Bennetts 101

No not.

2011-01-19T15:59:00.000-06:00

Well looky, here I am only a month from last post, much better than the past for sure. I haven't written since before Christmas and so much has been going on since then. Christmas was so fun with family in town and Kelton really understanding more. He is talking SO much these days, but my new favorite this time is "no, not." He says it when you would normally say "didn't or don't". For instance, the other day I said did you go tee in the potty? No, not mommy. And then he nods in a "yes" fashion. So cute. I also love how he likes to wave hello and good bye to everyone at a restaurant or a store. We were at Corner Bakery the other day and every time someone would come sit down he would wave and say hi. When someone would leave, he would, of course tell them byeee!! Some ignore him, some laugh and some say,"well hello!" He is super proud of himself, either way.

He is really into cars and trucks these days. Really into them. He plays with his big red fire truck(cuck) and garbage truck the most. Here is our typical Saturday morning with our fire truck.

I also found this video that I took as we were waiting for dad one night in front of a restaurant just before Christmas.

Kelton is the sweetest, most thoughtful toddler I have ever encountered. Yes, I know he is mine so of course I'd say that, but it's true. I woke up pretty sick today and asked Andy to go pick up my medication at CVS before he went to work. I guess Andy told him that Mommy is sick because he came in and said: Mommy daddy go get medicine he be right back. It was so sweet I almost wanted to cry because I felt so bad and he was so sweet. He kissed me too. He is a real kisser and hugger, I like that about him too. Just the sweetest kid all around. Not sure how tall he is now but he weighs around 28-29lbs and is still in a 3T. Hopefully he'll be there for a bit so he can wear his current wardrobe for a while! He goes to the potty all on his own at home when he wears his big boy underwear—which is most of the time but naptime and bedtime—and we are working on branching that out into public places but he is ready yet.

To end: I love this pic. He was supposed to be napping but said he wanted to read first. So I said: Ok. Then he stretched out and put his hand on his chin. Another fave of mine that he's been doing lately.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-16T20:07:00.000-06:00

Ok, it is almost 2011 and my little guy will be 3. THREE. Can you believe it? Well I can't. I remember the day he came home! He is such the light of our lives and is just jabbering away these days. He says things I didn't even know he knew. Some favorite and common phrases include: fick it. This is fix it. Dad fick it, mommy fick it, anyone FICK it! He loves to fick it too. He always wants a tool to fick things with. Always. He needs his own little tool kit since he always wants to play with dad's screwdrivers and mom won't let him. Another: No thank. We have been teaching him to say No thank you when asked if wants something or doesn't. He says it as the answer to anything though, which makes it super duper cute. I said,"Kelton let's go potty." "No thank Mom" Ok, maybe he misunderstood the way to use it. LOL. SO CUTE. He loves to sing. Belt it out on lots. He has a video on colors and the Yellow sings a song about just that—Yellow. He LOVES to sing along. Watch here.

Stinking cute, eh? Yeah I got a myriad of pics too. Not the greatest quality since I take them on my iPhone 99.9% of the time. In one we are on the train at Grapevine Mills Mall. They have it there for Christmas only and he LOVED it. He is still not quite 30lbs—little dude—and I haven't done his height in a while. He is in 2T pants and 3T shirts, with room to grow. His shoe is an 8 and he loves wearing his little gloves. In this last pic that is Thanksgiving at my dad's house. That is cousin Liam. They are only 7 months apart in age. Merry Christmas!

Oh what a Fall!

2010-10-07T20:42:00.000-05:00

It's fall and I noticed I haven't blogged in almost 2 months! Oh my goodness! Where do I begin...well I think the best way to sum up the last couple of months is just by letting you watch some adorable videos and pics. Enjoy!!

School and such

2010-08-29T22:13:00.000-05:00

Hello all! No, I haven't left the country, just haven't blogged in almost 2 months. Wow, never thought I'd get that behind. Well, the bummer of it is Andy's computer died and I cannot upload video to mine. Poo. So I will have to upload pics for now until I can upload video to Stacy's computer, save it, send it to myself and then so on. A process, nonetheless.

The last 2 months have been crazy, to say the least. In July I went to San Francisco to our annual convention, HOOPLA. It was a blast. I got recognized onstage twice and got a standing ovation. It was so overwhelming but also felt so good to know I am finally with a company that does appreciate me! So great. I had my first really big trunk show in San Angelo a few weeks ago, putting it as the 10th highest trunk show average in the entire company—and it was awesome! I've been invited to our exclusive Leadership Retreat—only 35 of our 10,000 Stylists are hand-picked and invited. It is in Chicago on September 25th and 26th. SUPER excited about that!!! I also get to have lunch with our CEO in Austin September 17th and am really looking forward to that as well. Whew. I love my job, I love my hubby and I love my sweet baby boy!!! Life is good.

Kelton started his "school" at First Baptist Irving on Friday. He did very well except that I forgot his "binkit"(blanket) so he didn't nap. I was so sad. I just knew I should've gone back and taken him his binkit, as I thought about it all day. Poor baby. They said he asked for it and they gave him a blanket but he didn't want it. Poor little guy. Good news is, dad got some adorable pics of his first day. (Click to view larger) He didn't eat much lunch either, which is no surprise either. His school is Mondays and Fridays from 9am-2:30pm through May 2011. Then if we decide to keep him there he can do "summer school" too. His teachers are so incredibly nice and communicative with us. I just love it there. Maybe in the Spring he can attend Montessori, as it is 5 days/week 8:30-3:30 and more of a learning environment.

