If Its Isn't Obvious ...

Once there was a family. This family had A LOT of debt. Family meets with great financial planner. Planner proposed a fantastic solution to all their debt plus their home (which by the way had a MONSTROUS balloon payment at the end.) Family wants to move forward. All is well. WRONG! Some people would rather take advice from people more broke than they are when it comes to finances. It still amazes me how many people won't change for the better for the sake of being accepted by other poor people.

Americans just don't understand money. "Not me you say ... I have things under control." According to this, you don't.

Please don't think that I'm ignorant to the fact that some people do manage their money, in fact, I hang around with them ALL day. Sadly, I also visit too many families that are dangerously ignorant about money and whats worse - they think they know it all. PLEASE!!! Do yourself a favor and take advice from people that are in better positions - I didn't say drive the nicest cars, that's another topic on its own.

Corporate Reality Check

I lost my job. Friday 02.22.08 my boss casually told me that the company has dissolved my position - along with about 5 other key positions. The reason: the company spent millions last year to rebrand their name (I choose to keep the company confidential because its the way of any corporation, not just this company) and the results have been disappointing and since my position had been created during that time - we would just dissolve it.

But wait there's more! I was told that since I had my degree, they were paying me too much so "We will repost a simpler position on Monday that will pay $9/hour and you are more than welcome to reapply." Reapply? REAPPLY! What kind of idiot do you take me for?

I came home. Told Ty what happened. His response - "This is why we are building our business." Its true! As much as this stings I can't help but THANK GOD that Ty is building something for us. I don't care who you are, or how "great" you are at your job - unless you own it, you don't have security. My company did not just let me go but also let go some of our top financial exects. Point made.

Being let go is not only humiliating but if you don't have the right attitude - it can also numb you. Too many people just say "well i'll just get another job and hope that works better." People, DON'T KID YOURSELF! I dont' want another freaking job! I want a business. I don't care how long it takes me to build it - I'm sick of making other people money. I'm sick of the politics. I'm sick of the lousy pay. I'm sick of the crappy hours. I'm sick of seeing families torn apart because both mom and dad work, don't get paid enough, but keep on working either way.

Tyson and I have struck gold with PFS. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? 100%. Tyson and I have a very clear picture of where we will be in 5 years and it WON'T be working under someone else and wishing for a lousy 40K a year.

For those that feel the same way, let me show you the way out.

Belated Birthday Wishes

I'm awful to remember birthdays. Serious! Its not that I mean to but it just happens. For example, Maries and Melyndas is on 2.04 and 2.06 and I forgot BOTH!My excuse for this year is that I was 1. recovering from Jaels wedding and 2. I was flying for 6 hours on the 6th. Still unexceptable. So I e-mailed both and apolygized. Funny thing is that they both forgot my birthday too! LOL. Thank heavens to deeper,lifelong friendships.

Anyway, to be funny Marie sent me this cute "belated b-day ecard" today. So cute! Awesome Marie ... half way across the world and still has a better memory that I do. I love you both!

http://www174.123greetings.com/card/02/21/10/29/MV30221102906999.html

Am I really 25?

This morning I woke up and realized "I'm 25?!" I'm glad to report that I have accomplished many of my lifes goals; however, I find it easy to feel that "by X age, I should have done this, this and that." The problem with that is that life isn't that easy and it always takes twist and turns. The best thing that we can do is to not only keep moving forward but also look back and see what has gone right, even though it might have been different than originally planned.

So today, I'm looking back; in the last 25 years I have acommplished:

