"K-I-S-S-I-N-G..."

We've all sang it when we were school girls on the playground...

"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage."

That basically sums up my life from '02-'04.


My parents threw me a graduation party on January 26, 2002. Everyone important in my life was there to help me celebrate my accomplishment. Little did they, or myself for that matter, know that they would witness something big happen to me that night, something that would lead me into the next chapter of my life.


That's right, the gym teacher proposed!! He got down on one knee in front of all of our friends and family and asked me to marry him. A handful of people knew, and it truly explained the extra hustle in my moms steps that day. Soon after our engagement, we set the date: March 29, 2003.

The rest of '02 was busy....busy planning our wedding, busy adjusting to engaged life, and busy trying to figure out what exactly I was going to do with that life. I graduated with a degree in Communications, but only survived 2 months commuting to a nearby city to work as someones slave in an Advertising firm. I. HATED. IT.

DaddyMac & I decided to buy an embroidery business that my aunt ran for many years. She was getting ready to go back to work and built herself a nice, little home-based business. To me, there was no job more ideal--being my own boss, working from home, being creative with the actual work, and yet taking care of everything from the books to the customer service. After hiring a flatbed to move the ginormous machinery into our basement, I was officially in business (with a few extra "odd" jobs along the way--substitute teaching, and coaching a local high school cheering team!).

For the rest of '02 and straight into '03, I did what any normal bride-to-be does: workout, diet, and workout some more. Life was great, and we were happily married on March 29, 2003 (and I was happily 108 pounds to boot!).


The months following our wedding and honeymoon were elating. And on October 31, 2003, it got even better. On a whim, I took a pregnancy test. We weren't trying, but we weren't preventing, and I was a few days late. That test was positive! I was a wreck--every emotion went through my entire body in like .5 seconds. I had to wait to tell DaddyMac 'cause he was at work, and since I couldn't bare to keep the secret, I called my stepmom & a close friend of mine right away.

I didn't have the easiest pregnancy, but it certainly wasn't the worst. And even though Buckaroo spent 10 days in the NICU because he was born 6 weeks early, I brought home a healthy, handsome baby boy in the spring of 2004.


Adjusting to life with baby was exactly as you'd expect--no need to elaborate there! We got the hang of it, but it took some time. Getting decent sleep took time. Getting back to a routine took time. And getting back to my pre-baby weight took a lot of time. Heck--that really never happened! But none of it mattered because being a MOM to Buckaroo was all I could ask for.

The fall of '04 is where my hypochondria veered its butt-ugly head. I always knew I was a worry wort, but being a Mom sure brought out the "best" of it. I started to worry about all sorts of stuff, all day ever day. Obsessing over things. Mainly, my health. I just wanted to live forever to spend every waking moment with my bundle of joy. I didn't want to die of a heart attack, or cancer, or some other fatal issue that an otherwise healthy 24-year old could suffer. I went for big time blood work, echo cardiograms and stress tests to rule out all the "crazies" in my head. And when they all came back normal, and my anxiety was still there, I had to turn to professional help and even had to go on medication.

But, you know what? By that Christmas, I was feeling much better and was certain that '05 would rock!!!

Want to know why I am writing about '02-'04? Read HERE.

CONGRATS to our Body Scrub WINNER.....

Random.org chose comment #78...

So, congrats to (virtual drum roll please......)

Cheryl
who said...

I entered Mellisa giveaway

Show Us Your Tree! FINAL CHANCE for GRAND PRIZE STOCKING!!

This week, Mellisa & I want you to show us your Christmas Tree! You can either post a few pics or even post a vlog giving us a tour of your tree. Link up below so that we can all take a virtual tour of each others holiday decorations!

If you previously posted about your tree, feel free to just link up that post here. Everyone who links up will receive an extra entry into the Stuff Your Stocking with GIVEAWAYS Grand Prize drawing, which will take place on this Saturday, December 19th!!

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One of my favorite things about the holiday season is my Christmas Tree! I learned this year that I am very possessive over it, too. This was the first year that Buckaroo & Miss Mac had interest in decorating it with me, and I was the one throwing temper tantrums over which ornaments they touched and where they hung them! Needless to say, next year I may buy them their own tree for their playroom and have mine all to myself!!


Both of our kids are sensitive to real trees, so we have a fake, prelit one. As much as I love real ones, I am satisfied with our fake one. It's a lot less work throughout the season, the lights are perfectly placed on it, and the branches all are pretty strong to hold heavier ornaments. We have a small tree because we never really had space for it before. I do plan to shop around after the holidays and upgrade to a bigger model!

