tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10098865657246607962024-02-19T03:04:58.991-06:00Add a Little SparkleBrandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-21212594121178038302014-12-28T14:42:00.000-06:002014-12-28T14:45:15.673-06:00New Year Goals - Paychecks - 2015 <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Sunday Dolls!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
wanted to post a little update as the new year is about to arrive and I am so
excited for 2015! My brother and I were just talking about how cool a New Years
Eve wedding would be --- wouldn't it be awesome!? BLACK, GOLD, SILVER --
amazingggg colors, cocktail dresses, red lips ALL AROUND -- mmmm, yup. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For some reason, odd
years have always been way better for me...Does that happen for anyone else?
#superstitious</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
learned from my AMAZING entrepreneurship teacher to set SMART goals.
Attainable, realistic, timely, specific, and measurable goals! So I really
thought about that going into the new year.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*Become
a Sales Director by May 2015</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*Fit
into my wedding dress by May 2015 - It's a size smaller than what I am now.
Okay, fine TWO SIZES. #holidayprobz</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*Double
my income by July 2015 - (don't give up! stay on task! a little effort every
day!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*Learn
the balance of unplugging & enjoying the small moments & focusing on
HAPPY. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*CHANGE
LIVES!! share the oppurtunity that brought me home to care for my kids and able
to make more than I was making at my FT "secure" job. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which
also reminds me I wanted to share a little about my income. It's a pretty
private topic but I really wanted to show how owning your own biz & working
hard (like you do for corpUSA) pays off. Plus, in talking with others I've
found they really seem astounded that I can make a living doing this. I guess,
I'm living it so I forget that sometimes I have to show people! HAHA. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So here ya have it! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I calculated my sales on a 40 hour basis for the last 3
months since I started Oct 1st. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>----->
for a 40 hour week I made </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">$15.89/hr.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did I work 40 hours a week? HA! NO.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I would
say realistically I work 15 hours/week with drive time, calls, follow ups,
getting beautified, EVRRYTHINGGG. so that means I made</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">$42.37/hr.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This doesn't include bonuses or deductions - this is just a flat rate
from sales.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is just the
beginning & that's what I'm making. There is potential that has been
completely untapped! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I guess
all those insecurities I felt about "not being able to sell anything"
or being "too busy" with obligations or "not having enough time"
were basically just dippy excuses. It's amazing what getting out of your own
way will do! Throw away the excuses and join me and my AWESOME team in our
adventure to owning our own PINK business. We're growing and rolling & we'd
love to have you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WhWUQV1Vh5J747fRVmMoQ5aLDi24cZKlvUDcWVSFBpQAMs97eVz_YKwP5AtJEkXZwxqMNKTEUUysxTdcyPC6hNZaSo5yE6Y1I2DRLPvsVEs8rcLe3xKJTZ6-FgJsrIzPlJO0U3rlEPg/s1600/2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WhWUQV1Vh5J747fRVmMoQ5aLDi24cZKlvUDcWVSFBpQAMs97eVz_YKwP5AtJEkXZwxqMNKTEUUysxTdcyPC6hNZaSo5yE6Y1I2DRLPvsVEs8rcLe3xKJTZ6-FgJsrIzPlJO0U3rlEPg/s1600/2015.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
</div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-20099838882492496012014-11-02T22:03:00.003-06:002014-11-02T22:03:37.524-06:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TrqIJZucLIk9mJPfZeEYqGUoNoTJ93ZYO7K5xC-WjOjziNnW2AEMvx5l2le24q0sGdUjbzrF1VyhBQnWFemykQF7BPEhypve2uNU1KCiyUluKJPzHeXsBcYpIgI8wXxvkCPDE9LPbvs/s1600/mkpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TrqIJZucLIk9mJPfZeEYqGUoNoTJ93ZYO7K5xC-WjOjziNnW2AEMvx5l2le24q0sGdUjbzrF1VyhBQnWFemykQF7BPEhypve2uNU1KCiyUluKJPzHeXsBcYpIgI8wXxvkCPDE9LPbvs/s1600/mkpic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I thought I would start up my blog again - a few times a
month at least! Writing has always been such a relaxing thing for me. My mind
is always 100 mph that when I sit down and get it all down I feel so liberated.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I started
this blog about 3 years ago after my friend Thomas died - it was my outlet when
Matt & I were grieving. I have to cover my eyes looking at some of my old
posts. I was in a different place in my life & it's like when you hear your
voice on a recorder and you think, "How in the heck do I have
friends?!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a
death-breakup-tragic life event, sometimes you feel like you'll forever be in
that Eeyore stage of life. You feel peeved that the sun could even shine that
bright or how dare those damn birds chirp so cheerfully when you feel like
getting out of bed is the biggest obstacle you'd ever face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've been there - we eventually learn we can
get out of bed - we learn we can smile - we learn we can be genuinely happy.
Our loved one would want it anyways. It took a lot of dark nights for Matt
& I but I can say we have finally reached a point where we can smile and we
know it's legitimate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I'm taking
a Christianity class (we have to take it to graduate) and we visited the
monastery in Watertown. We were invited for prayer, supper, and then to discuss
a time of suffering in our lives. Our class sat in a circle and one of the nuns
started off by telling us about her upbringing and how her mother passed away
when she was only 11. I lost it. I felt those same feelings of anger, sadness,
grief, etc. she talked about after Thomas and my grandma were gone. My classmates
went around and when it got to me it took everything I had to share my story.
It was a revelation for me. I honestly felt so much healing in sharing my FULL
story to 23 other people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I felt I
had to be strong for Matt for a lot of years. I think a lot of people
overlooked that fact. I never got to grieve in the way I needed to. The next
day after sharing my story, I quit my job. I decided I was tired of being
treated a certain way & I was ready for a change. I will leave the story at
that besides the fact that life is too short to go home miserable every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn't
really have much of a plan. Little did I know how much Mary Kay would change my
life. The women I've met have been the most incredible people. They really are
the type that think that I can do anything! They motivate me to want to do and
be my best. I get to have fun and help people! I actually believe in this
company, their products, and love nothing more than helping my customers! I
could cry I am so happy. I wake up and get to see all the smiles my kids go
through in a day. Archer is getting smarter and funnier everyday - I get to
witness it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am quite
the skeptic, the pessimist, whatever you'd like to call it! I come from 2 sets
of parents. One set wants me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy. The
other set takes more convincing. They want me to work at a job thats M-F and
has great health benefits with a 401K plan that is matched! (I am sure they
want me to be happy too! haha!) I think this is why God knew I needed both sets
of 'rents - I need balance in my life! I turned down a job of $17/hr. to pursue
a career I knew WILL pay me more and will feed my soul with the nourishment it
needs to lead a happy life. (cheezy but true) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I used to
think, "not all of us can work from home. we HAVE TO get up and work 8-5
at a traditional job. that's LIFE!" but no, it's really not. I have
friends who love their traditional jobs! I am happy for them! It's a rarity. Whatever
path you choose in life - make it a happy one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you're
not happy, remember that YOU are the only person who can change YOUR situation.
We are the only people who put ourselves in this box of, "I can't" or
"I can" - I come across so many women who would be great at doing
what I do BUT they can't see their own potential! They make excuses about how
they're too busy, they aren't sales people, they don't wear makeup, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But I see
it in them. Busy people know how to get sh*t done - right?! They prioritize
better than anyone. They use time wisely. As for not being a sales person - do
you think that's what I am?! I run and hide at those mall kiosks or car places.
I simply just talk to women about stuff I believe in & we have fun! Done.
Not pushy in the slightest. Don't wear makeup? That's ok! I know a lot of women
grew up with mothers who didn't teach them (mine didn't! they stressed skincare
but not makeup!) If you're teachable, I can help you out GF. I am so happy - I
want that for you too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I had this saying in my old office, "Happy girls are the prettiest." It's now sitting on my kitchen table (cause it's my office right now) and I truly believe that phrase! GET HAPPY GIRL! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyways, I
hope you enjoyed reading - I will doing personal/makeup/wedding updates. I hope
you have a happy Monday & don't hesitate to reach out if you're grieving,
want to know more, or simply just benefited from reading. I LOVE all ya'll! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">XO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(Items used in this look: MK Miracle set dry/normal, MK CC cream light/medium, MK mineral foundation beige .5, MK blush in copper glow, MK eyeshadows in spun silk, chocolate kiss, hazelnut, MK ultimate mascara, MK true dimensions lipstick in Sheer Blush, MK nourishine lipgloss in icicle -----> <a href="http://www.marykay.com/bcarpenter2983">www.marykay.com/bcarpenter2983</a> ) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-27920734142696592142012-10-05T15:07:00.000-05:002014-11-02T21:49:15.959-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1em -0.5in 1em 2in; text-align: left;">
</div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-11150861570422902242012-10-01T11:29:00.000-05:002012-10-01T11:30:41.449-05:00A Letter For the Babybook<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I couldn't sleep yesterday {like always} and so I decided to get up and start on the baby book I had bought for baby Lenzen the night before. I got as much filled out as one possibly could without a baby around and ended up writing this letter at the end. I read it to Matt later and cried...especially about the part about him always being his mommy's baby! He's already growing up too fast and I haven't even had him yet! :)</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you have a baby book? I do! My dad is the one who filled it all out....My mom is horrible at taking pictures and keeping sentimental things like my kindergarten handprint (still mad at her about that!) </span></em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CCYUhjPBhJNNKNENNOXJK7f-XBbm2D6cK8HErM312iZnJt7qJ4S3OX5hXoVO53yHWUeLBcE2YMUARj4rEjCs3A29Se7ihZwaxSSCNbrpv6uZKDNp5mdvkm2-1_KsdCFKG4gKDUwcvZc/s1600/babybook.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CCYUhjPBhJNNKNENNOXJK7f-XBbm2D6cK8HErM312iZnJt7qJ4S3OX5hXoVO53yHWUeLBcE2YMUARj4rEjCs3A29Se7ihZwaxSSCNbrpv6uZKDNp5mdvkm2-1_KsdCFKG4gKDUwcvZc/s400/babybook.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I have been up all night because you kept
kicking me! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
We are 10 days from your due date and mommy is uncomfortable and ready for you
to make an appearance! Daddy and I have been doing a lot to get ready for you.
