Cosmetologist = Psychologist

“Your clients will tell you everything about their life. They’ll tell you even before a best friend or family member.”

Miss Ev prepared us.

I thought that was rubbish, there’s no way.

Until I graduated from school and jumped into my career...

My hair girl talked me into going to Cosmetology school. She sent me in the right direction, told me I’d absolutely LOVE Miss Ev (owns Evans Hairstyling College).

She was right! It was the most perfect fit. I met wonderful girls, friendships that will last forever.

The months leading up to graduation freaked me out. I’d made it to the end of the tunnel. I looked into a bunch of Salons, never 100% sure where I’d end up.

The last week of school my own stylist (Michelle) came to me. She told me that she had to quit doing hair. She had become allergic to the chemicals and realized she had to say good bye.

She asked me if I’d take over her clientele. Excitement and fear came pretty quickly. How could I fill the shoes of Michelle?  She’d been doing hair for about 6 or 7 years and had built up a pretty amazing client list.

Long story short, she began training me the day after school ended. She left me a month later and there I was In her basement taking over her full schedule. Everyday around 8-6.  I was still so brand new! What she was thinking… I’ll never know. But I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Women after women, sad story, happy story. You name it, I heard it.

It began to wear on me.

I didn’t really know how to react. Everyone’s problems I made my own.

I never would have guessed Miss Ev was right!

…The Kardashians have nothing on this.

I’ve been doing hair now for 7 years and I’d like to think I've mastered the Psychologist in me.

I love to experience these special moments and chapters in each client’s life. Whether it be a trial or a triumph, I love watching them grow and I feel like I grow right along with them.  I get such great advice. I know what to do when my baby’s going through the terrible twos, when a teenager sneaks out, when to have ‘the talk’…. I could go on forever!

Now many of whom will read this are my clients…I love you. I cherish the friendship and trust that we have. You’re amazing!

Geez I’m grateful for where my life has gone. I’m very blessed that I’ve gotten to know so many amazing strong women who continue to push forward and show me the type of person I want to be one day.

My Piece of Heaven

It’s Sunday morning and oh how I cherish mornings like these. No need or rush to get out of bed and scurry off to our daily responsibilities. We’ve always been lovers of 9 o’clock church, but now our new ward starts at 1. I guess either one works but its refreshing to stay in pj’s till the afternoon (something that really never happens).

When I was a lil tot I absolutely loved to read! The Boxcar kids, Bailey School kids (‘Pirates Don’t Wear Pink Sunglasses’), Goosebumps, Babysitters Club and anything with a horse in it. It didn’t even matter if the horse was apart of the story, I was sold.

Those days quickly passed when school got tougher and more of my attention was dedicated to who knows what. I joke about having ADD- but I swear everyone has it. The fact is, my love for reading faded away. I regained that love once I began preparing for my mission. Hours and hours of studying and preparing for lessons and searching for answers in the scriptures- I  created a deep love for the bible. It’s something I never really read before my mission. Of course the obvious books about Christ birth and life filled the walls of my home and Sunday school growing up. I guess when the other books were spoken of I apparently wasn’t listening. The New Testament spoke words of missionary work and the same love I felt for the people I served in Pittsburgh. I felt as though I knew Paul, a missionary- just like me.

Since then It’s been so hard for me to find the right genre. I’d felt a sense of guilt anytime I’d pick up a book that wasn’t gospel oriented. I’ll never forget the first time I read my most inspiring book… ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’. This book touched my heart during an English assignment in Mr. Davis’ class. Since then I’ve read it so many times I can’t count. It makes me feel so grateful for all of the blessings that I have in my life. The book is full of life lessons- I could actually get something out of it.

Anyways… One of my clients told me about a book that she had recently read. I figured I’d take the plunge again and attempt to finish a book after starting it. (That’s usually my MO I’ll start all gung hoe and then it’ll quickly fizzle after a few days).

I began reading it last week- wow. What a life changer.

‘Heaven Is Here’ –Stephanie Nielson

I find myself staying up late next to Mike both of us reading. When normally I’d be watching Seinfeld or begging to go to sleep. Michael LOVES to read! He can finish a whole book in less than a week- something that seems impossible to me. He’s slowly been rubbing off on me since we’ve been married. I can’t tell you how many books we’ve read together. Him reading of course, doing all of the voices J oh I love it, he’ll pause and look at me as if he’s acting the whole book out. He inspires me (in many ways). We’ll take long drives to St. George and he’ll read the whole time, we’ll finish a book in a day! I love listening to his enthusiasm and every other emotion he acts out. One of our favorite things is to visit DI and buy a bunch of mystery books preferably ‘The Hardy boys’ or ‘Goosebumps’. We can discuss for hours about a book and who we think is the bad guy and why. 

