I have prayed many times over how to begin and word this blog. I ONLY want to be an inspiration to others and don't want to be perceived as someone "tooting her own horn" or blasting herself. This blog is not about that at all. I'm just a busy mom and wife and a person who truly believes that anyone can make a life change if and when they want it.
That has always been my problem in the past. I wanted it, just not hard enough. See, one thing I have learned throughout this 5 month process is willingness. You have to be WILLING to give up things, gain things, and let go of things in almost all areas of your life. Until you are fully committed to be WILLING, I don't believe you will be 100% effective. That might be harsh, but that's my belief. A friend said this to me the other day and it struck home with me. She said, "I remember when we were training for the half and we would talk about detox. It just wasn't your time." Her words rang true to me. It wasn't my time. I wasn't ready to give it 100%.
May 2014 I was ready. I am thankful for my Arbonne friends (I have many of them) who have brought this product and this life change into my path. I am truly happy for them to see their success that Arbonne has brought to them. Many a time I will get asked whether or not I am ready to sell Arbonne, or to be a consultant, or to start my own team. While, I am thrilled for 
them in their journey, I do not believe my journey is being employed by Arbonne. Our pastor preaches on the importance of having a "sixth day income" and I believe that is house flipping for my husband and I. Will I support and cheer my friends and continue to buy Arbonne products? Absolutely!
Let me start by saying that my favorite Arbonne products are the Vanilla protein, both flavors of Fizz Sticks, and the 7 day cleanse. These products are implemented into my life on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. I began the 28 day Detox in May 2014. I wasn't too impressed with how much weight I lost that first month (I think I lost around 6 pounds). What I was more impressed with is how I felt. I've always considered myself pretty energetic, but this was a different level of energy. I felt good all day long. There's really no other way of wording it. I felt productive and able to do much more in a day than I thought possible. I slept great at night and woke up with the same feelings every day. I knew this was more than "just a fluke". I knew I was heading in the right direction.
I continued to eat clean, low in fats, high in fiber, low to no sugar, same with caffeine, and VERY little carbs. Did I splurge? Yes. I believed (and still do) that you deserve to congratulate yourself every so often. How boring would it be to live in a world where you get no praise, no reward? Not for me. That first month I didn't splurge. I was very "by the book". As the months went on 
my energy level still was climbing, the weight was still coming off, I was feeling better and better, and would slowly begin to throw in some cheat things here and there. HELLO PIZZA!!! I've never considered myself an extreme pizza lover but throughout this continued journey that is the food that has called my name the loudest. I hear it almost every day:)
When I began this process in May I weighed (no woman should have to say her weight but for this blog I think it is called for) 145. Many would be happy with that weight and to them I say, "Awesome!" For me, and my 5'4 frame I wasn't happy with that weight. I could wear a size 6 or 8. Since I am being completely open here, 6's hurt. I wasn't comfortable in them. Depending on the cut of the item even an 8 was tight sometimes and this scared me. Never in my life had I worn a 10 and THAT was my turning point. I didn't want to go buy a 10 just so I could be "comfortable". I wanted to be comfortable in smaller. So, I committed. 100% committed.
Today, 5 months later, I can COMFORTABLY wear a 2 or a 4. Both fit well and neither are tight. I weigh 120ish pounds and have lost a total of 25 pounds. I feel amazing. I feel younger. I feel
happier. I feel more confident. I feel strong.
Speaking of strong....What is that one thing you NEVER thought it possible for you to accomplish? Mine was running a faster mile. I've been a runner off and on my whole life and never have I been quick. Even at my fastest, going ALL OUT, it was hard for me to even stay in the low 9's. Could I keep up this new 7:13 pace for 5-6 miles? That's a huge NO. But, to even go all out for only 1 mile just to see what my body could do and be at 7:13. Never in a million years would I have thought that was possible.
You can do whatever you think is impossible too. All you have to do is be willing to commit 100% in all areas of your life. Be willing. Get a support system (it doesn't have to be Arbonne but it is a wonderful choice). Follow through. You fall off the wagon because you will and we are all human...you get back on. You push yourself and challenge yourself and love yourself. You know why? Because you're worth it!!!! Be well!!!