Setting up your crib, sorting your clothes and packing the hospital bag. We
have also been archery hunting morning and night trying to get mommy’s deer
before you arrive! <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Anyways, I hope when you read this you smile
because we have waited for what seems like so long to meet, kiss and love you.
We are anxious to see who you grow to be (which I’m sure will be nothing short
of perfection). You are already mom and dad’s pride and joy! <o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<em>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>When times get rough I want you to remember that
life will be difficult sometimes and not everything will come easily. I want
you to do everything you can though to work hard and never quit at anything you
set out to do. Remember we only live once and happiness and hard work are the
keys to success. We will always be here for you and you can come to us with<strong> anything</strong>.
We love you and are so grateful to God for sending you to us. <o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<em>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>We love you to infinity and beyond and no matter
how old you are you will always be your mommy’s baby! <o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1em -0.5in 1em 2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>xoxo,
</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1em -0.5in 1em 2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Mom
and Dad</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1em -0.5in 1em 2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em></em></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1em -0.5in 1em 2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em><o:p></o:p></em></span> </div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-76064599274723167252012-09-30T18:45:00.000-05:002012-09-30T18:45:34.774-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 37 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBtWDoJV2Abc85epIErOE7721W4ls-JiJ5UPqxms42paC5ofpOFZyyglCyMlyor9tbvjiiJhfd2eBLedMBR9k03_jEIccxwP9jaRfgkD2hZEvdDIliD9ubBFijCHaujKZbY-dLVCi1CA/s1600/38+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBtWDoJV2Abc85epIErOE7721W4ls-JiJ5UPqxms42paC5ofpOFZyyglCyMlyor9tbvjiiJhfd2eBLedMBR9k03_jEIccxwP9jaRfgkD2hZEvdDIliD9ubBFijCHaujKZbY-dLVCi1CA/s320/38+weeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span><strong>How far <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">along?</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> 37 weeks<strong> <em>(38.5 weeks actually as I write this late!)</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total weight gain:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> 15 lbs. <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity clothes?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> sweatpants :) <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch marks?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Yes! My stomach is completely
destroyed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Cannot sleep worth a
darn! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Toss & turn. Go to the
bathroom. Mind races. Toss & turn. Can’t get comfortable. Braxton Hicks
contractions. Go to the bathroom. Heartburn. Etc. etc. etc.</u></i> That’s the
routine of basically every night! <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment this week:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> just enjoying feeling
you roll around in my belly for the time I can! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: #3a3223;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss Anything?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> being comfortable! <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> all the time! <span style="color: #3a3223;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food cravings:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> gas station cappuccinos!
<br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I throw up here and
there but not for any reason. <span style="color: #3a3223;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> BOY!! <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor Signs:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> cramping/back pain! <br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> heartburn like crazy,
cramping, back pain, peeing 8 times a night. <span style="color: #3a3223;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> out<br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> on!<br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or Moody most of the time:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> happy and sappy! Tear up
easily over sentimental things but still laughing quite a bit! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: #3a3223;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking forward to:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> meeting my lil guy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-1735917600427769002012-09-19T17:02:00.003-05:002012-09-19T17:02:40.905-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 36 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_AkEkgyopNe64s-np5-3MHvgUArt1G6s9YEve8_fAcP49ebSKOBZ12kBSAYbwe6Yem6-ZPf4R6E6Cba6Pi0XPO7UmLy_3FVTrqwqsdBjBeyssiRWAg6HAj0ez5S-YPv4ZZEaZSShAAM/s1600/36weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_AkEkgyopNe64s-np5-3MHvgUArt1G6s9YEve8_fAcP49ebSKOBZ12kBSAYbwe6Yem6-ZPf4R6E6Cba6Pi0XPO7UmLy_3FVTrqwqsdBjBeyssiRWAg6HAj0ez5S-YPv4ZZEaZSShAAM/s400/36weeks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: black;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: black;">How
far along?</span></strong></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">
37 weeks tomorrow! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total
weight gain:</span></strong> 15 lbs. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity
clothes?</span></strong> sweatpants :) <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch
marks?</span></strong> Yes! My stomach is being demolished! haha.
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong>
Matt is still sleeping on the couch and I'm sleeping like a baby!</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment
this week:</span></strong> Seeing baby Lenzen on the ultrasound yesterday!! :) cutest lil thing.</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss
Anything?</span></strong> being comfortable! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong>
all the time! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food
cravings:</span></strong> sandwiches are a hit this week. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything
making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> I throw up here and there but not for any reason. </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong>
BOY!! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor
Signs:</span></strong> mild cramping/back pain! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong>
heartburn like crazy, cramping, back pain, peeing 8 times a night. </span><br />
<br /><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly
Button in or out?</span></strong> half out, half in...haha!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding
rings on or off?</span></strong> on!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or
Moody most of the time:</span></strong> fairly happy - matt would answer moody : )</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br /><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking
forward to:</span></strong> opening of archery this weekend and meeting my SON!</span> <br />Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-29674738206671123882012-09-10T14:32:00.004-05:002012-09-10T14:32:33.570-05:00Facebook & All it's Glory! **politics, beachbody, religion, football, etc!**
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I decided I had to write a blog post on this topic because a
status update only gives me like 5 characters. ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>disclaimer: </em></strong>THIS IS ALL IN GOOD FUN! MY MOM IS PROBABLY GOING TO YELL AT ME BECAUSE SOME MAY CLASSIFY IT AS "RUDE" AND I SAID SHIT!</span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems everyone has
something to say – whether contradictory, intelligent, dumb, hilarious, etc–
and it’s being said on Facebook. It’s that time of year when the
political/football/beachbody/check-into-a-gym /countdown-to-baby-or-wedding Facebook
statuses are at an all time high and we must admit that we will always – for as
long as Facebook lives – have these kind of updates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We will also continuously see the “whiners”- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the ones that primarily complain about those
who update too often and about things they think are stupid {politics,
religion, gym, etc.} <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">& This is what I think</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– &
everyone is entitled to their own opinion –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
<strong><u>think</u></strong> my pregnancy hormones are a little raging so <strong>enjoy</strong> and here we go!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Politics: Yes, it may be annoying to have to read or see a
status from 72 of your friends about Romney vs. Obama, conservative vs.
liberal, etc etc. but regardless of your political party or how irritating you
find these updates at least we have people in our country who WANT change or WANT
this or that for our nation, right?! If you don’t pay attention to who is going
to LEAD our COUNTRY and just NOT VOTE you have to be – hate to say – ignorant.
It’s important! Some may post informative links, blogs, etc. that HELP others
get educated so they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> vote for
whom they believe is the right candidate to lead the US and not just based on a
political party or race! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ohhh and Beachbody: I am very annoyed with myself for ever
being a part of this company and annoying everyone on Facebook about it!
Although I feel they have great workout programs {p90x, turbofire, insanity,
etc.} It is, once again, aggravating to see so many updates about it. Honestly,
eat right and exercise daily – you don’t have to be a freak about it, have someone
help you, spend umpteen dollars, have a person “coach” you through it, etc. It’s
called WILLPOWER – look inside yourself and find some and get your ass outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But
like I said, it’s Facebook and we can post whatever we want on our own pages
right?!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only</i></b> thing I find annoying {the rest
is just plain entertaining} is when people who are continuously voicing their
opinion {about fitness business or politics or what they ate for breakfast} COMPLAIN
about others who update about something that person {who is updating about dumb
shit in the first place} defines as “stupid” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– Ah? What? –</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You literally post 12 times a day about how much money you
make with your biz, your busy day of laundry, picking up dog shit, taking care
of the kids or hash tag 120,000 things. You rant about how you don’t care about
politics because you’re over there #self #helping or whatever and you have the
nerve to say that someone posting political statuses is #annoying? That doesn’t
make any bloody sense!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And for the football statuses – ya know, I wouldn’t have
known who won what games {not that I really cared} if it wasn’t for all 120
friends who let me know! I don’t have regular TV {abc/pbs/cbs} or cable so I’m
a little out of the loop. If you don’t like it, go eat some crackers and cheese
until the smack talk settles, okay? Football is an American past time {or maybe
it’s baseball? Haha} so get used to it! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you want to let people know it’s 629 days until your
wedding – that’s awesome! How else would I keep track?! It’s an exciting time
in that bride or groom’s life and they damn well have the right to post how
much they love their significant other if they please. I mean, most people that
complain about how annoying love is are the ones that “hate love” and wish they
had a boyfriend <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>or</u></i></b> I guess find it just plain irritating. I, again, find
it humorous and entertaining! I live in the middle of nowhere! I have to keep
updated on people ya know. ;) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Same with baby countdowns…Trust me, I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">KNOW</i></b>! Before I was
preggers I would say to myself when someone told me they were knocked up, “you’re
pregnant…….congrats on never sleeping.” But now that I will be a mom I’m like, “hell
ya! You had your kid! He’s so cute!” or “how exciting!!” So…yeah. Gotta keep
the world updated…and yes, people really do want to know how much a baby weighed
and how long they were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ahhh – religion! If you’re a believer in Christ, Buddha,
science, atheism, etc………yay! You at least stand for something, right?! If you
want to post someecards about priests raping little boys you go right ahead –
it’s YOUR facebook! If you want to thank Jesus for all your daily blessings –
please do! Believers or not we all need to stop and be thankful daily, right?!
