still have the same color hair I did 19 years ago, with no help). . . we are wiser. . . we are more in love than even we could have imagined. I'm a very lucky lady!

We are bringing some fun and awareness to Breast Cancer this month on the SHIMMERZ blog. So put your pink on and come have some fun with us. Skip on over to the blog for the details. We're giving away 16 prizes at the end of the month. http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com You don't have to be a pro stamper or scrapper, just show us your pink.

I'm Giving Away 5 of Them

2009-09-21T18:58:00.006-07:00

So much fun is being had at the Shimmerz blog.

We are doing a VIDEO blog hop.

Each member of the Education Team did a little video to share the new colors along with a technique or two. Watch each video and be sure to note all the members fave color and you could win 1 of 5 sets of the new colors.

It's fun, so put on your hoppin' shoes and join us in the Shimmerz VINTAGE color release.

http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com

Guess What's Coming. . . September 21st?!!!!

2009-09-12T15:56:00.003-07:00

The New and Improved Look of SHIMMERZ

2009-09-11T12:01:00.008-07:00

Lookie at what we have. A nice shiney NEW logo to go with. . . .

our NEW WEBSITE!!!

Yep, we've made some changes. It's now much easier and faster to place a Shimmerz order.

WaHOOOOO!

Be sure to skip on over, take a peek and let me know what you think.

www.shimmerzpaints.com

A Celebration and an Update

2009-09-10T14:23:00.006-07:00

The birthday boy. I just can't believe he's 14. Soon the girls will be at my door. UGH!

I love this picture. I don't have a picture of me with my GUYS. Handsome dudes--huh?

Nothing like a brand new shiney set of golf clubs to complete the day.

September 9, 1995 was a very special day for me. The Lord blessed Dave and I with a sweet little boy. Our only boy. He is still our sweet boy, just not so little anymore. He's almost as tall as I am. We celebrated at one of Kaleb's fave restaurants, TGI Fridays. We ate and ate and laughed and had a super evening. He was so excited and surprised to get new golf clubs. He has outgrown is old set and desparately needed a new one. He will start in the First Tee of Idaho next week, so new clubs were in order. Can you say college scholarship? Yes, indeed. . . that's what we're going for.

I spent much of the day quietly remembering Kaleb as a baby, then a little boy and now a teenager. He is still a joy in every way. He's an amazing kid! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALEB!!!

*************************************************************************************

Now for an UPDATE: I am doing better. I wish I could say I was doing great, but not quite yet. I am hopeful that soon I can give a GREAT report. I had 4 really good days last week. I had some energy, I could make simple decisions, I was sleeping, it was wonderful. Then for some strange reason, it all went downhill. I've been really working hard on making some life style changes, changes in my eating habits and changes in my work hours. I'm telling you, it has been HARD! UGH!!! It's still almost impossible to find time just for me. It's equally hard to eat 3 meals a day, but I'm commited to keep trying.

I will get past this. I am so-so thankful for those 4 good days. I try not to take those for granted anymore. My doctor said that it's a process of 2 steps forward and 1 step back. So if he's encouraged. . . we'll then I am too.

Thank you so much for all of your supportive comments, kind words and prayers. You have no idea how you've all touched my heart and brightened my days.

I love you ALL.

Mother Always Said. . .

2009-08-27T10:24:00.002-07:00

What a bad blogger I've been this past month. Several people have e-mailed me and said, "Hey, what's up, no new posts?" I have thought about posting several times, it just didn't get done.

You would think at my age that I would understand and know the wisdom of a mother. Well my mom told me a few months ago that if I didn't slow down a little and take care of myself that the Lord would slow me down. She was right. August has been a really tough month.

I started to have really bad anxiety attacks. Like the kind that cause Dave to reach for the phone to call 911. They are happening several times a week. My energy level is zippo. I'm not depressed, but sad. I'm not sleeping well at all. I can't make decisions and then that brings on an anxiety attack. I don't have an appetite and I have become afraid to go out for fear of another attack. How embarassing would that be to have a bad attack right there in Target. No one wants to see some crazy lady sitting on the floor gasping for air. No thank you!

So Mom was right. The Lord brought me down and forced me to rest. He took me to task. I had no choice but to sit---literally to catch my breath.

I went to the doctor and learned that I have adreanal fatigue. Basically, my adreanal gland just doesn't want to work right, which causes all these lovely symptoms.

I'm in the process of "fixing" my adreanal gland. It's stressful, because of course I want to feel better NOW! It takes time. It took time to get in this mess, it will take time to get out of it. I also have learned that I have to slow down.

I always thought I could do it ALL. I can keep a sparklingly clean house (I got rid of the cleaning lady, because I thought I could do it), be a good wife, homeschool my kids, entertain friends and family, be a good mom, be there for my Design Team, run a business and the list goes on. I made little time to spend alone with the Lord. I made absolutely NO time for myself----because that's selfish. All of this craziness brought on a very, very unpleasant month.

I can't do it ALL. I have to delegate. I have to focus on the Lord. I HAVE to take some time for myself and not feel guilty about it. I have to let go. I have to LEARN how to rest. I HONESTLY don't know how to do that. I've always been a person that can't stand to sit still. Watching movies can drive me nuts, because I'm just sitting. I can watch a movie and do paperwork. I run all day long. The doctor asked me, "What do you do that lights a fire in you that's just for you?" I couldn't answer him. Dave couldn't answer him. I used to scrapbook or stamp, but that's part of my job now. And, to sit and try to scrap. . . UGH. . . it involves making decisions. What paper, what picture, what colors, what embellishments? It's just too much. I can't do it. Not now.

So all in all, I'm trying to make some changes in my lifestyle, in my diet (i.e. eat!---I don't do that well either---it takes time), in my mind set. What I've been doing just isn't working.

Please pray for me. I'm sad, I'm frustrated, I'm tired and I really wish it would just go away. I want to be able to do it all and do it well and I just don't understand why I can't.

I have become an over thinking, perfectionistic, workaholic (both in my business and home). Sounds yucky--huh? I have SUPER high expectations of myself, but need to learn a new way.

My mom was right. They usually are when it involves their kids. Thank you Mom! I love you! I just wish you were wrong this time.

I'm going to try to post more often. I just need to get healthy again. I hope I can post about something FUN I've done---maybe just for me.

I love you all and am so thankful for you. Thank you to those who have e-mailed me asking how I am. You are truly a blessing!!!

Summer FUN

2009-07-30T10:14:00.004-07:00

Look at those adorable little faces! Ugh!! You just want to squeeze them. Gracie (center) got to go over to her girlfriends house for a lunch playdate. She had a BLAST! All five of them swam, ate and played and then played some more. It was such a great day. I was able to chat with Andrea and Amanda (the mom's) and catch up. I've really missed them and was once again reminded how much they mean to me.

I'm thinking that Gracie and Maddy (right of Gracie) are going to be long time friends. They just have so much in common. They love . . . anything pink, Barbies, babies and all things girlie. Plus, they are the same size which for Gracie is a tender spot. Because she is so tiny, she doesn't feel like she fits in. So having such a super friend that is the same size. . . WOW! . . . she hit the jackpot!

What does one teenage boy and one big club have in common?. . . . . Together they can really WHACK a ball.

Kaleb LOVES golf! We really slacked last summer and didn't continue with the Jr. Golf Association or lessons, so this summer he's a bit rusty. We've got refresher lessons up a going again this year. He's also going to be involved in First Tee of Idaho. He's got the knack. He really is very good. And with his hearing loss it's the perfect sport for him. He and Papa like to go out and play 9 holes whenever they can. They really have a lot of fun. Me. . . I really don't get the whole sport. You whack that little ball towards a teeny-tiny little hole that you really can't even see, only to get it in the sand trap (or kitty litter as I call it). Oh and let's not forget those man made lakes they stategically place in your way. It's hot and you just chase a ball for miles all the way around the course. And they call that FUN?! Chasing around an air-conditioned mall---now---that's fun and no ball is needed. No lugging around a heavy bag of clubs, just a heavy bag with my debit card in it. Tee-hee-hee!

I really am the supportive mom. I'm happy to shlep him out there on a hot day and watch him. I won't shlep those golf clubs though. BUT. . . I will pay for the cart and scoot him around the course. AND. . . I am excellent at hollaring . . . "FORE"!!!!!

I Lost It At Target

2009-07-27T11:59:00.003-07:00

NOTE** As I begin this post, keep in mind, we homeschool our children.