Kelton is talking SO much now. His new catchphrase is "have a nice day!" when we are leaving the store or anyplace someone says goodbye to us. It is SO cute. We were at the mailing place by Tom Thumb and the older man in there was having a "conversation" with Kelton while I was addressing my stuff. When we left Kelton said,"have ice day" and I just squeezed him and kissed him hard for being so stinkin' sweet and cute!! Tonight when I got home from my trunk show Andy was brushing his teeth and he said,"Hiiiii mommy! Ni ni nack nack?" Which means Knick Knack Paddy Wack. He has the book that has the song in it and I sing the whole thing to him and he loves it. He calls it ni ni nack nack. So he ran with excitement to his room and grabbed it so we could read it. Andy said,"I love you Kelton." and he said,"Night night dad, wuv ewe." He just gets sweeter I think.

Haircut!

2010-07-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

Kelton was getting shaggy with his hair and after finding out that it costs around $17-20 a pop, we decided to buy a clipper set and let dad cut Kelton's hair. So Andy set out over the weekend and did just that. Kelton could not have been any sweeter when Andy cut his hair. He was perfectly still and actually acted like he liked it! Here is the beginning and end video I got.

It is a bit shorter than we originally planned, but it will grown and I actually think it is quite adorable. He truly looks like a little grown up boy!

Andy has his second interview tomorrow for the Branch Manager position at the Coppell Wells Fargo (currently Wachovia) that he is currently working in. We are very excited about this position if he is, indeed, awarded the job. Please keep us in your prayers as it could be very promising for us.

Wednesday GrandJudi is coming over to watch Kelton all day when I leave for San Francisco. I am so giddy with excitement!!

Summer Fun!

2010-06-17T17:34:00.001-05:00

Summer is definitely here. It has been here in Texas for weeks. It is so uncomfortably hot it is almost unbearable. So glad I get to go to San Francisco July 15th!!! I am counting down the days. Whew.

Kelton and I have been having a great time. Yesterday was our big day. I say big day because we were home only for naptime and were out and about playing the rest of the day. I know he gets bored in the house so much when I am working most of the day so I decided to make it a WHOLE Kelton day. I also decided to make about 2-3 days a week a WHOLE Kelton day, when I am in my downtime from working. Mondays are my busiest days and so are Tuesdays usually. Good timing!

I'll back up a little for those not "in the know" of the latest goings on...a few weeks ago I woke up to a cute little boy standing in front of my face saying,"Hi!" I poked Andy on the shoulder and pointed. We both laughed and discovered Kelton has finally learned to crawl out of his crib, 26 months later. So his Aunt Stacy, Uncle David and great grandmother Mimi bought him a big boy bed!! It is sitting in our garage not put together yet since, oddly enough, he hasn't even attempted to crawl out again! We also need to get a mattress and bedding so we are waiting for a little while, maybe this weekend. Here is the bed. Stacy is quite the research guru, especially on kids products, and found this "top reviewed" bed and decided on it. PERFECT!

Speaking of this weekend...it is Father's Day! Which means that Kelton and I made daddy a great gift! One of my mom groups went to Sunshine Glaze Pottery in Southlake to make these gifts for dad! You pick out what pottery you want to paint, choose the colors and then paint! You leave it there for about a week and they will glaze it for you to seal it and make it pretty! We picked out a coffee mug since Andy takes coffee to work every day. Kelton had so much fun. Here is a short viedo as seen from my lap holding Kelton so it is a little shaky!
Here are photos of the finished product. You can click on it to enlarge. I think he will love it and I'll update you to let you know!

As for our busy fun day yesterday, I think that is the most activities we have done in one single day!! Kelton had so much fun!! First, we started off our day at 10am going to Storytime at the Valley Ranch Library. He wasn't too sure how to handle sitting for 15 whole minutes but he was actually very good. He got engaged with the lady reading the story and the theme for that day was frogs. She read about 3 frog books and then we sang frog songs! It was fun. Then he wanted to go play at the kids table in the library, so we went and played with puzzles. It was fun. It is every Wednesday at 10am, so I think that is our new Wednesday schedule. After that we headed home but I could tell he wasn't ready to go back home. So we headed to Chick-fil-A where there was an indoor playground. He loved that. I just watched and played a little while he climbed and climbed. We stayed about an hour. Then it was naptime so we headed home. I worked while he napped and then when he got up we got dressed, fed and headed to the Cimarron Aquatic Center—finally!!

Boy did we have a blast there! We played in the big pool and the toddler pool and went down slides together. He loves the water. We will definitely go back there! Here are the pics and video from the day.
Fun fun and full of sunscreen!! No burns for anyone!

Snips n Snails...

2010-05-27T18:12:00.000-05:00

Boys will be boys!! I had to write a post..wow shocking isn't it?? It randomly started pouring today and stopped after about 20 minutes. I had the back door open since Kelton will go in and out and play. But I forgot after it rained...so I went out there and this is what I stumbled upon...

Fun sweet boy!! Dad took him to the bath right away and was all washed up!

I'm TWO!!

2010-05-15T08:24:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Kelton!! Wow, what a fun week he had!! Grandpa Bennett drove in to town on Thursday and the rest of the grandparents and family came in Friday and Saturday. He had such a big day. Here we are singing to him, unfortunately you can't see the look on his face while we were singing to him. He loved every minute and all the attention. It was adorable and priceless.

This is him and Daddy before the festivities began and we let him open a present. He was so precise and clean about it.

Here he is playing with his new guitar. He LOVED this thing. LOVED it. Still does, but newness has worn off. Sorry GrandJudi and Grandmama.

And the guitar again with Sophie doing our closing act.

Today we went to Cottonwood Creek park over by our house...I just learned of this park and OMG it is great!!! He LOVES it. We spent about 45 minutes there running, climbing and swinging. He just loved it. We should've had his birthday there!

