the new guy....

well i wanted to keep you in the loop, my new employee has done an incredible job at BBW and i am glad to say he is in enrolling in college. i have been spending a few minutes with him every day helping him write his essays and helping him find some scholarships. if anyone knows of any please let me know. it feels good to help and actually see the results of him working so hard. it is amazing. we are really starting to get busy with work now, holiday is coming and i am gearing up for it.

Connor and Connor

I am having problems with my Camera but we as soon as I can, I will post some news pics..
we met a new friend named Connor and he is almost 2 and his mom and I have hit it off her name is Lauren, we have gotten together the last 3 fridays and the kids have a blast together and her and I just chat away. every time my Connor sees him he has to hug him it is so funny,we took them to the childrens museum today and we could not get them out of there. I think the big hit was the firetruck and the bank... we ate pizza and came home. Connor is wore out, he has the biggest social calendar I have ever seen.... but for me, it has been so nice to have a girlfriend to talk to. the pictures will be coming soon.....

me and melissa

oh my goodness, my dear friend Melissa sent this to me and i love this pic... she is one of the most wonderful and caring people you will ever meet. she is the one who got me through contractions on the day Connor was born she is just wonderful and i miss her dearly.. hey melissa, how about catching a sunset?

determined to make a difference

today at work, i am getting ready for all of my holiday hiring and i interviewed a young man who just blew me away with his personality. he was so respectful and we got to talking after the interview and i came to find out he has 10 brothers and sisters and three died and he is trying to make something of himself to better his future. we talked for quite a bit and when he shared he cried a bit and thanked me for making him feel welcome when he got an application i just thanked him and told him i was excited to have him on my team. the jist of the story of what i want to share is his former teacher explained how smart and detemined he is and just a heck of an employee he will be for me but that he comes from NOTHING he has nothing but a few things just trying to make it in the world. he dosent let anyone know that but she has known him for quite a bit. she shared some stories that made my eyes fill up and we put our heads together and she is going to drop off an anonymous giftcard for him to get some clothes for work and i am determined to somehow make this persons life just a little brighter while he works for me. i just want to stress NEVER judge a book by its cover because the outside of the book may look flat but the inside of the book just blows you away. i will continue to share with all of you my journey with him but i am determined to make a difference in his life.
i just ask all of you who read this, as sappy as this may sound just take 2 seconds and be kind to someone today you never know how good it will make you feel and the difference you can make.

that's my girl....

this is Anna Burton, I taught her preschool when she was two and now she is in 6th grade oh, this family is truly one of the greatest families of ALL time. they are just the most amazing people and Anna is just as sweet as an angel. Sandy, Anna's mom is one of the greatest woman of all time, she came and stayed with me right after I had Connor she was such an incredible help to me. we were able to spend some time with them a few wkeds ago and Anna has truly grown up to be such an incredible young lady who I am proud to know. man, i love this kid

oh my goodness...

these two chased eachother all over the pumpkin field tonight and in this picture they kept shouting boo....... everything was monkey see monkey do.. and Caleb picked up my "oh my goodness" it was so funny

picking pumpkins

tonight we went to pick pumkins with Allison, Lincoln and Caleb we had a great time and we actually took a family picture which we never do. Connor was less than thrilled that he had to sit with us for a picture when he could be running around with Caleb

johns family

i have to just share this picture with everyone, is it possible that this family can be more beautiful. ... when i first met everyone one after another was just georgous and the nice thing about this family is that they are as nice as they are beautiful... thank goodness Connor has some good genes running through him hahahahahah

get well momma Gray

Connor just loves Momma Gray and last week she was in the hosptial and we were so worried about her but she is doing better now and Connor and I prayed for her and he said amen.... momma gray amen, we are glad she is doing better because Connor just adores her

tough day....

the last two days have been incredibly stressful. yesterday work was overwhelming and we had so much to do and john had wrestling and Connor had to get picked up at a certain time and I had to leave the store with a line of people waiting and I got in my car doing a 100 mph just to get Connor on time and when we got home i just about jumped out of my skin and I snapped at Connor and I felt like the worst mother in the world for yelling at him. I swore i would never raise my children with yelling parents and I did it and i just sat down for a minute and cried so hard. sometimes i wonder why we work so hard and then i think, I want better for Connor I want to be able to take him special places but lord knows days like the last two have challenged me. I called Natalie and told her and it made me feel better that i am not the only mom that has done this before. i am trying to teach myself how to relax does anyone have any insight? i love the whole yoga, breathe in and out theory but in my day to day it just dosent happen. i am off tommorrow so lets see if i can do some stress free living even for just a day....