Post whatever you want people! Just don’t expect others to not say anything if
they don’t like it! Haha! Again, that’s what keeps Facebook {and blogging!} so
darn entertaining!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hunting – we all know my fiancé and I love it. We post
pictures of our hunts and are proud of them! It may bother some of those animal
lovers out there but you know what my argument WILL ALWAYS be? My fiancé loves
animals more than probably any person out there! Literally! He cares for them
and loves them and never shoots more than we can eat. You may be offended by
our European mounts, dead doves or our walleyes butttt we may be offended by
your tofu burger. It’s a vicious cycle and we’re never going to solve it! So let’s
just all agree to disagree! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So to wrap things up let’s revise everything I just ranted
and raved about: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOUR</b> Facebook – post what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOU</b> want. If <u>you’re</u> posting
stupid stuff – don’t post about how stupid other people’s stuff is and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ENJOY</b> all the comical updates posted by
your favorite lunatics {most likely your closest friends} because life is too
short not to just giggle! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RIGHT?!</b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i> </div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-63530214860784498002012-09-06T22:20:00.001-05:002012-09-06T22:20:21.421-05:00Pre-Mom Jitters
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As I’m on my last leg of being what I call a “kangaroo mom”
{where I can haul my little buddy around in my belly} I am starting to get
nervous to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real life</i> mom! Maybe
all soon-to-be first time mothers feel this way, I’m not sure. I just feel so unprepared,
uneasy and unsure of myself. Kind of like it’ll be the blind leading the blind.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward to meeting baby
Lenzen! My mom said I will never love anything more {I said what about Matt?!}.
She replied that since I made this miraculous child with the person I love and
adore most that baby L will be the branch of our love that will be a love that blows
all other love out of the water. And from past experiences, mom’s are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I guess it’s not that I won’t love baby enough {because I love him already} or that I
worry that I won’t be a good mom I honestly just worry about EVERYTHING. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How
will I still manage to cook supper, brush my hair, start exercising, keep my
house clean, go to school, breastfeed, shave my armpits, fill my deer tags, wax
my eyebrows, spend time with my friends, have sex, go to the movies, mow the
lawn, save money, etc.?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I know many moms and dads sacrifice their time because it’s
no longer just themselves they have to think about anymore. They move the times
they would normally do things to when the kids are asleep and what not. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“but can I do this?”</i> I often wonder. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Can I be all these things? A mom, a friend,
a sister, a daughter, a student, a lover, etc?” </i>– I guess I should have
thought about this before I got knocked up, huh? Haha, just kidding! but seriously...</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I just overwhelm myself with thinking! I texted my older
sister the other day and I said, “I have no idea how the hell you managed to be
a single parent having to take care of Gabby 24/7 {thinking to myself: bathing
her, feeding her, taking her to daycare, playing with her, teaching her,
disciplining her, etc}, work 20 hours a week, attend college full-time, get
your homework done, see your friends once in a while, make time for family.” I
feel like I would have gone crazy – but maybe it’s one of those situations you
just don’t over think and you just <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i></b>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I honestly feel like moms are the super heroes of the world
now that I’ve seen a glimpse of how much sacrifice all awesome moms {and dads}
have done for their kids. I think after having kids or getting preggers you
really have a new understanding and love for your parents. You don’t even
realize how much they’ve done for you over the course of your life. I feel like
a brat after those nasty teen years! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And I worry about other things as well when it comes to raising
our little Hammy: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
if he doesn’t make it through labor? I would literally want to die. What if he
is blind? Or deaf? What if I don’t raise him right and he turns into a mass
murderer? What if he struggles in school? What do I do if I catch him smoking
weed in high school? What if he chokes on something as a toddler? What if he
gets West Nile camping next summer? What if he doesn’t eat his veggies? And God
forbid, what if he doesn’t like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">hunting</b>!?
What if! What if! What if!”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t my mind just
crazy!? I just want to keep him in my back pocket safe from the world </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am
going to be the Mom sending her kid to school in bubble wrap and calling every
5 seconds to make sure he’s still breathing. Haha, the teachers will call me "the bat shit crazy mom" All this worry reminds me of this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very true</i> quote: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: rgb(237, 241, 247); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 3.75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">“Making the decision to have a child is
momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around
outside your body.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0.75pt;">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Elizabeth Stone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways,
I just hope these pre-mom jitters are normal and I don’t have something
psychologically wrong with me! I haven’t even really given labor or a “birth
plan” a thought. It’s more the raising aspect and the, “what the hell do I do
with this thing?!” when we get home from the hospital that frightens me. I’ll
be alright though I suppose, I’m not the first woman to be a mom. I am just so
grateful Matt is going to be such a good, helpful dad because I can already
see myself worrying myself sick when the baby’s first fever comes and crying
myself to sleep when I send our baby to his first day of school. Ahh! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em><strong>Any parental advice I am open to!</strong></em> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-14691446780972112952012-09-05T17:34:00.002-05:002012-09-05T17:34:58.287-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 35 Weeks<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpmDf32mUAwFq5-oscF_LB6UF6PFAviA15x1aHRIwa6uKiaJjB74NNhG5jS31mVoFF6DGyUfllq2qqYE2ThTXx6K1wv7P9z20tMTjMRD2ilYuTWoWN5g6HI9hxcGqrtY_FqiL44lwWL8/s1600/35weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpmDf32mUAwFq5-oscF_LB6UF6PFAviA15x1aHRIwa6uKiaJjB74NNhG5jS31mVoFF6DGyUfllq2qqYE2ThTXx6K1wv7P9z20tMTjMRD2ilYuTWoWN5g6HI9hxcGqrtY_FqiL44lwWL8/s400/35weeks.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><em>sweet shirt, right?</em></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">How far along?</span></strong><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
35 : ) <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total
weight gain:</span></strong> 10-12 lbs depending on when ya weigh me! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity
clothes?</span></strong> athletic shorts and t-shirts!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch
marks?</span></strong> Yes! My stomach is demolished! haha.
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong>
just woke up from a nap : ) </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment
this week:</span></strong> there are several: doing my homework in my underwear, spending so much quality time with matthew, my friend's shannon's wedding food!! omg, so good...(chicken cordon bleu!)
</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss
Anything?</span></strong> being able to lay on my back, touch my toes, eat more than one meal a day, etc etc. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong>
slowed down a tiny bit but he's still pretty active! and if he isn't active for a couple hours Matt lays his head on my belly until he kicks him! haha, the only time he'll be able to kick dad in the face w/o being in trouble I guess!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food
cravings:</span></strong> Indigestion has kicked in horribly. I eat once a day...<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything
making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> smell of dead doves in the back of matt's pickup. he never gets rid of them after he cleans them and it drives me bonkers!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong>
BOY!! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor
Signs:</span></strong> nope!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong>
heartburn like crazy! nervousness...I'm getting incredibly scared to be a mom.....I often think, "this is the last time I'll do this or that.....how will I manage to keep my house clean, go to school, breast feed, actually put make up on, cook supper, workout, etc. with a child?!" It's always just been me I've had to really think about (Matt's pretty self sufficient...well, he can at least go to the bathroom on his own even though he can't make his own god damn sandwich...haha) Maybe this is normal to feel this way. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly
Button in or out?</span></strong> ALMOST an outty! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding
rings on or off?</span></strong> On! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or
Moody most of the time:</span></strong> oh dear jesus - depends on the minute!