It's Here!

2010-04-21T22:09:00.000-05:00

I was prompted to type less and post more pics and video. So I am going to try and do that. Here is a cute slideshow of us in the backyard playing and then him resting on Ollie. They are just hangin. Then a few videos.

He loves being outside and would live out there if we just threw up a tent, I'm sure of it. He is saying a lot more words, although not everyone can understand him like Mom & Dad can. He said his first phrase yesterday--hepp pweeze! It was so cute I just kissed him and he said: Mamma hepp hepp! He wanted me to snap his little buckle on his highchair. He now climbs in it himself and buckles it by himself too--usually. Enjoy the show! The last video is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. He just did that on his own. He'd say "dad!" then kiss him. SO freaking sweet it almost makes me cry. Yes, I know I'm a sap!

Coming to a blog near you....

2010-03-30T09:22:00.001-05:00

I am putting up a new post soon, just a little FYI. Sorry my blogging days aren't what they used to be! I have 2 blogs to keep up with and woah! Stay tuned....

And the Oscar goes to....

2010-03-08T18:25:00.000-06:00

Kelton!! We have a little ham on our hands. I have some old and new videos and I can't remember if I've posted them yet or not, so sorry if I have. The first one is Kelton doing his "shake it out" dance. I just made up the song and started dancing and he did too so I pulled out the video and he had already wound down, of course. Then he just wanted Oliver out of the kitchen, as you can see.
Kelton is so much fun and the sweetest boy ever. He LOVES giving kisses and wants to kiss everyone we encounter. He wanted to kiss all the nursery teachers goodbye yesterday at church. He has wanted to kiss the cashiers and grocers goodbye several times at the store lately. He says his,"mwah?" But it is stated as a question as to ask if I can kiss or he can kiss the person. I love it. He says goodbye to everyone at the checkout line as we leave the store, bank or anywhere we are. His only "fault" is his getting up early. His cousin Sophie sleeps more than any baby on the planet. She sleeps about 16-18 hours in a 24 hour day, I think!!! Goes to bed at 8 or 8:30 and sleeps until 9 or 9:30. Then naps twice a day, usually an hour or two each!!! Kelton goes down no problem around 7:30 and gets up at 6:45 or 7 on the dot. He is in the new habit of undressing himself COMPLETELY if you don't go in immediately and get him up. So we are having to purchase new 24 month onesies since it is the only thing he cannot get off of himself. I do think it is cute to walk in to a buck naked baby boy saying,"HI!" So cute, and no messes yet except the one time Hunna was here. Sorry Hunna. I think a little boy potty is in order for the 2nd birthday as well as a crib converter rail for his bed. I hate to think he is growing up, but it has to be done sooner than later I guess. I am really not looking forward to potty training, but I know it is coming in the next few months too. Eeesh. I have taken a "poll" with many of my FB friends and many of the moms said that the Elmo Potty Training DVD worked wonders for them. I might give it a shot to ease into it at least. I know boys can be more challenging than girls, so bring it on!

As for Andy's job, many things are still up in the air with the whole Wachovia/Wells Fargo merger and transitioning employees from one company to another or letting the Wachovia ones go. He really doesn't know when or what will happen with him, a promotion of any kind, etc. So it is a waiting game. He is still doing great, meeting and exceeding his sales goals so I am really proud of him and excited for his future.

We have recently made the decision to find and join a new church home that is closer to our house so we could be more involved and able to do more things with the members, etc. We attended Urban Hills, an extension of Plymouth Park Baptist. Caleb Southerland is the preacher, who grew up with Andy at Plymouth Park. We felt so welcomed and it was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I really enjoyed it, and I have a new interest in a small, new and growing church after finding out in December that my grandfather was a founder and starter of the church I grew up in and my family in San Angelo still attends. It was started in someone's living room and now is 800 strong in membership!

As for my business, it is going wonderfully. I have the opportunity to promote TWICE in March. First to Senior Stylist and second to Star Stylist--the latter is the level most Stylists strive to get to. It doubles your earnings. I just need 2 or 3 more trunk shows this month to do this! (HINT, HINT) Have jewels, will travel--in Texas. ~wink!

I posted this in our Stylist web site that we all share inspiration and ideas on. I thought I'd share it with you. (apologies for its length)

I have to tell you all about success, namely, mine. I have been doing Stella & Dot for 8 months tomorrow! YAY! I am still a Stylist. Why is this success, you say? Here is why:

Every day I wake up knowing that I am a part of something great. I didn't have a "successful" ($$) launch party, I don't have $1000 trunk shows and I don't have 20 people on my team.

But here is what I have: a wealth of training from Pat Sheehan, Tracey Schwartz, Julie Stevenson and Danielle Redner that is SECOND TO NONE. Every Bootcamp, training, Opportunity Event, HOOPLA and anything Stella & Dot that I can attend, I do and I have. I attended HOOPLA when I had been a stylist for 22 days!!! It was hands down the best thing I could've done for myself, my esteem and my business. I suggest you go and never miss it again.
Second, I didn't set unrealistic goals. I knew right out of the gate that the first 4-6 trunk shows I was going to have were going to be with friends and family and many of them buy to support you, but not always because they are "in love with the jewelry". I don't mean this negatively at all, but I know it to be a reality. I know that MOST of my friends and family do not have $$ to spend on jewelry nor to get me to the $1000 trunk show. But I circle out from there and do my crop circles to get there. I joined some networking groups, mom groups and took all my training to heart--truly to heart. Since I did, my business has boomed. I got numerous online orders from all over the country, I have had 3 stylists sign up and have 2 that are still thinking on it. I have had my first 2nd line stylist sign up. Woo hoo! I have had better trunk shows and I have coached my hostesses better. Why? Because I know I can and I BELIEVE in myself and in my business. You are only as good as your next trunk show. Henry Ford said it well: Whether you think you can or can't...you are right.

