Jennifer

Enjoying a Family Weekend!

July 7, 2014 by Jennifer 3 Comments

It is so easy to get caught up in today’s top news stories, the latest technology gadget, the top summer sale and not put what is most important in our lives first!

This weekend was a long three-day weekend since it was a holiday weekend. I woke up Friday morning on the wrong side of bed. My morning was overshadowed by sad emotions. I had missed my family time so much. As we loaded up in the car, I told the girls and Scott that I missed them immensely and I wanted this weekend to be filled with family time. The latest gadget or top news story was the least of my worries. I could have cared less. My heart was yearning for my family to be close.

My heart was finally content. This picture is worth a thousand words. I am use to being with the girls all the time but since I have started working full-time out of the house, my time away from them has unfortunately increased greately. This is my first summer EVER away from the girls. Our summers are usually filled with several road trips all across the map. We have yet to take our first out-of-state road trip this summer. My mind is about to go crazy. Thankfully, we get to change that in two more weeks. You will have to stay-tuned to hear all about our Florida adventures.

Why am I writing all of this? Because, it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities and not take that special time with your family. This past weekend was all about family time. Our precious M was in two 4th of July parades with her clogging team. My heart always swells with pride when I see her move along the pavement with her fancy feet. She makes me so proud.

We enjoyed two picnics after the parades and followed up the picnics each day with a beautiful viewing of a fireworks display.

Sitting there with the sun shining on our faces was such an enjoyable feeling. My family close to my arms while enjoying nature’s beauty. Time could stand still. The sun set and the darkness spread across the lands. The different colored lights starting popping up across the sky. My arms stretched across my baby girls and our eyes focused on the sparks. My husband’s arm touching mine. This was the family time that I had longed for so much.

Don’t take family time for granted. Who cares about the top story or scrolling on your phone? Your family is yearning for your attention. They had my attention this weekend and I will not take another second for granted.

Enjoying a family weekend is first on my list. My heart is filled!

Pack You Bags! Sam’s Club Announces New Online Travel Website

June 29, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

Sam’s Club is known among Americans for their great prices on household items. They are now spreading their wings to include travel deals.

Sam’s Club Travel, a savings-centered online booking service bringing industry-leading selection, value and 24/7 support to Sam’s Club members for all business and leisure travel needs.

Some travel sites focus on Caribbean packages and round-the-world escapades (which we also offer), but our goal is to serve the many Americans who need better prices on Six Flags tickets or an affordable family road-trip getaway.

The new digital service, available to members at SamsClub.com/travel, is a collaboration with Tourico Holidays, a worldwide leader in innovative wholesale travel services. Scaling Tourico’s proprietary technology to millions of warehouse club members, Sam’s Club Travel offers savings on 4,500 worldwide destinations, 90,000 hotels, more than 6,000 attractions in 800 cities, 150 airlines, 18 car rental brands and 13 cruise lines, available for a la carte purchase and vacation packages.

Sam’s Club Travel is the first retail-branded travel service to offer these member benefits:

· Easy-to-Use Portal: Simple filter and sort options, integrated TripAdvisor® reviews and secure booking without interference from external sites and pop-up windows.

· Unbeatable savings: Members could save up to 50 percent off select hotels; up to 10 percent off rental cars, up to 15 percent off cruises; and up to 25 percent off attractions and activities, as compared to average market prices.

· 24/7 Member Service: no matter what day or time, Sam’s Club Travel experts are on hand to offer multi-channel, U.S. based member support.

The desire for travel is increasing, but Americans need simpler savings options to move forward. According to the U.S. Travel Association, domestic leisure travel is expected to rise 1.7 percent in 2014 to 1.6 billion trips, while working Americans are expected to take 452 million domestic business travel trips this year.

KUDOS to Sam’s Club for helping family travel be more affordable for families!

The Rio 2 Summer Party Tour Is Coming To Your Hometown!

June 26, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

I know we cannot be the only family counting down the days until July 15th! Why is this day so special? This is the day RIO 2 will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD.

To help celebrate, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is throwing parties in 8 major cities across the United States.

Families will have plenty of reason to shake a tail feather down to the tour; it’s full of interactive activities for all ages including portable viewing stations to watch soccer games, live from Rio; screenings of RIO 2; Samba performances and lessons; customizable Carnival masks; soccer challenges, and much more! All guests can also turn their fun into a global sensation by joining a cross country karaoke from the party via the sing- and dance-along photo booth.