I love back to school time. It has to be my most favorite time of the year. It's not because my kids will be leaving the house everyday for school---because they don't. It's not because I get to have all kinds of time to myself----cause I won't. It's because of the SCHOOL SUPPLIES! I am obsessed with school supplies.

We went to Target yesterday, and I went nuts. Dave has learned over the years to just let me go crazy or he might draw back a bloody stump (just kidding). He actually has learned that if he adds to my frenzy that it only makes me happier.

*New crayons -- check
*New pens -- check
*Loads of paper -- check
*New paints -- check
*New erasers -- check of course!
*Binders
*Journals
*Glue sticks
Check, check, check, and the list goes on.

Gracie wants a Hello Kitty binder? Of course she can have it! Kaleb wants a Kobe Bryant journal? You bet! Even Sami got in on my crazy action, and she graduated last January. You never know, she might really need that cute 3 subject notebook for her photography class, or something.

Then we lugged it all home (I won't say how many bags) and I laid "some" of my loot out to recap my school supply fix. Took one look and, YES, I was very pleased. So I snapped a picture to show you my joyful spree at Target. (The rest is still in a bag)

Is it an illness? Maybe. Am I obsessive? Maybe ---- most likely. BUT I had SO-O-O much fun!

Have I lost it? Let me know what you think. ((((HUGS)))))

New Summer COLORZ

2009-07-16T21:22:00.003-07:00

We've done it again. We have 2 new Shimmerz colors --Tickle Me Turquoise, and Jilted Jade. A new Blingz color -- Island Salsa, and a new Spritz color -- Caribbean Sunset. They will be released on July 21st. There will also be some fun on the Shimmerz blog in addition to this release. FUN colors have to include FUN on the blog and the Design Team too. http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com Be sure to check it all out. Let me know if you like the colors. I really want to know.

A New Must See Blog

2009-07-09T22:21:00.004-07:00

I can always send people to amazing blogs that are centered on stamping, scrapping and general crafting. I know a lot of extremely talented people. I am priveledged to know them.

It isn't often that I recommend a blog, a new blog that is centered around Christ. A no nonsense blog that isn't concerned with being politically correct or busied with watering down the word of God. No, no, no this blog is truly and honest look at God and who He really is and how we as believers should revere Him. This blog is like a breath of fresh air.

I invite you to go to http://newreformationreflections.blogspot.com/. Be ready to be blessed. I am hungry for each new post. I hope you will visit this blog too.

The Face of Zanax

2009-07-05T06:54:00.004-07:00

The kids and I were all sick this week. So we got very little done. I have some cute pictures of Gracie and Vacation Bible School that I'll post very soon.

Our 4th of July was pretty quiet, since Kaleb and I were still on the sniffly, coughing side. So we stayed home and BBQed hamburgers and did our own fireworks with the neighbors. Poor Sadie. Our basset hound is absoultely terrified of fireworks. Last year she ate through our fence and broke through the screened window. She was troubled for about 3 weeks after the 4th of July. So this year I kept her in, I turned up the TV's and kept the lights on while I went outside in hopes that she would do better. She did do better. No chewing, no broken windows, just a completely freaked out dog. I felt so bad for her. I ended up going in the house and missing some of the festivities so I could tend to my dog. Well, what do you do in times of extreme anxiety? You pull the Zanax and medicate not me, but the dog (according to the doggy therapist). It worked! Wow, did it work. She had no worries. I felt so bad for her, but Tee-Hee-Hee, we just had to laugh at the effect it had on her.

I hope you all had a super great 4th of July holiday. I hope you were able to enjoy the day with friends and family and reflect on our freedom.

Can You Say FURIOUS?!?

2009-06-26T14:49:00.002-07:00

I have been telling myself for the past 24 hours that the Lord is in control. He has a plan. His plan is what's best for me. Try to control your anger. Take the high road. Try to set a good example. Trust and have faith!!!!

I am a very black and white person. If there are any gray areas in my life they are very small. If it's right--it's right. If it's wrong--it's wrong and you better do whatever it takes to make it right.

I have worked really hard to build my business. I love my business. I love my products. I love my customers and have worked really hard to let them know that I value them. I didn't do all of this to find out that someone is buying my product (I will find out where), repackaging it and then has the absolute gall to sell it under another name.

I am going to see my attorney on Monday and I will pursue any and every legal avenue I can to not only stop this thief, but to demand restitution.

****PLEASE****

Don't be fooled by Shimmerz or Blingz knock off's. Don't be fooled by anyone who tells you that their product is "exactly" like Shimmerz. Shimmerz and Blingz are unique to Shimmering Products ONLY. Shimmerz is trademark protected for this very reason.

Please pray for me. I am trying hard to control my anger. . . but I AM FURIOUS!!!

Yep! I Know

2009-06-24T20:05:00.002-07:00

I need a banner. I know I need a banner for my blog. I go and I look and see really cute ones. Loads of cute ones. So here's my problem. . . I can't decide which one to use. Then I start to think. . . hhmmm. . . can I do it? What if it takes a lot of time and then I screw it up. Yep, I'm a weenie.

Why is it so hard for me to make decisions? It completely drives Dave nuts. I can't tell you how often I rely on Sami to help me decide on what to wear. I even rely on Gracie if we're out shopping. It's really sad. And Kaleb. . . he's like his Dad. Drives him crazy!!!!

So the question is. . . will I ever have some tootin' cute banner for my blog? Uuhhmmm, MAYBE! I can't decide.

See---told ya.

Craft Critique

2009-06-23T11:47:00.004-07:00

I was so nervous for today. Nervous in a way the is excited and yet not really sure I want to hear what's coming.

Shimmerz, Blingz and Spritz are being revieved for the next 3 days. We are the featured vendor for Craft Critique. They have 6 of their reporters reviewing all 3 products. Now if that doesn't keep you awake at night, I don't know what will.

So far the word is great. They list pro's and con's and as of today, I'm not concerned with the 2 con's that were mentioned.

Go check it out. And oh, I'm doing another give-away, so be sure to sign up for that on the Craft Critique web-site www.craftcritique.com.

Happy Post Father's Day

2009-06-22T12:02:00.002-07:00

We had a super busy week. The Shimmerz blog birthday was a HUGE success. We had approximately 500 entries for the grand prize. It was really fun. We will definately do it again.

We spent yesterday celebrating Dave. Because of the yucky rainy weather, we didn't get to go with our plan. It was disappointing. We took Dave to a late lunch and then just kinda lounged around. It was just a quiet day. He's such a great guy. He was just happy to be appreciated. We are very lucky to be blessed with him as a husband and father.

Dave and I worked on the downstairs bathroom, trying to get at least one part of the remodel finished. It's really close to being done. We had the floors tiled in the downstairs bathroom and the girls bathroom, and of course just like any remodel it can't just be easy. We have tiles in both bathrooms cracked. So that will have to be fixed. I'm not worked up about it because, I knew that something would happen, so I prepared myself for it. I'm certain it won't be the only hiccup either.

Can you guess what bugs me the most? Yep, it's the mess. Bags and boxes and STUFF everywhere. I couldn't believe what a mess cutting tile makes. . . and it was outside! I had to hose down my house. I tell myself to just look past it all and focus on the end result. :o)

Hope you all had a great weekend and that all the Father's in your life had a super great day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHIMMERZ!!!

2009-06-13T20:32:00.004-07:00

It's our birthday! We at Shimmering Products are celebrating the Shimmerz Blog's FIRST birthday. I can't believe that it's been a year already. We have worked hard and grown a ton and feel incredibly blessed.

So because June 16th is a BIG day for us. We are doing a blog hop. It starts on the Shimmerz blog (http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com) and goes through all my Design Team members. All the details will be on the blog. It will be loads of fun. . . and. . . one lucky winner will recieve a Shimmerz birthday gift with over $80.00 worth of Shimmering Products (see picture--sorry--cupcake excluded).

We are also excited to announce that we have a new Design Team leader. We are so blessed to have Danielle Wycough accept the position. She is full of excitement, ideas and enthusiasm for Shimmerz, Blingz and Spritz. She is a very talented christian wife and mom. I am just tickled to be working with her so closely.

WAIT. . . . there's more.

We also offered the Product Development position to Jeni Boisvert and she graciously accepted. I can't tell you how excited I was to meet with her (my Twin Falls meeting) last Monday. Jeni has amazing ideas and is an incredibly talented photographer and scrapper. I have no doubt that the Lord brought Jeni into my life. She is so sweet and like Danielle, so excited and bursting with ideas to help us continue to grow.