I am getting closer to Star every day. I have 7 on my team now. I am developing from a Stylist into a Leader. And that, to me, is the biggest success story anyone could ever hope for and have. You ALL have it in you, you all can do it too. And you all will!! You will look back on today and say, Wow remember when I was upset over that $200 show? And you will take it all with honor and grace and just move on. I have and I have succeeded greatly, will you join me?
XOXO

One lady replied: I picture Tracy Bennett having a following of 99.7% of the attendees at Hoopla!!
The face and personality of Stella & Dot known the most after Blythe, Jessica & Danielle might be Tracy by all of us here on Stylist Space. Know all you do is soooo appreciated Tracy!

That brought tears to my eyes! I know that I had to go through 8 years of Corporate America of not being appreciated and recognized so that I could be here. God had this in store for me. I am so glad.

It's Almost Spring!

2010-02-28T19:48:00.004-06:00

I know that I have not posted in so so long and I have so many photos and video to show you of our little man! It has been so busy here and I have not had time to think! This fun video is Kelton discovering how to move his stool to where he wants to get in to trouble and do something fun. He did this over and over about 4 times until I thought it could be a little dangerous so we stopped. But he was so excited!
He's so stinkin cute. He is doing so much, he is so fun! His new really cute thing is his "mmwaa", where he puckers and makes a kiss noise. He does this when Andy leaves for work or when he bonks his head or hits a finger or toe. He then proceeds to point at where the kiss should go. Every morning he makes Andy "mmwaa" me too. Then at night he makes me let him kiss Ollie before bed. Ollie likes it. I haven't caught it on video, but it is pretty darn cute. He is saying a lot of words, although many are still not clearly articulated, of course. He says "pway" for play, "bro" for broken. Lots of things are broken. He says all of Aunt Stacy's dog's names—impressive!! All 4! He is still as sweet and affectionate as ever, if not more. I love it. He still is a huge mamma boy and I love that too!

We have recently started to go to play groups in my Mommy groups I have joined and he is just now warming up to all the play parks. We went to Pump It Up! last week with my EC PTA and yesterday we went to Going Bonkers! with Neely and the twins—Olivia and Madeline. Here is the only decent photo I got. He figured out really quickly how to go up the slide, then slide down on his belly. He LOVED it!! The first 5 times he had to have Mom help, but after that he was sliding down, then he would get up at the end of it and clapp and say,"Yayy!!" It was so cute he had all the moms there laughing and loving him—of course!

He is napping for 2-2 1/2 hours now, which is nice so I can get more work done! Sometimes I lay down for a little while too, but for the most part I get my work done during that time. I now have 7 girls on my team and am talking to 3 more that are considering signing on. It is so exciting!! One of those girls also just got her first recruit, so that is also very exciting. Just plugging away and booking shows. March 13-14 Dora and I, one of my new girls, are going down to Houston and Galveston to do the Premier Wedding Showcase. We are excited about that! I am filling the swag bags for 500 VIP brides with a cute little card I made and attached a candy ring. Here is a pic: It says: Want to trade up? and then my info. I thought it was cute. Now I have to tape 500 of those to the 500 cards! Ugh! That is where Andy comes in handy too. Other than that, I think that is about it in the Bennett household for now. Talk more soon!

Kudos to me!

2010-02-03T21:39:00.004-06:00

OMG!! I am soooo thrilled and blushing and excited and all things good!! Jessica, our CEO, gave me a personal Kudos! on our twice/month video newsletter. It is sent to everyone in the company!! I LOOOOOOOVE this company!
Ok, so to see it is tricky. Well, not tricky but you don't want to just watch the first 21 min because it is all company/stylist info, etc that might bore you. But if you can drag the play bar to about minute 20 and wait a little bit, that is where she gives me the shout out!!!

Love it! And yes, I am about to be a Senior Stylist...so close!!! OH! And I am leading my first conference call with 20+ ladies on it this Friday night! :-) Wish me luck!

Interviews.

2010-02-02T11:54:00.001-06:00

Ok, I love how my business is growing so I can't help but share my 3 "interviews" on here. :-)
Shara Weiss, of Mommy Perks, did this one for/on me beginning of January. Exciting! My second feature was with Holly Hanna at The Work at Home Woman on January 25th. My third was just today with Really Working from Home and Marilee Parrish. As you can see, I am on the homepage of this one just for today!! I really like this interview because it is about our/my faith too. All of the above companies and women are Christian and their companies are based on Christian values. So the RWFH interview is a little more in depth than the others. So please read it! :-)
WOO HOO! I know most of the questions and answers are the same, but hey I have had great growth since joining these sites and tons of exposure for Stella & Dot! I just wanted to add that here since I am so excited about it. Off to book some more shows....

February is here!

2010-01-31T09:27:00.000-06:00

Ok, tomorrow, but man can you believe that February is actually here? January was so jammed packed for me and I hope February is busy as far as work goes, but maybe I can take a breather too. Kelton is changing every minute, it seems like. He is now trying to say just about anything. Still isn't always understandable by many but mom and dad unless they are there to translate, but we know what he is saying and it is cute. I have several videos, again. Let me preface them. Let's see... he is learning all his animal sounds and knows quite a few. (Not sure if this is on track or behind!!) He likes to talk and sing to himself. I tried to capture him one day when he had woken up from a nap and was talking to his blankie. Then the last one is him telling Oliver to get out of the kitchen, sit and good boy.

