Miscarriage

A few weeks ago a very good friend of my had a miscarriage.  My heart just breaks for her and her husband.  Miscarriage is ugly, horrible and just really sucks! No one should ever have to go through it.

It has been 18 months since my miscarriage and my heart still hurts.  I have become more at peace with what has happened, but it still hurts.

I pray for my friends that are newly suffering that God may heal their hearts.  I pray for all of the women that suffering from loosing babies and never getting their take home baby.

Matt and I are still trying to have a baby...we still are NOT pregnant!  I'm mad because I want to be pregnant and have my own baby.  Getting pregnant and having a baby is supposed to be easy.

We have been talking about adoption but fear it won't fill that void for having our own child.  Questions creep into our minds about loving the baby like it were our own.  What if someone thinks we wouldn't make good parents? 

This is an unfair life challenge that so many women face. 

Fill a mini Compact Day

This is by far the best deal of the Christmas sale.  Let me help you fill a compact.

This is the mini compact.  It is fabulous because it is small enough to fit into a pocket or purse.  This compact is yours FREE today only from my website.

What goes in a mini compact?
 6 eye colors or 3 eye colors and blush or bronzer

Bronzer or highlighting powder

(compact shown is our regular compact and is not part of this day's deal)

Or one of our sheer mineral or cream to powder foundations

Don't forget to add your brushes or sponge to go along with what you are putting in your compact which is stored under your colors.

By taking part in this deal you save $16!!!!!
Remember this deal is only good today until 11:59pm...don't miss out
www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock



   

Summer Camp

I love Summer Camp!!!  I worked at one for 5 summers and loved every minute of up.  I am still very involved with outdoor ministry by serving on the Program Advisory Board for Lutheran outdoor ministries of Florida.

Today I'm taking 8 of my high school youth to Arden, NC to attend Lutherock.  I attended this camp for 2 summers when I was in middle school, and it was there that I really found out who God is to me.  I decided to become a camp counselor because of my experience and I've been involved in camps ever sense.  I truly believe that my experience at Lutherock is why I am a youth director today.

Christmas in July Sale

Right now I'm having a Christmas in July Sale on my  Mary Kay Website.  There are some amazing deals that only last for one day.
Each sale item is good on the date listed from 12:00am-11:59pm.  You must place your order that day.  Each order you place during the sale will get you entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate good on your next mary kay purchase.
At check out please select the option to send me so I can total it with your sale price.

For the 12 days of Christmas (in July) you can find some awesome Mary Kay deals only from me. Each day there is a different sale. If you would like to purchase something on that sale day, make sure you do it before the day is over.

July 14 50% off any fragrance or eau de toilte
July 15 buy the Mary Kay sunscreen and get the lip protector for free
July 16 1/2 off satin hands or satin lips set
July 17 fill a mini compact with the colors and brushes of your choice and get the mini compact for free
July 18 buy one get one 50% off any mascara
July 19 25% off all time wise products
July 20 BOGO on all lip liners and eye liners
July 21 10% off MKmen products
July 22 25% off microdermabrasion
July 23 15% off your entire order
July24 buy one get one 50% off eye makeup remover
July 25 25% off firming eye cream, age fighting eye cream, and eye revitalizer.

Shipping is free for orders over $50.  Under $50, shipping is $5.
These sale prices are only good through me.
Happy Shopping :-)

OPERATION SUNBLOCK

Our troops are in desperate need of Sunblock!!!  My Mary Kay unit has started a mission to sponsor an entire company of 160 men and women stationed in Afghanistan by sending them Hugs from Home.  Listed below are the two packages that we will be sending.  Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of our brave soldiers.

We will be including a hand written note with every package we send.

How can you send a hug from home?
You can visit my website www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock.  Click on the link to contact me and send me a message. Or e-mailing me with the subject line "operation sunblock" to kristenlouree(at)gmail(dot)com.  You will be able to pay by credit card or by mailing a check.  Every donation is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt, an e-mail once the packages have been sent and an e-mail once the packages have been received.

Scentsy

My friend Shannon over at Eat Pray Love Live has recently become a Scentsy Consultant.  She has introduced me to the wonderful world of Scentsy.  If you have never heard of Scentsy you have to check out this website http://scentswithshan.scentsy.us.  Here you will learn about how amazing Scentsy is.  It is way cheaper than candles and I am ALWAYS burning a scent.