1. Being born: It sounds dumb, but I was not only born, but I was born into a great family and have always had an amazingly strong mother.
2. I joined the LDS church and have found my own testimony: The decision to not just join, but to actually live with the principles have led me to the life I know enjoy.
3. I made great friends: I'm lucky. Very rarely do you find people that genuinely care for you - I have found several. They have made me a better person.
4. I became confident: Throughout my early years I never recall having many friends or really being outgoing. I wanted that changed. Moving away and starting high school was a big transition and it gave me the freedom to really become someone new. I got on a huge kick and exposed myself to new things; choir, track & field, seminary, acting, student goverment, dating, dancing and travel. That confidence has just kept building and made college and post-college life an adventure.
5. Graduating College: I'm the first woman in my immediate family to graduate college. I always knew I wanted to go and pursue my dreams but when it came down to it, money almost held me back. Thanks to a loving family (and student loans), I was able to get my BA in Public Relations and Business. Walking to get that diploma was powerful, but not because of me, but because I knew all the trials my mom and grandma had endured, all for the hope that I would make something of myself. There were no guarantees, but they never lost hope. Those two women deserve all the credit for any acommplishment I will have in life.
6. I married a great man: Tyson is great. Yes we've only been married 8 months and yes we are still in the honeymoon stage, but seriously, Tyson is a fantastic man. His character, work ethic, love of the gosple, belief in me, belife in our business ... I'm so blessed to have married a great man in the temple.
7. I went on a cruise: Going on my first cruise is just the start of my travels. I've taken the first step, now it just takes more walking.
8. I love to read: the last 4 years have made me a lover of books. I'm constanly reading and expanding my mind.
9. I have grown up: Since being married I've had so many "grow up" moments, moments that make me step back, analyse, change and slowly transform into a better, more patient, more loving, more forgiving person/wife/sister/daughter/friend.
10.I started my own busines: I remember looking at wealthy people and thinking "wow, if only I could ever have their chance, I would make it work!" I did! Tyson and I have take huge leaps of faith and its definitely paid off.
11. I have no debt. In the industry that Ty and I are in debt is a four letter word. I feel so blessed to not have that to worry about.
12. I'm close to my family: Enough said.
13. I was able to be Jael's temple escort: Besides being confused as her mother, the experience was awesome.
14. I am active: Back in the 9th grade I was ANYTHING but active, but since high school I have always wanted to stay fit. I love running during the summer, spinning during the winter and just being fit.
15. I'm a cook: I have fallen in love with cooking the last two years. I even got a BOSCH mixer for Christmas, so someone is expecting me to keep on cooking :)
16. I've skydived: Thanks to Melynda I took the jump summer of 2005. It was a great experience.
17. I'm happy: I think that's the best way to sum it up. I wouldn't trade the last 25 years, no matter how hard they seemed at times. I thank God for everything he has put in my path.

My first 25 years have been awesome, but I can't tell you how excited for the next 25 years. A song by Tim McGraw is perfect for this:

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page

My next 25 years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next 25 years

My next 25 years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here ,In my next 25 years

IKEA and Friends

Don't you hate it when weekends seem like a blur? This weekend did. Saturday was crazy. We woke up, headed to our team meeting, ate lunch, visited clients and just when we seemed to slow down, I got the biggest yearning to finally visit IKEA.


So my sweet husband drives me down to IKEA and I was sure to find my future house inside. The verdict; disappointment. I was turned off by the hundreds of people; the over-modern feel and the inabilty to really find a room that I would use in my own home. Another problem is the ongoing battle between mine and Ty's decorating taste. We have never been able agree on something we both like. I'm simple and organized, Ty is creative and dramatic; so we can't agree. An example would be our wedding registry. After 2 hours at BB&B, we could not agree on any bed covers and I almost broke down (lack to sleep and food was also a factor.)The high note was visiting the IKEA restaurant - which we both agree is a brilliant system and location. We both got a great bowl of pasta for $1.99! It was great.

Saturday night we spent with three of my favorite couples. We had a blast playing Scene-It (Disney version), eating and talking until 12:30 am.


Sunday we finally visited my family and had a great chat with my brothers girlfriend. I'm grateful for strong families. Stratton (Ty's little bro) crashed at our place last night and will get to hang out with Ty tonight.

Happy Valentines Day

Sixteen Things I Adore About Tyson

1.His way of making me laugh
2.His little notes
3.His compliments
4.His faith in me and our future
5.His never ending love of the gosple
6.His desire to help those around him
7.His willingness to learn and grow
8.His patience
9.The way he loves his and my family
10.His willingness to support and provide for us
11.His ability to let me fly when I need to
12.His belief in good things happening to good people
13.His help around the house
14.His compliments on my cooking
15.His willingness to goof off with me
16.Because he is my best friend

To my awesome superman. Thanks for all you do, will do and have done to make life so sweet. We have been so blessed in our marriage and I know alot comes because Tyson is just so willing to love and improve. I am constantly amazed at the deeds he does behind closed doors - without any desire for recognition, but for the meer act of improving himself. I love him. I'm grateful for him.

I love you Ty. Happy Valentines Day Love.