Most of the ornaments on our tree have a story behind them. I like to bring ornaments back from vacations as keepsakes, and I always buy a personalized family ornament every year. Here are a few of my favorite ornaments on my tree this year:

The first was a gift from my Aunt--it's a seashell with a photo of our beagle, Elvis, decoupaged on it. My Aunt gave me this heartfelt ornament the year her and my Uncle took him into their home for us because Buckaroo was so highly allergic to him that he could not live with us any longer.

The second is an ornament that my mother-in-law gave us last year. It was the first Christmas since my father-in-laws passing. It's a beautiful pewter dove that says "Peace and Love in Every Memory." It helps us remember Dad every time we see it.

The third is the "Family" ornament from Willow Tree. I have several Willow Tree collectibles throughout my home and my grandmother gave this to me last Christmas.

The final ornament is one that DaddyMac bought me on our Honeymoon in St. Lucia. It's a beautiful seashell with handpainted ceramic flowers.

Now it's your turn. Link up below and show us your tree!!

Last Chance to Stuff Your Stocking

Are you ready for your LAST CHANCE to Stuff Your Stocking?

I've saved the best for last!! I am so excited to give one of my readers this $58 GIVEAWAY from one of my all time favorite shops--The Body Shop! The Body Shop has generously provided me with three essential products from their Merry Cranberry Holiday Line, and you are going to love them!
The first product to help you get perfect skin this winter is their Merry Cranberry Body Smoother valued at $20. Simply smooth and polish your skin using this luxurious, lightly-scented gel-based polish with exfoliating cranberry seeds, walnut shell and evening primrose.

The next step to soften your skin is to use the Merry Cranberry Body Butter. This holiday favorite is a rich, intensive cream that moisturizes for up to 24 hours with a sweet, fruity and festive cranberry scent. The Body Butter retails for $20.

The third and final step is to massage some Merry Cranberry Frosted Shimmer Lotion onto your skin. Your skin will be soft, smooth and shimmering for the holidays with this light, easily-absorbed moisturizer that has a sweet, fruity scent. It's the perfect accessory this holiday season, and it's valued at $18.

WIN THE SET!
The first and most important entry is to subscribe to Life as a CEO via email, or let me know that you already do. To subscribe, simply type your email address into the box below and after you confirm your subscription, let me know by leaving a comment. Rest assured, I will not share your email address, you will simply get emails from me whenever I add a post to my blog.

Enter your email address:

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If you'd like BONUS ENTRIES which will not only help you win this $58 set of products from The Body Shop but will also put you in the running to win our GRAND PRIZE (which right now has over $250 in STOCKING STUFFERS!!), here's how you can get them:

~ BECOME A FAN of THE BODY SHOP on Facebook & let them know that I sent you - 1 entry

~ FOLLOW ME though Google (or let me know you already do!) - 1 entry

~ Visit The Body Shop's Blog and subscribe to their RSS feeds - 1 entry

~ Tell me your favorite scent from The Body Shop - 1 entry

~ Enter Mellisa's Last Chance to Stuff Your Stocking Giveaway - 1 entry

~ Post about our STUFF YOUR STOCKING WITH GIVEAWAYS Party on your blog and let your friends know that there is just ONE WEEK LEFT to get entries in to win our GRAND PRIZE of $200+ in awesome stocking stuffers - 5 entries!!!



You have until Thursday, December 17th at midnight to enter. One winner will be chosen at random & announced next Friday morning!

Winners!! & ANOTHER Stocking Stuffer Giveaway...

First things first, I want to announce some winners!! Random.com helped me choose the following winners......

The Glade Sense & Spray Stocking Stuffer Giveaway winner is.....(virtual drum roll please.....)

Jackie who said...

I subscribe via email #1 (new subscriber!)

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The Klean Kanteen Stocking Stuffer Giveaway winner is.....(another virtual drum roll please....)

Patty who said...

so glad to know you endorse this - I had it on my wish list for Xmas, but wasn't sure about it. . .. the pink is my fave!!

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Now, on to my next Stuff Your Stocking Giveaway--which happens to be from one of my favorite Etsy stores, O.C. Styles!

You may recall one of Mellisa's recent giveaways from O.C. Styles (the Java Bling!)--I could not get enough of the talent Michelle from O.C. Styles puts into her products and I was so excited that she agreed to sponsor another item for our Stuff Your Stocking with Giveaways Party!!

This week, Michelle is offering one lucky reader this adorable and practical Wristlet Key Chain!!!


Here are some important things worth noting about this fun gift:

• If you are always struggling to find your keys in your purse or diaper bag like I am, this key chain is the answer! Simply slide in onto your wrist like a bracelet and you will always know exactly where your keys are.
• The Key Chain comes with a swivel hook attachment which allows you to hook the key chair onto your belt loop, purse, diaper bag, etc!
• The band measures 5.75" which means it'll fit on any wrist.
  