Love, Jackie
Okay so, I might be a boy mom. I might be used to dirt, noise, balls, sports, wrestling, and all things action figure. Something I still don't like? SNAKES. Like, can't stand them. Even if I am looking at them across a pond and safely standing on a path not even near the slimy thing, I can still say with 100% certainty that I do not like snakes. So, 
imagine my "pure joy" when the group of 6 Lincoln boys and our parent chaperones found NOT ONE but TWO snakes on our path through Oxley Nature Center. I was pretty proud of myself for not throwing myself on the ground and wailing, or running away screaming with my hands in the air, or shrieking like a girl. I wanted to do all of those things. All of those things all at one time, but I held it together for the sake of the boys (and so I wouldn't look too much like a weenie in front of 6 boys). The list was ever growing of the items, alive and dead, that we found on those trails. The highlight of the day? The 
snakes. Oh my gracious. Boys.
But, I am ever so thankful I got to spend some time with this boy. My almost 8 year old on our first field trip together as a Lincoln Christian student and parent. So proud of him for his character and willingness to work hard academically and with sports on and off the field. I couldn't be prouder. I love him snake lover and all:)
So, before you are tempted to skip ahead and see the wonderful picture I snapped of Bob Stoops...don't worry he's in this post. Just not in the form you might think of him as:)
Wednesday and Thursday rounded out Spirit Week for my boys this week as Friday Will is going on a field trip and has to wear his uniform (which just reminded me it is still sitting in the washer waiting to be transferred to the dryer. Please hold).
Okay, I'm back. Now, Wednesday was 80's day. Not too easy with boys. I can't throw on some neon and crimp their hair with banana clips. I figured out that all they would really allow me to do is upturned collars, bad hair, and french rolled jeans (which Owen wanted no part of). By the time I picked them up after school the rolls had fallen out of the jeans, the collars were back down, and their hair still looked bad. So overall, it just looked like a normal day:)
Thursday was the day we got to see BOB STOOPS. See, I told you it was in this story somewhere. Thursday was dress as your favorite coach or teacher day. Again, the boys have ONLY had female teachers 
and I wasn't about to put my boys in a dress or skirt so they decided they wanted to dress like Bob Stoops. Most of the items we already had in our possession so after a quick trip to Academy to score some $7 visors and $2 whistles, they were set!
We got to school and Will spotted one of his best friends, Gavin. Gavin was Gundy the head coach from OSU. Best friends and coaches can still be friendly on Spirit Day right? Oh, they got a kick out of each other and their outfits. These two love to be together and hang out. Kind of like their little brothers. Just two little siblings who find ways to
entertain each other after school with a little game of "what do you think's down there? I heard sharks live in there? No, I don't think so but I'm pretty sure alligators do." This was seriously their conversation as they were laying full out in the street with hands and mouths all over the storm drain. It's a good thing I'm a boy mom.....
I really just need to grow up, suck it up, move on, and stop OBSESSING over my children growing up. I mean, it's gonna happen. It's inevitable. Them being able to stay the same size and age forever is
physically impossible so I must just move on. 
Sometimes that's hard. Even harder when you pick up your phone and start playing with collage apps of their little faces from big to small. Ugh...I MUST STOP.
The hardest one for me was this picture. My little Will who Steven and I thought he looked SO BIG in this picture. I remember exactly where it was taken, when it was, who we were with, and why he was so excited about sitting on that little wooden stump. He had tried and tried many times to climb up 
there, turn himself around, and sit without falling off. He had tried many times and could never do it. That day, he did it and he was so proud of himself. That picture compared to my almost 8 year old son today? Oh, be still my heart. I must stop downloading stupid collage apps on my phone! No more!
The first time you hear, "It's a boy" you think balls, sports, dirt, and noise. The second time you hear, "It's another boy", you think that's A LOT of balls, sports, dirt, and noise. I really wouldn't want it any other way in our household. Sure, I've dreamed of a little girl and I love to borrow my nieces when I want some girl time but I am so used to sports, balls, dirt, and noise around here that I would terribly miss it if no boys were in my household.
