Stepping Into Greatness!

Last weekend, I took a huge step, both professionally and personally! I was chosen to attend a special conference in Dallas, Texas for emerging leaders in my Mary Kay unit area! I had never been away from Ryne for more than a few hours at a time, so the thought of being away from him for three whole days and being several hundred miles away, made me very nervous. My first thought was that there was just no way that I could attend. I am a breastfeeding Mom and my son is only 4 months old, so leaving him would be crazy. However, I talked to a few other Mary Kay Moms, and they suggested that I go to the conference to take some time for myself, and actually get a full night of sleep! I had been wanting some girlfriend time lately, so I figured a 13 hour car ride with three girls and a 2 day conference with 180 women sure sounded like girlfriend-time to me!

So last Thursday, I loaded up the car and headed to Dallas with my Director and some other unit members. It was the best decision I could've made! I had a great time! I got to sleep 7-8 hours straight (well, almost straight - I woke up at 3 am one morning and freaked out because I forgot where I was, and hadn't heard the baby cry! Ha!)! I got to meet some other Mary Kay Moms and learn how they manage staying at home with a baby and running a business. I got to tour the Mary Kay Corporate Office and tour a National Sales Director's 15 thousand square foot home - yes I said 15 thousand! (And yes, I will let you all tour my home when I am the number one National Sales Director and bank about $80,000+ a month - yes, a month!)

The last night of the conference my NSD asked me what stuck with me the most from the conference. I told her that although there was so much great training and wonderful success stories, what I realized most about the conference was that Ryne was okay without me! It was so reassuring! I know now that I can work my business and have a baby at home! I get to be at home with my baby more than most women, but now I don't feel guilty for leaving to support my family financially, and to make some women feel more beautiful!

I know Ryne will grow up to be a loving and confident person because I am a more loving and confident person because of my Mary Kay business!

Lindsey and I with NSD Sherril Steinman

Rena's Caddy - yes please!

NSD Rena Tarbet

Rena's House!

Mary Kay Inc. 13 floors (13 is MK's lucky number!) And lucky me, I visited on Friday, Nov 13th!

Mary Kay's vanity

Mary Kay's 14 karat gold sink!

Mary Kay's desk!

If Life Were a Musical...

Okay, so maybe I'm getting corny during my early days of motherhood, or maybe I take after my mother [shudder at the thought], who is a huge goober, as we like to call her! My mother is always making up some crazy song about anything and everything, and most of which make absolutely no sense. Babies seem to love it - grown children...not so much! However, Mom is sometimes creative. She helped me make up a song, which I sang for my 3rd grade book report! That's right, I got up in front of the entire class, dress as an Indian, and sang my book report about Pocahontas! I'm pretty sure I got an A on the book report and peed my faux rawhide dress, since I was incredibly shy!

Anywho, I have recently found myself singing a lot to Ryne. He loves it! However, I make up cool songs or sing actual real songs instead of the nonsense my mother comes up with! So, I thought I'd share our daily 'musical playlist', so to speak!

Every morning I sing the "Good Morning" song, which is basically the "Happy Birthday" song, but with good morning inserted. Also, if Ryne is a little drowsy in the morning or after a nap, I will say: "Wakey Wakey, Eggs and Bakey!"

Next, is usually "Yellow" by Coldplay. I call Ryne my Little Superstar a lot, and it's amazing how I've heard "Yellow" a million times before, but never had an emotional connection to it until Ryne was born!

At bath time, I usually sing the Rubber Ducky song from Sesame Street, and Ryne actually has a little rubber ducky that he smiles and talks to during bath time!

Then while dressing Ryne after his bath (he usually screams getting out of the tub, so singing calms him down), I sing the chorus of "So Fresh, So Clean" by Outkast! I know, what you're thinking, Outkast isn't quite baby material, but I have to throw a little spice into the mix, and I keep it PG!

During the day I will sing songs that pop into my head or fit my mood. Ryne has been bombarded with "I've Got That Mary Kay Enthusiasm" (along with the hand motions) lately, since my hard work is coming to fruition!

At night, I usually sing or hum "Stay Awake" from the Mary Poppins movie, but don't always believe what you see in the movies because it doesn't always work with Ryne. Some nights he just won't calm down and I know he's thinking that Mary Poppins can choke on her 'spoon full of sugar!' Ha!

So I guess I'm the goober now, but Ryne seems to love it, and I love to see him smile!

Splish Splash...

My mother has a basin or "the bowl" as we call it, that has been passed down through the generations. Almost everyone on her side of the family has had a bath as an infant in this bowl. So this weekend, it was Ryne's turn to take the plunge! He loves bath time, as long as the water is warm!

(We put a blue towel in the bottom of the basin for added comfort)!

We Are Family!!

Check out Adam's "beautiful" cousin, Leah, who was featured in Nashville Lifestyles as one of the Music City's Most Beautiful People of 2009! Check out her store at the Snap Kids link on the right side of our homepage!

Also, pick up a copy of the October issue of Southern Living. Another cousin of Adam, George (Leah's brother), has his amazing Chattanooga bungalow featured in the magazine on page 48!

They are both amazing, talented and beautiful people, and I'm glad to be a part of their family!!

Old Navy Weekly

Never pay full price at Old Navy again! Okay, so I know Old Navy has fairly inexpensive clothing overall, but why not get it for a little less? I have recently taken up couponing! It's easy to become addicted to getting an awesome deal on the household and personal items that we already use! Today Adam mentioned wanting some long-sleeved shirts since the weather is starting to change, so I suggested Old Navy. Each week, Old Navy updates a website where you can "hunt" for in-store coupons. The coupons vary in value from $75 off a $100 purchase to 10% off your purchase. The highest discount I could find today was 20% off your entire purchase, so we went into the store just to see what we could find. There were a few other sales going on in the store that we took advantage of so the savings exceeded our expectations.

So here's the break down:

Total Before Sales and Coupons (less tax): $82

Total Spent (less tax): 38.79

Total Savings: 52.7%

Without Further Ado...Ryne Knies

Back by popular demand! Ryne Adam Knies was born July 14th at 1:45 pm. He weighed 5 lbs and measured 17 3/4 inches! Ryne was 4 1/2 weeks premature, but his pediatrician says that he is very advanced!! More updates to come, but for now, please enjoy some pictures!

Daddy and Ryne

Ryne and Brylee Crass on game day vs. UCLA

Ryne's first UT game - Baby Fist Bump!

Ryne's sock on Adam's big toe!

Sleepy Mommy

Granny Boo and Ryne

Smile!

First Trim

Ryne in Auntie Sarah's lap!

Ryne with Grammy

Grandpa Frank and Ryne

Lots of hair!

A baby learns to smile, but is born with the pouty lip!

Proud Poppa!

Another Cake!

As I mentioned in the last posting, I seem to be back in the swing of cake making...at least for this month! I made another cake, for another happy customer. Check it out at A Sweet Affair!