WOW! Long Time No Blogging.

Wow. It has been forever and a day, almost a full year since I have blogged. I have referenced my blog soooo many times since last April, for so many different reasons, and the ONE FACT remains more than anything, I miss it!

WOW! Where In The World Is Kristin Bolling!

Has it really been FIVE months since I did a blog post? This has crippled my heart.  The truth is, as much as I love to blog and be resource for others, BLOGGING is my passion and my purpose is to document our family's life, so my children can use this as a memory when I pass away.  Does anyone have time to do things the old fashion way anymore, aka a photo album?  I do NOT! I think at this point I am so overwhelmed by the BACKLOG that I now have, I don't even know where to begin. Again, this blog is 85% for documenting our lives so my children have something to look back on. 

Punny LipBoss!

I love PUN gifts. They show that you did't run out last minute, scrambling for anything that doesn't make sense, and that you put a little time, effort, and creativity into a gift. Just another reason I love my role as a LipSense Distributor.  I get to use my other talents for my customers, creating unique gifts!

Who Can Be A LipBoss?

WHO can be a LipBoss?? Oh my goodness!!! I’m so glad you asked.

Day 1 - Universal Studios Orlando

As previously mentioned, Darren and I had plans to do Universal Studios on Saturday and Islands of Adventure on Sunday BUT, we found out that our tickets were "BOGO:  buy one day at Universal, get another day at Universal for FREE!" We didn't find this out until we were standing in our hotel lobby picking up our tickets. SO, after we ate lunch, we headed to Universal Studios to begin our adventure.  We aren't those types of people that grab a park map and design a plan.  We just aren't planners normally, so we certainly didn't want to start become a planner on vacation. Truthfully, I think our days are filled with so much routine and so much scheduling as it is, that it would have been more like work, instead of fun to "map" it all out.  

If You Don't Tell Your Kids, The World Will!

It’s been a while since I did a “Getting To Know You” post... Did you know that the 11th most searched word on the internet is the word "sex"? AND NOT just by adults. Kids are hearing that word at school and are curious what it means. So they look it up on Google.  Lord God, please NEVER have my children look up that word... Oh the visual images that they will see will haunt them for life. 😫😮 😢  Keep reading!

World Class Talent Entertainment - 2019

Wow! Has it really been five days since I have posted? Life has been CRAZY, with a capital C.  I just couldn't spend time at my computer last week. There were far too many pressing things happening, like... Valentine's Day, classroom parties, basketball games, basketball practices, dance practices, and a dance competition just to name a few....

A Florida Christmas!

Each year, I send my mom and my sister a package from good ol' Virginia.  My mom has since moved to Roanoke, after 27 years of me living here, but was flying to Florida to spend the holidays with my sister Whitney.  So, I kept with my tradition and sent a box for them.  When they opened the box, there was a lightbox waiting for them. I received this lightbox, for free, after spending more than $80.00 in American Eagle. It is not a Heidi Swapp lightbox, but it is still fun to have one.  It came with limited "slides" and it is only battery operated (vs. Heidi Swapp's which has electric capabilities), but I included an extra round of batteries and all of the extra slides.  I assume my sister would keep this.  

My message to them was simple... "Merry Christmas!"

What was inside?

I am very selective when giving to others.  I don't like the idea of running out at the last second and just gifting a gift card. I want the gift to be well thought out, the recipient truly considered, their loves, their life dynamic, etc. etc. etc.  My mom and sister are people of need, so to speak. They work really hard, but I know money is always tight.  Technically, I would gather that so is food.  Buying luxuries probably RARELY happens and having someone drop some extra cash in their lap might cause a sigh or relief and possibly even tears.  SO I decided to do a little bit of everything....

First up, I spotted these DARLING pajamas at Belk.  The truth is, I bought them 6 pairs of pajamas because when I was in the store, I couldn't decide which pair I wanted and I was afraid if I only BOUGHT one pair each and changed my mind, the others wouldn't be there when I went back. YUP! I will jump through hoops to make sure I have the gift just right.  The first two pairs were VERY similar.  They were a pair of pink/purple palm trees with hanging ornaments from them AND then there was a red/green set just like it.  The other set was a gown that read, "Merry Christmas Ya'll!" One set screamed Florida and one set screamed Virginia.  I thought it would be cute to have Whitney in Florida pjs and my mom in Virginia pjs, since that's where they live, but then I also thought being able to match on Christmas morning would be fun too.  I chose the pink palm tree pjs because those are more practical for throughout the year.   