I will be hosting a Scentsy party in about a week so if you would like to order anything I will let you know how to do it.  Also, if you are local to me I will have samples of all the yummy scents. 

What I have my eyes on is the warmer above and it will be next purchase and I can't wait to put it in my house.

Wordless Wednesday

I know the point of this is to be wordless...but I saw these online and I just needed to share.  I giggled for awhile after finding these :-)

I'm home

Although it is always nice to be home, I was sad to say goodbye to London.  Let me just add that I loved London.  The city was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it.  As soon as I can get the pictures off my camera I will be sharing some of the highlights from my trip.

Last Chance

The grand opening website sale ends today at 11:59pm  Don't forget to place your order or send me an e-mail with your gift card order.

www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock

kristenlouree@gmail.com


Wordless Wednesday

My sister in law took this picture in Georgia....

London Bound

Today is the day!!!!  We are headed to London.  I am beyond excited to finally get a stamp in my passport.  When we went on our cruise and visited 4 different countries I didn't get a stamp :-(  Matt and I are traveling alone but will be meeting up with his parents and youngest brother and sister.  We are staying on the Thames River near Tower Bridge.

Here are a few things I am most looking forward too:

On Saturday we will get to take part in the Trooping the colours parade.  I'm really just looking forward to take a picture of the Queen and possibly Will and Kate

London itself is exciting...but getting to see Wicked in London tops it.

Taking a tour of the city on a double decker bus.

We will be doing and seeing so many things and just taking in the city.  I also have a friend that moved to London several years ago and I'm looking forward to seeing her while we are there.
I'm sure I will have lots of pictures and stories to share once I return.

Grand opening website sale starts today!

Today is the first day of my Grand Opening website Sale!  Don't miss out on some great ways to save money.  This sale runs from today until 11:59 on June 13.  All orders will be processed when I return from London on June 14.

www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock

Buy one get one 1/2 off on my top 3 favorite products:
Oil free make up remover
Eye Primer
Acne Treatment Gel

Recieve 10% off the following products
Microdermabrasion Set
The Timewise Miracle Set
Any of the MK Men Line or Cologne spray

Orders over $50 after discounts will recieve free shipping.
Orders over $30 recieve a gift with purchase

I also have gift cards and during the sale week you can take part in these great offers.

Buy a $25 gift card for $20
Buy a $50 gift card for $40
Buy a $75 gift card for $60
Buy a $100 gift card for $80

To purchase a gift card please send me an e-mail (kristenlouree@gmail.com) with the subject line, "Mary Kay Gift Card"  Please include which gift card you would like to purchase.  I will then send you an invoice through pay pal.

Don't forget

Don't forget to check out the new lash bundle challenge! You can earn $100 in free product that can be used during my grand opening website sale. The first person to complete the challenge earns an extra $10 credit!

Grand Opening Website Sale



From June 6 - June 13 you can take part in my website sale.  www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock

Buy one get one 1/2 off on my top 3 favorite products:
Oil free make up remover
Eye Primer
Acne Treatment Gel

Recieve 10% off the following products
Microdermabrasion Set
The Timewise Miracle Set
Any of the MK Men Line or Cologne spray

Orders over $50 after discounts will recieve free shipping.
Orders over $30 recieve a gift with purchase

I also have gift cards and during the sale week you can take part in these great offers.

Buy a $25 gift card for $20
Buy a $50 gift card for $40
Buy a $75 gift card for $60
Buy a $100 gift card for $80

To purchase a gift card please send me an e-mail (kristenlouree@gmail.com) with the subject line, "Mary Kay Gift Card"  Please include which gift card you would like to purchase.  I will then send you an invoice through pay pal.

***All Mary Kay products are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  if for any reason you do not like any of the products you order you can return or exchange these products.  I will be out of the country during this sale and will follow up with all orders made when I return.  All orders must be recieved before 11:59pm on June 13 to qualify for the sale. Sale is only good on website orders.  Gift cards can only be used on purchases from me.***

Website is Live


My mary kay website is now live.  I am sooo excited for my business to start growing.  On the website you can do a virtual makeover, request samples, check out make up advice, and see all of our limited edition products as well as all of the wonderful products Mary Kay has to offer.

www.marykay.com/kristenhitchcock

I'm going to be running a sale while I am gone in London.  This is going to be my Grand Opening Website sale.

Check back soon  to learn about this sale.