We have had so much fun lately!! The other day we were at Target and I decided he might have fun in the back of the cart instead of in the seat. I just told him that if he sat down he could stay in there. So he sat down and ate his apples. Then he said, "Good boy." It was so funny!! He got some new shoes since he is now in a size 6. His clothes are both 18 months and 24months, although his pants are 18 months and have the sizable elastic band and are as tight as they can go. He is so short and tiny in the waist that his pants are always big. He is also still wearing 12 months in some pants and jammies but I like to buy him 24 so at least he can grow into it. He had his first haircut over Christmas with T-Mac in San Angelo, but hasn't had another since. He needs one. His hair grows like his dads. He consistently wakes up at 7:30-8am, naps at 11am for an hour or two(wish it was always two!) and bed at 7:30-ish. He is not a big eater—at all. He hardly ever eats, really. Pediatrician says he is fine and when they are hungry, they will eat. Some days he will pig out—for him—and some he hardly eats a thing. It is usually the latter, but doesn't bother me or worry me a bit. He is still healthy, but got his mom's allergies.
Andy is in a "review/interview" process at work for a Buddy Banking program where he would go to another Wells Fargo or Wachovia(they are starting the switchovers) to train other bankers. It would have a significant pay increase and be a very good notch in his belt and on his resume, especially within the company. The kicker is that it can last for up to 6 months and could possibly be out of town or out of state. Thankful for helpful family in town or willing to come in! Thanks family!
As for my work, I signed on a new stylist and another is signing today. I have 2 in the pipes that are really interested. The shows are picking up and the customers are getting generous. Not going to make the big training in Chicago at this point, but all other training locally and at Hoopla in July will definitely be attended! I was talking to Tracey(my Sr Director, immediate upline/sponsor) the other day on the phone and I told Andy it was the first time in 10 years I had this amazing compliment. I was telling her how greeted and welcomed I was in Austin last week when I came in a little late to the show and 12 other stylists and everyone was saying,"Oh my gosh your Tracy Bennett!! We love your motivation and inspiration on Stylist Space! You are so amazing!" It was a little overwhelming, albeit flattering. Tracey said to me,"Tracy, everyone in the company knows who you are!" I said,"I don't think everyone does but thanks." And she said,"No, I really mean it EVERYONE knows who you are and loves you." Not at any agency ever did I ever get received like that or feel that way. There are over 5000 in our company!!! I was almost in tears, it felt so good to finally find my company! XOXO!

Trains, Pianos and Hands.

2010-01-15T13:27:00.000-06:00

Kelton is changing so quickly that I can hardly type enough blogs to keep up with his everyday. He is "saying" many words, although many not understandable to anyone but mom and dad. Typical, I suppose. He says hands, shirt, ice, cereal, chicken, kitchen, drop it, shhhh(this one is so cute and funny), ball, berry, meow(this is cute too), he roars like a lion, I could go on. His new obsession is washing his hands and brushing his teeth. Neither one being done very thoroughly, but done about 5x/day nonetheless. I have some fun videos on here too. The first one is him and Andy playing with his bus. The second is him playing piano with Judi. The third is him pulling Thomas the Train at Judi's.

We were at Walmart the other night and some kids were screaming. (I know, no comment). Kelton looked at me and put his finger to his nose and said,"Shhhhhhh". It was hilarious!! I was laughing. Now when Oliver sits on the runner in our hallway outside the kitchen doorway while Kelton eats at the bartop, Kelton has learned that Mom and Dad say,"Oliver get out of the kitchen". So he says,"Kitchen! Kitchen!" (always twice). When Oliver has a ball and Kelton wants him to drop it so he can throw it he tries to say drop it. Oliver has no clue what he is saying so I have to intervene. Ok on to the videos...

I have a pic of the hand washing too. How cute is that? OH! I almost forgot. Stats. He had his 18 mo(I know, late...oops!) check up and is still 10-25% on height and weight. He is still petite! Weighs 23lbs and is 31" tall. But doing good otherwise!

2008 & 2009...Years in Review...

2010-01-03T14:28:00.001-06:00

2009 was a crazy but good year!! I can't even believe that in 4 months I will have a 2 YEAR OLD!!! Seems like yesterday I was pregnant and waddling up and down 3 flights of stairs at TracyLocke because the bathrooms on our floor were being remodeled. Ugh. Won't forget that!! I also won't forget that sweet boy and how he opened those eyes just seconds after he was born and popped his head up. Yes, I do mean popped it up! This is my very favorite pic of him, only hours old. I just knew then that I had a very active, brilliant and energetic boy!!

I won't forget how my Granda always said,"You can see God in the face of a child"—to Lara when he first saw TJ and to me when he saw Kelton. I won't forget the longing for my Tink Hiebert to be there because I know how utterly crazy he would be about the little guy. I won't forget Andy's face of joy like I've never seen before when he saw those eyes stare back at him and the face of fear when he was still trying to figure out diaper changes in the hospital room on a 6 lb tiny boy. I won't forget how loving and adoring his Aunts were. Allisan with her cookies and adorable bird vase and flowers, and Stacy with her big grin and "I want to hold him, let me hold him!!" I won't forget my parents in awe and love for their first grandchild. So many "I won't forgets"...but the end of 2009 really brought so many to light.
My Granda, Travis Perry, passed away on December 26th. I think he waited until after Christmas Day because he could hear us and our children and the laughter and joy. I know it brought him joy to hear it in the next room and to hear his family and remember how many Christmases we had giggling with Lara and Tom Matthew and our parents. What love and joy he left with!! The pastor of our church when I was growing up, Martus Miley, came in and spoke at Granda's funeral. They have known them since their first daughter was born. Jeanie Miley writes a really good blog and on December 31, she wrote about Granda. You can read it here. (Just scroll down to Dec 31--Travis Perry) My favorite part is where she says:

Travis Perry's influence in my life was huge. I will never forget it. I will always be grateful.
He has left his mark all over my life, and so it is that as I said good-bye to him this week, I also knew that through the mystery of memory, his presence and Gloria's will always be a part of my life.
It's all grace, isn't it? -- and it must be passed on.......
We must give it to keep it.
And so, at this year's end, grace.....to you --
but....pass it on.