‘Daddy’ is my best friend (we thought calling each other by ‘Mommy’ and ‘Daddy’ would be so weird and hard to get used to. But it wasn’t at all! I’m ‘Mother Goose’ and will answer to it always).

My inspiration for writing down my thoughts came this morning while reading Stephanie’s words. She was in a plane wreck and over 80% of her body was badly burned. She speaks of her pain and anguish she felt while lying in a hospital bed after waking from a coma for over 3 months! She left 4 little children for those long months and hasn’t seen them yet (so far). Her eyes had to be sewn shut for over a week and she tells of her despair. Her life will never be the same.

Reading this book makes me take a step back and look at life as it is. Look and my two loves and appreciate every minute I have with them.

Just the other night Mike and I were watching my friends little girl. It was getting late so we got the girls in their pajamas and cuddled them with blankets and turned the lights out. The Chirstmas tree and garland going up the stairs were lit which gave off the perfect amount of light to set the mode. Brielle to the left of me, I ran my fingers through her hair as Anna laid on my chest fast asleep. Michael sat to the right of me and read ‘The Hardy Boys’. I took a mental picture praying that I could remember the feeling of that moment. Boy am I blessed. Michael, Anna and I… three pees in a pod. I love them so much and I’m so thankful for them in my life. Mike’s such a wonderful Daddy. He adores Anna, she kinda has us wrapped around her little fingers. It was the perfect night.

I love us.

Hair Upload

I've been working on my hair pictures... whenever I have a bride I'm always forgetting to snap a pic. So if I've ever done your hair please send me a pic of your locks! This goes for extensions too :) 

Here are some of my beautiful brides/formals 

AJ's Blessing Day

Anna Jane’s Blessing Day

July 8^th, 2012

I found the most beautiful dress at ‘Little Things Mean A lot’, Right when I saw it I knew I had to have it. Cute Mike came with us for support and commented that she could even wear it as her baptism dress. Yes I admit it’s a long lady, but that’s one of the things I loved about it. It reminded me of an antique. 

The day was so special, almost all of our family was there. Anna looked beautiful in her little bonnet, just like a doll.

The blessing was perfect, her daddy was inspired to say the things he said. I feel so thankful for the many blessings in my life. My amazing husband who is so supportive and just as excited about Anna as I am. He’s the best father any little girl could ask for. It’s been such a wonderful journey the past couple of months to watch him interact with our lil lady. 

So we were in class and she started laughing in her sleep, it was the cutest thing. Her tummy was moving up and down. It was precious! That was the first laugh in her sleep.

Anyways…After church we all met up and had dinner. It was great to chat and spend quality time together.

Special note: My Great Grandma Anna Ashton knitted the cream shirt that I’m wearing. I was wondering what I should wear, I thought it very fitting to wear her shirt while my Anna was getting blessed

Matt, Jen, Sarah and baby #2 were able to come visit. Sarah was adorable with Anna, she sure loves her little cousin. They will have great fun once Anna can walk. 

Anna-Bannana is such a happy baby. Her personality is so strong. Its crazy to think that she’s so young and we already have a pretty good idea about how she’s going to be. She started smiling constantly at 5 weeks and it warms my heart. She started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks.

That little toothless grin, ah.  She has so much ahead of her. It makes me sad to think about her growing up, going to school, driving, DATING, and even MARRIAGE! That literally makes me sick! Now I know what my mom meant all those years. Not wanting me to grow up, I finally get it!!

I sit and think about all of the little spirits waiting to come down for their life experience and how so many of them get sent to such sad circumstances. Both Mike and I were blessed to have the gospel in our life at such a young age. I think a lot of us take it for granted. I’m so glad that Anna knows that she’s so loved and we were 100% excited about her joining our little family. We never knew what we were missing. Thank you my little AJ for choosing us

 What a great day! I Love my little family so much, I’m blessed beyond measure!

Nursery Journey...

Ok its finally time to reveal the nursery that I was all consumed in. I actually finished it in time (phew) but it took me a while (obviously) to snap the photos. Life is just so fast pace now. I guess it's always been but throwing our AJ into the mix its just crazy! Mike and I couldn't be happier with the way our life is panning out. I couldn't be happier with the way the nursery turned out! Ha ha I'll never forget my moms face when I showed her all of my ugly purchases and explained my plans. There was definitely laughter, late nights, deep talks and tears through out this whole nursery journey. I wouldn't change it for the world, my mom and I had a blast creating what was once not so pretty to perfection, well perfect for Anna and me. 

So with no further delay.... 

here she is....

After

Before 

Crib $100 -KSL

Notice how the "Before" crib had short legs and no spindles on the four corners. I went to Home Depot and found all 8 additions! So worth it!! I found the wood decals at Home Depot as well and we used wood glue to attach them to the crib- super easy!

