My First Glamma Photo Shoot

Of course I had to have my first "Glamma" Photo Shoot when both my babies were here together.  My favorite find on Black Friday was at J.C. Penny's this T-shirt that reads "Love My Tribe" along with the babies onesies that say "New To The Tribe". Here are some samplings of the pictures taken by my talented daughter Erica;

Mickey & Minnie Mouse Baby Shower

There is little I like more than a Party with a Theme! 

And since we aren't finding out if Baby is a Boy or Girl

We're celebrating the possibility of both with Mickey & Minnie!!

 

 The Invites;

Printed on speckled card stock,

Included a Diaper Raffle Ticket!

 

My girls, excited to become Aunts made T-shirts! 

Too Cute!!

 Here's the Aunt Squad with their future Niece and/or Nephew(s)! 

Kendra, the Guest of Honor, due in Aug., along with Katie, due in Nov. 

Decorations;

 

 Katie made the Baby Banner out of onsies!

M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E. 

 I laid out Baby Pictures of Kendra & Zach with all the Center Pieces. 

So cute!

 We used adorable watering cans & added Fresh Flowers.

 Guests could "Vote" for a Boy or Girl.

At the end, the Girl can had MANY more votes in it! 

We'll see if their right . . .

 Food;

 

 What's Black & Red, and Dotted all over? ;)

 

 We made our Pasta Salad with Bow Tie Pasta

fitting for Mickey!

 And since Minnie Wears a Bow as well, 

we used a Bow shaped cookie cutter to make this cute Cheese Platter!

 Mickey's legs made out of Fruit via Pinterest!

We did Strawberry Shorts, with Marshmallow Buttons,

Grapes for his legs & Pineapple shoes!

 Oreos dipped in white chocolate with red sprinkles,

 2 pearls for Mickey's shorts, or more for Minnie's polka dot skirt!

With chocolate "ears"! 

(The Mickey Glove Plates I found at Goodwill for .98¢ Love them!)

"Let Them Eat Cake!"

Games;

Sticking with the Disney theme, we named our Guess the size of the Belly game:

"Bibbidi Bobbidi Bump!" :)

How many candies does it take to fill a Baby Bottle?

Match the Disney Character with their Parent, or parental figure.

We also played "How Well Do You Know Mommy?"

Asking questions like her Middle Name?, Birthday?, Shoe size, Etc.

Favorite Color, Book, Season?

What's her favorite Disney Movie?

When was her first trip to Disneyland? And more.

Prizes came from the Disney Store;

Minnie T-shirt, Mickey & Minnie Socks, Mugs, with some Bath & Body Works thrown in!

I took red gift bags & added the dots!

I wanted black tissue paper, but could only find white.

Finish it off with Fun Party Favors!

It was such a great day, and a fun Party!

Thank you so much to everyone who came 

to shower my first Grand Baby!

We can't wait to meet her or him! 

What's your Vote? Boy or Girl? 

My Thoughts On Inauguration Day;

I learned that when he says "Make America Great again", what he really means is Make America Rich. And as Kate Spade likes to quote Dorothy Parker "I've never been a millionaire, but I just know I'd be darling at it." I'd like to give it a try! So, go right ahead Mr. Trump! :) I was hopping his Inauguration Speech would be more Unifying, as opposed to Divisive, but I was once again disappointed. It was sad that there was less of a crowed than in years past. Though it is clear, we are a Nation divided, when just eight years ago we we're so United. And Proud to be Americans. Here is a little Post I wrote on that Inauguration Day!

My favorite part of the day was getting to see Elisabeth Dole. I'm a "Huge" fan of hers! (See what I did there?!?) I Love her, and It was so Amazing to see each former President, including our new President as well, make their way over to Bob and Elisabeth Dole to speak to them and shake their hands. It did my heart good! I was also very happy when Donald Trump Thanked Hillary Clinton for being there today. See, that wasn't so hard. I also should let you know that I am wearing my 'Madame President' shirt as I write this, and as I watched today, as it may be the last time that I get to wear it. Sad.

 A couple things I hope will change as Mr. Trump takes office; as you know, I Love Twitter and Social Media, but I strongly believe there is No place for mean tweeting, or bullying in the highest office in the land. Please stop. You have much more important things to worry about now. We're all counting on you. We want you to succeed. We want you to do great things. To Rise to the Challenge that is before you. And no, you didn't win the popular vote, which means the majority of Americans didn't vote for you. But that doesn't matter anymore. You are now their President. You must fight for them. People are fearful. And understandably so. They have heard terrible, awful things come out of your mouth, things about Women, Races of people, and entire religions.  It's up to you now to turn that around. You say you didn't really mean some of those things, well, it's time now to prove it! We are coming off an administration that whole heartedly supported Women. Who always took the high road, even when terrible things were said about him and his family. I am hoping you too, in your new position, can do the same. You have big shoes to fill. Will you be the champion for all Americans? Those born here, and those, like your own wife, who come here from other parts of the world. Our Children are depending on you. Be Great!

Happy Holidays 2016

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. 

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."  