Florida: Part 4

The last day was sad, yet exciting! We rented a car and headed to Disney World. We forgot our camera, so we dont have many pictures, but it was such a fun day. After Disney World we visited Old Towne - a little village full of quaint shops and yummy treats. We ate ice-cream and caught some of the National Winter Car Show. Ty and I hit the hot tub one last time :)

The next day we arrived at the airport and headed home. Lucky for us, we arrived in the middle of the warm weather break in Utah! We are excited to be home but more importantly, we are excited to continue growing our awesome baseshop and to help more families experience what we just experienced - freedom and options. This trip really was life changing and it made me realize that life is not meant to be lived paycheck to paycheck. We are meant to do great things in life and to help others along the way.

Florida: Part 3

The third day we were finally able to rest and enjoy the sun. We decided to just launge around the pool. I took a nap, Ty playe volleyball and giant chess match and we swam in the lazy river - it was so relaxing.






At 5 pm we headed to our room and got ready for .... Universal Studios baby! That's right. Primerica shut down Universal Studios Adventure park for three hours and it was our for the taking! We headed there in huge grayhound buses and everyone was so excited! Primerica believes that family is first - and they show it by not just inviting the agents, but their partners and families! Kids in all. We sat next to a family with three young girls and they could not sit still with excitement.






We got to the park and Universal Studios is HUGE! Being my first time, I had no idea what to expect but man was I blown away. We entered the park and felt like little kids. We went to Sausse Land, Jarassic Park, Marvel Comic Land .. and lets not forget that Primerica also kept ALL the restaurants open at no cost! We ate at 5 different places and had ice-cream, funnel cakes (my waistline was hurting) and we just kept going! It was so cool. I wished my entire could have been there and could have felt what we felt. We went on the new Spyderman ride, the Log ride and the Hulk (side note - I was so scared of this ride that I started crying, yes really, crying! the poor operator had to calm me down. For those of you that visit Universal Studios - you must attempt the Hulk. It's insane!)





After three hours of running, eating, more running and more eating, we headed back to the hotel. We were exhausted and just shocked at what had happened. We are so blessed to have partnered up with PFS. It's been the best decision we have ever made!

Swamp Boat Ride

Florida Trip

Florida: Part 2

The next morning we woke up and had a fantastic sit down breakfast with 2000 of our other PFS pals. We headed to the morning meeting where PFS spared no expense. The awards were huge, the stage was big and bright. We got killer seats and listened to the top winners of the company. One thing that I have learned is that this business is not for "pretty people" the kind that only care about status or title. This company is for people that want to help families and that want to do great things with their wealth. We heard from veterans with more than 20 years under their belt and they still love what they do.







After the meeting the entire group got together and hooped in to nicest Honda Odeassy van I have ever seen :) After a quick stop for lunch we finally made it to our first adventure - ALLIGATOR SWAMP BOAT RIDES! What a treat. We all hooped into a boat only seen in the south and we were off! We took an hour-long ride and we saw three alligators and awesome swamp lands. The trees are huge! We crossed over vegetation and we learned about the local ways to help maintain the swamp lands.










After our Swamp Boat ride we headed down to Downtown Orlando. We checked out Wonderworld - the building is actually built upside down! We met locals and enjoyed the weather. At 6:30 we headed to Tony and Tina's Wedding; a dinner theater where you are actually part of the wedding!It was hillarious. The funniest part is that one fo the actors found out we were LDS and they freaked out. They have never met someone from our church. They had all kinds of questions and loved our energy. We danced with the B&G, we ate a great italian dinner, Debbie and Gaylan caught the garter and bouquet! It was a blast.










We got back to the hotel around 11 pm and we were exhausted. What a great day!

Florida: Part 1

Ty and I had the most fantastic time in Orlando, Florida February 6-10th. Primerica paid for us to go and the real treat was that Ty's parents won the trip as well! We arrive on Wednesday and were greated by VIP shuttle busses and amazing weather. We go to the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort and we had no idea how beautiful it would be! The hotel the amazing; 20 Ft. cealings, marvel floors. We had ushers waiting for us. We checked in and headed to the 16th floor. Our rooms was amazing and the best part was the amazing view of the entire resort!

After we settled in, we received our first day gift (every day was ended with a gift!!) Debbie and I got some really cute purses with a bag of goodies to welcome us to the resort.

Ty and I walked around the resort - visited the Ritz Carlton (where the RVP's stayed) and ate some food. At 7:30, we headed downstairs to the Welcome Gala. Primerica managed this huge party with catered chicken, fish and rib eye; tables filled with delicious treats; free drinks and a killer dance floor. We met so many awesome leaders! The night was beautiful, warm and just plain perfect. Ty and danced the night away.