SCHEDULE:

Date	City	Venue	Event Times	Game Times
Monday, 6/30	New York	South Street Seaport	12-6:30pm ET	12 & 4pm ET
Tuesday, 7/1	Philadelphia	Franklin Square	12-6:30pm ET	12 & 4pm ET
Saturday, 7/5	Atlanta	Mall of Georgia	12-6:30pm ET	12 & 4pm ET
Tuesday, 7/8	Cincinnati	Riverfront Park Smale Field	1-6pm ET	3pm ET
Wednesday, 7/9	Chicago	Kohl Children’s Museum	1:30-6:30pm CT	3pm CT
Saturday, 7/12	St. Louis	St. Louis Galleria	1-6pm CT	3pm CT
Monday, 7/14	Dallas	The Parks at Arlington	12-5pm CT	N/A
Friday, 7/18	Los Angeles	Hollywood & Highland Center	12-5pm PT	N/A

You can find the Summer Party Tour any time of day, check out pictures from the tour, follow the GPS enabled tour bus, and explore all sorts of RIO 2 goodies at www.rio2summertour.com. Follow the tour on social media with #rio2summertour.

My Favorite Morning Beverage: Homemade Delicious Mocha

June 26, 2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Since I started working outside of the home, I drink more coffee in the mornings. As soon as I drop my belongings at my desk after morning devotions, I head for the break room to make my favorite morning beverage. I started getting bored of just a regular cup of coffee so my co-worker mentioned putting a packet of hot chocolate in my coffee. Introducing my cup of energy:

Who needs a fancy cup of joe from the coffee shop? Make your own within minutes.

Ingredients:

1 Packet of Hot Chocolate (I use the Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation)
Hot Coffee
Favorite Creamer (I use Cold Stone Creamery Hot Sundae Cookie

Directions:

1. Pour hot chocolate contents into your coffee mug.

2. Pour hot coffee into mug.

3. Pour creamer.

4. Stir. Enjoy!

You can see why it is my cup of energy. This is usually the only cup of coffee I drink a day. I drink water the rest of the day at my desk. It is the perfect pick-me-up in the morning and helps me get ready to take on the day. Also, I love that I can enjoy it in my coffee mug that Leanne from Walt Disney World’s Social Media Team mailed me!

Cheers!

Day 84: Exceeded Expectations #JawSurgery

June 18, 2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

I cannot believe it has almost been three months since my big surgery day. Thankful and blessed are two words that come to my mind first when I think of my surgery team.

Yesterday was my three month check-up. Three months will not actually be until next week, but the appointment albeit early was a huge success. Dr. Turvey walked in with Dr. Shirley, Chief Resident. They both were amazed. Swelling has went down to almost minimal. My range of motion far exceeded expectations along with the opening of my mouth. I can currently get 13 sticks in my mouth.

When someone gives me a goal, I am going to push as hard as I can to achieve that goal. Dr. Turvey said there wasn’t anything he could tell me to continue working on as I was doing so well with recovery. He doesn’t want to see me back until 1-year post surgery. Hooray!

I can eat pretty much anything as long as it is cut up as chewing is still a bit challenging but I am making strides. Dr. Turvey said to not bite into anything with my two front teeth for a few more months. He said to stay away from bagels, kaiser rolls, whole apples etc. Healing will continue to take place up until a year post-surgery. Swelling will come and go as well.

The next goal is getting my braces off. I am currently wearing two rubber bands at all times except when eating. One band on each side of my mouth that forms rectangular boxes. The bands are suppose to close all gaps and finish bringing the bite together. After the splint was taken out, there was a gap on the right side. I can already see the improvements with the gap from wearing the bands. Hopefully, by Thanksgiving the braces will be removed!

Overall, I am doing awesome. Like I said, chewing is challenging at times but I can see baby steps each day. I was able to bite into a thin pretzel and a potato chip this past weekend. My feet was ready to leap off the ground with joy. The pain is none. No popping, clicking or headaches in my daily life. Friends, this is HUGE news. The surgery was so worth it. The changes each day are so worth it. Happiness spreads across my face.

I will continue to do my facial massages to keep muscles working well and keeping scar tissue minimal. The numbness in my bottom lip and chin is still refusing to leave. Dr. Turvey told me to be patient and it should come back. I really feel like it is on the edge of coming back. Time will tell.

Exceeded Expectations. That is two awesome words!

Jennifer

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