Well Played!!

Husbands, they are a very "tricksy" breed!  For many years I thought they were just floating along letting the women be in charge and not paying too much attention.  Then the epiphany occurred last night "Gosh darn it, they have been fooling us ALL along!!"

The Proof:

Have you ever wished for a moment to yourself?  You think perhaps the ladies room will provide a bit of silence, but no, there they are, the little munchkins sticking their fingers under the door, turning the knob, or just walking right in.  Or perhaps a nice soak in the tub? No, there they are again throwing their toy cars into the water, wanting to get in, or needing to ask you something "VERY" important. In fact I trained my self as a young mom to be very swift in the bath and lavatory because I know that my time is limited, so you get in and get out before they have a chance to swarm.

So these men, you see, figured out eons ago that if you stay in mentioned areas long enough, or create toxic fumes, children don't even bother to linger!  So here I thought that men were just taking a long time when really they are just enjoying the peace and quiet!! DANG IT!  We have been HAD!!

Sunday Scripture: Faithful Friends

Mosiah 18:8-9

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

In life there are tremendous trials, burdens, struggles and pain. These difficulties can overtake us and discourage us, and in His magnificent wisdom, the Lord will use those around us to build us up, to keep us afloat while the storm rages. There has been more than one instance in my life where the Lord has placed just the right people on either side to sustain me in my weakness. Perhaps that is the reason in which I feel the deep need to love, protect, keep up on, encourage and befriend those around me. One never knows when the Lord will need you to step in and be His arms, His help, His love, so I try to keep myself open to those promptings of when to be that listening ear or shoulder to cry on. I try to be the friend that has often been given me.

Today I give thanks for all those that have stood as my friend, my support during the storms of my life, who will continue to be so and I pray for the opportunity to be the same for you.

All My Love

Happy Sunday

Feeling NAKED!! & GUEST POST

Today I am featured on Queen of the House of Boys , I am pretty excited about it since it is my first time guest posting on another blog! So go check it out!!


Being as that photography is a love of mine I feel pressure to have all my pictures edited to perfection before they make it to my blog/facebook. But hey for a minute lets pretend I am not a photographer and I will show you some pictures in the "buck", their "birthday suits", all kinds of naked, just so that I can get them on here before next summer!! and go ahead judge me all you want :)

Lehi, UT part Uno! (bet you didn't know I was bilingual)


We spent the first few days of our trip staying with my friend Janelle! She and I met in a not so ordinary manner, I will tell that story later on. Her aunt and uncle have a pool so we went up and spent an afternoon letting the kids cool off in the water! It was ESPECIALLY HOT the week we were in Utah, it could have been due to my presence, but I'm not bragging or anything.

These girls became instant friends, much like their mothers!!

(the ever cool Alexis)

Janelle became very ill while we were there, so one afternoon I took 2 of her 5 kids and went to downtown SLC to the Children's Discovery Museum at Gateway! It was great because my membership to the Museum in Denver was good for the museum in Salt Lake so we got in for no cost! Before the museum we enjoyed pizza and ice cream, and I envisioned my life with 5 kids ages 11, 8, 6, 5 & 2, not too shabby!! We also met my good friend Kim at the museum with her 3 boys, it was great to see her and get to chat for a few minutes! (I didn't get any pictures with Kim though :( )

This here BEAUTIFUL woman is Janelle, she and I initially came into contact when I happened upon her blog while looking for a picture of my cousin Hilary Weeks (the LDS singer). She had done a post about her, and I swooped the picture from her blog leaving a little note saying hello, I believe she responded back with a little note and that was that. Then 6 months later I was at BYU Women's Conference in Provo, UT and as I came out of the Marriott Center I noticed a cute group of women taking pictures, I just made a mental note like "Oh they are cute." A few weeks after getting home I was searching through blogs and I decided to check Janelle's again when what would appear but this picture of women at the BYU Women's Conf. it was the same ones I had seen, so I couldn't help but leave a comment. From that point on we began keeping up with each other through our blogs and facebook. We have since discovered other connections and when I decided to make a trip to Utah she said we could stay with them! I was thrilled to get to meet her in person after a year and a half of communicating online! Some might think it odd but I just KNOW we were meant to be friends, she knows it too ever since I told her!! :)

(the above picture was edited a bit to crop out the peanut butter on my boob)

My visit to Lehi also brought a dream of mine come true!! I had tried the MOST AMAZING FRUIT TARTS from a place called Kneaders over a year ago and had been CRAVING them ever since so my first day there Janelle and I made a trip to get some, they did not disappoint!!