haha</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking
forward to:</span></strong> being able to clean my house on friday! ...i know right? it's a mess and messes drive me bonkers!</span>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-82184937279773982792012-09-01T21:44:00.004-05:002012-09-01T21:44:32.676-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 34 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmtJca_q5VRnk8r4wYmelAtHbxLJaqIENeTK0slwqNGIrQwK1hstYoWx7aLEE8bi9HLmY2zOrcVoJSk4bCfoQLjTvU56jEw4HA1p8xZTLtHmqYRMXlL8kgajzu8H3GXXP55EdWenNM5A/s1600/34weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmtJca_q5VRnk8r4wYmelAtHbxLJaqIENeTK0slwqNGIrQwK1hstYoWx7aLEE8bi9HLmY2zOrcVoJSk4bCfoQLjTvU56jEw4HA1p8xZTLtHmqYRMXlL8kgajzu8H3GXXP55EdWenNM5A/s400/34weeks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><em>I cannot wait to pop this baby out and start going balls the walls with exercise & being able to eat normally! I want to lose a 100 lbs! </em> </span></div>
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong>How
far along?</strong></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
34 and a half! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total
weight gain:</span></strong> 10 pounds! Dr. says I should weigh less than what I did when I was pregnant. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity
clothes?</span></strong> maxi dresses and leggings <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch
marks?</span></strong> Yes! My stomach is being demolished! haha. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong>
I love sleep!</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment
this week:</span></strong> Waking up to breakfast in bed! :) Love that man! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss
Anything?</span></strong> Not peeing every 5 seconds. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong>
all the time! They say it should be slowing down but he literally doesn't
stop...unless of course someone WANTS to feel him move! {He just moved as I was
typing that!}<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food
cravings:</span></strong> Indigestion has kicked in horribly. I ate a bagel on Thursday for breakfast and didn't eat the rest of the day. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything
making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> Our dog getting sprayed by a skunk.....don't even want to talk about it I'm still mad! haha. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong>
BOY!! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor
Signs:</span></strong> mild cramping/back pain! Just my body getting ready :) <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong>
heartburn like crazy {I'm drinking like 3 glasses of milk a day to help!},
braxton hicks, lactating{yum, right?!}, peeing every time I sneeze or cough. Pregnancy is super glamorous! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly
Button in or out?</span></strong> ALMOST an outty! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding
rings on or off?</span></strong> On but it now leaves an indent when I take it off. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or
Moody most of the time:</span></strong> oh dear jesus - depends on the minute! haha</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking
forward to:</span></strong> FUNNEL CAKE AT THE STATE FAIR!!! BOO YA! </span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br />Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-61724003197170318902012-08-29T15:25:00.003-05:002012-08-29T15:25:53.976-05:00August Product Favorites!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Channel;">Revlon Colorstay</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFycsPm8eDaofofhDjeRKlI1SB02WkjFCbzEsPkXr54ReF0EnROmEgpRvKbb2SBw7LHa8ZczNJ7iSq6Hk0tkdMj_9aKxZShDjh4blmyr44qhA_yvNUIubFCaQahIxutfVnr2EDrTDfl4/s1600/aug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFycsPm8eDaofofhDjeRKlI1SB02WkjFCbzEsPkXr54ReF0EnROmEgpRvKbb2SBw7LHa8ZczNJ7iSq6Hk0tkdMj_9aKxZShDjh4blmyr44qhA_yvNUIubFCaQahIxutfVnr2EDrTDfl4/s1600/aug1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am a youtube freak when it comes to watching makeup tutorials! Before I buy a product I watch several youtube reviews to decide if it's worthy of my moola. When it comes to foundation I am <em>sooo</em> picky! I have extremely dry skin so I have done tons of "research" to find a foundation that would give me that luminous glow without a total cake face. Finally I had it narrowed down to Revlon Colorstay or Neutrogena Healthy Skin. I decided to go with the Revlon just because they have such a wide variety of colors! Let me tell you that this is like the best foundation ever. They made 2 different types {oily skin/dry skin} and so it gives my skin the extra moisture it needs all while looking flawless! I <strong><em>LOVE</em></strong> it!!! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Channel;">Downy Unstopables </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5ccFJeKyyNYzNhcoMhDnDCLvSBOOddlFf-cG8R2MVMHY4eNwT1WgohAhdxf7RU9UvtYkiAe_3JgccwyssfSPU2gIqrUcXGWgM-A2fLgkC4Df0tqzCb5jVjQn7Tk_6bHTYC3-sOTlHYs/s1600/aug2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5ccFJeKyyNYzNhcoMhDnDCLvSBOOddlFf-cG8R2MVMHY4eNwT1WgohAhdxf7RU9UvtYkiAe_3JgccwyssfSPU2gIqrUcXGWgM-A2fLgkC4Df0tqzCb5jVjQn7Tk_6bHTYC3-sOTlHYs/s320/aug2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It kind of drives me nuts that "unstopables" is spelled wrong but this product is awesome! My parent's are currently adding on to their house so they've been doing their laundry at my house for 3 months. I noticed when I would change over the laundry how <em>awesome</em> my mom's clothes smelled. I asked her what the heck she was using because she was using <em>my</em> detergent and my clothes didn't smell that good! She pulled out the green version of these Downy bottles and showed me the little beads that you just add in the washer with your clothes. They are kind of spendy {$7/bottle} but you don't have to use much and your clothes smell amazing!! I found mine on sale at Target for $5 so I bought 2! <strong>TRY THEM</strong>!!</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Channel;">Glade Carpet Powder</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6yYbbUSPLom2iosHZU4Or-q8lO_lWNKWjYmMr1mrrMwz2xmUONClKWQfTfc5CEMIDUtBwgHqDDMAtcPCiLDfdJ9MiPH5C3i-DCvSlX0eUulz8DdUsd7Tq8Klg_tjq007v7HEdkn6ZfY/s1600/aug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6yYbbUSPLom2iosHZU4Or-q8lO_lWNKWjYmMr1mrrMwz2xmUONClKWQfTfc5CEMIDUtBwgHqDDMAtcPCiLDfdJ9MiPH5C3i-DCvSlX0eUulz8DdUsd7Tq8Klg_tjq007v7HEdkn6ZfY/s320/aug3.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pretty sure this stuff has been around forever but our dog just recently was sprayed by a skunk {hunter's wife problems...ugh!} and so I've been airing out the house and trying everything to get rid of the smell! All you do is sprinkle on your carpet before vaccuuming and it smells so good. Easy peasy and makes your house smell {somewhat} fresh! :) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Channel;">BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow
Palette – 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> Edition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGye9VB_SQJJAPV6ZNi-FW08HWCtvbz1aszck-h2Blh6rUk-RFQ00RlVb-PRQrgIBCLKFs5Dnv_L2CNGq1rcrYcVw90MiX1L1GBJO3zOS58CiBR8rsz6K7qVXdftt_Ss6pkJmH6f08P-M/s1600/aug4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGye9VB_SQJJAPV6ZNi-FW08HWCtvbz1aszck-h2Blh6rUk-RFQ00RlVb-PRQrgIBCLKFs5Dnv_L2CNGq1rcrYcVw90MiX1L1GBJO3zOS58CiBR8rsz6K7qVXdftt_Ss6pkJmH6f08P-M/s320/aug4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">palette can be found online only at </span></em><a href="http://www.bhcosmetics.com/?siteID=UO85MF6im_8-La3mAIoBNT8F1nX8tbYppg&utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=UO85MF6im/8_3_3"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>BH Cosmetics</em></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>.</em> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Again, I came across this while watching youtube makeup videos! I was in awe of how awesome the shadow looked on so I decided to check out the BH Cosmetics website. Their 120 eyeshadow palettes were only $18 + free shipping {which was a July special} so I took several minutes and studied each palette before deciding on the 3rd edition. It has everything a palette needs - wide variety of colors, a mix of matte/shimmer shadows PLUS {& perhaps most importantly} highly pigmented shadows and secure packaging.</span> I use this palette all.the.time! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Channel;">Affresh Washer Cleaner</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB0bPTnR2N9IoNiwHltmmVKPclW6FF1KsLY4lSQ7ZZgOjEmRJMN9YVLJ5CSrzmRIHwTSP0c8E5HDZwCmfqohCw5WTI4KnQ7yiqobZestj7AvVezOUcWrG28yrTzagZqQ3_AsbxQS1SCw/s1600/aug5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB0bPTnR2N9IoNiwHltmmVKPclW6FF1KsLY4lSQ7ZZgOjEmRJMN9YVLJ5CSrzmRIHwTSP0c8E5HDZwCmfqohCw5WTI4KnQ7yiqobZestj7AvVezOUcWrG28yrTzagZqQ3_AsbxQS1SCw/s320/aug5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Soooo I had no idea I was supposed to be cleaning my front load washer. I swear I live in a cave sometimes but apparently front loads are more likely to have odor + mold because after a cycle the water sits in the side rubber part. So I bought some Affresh and cleaned my washer for the first time! Ha! I even discovered my washer has a "clean washer with Affresh" button {I live in a cave AND am blind apparently}. I noticed the odor was gone from my washer after I used Affresh and now I have peace of mind that my clothes are being cleaned in a clean washer! :)</span> HOO-RAH! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What were some of your monthly favorites?</span></em></div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-76479956444881924032012-08-28T18:10:00.002-05:002012-08-28T18:19:12.450-05:00Discount Codes<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey Everyone! I just quickly wanted to share with you some promotions I came across in my BABY magazine. All you pay is shipping so if you're about to be a new mommy, see yourself having a baby in the future or need a baby gift here you go! FREEBIES!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first one is a carseat canopy from </span><a href="http://www.carseatcanopy.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.carseatcanopy.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">use promo code: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>ABABY912</em> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">They also have fancier carseat covers that are like regularly $70 and with the discount makes them $25. We have literally the best carseat/stroller set from Chicco so I just was a cheapo and just got the free carseat cover in KNOTT to keep the snow out of baby L's face this winter. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The next is for an "udder cover" - like I don't feel like a cow already, right? This again is another free item and you just have to pay shipping. The site is <a href="http://www.uddercovers.com/">www.uddercovers.com</a> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">use promo code: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>carseat</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I was a little skeptical about the "necessity" of having an udder cover but after reading the reviews and playing in my mind the thought of a trying to keep a blanket to cover my boobies at all times I just decided it would be good investment since I'll be breastfeeding. I got the pattern CARSON but now I'm wondering if I should have gone with PORTER. Oh well! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Next, is from <a href="http://www.sevenslings.com/">www.sevenslings.com</a> - I didn't order one because I already have a little carrier-around thing. Ha! I don't know baby lingo <em>quite</em> yet. ;) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">use promo code:<em> </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>carseat</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hope this helps some of you! I know I love free stuff {even if we have to pay shipping still not <em>too</em> bad of a price} - I will be coming with my August favorites soon! Stay tuned!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em> </div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em> </div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-48407612222388214022012-08-22T22:40:00.003-05:002012-08-22T22:44:11.172-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 33 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX_qNA_bk7OenYdbiei9CE1PI7dnMjeNL583xZpS0WCrmi7vszHAYmywaDANeApWwh1MSr9Z2mtwnkmDWQp-fuQ-E27AC0ysUqVH5eZ2T-_ip_S4uFXXaB3NpaiiuRFFpTIovlKmTQtA/s1600/33+weeks.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX_qNA_bk7OenYdbiei9CE1PI7dnMjeNL583xZpS0WCrmi7vszHAYmywaDANeApWwh1MSr9Z2mtwnkmDWQp-fuQ-E27AC0ysUqVH5eZ2T-_ip_S4uFXXaB3NpaiiuRFFpTIovlKmTQtA/s400/33+weeks.jpg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>these are such bad quality! dang iphone!</em> </div>
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong>How
far along?</strong></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 33 as of tomorrow! I've missed a few weeks being so busy! You know I had bachelorette parties, getting fired from my job, weddings to attend...extremely busy lady here! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total
weight gain:</span></strong> +10<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity
clothes?</span></strong> maxi dresses and leggings <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch
marks?</span></strong> Yes! They are already turning white which isn't as good as having non but I can be glad they won't forever be maroon. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong>
I love sleep but it's more uncomfortable lately. I love you body pillow.</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment
this week:</span></strong> FINALLY starting to get my walk-in closet ready for baby L. I decided not to repaint it either...so pink walls with camo bedding 'tis! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss
Anything?</span></strong> Being comfortable!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong>
all the time! They say it should be slowing down but he literally doesn't stop...unless of course someone WANTS to feel him move! {He just moved as I was typing that!}<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food
cravings:</span></strong> none!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything
making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> I puked all over my shirt and Matt's truck because he went goose hunting Saturday morning, cleaned the birds and then proceeded to leave the rest of the bird to sit in the back of his pickup in the SUN. The smell was UNBEARABLE!! Truly a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME41Aqy00-k">hunter's wife</a> problem....<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong>
BOY!! God, i was thinking the other day how AWFUL it would be if HE came out a SHE. She would be sporting a lot of boy clothes until she was about 18 months! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor
