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!

Shrek The Musical!

Lilah and I have been attending a few of the local plays around town, over the last year.  Ever since Lilah was in Snow White, we've both been more and more interested to watch others in action. Once I saw the advertisement for Shrek, the musical, I asked Lilah if she wanted to go (because I wanted to) and she immediately said "YES!"

We had a special night on the town planned and invited Gram to join us. Lilah treated it like a real date and knocked on the door to pick her up.  Poppy said hello, but NO BOYS ALLOWED.

And we were off...

We headed downtown for dinner, the candy store, and the musical SHREK!

We met Lilah's BFF and family (not daddy) at Alejandro's.  Doesn't every perfect night start with chips and salsa?

After dinner, we headed to the local Candy Store.  It's actually called "The Candy Store".  LOL!

I am so glad that Lilah has met her match.  She was teary one day and said, "Mom. I just really love Avery.  She's like a sister to me.  I feel sad when I am not with her."

Gram had to get in there a snag a pic.  I was glad that she was able to join us.  I know it meant a lot to her.  

Downtown photos always turn out so good.  Look at this sweet photo I captured of Avery with her momma.  

And then my mom stole the show in the candy store.  I swear, she always keeps us entertained.

Until the candy store attendant stole the show by bombing our photo.

Shrek, the musical, was incredible.  

The entire show was great, but the role of Lord Farquaad had us all dying laughing.  His costume was HILARIOUS.

It really kept everyone's attention.  

This outing was so sweet.  Of course, it had to end with a sleepover.  Haha.  Lilah finally used her sleepover coupon that she got in one of her hidden, Easter eggs to invite Avery over.  

A Visit To Poppy's Work

My dad is a maintenance supervisor, for a Retirement Home, in Wake Forest, NC.  He wanted us to stop by and visit with him, just to see where he works, what he does, and he also wanted to introduce us to some of his favorite residents. This was a wonderful experience for BOTH adults and children because it really opens your eyes to the elderly and those who's health is failing them.  I apologize in advanced, the  photos are awful....thanks iPhone!

The kids had a blast running from floor to floor, knocking on the residents' doors.  MOST of the residents were very capable of taking care of themselves. Again, it's a retirement home, NOT a nursing home.  The residents just enjoy living in an environment that provides (3) daily meals, lawn care, transportation, and so much more... such as BINGO! LOL!  Two of the patients we met had some physical aliments: one had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and one had Alzheimer's Disease. The gentleman below (not revealing names for privacy issues) is in his LAST stage of Alzheimer's Disease. It was very interesting to watch him and also very devastating. I could have sat there ALLLLLL day.  Ty was also very intrigued. Ty and I both asked several questions to his wife, who takes care of him daily, at the retirement home. WITHOUT his wife, he probably wouldn't be here today.  She was a nurse for DECADES and her care, to her husband, has provided him a loving and compassionate environment.  Sadly, he doesn't even know that it's his wife that cares for him. She said, "I'll say, do you know I'm your wife!" And he replies, "No. You're not my wife!" #myheartbreaks

He was once a successful engineer, so playing with a piece of pvc piping and the windy toys you see, are his favorite.  He likes to make use of his hands, keeping himself busy.  He barely spoke.  He was good at saying "Hello!" and that was about it. You can tell by Jax's expression that he was "different".  He was such a sweet man though.

I am thankful my father has found a job that he is enjoying! God has been gracious to him!!  The residents light up when they see him and I believe he enjoys the love they give to him as well.