Dream Giver!

A Facebook post from an amazing lady I know - Kelly Braaten. She is a Dream Giver!

"When you buy from a small mom business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom put food on the table and pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders - and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting small businesses!!"

I've Got A Dream!

Since I have young kiddos, I watch a lot of Disney videos. One of our current favorites is Tangled. Have you seen it? Hilarious with lots of action, singing and a bit of romance, a great combination for the whole family.

In the movie, Rapunzel sings a song called, "I've Got A Dream" in which she sings about wanting to see the floating lanterns gleam.

"I just want to see the floating lanterns gleam
And with every passing hour
I'm so glad I left my tower
Like all you lovely folks, I've got a dream."

Rapunzel has a dream that she has been thinking about for years. One day, she sees a way to make it happen and she takes a leap of faith. She goes against all she knows and climbs out of her tower. I like that she doesn't go alone, though the person with her is not always the best helper. Eventually this person believes in Rapunzel's dream as well and works with her to make it happen. Rapunzel has some road blocks along the way but her dream is strong and she does see the floating lanterns gleam. The best part to me, is that Rapunzel's whole life and her perspective changes because she went after her dream.


The movie is a great reminder to me of dreams and what can happen in going after your "Dream", since, you guessed it, I too have got a dream.

I've had dreams in my life and certainly have accomplished some like, after 12 years of waiting, being called "Mommy" by Ameya and Ava. As I accomplished one dream, a new one begins or maybe just morphs into the next part of the dream - like having more time to spend being "Mommy" to Ameya and Ava.

When my "Independent Consultant" hats are on for BeautiControl or Stampin' Up, and I attend networking groups, I meet a lot of women that have dreams as well. I've noticed that our dreams are very similar - to be CEO's of our own successful business; to control our destiny, our schedule, our income and not be told when to start or end a work day and own the ability to say "Yes" to a daughter or son, when they ask to play.

Some of us sell clothing or jewelery, or purses, or candles or Stampin' Up or BeautiControl Skin Care and Spa products but we all also sell, a "Dream". When my BeautiControl and Stampin' Up boxes arrived, they not only contained wonderful products, they contained my dream; a dream to create a business and be the CEO of something I loved and wanted to share! A dream to create a life that would allow me to dictate my own schedule and say more "Yes" responses to my daughters than "No" responses.

However, like Rapunzel, I can't do it alone. I do need others to listen and believe in my dream. I'm not Target or Kohls or Macy's or Nordstorms. I'm the little gal and I've Got A Dream. I have wonderful products and activities that help women feel recharged and pampered. I know other women that have a dream and they to have wonderful products.

If we will support each other, we can change lives! I know it doesn't always work but when I need something new, I hope to support a women's dream by learning what she has to offer and purchasing from her "company".

I want to be a "Dream Giver". I want to support women, their businesses and their dreams. I like knowing that my purchase helps women continue with their dreams and I hope women will help support my dream. It really does take a village. We can't do it alone - so join me in being a "Dream Giver" as well as going after a DREAM!

TO BATTLE!!

The Broadmoor - Annual Holiday Visit 2011

Here is the Family photo we took at The Broadmoor on Christmas Eve before the camera broke. We take a family holiday photo every year in front of this awesome fireplace. Traditions are so fun to have in your family and this is one we look forward to every year!

Santa Visits

Every year we visit the same mall Santa and have enjoyed watching the girls reactions as well as comparing the picture to years past.


We also enjoy a personal visit from Santa in our home. He comes on December 23rd to visit and brings a special gift for each of our girls.


And a couple of pictures from our annual holiday visit to the beautiful Broadmoor Hotel.

To Battle - 2012

One of my favorite places to spend time is on Balboa Island. I always try to make it there at least once during every visit to Southern California and this time was no different. We walked around and saw the lights with a sister and nephew one night and on the last day of our vacation, spent time playing in the sand just a couple houses down from where my dad grew-up.

Of course on this last day, it got to quiet for me. So while Scott wasn't looking, I grabbed some wet sand and yelled, "To Battle" and then threw the sand at him. The girls caught on very quickly and we were running all over and having a wet sand fight - yelling "To Battle". The girls against Scott, I'll let you guess who won.

Too quickly the day was over as well as the vacation and we were in our car headed back to Colorado. During the drive - all 18 hours of it, I had a lot of time to think and I've decided "To Battle" is my war cry for 2012.

I'm not going into this year without a good fight. I don't want another year to pass that I don't do something about my stressed out mind, my soda addiction and lack of water, my loss of adventure, my saggy arms, my inability to enjoy quiet time with a good book or to believe in a Dream and Imagine the possibilities that are out there for me and my wonderful family!

So to 2012, I say, "TO BATTLE"! I am coming to you with great expectations and I will fight for a great adventure this year. It will not be a year that just passes me by as time ticks over and over. This will be a year full of fun, joy, health, happiness, wonder, excitement, prosperity, abundance, success and most importantly family and friends!