Signs:</span></strong> Braxton hicks!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My next appointment we start to see if I'm dialated at all! Where has time gone?! </span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong>
heartburn like crazy {I'm drinking like 3 glasses of milk a day to help!}, braxton hicks, lactating{yum, right?!}, peeing every time I sneeze & 6 nosebleeds in 3 days. Pregnancy is super glamorous! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly
Button in or out?</span></strong> ALMOST an outty! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding
rings on or off?</span></strong> On! <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or
Moody most of the time:</span></strong> moody usually. haha!! The nurse asked if Matt was getting excited to be a dad and I said I thought he was more excited for me to be NOT pregnant. She thought that was pretty funny. </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking
forward to:</span></strong> sleeping tonight :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-86286172415902408582012-08-08T17:35:00.002-05:002012-08-08T17:35:10.770-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 30 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTOO7GvF7OgzIrkGwT7H1ZiKSBp7aWxQDez619RpNWwq9bx6MCApxetVibmRehxJsKLSK0Xq4jTJy23KrjBlwFhvQLFH_2HMdZaKmODHvbhto4ytxC0s_6Ap-k7LUkawdKc3A4GphTLw/s1600/31weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTOO7GvF7OgzIrkGwT7H1ZiKSBp7aWxQDez619RpNWwq9bx6MCApxetVibmRehxJsKLSK0Xq4jTJy23KrjBlwFhvQLFH_2HMdZaKmODHvbhto4ytxC0s_6Ap-k7LUkawdKc3A4GphTLw/s400/31weeks.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>New change of hair color and a big, big belly!! </em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How far
along?</span></strong><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 30 {31
today!}<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total
weight gain:</span></strong> +10<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity
clothes?</span></strong> maxi dresses and leggings <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch
marks?</span></strong> Yes! :( <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></strong>
I love sleep! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best
moment this week:</span></strong> eating at Olive Garden </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> haha! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss
Anything?</span></strong> Being comfortable!!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></strong>
Like crazy! A lot of rolling around going on in there! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food
cravings:</span></strong> any sort of chicken…chicken nuggets, strips,
drummies, breasts, etc………<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything
making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> Saturday at a friend’s bachelorette
party we were walking back to the hotel and passed some puke which made me dry
heave! Ick!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></strong>
BOY!! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor
Signs:</span></strong> Braxton hicks!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></strong>
exhaustion, uncomfortable, Braxton hicks, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly
Button in or out?</span></strong> IN<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding
rings on or off?</span></strong> On! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy
or Moody most of the time:</span></strong> happy! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking
forward to:</span></strong> my friend, Michelle’s, wedding this Saturday!! Woohoo!
</span></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-86819483588232266262012-08-02T15:33:00.004-05:002012-08-02T15:33:42.762-05:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MGlisf3hUMFbyjMhX2I0GpCLBDcI2uyWugs8FappKlWl3yD213Sk_G9P4HXzjNvV7U3ntw46KOya5352SCLL3-6SNdgjPjsuNpNJGpl1W_ShDfJWPmQz_qpvlsqlu_AtqYlIH9_0ck8/s1600/ADRIENNEJENME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MGlisf3hUMFbyjMhX2I0GpCLBDcI2uyWugs8FappKlWl3yD213Sk_G9P4HXzjNvV7U3ntw46KOya5352SCLL3-6SNdgjPjsuNpNJGpl1W_ShDfJWPmQz_qpvlsqlu_AtqYlIH9_0ck8/s640/ADRIENNEJENME.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>{Me and my beautiful hostess' for my baby shower! Adrienne, Me, Jennifer}</em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Life has been so hectic lately! This past Saturday was my bow
hunting education course from 7 am to 4:30 pm which is required by the state in
order to get a big game archery license. Right after the course my friend
Adrienne {one of the girls who so kindly hosted my shower} and I hurried to go
set up tables and chairs for the baby shower the next day. We stayed up late Saturday
night having some quality “girl talk” and were up early Sunday for the shower. I
was beyond exhausted and perhaps a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tad</i></b> crabby. ;) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I then proceeded to get sick Tuesday night with some sort of
bug. It has me puking, fever-y and never leaving the toilet! It’s pretty fun
stuff! So I’ve been home trying to rest and stay hydrated per doctor’s orders. I
have a big bachelorette party this weekend to go to so hopefully I feel better.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Regarding missing work, many people may not know this about
me {although my close friends and family certainly do} is that I have such bad
anxiety! I sometimes have it over the smallest things but nonetheless I have
it. Missing more work and missing out on those extra dollars gives me <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">major</i></b>
anxiety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As you all know, I am trying my best to save as much as
possible before baby arrives and that’s hard to do when you’re home sick<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> not</i> working. I have a goal of paying off
my car by the end of August {or at least by the time baby arrives} and I still
owe $3,100. After that, I will be headed for maternity leave and who knows if I’ll
be going back to my current job. I just have to remind myself it will all work
out in the end. Sometimes I forget to give my stresses to God and remember that
it’s not worth worrying about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In less depressing news, I got the job as the postmaster
relief in good ol’ Garden City! I will be working every Saturday 10-11:30 and
any day the postmaster needs vacation/sick days/etc. I’m very excited that it’s
so close to home and that it could potentially turn into a full time position
when the postmaster retires. It would be ideal! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m also looking forward to school starting in late August
and getting into that routine again! It’s so strange that I’m actually looking
forward to going to school. I think I just have my mind set that it will lead
to a better life for our family and in 5 years the hard work and sacrifice will
have paid off! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the mean time, I am making sacrifices time wise and
financially. It’s hard to let people know that you can’t afford to do this or
that or that you simply don’t have the time. It’s uncomfortable! I’m trying my
best to not live beyond our means and not spread myself thin between
obligations. That’s part of sacrifice though and hopefully someday in the
future it will all pay off! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-89610414208686516532012-08-01T10:29:00.003-05:002012-08-01T10:29:49.096-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 29 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owHRm2C9stI5IArHb3CEFACa69Vh_NVUk7z603soNjb2p47YqSxKW7Zqs2SMYAP4anZvcPz_gERbo7puwmSbU7IJE-2O6Tl8f2toQQhfipRO2kXHtgJc-TmOXjdqC-wfy_PV8Z-Lcd8/s1600/weloveyoualready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owHRm2C9stI5IArHb3CEFACa69Vh_NVUk7z603soNjb2p47YqSxKW7Zqs2SMYAP4anZvcPz_gERbo7puwmSbU7IJE-2O6Tl8f2toQQhfipRO2kXHtgJc-TmOXjdqC-wfy_PV8Z-Lcd8/s400/weloveyoualready.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>A picture from our lumberjack baby shower on Sunday...more to come on that soon!</em></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>How far
along?</strong> 29 {30 tomorrow}<br /> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Total weight
gain:</strong> 6+ whatever 10 cupcakes would make me gain</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Maternity
clothes?</strong> maxi dresses </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Stretch
marks?</strong> Yes! :( </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Sleep:</strong>
can't get enough</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Best moment this
week:</strong> sleeping
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Miss
Anything?</strong> not being so tired!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Movement:</strong>
yes! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><strong>Food
cravings:</strong> chinese/fried chicken</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Anything making
you queasy or sick:</strong> I have been vomiting the last 12 hours with a low temperature but I feel on fire. My mom is taking me to the dr. this afternoon to see what's going on..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Gender:</strong>
BOY!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Labor
Signs:</strong> nope! Still cookin’ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Symptoms:</strong>
exhaustion. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Belly Button in
or out?</strong> IN</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Wedding rings on
or off?</strong> depends on the day! some days my hands are more swollen than others. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Happy or Moody
most of the time:</strong> cranky.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Looking forward
to:</strong> seeing what's wrong with me this afternoon at the doctor. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-74954043297986455362012-07-26T18:03:00.002-05:002012-07-26T18:03:56.988-05:00Finances: Part 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Continued….</span></span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I started researching<b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> daily. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I went to every</span> budgeting and living frugal blog I could find and stalked the Dave Ramsey website. I was becoming obsessed and would stay up at night crunching numbers in my head. I was brainstorming ideas as to how we were going to cut back and live a more frugal lifestyle with a child {heard they’re spendy} coming into the world soon! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">After reading and researching so much I looked around my house. I was living in a world of WANTS. Do I really need 20 different lotions and 56 eyeshadows? I have 13 cans of tomato soup so why aren’t I making any when I complain “we have nothing to eat…”? It became completely insane to me the amount of money I had been wasting. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">So I sat down and started implementing the tips I had learned while Pinteresting, Googling and reading blogs. I first started with a notebook and wrote down all my bills and financial goals. After I figured out our wages - bills + savings + a budget/allowance I discovered we could live solely {but frugally} on one income. So that means I could have been saving my entire paychecks for years now. <i><span style="font-style: italic;">Shoot me!!!</span></i> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways after I got done kicking myself and got all my bills figured out I put together a financial binder. In the binder I deposit ½ of the bills’ sum every two weeks on payday. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">For example, let’s say my total bills per month are $1,000. I would take $500 every two weeks and deposit the money into the correct slots in my binder. For instance, let’s pretend my mortgage is $300/month so that means every 2 weeks I deposit $150 of that $500 into that slot in my binder that says ‘MORTGAGE’. When the time comes to mail the bills I deposit the $1,000 into my checking account and send all my bills off at the beginning of the month. It really helps with the whole feeling of, “this whole paycheck has to go to bills so I’m broke these 2 weeks.” Ya know? I hope that explains it thoroughly! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">After Googling what the average percentage of what was reasonable to save from each paycheck - {10-20%}. We decided we would save 15% of Lenz-pipes’ paycheck and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ALL</span></i> of mine. I am also saving every $5 bill that comes into my possession (saw online that some lady saved $12,000 in 2 years just by doing this!) and all of our loose change. We are saving ALL of my check to pay off my car by the time baby L gets here and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</span></i> trying to save our butts off so in the spring we can buy Matt a new pickup {he desperately needs one!} by paying strictly cash.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways, after I got the binder all ready to go I began searching for other ways to save money. I organized all the kitchen and bathroom cupboards to see exactly what I had/didn’t have on hand. I felt it would be easier for me to find when we were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">actually</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </span></i>out of something like cream of mushroom soup or conditioner. It was kind of like shopping in itself rediscovering all your old junk.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">All this frugal saving has been a huge mental process for me because I’ve been used “retail therapy.” I used this therapy for years on bad days, when I was bored, mad, happy…basically any time. I’m pretty proud of myself though because when I make a Wal-Mart shopping list I write down EVERYTHING I need and revise it 3-4 times. Sometimes when I go through it I find that I can take items off: “oh I can make sandwiches for another 3 days to finish up that lunch meat we have. I don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HAVE TO</span></i> buy hot pockets to pack for lunch.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Some of my friends think I’m nuts when I tell them I live on $200/2 weeks. {Some may think that’s a lot but it truly does go quickly especially living 40 minutes from work}. but I actually really try to live on $100-$150 just so I can save some extra cash. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here’s how I usually figure my $200:</span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Gas = $60 usually {$30/ week & I’m even trying to drive less! Some weeks this # is higher.} </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Groceries = $40.This is honestly all I like to spend and since I only am feeding 2 it hasn’t been too bad. {although, I have been craving McDonald’s chicken nuggets so bad this week I’ve splurged!}.