Then, for the sake of time, I carefully played a tetris game and nicely fit everything into the box, unwrapped.  I enclosed this note!

Each lady was allotted one of everything: harvest snaps, boom chicka pop popcorn, a Dabney Lee makeup bag set, CASH, pjs, gourmet straws, a TJ Maxx gift card, a gift card to (6) eateries choices, a chuau chocolate bar, and a gift card to Fresh Market.   

I believe this collection of gifts was a little bit of EVERYTHING that ANYONE would fully enjoy!

They both said this arrived at the perfect time.  My mom doesn't get paid when she is out of work, so the cash and gift cards would not only supplement her loss of work, but would allow her and my sister to do something run together. And my sister Whitney was about to go to Guatemala and needed all of these extra to take with her on her trip AND were helpful for her return home, after 5 days of not working.  

When you purchase gifts for others, do you consider them in great length? Are you joyful and excited about giving? Your gift will show which demeanor you have and how much time you have considered the recipient. It will also bless you immensely when you know you have spent time being selective and creative for someone else.

WOW! Life Has Been INSANE!

Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! I just went to "Blogger" to see when I last posted and I am so sad to SEE that it has been ALMOST a FULL 2 MONTHS! This has absolutely NEVER happened before.  My back log is so long, I'd have to be bed ridden for two months or longer to get caught up.  I have been very diligent to post on Instagram because it is so quick and easy.  BUT my BLOG is truly my baby and where my passion began, so I will NEVER give this up. I just had to let blogging take a back seat for these last two months.  What has been keeping me so busy aside from NORMAL life responsibilities that we all have?

Well... Lilah was casted to be an orphan, in ANNIE, as you may have previously read.  This required her and I to drive (3) nights, per week, to Fincastle. Most nights we were not getting home until close to 10:45 pm.  And she wasn't just in theater.  She is a competitive dancer, at Divine Dance Center, taking (4) classes and practicing for (1) duo, plus cheerleading, which has since ended, and NOW basketball.  Here are a few sneak peaks of her Annie memories.  Clearly, I will be posting them all very sooon! Lilah had (9) shows, three weekends back to back.  Again, our drive to Fincastle is 34 minutes, there and back, on a GOOD day.

Tyson was injured back in September.  He tore his tendon in his ring finger.  Otherwise known as "Jersey Finger".  It sounds like nothing, but it was actually very intense.  He had to go through hand surgery and (12) full weeks of occupational therapy.  The therapy required him to get out of class early, 2-3 days per week, and we had to drive a good 32 minutes away to his therapy appointments AND back.  Round trip, with the appointment time included, we were tied up for a good 2 hours, again 2-3 per week for 12 weeks.

We never thought that basketball would be an option this year.  However, he tried out with one hand, made the team, and was granted the captain of his team. Not only did he get released, to play during before the middle school season was over, but the JV coach called me and asked if Ty would be able to move up to JV after his middle school season was over.  God is so good! Ty was the only one chosen to move up.

Our Jax was in football and is now on not one, but TWO basketball teams.  One local youth program and one traveling, AAU team.  He keeps us equally as busy as we cart him back and forth to practices, games, and film sessions.  

My LipSense business hit an entirely NEW level over the last two months.  I had my absolute best month, since being in business, in November. It was truly unprecedented both financially and personally.  I feel so empowered and beyond grateful and blessed to be a part of such a fabulous company.  I thoroughly enjoy meeting so many new women and being able to share my love of SeneGence with them. I currently have (37) ladies under me. 

I ranked (3) different times in only two months. I know that seems impossible right? I ranked two times in my outter circles and once in my inner circles.  I received a ruby ring, a ruby pin, and my sapphire pin is on it's way! I am now ranked "LADY" within the company.

I got ONE foot of hair cut off and donated it to Pantene's donating program.  I feel lighter, haha.

My mom and dad moved here in July.  Life has been filled with trying to help them get settled into a new place.  I was able to celebrate their birthdays with them. in October and then in November.  I redid parts of their bedrooms and that took a ton of back and forth to their home and to stores trying to get it all color coordinated and looking beautiful/gorgeous.  