catching up with friends

I just wanted to comment on something today, I think we all forget in the craziness of our days ,about how important our friends are, I had some great conversations the last few days (as you all know I drive an hour each way to work so i have plenty of time to talk hahah) I was able to catch up with my friend Renee, in nashville and she is the perfect example of a month can go by and you call eachother and time hasnt changed anything, talking to Natalie, makes me just miss her so much more she is my oldest and dearest friend and time and distance will never change our friendship and just having those chats the past few days leaves me inspired because they care and they tell you how it is... i miss my friends so much that live far away and I try my hardest to drop a line in one way or another and say hey i love you.. it makes you realize how blessed you are to have a few good friends and to never take them for granted.

our babysitter....

today when connor got up he said two things to me, "ewica" and snack... our babysitter is Erica and she is incredible. I pondered the thought of going back to work and i was not so sure but we met her and the peace came over me. she has an incredible family and kids and she loves Connor like he was her own and it is a peaceful feeling to go to work and no your child is taken care of... i can understand why Connor would put the two names together she has got to be one of the best bakers in the world she is always coming up with some cool snack. we love her and i hope Erica gets to read this that my son instantly wanted a Ms. Erica snack hahahahhah

best friends

It is amazing the friendship between these boys. they had a ball this week and this is just one of my favorite memories of them and of course sand was everywhere... Allison, Calebs mom was one of the first people I met here and she understood being a new mom and we have been friends since, she is the kind of person who you may not have talked to in a week and you get together and chat like it was yesterday.. she has been a source of comfort for me being here and I am thankful for her more than she even knows... I am blessed

ER-the final season

ok, so i am the only person who still watches ER on thursday nights? i hope someone watched it. they are in the last season and one of my favorite doctors died last night and I cried like my heart was going to break ughh how can shows do that to you? John always laughs at me but I tell him, that is one of the reasons you love me because i am a sap... i hope someone watched it so i can chat with them about it hahahahahahah

Connor's big adventure

This week we were fortunate to hang out with Caleb and Allison twice this week and Connor was beside himself with joy. we took the boys to burger king to play and eat lunch and they had a ball together. every time they get together fun is to be had and when they part, they always give eachother a hug and kiss it is the sweetest thing. Caleb is truly Connors best buddy.

pay it forward

today at work, I had a lady return a product that was $150 worth of skin care and inside I was mad that it was going to take me that much longer to make up this money but thank goodness i did not let my emotions show, we got to talking and she proceeded to share with me that heer ex husband was a jerk and did not pay for his child support this month and he needed clothes and so on , she began to cry and talked of her frusteration and said sometimes I just wish I could do something for myself so I thought to myself what could I do to give her a little light to her day.. we have extra coupons so I gave her one and with that she got a free body lotion I know it wasnt much, but to her in that moment it was like a million bucks... I said to her, I wish i could do more for you but pamper yourself for just a moment, she cried and said I dont know what to say but thank you i just told her "pay it forward"... it makes you realize you never know what is going on in another persons life and it takes two seconds to be kind and the way it makes you feel is better than anything.
so it was a good day

Connor's new thing

This was taken when we went to nashville however, Connor loves to get out of the tub wrapped up in a towel and parade around the house for a bit. he is so funny everyday is something new and just better than the day before

my two men

this has got to be my favorite picture to date.. it sounds silly, but this day when i looked at john in a simple brown tshirt and jeans he took my breathe away and Connor well he can just steal your heart away.. but this is a picture that i just adore...

it's ok daddy..

the last two days John has been so sick with a stomach bug and just miserable and Connor couldnt understand why Daddy wasnt his energetic self so I explained that daddy had a boo boo in his belly and Connor rubs and kisses his head and says no boo boo Daddy...

family pic

this was at the anniversary party we went to we had the best day and Connor was just having a ball but wow, I took one look at this picture, and my diet has begun ughh...

Connor's first crush

we went to an anniversary party where we saw some dear friends who are family to us. Connor took one look at Anna and he was love struck he stared at her all night long

Connor and Caleb

this is Connors friend Caleb at a birthday party this has to be Connors favorite friend! they always have so much fun together and Caleb is one of those children you love like your own. he is the sweetest little boy and we adore him

the end of Connor's weekend

the party boy has finally run out of steam hahhahahahaha

me and Robert..

Robert and I have been friends for YEARS and he is just one of the greatest friends of all time and has been there for everything and just about one of the greatest guys ever.. he has a heart of gold and just the kindest guy. we try to get together at least once every two months but Connor and John just adore him and he is family to us we just love him...