It was a good week. I have two more reasons to be very thankful. I am looking forward to my work load easing a bit. . . or maybe. . . just changing. It's all good----very, very good!

Lesson # 1

2009-06-13T09:05:00.003-07:00

I had a meeting in Twin Falls on Monday (I'll tell you about that in my next post--it's really cool). So I took the opportunity to leave on Sunday and spent the day with my parents and stay the night. It was such a treat to have them ALL to myself. I didn't have to share. I know it makes me sound like a spoiled brat. My brother would probably agree --tee-hee-hee. We had lots of time to chat and laugh and just be together.

While we were chatting Sami texted me. That intrigued my dad, so I took the opportunity to teach him how to text. What a HOOT that was. I laughed so hard. My 72 year old dad texting! He is one hip Papa! He and Sam exchanged texts, of course, not without challenges. He would hit the wrong button, then couldn't delete it and he tried to speak the lingo, which just ended up sounding redneck. I think he did add an "lol" in a messages or two. He's so cute!

What a memory!

Changed My Attitude

2009-06-05T21:48:00.003-07:00

Another week has flown by. I meant to post each day, and each day just got away from me. The last couple of days I've been so-o grouchy and very willing to admit it. Some things you just can't hide. I don't have any reason to be grouchy. No one got in trouble this week. Dave is as wonderful as usual. I had my house professionally cleaned (that was AWESOME). Business is booming. So really I had no good excuse to be such a grouch.

Well I was basking in my own mood, ready to bite anyone's head off and then it happened. The Lord laid it on my heart to e-mail members of my Design Team that I haven't chatted with lately. Don't know why. But knowing His way is better than my bad mood, I listened. I just sent them a little note to let them know I was thinking about them. I think of them often and am incredibly grateful for all they do to help promote my business. They are an amazing group of ladies!

I got a response from one member of the DT. She thanked me for the e-mail and told me how hard the last two days have been for her. Her best friend of 21 years --that was only 41 years old, suddenly got very ill and quickly passed away. Stacy's (my DT member) heart is broken. She's grieving over the loss of a friend and worried about the three little ones that her friend left behind.

I felt like a brick hit me on the head. My heart is heavy for Stacy and the family of her friend. I quickly realized that I (we all) have so much to be thankful for. Even those bad, grouchy days are something to be thankful for, because we can learn from them. I was very quiet the rest of this sad, grouchy day.

Please pray for Stacy. Please pray for the family of her friend. Three little boys don't have a mommy anymore. Please hug your kids just a little tighter. And be grateful for all your blessings, because tomorrow they could be gone.

A Special Sunday Afternoon

2009-06-01T14:43:00.006-07:00

So many Sundays are a frantic day of playing catch up before Monday comes. Yesterday started that way. I had a long list of To Do's. I HAD to get the Shimmerz and Spritz video made and on the web-site. UGH!!! I can't begin to tell you how I didn't want to do that!!! After one huge panic attack I finally mustered up the courage and got it done. I must say I had a very dashing camera man! :o) Dave was able to first calm me down and then film the video just how I wanted it. He's just awesome! Go check it out at http://www.shimmerzpaints.com/ and let me know what you think. We'll be adding more videos very soon.

After the HUGE relief of the video being done we all kinda lost our ambition. We spent the rest of the day just dorkin'. I came into the bedroom to find a daddy and daughter moment. I just love how Gracie adores her daddy and likewise he enjoys being wrapped so tightly around that little finger. It was fun to just watch them interact with each other.

Dave has a unique relationship with the kids. He and Sami go for a drive or out to coffee. He spends time listening to her (mostly about boys) and sometimes laughing at her (like when she's learning to drive a stick shift and kills the car). He and Kaleb give each other a hard time. They watch "guy" movies together. They play some kind of wierd computer game together and just spend guy time. His relationship with Gracie is sweet and easy. She just wants to be with him, no matter what he's doing. No special agendas. She said to me, "Mommy, I get to go to the grocery store with Daddy today." I said, "Oooh, a Daddy and Gracie date." Her response was, "No, it's not a date. . . I just like to be with him." Ugh---so sweet.

I Took A Moment

2009-05-20T11:16:00.008-07:00

Cuteness! That's what they are. The church even has a bell in the tower that rings. LOVE IT!!

This Tool Shed even has an adorable little fence on it. The squirrels love this one.

Life has been beyond crazy for me the last two weeks. All the details of releasing Shimmerz Spritz has been at times overwhelming. I've had a couple of melt downs during all of it. I spent many long hours working and many late nights trying to get everything ready with May 20th fastly approaching. I guess you get to a point where you've done all you can and just have to (once again) realize that the Lord is in control. His hand is at work and all my stressing isn't going to change His plan.

So yesterday I decided to take just a few minutes to go in the back yard and just breathe.

I love birds! I love the sounds they make, I love to watch them eat at the many feeders we have. There is just something very relaxing about watching them flutter about. I also love bird houses. Mostly the (many, many) birdhouses that my Dad has made for me. They are full of charm, cuteness (is that a word?) and love. I make a request and then a couple of weeks later, Whaa-laa! there it is. I just love em and so do the birds. He makes them big, small and in between. I always have feathered friends around them.

Well, I have one Robin that decided to take up residence under my patio. She has been really fun to watch. We just discovered yesterday that she has two babies. We get the pleasure of watching her feed those sqwaking little mouths and protect them like only a mother can.

So I grabbed my camera and sat under her home and just watched her. It was like therapy. It was so relaxing. She just looked at me and I know it's wierd, but somehow knew that I wasn't going to hurt or bother her, cause I'm a mom too.

I was so thankful for those few moments of peace and relaxation. I hated to leave and go back to work.

Because He Loves Me. . .

2009-05-19T09:28:00.003-07:00

I have been without a craft room for quite some time now. Once we moved a year ago, it just wasn't a huge priorty. There were just too many other things to do---like ---uummm, building a business. The business is still taking most of my time, but I told Dave in a casual conversation that I've missed stamping and scrapping.

Well this last weekend he took a corner of the "Man Room" (that's where the "MAN" creates and makes all the Shimmerz, Blingz and now Spritz colors) and made a wonderful desk for me. He even painted the walls in colors that I love. How sweet is that! I was so touched. He told me that he wanted to do something special just for me, to show me how much he loves me. I love that man!!! I haven't had even a minute to sit and just enjoy my little corner of the world, but hope too very soon. My plan is that once Spritz is released and running, I'll get an hour or two to play. I see all the wonderful things my Design Team makes and it makes me want to be able to create again. I see that day coming very soon.

Thanks Honey! I love you very much.

It's Almost H-E-R-E------

2009-05-17T06:57:00.003-07:00

We have been working ridiculous hours trying to get all the details of this release ready. There is still a lot of work left to do, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek.

Shimmerz Spritz is an old product made new again. We reformulated, repackaged and are releasing Spritz. It has a great punch of sparkle, 20 awesome colors (thanks Honey!) and a price that will knock your socks off! And, most of the colors will even coordinate with Shimmerz colors. How cool is that! We've had them tested and the reviews are coming in with raves about how much they love Spritz. Gracie even tried it and off course Sadie (our basset hound) got into the action and ended up with a Spritzed tail. She had a tail of many colors. Tee-Hee-Hee.

May 20th is our B-I-G day. We hope to have a tutorial video (or two) to include on the Shimmerz web-site. www.shimmerzpaints.com We want to make sure people can see just what this product can really do. We have worked hard to try to cross every T and dot every I, and I really think all the time spent will be worth it.

Look at what Jeni did to me. . .

2009-05-16T17:34:00.009-07:00

I went out a couple of weeks ago and had some new pictures taken. I was told that I needed to change my blog picture because it looked too "stuffy". I had that one done when I was a loan officer at a Mortgage Co. So it was all professional looking. Well those days are over! Dave and Sami were my photographers. I have a sweet friend that is a budding pro. She said she'd be happy to take some pictures. It's just so hard finding time these days that works for me let alone her schedule. So off we went to an old run down barn here in town. Between the two of them, they took several pictures.

Then I asked another sweet friend of mine (and a Shimmerz Design Team member), Jeni to tweek some of the pictures. She put a funky twist to a couple of them. She made them fun, so I wanted to share her handy work. I can say that there is no more "stuffy" Stacey. Let me know what ya think.