And our elves have arrived.  This task alone, because of the way I do it, is enough to be a TRUE full time job! They have really gotten themselves into a ton of fun, messy, and eventful situations.  It's a wonderful memory and tradition, but it is very time consuming.  You can catch all of our elf shenanigans on my Instagram account @BollingWith5 AND/OR look up hashtag, "ElfOnTheShelfBW5".

These are just a FEW of the things that we have had going on, but rest assured there were 1,000 other things in between, like my sisters came to visit, a LipSense party, Thanksgiving, Christmas Shopping, banquets, a cast party, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, haircuts, Christmas decorating, birthdays, and so much more.  I appreciate your patience as we try to do life. I know my faithful followers will stay put regardless of the quantities of times I am able to post, but it is my intention to get back into the grove.  I love you all.  AND from our family to yours, 

WE wish you a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!

Annie- Practices

Here is proof that we did a ton of ANNIE practicing.  MOST of it was just goofing around, as you can see, but we did have a blast in the process. P.S. We are NOT singers in our family.  LOL!!!!

Take Care Of Your Lips!!!

Healthy, soft, and hydrated lips are not just beautiful – they also allow for better lip color application and wear. Here’s how you can improve the condition of your lips using SeneGence skin care and cosmetics.

Regularly exfoliate lips with LipSmooth Conditioning Polish to remove dry, dead skin and soften lips. Non-abrasive Bamboo and Ivory Seed Powders gently exfoliate without damaging skin while Nangai Oil and Shea Butter re-moisturize and condition lips. 

Lips age over time as manifested by fine lines and wrinkles that cause feathering, and a reduction in lip volume due to the decrease in collagen production. Help reverse the signs of aging in lips and achieve a fuller pout with LipVolumizer. Our Volumizing Complex, consisting of a blend of peptides and botanicals plus Kiss-Me-Quick Plant, helps you achieve lasting results, increasing lip fullness up to 20% and moisture up to 50% with continued use. 

Treat lips tenderly when it comes to removing LipSense by using Ooops!^® Remover. When you’re ready to remove your LipSense, apply the product directly on top of lips and let it sit for a minute or two to penetrate the layers of long-lasting color. Using a damp cotton round or a Fooops! SenseCosmetics Color Removing Wipe, gently wipe away the color to reveal clean, soft lips. 

Keep lips moisturized and protected with LipSense Moisturizing Gloss and LipSense Moisturizing Lip Balm. LipSense Moisturizing Gloss keeps lips soft and health with Vitamin E and Shea Butter and wears beautifully on top of any LipSense shade. For your no-makeup days and before going to bed, Moisturizing Balm made with Coconut Oil, Cocoa and Shea Butters, and Orchid Flower Extract helps soften and nourish lips. 

Share these fabulous lip-nourishing products with your customers and stock up on these must-haves today.

*All products mentioned in the body of this post are also featured in the photo above.  I have  3 out of 4 of these items on hand (the lip smooth is one week old and I have yet to order it, but I will be ordering it the first week in May). I will only have a few tubes, so reserve yours today, if you would like one. 

Contact me at 540.520.1853 to make a purchase.  I ship for FREE.

Christmas Cookie Tradition ~ 2017

It's a Christmas tradition that everyone in the house enjoys... even daddy.

First... we cut and bake cookies.

It usually includes a ton of very serious and focused faces.

The dough has GOT to be COLD. COLD. COLD. or it will spread in the oven and be disfigured.

We always just use the Pillsbury ready made, sugar cookie dough.

 

Sometimes I have to step in and help with soft dough dilemmas.

This part is not as fun as the decorating, but it's still something we all enjoy doing together.  I think more dough gets eaten (raw), than it does cooked.

I love watching my man partaking in our family traditions.  

These cookies are for Santa, but we always make a few cookies that spell out Jesus' name.  

Jesus gets a CAKE from US!

Pre-decorated cookies.

The next day, we decorated.  So we aren't artists or anything, but I still think our cookies turned out adorable.  

I love all of the special touches and details... especially the mustaches and candy cane smiley faces.

We barely ate these.  Hmph.  We did leave them for Santa to enjoy though.  No wonder he's so chubby.