Watch out 2012 here I come - TO BATTLE!!

Finger Painting with Shaving Cream - Creative Art at its best

So the girls did a bit of crazy finger painting art today with shaving cream. Everyone had their own bottle as well as some food dye and off they went. What a mess but they had so much fun.

Summer Fun

There is a great water fountain, where we like to go play from time to time.


We originally went downtown for an activity but it was so crowded that we came over to this park instead and had a great time. The girls love running around the big fountain and splashing in the water. It was a perfect summer day.

Our Zion Friends

After one of our hikes, we stopped in a riverbed and played in the sand and ate our lunch. As we were packing up, we looked up to find we were being watched.

Nine long horn sheep were above us and watching what we were doing. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Tiki Land Around the Deck

Scott added Tiki Torches to our deck last night.


Of course it started raining a little bit just as he finished but at least we got to do the first lighting without any problems.

Annual Zion Trip

We're just back from our trip to Zion Ponderosa where we do lots of fun activities and spend lots of time together as a family. Here are some of the highlights.

Horseback riding is always a favorite for the girls. Ameya is very excited because next year she'll be old enough to ride on the "Adult rides".


Scott and I went out for a ride one day, while the girls went to Kids Camp. Kids Camp is awesome too - the girls get to ride horses, zip line, bungee trampoline and rock wall climb. I don't think they missed us at all. Scott also played paint ball during that time and I just enjoyed the sun and read my book.


A daily activity for Ameya was the zip line. She is a pro and we heard a rumor about them adding a 3 miles zip line for next year.


Ava went on the zip line last year but she wasn't too excited about it this year, so we got her on the bungee trampoline. She was very nervous but with Scott's help, she had a great time.


We did some fun hikes in Zion and loved all the beautiful views.


Here we are on a hike to Emerald Pools. As you can see, the weather was perfect.


Though Ava is riding on Scott's shoulders here, she walked most of the way, which amazed us. She was running all over the place and loving the "hiking girl" roll.

We didn't have too much shade on the trail and Ava kept telling us how hot it was. When we got to a shade spot towards the end, Ava just stopped and fell face first into the Shade. All she said was, "Shade" and dropped. I was laughing so hard and dang it, missed the picture.

Here is Scott giving her some water after she flipped over.


Zion is an amazing place with so much to see and do and of course great picture posing spots!

Ameya's New Hair Cut

Ameya and I have talked all year about cutting her hair before out annual trip to Zion.


Her long hair is beautiful but takes us so long to do each day and makes Ameya very hot. So we said "Good-bye" for now.



We decided on a Halle Berry cut.


Ameya was very excited not only for the haircut but to go to the same person that does my hair - very grown-up!


And here is the final result - we both loved it and I think she looks adorable! It was a big hit during our trip as it was very easy to maintain, kept her cool and added some cute new hair bows and accessories.

Thankful for a Thank You!

I received a card in the mail the other day from someone that I admire.
The card was a Thank you card and it made my day and much more.
It inspired me to try to be the person that was outlined in the card because I'm not her at least not 100% of the time.
But I'm so grateful that I have moments that are "good" because many are not.
I was reminded of how important it is to say "Thank You" not only for you but for the other person, so that they can be strengthened and continue on doing "good"; that they too can be inspired.

Ava's First Dance Performance

Ava had her first dance performance not too long ago and I was a very proud mom. It was so much fun to watch her and see how cute all the little girls looked doing their performance. That is Ava on the end - the teacher is bringing her to her spot.


This is Ava's first year in dance and she is having a lot of fun. She is very social, so I am always surprised when she pays such good attention to what is being taught and not distracted with the other girls.


Their big performance is at the end of May and they get to wear fun costumes. I'm sure Ava will love it.

A Great Caribbean Vacation

We started the year off with a great adventure! We took a 7 day cruise and had an awesome time!


The weather was great and the places we visited so beautiful.


But my favorite times were when we just played on the beach and enjoyed the warm sun and water....OK, the SoCal girl coming out in me. I miss sharing that with my girls and know a few more California visits are in our future for 2011.

My Streiff Sisters

I'm so missing my Streiff Sisters and hoping we can all get together soon!

The Divine Gift of Gratitude

So many of us had the privilege of hearing this talk given by President Monson during General Conference in October, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude". Today, we had a few talks in Sacrament reference it again as well as the main lesson in Relief Society. I think it is a lesson I could hear many times and learn something each time.

One of the things in my life I'm very grateful for is my wonderful husband Scott. He is the perfect husband for me and I'm happy we are together! I love this picture below because of how Scott is holding my hands. I didn't tell him to do that or even notice it until I saw the picture but it means something to me that can't really be expressed well in words.

I'm grateful for a captured moment!

Family Photos

We went to Garden of the Gods to take our family Christmas photos. The weather was awesome and we had a great time. Our area had a lot of morning fog and we were worried the Garden would be the same way but as you can see nice sun shine with only a little wind. Pretty great for a mid-November day!