Beachblonde...

Idea's?

Hello friends...  each year I have the joy of planning our staff christmas party.  What are some of the best/most fun things you have ever done (or heard of) from staff parties.   I'm looking for games/mixers/etc.  I have our gifts (that's the fun part, but I'd still like ideas of gifts that I can file away for next year).  Thanks all!
Tam

I Blinked again...

Same old story, different month.  Hello November... Goodbye November...
However, this month flying bye was just what the doctor ordered for me/us!  I/we just returned from a 10 day trip visiting my sister and my nieces & nephews in the Great Northwest where it was in the 30's on "hot" days.  No cell phone, no internet, no tv, NO DRAMA!  I feel like a new person.  My sister always jokes that I don't talk and all I do is sleep for the first 3 days I am there each time to detox.  This trip came in perfect timing... The kids LOVED the cold weather, it snowed a few times (not enough to stick though:( ), we saw deer everyday, everywhere we went.  Ethan bowled & ice skated for the first time, my niece drives now and has her own car (scary I know, but you don 't know scary til you are sitting strapped in the seat next to her:)  Matt flew up to meet us Tuesday, we had thanksgiving  thursday AND Christmas friday  (since none of us will see eachother at christmas). It was the best time ever!    Hope you had an amazing holiday!

This is what came out of my 4 year old's mouth...

So... I know I already blogged today, but I guess I feel like I am making up for lost time or something... BUT this was too good to pass up on blogging about...
As this kid laid next to me snuggling this morning as we were both waking up he says this..."Mom, what kind of hearts do Jedi's have since they are higher authorities than us like God?"  Answers anyone??????

Peep of the week...

Jennita is one of the funniest people you will meet.  Her and I are the same person (and the fact that I am also one of the funniest people you will ever meet is just one of the ways:)!  Jennita has spent the last 2 years of her life using her gifts and talents partnering with me in planning the events at Sandals.  I'd be lying if I didn't say she's made me look good!  However, she's also become one of my closest friends... which is funny because we've never actually gone out to dinner or on a double date or had eachother over for dinner other than ministry stuff... but nonetheless... she is the greatest listener, encourager, and prays for me when I need it most!  She really has been God's blessing to me when he knew I needed it most.  I love you dearly Jennita and you're my peep of the week!

I blinked...

I  blinked and October was gone!  It was a fantastic month... here it is at a glance...
I planned the married couples conference...

And then partied at it!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

   

       
                                        

We managed to squeeze Halloween in for the kids this year... they were adorable!  Madison was a fairy, Kennedy was Dorothy, and Ethan was spiderman!  We opted out of trunk n treat at the Grove this year for sanity's sake... my kids wanted to do "something they'd heard about that kids used to do in the olden days"  door to door trick or treating in the neighborhood.  I was afraid noone would be home to pass out candy because everyone in the OC goes to the Grove.  But it was the best trick or treating ever.  Matt's mom & G'ma were in town to watch the kids for the Marriage conference so they got to be a part of the festivities, Nate & Danielle and kiddos, and one of Ethan and one of my bffs Jamie and Andrew went door to door to door to door.  The best house was this creepy old guy sitting on a folding chair on his drive way shouting come over here, come over here... We thought he was trying to be creepy... but it was just him.  Before we could stop the kids were over there... BUT this dude was giving out crisp cash.   He had a big PHAT stack of bills!  It was awesome. (seriously, the computer is not my friend... I have no idea why this pic rotates when I upload it)

I feel so blessed right now... my events team is AMAZING... Jennita, Sabrina, Stephanie, Martina, Amy, Amanda,and all of their helpers (Giselle, Pam, Vanessa)... this year was fabulous!  My car pooped out (blog spotlight and pics coming soon:) and I got to get my realistic dream car!  My husband is amazing and such a godly man AND he loves me... difficulties and all, challenging "gifts" and all! My kids are both amazing and terrible BUT they are healthy and smart and caring for others (except eachother that is:)  I'm being both challenged and encouraged in so many different ways.  AND  It's official, I'm a professinal speaker... Matt & I were speakers at the KALEO conference and I ACTUALLY got paid... that makes me a professional.  If you made it to the end of the blog... God Bless You... I'd have scrolled through the pics and moved on.  If you read this whole BORING thing... let me know!  That means you Kim Imai!  I know you get my blog sent to your email somehow...