Love your Lashes Bundle Challenge

Mary Kay is getting ready to launch their new mascara!  Water resistant with a flexible applicator that thickens the lash, while lengthening it, all while keeping them looking NATURAL!  This is in time for summer when "less is more" when it comes to make-up!  The company is offering a contest for ANYONE (not just MK consultants) to sell 10 Love Your Lashes Bundles and in turn WIN $100 of FREE MK products!  See below if you are interested in doing this!  Could be fun and a great way to earn your skin care sets, or to just get fun new make-up!

The BUNDLE:    $30.00

The NEW mascara

The Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (best selling MK product!)

And an Eyelash Curler with 3 refill cartridges! 

What you do is print off a tracking sheet.  Get 10 names of people that want this deal (bundle) and fill out the info and when your sheet is complete you send it to me.  I am able to order the bundles June 15th.  When I receive the payment for the bundle I will ALSO GIVE EACH PERSON THAT BOUGHT ONE A $10.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE!  And you will get your credit when the sheet you filled out is complete! 

So...you are NOT collecting money or doing any orders....just finding some ladies that would love this deal and sending them on to me to finish the process!  If you get 5 ladies, you'll get $50 off.....6 ladies, you'll get $60 off.....you get the idea!  Fun contest!  I love that MK lets others have as much fun as me.  :)

Have fun if you do this!  And let me know!!! 

Introducing...

Mary Kay's newest Independent Beauty Consultant....ME!!!!!

I've decided to start selling Mary Kay.  I love the products and I love the business.  I am so excited about sharing the products with lots of women.  Many of or products have the Good housekeeping seal which is a very big honor.  I'm going to be doing some Mary Kay give aways when I reach 25, 50, 75 and 100 followers.  Tell all of your friends to become a follower of my blog so that you can have a chance to win.....

Mary Kay's top selling product the Oil free eye make up remover.

If anyone is interested in hosting a catalog party, samples, or ordering anything please send me a message.

20 months

It has now been 20 months since Matt and I have been trying to have a baby...20 months. 16 months since my miscarriage and it still feels like yesterday. I have seen two different doctors...one got my file mixed up with someone else so when I went in to check and see if my miscarriage was complete, she asked me if i was excited to be having my first baby and your file says it's a girl. (Matt and I were convinced our baby was a girl). The 2nd doctor told me, at my "I've been trying for a year and I want to know what's wrong with me" visit, told me I weighed too much and I wouldn't be a responsible parent and able to teach my child how to be healthy. She sent me home with birth control and the phone number to the YMCA. So here I sit still without a child to call my own. It is so hard to be happy and excited for others that get to experience this joy. It's not that I'm not happy for them..it's just I'm having an internal struggle with why can't I have a baby. Why do the women that do drugs and are abusive get to have lots of babies and i can't even have one. Every month that goes by makes my heart break even more and makes me want to just give up. Maybe god doesn't want us to have a baby. Maybe we aren't meant to be parents.

Link to race photos

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event_video.asp?EVENTID=79500&BIB=999&S=230&PWD=

Here is the link tour race video and photos. I've learned that i don't have a cute "race face" so excuse my pink color and serious look :)

Expedition Everest Challenge

This past Saturday (May 7), Matt and I participated in the Expedition Everest Challenge at Animal Kingdom.  The race consisted of a 5K run with 3 obstacle courses and a scavenger hunt.  This race was AMAZING!!! 

We ran it as a team, so even though Matt's pace is about double mine, he ran with me the best he could.  The first obstacle we came to was just before mile marker 1 and the task was to jump over several hay bails.  The second obstacle was just before mile marker 2 and the task was to jump through a ton of tires.  The final obstacle was between the 3rd mile marker and the finish line.  This was was horrible because I like to really sprint to the finish line but the obstacle was in the way.  The task was to climb over a net wall or belly crawl under a net, through some really black soft sand.  Even with the obstacles I finished the race a little more than 1 minute faster than my previous disney race.

The race isn't over when you cross the finish line of the 5K.  You are then handed your first clue for the scavenger hunt.  It took us a little bit to figure out what we were supposed to do but once we got it, it was smooth sailing.  The scavenger hunt consisted of some word puzzles you had to solve to get the password.  You then had to give the password to the person at your station before you could get the final clue.  We finished the entire race in 1 hour and 13 minutes.

After the race they had the post race party where you could ride several rides, they had a DJ with a dance party and then awards.  All in all this race was awesome and if we do it again we would want to do it with friends to compete against them.