(the above picture should have been edited)

This is me in Heaven after my first bite into the tart of all tarts!!
(I did share however, I didn't want to keep heaven all to myself, ok I did, but I decided to be good)

Guest Post!!

So I was given the chance to guest post by my bloggy friend Janelle over at Queen of the House of Boys. The post is about raising boys, and while I have just the 1 son and he is a wee sprite of only 2 1/2 it felt great to say why I LOVE having my boy and the joys of raising one!! Here is a link to her blog, my guest post will be posted tomorrow but she did a small introduction on me today!!

Oh and now that I have returned from Utah I have pictures and things to post about. I know, I know don't remind me that I still haven't posted much about our trip to Vegas.

A Little Lighter

First, I want to thank you all for the love and support from my previous post! I can say that I was EXTREMELY nervous about putting it out there. I have never wanted to be perceived as a victim walking around with my badge to prove it. I am so grateful for the response that was received and if it has helped anyone than that is a true blessing. I feel as though now I can share more openly my life experiences without fear of rejection!!

After a slightly heavier topic, I thought I would lighten the mood with a few beauty tips, tricks and secrets from the retired Esthetician (please note: these are things I love and work for me, you might hate them :) ).

I happen to have quite the appetite for all things Skin, beauty & makeup, the problem is that makeup and skin don't ALWAYS go together. Over the years the industry has come miles in creating makeup that won't do a NUMBER ON YOUR SKIN! Being born an albino (not really), I have VERY SENSITIVE skin, sensitive to sun, makeup, moisturizers, cleansers, air, wind and I melt in the rain (again, not really). Well when I went to school to be an Esthetician in 2001 I was fortunate to better learn the types of products that work for my skin and ones that are better in general.

Here is a little sampling of my FAVORITES, and since I have been broke at times in my life there are items at very low cost and easy accessibility. (I have not been compensated by any of these companies to promote their products, but maybe they should be)

Shall we start from the base level and work our way up, yes we shall!

Beginning with Cleansers:














On the Left we have the well known Noxema cleanser, I used this for years when I was younger because it is mild and kept my skin clear. You can find this at just about any grocery store, drug store, snack shack and lemonade stand for about $3.99 (Wal-greens)

On the Right is my most FAVORITE cleanser that I have EVER used! Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel, and boy is it SPECIAL!! I began using in while in school (Esthetician school) and have never gone astray. It is more expensive but it lasts a VERY LONG TIME and it keeps my skin feeling and looking great! It runs about $30.00 and can be found in many fine salons and at Ulta.

Next up Moisturizer:

(let me say first that I also suggest using a toner but as I only have one that I like, I felt it wouldn't be fare, if you must know it is also a Dermalogica product)















On the Left we have Active Moist by Dermalogica. I realize that I have mentioned them several times, but their product is fantastic, and I stick to what I like. OK, well, Active Moist is a light moisturizer, perfect under makeup! It has a small amount of SPF in it but they don't list it, if memory serves me right it is SPF8 so you will get a little protection. It is not greasy or heavy but it gives great moisture to that middle of the road type skin. Found in "fine" salons, I like saying that, and in Ulta (about 37.00 for 1.7 oz)

On the Right we have Olay Complete, I love this moisturizer, in fact I have been using it for the last several months since my Active Moist ran out. It has sun (spf15) protection, is very light and non-greasy and inexpensive (about 7.49 for 4oz bottle). It is a great option for someone on a budget, which I think many of us are, yes?


Make up is next, (tip: you will always get better results with makeup when paired with well moisturized skin.)














On the Left is Bare Minerals makeup. I began using this years ago when the infomercials ran on late night television. Now you can find it in many "fine" retailers such as, Ulta, Sephora, and Nordstrom. It runs about $20 for one container (.42 oz). This a great product because is has SPF, it's light and hypo allergenic.