Connor in rare form

This is my child on a normal basis just always laughing about something he was playing with my friend Robert and having to much fun

Connor and Jacob

This is Maureens son Jacob when we went to visit.. to much fun was to be had this picture says it all.... Connor was the ring leader behind many antics hahahaah. they had so much fun playing outside and going down the slide

this is one of my favorites

this is just one of those favorite pics and moments that you wish could just stay that way.. we were on the swing and connor just said "toooool" which means cool and life was good there for a moment in nashville tennessee

friends forever we are just missing Lisa.....

this is my friend wendy and maureen, and we all met when we first moved to nashville and we always hung out together and we also had another sidekick lisa, one of my dearest friends in the world we saw eachother for the first time in a few years, life takes funny turns but you always pick back up where you started... these were very memories

me and momma gray

this is a lady of incredible kindness I have known her for years and she has the heart of an angel. she opened her door to us and said your home you are family to us .. she made us a bbq lunch and played with Connor and we just had an incredible day we got to see Robert and his dad as well and it was one of those days that you sit back and say this was one of my favorites...leaving was hard but Momma gray said, i am sending prayers up to get you out of memphis and i love you like you were my own and we are here for you.. it was a hard goodbye..

almost home.....???????

wow.. was the only word Connor could say at the park we went to see the ducks and run around. John and I both said what have we done leaving all of this. where it is safe to walk your children at night on west end ave and you have all of this at your fingertips my heart ached for this and i asked john what are we doing in memphis with no support system and living in a place we hate life is to short to live that way... well john is looking now and he has the fire under him to make a change. Connor was just having a ball with all of the excitement. one of my favorite things we did right after this picture was go on the big swing and just sat.. connor loved it and i said to john i wish we could be like this forever.....

our day out with Thomas the train

we went to nashville to see thomas the train with Maureen and Jacob. it was the neatest thing we took a train ride and the kids just loved it when we were done they had a bunch of activities to do so they played with trains, bounced in the moon walk and took their picture with thomas. they both got little tattos and that seemed to be the coolest thing to them. thank goodness we took the first trip of the day it got so hot but the boys had a great time

meet my husband

most of you have met my husband, he is an incredible father and patient as a saint husband he is the level headed one of us and has supported me with the long hours of working at BBW i could not do it without him but he also knows this road will lead us out of memphis.. we have been through alot together some growing pains but more good times than bad. he is always thoughtful and considerate and always makes me smile even if i try to be mad i cant, he smiles at me and i still melt even after all this time. he is the best father 2nd after my dad, and i am so proud to call this man my husband.....

Connor and the water

Connor was enjoying the water fountain today at the zoo and he was having a ball and he tripped right into the water fountain he was soaked and he came out laughing this child has no fear.... it was a pretty hot day today so i am sure it felt good to get wet. He is so much fun and he loves water

a day in the life of Connor

this is how our little man starts his day in our bed hahahah he sleeps until the last minute like his daddy and takes his time getting up and going...

a day at work

this was our inventory night at my store and fun was to be had.. these are some of my girls who work so hard.. this past week we had the highest transaction (sold the most) out of the whole district which is 9 stores.. they are fun, loyal and some of the best girls you will ever meet

a day at the zoo

today we went to the zoo and Connor was having a ball. all he wanted to see was the chickens and the ducks but when he saw the lion all he could say was wow............."tool....................which translates as "cool". he kept trying to blow all of the animals kisses and say hello it is amazing how this child has the heart of an angel...

daddy and Connor one of my fav's

last night we went to look for the "moooooooooooooon" as Connor says !!!! this is daddy and connor on the hunt for the moon my two loves of my life

a morning at the park

today we took Connor over to shelby farms park to walk around and it was quite an adventure... everything is a picture moment with him... he had to smell the flowers, jump in the puddles and my favorite, pick a weed and present it to me... nothing is better than family time and it was the highlight of my day

Connor and I

this morning we decided to take some fun pics and Connor loves taking them and looking at the pics..... this week his new word is "look" and cool...........

getting ready for the olympics

Connor and the dogs love to jump on the trampoline I only wish everyone could have seen the dogs jumping as well..

spending time with Daddy

John and Connor usually spend Saturdays together so John has taught him some wrestling moves connor can do a bridge and a Tripod very impressive. we also bought Connor a little trampoline because he loves to jump

Connor and the Hamster

Connor got a hamster from one our friends and we named him Torro yes, after a lawnmower this hamster is a warrior and has survived this familyhahaha. Connor so badly wanted to play with Torro that he climbed up on the counter got a hold of the cage and off it went from the counter and all scattered on our kitchen floor. Torro is safe and a little shaken up but all Connor wanted to do was kiss the hamster... he is a true animal lover

staying on TOP

I have put my blood sweat and tears to clean up the mess that was left for me at my store and it is paying off greatly we are the #2 in the district!!!!! we have an incredible customer loyalty base and we are just making strides each day... but this was not an easy task for me anyone who knows me knows the trouble I endured to get here. but It is enjoyable and anyone like bath and body hahahah. I have tried to ensure everyone in my life is wearing something from my store....I hope we can continue out stay at the top!!!!!!