Nellie + Nay Giveaway

I am finally wrapping up making bows for my Spring Boutique that is this coming Wednesday.

To kick off my bows I am hosting a GIVEAWAY for my Nellie + Nay headbands and bows!

To enter:

Follow my blog and leave a comment letting me know you did so.

For an extra chance to win follow me along Instagram, repost this picture with the hash tag #nellienay

Winner will be announced May 6th

Good Luck!!!!

Day Three: Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

Here goes day three of blog every day in May.
Things that make me uncomfortable....
1. Compliments - I have never been known to accept a compliment well.  I always turn it around into something negative.  I really just need to learn how to say thank you.
2. Being Cold - Pretty much any house I go into other than mine I find myself uncomfortably cold.  I take a blanket with me to the movies and a jacket into every restaurant, even in the dead of summer.  When I am riding in someone else's car, it takes everything in side of me not to reach over and blast the heat.
3. Being Hot - There really must be something wrong with my circulatory system.  I have been know to get heat stroke quickly, when being in the heat too long.  Last summer I almost died being pregnant.  All I wanted to do was walk around in my sweet nothings.  I'm sure my neighbors had to hide their children from looking out their windows.
4. Silent Pauses - Even when these happen in a movie or a show I instantly feel awkward.
5. Foul Language - There is nothing like walking to the movies with my husband and hearing a twelve year old drop the f bomb.  I feel especially uncomfortable when I am watching a movie with my mom or my in-laws and one of those f bombs is dropped.  Keep it classy people.
6. Food In Teeth - I know the right thing to do would be to tell the person you are talking with, that they have food in their teeth, but for some reason it is hard for me to do so.  Now if it is my husband, a sibling, or my friend Megan, I have no problem.
7. Leaving A Voicemail - Hearing myself talk or the sound of my voice, could make me cringe.  The worst is when the voicemail gets deleted and you have to start all over again.
8. Opening Gifts In Front of People - I get all clammy and nervous when I have to open shower gifts in front of people.  I feel like everyone is starring at me.  
9. Driving On The Freeway - You know when the car next to you drives the exact same speed as you? I always wonder do I drive faster or do I drive slower.
10. Smells - I have the most sensitive nose around, it is equal to that of a K9.  I cannot do smells.  I have been known to throw up upon the smell of something foul.  
11. Jeans - If I could live in sweats all day I would, oh wait I do.  The second I walk into my house, off goes the pants.
12. Blemishes and Hair - If you haven't already noticed I am OCD.... When I am talking to someone and I see a white head or a black head it takes all my strength not to reach out and pop their zit.  Disgusting I know!  Hair on peoples backs or faces is almost even more uncomfortable for me.  You know the stray black hair?!?!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
13. Kisses - People/Strangers kissing my babies face or hands.  Enough said!
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What makes you uncomfortable?
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Day Two: Green Smoothie 101

I am on day two of blog every day in May challenge.  The challenge for today is to educate everyone on something I am good at or am knowledgable at.  This may be a stretch, but it is all I could come up with.

It just so happens that I just started teaching Zumba again.  While I don't feel I am a professional by any means, I do feel like I know what it takes to have fun, while shedding the pounds.  Growing up as a dancer I came to love moving to music.  As soon as I was done dancing professionally, my heart yearned to move again.  I tried to run, but I am horrible at it.  That is where Zumba came into my life.  After attending my first Zumba class I was hooked.  The class was one hour but ended up flying by.  I didn't catch myself looking at the clock once.  I had so much fun shaking it and groovin to the music.  

I instantly wanted to become an instructor.  I went and got my Zumba certification and started teaching soon after.  Zumba is a rush for me.  The energy I get from teaching gives me chills.  I love the response I get from my students.  Not only has it changed their fitness level but it has mine.  I ended up shedding the pounds as I taught Zumba three days a week.  After my miscarriage and shortly after getting pregnant with Penelope, I decided it would be best to put teaching on hold.  I missed teaching every day. 

 After having Penelope I got re-certified immediately.  I just got offered to teach two classes at GB3.  Yesterday was my first day back.  It felt so good to hear the people in my class cheering and smiling back at me.  Zumba is rewarding in so many ways.  It is a great way release those endorphins and put whatever kind of day you had behind you.  It is so easy to get lost in the music and just have fun.  I have so many people say Zumba is not for them.  I think it is a bit intimidating for some, but I always tell them to just come try it.  As soon as people get past the fact that no one is really paying attention to them, they embrace it and have a blast.  Really everyone else is so worried about themselves they don't have time to watch you.  My father-in-law can do it and so can you!  If you can take that leap of faith and give Zumba a chance.  I promise you won't regret it!