I could've written those exact words. He has left his mark all over my life. It's all grace. But pass it on.

Tis the Season!

2009-12-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

Well it is that crazy holiday season!! Last week Kelton and I were in Austin at my mom's. It was fun, but I stayed really busy so it wasn't really relaxing. I had a mini-trunk show at my stepsister's (Allison) and then at the American Cancer Society. They were both fun. I then met up with a girlfriend who I haven't seen in over 14 years. We ate and talked and had a really good time. So much fun. Mom and I made it out one night to the Round Rock Outlets but it was a ghost town! We just made it out with some new shoes for me and a couple of footie jammies for Kelton. When I got home I had lots of emails to send, e-mail marketing, thank you cards and catching up to do, so I felt just exhausted. I still haven't really caught up. I had 2 reschedules for trunk shows—typical in December—and then I got a couple more booked in 2010! Rocking and rolling!

Today(Sunday) we had the Hulls tell us about their missions in South Africa in a small country called Lesotho(pronounced /lɨˈsuːtuː/ ( listen). Why them and how do we know them? Well, funny you asked. In 2006, their 3 yr old daughter had her leg crushed by a cynderblock in Lesotho and they needed to get to the States to get the best medical help. So they flew them in to Scottish Rite Dallas for little Evie to have her leg amputated. Park Cities Baptist found out about this family and our Sunday School teacher, Mike Yanof, adopted them. They stayed in a mission house provided by PCBC and were also provided a vehicle. They did not know a soul in Dallas. So we took them in and have supported them and befriended them ever since. They are 31 years old. To hear about this country could move you to tears or make you angry, however your mindset was that day. Or both. Tears because we have NO idea what we have. We have NO idea how incredible our lives are here. NO IDEA. Anger to know that we sit by idly and know nothing of a world outside our own. Here is their site. Amazing people. Anyway, great lesson this morning just to hear from them. Our annual Christmas party for our SS class is an auction. We get to auction off anything from a Girl's Night Out to a cabin in Angel Fire from different people in our class. We give all the proceeds to the Hulls. We raised $8325 this year for them and MAF. So wonderful!!

As for that little sweetheart, Kelton Andrew....he is so sweet! I saw him head to the bathroom one day and the door wasn't closed. So I went to get the camera since I knew he was in the cabinet up to something. You can see for yourself. I couldn't help but laugh. Funny how they learn what to do with things you never thought they even noticed. When does he watch me clean my ears? Who knew? So cute. He is starting to say more words or really trying. He says shirt, blankie, cheerios(shuzja—not sure how that is cheerios but it is!), thank you, Oliver(of course), milk, big truck, daddy, mama, Stacy and my dad is the only grandparent he is calling by name—T-Mac which he says Mu-mmuck! He starts the alphabet song but doesn't get past A. Hmmm. We're working on that. But he LOVES you to sing it and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. His 2 faves.

Whirlwinds...

2009-12-07T18:23:00.001-06:00

Whew! I have got to sit down and take a breather! This is good news, however. The last 2 weeks have been crazy crazy good. First, was Thanksgiving of course. We went to Judi's where Allisan and Grandmama were too. We all had a great Thanksgiving together. Kelton got to meet the doggies next door and the Boston Terrier was not a fan. But cute, nonetheless. Kelton ate and ate! Then Friday, Stacy had her big Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving dinner with 23 guests present! IT was a blast. We had Stacy, Sophie, David, my mom, my step-dad(David), Ryan(my step-brother), Samantha(his wife), Kaitlyn(their 3 yr old), Karen(David Greer's parents' friend), David Greer's parents—Susan & Don, Don(my step-grandfather), my Dad & step-mom(Carol), Ellie(one of the triplets—step-niece), Nanna(my dad's mother), Judi, Allisan, Grandmama, Andy, Kelton, Jay(Carol's brother) and me. It was so fun. All the boys played football afterward, which was fun and I took the photos. I have been put on photo duty now, as Andy doesn't really enjoy it anymore. He has been teaching me the ways. I am slowly learning. That night my dad took us to see The Blindside. WOAH! Great movie. Great. Super. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Saturday was Sophie's first birthday and we all went over for that to, of course. She was getting fussy after a while because it was past naptime and we had the tragedy of Andy's camera being in our car with Andy. Andy was at our house waiting on Kelton to wake up from his nap while we were at Stacy & David's trying to entertain Sophie in the meantime. Poor baby girl. She was a cutie patootie, however.
To not make this post any longer than it already is, my business is really picking up!! I have 6 shows booked from now until Dec 20th and several in the works for 2010! I am going to host an Opportunity Event in San Angelo in January and probably one in Flower Mound and Longview/Tyler in January too. I am going to rock and roll in 2010! Ok, I am in Austin for the week to have a couple of shows and talk to an old high school friend about having a show here in January/Feb. Then next Sunday I am meeting with a friend's wife about doing business with her. I'll tell you more about that later. Talk to you after I get back from Austin and meet with Angele in Dallas. TTFN!