• The key ring itself measures 1 1/4" so it can easily fit all of your keys onto one!
• And most importantly, it holds up well daily and can be spruced up with a damp towel!

My weekly winner will go home with the Orange and Aqua Amy Butler Print Key Chain, and our Grand Prize winner will get the Aqua and Brown Damask print.

BUY IT!
Visit Michelle over at O.C. Styles and buy your own Wristlet Key Chain for $6.25!

WIN IT!
The first and most important entry is to visit O.C. Styles Etsy Store and tell me which of the many products she offers is your favorite.

If you'd like BONUS ENTRIES which will not only help you win the Key Chain but will also put you in the running to win our GRAND PRIZE (which right now has over $200 in STOCKING STUFFERS!!), here's how you can get them:

~ FOLLOW ME though Google (or let me know you already do!) - 1 entry

~ SUBSCRIBE to Life as a CEO via email (or let me know you already do!) - 1 entry

~ BECOME A FAN on Facebook (or let me know you already are!) - 1 entry

~ Visit Michelle from O.C. Style's new blog and follow her - 1 entry

~ Enter MELLISA'S Saturday Stuff your Stocking Giveaway - 1 entry

~ Post a comment on one of my non-giveaway posts & let me know where it is - 2 entries

~ Post about our STUFF YOUR STOCKING WITH GIVEAWAYS Party on your blog and let your friends know that there is just ONE WEEK LEFT to get entries in to win our GRAND PRIZE of $200+ in awesome stocking stuffers - 5 entries!!!


You have until Thursday, December 17th at midnight to enter. One winner will be chosen at random & announced next Friday morning!

Our Little Yellow Bird

A few days after DaddyMac and I moved into his childhood home, my mother-in-law asked me a question that would soon change my perspective on a subject I have always questioned. She asked me if I saw a yellow bird flying outside the house.

Her face was hopeful as she waited for me to verify the existence of this bird. I remember sitting there thinking she was crazy, and that her sadness for the loss of her husband of close to 40 years had some to a head. Without question, I knew she was connecting this yellow bird to him. After all, he loved the color yellow and always had a thing for hummingbirds.

I didn't know how to answer her, so I simply shook my head, "no."

She went on to tell me about this bird, and how it follows her from room to room. She claimed to hear it tapping on the windows outside the house, claimed it sits on her car door mirror as she gets ready to leave for work. She said she often saw it fly in and out of the bountiful bamboo in the backyard--the bamboo that my father-in-law planted with his bare hands, that represented so much of his personal tranquility and peacefulness.

Later that morning, while unpacking boxes in our garage, I heard this faint tapping. Without thought, I looked up and saw a beautiful yellow bird perched outside the garage door, pecking at the window.

I dropped the box and ran for the phone. I called DaddyMac at work and told him the whole story. He was speechless. He, too, had seen this mysterious yellow bird. He said the only reason he even started paying attention to it was that he saw it so often. He told me that the first time he saw it, he was painting Buckaroo's bedroom--the very same bedroom that DaddyMac grew up in. He said the bird kept sitting on the outside of the window and he felt its presence as if it were watching him paint.

In the days following the sighting, I saw this yellow bird so many times throughout the day. And my mother-in-law was right. He'd follow me from room to room. His favorite place, though, was to perch himself up on our french doors in our family room. I tried hard for weeks to get his picture, but he'd always fly away as soon as I got the camera out.

DaddyMac would open the doors and call out, "come on in, Dad." And nothing. The bird would just fly away. But close that door and he'd come right back. Tap, Tap, Tap on the window.

For months, he visited our house daily. Our kids even started picking up on it. They'd yell for us to get the camera 'cause the bird was back.

I could not tell you the last time I saw the yellow bird, or when he stopped visiting. Or why. But I miss him.

I am a spiritual cynic. But this yellow bird has opened up a place in my heart and mind that I didn't know existed. I truly feel that our little yellow bird was, and is, my father-in-law's spirit. He was watching over us as we transitioned into our new home. His home. He was there to oversee the rooms getting painted, the boxes getting delivered. He was there to watch our new 60" TV in our family room. He was there to see the house filled with laughter of our children.

This post was inspired by todays Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.

Photo Card WINNER

The winner of the 25 custom photo cards from JennC Designs is........

Joy

Here is what Joy had to say:

Great giveaway! What I remember most about taking Christmas photos for my Christmas cards is getting three feisty kids to be still enough AND look at the camera at the same time to take the picture. ;o)


Joy, you have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prize.

For more information on the custom photo cards, or to purchase some of your own, click HERE.