So, along those lines I find my days, nights, and weekends at baseball fields, football fields, practice fields, backyard kickball/soccer/football
/trampoline/mud pie tournaments. This is where our family spends our free time in the evenings. Fall is an awesome time to do such things. It's not too hot, it's not too cold and most nights (football nights excluded) we are outside for 1-2 hours before it's time for baths and bed. This is my life, and YES I knew what I was getting into allowing my boys to sign up for every sport known to man. Their Daddy was like that, and still is, so how could I really say no?
The boys have met some of their best friends at these ball parks. They play all sports together, grow as a team and an individual, learn valuable life lessons, and meet new people 
in each and every sport they do.
Needless to say, this week's "Spirit Week" at school has been pretty easy so far. Monday was "Sports Day" and Tuesday was "Dynamic Duo" day. Like I said...simple!
Now...Wednesday might be a little harder. It's 70, 80, 90's day. That's difficult with boys. I'm thinking on it though. Right now I'm stuck in 1989 with up turned collars and french rolled jeans. Who knows if 
they will actually allow me to dress them like that tomorrow though. Stay tuned...it's still a work in progress!
So, on my last day in the Bluegrass state I told Andrea I wanted to try that Pinot's Pallet place. Okay, let me clarify a few things first before I move on with this blog:
1. I don't draw
2. I don't paint
3. I'm not creative
4. I'm not crafty
5. I can barely draw a stick figure
6. I don't like wine
All those listed things might be reason not to try this fun and exciting girls night adventure. Remember my blog a few days back about adventure? I'm not usually too into it. I wanted to try this adventure though. I see people post their paintings and all the fun they have at this place and I 
knew I just had to put aside my insecurities and try it out. Of course, Andrea's painting blew mine out of the water but just the fact that I was able to finish it and it "somewhat" looked like what the finished product was supposed to look like was a win-win for me.
Note Picasso hard at work on her masterpiece. She even had the picture blown up on her cell phone so she could look at it more in detail to make her painting the best it could be. Me, on the other hand, was done with every step way before Andrea and only looked at my phone once to see the picture because it stressed me out too much to try and 
attempt to make mine perfect. This was supposed to be a fun night, right?! Look at this! If the night could have stopped right here (2 steps in), I would have walked away a true artist. I followed those 2 steps to a T. Then after that, I sort of faded off.....
It was pretty amazing though to see about 50 different men and women who were all painting the EXACT same 
painting. There were not 2 alike in the whole place. It's crazy how people's minds and bodies work together to get 50 differing views of one piece of artwork. Oh well, try not to look too closely at my "Picasso" but rather look at the joy on our faces from getting to spend a night together:)
As crazy as this sounds I really had a great time and, believe it or not, have already set up another girls night next week at our local Pinot's Palette with my mom, sister, and friend. More on that blog to come. Until then...go make a Picasso of your own today!
I LOVE getting to go to Kentucky. Not only is it a beautiful state with soft rolling hills, green lush grass, and immaculate horse farms everywhere; it is home to my best friend of many decades (yes decades)!! We don't get to see each other as often as we like because who could make a weekly drive or 
flight to see each other? We live 13 hours apart, have 5 kids, 2 husbands, and 1 dog all between us:)
Last weekend I flew to Lexington to see Andrea. The first night we were there we drove out to Versailles KY to a little winery for "Boots in the Bluegrass". This was a military/work benefit sponsored by Jeff's work. That might not be totally accurate as I wasn't paying too much attention to the details. Hey, I was on "vacation"
right?! I did get the "boots" part and rocked out my Oklahoma cowgirl boots in the Bluegrass state.
Truth be told we were all freezing. We didn't stay too long there as we were all cold and there just wasn't enough food left that was to our liking. We made our presence known (or rather Jeff did) and we left to find more grub to eat somewhere else.
Almost everytime Andrea and I are together you can be assured Japanese hibaji will be on the menu at some point. Last weekend was no different. On our "date night" we dressed up and went to eat at Asuka (very delicious). We both enjoy having someone else cook our dinners for a change. That's always fun to watch people get shrimps 
thrown at their faces and sake poured in their mouths. Who doesn't like to hear the "Japanese Egg Roll" joke every once in awhile? For those that eat at these types of places regularly you should totally know which joke I am referring to.
