What a week so far.....

Towards the end of last week I ended up falling ill.....as mothers, we know that it is almost impossible for us to really be sick because goodness gracious! What would everyone do without mom???



Well, I couldn't fight this one! I had been feeling it come on for about a week and then it finally HIT HARD! Thursday I was in bed by 7pm ( for the night ) and Friday, other then getting the boys off to school ( the girls seem to have their LOUD exits down pat ) I didn't leave my bed.


When Kaedin got home from school, he snuggled in mama's bed to keep "her company" and the precious boy made himself a peanut butter sandwich and a banana for lunch..... Daddy brought me a nice surprise of 7-Up and Popsicles and the rest of the day/night was gone......



Sat. I felt a little better, not 100% but I HAD to go to work! I had missed out on Thurs and Friday a full $1300 worth of sickness! I couldn't afford another night out of commission! Practiced mind over matter strong and made it through!


Sunday came and wouldn't you know it, it was Daddy's turn....he missed work on Monday and still felt icky Tuesday but manned the feeling and went in.....HOWEVER Carson couldn't stay out of the bathroom all morning so graced me with his presence for the day! OOFTA! Knocking on wood right now but I think it "might" be over......

Last night I had a little escape though.....me and a couple other consultants hosted our holiday team party for Pure Romance!

(* The Team Leaders*)

We had a great time and I am so lucky and blessed to have such an amazing team! 5 years ago I would have NEVER thought that this company would take me to the level it has!
We had a great time mingling with lots of food, conversation and of course laughs! You should hear the "12 Days of Pure Romance" song I concocted!



Conferences the rest of the week....1 down and 3 to go! Kaedin is off the rest of the week, Peityn and Carson have Thurs & Friday off and Linds has just Friday.....I swear it seems like they have more days off then on.....



Depending on how much I get done today, I might actually post another entry.....there was a player against parent game a couple weeks back that I have been wanting to write about and just keep having so many new and exciting things ( **cough**cough**) happen that it keeps getting pushed back!

God Bless & Warm Regards,


~Jessica

Really? 2 Whole weeks?

Okay so I thought the time between my last 2 blogs was bad.....oops! Where I have been the last couple of weeks? Well.....to be honest, I am not quite sure! I am blown away by the fact that January has almost come to an end! So basically, I am really not doing so well on keeping up with some of my life style changes that I had planned at the beginning of the year.

No biggie! Admitting to your faults is half the battle right?

January has been extremely busy with hockey (of course) and it seems like the girls have had school project after project.....work has been busy and I have been hanging on to this nasty nasty cold! It finally went full boar and I ended up with the flu.....YUCK! Now of course Justin has it as well and has been in bed for the last 24 hours.....or there abouts.

Lately I am often dreaming of being whisked away by my husband to some tropical island where all we HAVE to do is muster up enough energy to put on our swimsuits and walk down to the beach.....some days when I dream of this, the kids are with us......other days well, they're not!

I love to travel! I love to wake up somewhere new and to observe all of the fabulous new ways of life around me. Justin isn't as fond of it, however I think he is slowly falling into my "habits".....groove if you will.
When Justin and I travel, we seem to reconnect in a different way that is always much needed at the time the trip occurs.

Things have been a little stressful for us lately.....it kind of seems like every time we get one step ahead...we end up having to take 2 steps back. Justin is always so laid back and non-chalant about things so when he starts to get a little stressed out, I start to worry. Yesterday, Justin and I had a "discussion" about a few different things currently surronding us in life and it was nice to have the reminder that "shit happens"! Sometimes you can control it and other times it is totally and completely out of your hands so just deal with what was given to you!
I could really use a vacation with my husband right now.....a nice relaxing vacation with no schedule. Being on a beach would be divine, but I am game for anything right now..... Up North in a cozy little cabin.....A snowy mountain somewhere in Colorado or Utah, maybe Justin could FINALLY teach me how to snowboard.....The Greek Islands are a must see before my time has ended.....a beautiful view from a quaint little gondola in Venice.....St. Lucia is nice this time of year....we have always loved Playa del Carmen too.