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There are other things, of course, I have to plan for within this budget too and that’s why I try to stash extra cash away instead of using up my $200. For example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Cut/coloring my hair {not a necessity but I also have to treat myself too!} </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Oil changes </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Friends’ weddings/Bridal Showers/Bachelorette Parties {hotel, food –I totally pack sandwich/snack stuff when I travel now so I don’t have to eat out much!, gifts, etc.}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Propane/Car Tires {I don’t HAVE to use this money to pay for these spendy items but I like to see our savings increase, not decrease!}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I highly encourage you to budget if you have felt/feel like I have in my posts on finances. I believe no matter how much money a person makes they should have a budget. You would be amazed at how much you can save when you’re conscience of your money. Like I said, I was spending $1,000 + a month and I had no idea where/how it went. I finally feel like I’m making headway having financial goals and being in control of my money. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here are some of our financial goals for the curious cats out there: </span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Save enough to have 6 months worth of wages built up in savings in the case of an emergency. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Pay off my car by the time Baby Lenzen arrives.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Save all $5 bills and loose change. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Pay cash for a pickup next spring/summer. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Pay off mortgage within 10 years. {I used a mortgage calculator and about fainted when I discovered if we just paid the payments we’ve been making – the minimum amount – we will pay $23,000 in interest by the time we pay it off. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NO THANK YOU!!</span></i> If we pay it off in 7-10 years we will have paid like $7,000 - $9,000 if I remember correctly. I had always said we’d build new after 10 years but you know, I love my house and it probably won’t be necessary. It might need some upkeep since it is 100 + years old but that’s okay, it’s gotta be cheaper than building a whole new house brand new}.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here are some of the blogs and websites that really inspired me to save, save, save!</span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Living on less than $28,000/year: <a href="http://thepeacefulmom.com/living-on-less-than-28000-a-year-series/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">The Peaceful Mom</span></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Living on $14,000/year: <a href="http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2012/06/how-does-she-live-on-budget.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Blissful and Domestic</span></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Paying <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">cash</span></i></b> for their <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">home</span></i></b>: <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/category/series/saving-100-down-for-a-home?orderby=date&order=ASC" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Money Saving Mom</span></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Décor/Cleaning Supplies Dupes: <a href="http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com/p/crafts-decor.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Fake It Frugal</span></a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Dave Ramsey:</span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Dave Ramsey</span></a> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I would love to hear your feedback and how you’ve been saving or plan on saving! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></h3>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-6431929331798044582012-07-25T16:59:00.000-05:002012-07-25T16:59:04.115-05:00One Year Anniversary of Add a Little Sparkle!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">So here we are celebrating the one year anniversary of Add a Little Sparkle! This blog has probably been one of the only things I’ve ever kept up with in my life. I’m the <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2011/08/mediocrity-extraordinaire.html"><span style="color: purple;">mediocrity extraordinaire</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> remember? Plus, I’m an Aries and we like to rush into ideas only to let them fade fast. Meaning this is a huge accomplishment for brandi_babe35 even if no one reads it! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I originally started this blog to help with the grieving process after losing my friend Thomas. It was a very trying time in my life with friends, family, faith, life, etc. Besides my grandmother, I had never lost someone that close to me nor that suddenly. I was all over the place with my emotions but writing publically helped me immensely. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">{hey..at least it wasn’t crack that helped right?!}</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Looking back in those whirlwind emotions, I realize I wrote some blog posts I am not proud of. The main one that comes to mind is <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-most-personal-letter-dear-world.html"><span style="color: purple;">this one</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> – the one about not being in my best friend, Adrienne’s, wedding. I was hurt by multiple things and I took it out on someone who was closest to me. I could say I regret posting it but it was a life lesson I’ve learned from and found out who my ride-or-die friends are because of this situation. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways, after about 7 months of not speaking, I just called Adrienne and we talked for 2 hours like we had never hurt one another. Now we’re closer than ever. Some people don’t understand and probably think I’m a “back and forth friend” because I talked a lot of shit! Haha! At least I’m honest about the shit talking though which is something not a lot of people will admit! And don’t worry, Adrienne knows and understands all the mean stuff I said was just out of sadness and spite! I thank God for bringing her back into my life because she’s truly one of the greatest friends. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">And for all of you who have taken time over the year to send me texts, call me, Facebook message me, etc. after a blog post that touched you or hit the funny bone: I thank you! You truly have kept me going and helped me through the hardest time in my life without even knowing it. Matt and I {and several others who loved Thomas} are still grieving and I know Matt has appreciated the support that I’ve received through Add a Little Sparkle. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">To those of you who took the time over the year to send rude anonymous comments, didn’t understand or weren’t there for me during the grieving process or the Adrienne situation: I forgive you but I still no longer want to be your friend. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Damn, that feels so good to say!! For a long time, I haven’t really posted how I felt because I felt a little bit of hidden judgment from “friends.” Meaning, I felt as though <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">some</span></i> thought I was sharing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</span></i> much. Which, might just be a figment of my imagination – but I doubt it. I’ve finally learned to just say SCREW it because I’m not going to live life stepping on egg shells so a few people will be satisfied I kept my mouth shut. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways, I’m SO proud of my blog – I love the design and I am happy to say I feel it’s one of the things that brought me back to being me. I hope I keep it up for another year!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">So here's a reflection of my MISADVENTURES from throughout the year:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Being a <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/02/major-hodgepodge.html"><span style="color: purple;">Beachbody Coach</span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> and then deciding it wasn’t for me. {ovvvvvvvver it!}</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">+ </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Saying I wanted to open a party planning business and then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</span></i>. {I love helping others but so far I just help people for free! </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Dressing like a carebear/being the drunkest most dysfunctional </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/01/everythins-bigger-basket-in-tx.html"><span style="color: purple;">a-hole</span></a> for my BFF’s going away party.<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">{lost a diamond in my ring too}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Wearing a <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2011/10/miranda-wedding-party-wedding-date-etc.html"><span style="color: purple;">diaper to the Miranda Lambert concert</span></a> so I wouldn’t have to move from the front row {shaking head}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ Admitted I <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/03/insecure.html"><span style="color: purple;">gained 100 lbs</span></a> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SHOCKINGLY</span></i> am self-conscience of it. {ha}</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Attending <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/04/career-step-with-career-step.html"><span style="color: purple;">Career Step</span></a> online for Medical Transcriptioning {I have until March to finish anddddd I’m like not even ¼ done…..fml}</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Told all sorts of “details” about our wedding + asked our <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-i-asked-my-bridesmaids.html"><span style="color: purple;">bridesmaids</span></a> and now we’re <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/07/wedding-update.html"><span style="color: purple;">not</span></a> </span></span>even getting married for like 2 years! Haha! Starting from scratch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">including</span></i> the wedding party.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">+ </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And the greatest misadventure/blessing of the year</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">: making a <a href="http://www.addalittlesparklesd.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-we-told-our-mothers-we-are-preggers.html"><span style="color: purple;">baby</span></a><br />
with Matt {puking 6 months straight, almost getting fired from my job, having surgery while 23 weeks preggers and becoming disgusted with the red stretch marks growing around my belly button and my giant milk boobs.} </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">WHEW! What a year…….who’s ready for another!??!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-12194711398876271892012-07-24T17:54:00.001-05:002012-07-24T17:54:52.149-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 28 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQvU-25uuMeB8Qmg2iKwPIibGcwzxj_mXsXVBi_gbkJlIYp6EneE4qOS8BEBy2dzHyrlB2w9UqeA_PkNX8bzUv0oTKJtDKU3TzyTEG_9qYzdjEz9rTJR0MyXh1rOLf8GS-cpSLLcQfac/s1600/walleye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQvU-25uuMeB8Qmg2iKwPIibGcwzxj_mXsXVBi_gbkJlIYp6EneE4qOS8BEBy2dzHyrlB2w9UqeA_PkNX8bzUv0oTKJtDKU3TzyTEG_9qYzdjEz9rTJR0MyXh1rOLf8GS-cpSLLcQfac/s400/walleye.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">{Mom has done nothing worthy of posting a picture of but Dad caugh a keeper walleye this week!}</span></em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>How far along?</strong> 28 {29 in 2 days}<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Total weight gain:</strong> I gained 6 pounds this month…whoops.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Maternity clothes?</strong> YUP!!!! </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Stretch marks?</strong> Yes! :( </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Sleep:</strong> My hemoglobin was a 7.8 this morning so we’re waiting on the iron levels to see if the doctor wants me to do a blood transfusion. No wonder I’ve been so tired! This may sound awful but I sleep better when Matt sleeps on the couch and I can sprawl out with my body pillow. Needless to say, he will be camping in the living room from here on out!! I need those <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200762095859654005/">heartbeat pillows I found on Pinterest</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> that make it so you can listen to your significant others heartbeat. Although I can see myself yelling from the bedroom, “Can you tell your heart to be quiet?! I’m trying to sleep!” haha. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Best moment this week:</strong> Watching our doctor chuckle while listening to the baby’s heartbeat! He said, “He doesn’t like me bothering his mom! He keeps kicking me!” </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Miss Anything?</strong> Sleep,booze, normal body temps, not feeling like a total cow, etc. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Movement:</strong> Yes! I get very scared when I haven’t felt him in a couple hours so kick away baby! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><strong>Food cravings:</strong> Food in general will do. ;) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Anything making you queasy or sick:</strong> I had my gestational diabetes test and the fluid they gave me to drink about made me hurl it was <em>so</em> sugary! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Gender:</strong> BOY!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Labor Signs:</strong> nope! Still cookin’ </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Symptoms:</strong> exhaustion, charlie horses, etc. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Belly Button in or out?</strong> IN</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Wedding rings on or off?</strong> on</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Happy or Moody most of the time:</strong> Happy! Feeling good. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Looking forward to:</strong> seeing everyone at the baby shower this Sunday! </span><br />
<br />
<br />Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-76350854026859048022012-07-22T17:50:00.001-05:002012-07-22T17:50:32.756-05:00Finances: Part 2<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Continued….</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s not that I was raised with bad financial examples.