Coolest Kid on the Block

2009-05-13T20:54:00.005-07:00

I seems like I've been posting an awful lot about my girls. Sami prom, Gracie kindergarten. So today Kaleb was playing his guitar (loudly I might add). Trust me--deaf kids do everything very loud. You'd think his hearing aids would control some of that. Anyway, so I thought I would share his "coolness". Kaleb has been using virtual guitar lessons for less than a year to learn how to play both the accustical and the electric guitar (not such a fan of the electric--it's the loud thing again) :o) He has learned so-o-o much. He's already playing full songs, and not Mary Had A Little Lamb. I'm talking real songs. He loves songs from my era (the 80's). It just cracks me up. He thinks all the "old" songs are great. He holds himself accountable to practicing everyday. Which is awesome--one less thing for me to nag about.

I get such a kick out of my girls. Sami is a kick in the pants. Always fun and laughing. Gracie is our little ray of sunshine. She is always happy, happy, happy! Kaleb, he is my joy. He is an easy going kid. Very laid back and shy. He and I have always had a special bond. We just "get" each other. He LOVES his mama and I love that. He doesn't give me grief. He is very rarely ever in trouble and he's truly a funny kid. The things that come out of that boys mouth are hilarious. Then there are those blue eyes and dimples. UGH!! I know I'm in for trouble---that's if he can get over his shyness to even talk to the girls. Tee-Hee-hee.

Kaleb also has a true and very deep love for the Lord. That boy knows what he believes and why he believes it. He has a level of wisdom that often amazes me. I do believe that when you loose one of your senses (or it is dramatically diminished) the others kick into high gear. Kaleb can sense the Lord and the Holy Spirit and he is in tuned to them both. He loves our family Bible study each week. He's hungry to learn and he enjoys his theological discussions with his dad.

He's just a joy and a blessing. Right up there with his sisters!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-11T10:01:00.002-07:00

Did you have a happy Mother's Day? I really hope so. I hope you felt valued and treasured as a mom. I L-O-V-E Mother's Day!!! I don't really get into my birthday. It's just another day, which drives my family nuts. I just don't care about my birthday. But, I make up for it on Mother's Day. Being a mom is one of the greatest accomplishments I have. I was able grow and give birth to 3 very special and unique blessings. How can you not be tickled by that?!

Well. . . they spoiled me rotten (with a little help by their Daddy). I got some really sweet gifts and cards from my kids and a very sparkly something from Dave. You know how I love sparkly things.

I was able to share this special day with my mom. She and my dad were in town. So that made the day even better. My mom is one of my best friends. I never get tired of spending time with her.

So here it is Monday. Off to another busy week. I'll post more about that later. We've got some exciting news coming!!! (No- I'm not pregnant---don't even go there!) Have a happy day!

It's Prom Night

2009-05-09T19:45:00.005-07:00

Okay. . . I'm going to try to be humble about this. I'm really going to try. I'm trying. Yep, still trying! Oh SHOOT---I just can't do it anymore. Will you look at my GORGEOUS girl. I just can't get over how tootin cute she is.

What's so fun about Sami is that she marches to the beat of her own drummer. While all her friends are buying long flowing dresses with tons of fabric (which I was prepared to buy), she wants to be different and go with a short flowy dress. I gulped and said, "Okay Honey, it's your Prom." Actually it turned out to be a blessing (for me). Most long dresses measure 58 to 6o inches. . . well poor Sami is 48 inches with heels on. A long dress for Sami would be a taylor's nightmare. That's a lot of fabric to alter and actually would ruin a lot of dresses. She's just so tiny. And sure enough when we went to take group pictures, she was the only one in a short dress. Was she insecure? NO WAY! She thought is was awesome that she stood out from the pack. I admire her confidence.

Depending on how the night goes, I may post pictures of her and her date. If the date isn't successful and fun, then I'll leave those out. But for now, I just want to enjoy how beautiful and sassy my sweet girl is! I just LOVE her so much!!!

Rain, Rain Go Away / YEA! Gracie

2009-05-07T17:53:00.006-07:00

I'm feeling like a duck. I swear I'm growing webbed feet. I know we need the rain. My flowers and lawn are beautiful because of all the wetness falling from the sky, but we are so sick of cloudy, wet, gloomy days. I guess I should be thankful for global warming---otherwise we'd really be cold and wet. Tee-Hee-Hee. :o)

Anyway, we've been feeling cooped up and so doing school is hard. Not to mention we are now at the end of the year and the kids (and me too) are jittery. So it's easy for us to get on each other's nerves. So Mom to the rescue!! Kaleb and Gracie and I (Sami was going too, except we were REALLY on her nerves, so she opted out) went bowling. Aaahh, don't look to any of us going pro! We did have fun though. It broke up the cold, rainy, blah day. We laughed a lot and admired each other's technique. I won't say what our scores were---but---ummmm---- I WON!!! :O) Tee-Hee

I have to share what I think is good news. Gracie is the first kiddo that we've homeschooled from the beginning. Sami and Kaleb started to homechool at middle school age. So I was really nervous. I was going to send Gracie to Kindergarten, but she missed the cut off date. She was so, so ready. So off I went and bought curriculum not having a clue if I was "really" doing it right. I said my prayers and really relied on the Lord to help me not screw it up. :o) She has done so well. I'm very proud of her. I won't lie--we had some tough days, but overall we both learned a lot. Well, I went to the State Board of Ed. web-site and printed off all the kindergarten standards and began to pour through ALL those pages. UGH! I am very pleased to anounce that Little Miss Gracie not only met, but exceeded in every standard in every subject -- in April. That would be 6 weeks early. I was tickled!! She needs to know, and be able to use at least 25 site words. As of yesterday she now knows 45. Little smarty! I can't tell you how relieved I was. I really did fear homeschooling her. Being responsible for teaching her her letters, numbers, adding and reading was a daunting task, until we really got started. It was fun. It brought new depth to our already close relationship, and I can't tell you how rewarding it is to see her doing double digit math and reading. The Lord got us both through it. What's even better is that we incorporate her devotions into her lessons and then we end our school time praying for each other. How could you not LOVE that?! I would have missed so much if she was able to have gone to school. I am so, so thankful!!! I think we will do a little Kindergarten graduation party with some friends and family to celebrate her accomplishments. That should be fun. I'll be sure to post it!

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

2009-05-01T22:36:00.003-07:00

Hey!! It's National Scrapbook Day (May 2nd). Go over to the Shimmerz web-site www.shimmerzpaints.com and the Shimmerz blog http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com and see what kind of fun stuff we have going on. You don't want to miss out! The Design Team has done some great projects!

It's been another super crazy week. I'll have to fill you in later. I've spent a lot of hours working. I am so stinking lucky. How many people can say (honestly) that they love every part of their job? I (honestly) can say that I love my business. Every part of my business. I'm very blessed!

Hey, if you live anywhere near Meridian, be sure to head over to the Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) morning. I have a very dear friend (she used to be in Dave's youth group years ago--but we won't go there now) who will be a vendor. Kelly has been busy sewing up a storm to get ready. So be on the look out for some super cute hand sewn things and say "Hey" to Kelly from me.

I'll fill you in on all the craziness going on around here soon. Have a super weekend!

Please Pray. . .

2009-04-24T22:53:00.002-07:00

I really thought that because we homeschool our kids that we wouldn't have to deal with some of the "stuff" that other families have to deal with. Especially in high school. . . there is just so much "stuff" that our kids have to deal with and endure. We have been blessed to avoid the drugs and alcohol and sex issues. We are very grateful for that. I guess I just didn't realize that we would have to deal with the suicide issue.

We got the news today that one of Sami's homeschool buddies committed suicide. They have been friends for several years. She was just I.M ing and texting him a few days ago. They reminisced about the first time they met and how sassy Sami was when he asked if he could sit by her. She said that seat was saved for her imaginary friend (she is sassy). They were fast friends.

Now he's gone. He is just gone. I really don't understand!

Sami is sad. It hasn't really hit her yet. It doesn't seem real. I can only imagine the horrific pain his parents are feeling right now. The tears just keep coming when I think about his family. My heart breaks for them.

Please pray for this boy's family and please pray for Sami. I know she will miss him and the homeschool connection that they shared.

We live in a crazy, mixed up world. We can't protect our kids from it all. We have to trust the Lord to keep them in his care. We just need to love on them every chance we get. Now, I think we have to let them know that they matter and that we care, even if they aren't our own kids. If we wait. . . it could be too late.