For now, I will just have to dream....

God Bless & Warm Regards,
~Jessica

Addicitions.....not always a bad thing right?

It seems like my blog posts keep getting further and further apart....UGHH! That bothers me only because that means that I am not taking the time I promised myself to sit back and reflect.

So again, my loyal blog readers, you are in for a doozy of a long post! HA!

Definition of:
ad·dic·tion
1 Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance:
2. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.

I have many! Some good, some not so good or even bad really!

Addictions good, bad or otherwise are really truly healthy. I think they make you take a step back and look at life and the things around you that help you make it through the day, week or even year.

Here are a few of my addictions:

*Smoking ( didn't think I was gonna start off with the bad one did you???)
I hate smoking! No, really I do! I have been "quitting" off and on now for about 6 months. My latest stint lasted about a month and then BANG! All the sudden I was at the gas station paying for gas when the words " a pack of Parliament Ultra lights and a BIC please" came out of my mouth!!! Are you kidding me? I didn't just ask for that did I? I sure did and the rest is history! Damn It! What kind of power ( or lack there of ) came over me to ask for such a thing?
So yes smoking is one of my addictions. Now here's the thing. As I stated before, I hate smoking! I honest truly hate everything about it. I don't smoke in front of my kids, I hate the way it looks, I hate the way it smells/tastes, I hate having to go outside in the freezing ass cold to do it! I hate how much a pack of cigarettes cost, I hate what I KNOW it is doing to my health. The way I feel in the morning after smoking the day before is so icky! So why do I do it? Because it is a TRUE addiction! Hopefully in another month I can put an update to this post saying that I am addicted to the thrill of NOT smoking......I dunno.

*Balancing My Checkbook
Yet again another odd addiction, but I LOVE IT! Even when there is not the amount of $$$ I would like to see in the account, I am obsessed with balancing my checkbook. So after browsing some other blogs, I found a post talking about a website called mint.com. It basically balances your checkbook and helps with seeing where you budget could use a little help....I believe that my next addiction will be mint.com.

*Water
hahaha I just giggled to myself because I think I am either officially "OLD" considering my addictions, OR am just getting a little wiser....
Anyways, I used to be an avid Diet Coke Drinker.....truly to the point where I could have used a 12 step program for this one....then I came to realize the beauty of a glass of water! I constantly have either my water jug or a bottle of water with me at ALL times! My skin is great, my belly gets full much easier and YES I love how often I have to go to the bathroom!! I am obsessed with the fact that my urine is now clear and if there is a tinge of color I know that I haven't had enough water for the day! Water=Urine=Flushing Fat=True Love!

*My babies
They are just so beautiful! I love them so much and can't get enough of them! Although at times I do lock myself away for a bit, when I am away from them or vice versa.....I go through immediate withdrawals!

*My husband
Ok cheesy I know. But I am seriously in love with my husband. Many of you know that Justin and I have had our fair share of rough patches over the last 14 years, some worse than others, but at this moment in life I believe I have truly learned from every single one of our experiences. After Justin and I went to Mexico in August of '07 things just seemed to really connect. We have a strong understanding of each others wants, needs and desires. Our goals both together and individually are important to each of us. The amount of respect, trust and passion that has been gained/earned is something that we both feel very strongly about. We have grown as friends, individuals and partners. Justin is my soul mate and one of my most important and longed for addictions.

*My Job
Pure Romance has become such a huge part of my life! What started off as a hobby quickly became a passion of mine! I love going into women's homes and educating them on their body's and sexual health. The thought that there are women out there well beyond their 40's, 50's and even 60's that have never experienced an orgasm is very heart wrenching to me. There is still a stigma ( unfortunately ) that goes along with my line of work, but I am working diligently on changing that through my passion, hard work and dedication.