My parents are excellent with their money and provided a cushy lifestyle for my
brother and me growing up. They’ve worked hard for every dollar they’ve ever
earned and don’t have a single loan payment. They’ve always been firm believers
in saving up and paying cash. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is where I missed something in all of their
wonderful examples, long lectures and supper discussions about money and my
future. I didn’t listen when it came to the importance of saving. If I had any amount
of $ you bet your sweet ass I was spending it on random, useless junk! I can’t
think of one good thing I’ve spent my money on from back in my late high
school/early college years. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">{Unless you
count rum}.</i> And, <em>of course</em>, I didn’t save a dime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All this not saving and mindless spending brought me to my lowest financial point probably
about 3-4 years ago. I was so broke I had to pay for tampons and gas with
change I had scrounged from every possible nook and cranny. I waited until late
at night to run to the gas station because I was<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> so</i> embarrassed. I remember dumping my $10 worth of change on the
counter and apologizing to the cashier. She just smiled as she separated the
coins and told me she had been where I was a few times in my life and it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will </i>get better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is where I slap myself for not listening to
my parents. As I get older the more I realize how right they are! It’s so frustrating
that I chose to figure it out for myself. Although, in life I believe everyone
has to figure out hardships for themselves. For some, it’s finances they make
terrible decisions about, for others it’s bad relationships - whether it be
with false friends or the wrong spouse, etc. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you’re as lucky as me you were bad in the past with finances AND
relationships AND a bunch of other random junk. Go us!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">***A piece of advice coming from an experienced
loud mouth, you should NOT- repeat - NOT say a word about someone else’s life
decisions because they will get upset with you. So just nod and be supportive
of their financial stupidity/crumbling relationships/whatever they are doing
that’s dumb and just let them ride it out. Live and learn, if you will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways, I’m getting off track like a high
school history teacher. Where was I? Ah! Not saving a dime of anything I’ve earned
my entire adolescent life. I think when I left for college I was accustomed to
a certain lifestyle and I had never had to save money or watch what I spent.
Mom and dad made it cushy and I didn’t listen to a word they said about saving
remember? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But suddenly 5 years rolls by and there I was 8
positive pregnancy tests later with still, no money saved up. Yup, pass the
dunce cap and put me in the corner. So after the initial shock/excitement/etc.
wore off I started to get frantic and began panicking about finances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is where my Pinterest, Google and Dave
Ramsey obsession began…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To be continued…again…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-22534200747459802562012-07-20T16:58:00.000-05:002012-07-20T16:58:59.663-05:00Finances: Part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I feel like it’s been a long while since I’ve blogged just to blog! I’ve been filling up my page with weekly baby updates and that’s about it! To be honest, I am not even sure what I have/haven’t shared with you! Sheesh. I promise now that I’m feeling better after surgery I will blog regularly. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">I did let you know that Matt and I decided to wait to get married! We were scheduled for September of 2013 but the thought of being new parents, going to school, working, trying to lose some LOVELY l-b’s AND plan a wedding seemed <i><span style="font-style: italic;">SO </span></i>unbelievably overwhelming. Doesn’t that sound like personal torture?!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">We just have to do what’s best for our family. Marriage licenses aren’t going anywhere and I'm so relieved with this decision. I promise we’ll have to have a big sha-bang when the time comes. RUM FOR ALL!! </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Also, a huge shout out to my friends who were very supportive, understanding and kind about our decision. I love that they weren’t judgmental and understood where we were coming from.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">On a different note, I have been PINNING the crap out of stuff on Pinterest. I would say my 3 favorite things to pin are crockpot recipes, financial organization ideas and homemade anything for holidays, beauty, furniture, etc. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to Pinterest I have recently given myself a budget makeover. Meaning, I started budgeting at all. I became intrigued with other family’s savings ideas and prior to being pregnant I literally just spent what I wanted, when I wanted without a real plan for the future. It’s embarrassing to admit but I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</span></i> I’m not the only one that has spent my money mindlessly. In fact, I know of several middle age and older adults who still don’t have their finances in order because they didn’t learn or plan when they were young. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Becoming pregnant with little hammy really gave me a wake up call in several aspects of my life. I was picturing myself as a 36 year old (insert whatever occupation I’m in) with only $5.95 in my checking account, with no savings built up, driving a car I couldn’t afford and living way beyond my means. Doesn’t this sound like a lot of people you know?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">This vision literally scared me half to death. I decided that my peers and elders who are living beyond their means with mountains of credit card/student loan debt were my driving force. I was ready to get my butt in gear and finish my Bachelor’s degree {back to school August 27<sup>th</sup>!} and to get myself prepared financially for my little family’s future. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To be continued….</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-26016667164292252692012-07-19T20:00:00.000-05:002012-07-19T20:00:05.339-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 27 Weeks<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How far along?</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 27 weeks {28 today}</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total weight gain:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 6 lbs but still –7 from my original start weight.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maternity clothes?</span></b> Pretty strictly maxi dresses in public and old lady night gowns – pants are uncomfortable!! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stretch marks?</span></b> Really starting to form around the belly button area. Red ones! All my stretch marks my entire life have been white so hoping they go white after baby is here. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sleep:</span></b> they say it should be harder to sleep in the 3</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><sup>rd</sup> trimester but I’m exactly the opposite. I could sleep 14+ hours a night. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best moment this week:</span></b> Watching Matt enjoy feeling and seeing baby kick. I guess I’m so used to it but it’s a real treat for Matt since he doesn’t get to carry the little guy around all day and night. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miss Anything?</span></b> Having a normal body temperature!! I am SO HOT all the time. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Movement:</span></b> All the time! Mostly mornings and nights…although, I’m thinking it’s because that’s when I’m just laying there and can feel him really kick ya know?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food cravings:</span></b> Not really any cravings just hungry 24/7.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> not too bad! </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> BOY!! <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Labor Signs:</span></b> nope! Still cookin’ </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Symptoms:</span></b> exhaustion, headaches/migraines, cookie monster.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Belly Button in or out?</span></b> IN<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wedding rings on or off?</span></b> on<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy or Moody most of the time:</span></b> MOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amber from Teen Mom moody. </span></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking forward to:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> seeing everyone at the baby shower! </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mYYuNXintICLn_a-ZXsxNXo0OvjHWy9tbE-KFBzIjGAN06XOstUky0W9KUv22ToiVt4TG3KEGFsWYgLaN6Oo-3NIQlWsnQozK3GoHrmQ6MN5fHkFofdl-0iKQSKRB3oppiEidpq-qxo/s640/blogger-image--1577044755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mYYuNXintICLn_a-ZXsxNXo0OvjHWy9tbE-KFBzIjGAN06XOstUky0W9KUv22ToiVt4TG3KEGFsWYgLaN6Oo-3NIQlWsnQozK3GoHrmQ6MN5fHkFofdl-0iKQSKRB3oppiEidpq-qxo/s640/blogger-image--1577044755.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Throwback Thursday. Gotta love the noodle hanging out of my mouth.</em></span> </div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-30790435954811749892012-07-11T19:49:00.000-05:002012-07-11T19:49:05.752-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 26 Weeks<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJDRZQneVenjwBK45KyzP7CzyrV2B-xMnY3Qtir5UDJun2NY9cd1JMPkkTngydTf-u3uptmgdyicsKLx9P155kwb8RcbyYOvfI9voRTi6xdDQGYduNGYTJAD7RxIk57YCLGsqrpHF7NI/s1600/mtb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJDRZQneVenjwBK45KyzP7CzyrV2B-xMnY3Qtir5UDJun2NY9cd1JMPkkTngydTf-u3uptmgdyicsKLx9P155kwb8RcbyYOvfI9voRTi6xdDQGYduNGYTJAD7RxIk57YCLGsqrpHF7NI/s640/mtb.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> My stepmom bought me a Mother-to-be crown and sash for my baby shower and I about died! So fun! Took a few too many pictures of myself in them because I adore them!</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5-YAQpjpnN3dnzqWrYEPKhdLVdF-i1784KPoKVy0XlJWSNL9cjeZdhGbjrLcQDwTUV_mLuVz4HuvUmmBkeT2VdSLL0I5utGyAeLv_kOOrftwmL8HGWtgUUH-PZcUguZ7n8PH-IGSF4w/s1600/mtbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5-YAQpjpnN3dnzqWrYEPKhdLVdF-i1784KPoKVy0XlJWSNL9cjeZdhGbjrLcQDwTUV_mLuVz4HuvUmmBkeT2VdSLL0I5utGyAeLv_kOOrftwmL8HGWtgUUH-PZcUguZ7n8PH-IGSF4w/s640/mtbb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How far along?