Thinking Spring

2009-04-17T22:27:00.004-07:00

Welcome to our backyard! We have lived in this house for 1 year. We have landscaped, painted every square inch--inside and out and still have a few other projects to do---but---I love my backyard. This time of year our yard is full of sweet smelling pink flowers. I love to go stand under the trees and look up into all that pink glory and just smell the air. Ooohh, there is no way to explain it. It is so wonderful. Can you tell, I'm thrilled that spring has finally come to Boise. My tulips (which are my favorite flower) are in full bloom. They are such happy flowers. Gracie and I get so excited when they start to bloom. We are just enjoying all that spring has brought us. I hope it's sunny where you live!

I'm Proud to be an American

2009-04-15T20:15:00.007-07:00

I am going to preface this post with. . . You may not agree with me, but please be respectful of my own convictions and opinions. . .

I have been grieving for our country for some time now. I do not agree with anything our President stands for. I believe with all my heart that the Lord appoints kings and rulers, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I feel that WE the people have lost the ability to be heard. Our government is not an extension of the people. They have their own adgendas and don't much care for what the people that elected them really want or even have to say. We are on the fast track to socialism and I'm sorry, but it scares me silly.

So when I found out that Boise was hosting a T.E.A (Taxed Enough Already) Party at the capitol park on April 15th, I had to go. It was going to be history in the making. I told the kids that they could skip school (whoopee--we homeschool)and that we were going to go to the T.E.A. Party. We didn't go to shout at people. We didn't make signs that offended or hurt people. We went to stand as proud Americans that want Washington D.C. to sit up and take notice that we have had enough.

It was an amazing event. There was no name calling. No hatred (I would have left for sure), no ugly behavior at all. There were about 3,000 Idahoans that came together and sang the National Anthem and displayed the Constitution and stood by it.

When we left, Sami and Kaleb both said they were so glad they went and that today, they were proud to be Americans. I was touched and extrememly proud of them.

It was an awesome day!!

We're Back!!

2009-04-11T12:18:00.002-07:00

We have been back for a week now and I still feel behind. BUT---let me tell you---we had an amazing time on vacation. Maybe that's why I still feel behind. I still want to be in California.

We were gone for 10 days, so let's start at the beginning. My parents went with us which was the best of blessings. I've always wanted my kids to experience a trip with their grandparents. There just aren't enough words to express all the memories made for all of us.

We started things off with a couple of days at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Valley Center, CA (close to Escondido). We were able to visit with my cousin Kevin, Wendy and their adorable girls Mandy and Aubrey. Needless to say they all have a wide variety of animals. Otters, wallabies (spelling?), turtles, horses, cats, dogs, snakes,foxes and the list goes on. It was like going to our own private zoo. My Aunt is currently hand raising 3 baby foxes. You can often see my cousins otters on Jay Leno and other talk shows. How cool it that!? Oh, and can I say there is no way you can beat the view from both homes. It was amazing! We really enjoyed seeing all of them.

We spent a day at Sea World. It was a bit cool, so jackets were required. We saw the ever famous Shamu and all his sea critter friends. It was a great time. Thanks so much for the tickets Kevin!

Then off to Anahiem. We spent several days at Disneyland. We must have walked 20 miles. We celebrated Sami's 17th birthday. We saw lots of characters, rode LOTS of rides and just tried to fit it all in. We spent another day at California Adventure. I absolutely love the California Screamin rollercoaster. Holy Cow!! That thing takes off like a shot and goes 60 mph up down and around and around. So cool. Poor Gracie was too little, but Dave and I rode on that over and over again. We both love rollercoasters. My mom thought I was nuts!

Our last day we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch. I can't tell you how thrilled I was. I L-O-V-E Forrest Gump. It's my all time favorite movie. I love all things Forrest Gump. So lunch there was a hightlight for me. The food was great and the whole experience was awesome. I stocked up on Forrest Gump T-shirts and knick-knacks at the gift shop and of course took loads of pictures. :o)

Then off to the beach. It was over cast and a bit cool, but we took off chasing the waves and looking for sea shells. All was great until. . . Gracie got hit by a big wave. It flattened her. She was both wet and full of sand and to top it off now cold. Then Sam realized that she had lost her phone. Why she was texting on the beach. . . I don't know, but it was lost. We combed the beach in all directions. Unfortunately the tide was coming in and her phone must have washed out into the water. We tried to make light of it, by telling her that the fish would be texting her. But to her it was like loosing a limb. It was the end of the world.

We left for home the next day, tired, smiling and so incredibly grateful for the trip and all the memories.

We had such a great time we are thinking of going back this fall. We'll see, but it gives us lots to look forward to.

So back to the routine. School, work, and all that goes with. It really is nice to be home.

2009-04-11T12:15:00.001-07:00

My Kids Taught Me A Very Valuable Lesson

2009-03-19T20:46:00.003-07:00

I have a confession to make. I love working at home, but because I can't stand to just sit still and do nothing (which drives my family crazy) and I also can't stand to stop working when there is still work to do. . . I think I am a bit of a workaholic. I don't ignore my family or my responsiblities, but I have failed in the sense that being a mom isn't always about cleaning, making dinner, or getting school done. Believe me those things get done. I always thought that my kids should be sick of me, because they are homeschooled and with me all the time. I failed to realize that my kids need me to be a mom that can have fun, get away, leave work behind and just have a great time with them.

After working crazy hours through the weekend, I needed to get them out. Now, the challenge in this is trying to please them all with one activity that is appropriate for them all. So I had this great idea to go paint pottery. The girls loved the idea, but poor Kaleb moaned. "Mom, that's a girl thing." I told him that we would go to the store he was wanting to go to, but that just wasn't enough. He wanted to stay home. Nope! Not going to happen. Everyone get in the car, no complaining, just go. So off we went with much apprehension. We started with lunch at Sonic (their favorite), went to the store Kaleb wanted to go to, then to Artist For A Day to paint. I told them that they could paint anything they wanted, however they wanted. . . just try to have some fun.

Well, by the end of the day (and we were out all day), each one of my kids told me how much fun they had. Sami said that painting was so relaxing. Kaleb said, "Thanks Mom, I really had fun". And Gracie was just sad that she couldn't stay and keep painting. We then came home and all played together in the back yard. At the end of the day, my kids thanked me, hugged me and told me that they like to hang out with me. I almost cried.

So I learned that quantity time in no way equals quality time. They need more than just my presence. They need my attention. They need me to laugh with them, play with them no matter what their age is and most of all love on them.

My children are a blessing of the best kind. I need to cherish and honor those blessings. That night I thanked the Lord for teaching me this lesson. My husband and kids are far more important than any Shimmerz order. I again had to get my priorities straight, and I have. I will make it one of my highest priorities to have fun with my kids.

I know this post is really wordy, but it's my hope that it will touch your heart as it did mine.

2009-03-19T20:31:00.006-07:00

Sami was completely focused on her plate. Lovin the Aqua and brown.

Yep, you guessed it. . . I get a new coffe cup. It's a one of a kind.

Gracie decided to paint a piggy bank. After it's fired, it will be a bright pink piggy.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Work I Go

2009-03-18T22:09:00.003-07:00

Holy Smokin' Rockets! We have been so-o-o busy. I am thrilled and very thankful for all the blessings that the Lord has given us via our business. We launched the SHIMMERZ website www.shimmerzpaints.com . It has been awesome. We started getting orders within the first hour. . . and they just kept coming. We worked like little elves. It really was fun though. There is no aspect of Shimmerz that I don't love. It's all work--but awesome work. We also released SIX NEW colors too, which are doing well. Our customers overwhelmingly asked for a "chocolate" color, so Dave delivered with a yummy color named Choc-o-lot. He's loves makin those ladies happy.

He did an amazing job designing the web-site. It has great features and it sparkles. Yay!! I am so proud of him. He is indeed a man of many talents.

I had to take a day off on Monday. So the kids and I got out of the house and just had fun. I have a lot to share about that day. It was unexpectedly wonderful! It certainly didn't start out that way. Trying to please a 17 yr. old, a 13 yr. old, and a 5 yr. old isn't easy, but I conquered that little challenge. I will tell all about that tomorrow and post pictures too. I learned an extremely valuable lesson via my kids. I shared that with a dear friend of mine, but I need to share it with you too. Stay tuned. . . .