Dad's a werkin' man

2009-11-13T01:02:00.000-06:00

So Tuesday Andy was off since he works Saturday. But Wednesday he was also off because it was Veteran's Day. So Tuesday we did a whole lot of nothing, really. Nada. I think I left the house once? I can't recall, that was way back on Tuesday. That night whew—I started feeling icky. Sinuses kicked into overdrive after that all day outdoor event Saturday and man I was not feeling good. No fever, just really sluggish and my head felt like it weighed 100lbs.

So Wednesday I slept in. Then at about 10 Andy woke me—let me not forget to mention the fact that Tuesday at 11pm I took a Tylenol PM since my head hurt so badly and I wanted to zonk out. Mission accomplished. When Andy woke me he had 2 warm waffles, turkey bacon and scrambled eggs on a plate for me and said,"Hey why don't you eat this and you might feel better then you can go back to sleep." I was so freaking disoriented!! So I ate it—mmmmmm, then fell right back asleep. When I woke up it was NOON!! I know, I felt like I was in college again!! I can't EVEN tell you the last time I slept until NOON! It was the weirdest feeling too. (All you mommies out there probably know what I am saying.) I heard no Kelton and I heard no Andy, for that matter. I peeked in Kelton's room and he was snoozing away. I looked out in the backyard and there was Andy, slaving away pulling off all of the fence panels—you know the 6-8 foot ones that connect to the fence posts—and making them level with our yard that is far from level. WOW!!! I've been wanting him to do that for 2 years! I was so excited! He fixed the gate and everything!

It was an all day event and I helped him a few times. Once Kelton woke up, he really helped. I laid around, checked some emails and tried to get some work done. Kelton just wanted to be outside. For a while I pushed him in his swing and then would go help Andy and he would just hang out in the swing and watch us, and then I'd go over to try and get him out because he looked bored and he didn't want out. So I pushed some more! He loves being outside!! Oliver didn't like the fact that he had to be in his crate while these goings on were taking place without him.

Thursday I had a last minute event I got invited to by Kelsey, our babysitter/nanny. She goes to Tarrant County College and they were having a Fall Festival/Craft Fair in their student center. I glady joined for a very small fee. No sales, as I think they didn't get the word out about the event. It was the first year and I know there are growing pains to new things, so it was fine. I got some catalogs into some happy ladies' hands and I booked two shows! Success to me!! In the meantime....I got a call from Jessica, a girl who is in my networking group and currently works for another direct selling company and is not happy there. She and I went to dinner last Sunday so we could talk about Stella & Dot. She wants to join! So when she called me tonight she told me she was driving to an event in McKinney and there was a Stella & Dot Stylist there. I said,"Oh! I wonder if I know her!" A while later, she texts me and it says: Her name is Katie and she told me you are a RockStar and if I sign up under you I am lucky. WOAH! I need her at all places my potential Stylists go!! Thanks Katie, I don't know you and haven't met you, but I am glad to have influence you to say that about me!! It really made my night!!! Again, this is why I love this company so much.

Bless You!

2009-11-09T00:27:00.000-06:00

Ok, so posts keep getting further and further apart...the upside to this is--It means I'm busy! Let's start with Halloween weekend. November 1st is Granda's(my mother's father) birthday so Lara, Cathy, Mom, the Greers and the Bennetts all went to see him and to do Halloween there too. He was a little blue monster and Sophie was a little green dragon. So cute. Kelton loved his costume! He loved throwing himself down on the ground and rolling around in it. Don't ask, don't know. He had done this at home several times so I was aware of this quirk. However, I forgot to mention it to everyone else. So we get to the church and are walking in the parking lot and he throws himself down and rolls then is laughing. My dad says,"Awww, Tracy he can't walk in it." So then I was trying to talk through the laughter and finally got out the explanation. It was funny. He stopped after a bit then liked running in the get-up. We didn't trick-or-treat since he is too young for candy. (IMO) We just played in the pumpkin patch and they had a blast. Here are photos and video.

Sophie just stared at him. She was so cute and when she crawled, her tail would move back and forth. Hehehe. On Sunday we left town but went home without Kelton! He got to stay with his grandparents for 2 1/2 days for the first time!! As my dad said,"When you guys left he didn't even miss a beat." He was a perfect angel and Carol said she doesn't even really think he ever cried except when he bonked his head on the swing on the front porch. Sweet baby!! He loves to give kisses now, and I LOVE it!! WHen I leave now I say,"Kelton, give me a goodbye kiss," and I squat down to his level and he leans forward with puckered lips. It is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. So glad he does so well away from home. It is so comforting to know that! I met my dad halfway on Wednesday in Eastland.

While away I visited some salons and boutiques and got some great solid leads. I have to talk to them this week about setting up at their store. I am so excited, as they are in great areas of town. One in Mockingbird Station, the other in Coppell. I'll update you as soon as I know. Oliver was in HEAVEN, as he got all the attention once again. Friday I had my booth at my first event—the Romanian Food Festival. Random, but it was a success, if you ask me! I got some orders and some really solid leads, contact info, etc. SO excited about that! Melissa and Jennifer, two of my recruits, joined me and we all had a blast. Of course, the booth next to us was a guy selling puppies. Adorable!! But it helped our crowd too! It was a tiring day, as I got there around 8:45 am Saturday and didn't leave until about 9 or 9:30 that night. But I am glad to have gotten our name out there and meet some great people too. As always, in this business!

Kelton is now "blessing" me when I sneeze. It is the most adorable "bless you" you have ever heard. It is more like buu eww and the end word trails off but he does it every time I sneeze and I thank him wholeheartedly each time. He also opens the drawer that has all of the silverware in it since he now knows where his spoons are and LOVES using them with his little bowls, or "bow, bow" as he calls it. He is running all over the place and smiling like crazy. He is the best thing ever.