*Britney Spears
K it's a guilty one and I am sure I will get some nasty remarks about it, but I LOVE Britney Spears! I don't care what any of you may say the girl makes ya wanna get up and dance! If you haven't heard her new CD Circus, I highly recommend that you run out right now and BUY it! The girl is a force to be reckoned with!

*Hockey
Read my past blogs. Ask me who my favorite professional/college teams are and you will quickly figure that one out!

* The Internet
The damn Internet can totally and completely suck me in hour after hour....there are so many amazing "finds" on the Internet and I LOVE "finding" them! :)

* A great glass of wine
ahhhhh
Now don't get any crazy ideas here....I fully enjoy my wine but I am not in need of a 12 step program for that one.

Of course there are many many more and maybe I will start another post to include those, but for now this is what I've got!

God Bless & Warm Regards,
~Jessica

Hockey....it's in my blood!

Justin started playing on a Monday night hockey league this year with my Uncle David and he has really enjoyed going. There are a lot of guys on the team that I know....pretty much grew up with considering that Uncle Dave is only 4 years older than me! It's kind of ironic that my husband is older then my Uncle, but whatever. Anywhoo, I have wanted to go to one of the Monday night games since they started playing back in November, however I didn't want Justin to feel silly having the only fan in the building so I opted to sit back and wait.

Well, last night was the perfect opportunity! Not only were Uncle Dave and Justin playing, but my baby brother is home from college and he would be filling in on the team! I HAD to go! There is an 8 year age gap between Jared and I. When he was younger, I went to many of his games to cheer him on! I remember longing for the day that my boys would be old enough to play hockey if they so chose to. Of course they did! Although the commitment of time and $$$ are both large, it is worth every single minute and dollar spent. We have a lot of fun watching our boys learn and excel both at the sport of hockey and as individuals.

Anyways, back to last nights game. I went. Obviously. It was so much fun watching "my boys" play!

**Justin and Jared**

Jared is an unbelievable player....he still has it in him....it's really cool! He's a little mouthy, but I wouldn't expect anything less from that young man, it's fantastic!

Uncle David.....oh Uncle Dave...he just skates around that ice with a big ole smile on his face.....happy to be there...LOL! Love it!

And then there is Justin....boy was I happy to go watch him play! He is awesome! Everyone else on this team pretty much grew up playing hockey all the way through Varisty in HS and college hockey as well. Justin quit playing on an actual team when he was a pee-wee, but you would never know the difference! He did great!

The absolute best part about watching Justin in action, was to see how similar him and Carson are in the game! On the drive home, I started to mention this observation and Justin "butted" in saying...."I knew you were gonna say that"! The funniest thing is that the couple of areas that he is the "hardest" on Carson are the exact same areas where Justin could use a little advice ( if you will ) himself! When I brought this up to him, he got defensive in the exact same manner that Carson does when dad and him have their "pep talks"! It was priceless. Like father like son!

The evening was a memorable one ( They WON! 6-4 ) and I look forward to being the only fan in the stands again sometime soon! I am also anxious for Carson's next game so that I can give Justin that special little look when he huffs about something that he has discussed over and over with Carson!

Coach Jessica will have to be in full affect!

God Bless & Warm Regards,

~Jessica

Forgot to update on New Years....

It wasn't what I was going for.....

I tried, I really did. The idea of the hotel was a good one but we got stuck with a NASTY! I have used priceline on numerous occasions and have always had good luck....not this time. We stayed at a hotel called Le Bourget. Ever heard of it? Didn't think so....either had I! But it had a pool and priceline rated it 4 stars so it had to be decent.

Nope! Not sure I would even give it 2!

The pool was the size of our bathroom and when we went to check it our it was filled with dirty towels all around the pool deck... YUCK!

Our room had a plugged toilet and our bed sheets had blood on them! It was disgusting! I was pretty close to tears when my Carson says to me, "Mom, don't worry....it's one night, not like we have to live here. We're together and it will be fun"! Gosh I love my babies!

Maintenance came to fix the toilet.....Maintenance came to change the bed sheets....(don't ask) and the kids enjoyed about 5 minutes in the pool. It all worked out!