The Word for the Day (week) is "BLAH"

2009-03-11T20:28:00.002-07:00

Do you ever have "blah" days? I'm trying not to fall into a dreary mood, but just not having much luck. The weather is just starting to warm up, all is good with my kids and hubby. I just feel, well. . . blah. When my heart is heavy, or when I'm really mad and just need to work things out I always reach for my vacuum cleaner. Weird, I know. But, there is something very theraputic about cleaning. So today I grabbed my trusty vacuum and got busy. I super cleaned my house. I never let it get out of hand, so it's not like I needed heavy machinery to come in and help me clean up. I dusted ledges, doors, blinds, baseboards and the list goes on. I polished my hard floors and sucked out the corners on the carpet. I even did some bathroom reorganizing. I thought that all this crazy cleaning would somehow make me feel better. Nope. . . still "blah". I sat in the sun and focused on all that I have to be grateful for. I prayed. I worked out. Still, I just can't seem to shake this gloomy, heavy heart. My business is doing well. It's growing and we will have our new web-site up this weekend (www.shimmerzpaints.com). I have the most amazing design team ever. We leave for vacation in a couple of weeks (and yes, my kids are healthy). I should be about ready to burst with excitement. Again, nope, just not feeling it. Somehow, I've gotta get over this. Have any advice? Please send me some love and advice. I could also use your prayers. Thanks!

How Lucky Am I?!

2009-03-08T20:56:00.002-07:00

I have been determined to celebrate St. Patricks Day. I think my family thinks I've lost it, but hey, the Irish are their people. It's part of who they are. So why not make the most of it. We had a lot of laughs doing this family picture. We all just about lost it when Dave put on his glittery hat and starting talking with an Irish accent. Just be grateful that there isn't an official Scottish holiday, because posting Dave in a kilt, might just be a bit too much --Tee Hee Hee.

St. Patrick's Day aside. . . doing this picture reminded me of just how lucky I am. I have an indredible family! We all love each other and the Lord. What more could I ask for. I am indeed a very lucky lady!

Two Down --- One To Go

2009-03-06T10:36:00.002-07:00

I have another kid down. Kaleb started complaining of stomach issues last night. So off I go to get the Benedryl (*see note), and the Ginger Snaps. Get him into bed early and hope for the best and ask the Lord to PLEASE let this pass. I really am hoping and praying to have a healthy family on vacation. It's our first real vacation in years and we are all really looking forward to it.

So far, so good. Kaleb slept. He still isn't feeling great. He's still really tired, but no vomitting, sore throat, etc. Thank you Lord!

* Note: I discovered through many ER visits due to migraine for Kaleb that they give Benedryl to settle stomachs. So the Benedryl, Ginger Snap combination really works for us. It amazing!

A Kool Toy for a KOOL Kid

2009-03-04T20:12:00.004-07:00

Kaleb got a fun, fun, fun new toy. He has worked really hard pouring, labeling, and packing many many jars of Shimmerz. So with some of his hard earned money (it's hard earned, because I'm a tough boss) he bought himself an iPod Touch. It is such a cool "thing". I'm so not a techie, but this. . . this is really cool. I think I must have one too ---tee hee.

2009-03-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

Going Green

2009-03-04T20:01:00.002-07:00

The worst is over (I hope). Gracie is doing much better today. Still coughing and stuffy, but thankfully no yucky tummy. Now if we can keep everyone else in tip top shape I'll be singing a happy song.

Since Gracie is feeling better and in the spirit of the month we made --yep--you guessed it, green cupcakes. I know Mom, you're turning up your nose. :o) We frosted them and used St. Patty's Day sprinkles. Then I made little toppers for them with the Hero Arts cupcake stamp set and colored them with copic markers and topped them off with Shimmerz (of course). Gracie helped to glue all the pieces together and we have cute little toppers on our GREEN cupcakes. It was fun. A great way to spend a rainy day.

2009-03-04T19:56:00.002-07:00

The "F" Word Has Hit My Home

2009-03-03T15:04:00.003-07:00

FLU!!! Oh, I just hate the word and all it implies. Poor little Gracie has had what I thought was just a bad cold (because she has had the flu shot). I really thought she was doing better. . . until. . . today. "Mommy my tummy hurts." Ooohh no! Yep, we have vomitting action on my new carpet, on my comforter (that is dry clean only), all over my bathroom. Poor baby girl. I feel so bad for her. I have cleaned the carpet, sent Sam to the dry cleaners and the store for Sprite and Ginger Snap cookies (they work wonders) and the biggest bottle of Lysol wipes known to man. Kaleb, Sami and I went to work and wiped down every surface we could think of that could be touched or even thought of being touched by little fingers. They both think I'm a bit crazy because I mentioned having the house fumigated. Maybe I get a little obsessive, but, I HATE THE FLU!!! We leave for vacation the end of March. I just won't allow fevers, runny noses or vomitting to go with us on this trip. Please send me cheery, non vomitting thoughts. :o)

BUSTED!!!

2009-03-02T17:04:00.002-07:00

We have a wonderful friend that works for the Meridian Police Department who was nice enough to come by the house and do a "homeschool" type visit. Richard came by to visit Gracie. She thought that policemen were scary and only there to give out tickets. She and Richard had some fun as you can see. He let Gracie use his handcuffs and together, they arrested Sami. I thought about asking him to just leave her in the handcuffs, but then thought that might not be such a good idea. :o) Gracie was able to sit in the back of the police car and she asked if he got to play games on his car computer. In case you're wondering. . . the answer is "No". I love it when the field trip comes to me. Now I wonder if the Fire Department can stop by --Ha-Ha.

2009-03-02T16:57:00.001-07:00

Bring on the Green

2009-03-02T13:34:00.002-07:00

Aaaww, March is here finally. Being a McElyea this is "our" month. Not that I have a single drop of Irish blood in me, but Dave sure does and therefore, our children do to. So I say CELEBRATE! Dave is both Scottish and Irish so that equals a short, jolly man with a twinkle in his eye that would love to wear a kilt. Oh heavens!

Well, I am determined to make this fun. So stay tuned. The McElyea's have turned green and not because of global warming. I've got fun things in store. Just wait till you see Dave! You don't want to miss this!!!

Coffee and a Friend

2009-02-26T21:08:00.002-07:00

I had the pleasure of being able to spend some time this morning with Lori Renn. Lori is a member of my Design Team. We met for coffee at Starbucks. I had a great time! Lori really is just a ray of sunshine. She is one of those people that choose to be positive and in turn she shares that with those who are lucky enough to spend time with her. My day was certainly a bit brighter and I give the credit to Lori for that. Thanks Lori!

Why Be Hateful?

2009-02-23T08:18:00.002-07:00

Okay, I really don't plan on this blog being a forum for my ranting, but I really need to vent and pass the word.

I don't understand how teenage girls can be so incrediblity cruel! I have never come across meaner or more hateful people in my life than a couple of local girls who are are sending threatening, hatefilled texts to Sami. She finally came to me last night and told me about what was happening. Wouldn't you know it's all over a boy. Sami is friends with this boy, they chat on My Space (which I monitor), they text each other, but have never dated. Well his old girlfriend decided that she didn't like it and she and her friend started in.

I saw messages both that were sent and received by Sam. She kept saying that she didn't understand why there was a problem. All she wants is to be this boys friend. The messages just got worse.

I talked to the mother of one of the girls and she yelled at me and told me that teenage girls are just mean and she won't get involved in her daughters problems and this is not a big deal. BIG DEAL!!!??? Of course it's a big deal. Her daughter is threatening mine. She and her friend know where we live and where Sami works. I could not believe what I was hearing from this woman. She said, "What do you actually expect me to do about it?" Well, ummm. . . let's think. . . be a mother! Hold your daughter accountable! This just blows my mind.

Now I have the police involved (what choice do I have now). I'm calling the cell phone company to see if I can get phone records. The school that the girls attend will be involved as well.

I don't want to be a freaky, over-protective mother, but I have to do something. I was awake most of the night, both hurting for my daughter and wondering how far to take this in order to teach these girls that what they are doing is first wrong and second illegal.

Please, please, if you have teenage girls, tell them that being hateful not only hurts the victim, but it will ultimately hurt themselves and their parents.

One thing my kids know and know well is that the choices they make don't just affect them. And that there are consequences for all the choices we make. We get to choose. . . will the consequences be good or bad.

Please pray for my family, but mostly for Sami. She is so hurt and upset.

What a Week!

2009-02-13T11:49:00.003-07:00

What an incredible experience! I didn't get to go to any of the events to watch the athletes compete. I was working at the Healthy Athletes venue. We gave out bracelets, pins and other goodies and took pictures of athletes in front of the Got Milk poster. They LOVED that! We were printing picutres as fast as the printer could pop them out. We got lots of smiles, thank you's (in differently languages), thumbs up, and a few hugs. It was wonderful! I will never forget this last week.

