Scottsdale Fashion Square Mannequin Design Contest

OK, so this is my friend Ashley (in all her hotness) modeling her new AP Collective line that she and Promise Tangeman-Wurzell have put together...well, Mrs. Ashley, has two mannequins in the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mannequin Design Contest one for AP Collective and one for Ashley's photography business; Bugg Photographer. I'm hoping by sharing this with you, you will vote for them!! Ashley and her Hubby, Jon are very proud of their work so please click on the pictures below and vote!! There is no limit to how many times you vote so PLEASE vote again and again.

AP Collective:

Bugg Photographer:

Thanks!!

Xoxo!!

Jessica

A State of Mind...

There are so many times we'll hear "cliche" statements like "Have an attitude of gratitude" and say to ourselves, oh that makes so much sense...BUT how do we really live? Do we express thanks to those who have blessed us? Do we really take a statement that can be easily passed off as cliche and apply it to our lives? I mean, think of the little things for example...you're in a grocery store, your looking for your jar of whatever and you notice someone coming down the aisle, so you pull your cart to the side to be sure they can pass through but do you get a "Thanks", a smile...anything?! Nope...not often. Now, how many times have you been rushed, someone moved aside for you and you've done just that? I realize you're in a hurry, believe me I get it. I have four kids and dinner to make also, I understand...but if we can't take one second to say thanks or smile to a stranger, can you honestly say you stop and express gratitude to those who do big things for you or even to your spouse for simply putting his clothes in the laundry room instead of on the floor like usual? :) Chances are, if you're anything like me, those things can tend to slip your mind and an opportunity to express love and thankfulness is lost. So why am I blogging about this you ask? To remind you and ME, that we can never say Thank You enough and because I'm reminded that Love Is Thoughtful and to be thoughtful we must THINK. Thinking implies we've thought about how we will respond when someone is kind, it implies we are thinking of how we can make the other person feel good or appreciated which then implies we aren't acting selfishly if we are putting a priority on other peoples needs. After all, we are suppose to love our neighbor as ourselves, right?

AND last but not least, I'm writing about this to propose a little dare...I dare you to say thank you to at least 5 people tomorrow...but be genuine and honest...and if you are thinking that there is no way you can say it to that many people then maybe you aren't seeing the opportunities that are right in front of you but if that's not the case, then think of the past few days, what has someone done for you that you overlooked and need to go back and say thank you for? I promise, that even though this seems very elementary...you will be blessed and you'll notice the more you show thankfulness and gratitude it will be shown to you.

Now, let me start off this little dare by saying Thank YOU! Thank you for reading my blog, for viewing my ramblings and still coming back for more! It makes me feel special to know you are taking your precious time to hear what I have to say...and for that I am grateful.

Hmm...

OK, OK...I've been gone awhile, chances are not many noticed as my blog isn't all that exciting but I'll update the two of you who've noticed I was away :) haha!

Since my last post:

• I've been crazy busy
• My Husband has started to coach a Varsity Soccer Team which he LOVES!!
• Ignite Small Groups (it's a Christian high school small group of Junior/Senior girls that I host at my house) has started back up again and I have two co-leaders this time...it's been fun!!
• Kobe has started to wear skinny jeans with vans and wear "Guess?" slim fit t-shirts and beg for True Religion Jeans! Bye, Bye skate clothes!
• I'm 60ish days into an amazing study of Proverbs 31 and I'm loving it!
• My backyard has been redone.
• My home office has been redone...(I've really enjoyed this one!!)
• My kids have become obsessed with High School Musical!!
• Cohen started a "Messy Art Class" he LOVES it!
• I've gone to Utah for the first time (with 55 high school kids!!) and now hope to have a house there someday!
• I've gotten a *NEW* (not refurbished) laptop from Mac for FREE!!! I LOVE APPLE!
• I've started to read my bible on the porch while my kids play on the playset in the mornings...that means the AZ weather has improved! Yay!
• Has become a secret Miley Cyrus fan!! I sing "The Climb" loudly in my car while driving. Shhhh...don't tell!! :)
• Lindsey, the young lady I had hoped would become my sister-in-law someday, has moved away to Colorado for college and I still find myself crying about it but I'm so excited for this new chapter in her life!
• I've decided I really want to go on a road trip with my kids for Fall Break.
• And last but not least....I've fallen more in love with my life...ironically my life is harder now than it's been in awhile but I'm growing through it and so are the people I love...so ultimately, it's a blessing!

So there it is...a glimpse into my craziness. I've really missed the blog scene so I don't plan to be gone for as long as I was before!!

Blessings,

Jessica