Wood decals and spindles: $150

Sanded the crib (what a job! Especially with a belly) 

Painted white 

and waxed 

Painted brown

and waxed

Painted tan

and waxed

Scraped off wax

And finally painted cream. We painted it so many different colors and waxed it every time so that when we scraped off the wax the crib would show a bunch of different colors. When we ended up sanding it the last time we saw a cool turquoise color- super surprised cus we didn't even use turquoise. Basically doing it this way makes it look super antique! Love it! 

I made this special blankie for my AJ. Many Many Many hours of work, but very worth it- She better have it forever! More detailed pictures to come...

This cute window came from my mom for Christmas- she's the best!! 

Dresser $35- DI in 2009

Wall paper $20 (discount- it took 3 months to get here) Kwahl Paint 

used wall paper paste and stuck it to the front of the drawers 

Painted yellow and then stained it. 

Knobs $12- Hobby Lobby (super cheap cute knobs!)

Dresser and mirror together! 

Ta Da! Her nursery is the cutest room in the house! Now its time to work on our bedroom! 

These amazing doors will be our new head and footboard! 

Geez, is it hard to find time to document! When Anna's napping I'm always cuddling her or cleaning the house. Finally I've made the time to hurry and update my journal. 

So since May 21st my life has changed! Before, life wasn't complete and we didn't even know it.  

I stayed home with my Anna Jane the first week and loved on her. My delivery  wasn't the easiest, therefore recovery was torture. We haven't confirmed it but my tail bone was most likely broken. I was not prepared for how painful it would all be. But maybe I'm just a wimp? Sitting down was terrible so I decided I might as well go back to work and stand. The next week I started working a few hours a day. I got to bring her with me or she stayed home with daddy and napped.  This helped me so much with the 'baby blues'.  I've heard alot about it and always said that i'd never allow myself to get depressed, how could someone be unhappy after having their little baby!? It blew my mind! haha then I came back down to reality and all the guilt you begin to feel as a new mommy is crazy! I felt guilty about everything imaginable! First the whole breast feeding was not a walk in the park. Dang Rachel off of friends- she's all cute sitting in her hospital bed nursing her baby after a few hours of giving birth. This was NOT the case. 

Anyways... Life was hard that first week. 

The first 4 weeks Anna was such a good baby!  Seriously we are so blessed to have her in our family. What a happy baby! From the time Mike brought her to me she was wide eyed and alert. She hardly ever cried. Whenever she needed something she'd let out a little whimper to remind us that something wasn't right. She had Jaundice the first week and 1/2. It was so hard leaving her under the buliruben lights. She had to be under them for as long as possible. We had to take her to the hospital every day to get tested to see how her levels were. Her poor little heels, she was so brave getting her blood drawn a million times. Most of them were while she was sleeping and slept right through it! She was my little Umpa Lumpa. I found this picture and about died seeing how orange she was!! 

Anna's 2 week STATS 

June 6 2012

Length: 21" -72%

Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz -20%

Head: 36" -48%

Oh how I love that little pointed chin! 

 I was a little slow on getting her newborn pics- and of course I beat myself up about that too. So she was 3 weeks when we finally did them. 

Daddy sure loves to balance her in his hands and put her on his head. He's already working on her walking- hah.  He and her are like 2 pees in a pod. They have such a cute little bond together. They get to spend a lot of time with each other and I love that. There's nothing more important than a bond between a father and daughter. 

She's so happy and content in his arms. Many times I'll come into the room and see her nestled up to him watching Sports Center. I wonder if she'll be an athlete?

 Anna has so much character in her face. Her eye brows are wild! Always making us laugh. She furrows them and looks so adorable! 

Our little bug! I love her all swaddled. 

Daddy and I love her in this PJ It's a little dress so her legs hang free and boy are her legs long and skinny! 

Daddy works at Skyline High School as a Football Coach and their Sports Psychologist. They had a 7 on 7 camp at BYU July 16th. Anna and I were so excited to go watch Daddy in action. We went to the salon and did some hair for a little bit then went straight over to Provo. I sure love hanging out with my gal. She's my little shadow. I joke and say she's the mascot at the Salon, all the girls love when I bring  her in. 

                                               

                                     

                                       

She was so excited, can't you tell? 

June 25th all the girls from the salon and their families went to support Angie at the Lehi Idol. She seriously is the nicest person you'll ever meet! She's done so much for all of us. It was so much fun to go and hang out together and hear her amazing voice!!

Geez, this is one of our first family photos outside of the hospital! 

Anna got passed around like a hot potato, duh she's adorable, who wouldn't want to hold this bundle of joy!? 

                                                        Angie, you really are my idol!!