Under construction

There is a new look coming soon to my blog. I'm finally learning how to blog from my iPad and I have lots to share. Come backhand visit soon to see all of the changes!

TTC

So Matt and I are going to start TTC again in April.  I have such mixed feelings about everything.  I mean I am so ready to be a mom and have been for several years.  I have this empty longing inside of me that almost hurts when I see other sweet babies.  Matt tells me I am not allowed to ask random people if I can hold their baby, but I just have this need...I'm not sure if anyone else can understand this because it is hard to explain with out sounding like a creeper or crazy person.

I'm so scared of being pregnant again and just waiting and waiting.  Not just the normal waiting that everyone does as they wait for their baby to be born, but for me I will be waiting to see when and if my baby will be born.  I am terrified of loosing another baby.  I am terrified of having to go through everything again.  It has been almost 15 months and it still feels like it happened yesterday.

Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey again.  Please pray that we can find the right doctor for us and that God will just prepare our hearts for whatever happens.  I know I can handle anything, but I just want God to prepare my heart to be ready to handle the "anything"

I'm still here

Hello everyone!  I just wanted to check in...I'm still here but have been having computer issues and haven't been able to spend much time on here.  I hope to have everything fixed soon...

Kristen

Wordless Wednesday

Favorite Things Tuesday

This by far is my favorite Mascara.  I have been searching for the perfect one for awhile and have tried so many different brands.  Ulta volumptious mascara.  It doesn't flake and I can do a workout without it running as well.

Wordless Wednesdsay

The boy we ran our disney race for

2011 Bloggie Sweetheart Gift Swap

I participated in a Gift Swap over at Eat, Pray, Love...LIVE!  The gift swap was a chance to get a name of someone from the blog world and send them a valentine.  I pulled Shannon from Eat, Pray, Love...Live who is a real life friend.  This is what I received from my Secret Valentine.

My gift came from Kara @happy-go-lucky-harvey.  She is amazing and you should check out her blog.  She sent me my favorite scent for shower gel in White Citrus from bath and body works, a teal and brown necklace with matching earrings and a silver necklace.  I just love them.  Thank you so much Kara!!!!

10 Unforgettable moments in my life

1. Trains

Growing up I was always around trains.  My dad, godfather Dave, and Grandpa always worked on the train rooms at my Grandparent's house.  They had two bedrooms that were turned into a train layout.  Each of the family members had a building named after them.  My building is Kristen's Ice Cream Shop.  I remember my cousin Jonathan and I wearing our conductor hats and driving the trains

2.High school graduation

My high school graduation was 10 years ago and I can't believe it has been that long.  We were able to graduate on our football field which is exciting because I think we were the last class that was able to do that.  After graduation it was a mad house and I had a hard time finding my family and friends.  I went to my friend Rachel's house after it was over and she made us these home made french fries that were soooooo yummy.



3.The day I knew I was in love

Matt and I both remember the moment we knew we were in love and that we would marry each other.  It actually happens to be the same weekend.  We had only been dating for 2 or 3 months.  He asked me to go with him to Lakeland for a Thunderbug apperance.  We had such a good time just chatting while in the car.  After the apperance we went to the mall and walekd around some more.  I don't remember much of what we talked about or did specifically but I knew that weekend that I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.  I love that we can both pin point this to the same weekend.

4. Engagement

(Apparently my hands were dry that day) I knew it was coming...I just didn't know when.  It was Wednesday Decemeber 3, 2008.  Matt had come to church because we were going to dinner before youth group.  I was on the phone when he got there so he was waiting for me.  When I got off the phone I needed to catch a lady in the office but Matt insisted I go see something in the Sanctuary.  I'm not really sure why I went with him because he wouldn't tell me anything.  We walk up to the front and he stops at the first row to do something then walks up to the alter.  I see the roses and camera on the pew and I'm thinking why didn't he give me the roses.  I go up to the alter and at this point I have figured out something is up.  He told me that he wanted to propose to me at the alter because that is where we are going to start our lives together.  I pretty much cried the entire time and on the video he took all you can hear is me laughing and crying.
5. wedding

The best day of my life hands down.  It was perfect and everything that I had hoped it would be and more.  If I could go back and do it again I can't think of one thing I would want to change.



6. miscarriage
Although this was not a happy time, this was an event that will forever be a part of who I am.  I will never forget our angel baby.  I will never forget what my miscarriage felt like or the emotional turmoil I went through. 