(Dale Evens Rogers)

Here's what I see as I look back on this year; John turned the Big Five-Oh! Oh, Believe it. And He was just promoted to Operations Supervisor at the Hospice company he works for. And he freely shares his love of food and drink. Next year will see our 30th Wedding Anniversary! My how times flies when you're having fun! I continue to enjoy my job as a Merchandiser, my Bookclub(s) and volunteering with Dress for Success.

Kyle & Katie celebrated their 2nd Wedding Anniversary, while Zach & Kendra have been Married a year already! Kyle is a Barista and Katie a Nurse at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Zach is now a Park Ranger at Lake Powell, and Kendra Teaches Preschool. All 4 are involved in leading Worship at their Churches. Both couples have taken several trips this year and are enjoying life as Newlyweds! No Grand Children for us yet, but, don't worry, I'm asking Santa!!

Our Girls Graduated from High School, and are now in their last year as Teenagers. (How am I the only one not getting any older?!) Erica is in the Honors Program at Phoenix College, studying to be a Sign Language Interpreter. Lexi is in Cosmetology School and doing really well. Both Girls are working as Receptionists while attending school, and both bought their first car this year. We are beyond Blessed and are so Proud of all our Kids!

2016 has seen much Joy & much Sorrow as well. In February we celebrated John's Moms 84th Birthday, and them we lost her in April. She was a sweet and wonderful woman, and our kids' last remaining grandparent. It's been very difficult. Though we are grateful for the time we had with her and that our children were blessed with the most amazing grandparents.

This was also our girls' first ever presidential election they could vote in. And what a terrible and heart breaking one at that! We still have not yet fully recovered. But all is not lost in the world, for we have been given the Gilmore Girls revival! So you see, there is always Hope! With all going on in the world, this year, more than ever, our wish is for Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.

"Christmas, Children, is not a date. It is a state of mind."

(Mary Ellen Chase) 

Thankful Thursday: EmPOWERed Women

Last week I had the Honor of attending the Dress For Success Gala. For over the past year and a half I've been volunteering, every month at my local chapter of Dress For Success here in Phoenix. I first heard about it when the company I work for, Vanity Fair Brands, held events to promote donating to this great organization. This year alone, Vanity Fair will donate up to 50,000 Bra's to Dress For Success! I am so proud of that fact.

If you are unfamiliar with Dress For Success they help disadvantaged Women get back into the work force. They teach them how to find and apply for jobs, how to build a Resume', Interview Skills, and more! When they get a job interview we Suit them, they receive an entire outfit; Pants or Skirt, a Top & Jacket, Shoes, handbag & Accessories, make-up and more. Then when they get the job, they came back in and are given a weeks worth of work clothes. I, as a Personal Shopper, get to dress them. It's fun to see the change in some of these Women, when they change their attire!

The Gala is their biggest event and fund raiser of the year. Held at a Resort in Scottsdale, you enter by walking the Red Carpet! There was a cocktail reception with silent auctions, raffles and more.

I found this picture on Arizona Foothills Magazine. My dress looks black in some pictures and really bright here, it's actually Navy Blue! :) The Lady I was talking to here I believe was there with GoDaddy. Many companies donated items or hosted a table. I love talking about Dress For Success, sharing how I'm affiliated with them and how they can get involved.

During Dinner and the Program, we heard from Vice Mayor Kate Gallego and her husband Congressman Ruben Gallego, about how grateful they are for all the work Dress For Success does in our community. Sharing how when you elevate a woman's position, you elevate the community! 

We had a Fashion Show of Women's Work Wear, and pay through the Decades. It was so Interesting! Arizona is better than most States as far as Equal Pay for Equal Work, but we still don't make the same as Men (Yet!) Then we got to see and hear Success Stories from the Women pictured above, who some came out of abusive relationships, poverty, or hard times, with little or no education. And with some Support from Dress For Success, found work and the confidence to get an education and turn their lives around! Some are now CEO's, Teachers, some work in Health Care, one fulfilled a life long dream of becoming a Pilot, after being told girls couldn't do that! It's Women like these who made this election so important to me. But it's also Women like these who are so unstoppable, I know there is Always Hope for the future of this Country! 

After dinner we received donations for this incredible organization. The Volunteers wore these light up bracelets, and anyone who donated $50.00 or more received one. It was exciting to "Light Up the Ballroom!"

 At the After Party, we had local R&B Artist Cece Peniston perform her Billboard #1 hit "Finally" & more. A good time was had by all, it was such a fun night!

These are some of the Amazing Women I have met through Dress For Success. I volunteer each month with Courtney, who's on the left. And Pat, who's in the middle, runs the Boutique. You too can help out your local chapter of Dress For Success by Volunteering or Donating: Clothing, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry, Etc. They accept all donations, including Monetary! :) And if the clothing isn't necessarily Business appropriate, that's okay, they hold warehouse sales, where all the proceeds go back into Dress For Success! I truly believe Empowered Women, Empower Women! And am so Thankful they do!

29 Years!!

 To Have and to Hold, 

 

 

from this day, Forward

 

 For Better, or for Worse

 

For Richer, for Poorer

 

 In Sickness, and in Health

 

 To Love and to Cherish

  

 

 Till death do Us part

 

 according to God's Holy Ordinance

 

 thereto I pledge thee my Faith

 

29 Years!! 

Happy Anniversary My Love