You know what's also great about having Andrea as your best friend? She can sew. And, I do mean, SEW folks. She has such a sweet, caring, and giving attitude about her 
talent. She found some fabric in her sewing room (there's quite a large collection of fabric in there to chose from) and in her "spare" time of this weekend she personalized and sewed us matching infinity scarves. Now, if that's not an awesome best friend I don't know what is!
What were Daddy's exact words while I was gone to Kentucky over the weekend? "While Momma's away, the boys will play!"
Play did they ever. Just in the few days that I was gone Steven was able to squeeze in: 2 days of school, football practice, Dolphin Tale 2 movie, dinner at Texas Roadhouse, a football game out of our town, a swimming pool birthday party, an OU football party complete with 3 families (that I was unaware that was going down in our house while I was gone), a double header baseball game, and many other little tiny things throughout the weekend.
Parenthood is 50/50 or both people giving 100/100 (however you want to look at it). Steven gets to do his fair share of time away with trips. That's when I step up. I love how when it's finally my time to go somewhere for a few days he steps up with no complaining. I know he gets tired as he is not used to being full time worker, mom, and dad all at the same time. I am grateful for a husband that goes above and beyond while Momma is away.
The boys were spent by the time I got home on Sunday. Which only proves to me that Steven did a pretty fine job while I was gone.
That means I can leave more. Right?!
A lot of people I know love adventure. They CRAVE adventure and want to experience new life decisions and choices all the time. Call me boring, but I am pretty content where I am in my life. I am happy and I am secure and I do like adventure but it doesn't have to be something that is an everyday, or even an every year, kind of thing. Well, we are about to embark on one of our Biggest adventures since being married over 14 years ago.....
We bought 1.1 acres to build our "dream home", "lifetime home", "home that we never want to leave home". (You may call it whatever you wish. Let me clarify here...I am not saying we will NEVER move from this home but this is where we want to raise our boys for the next 15 or so years. We don't want to move again until they are both graduated from high school. Then, we can rethink things. We might still be there on that dream lot. We might not. That's a long way down the road.
All I can say for 100% certainty is that this is going to be a mighty adventure friends. 1.1 acres up on a beautiful piece of land in Owasso. This lot overlooks the back of the Catoosa hills and partly the Port of Catoosa. You can hear 
tug boats pulling into the port. There's a slight breeze 24/7 due to the direction of the lot and the fact that you are on a hill. There is room for a pool (one day) and room for many a football, kickball, soccer game in the backyard. It is everything we have been wanting and praying for for over a year now. God has provided and we are super thankful.
The building process will not actually begin until sometime in 2015. We MUST sell one, or both, of our current flip houses before embarking on this journey.
Right now our lot will continue to just look like this for awhile. Who cares though? It's ours and that's all that matters at this point in the game. Hopefully, I can say that a year from now too when I am about to pull my hair out during the decision making process of building and designing our own home. Oh, did I forget to mention that? Yes, Steven and I will be building and designing this home ALL BY OURSELVES. Lord have mercy! 6321 N Ridgeview Rd in Owasso OK. Make plans to visit now:)
Weekends around our house used to be relaxed and fun and time to spend together as a family. Here in about 2 months hopefully it will be that way again. Weekends are still fun and we still are together as a family but they just aren't as relaxed anymore due to Will's sporting schedule. Every Saturday is filled with football and then OU football watching whenever the game is on TV. Sunday's are double header Fall Ball baseball games for his BAYB team, the Bulls. He loves baseball and Fall Ball is a great way for him to keep "fresh" and get to play some different positions 
around the field that he doesn't normally get to play during Spring Ball.
Friday started off with our most relaxed day of the weekend. We picked the boys up from school and it was play all night in the backyard. Daddy and Owen agains't me and Will in a little football action. This is a sweet picture of Owen and Daddy memorizing and discussing a play they were going to use on Will. It didn't work:) Owen dropped the ball every.single.time.