7. The Birth of my Nephew

Graham was born on March 31, 2010.  I have always wanted to be an Aunt, and although some of my friends kids call me Auntie Kristen it just wasn't the same.  #7.2 would be when I was asked to baptize Graham.  I have never felt so honored before and it was a moment I will never forget.



8. Dancing with Grandpa

My wedding was the last time I saw my Grandpa healthy before he passed away in November of that year.  I am so thankful that I have this picture and this memory of dancing with him just a few short months before he passed.

9. Piranhas at Epcot

Since I grew up in Orlando, we would go to Epcot for field trips a lot.  My dad was able to chaperone for one of these trips when I was in Elementary school.  To this day I remember him tell us that there were piranhas that lived in the water on the Mexico ride.  When Matt and I went to Epcot about a year ago I mentioned this to him whne we were on the ride and that it was important not to put your hands in the water.

10. Singing at Candlelight

Every year when I was in high school our choir got to perform for Disney's Candlelight.  This was an amazing experience.  In addition my senior year my high school was asked to record the new songs for this CD.  My choir director only took about 30 of us to sing for the CD.

Excuse me as I pat myself on the back...

Matt and I decided not to do the Suncoast Classic race to save money.  I kind of got stuck in this rut for the past few weeks and stopped running.  I've been working on loosing weight over the past few months and I'm down 30 pounds.  I want to keep loosing but, as I said before I've been stuck. 
I decided to get back on the treadmill this week and start running again to prepare for our Expedition Everest Race on May 7.  When I started running back in September it took me 15:54 to complete 1 mile.  Today I was able to run a mile in 12:56!!!!  I have cut almost 3 minutes off of my time and I am so proud of myself. 

Favorite Things Tuesday

I am a big fan of the Southeastern Guide Dog organization.  We have Blossom because of them because she went throught the puppy training but didn't make it because of her hips.  So many of our church friends are puppy trainers which is just amazing what they do.  These puppies are changing the lives of so many people.

Riddle Wednesday

"Some use me better than others, even though everyone gets the same. If you lose me, it might be stressful, for I can't be found or reclaimed. What am I?"

London here I come

I am soooo excited.  I'm finally going to get a stamp in my passport.  Matt and I are going to London in June with his family for vacation.  I just wanted to share my news.

Favorite Things Tuesday

I know this is a seasonal item but I wish I had stocked up sooner.  This is the best coffee creamer flavor I think I have ever had.  If I were in charge of flavors I would make it so that mint was not a christmas season flavor but a year round flavor.

Riddle Wednesday

"What is once in a minute, twice in a moment and never in a thousand years?"


Answer: "M"

Favorite Things Tuesday

13 going on 30 is my all time favorite movie.  I just love the humor, message, and Jennifer Garner.  This is a movie I could watch every day and never get tired of it.

What are you thankful for?

Sometimes when life gets so hectic, things aren't going our way, or you think it just can't get any worse, we have a hard time remembering we still have things to be thankful for.  I have really had a hard time finding things to be thankful for because I just don't feel like life for me is very fair right now.  I understand that life will never be fair, but there are days when it just doesn't seem like anything good will ever happen to us.  So rather than listing all of the things that are just not fair, we lost a baby, both of us are working 2 and 3 jobs not for extra money but just to keep a roof over our heads, Matt can't get even get an interview for a full time job etc., I want to try to focus on the things that I can be thankful for.  By changing the way I look at life and think about things in my life, my hope is that it will become easier to find the good in everything again.

1) I am thankful for my job.  I love what I do.  I love the youth and their families.  I love watch them grow in their faith and asking questions. 
2) I am thankful that Matt has a job.  The fact that we live in the highest unemployment city in the state, it is a miracle that he has a job
3) I am thankful that our cars are still running.
4) I am thankful for Blossom because she has helped us get through some really hard times
5) I'm thankful for living so close to the water because it reminds me of how amazing God is.
6) I'm thankful for living in Florida because cold weather is just not for me.  I might complain about how hot it gets but I will take that over being freezing any day.

Disney Race

So I finally got around to getting my pictures on the computer.  Please enjoy our race weekend photos.

This is me ready for my race.

All of the family getting ready for our 5k run together. L-R: mother-in-law, me, sister-in-law, brother-in-law

The disney magic start

Here I come

Matt's race was on the anniversary of our miscarriage so he wore the date on his arm

The after picture from the 1/s marathon L-R: Matt, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and father-in-law

Father and son after the race...we did together in colorful fashion