Another extra little bonus was that I got to meet Andy Baldwin. He was the hunky Bachelor that was a naval officer from a couple of years ago. Holy Stinking Cow! What a cutie patootie. I'm not going to post that picture because I look like a giddy teenager. Let me tell you, he is as sweet as he is good looking. But make no mistake---I would never trade my hunkie hubby for anyone else. Andy was just a little eye candy.

Moments from the Special Olympics World Games 2009

2009-02-13T11:36:00.006-07:00

These boys were member of Team Uruguay.

Team Uruguay's gold medal win.

Team Gibraltar was really excited to show off their bronze medals.

This is a picture of me taken by a member of the Secret Service. He had to take a picture to prove that my camera was really a camera after he tore it apart. The number of Secret Service men was unreal before, during and after the Vice President's visit. Can you see I was just a bit perturbed by him going through my purse and camera literally piece by piece?

Members of Team USA. They won silver medals in floor hockey. Such sweet happy faces!

Pin trading was big business at the Special Olympics too.

Special times at the Special Olympics

2009-02-12T10:26:00.002-07:00

Sorry, I've been slacking on posting lately. The days just seem to slip by and I'm having a hard time keeping up.

This week I've had the opportunity to work with the United Dairymen of Idaho at the Special Olympics. It has been such a great experience. I've met athletes from literally across the world. There are just too many countries to list. They have been the sweetest most grateful people I've met. I watch all these people from all over the world gather together and actually enjoy each others company. I see our country literally caring for these athletes and their escorts and coaches. I see the smiles on faces and hearing thank you's in different languages and it makes me wonder why the rest of the world is in so much turmoil. How much does politics play in all the discord. I understand there is an abundance of hate in our world, but it does not exist at the Special Olympics World Games. Boise is very blessed to be able to host these games and I have been blessed by this experience.

I have also been able to meet some celebs. I'm supposed to be able to see (maybe meet) Vice President Biden today. Sorry-- he doesn't hold a candle to meeting the athletes.

If you live in Boise, it's not too late to attend some of the events. I really encourage you to go if you can.

I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

I Have Seen the Light

2009-01-26T20:39:00.004-07:00

I have seen the sun! I had the most amazing morning. I dropped Sami off at BSU this morning and was then able to go have the morning all to myself. I stopped by Starbucks, got a huge cup of coffee, then went to the park and sat in the sunlight and read my Bible. I was able to enjoy the quiet and the sun. I walked in the park and breathed in the cold air. I watched the ducks swimming in the fridged water and the squirrels scamper in the snow. It was so wonderful! I feel like a new person. I learned today that I really need to stop every now and then, and just be me. I also learned that I need to spend some peaceful time with my maker, to reflect on just how much He loves me. I wish the same for you!

Looking for the sunshine

2009-01-25T22:16:00.003-07:00

I am so tired of cloudy gloomy days. It's really starting to get to me. It's been about two weeks since I've seen the sun. Between an ugly, yucky inversion and just normal winter weather the sun has gone MIA. I miss it so much and my mood is proof. My kids keep asking if I'm tired or if something is wrong. I'm trying hard not to be moody and grouchy, but it's getting hard. If anyone has seen the sun. . . please send it to my house. . . I miss it.

My Sweet Husband. . .

2009-01-21T22:59:00.003-07:00

Dave and I have been doing some car shopping. UGH! I absolutely hate car shopping. The only thing I dislike more is grocery shopping. Thank the Lord, Dave likes grocery shopping, so he does that. He thinks it's relaxing. Please, the spa is relaxing! I have to ask. . . what's worse. . . grocery shopping or starving? Hhmmm???

Anyway, his jeep died and so we faced the car lots looking for another car. Well, I saw a GMC Envoy and loved it. It had all the toys and fun stuff in it, but my van works great and "he" needed the new car.

Well, he came home last night and suprised me with that car! He said he would take my van and he bought the new car for me. Can you believe him? I always knew he was the sweetest man (just ask my Mom. . . she thinks he's pretty close to perfection), but this knocked my socks off.

I'm always so thankful to Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful husband. He really is a gift to me.

I still can't believe he did that for me. Don't you just love him?

Happy Graduation Sami!

2009-01-19T15:32:00.003-07:00

Dave and I are so extremely proud to announce that Sami has graduated from High School. She has worked so hard. She took summer classes and put in extra hours to graduate 1 1/2 years early. So we had a big party for her on Saturday. We invited family friends, her babysitters from when she was a baby, and of course her friends and our family. It was so fun! We had lots of food and because it was an open house, people came and went throughout the afternoon.

I think about it and start to cry. I just can't believe she's on her way to a new life. Am I really that old??!! Ugh! She's already chosen a school that she wants to attend. Thankfully, she chose a school here in Boise and will be staying home. My heart can't handle her moving out yet. :o)

My parents gave Sam the cutest gift. My mom is famous in our family for being, shall we say, creative with gifts. She gave Sam an old pen wrapped in three different boxes. The card read, "Sami, we hope you can use this to begin writing a new chapter in your life." Well, the best part is that the pen didn't work, because inside the pen was a rolled up $100.00 bill. It was so cute. Sami couldn't figure out why Grammy and Papa would give her an old pen that didn't work. It was priceless!

Join the FUN

2009-01-13T21:58:00.004-07:00

I was thinking about Gracie's Build A Bear Valentines Day party and thought it would be fun for lots of kids to join in. So here's the scoop! Gracie and Puppy (her favorite Build A Bear) want to send each child and "friend" a Valentine that e-mail me their address. So Gracie will send a Valentine to the child and Puppy will send a Valentine to the "friend". BUT. . . Gracie and Puppy each need to receive a Valentine in return. Did I explain that well?

I think it will be so fun for lots of kids. They get to send and receive loads of Happy Mail. It will be so fun for the kids to get the mail from the mail box. Anyone can join the fun. The more the merrier. So get me your address, your child's name and your child's "friends" name and I will e-mail you our address.

Here's to a super fun Valentines Day for all our kids!

Email me at mcelyea@q.com

New Year - - - Blingz!

2009-01-12T20:42:00.002-07:00

I am so bad! This is my first post since November -- UGH! Can you believe that? My New Years resolution among other things is to stay up on my own blog. So hold me to it. Okay?

We had a great holiday season, but I really was ready to move onto an new year. I have plans for my family and plans for my business and both needed a new year to kick it into gear.

I am thrilled that today we released 4 new Blingz colors. . . Hottie Pink, Flashee Fuchsia, Hi-Ho Silver and Pixie Dust. We wanted really fun new colors for Valentines Day. I L-O-V-E Valentines Day. I love the colors, all the hearts and the sentiments that go with the holiday. You see all the hearts and you just want to love and kiss on those who mean the most to you. UGH -- I just love it!! I even like to go buy those cheesy little Valentines for my kids. Kaleb and Sami are a bit old for them, but I buy them anyway. They can just give one to me on Valentines Day and I'm thrilled. Of course, Gracie shares my enthusiam for those little cards. We are planning a party with all her Build A Bear Friends and they will exchange little Valentines.

Sami, Gracie and I have so much fun making Valentines too. I went to Archivers and spent a ridiculous amount of money on stickers and brads and paper and all the fun little things to make Valentines (thanks for the help Kim!). Somehow we manage to get Kaleb involved too. It's so fun!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-21T21:49:00.003-07:00

With the craziness of just everyday life, a business, 3 kids, a husband, and not to mention that Christmas is knocking at our doors earlier than ever. I wanted to take just one moment to pause and reflect on all that I have to be thankful for. I have been blessed in too many ways to list, but am so thankful to the Lord for the love that He so freely extends to me, and the love and support of my family even during times when I completely stress out and just don't deserve it. I am so thankful for my wonderful Shimmerz Design Team and all my customers who have just really made my day so many times.

I wish you all a very, very, blessed Thanksgiving. I hope you can take a minute out of your busy day and look above and be truly thankful.

Only My Very Best!

Perfect Little Curls

2008-11-21T21:42:00.003-07:00

I just had to post about Gracie's perfect little curls. Her hair just amazes me. After she get's out of the bathtub, Gracie's clean little curls just bounce. No one in our family has curly hair quite like Gracie. When people ask her where she got her curls, she is so quick to flash a sweet smile and say, "Jesus gave them to me." Don't you just love that?!!!