On the right is Physicians Formula Mineral Wear, I discovered this little number a year ago when money was tight and I didn't feel justified in spending on my makeup. I found it at Target for $12.69 (.49 oz) and I used a coupon for 2 dollars off. It has lasted nearly 8 months and I still have about half of it left. I will say that the coverage with this product is not as much as with Bare Minerals and I don't like the brush it came with so I use my Bare Minerals brushes to apply it. It is still a great product that I would totally recommend.

(tip: to keep your make up from forming bacteria, and to keep your skin clear, make sure to WASH your brushes every 10 days or so, use a mild soap and warm water and then lay out to air dry)

Next are some of the finishing products that I have come to LOVE and NEVER LIVE WITHOUT!!




























The LashBlast Fusion Mascara ($7.29 at Target) is a new favorite! Covergirl recently came out with this new mascara and since I had been using the Original LashBlast for quite awhile and loved it I figured I would give it a try. It doesn't flake and makes my lashes thick, long and luxurious ;)


Another new product from Covergirl is the LiquilineBlast eyeliner ($7.49 on Amazon), I LOVE LOVE LOVE this eyeliner! I have tried MANY different brands and types and this one is by far the BEST, it glides on smoothly not pulling the skin and it gives the look of liquid eyeliner without the mess (plus, I don't know about you but I am the biggest DORK trying to apply liquid eyeliner)! The bonus is that it also has a blending tip on the other end which works like a charm!


The blushes and Eye shadows are all Avon, in fact they make several of my most used products. I LOVE their shadows and blushes, the above are just a few that I have tried. Avon is priced well and easy to come by since their are online stores, kiosks, and Avon representatives located in every city, town and bush!

Tip: For the sake of the thin skin around your eyes, and to help hold of those crows feat, having a gentle yet effective eye makeup remover is VERY IMPORTANT. I love this one by Avon ($1.99 on sale or $3.99 regular price)















Well I hope you have enjoyed this list of my favorite beauty products! If you have favorites I would love to hear what they are, I am always up for a new one to try!!



I mean seriously is this the face of a Covergirl or what!???? If these products can do this for me, just imagine what they can do for you!!! :)


PLUS A BONUS: A GIVE AWAY !!! The WINNER receives a tube of my FAVORITE MASCARA and a little extra surprise!!!!

All my love

Who's That Lady??

(me at 18)

I have gone back and forth, back and forth, write, erase, write, erase many times now and I think I just have to jump in with two feet not testing the water first!

****Deeeeep Breath*****

and go.....

In recent months I have been reflecting a ton on my life before I was here, not here as in the city I live in, but here, me, the woman I am today. I look back at pictures of myself when I was 18 and wince a little, not because I was particularly ugly but because of the sadness that was so near the surface in my life at that time. At the vulnerable age of 18 I was in an intensely abusive relationship; physically, emotionally, mentally all the "ally's" you can think of. On the outside I think I managed to pull the wool over many peoples eyes, my parents knew there were major issues but I don't believe they could have ever imagined the hole I was in. I didn't reach out at that time in my life because I figured I had brought it all on myself and needed to figure it out on my own. I was alone in so many regards, scared, weak, beaten down, embarrassed, ashamed and full of regrets. I wonder now how I got to that place, I was raised by wonderful parents, I had terrific friends, but it was me that I hated and that kept me there, with him.

At 19 I was married and pregnant by the dark cloud I had been allowing in my life for 2 years, and I was even more stuck than before. How could I admit that I had been wrong about him all along, that it had all been a mistake, I just wanted to go home! When I was 8 1/2 months pregnant a small chip in the ice was made, it had been a very difficult day, lots of yelling and screaming. This giant of intimidation stood in front of me telling me all the horrible things I was, calling me names that you wouldn't call your worst enemy, let alone your wife, and "Marylin" broke through, I snapped, the cup of water in my hand sprung forward and splashed in his face, (well I guess he shouldn't have been standing so close), he stood there dripping for a moment and then his eyes burned with fire and I ran as fast as a pregnant lady can run down the hallway. He caught up with me and slammed me against the wall, placing a hand on each side of my head, he drew back his fist, and then, as if someone held his arm, he lowered it and he let me slip away.