My hubby spoiled me with new shoes and work out clothes.  There is something about new work out clothes that motivates me to get to the gym.

I try to follow up my Zumba class with a Green Smoothie.  It is the only way I seem to manage getting in my daily fruits and veggies.

Green Smoothie Recipe

1 1/2 cup water

1 handful of spinach

1 handful of Kale

1 handful of carrots

2 heaping handfuls of frozen fruit (Wawona's tropical fruit blend at Costco is my favorite)

2 apples (green apples always put out the best flavor)

2 bananas

2 squirts of vanilla stevia

You can add ice if you like it chilled

I always start with water on the bottom.

Add your green veggies and bananas.

Mix until well blended.

Add in frozen fruit blend.

Slice apples and add to mixture.

Add carrots and vanilla stevia.

This recipe makes at least 2 servings.  You can always store in the fridge and save some for the following day.

I realize it doesn't look that appetizing, but it is oh so good!

Day One: The Story of My Life

I am excited to take on this challenge from Story of My Life.  Feel free to join in. 
So here it goes the story of my life.................

I was born in Salt Lake City, UT.  I grew up with three brothers and one sister, in Heber City.  I loved growing up surrounded by majestic mountains.  

 My dad instilled the love of golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, snowmobiling, boating, skiing and not being afraid to go for my dreams.

My mom is the definition of what a mother should be.  She is my example of faith, trust, hope, endurance, hard work and charity.

Growing up with a dad who struggled with alcoholism on and off taught me a lot about myself.  It taught me a lot about forgiveness and unconditional love.  Alcoholism in the end ended up taking my dads life.  I still feel him close and know that he is in a better place.

I danced from age three all the way to dancing professionally for the Utah Jazz.  Dance gave me the confidence I needed in life.

I graduated from the University of Utah in the Spring of 2009.  As much as I couldn't wait to graduate, there is still a little part of me that misses school.

After marrying my husband he moved us to California.  I had such a hard time adjusting.  I learned so much through my first year of marriage.  I am breaking down and starting to love CA.

November 9th, I became a mom.  Having my baby put into my arms for the first time, is a moment I will never forget.  Motherhood is my greatest accomplishment.  My baby completes me.

It's Getting Hot In Here

With the weather warming up and a baby on tow, Tyson and I decided it was time to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine.  Old Town Clovis put on a parade for the Clovis Rodeo.  We didn't end up going to the rodeo but we did enjoy the parade.  Watching the parade took me back to my middle school and high school days.  I remember marching in the parade with my new cheer uniform on.  I thought I was so cool.  I couldn't get over how young the high schoolers looked, marching through the parade.  I swear I wasn't that small or maybe I was.

For some reason the cowboys thought it would be fun to shoot of blanks in their shotguns, while riding in the parade.  It was so loud.  I was flinching every five seconds.  It didn't seem to phase Penelope.  The sirens on the other hand, about did her in.  I felt so bad for her.  She let out the biggest tears I have ever seen.  I do love being her mama though and being that one person who can comfort and protect her when she is scarred.

I wanted to steal this horse and ride him off into the sunset.  

That mane.

I am still a child at heart and was hoping for heaps of candy.  Only one person handed out candy.  I was sorely disappointed.  Overall it was so much fun to get out and do something new.  Next year we are going to make the rodeo happen.

Later that afternoon we headed out to the pool.  I couldn't wait to put Penelope in her new bathing suite and sun hat.  The rolls on her legs get me every time.

We tried to dip her feet in the water to see how she would react.  As you can tell, she hated it.  I felt so bad.  Hopefully in the next couple of weeks the pool water will warm up.  Clovis has already hit 96 degrees.  I am planing on living at the pool this summer.  Although I don't like heat that much, I imagine this summer being a lot better than the last.  Pregnant and Clovis heat do not mix well together.

I love that summer is just around the corner.  I cannot wait for BBQ's, camping, fireworks, swimming, snow cones, the smell of sunscreen, tan lines and Newport!