Limited Edition Colors

2008-10-16T11:43:00.008-07:00

I am so thrilled at the response of the Limited Edition Shimmerz colors. All three colors were equally popular. I hope everyone was able to get them while they were available. It was kinda sad yesterday putting them away.
BUT. . .

Don't be sad, because Dave is cooking up something completely awesome for the holiday season! I told him I wanted something (of course I can't tell you yet) really special, and of course he came through. It's so pretty and I am so excited to release my surprise. Stay tuned to the Shimmerz blog http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/ . It's coming really soon!

I hope you are having a happy fall season. I love the fall! It truly is my favorite time of the year.

Hopefully, this weekend the weather will be nice enough to go to the pumkin patch and the corn maze. I'll be sure to post pictures. Tell me what fun things you're doing. I'd love to hear about it.

Happy Anniversary!

2008-10-07T09:54:00.002-07:00

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post!! Time just seems to fly by. Yesterday, Dave and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Can you believe he's put up with me for that long?! We've had so many ups and downs along the way, but I would marry him in a minute all over again. He truly is my very best friend. He knows me better than I know myself. When I'm really stressed and spread too thin, he just knows and tells me that I need to tackle one thing at a time and to quit biting my lip (that's a dead give-away). He is even able to help me sort through all my stress and hurt and sometimes failures better than I can do it for myself. He is such a gift from God. I love him so much!!!

Last Weeks Lunch

2008-09-03T20:43:00.002-07:00

I mentioned last week that I was having lunch with my best friend who was in town from California. Denise and I had the best time. I'm sure that the poor waitress was sick of us by the time we left. We were content to just sit and visit, occasionally asking if they needed the table. It was so nice to be able to share our thoughts, our struggles, our joys and our faith. I miss her terribly and hope she can move back home soon. I hope you all have the blessing of a "sister" like friend you just loves you unconditionally. God Bless!

2008-09-02T18:53:00.002-07:00

I just can't believe summer is over. It went by so fast. We spent our last "summer" weekend with my parents visiting. We went to Bruneau Sand Dunes on Saturday to celebrate Kaleb's 13th birthday. It was the perfect weather to climb the dunes, not too hot and a little bit of a breeze. Yes, I hauled my fannie up the dunes. I thought I'd die before I got to the top. Of course I had to go the short way up, straight up, instead to going the gradual, easier way. We had a BBQ with my nephew Josh. He's such a cutie. Yes ladies, he's an Airforce guy stationed in Mountain Home, who is very available and such a sweetie. His Aunt Stacey thinks the absolute world of him!

On Sunday Kaleb played with his new Wii, which my mother was green with envy over. She is going to be 65 in October and has wanted a Wii for the longest time. She played and played and just had the best time. So my 71 year old Dad went out (with Kaleb of course) and bought her a Wii for her birthday and gave it to her early. I'm telling you it was the biggest crack up. She was absolutely thrilled! She is for sure a groovy Grammie.

I hope you all made fun, fun memories. I want to hear all about it.

2008-09-02T18:43:00.001-07:00

Mr. Hottie (Josh), Gracie and my Dad.

2008-09-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

Mom and the birthday boy.

2008-09-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

Finally made it to the top and still smilin'.

What A Week!

2008-08-29T07:59:00.002-07:00

Whew! What a crazy week, and school hasn't even started for us. We start on September 2nd. I swear I spent the whole week just running from here to there. My best friend Denise came into town this week. We had dinner with her and her hubby and really had so much fun. It made me miss her even more. Biz with Shimmerz has been really busy and I am so so very grateful. I love visiting with people about Shimmerz, even if it's just by e-mail. I love hearing about how someone tried Shimmerz and they OOOH and AAWW and tell me about what they've done with them. I absolutely love it!!!

This weekend my parents are coming into town for the long weekend and to celebrate Kaleb's 13th birthday (early). We're all going to go spend the day on Saturday at Bruneau Sand Dunes. It should be a lot of fun. If nothing else we'll just eat and throw sand at each other. I just still can't believe my sweet boy is turning 13. Now we'll have 2 teenagers and 1 preschooler in the house. UGH! Talk about complete opposites of the scale. :o)

Okay, gotta run (again today). Lunch with my girlfriend before she leaves and weekend prep. Tell my about all your Labor Day plans. I'd love to hear from you!

I'll post pictures of our fun.

More Family Pictures --- So Cute!

2008-08-13T18:31:00.002-07:00

Wow! I have had a love hate relationship with my computer all day. I spent much more time than I had planned trying to print new pictures for frames to hang. Dave and I painted our family room Saturday. Yes, I know I just painted it two months ago, but it just needed to be warmed up. And well, being in the paint biz, what better way to warm up a room than with a "new" color of paint. So now I need to hang the frames with fresh and shining faces of our kids. I got it done (Mom you'll be proud). But again, it took longer than I wanted it to.

So-o-o is everyone just dying to see the new Shimmerz colors? Tee-Hee-Hee, I know something you don't know. I am so excited to release them, and just can't wait to hear if they are loved as much as I love them. Just a little hint for anyone who has been in my "newly" painted house, two of the colors are based on the colors I used in my house.

I know the Shimmerz Design Team is going to produce some really awesome work. I'm telling you these ladies are super talented. Be sure to let me know what you think. I hope you all have fun with them.

2008-08-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

2008-08-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

2008-08-13T18:17:00.003-07:00

Mom's New Toy Put to Good Use

2008-08-12T19:55:00.002-07:00

I finally had an opportunity to use my new camera. LOVE IT! I was shocked at the detail it was able to capture. We went to Kathryn Albertson park on Sunday and took a ton of pictures. We needed some new, updated family pictures and just had a great time doing it. I was thrilled, I only had to growl "smile, like you mean it" a couple of times. :o) And every now and then tell Kaleb to smile like he saw a really cute girl. Yep, it worked. I love taking pictures of my kids. They're all so dang cute. Dave and I have been truly blessed. It's been a long day and I'm ready to crash. I'll add more pictures tomorrow. Wait til you see how it captured all of Gracie's curls. Oh my goodness!

I've Got A Secret!!

2008-07-08T18:31:00.019-07:00

I've got a secret!!! No mom, I'm not pregnant. I am so excited, we are releasing three new Shimmerz colors starting Aug. 15th. They are perfect for the fall season. I won't say what the new colors are just yet, but no one will be disappointed. They are limited and only available for a short time, and they are unlike any colors we've had before. YEAH! Keep watching, and I'll spill the beans soon on the color names.

I got a new toy yesterday. I got a Cannon Rebel camera and can't wait to use it. I was going to go out today to break it in, but thought otherwise because 1. it's so stinkin hot, and 2. I deemed today an "ugly" day. An "ugly" day is when you get out of bed, brush your teeth, put on really comfy clothes, put your hair up into a ponytail, and call it an "ugly" day. There is no make-up, no fussing with the hair, no carefully choosing an outfit (which is hard for me because I can't make decisions) and no going outside the house, because I don't want to scare small children. I love "ugly" days, and don't get them very often. So I take advantage of it when I can. Gracie came into my room this morning, took one look at me and said,"Mommy, are we just going to be ugly today?" I said, "You bet, and we're going to make the most of it." She just laughed said I was silly and went on her way. So soon enough I will venture out and play with my new toy.

My day

2008-07-08T18:31:00.018-07:00

It has taken me forever to publish a post to this blog - UGH! I am so not computer literate (it's truly sad), but I can do some things, that is if they work correctly. Hopefully, I have the bugs worked out now. It's been a busy week, lots of chiro appointments for my on-going headaches (thank you lady who rear ended me last week), trying to keep the kids somewhat entertained and staying up on all thats happening with Shimmerz. I stopped by Target today. I absolutely love that store! I could really go crazy in there. I think I could completely stock and decorate a house with everything that is Target. My idea of a perfect date with my hubby is going out to dinner, having wonderful conversation and then ending up at Target. Is that sad? I love to just stroll down each isle and just see what's sitting there waiting for me. Love it!

2008-07-08T18:31:00.017-07:00

I want you to meet my cute family. My husband Dave, Sami, Kaleb and little miss Gracie. They are my joy and I am thankful each and everyday for them.

2008-07-08T18:31:00.014-07:00

Miss Gracie is our ray of sunshine. She is always happy and always full of "it".

2008-07-08T18:31:00.007-07:00

Kaleb the squirrel master (hey, you've gotta be good a somethin') :o) is my sweet spirited boy who loves his mama and his Lord.

2008-07-08T18:31:00.004-07:00

Sami and her boyfriend Brian had a special night out last week. They are too stinkin' cute!