There would be many more nights very similar to this one and I stayed until my daughter was born a few months later. When she was just 9 days old the "Marylin" in me shone through just enough to get me out of there and never return! There would be months and years of work ahead of me to overcome the damage that was done, the hatred for myself had to be worked through so I wouldn't end up in that place again, EVER! Was the road short, no, was it easy, no, is it over, mostly. I still have times that I deal with the fear and pain from all those years ago, scars, battle wounds that remind me of where I have been, and why I must never return!

This coming week carries with it the anniversary of a new start, the beginning of forever with my sweet Jimmy. You see he called me on July 14th 2002, it was a Sunday afternoon, I was living with my 3 year old angel in our own apartment when the phone rang. The last name Kelley came up on the caller i.d and my heart began pounding, when I answered, a gentle voice on the other end said "Do you remember me?", of course I did, it was my first love, Jimmy.

The weeks and months that followed went quickly and we reconnected, (for those unaware we met when we were 9 and had kept in touch over the years but it had been 3 years since we last spoke) and we were married 5 months from the day he called me. Heaven had sent him to me, to give me another chance and there was no way I would waste it.

So if I ever appear to "brag" about my husband for all the good he does, it's because I know what the alternative is, and I believe that focusing on the good in my life keeps me safe, keeps me here.



Oh and I am so grateful for the bangs in my younger years because they hid the disaster called my eyebrows, phew so glad I learned from that mistake!! :)

p.s I saved many details to my story,I am saving those for my memoir :)

Flashback Friday: 4th of July Weekend

We started the weekend off with an adventure in Letter Boxing, it was our very first time. For those that haven't heard of Letter Boxing, it is similar to Geo Cashing, if you have not heard of either of them let me give you a brief description. Using a map provided by a website you follow clues to find a treasure, with Letter Boxing there are small boxes with homemade stamps that you stamp in your own little notebook! The kids LOVED it, it made hiking more of an adventure when they knew they were looking for something! Our friends the Clarks introduced us to this fun idea and we can't wait to go again!!

The kids getting ready for the hike
(look at the stink eye being exchanged between Sophie & James)

After a few different hikes in search of the boxes we found a great place for a picnic and ate some tasty sandwiches and let the kids play, they decided that playing in a nearby stream was just too tempting! Have I said how much I love it here lately??!!



After we filled our bellies and rested a bit we decided to explore once again and headed up a trail near the picnic site! I came upon these gorgeous flowers and sitting on them were these teeny tiny grasshoppers!! So cool!


It really was a great day and when we got home that evening the Kelley kids were beyond exhausted and slept very well!!! Thanks Kari and kids, it was so much fun!!



Saturday the 3rd we went over to Jimmy's parents house for a BBQ and fireworks! Jimmy was master of the grill and made some yummy burgers, hot dogs and a ground chicken sandwich for his wife who doesn't enjoy burgers and hot dogs!!

Jimmy showing us the "Proper" way to jump the smoke from the smoke bombs!

Great Grandpa and James making their way down to the fireworks

And of course I had everyone wearing Red, White & Blue

After the food we all went out to take part in our small firework show, it was fun until some people took a few too many deep breathes of the smoke.

After that a bunch of us piled in the cars and headed out for the Town of Parker Fire Works!! The kids were BEYOND tired by the time we found a place to park and sit, but when the show started it was all worth it!! However it did take us an hour to get out of all the traffic after wards, and then an hour back home so it made for a long night, yet again the Kelley's slept well!!

I didn't even take 1 picture on Sunday the 4th of July, I know I'm a slacker. We went to church and then had friends over for a BBQ and good conversation and a late night movie at their house for the adults. It made for a nice quiet evening.

I have a deep gratitude for those that have served and do serve our Country! I have many members of my family that have been in the military and I feel blessed to be a recipient of their sacrifice. I love being an American and living in a country where I am free to practice my faith, and believe in what ever I choose!

A little Bit O Fun!

The Reasons Why....

...I spend less time blogging
Less time editing pictures (sorry to those waiting)
More time laughing
More time happy
Less time alone
Less time sleeping
More time out of my mind
Less time knowing the answers
More time grateful
and More time being Me