Saturday was Will's 2nd Lincoln football game. It was raining and very chilly and his teeth were chattering 
walking onto the field. It didn't take him long to warm up though! I LOVE watching Will play football. This has probably been the most exciting of his sports and where I enjoy seeing him excel and thrive. He practices hard with his team, gives 100% even when he's tired, and shows up to every practice. He gives it his all but has really held back physically until Saturday. This is his first time to play tackle and is only just 7 years old. Finally he broke free on Saturday, with the help of some other amazing 7 year old players, and scored 2 touchdowns and 2 extra points. This Bixby team they were playing were huge. Like literally, some of their players would almost PICK UP our players and throw them onto the field. It was awesome to watch our boys rally back after being down 20-13 almost the whole game. 4th quarter touchdown by Will and the score was now 20-20. Another 4th quarter touchdown by Kylan and extra point by Will and BAM our boys won 27-20. It was thrilling and the rest of Saturday I was hoarse but it was so worth it:)
Saturday night Steven and I were blessed enough to get to go out on a date night. We don't do a ton of these so when
we have them they are enjoyable to the extreme. We had 3 hours so we squeezed in Shogun's (because I like to watch someone else cook MY dinner sometimes) and Starbucks. We got some much needed time of discussion about some major life decisions we are embarking on (more on that topic in another blog), and we of course talked about our children because I think that's what most parents do while out on a date!
Sunday arrived and we did some much needed yardwork and sand box filling in the front and back yard. The boys and dog just ran around outside for hours observing Steven and I doing all the work. Then Will went to work. He worked for 3 hours or so on the baseball fields. His first game he got a 
HOMERUN but the team still lost. The second game was a victory and we rewarded on Will's hard work (but mostly just because I didn't have time to cook dinner) with a dinner out at IHOP. Don't ask me why but Will has been asking for IHOP since he saw one in Florida back in July. We don't normally eat there and so I really have no clue why he has been craving it so much. Talk about a weird combo? 
This child ordered pancakes, sausage, bacon, and wait for it....mashed potatoes. Another shocker? He ate the entire thing and even stole a few bites of my pineapple.
Another weekend has come and gone and I just sent Steven off with the boys to start the next school week. Hope it's a great one and I hope yours is too! Happy Monday!
If you've known me for any length of time than you know that I am surrounded by boys. Big boys, little boys, small boys, loud boys, quiet boys, and fluffy boys. I am the ONLY girl in all this craziness and I am beginning to get used to it after almost 8 years of being a parent. See, I now have THREE boys. You might be confused now. Let me introduce you to my 3 sons.
Will's first up: Born November 27, 2006. He is almost 8. He turns 8 on Thanksgiving day this year (as he also did on his 
2nd birthday but he doesn't really remember that one). Will is my sport loving, quiet, typical first born, ruler follower, diligent, obedient, gentle, loving child. He loves ALL THINGS sports but pretty much caps it at: football, baseball, basketball, and golf. I really long for the day that he picks just 1-2 and gets really awesome at those so he can go to college for free or seriously discounted. I digress...
Owen is second up: Born July 21, 2009. This sweet boy turned 5 over the summer and has been the loudest, typical last born, crazy, funny, loving, sweet and tender hearted, 
brave, spunky, animated, confident, and sometimes OVERLY confident child to this family. He is the funny in Will's serious. He is the energetic to Will's chill. I think you're getting the point that our children are totally different. Life without Owen would sure be dull sometimes. There would be far less noise and laughter. For all this craziness and joy that he brings to our family, it is all worth it.
Norman is third up: Born February 27, 2014. This baby is our 6 month old third son. Never, and I repeat NEVER did I believe I would own a dog. Cat? Fish? Bird? Maybe, but NEVER a dog. Then.....I gave birth to Owen. This child is the next Steve Irwin with his love of animals. To the extreme. He loves and adores all animals but specifically dogs. So, that is the short version of how Norman came into our family. I now have a human pint of energy in the form of Owen and an animal pint of energy in the form of
our Morkie, Norman. Norman has also brought much joy to this family only if it's from Will and Owen. I'm okay with that. Seeing their faces light up after a long day of school when they see their doggie makes it a win-win for me even if having a 7 pound dog is like another child. A third child and another boy....I'm due a girl at some point right? Please don't answer that....
