Country Living...

I love the fact that we live in a small town. The same small town my husband was born and raised in. My children are able to experience the country way of life and they love it. In fact, Zane spent twenty minutes at the front door this morning in perfect silence. He was simply watching his "Paw Paw" unload round bales of hay off the trailer. My daughter put on her mud boots and begged me to let her get on the tractor and help. However, country living is not always pretty. I have one word for you....MUD! Ok, maybe two....GATES! I do not have to open a gate at the moment so I won't get on my soapbox about opening the gate....in the rain...in the mud...in your nice shoes...while your running late to where ever you need to go! Sorry, I had to vent a little over the eight years I had to open a gate. It scarred me for life! Anyway, back to the ugly side of country living.

Yes, this baby was found in our yard today. The same yard my babies play in. Is it alive you ask...oh yes, it is! Will it be for long? I sure hope not!

A New Boy in Town...

My husband's cousin, Debbie, recently moved back home. When my husband was born, Debbie was 12 years old and quickly claimed him for her own. She spoiled him rotten and he is still known around the Blakley family as "Deb's boy". Since Debbie has been home she has won the hearts of my two children...they adore her! Zane cries every time she leaves because he can't go with her. Well, Debbie's daughter, Hilary (aka: the best babysitter ever...I have to suck up a little), recently had her first baby, Ryan Parker, making Deb a GRANDMOTHER!!! Ok, she's not a grandma she's a "Be-Be". Since Mr. Ryan has been born my kiddos have had a little competition (LOL). Who can blame Be-Be for having a new center of attention...this baby boy is absolutely adorable!!

He turned two weeks old and we had to celebrate with a little picture taking! I LOVE to get crying baby pictures! I know it's mean, but it's real and that's what I love about them. However, Mr. Ryan would not cooperate...not a peep, a whimper, or a cry! You would have never know it was cool outside or that my children were running around screaming like wild Indians. He was perfect...he spent most of his time sprawled out and snoozing!

My next favorite thing to capture are those sweet baby feet.

I even got a wink and a smile out of this little flirt.

He also wanted me to let Joey know..."Deb, has a new boy in town!"

The Odd One Out...

Around our house I'm the odd one out. That's right, I don't own a pair of western boots, a hat, or any other western gear. However, I love the fact that my children have fallen into my husband's footsteps...they love EVERYTHING about horses, boots, and cowboy hats. In fact, I received Zane's first cowboy hat and belt buckle at my baby shower while still pregnant with him...thanks Candice and Cody! Well, my baby boy has finally grown into his cowboy hat and he loves it.

As soon as the hat hits his head he's galloping through the house like he's riding a horse. He even throws his head back and forth as if he's being bucked around by a wild bronco. He and his sister run around the house on stick horses seeing who will get bucked off first...which usually turns into an injury, crying, and a lecture from Mom about running in the house.

The crying doesn't last long, the injury heels, and Mom's lecture is soon forgotten as he puts his cowboy hat back on and saddles up to ride his stick horse again...smiles and giggling quickly follow!!!

I know that this love for the western way of life is a special bond my children have with their dad...and every time my baby boy puts on his hat I'm reminded how lucky we are!

A Sweet Deal...

I wanted to let you in on a great special Premier is about to start! It's our 50% Hostess Benefits Special and it begins January 16th. This means more FREE JEWELRY for you as a hostess and that's not all...we also have our spring/summer collection of NEW JEWELRY being released at exactly the same time! Would you like to get a few girlfriends together and be one of the first to take advantage of this great special?

HOW IT WORKS

Book your Home Show with me between Saturday, January 16 and Monday, February 22, 2010. To qualify for 50% Hostess Benefits, a Home Show must have Total Retail Sales (advance orders, guest orders, and Hostess half-price selections) of $450.00 or greater. Hostesses with Total Retail Sales of $100.00 to $499.99 will receive the regular 30% Hostess Benefits. Do you have a friend who loves jewelry? Tell her about this great special! If she books a show with me and uses your name as a referral you will receive a years worth of jewelry coupons!

BOOK YOUR SHOW TODAY!!!