We were all super sleepy at about 10:45 so decided that this year we would celebrate "East Coast Style" and ring in the new year 12am EST! The pictures are silly.....kinda feel awkward about it for a second though....the kids are passing around a bottle of Sparkling Grape Juice....and it just doesn't look right....hahaha

Honey and I got a self portrait of our first kiss of 2009.....boy we are getting older....
Life is grand!

Happy New Year everyone!

God Bless & Warm Regards,

~Jessica

Wii....like to Get Fit!

I found one!!! YAYAYA! But not without a story to tell! ;-) I have been searching high and low for a Wii fit since they came out this past May! Sunday mornings are usually my sleep in day, so by the time I would read the paper and see them in the ads they were lonnnng gone! Not this past Sunday! I was on a MISSION!

I was up and outta bed by 7am....I am really enjoying getting up earlier then the rest of the gang to sip on a cup o joe all alone! :)

Anyways, I was really excited to see that Best Buy had Wii Fits in their ad and even more excited knowing that I would be IN LINE when they opened! I browsed the website to see what time they opened and even called the Eagan store to listen to the recording of their hours.....both said 11am-7pm. So at 10:30, I was ready to go! Justin decided he would like to go with and we would make a little "date" out of it. FANTASTIC!

So we arrive at the Eagan Best Buy......Justin drove, bad idea! I hate it when I am excited and someone else is driving.....especially "grandpa J"....get a move on it buddy, I HAVE to HAVE my Wii fit! As we pull up to the parking lot, I notice that there is a reasonable amount of cars in the parking lot....hmmm it's only 10:40 why so many vehicles? Justin quickly notices that the OPEN sign is lit.....Are you kidding me??? Why the heck are they open? I did all my homework, crossed my "T's" dotted my "I's"....what the heck?

We walked into the store and at this point I politely asked, "What time did you open" ? "10am mam". WHAT? Are you kidding me? So I took my chances and walked back to the area where they would be stocked....of course they were GONE! I was like a little child about ready to throw a mini temper tantrum! Justin looked at my pouty face and said....."let's go honey". He knew how sad I was, I really thought that today was THE DAY!

LIGHT BULB MOMENT!! Best Buy in the Mall of America doesn't open until 11am on a Sunday, this I know for sure!! So we made the trek out to the mall..... My DH was trying to keep me calm on the drive there.....pointing out where all the deer "hang-out" on his morning drive to work.....telling me sweet things like " if nothing else honey, remember this is some alone time for me and you, a mini date"....yes, dear now drive the speed limit Puhh-lease! We get to the MOA and I am running....okay maybe not running but walking to the point where I could consider it a work out....my heart rate was going! We get to the first escalator and it is "Out Of Service"...C'MON! All along Justin is 3 steps behind me laughing at my determination! 4th floor here I come! We get up to Best Buy.....and SHA-BAM! I found my Wii Fit!

After months and months of a burning desire for this "toy", it was MINE! So I have to say that Justin gets somewhat annoyed with my constant need for the Kodak moment, but he instantly said "this is a moment that needs to be caught, where's your camera"? LOL!

One quick stop at the Mac station to get dad's photo booth shot and we were on our way to home to play!

Of course I have not been able to get my fill of the Wii fit yet.....there are 5 other "players" in my home, but boy is it fun! In the beginning of the game when you are setting up your Mii, it goes through the process of weighing you and figuring out your BMI.....without going into a big long story, no surprise my BMI puts me t "overweight"....the funniest part about this though.....after all was calculated my Mii "grew"!!! As we watched this happen I looked at my DH and kids faces and it was so obvious that they wanted to giggle but were holding it back out of respect. I busted out into laughter and they followed! It was great! Hey, I have lost more weight under my new changes then I have ever lost in my life! I plan on continuing to my goal and will thoroughly enjoy watching my Mii shrink in the coming months!

God Bless & Warm Regards,

~Jessica