</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 26 weeks {27 tomorrow…}</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total weight gain:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 8 lbs in like 2 weeks…whoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maternity clothes?</span></b> Pretty strictly maxi dresses in public and athletic shorts at home.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stretch marks?</span></b> around my belly button. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sleep:</span></b> tired alllll the time!! My hemoglobin was at a 7.8 yesterday and the nurse was freaking out. I will have it checked again next week but if it’s the same or lower it’s blood transfusion time. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best moment this week:</span></b> My west river baby shower!! </span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I love my family so much and they spoiled us rotten! My aunts were apparently calling each other trying to top the others gift. Haha! They may or may not have pinned me down so I would tell them the name…rascals. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miss Anything?</span></b> Not too bad. When I feel stressed I miss rum and substitute for Clear American Pina Colada flavored water…what a wonderful substitute right? <br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Movement:</span></b> He loves to kick and Matt and I love to sit and watch my belly when he does! He’s so precious!! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food cravings:</span></b> you know that whole seafood diet quote? Yeah, well if I see food I eat it. Seafood diet. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> migraines and the thought of my baby not making it into this world! I'm such a worry wart but you hear so many things about the cord wrapping around their neck or lungs not being developed or brain damage! This is exactly why I need rum. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> BOY!! <br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Labor Signs:</span></b> Braxton Hicks here and there (i think that's what they are..) but other than that no! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Symptoms:</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">H.E.A.R.T.B.U.R.N.</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Belly Button in or out?</span></b> IN<br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wedding rings on or off?</span></b> on<br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy or Moody most of the time:</span></b> sooooo happy!!!! </span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I feel like I’m on cloud 9. I often wonder why God thought I was so worthy of all the beautiful people and gifts in my life. I am truly blessed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking forward to:</span></span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> seeing everyone at the baby shower! </span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-13880778476689950432012-07-01T22:59:00.000-05:002012-07-01T22:59:35.414-05:00Girl's Gone Child: 25 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx2xYQ2X8xLr5EMqr623gq2rHCYlEdZ01IK70bLFC5ezEKR5Yxv35VMOR5ZD-dhhNuEMA4ydQ-miwim44lKOJxUYsi-9QQXa4L1M9KGL59QjQT2zruvu7XQUb1Bd4NNtFpUpovhUjjA0/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx2xYQ2X8xLr5EMqr623gq2rHCYlEdZ01IK70bLFC5ezEKR5Yxv35VMOR5ZD-dhhNuEMA4ydQ-miwim44lKOJxUYsi-9QQXa4L1M9KGL59QjQT2zruvu7XQUb1Bd4NNtFpUpovhUjjA0/s400/25.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How far along?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
25 weeks! 25 weeks and 3 days actually but once again I’m late on updating! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: ""serif""; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: ""serif""; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Total weight gain:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
Last Tuesday, I had gained ½ a pound but I haven’t weighed myself since.</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maternity clothes?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Pretty strictly maxi dresses in
public and athletic shorts at home.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Stretch marks?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> around my belly button. </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sleep:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> the sun and baby are making me tired!
And hot!</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Best moment this week:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> laying in my pool. Per picture
below. It’s been hotter than hell here lately!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miss Anything?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Not too bad! I was sober at the
street dance/5 year reunion yesterday and I still had fun! I told Matt that
maybe it was a lesson that I may carry over after pregnancy and all he said
was, “doubt it.” Haha! Such a pessimist or should I say a realist?</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Movement:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> slowed down a tiny bit! Getting less
and less room in there to move even though my surgeon told my family my uterus
was one of the biggest he’s seen………..thanks? </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Food cravings:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> FRIED CHICKEN!!</span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
the smell of hot bird shit and cigarettes. I’m really starting to hate Matt’s
smoking habit (esp. since I bought him a $44 carton of cheapo grandpa cigs)….I
told him he better quit or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ELSE</i>! </span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
BOY!! My friend Bre says she hopes it comes out a girl because she’s wanted
that to happen to someone she knows so bad! I just said, “screw you! I don’t
want to have to re-buy shiz!” </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Labor Signs:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> None…but having some back pain when I
sit or stand too long which means late night back rubs from Matt </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: ""serif""; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: ""serif""; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Symptoms:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> tired, hot, crabby, etc. </span></div>
<span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Belly Button in or out?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> INNY</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wedding rings on or off?</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> on</span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy or Moody most of the time:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
MOODY!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! SOOO MOODY!!! </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: ""serif""; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: ""serif""; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Looking forward to:</span></b><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
laying in my pool tomorrow, eating bomb pops and enjoying my “kiddie pack” of
fireworks I bought for $6.95 (all the good stuff is in there..)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpCZ90_94wYo34J6leGPrgC6GTHRCaX4DLTpZOTWrUjWCfv1PieDxjhQ5fLhqYa3f07tpiObcyShk6lOc9ZBo3oTFZC8saEv0rv2JDYCnEduiTeDB4hUtUWsiWzEi1S-nBDBZxyoF6dk/s1600/pool5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpCZ90_94wYo34J6leGPrgC6GTHRCaX4DLTpZOTWrUjWCfv1PieDxjhQ5fLhqYa3f07tpiObcyShk6lOc9ZBo3oTFZC8saEv0rv2JDYCnEduiTeDB4hUtUWsiWzEi1S-nBDBZxyoF6dk/s400/pool5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>livin' it up straight redneck style.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5Qmm455LKhOWOwsCgw8u96wj645pMGzyslln7m3EMAIvheWmCD5Meujhigc_CrT1n9yC6dsNJTkPJo-t_eB1cKUeuXhLBOiP6mFhyphenhyphenqJIDMCoNGc3QX0WvzMJ9tmK3bXzinTZJnDtctk/s1600/pool4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5Qmm455LKhOWOwsCgw8u96wj645pMGzyslln7m3EMAIvheWmCD5Meujhigc_CrT1n9yC6dsNJTkPJo-t_eB1cKUeuXhLBOiP6mFhyphenhyphenqJIDMCoNGc3QX0WvzMJ9tmK3bXzinTZJnDtctk/s400/pool4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><em>aaaaaand me in a bathing suit...oh well, this momma has to cool off! </em></o:p></span></div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009886565724660796.post-80039414871055728832012-07-01T22:48:00.003-05:002012-07-01T22:48:43.336-05:00Wedding Update<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our wedding update is that we are no
longer getting married next September. It was an easy decision actually based
on what’s best for the needs of our soon-to-be family of 3. It was a hard
decision, for me, based on what others would think. Matt has a level head though
when it comes to things I get easily get worked up about and vice versa (maybe
that’s why we’re soulmates??) and he just said, “don’t worry about what other
people think it’s OUR life.” He’s completely right too….damn him ;) </span><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Anyways, the main and pretty much only reason is because I’m
a college student. As a single mother I get more help financially to help pay
for school. This may sound like a “pretty shitty” excuse but my child’s future
depends on my education and my ability to have a good job. That’s about as
simple as that. </span><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I guess when you become parent’s you
see the importance of things in a whole new light. $50 marriage certificate +
glitzy wedding or not I love Matthew more than anything and that I can say is
the one thing that will never change. I’m so GLAD I have the support of my
family, fiancé and friends that all agree that this is the best decision for
our future lives together. </span><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And I will have that dream woodland wedding +
kickass Disney bachelorette party <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someday</i></b>....for now I’ll just pin
about it </span><span style="color: #3a3223; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: ""serif""; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: ""serif""; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="color: #3a3223; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMVI7fLLTKdPPhCe42FKaxvFUKtLdwNh5cz3aOEenx_UdgTNkB3JJIqGy1PzxW7Q00OeALtRDLUSPOlWSGzm9jdifZNcXhU0-i14_mk-TVpZkkSzlMMbOrllajHD17f1ZuGd9TGD0VM0/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMVI7fLLTKdPPhCe42FKaxvFUKtLdwNh5cz3aOEenx_UdgTNkB3JJIqGy1PzxW7Q00OeALtRDLUSPOlWSGzm9jdifZNcXhU0-i14_mk-TVpZkkSzlMMbOrllajHD17f1ZuGd9TGD0VM0/s400/aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>{nude eyes. pink lips.}</em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>Brandi Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336339383486196424noreply@blogger.com0