WOW!! What a Wonderful World!

2009-10-28T23:12:00.001-05:00

Ok, first off...I am one of the most blessed people on the planet. No, I don't have Mark Cuban's money or JFK's charisma, but I have all I could want. All I could need. I have God, number ONE. I have a wonderful, supportive, funny, handsome and kind husband who loves me more than anything. I have a son who is the light of my life. I have a family that is second to none. And my new job blows me away. I am working so hard and am starting to emerge as a great leader and respected person in our company. I never DREAMED this would be me. I was just thinking how much I love the people I work under, for and all the people that make it possible. So I sent an email to the CEO, Chairman, Chief Creative Officer and Directors of Field Training. I don't expect a response. But I got not only one, but several!! I didn't email to get a response, but from the bottom of my heart to tell them what a wonderful job they have done and are doing. Here is my email:

I just wanted to say thank you for all you are doing on a constant ongoing basis for this INCREDIBLE company. I look forward to each day that I wake up, knowing I have found my niche not only in the workforce, but in my life. It is all in thanks to you and your wonderful vision, irrresistible product and team of home office staff and leaders. I never in my WILDEST dreams would ever imagine my life where it is now, and now I can't imagine it anywhere else.
Many many thanks.

Mike Lohner, Chairman, emailed me back in about 1 minute. Blythe Harris, our CCO—who designs all of our jewelry!!—emailed me in about 2 minutes. Pat Sheehan, Field Trainer, emailed me right after. Then Jessica! Wow. I know these people are sincere too. Warms my heart every day.

Here is what they said:

Dear Tracy!

Wow! You just made my day! Thankyou so much for your kind words, and thanks for being a part of Stella & Dot! We hope we are making a difference, and the good news is....We're on a mission....and bbbbaby you ain't seen nothin' yet! :-) Have a great day!--Mike

Me too! You made my week! What an incredible email to receive. Thank you for all of your hard work! --Blythe

Tracy,
YOU are our commitment and pleasure! It’s YOU who get us out of bed each morning to want to service and inspire. Thank you for your kinds words and excitement!--Pat

We are so thrilled to have you and your enjoyment of our company energizes us and keeps us working hard to make it even better for you! So thank You! You are why we do what we do!--Jessica

I am so thrilled that I have been blessed with this opportunity.

Swingin into fall!

2009-10-22T14:16:00.000-05:00

Daddy put my swing up. Yes and I love it!! My mother and stepdad bought Kelton this swing close to his first birthday, so that is how long he has had no clue what he was missing. Now he loves it! Here are pics and video.
Here he is when we went outside. Oliver wouldn't leave him alone. Not sure what that was about. He is usually trying to get away from him.
Here is a fun video of him and dad singing and playing. I love this one.

2 in 24?

2009-10-16T16:37:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I went 10-12 days without posting and now I am posting 2 in 24 hours!!(So read the Uh Oh! post if you have not!) Today Sophie came over so I could watch her while Stacy went to a client's. She was a good girl. Kelton loves her company. He read to her today and it cracked him up so he fell over. I was cracking up.

Yesterday he and daddy had a good time playing when he got home from work.
Ok, not much else to post...my tues trunk show is up to 14!! ☺

Uh oh!

2009-10-15T13:47:00.000-05:00

Uh oh!! is our favorite word right now. Everything is an uh oh. Especially dirty things. He loves to be clean and keep clean. It's greatness. Thanks Hiebert genes! He will come find me in another room to take me to a mess so I can clean it up. He comes running in saying uh oh uh oh uh oh!! So I say(same routine each time) "uh oh? What is it? Will you show me?" and he gladly does with one finger pointing out the whole way. Today it was a bug. Yesterday it was some dog hair. It's something new all the time. If something spills he uses his rag to wipe it up. So cute. His newest thing is throwing his hands up in the air when you ask him something and the answer is "I don't know". It's really cute but hard to catch on camera, sorry.

He also loves to stack. He has been really in to stacking lately. He also likes to "hunt and gather" and I like to call it. He finds things—anything—and then likes to throw them in to one area and shut the door on them or walk away from it and then come back to it. He talks to all the items while doing this. I left the garage door open when it was cool out and he just played in and out for quite some time. I went to go see what we were playing with and found this:

Giving applause to others is also something he loves doing lately. Especially if you sing to him. If you stop after the song and don't say a word, he claps and says "yayyy!!" It's so cute. The other day I had Good Morning America on and someone was singing and when they were done he said"yay!" and clapped with his hands above his head!! It was hilarious. He also loves hide and seek and thinks it is the greatest thing ever!! Here we are in a game of it:

Gearing up for my holiday shows! I have 2 next week and they are both at very fun venues, so it is exciting. Tuesday's is at Times Ten Cellars in Dallas, which I am super excited about! Wednesday's is at the aLoft in Las Colinas, which is a fun place. I sent out the evite for my Tuesday show and in 45 minutes I had 10 Yes's! It was great. She is a past hostess, so I think that helps for turnout when people see that she enjoyed it so much that she is having another one 2 months later! I will also have one for her in January/February when our Spring/Summer 2010 line is released January 15. My two recruits are doing great and Ceci's launch is Sunday Oct 25 at the aLoft hotel. I think they will go really well. I am waiting to see if we might be able to have a trunk show in San Angelo again on Oct 31 and Lara and Shelly might be the hostesses, but I do not want to have it at Shelly's because that is very far for people to drive. We will figure out something or maybe I can do it in November sometime. Well that is all for now....