30 of 30: Day 28

Baby # 3

I was diagnosed with endometriosis a few years back and with the years the pain just got worse. We had decided at the time of diagnosis that we would wait to take any action until we had another child. Well after the big 30 the pain was starting to bother me constantly. So we decided to try for a baby. The next month I got a positive! When I started this challenge I never would of thought I might be pregnant in the near future. 

Pregnancy is very different when you are 30 compaired to 21! I enjoyed every day though. From the joy of first kicks to the terror of a last minute cesarean section. It doesn't always happen how we plan but it's worth it. 

This sweet girl has changed all of our lives in so many ways. Both of our older children were so excited to welcome her in to the world and our family. They are very helpful and have so much love for her. She has brought my husband and I closer also. I love seeing the way he makes her smile every chance he gets and the way her face lights up when she sees him.  I have felt a change in myself as well. She has me wrapped around her finger, as josh says. Although I am barley getting caught up on every day things I have more drive , more goals, more fire. And I know I can get things done! 

Life is a little more hectic with 3 children, especially after a first cesarean section. I fell like I'm being pulled in a few different directions. Somehow though, at the end if the day, we get it all done . Together . 

Our little Lanee Grace has truly been a blessing. 

-Mj

30 of 30: Day 27

Marriage 

 

 

This year my husband and I have been married for 10 years. That is a long time. A decade. 120 months. 3,650 days. That also means when we were first married we were only 21 and 18. We have been through a lot, 3 homes, 3 kids, addiction , disease, new friends, old friends, family ups and family downs, lots and lots of patience and understanding and most of all , love.

 I can Honestly say I love him more today than I did the day we got married. When things are going wrong or I'm having a panic attack he is the one person I know can bring me back. He always supports me in every little plan or idea I come up with. He never doubts me. He always pushes me to be better. He at the end of the day is my constant.



We have grown up together. A lot of people we went to school with have been married and divorced already. I understand things don't work out but, I am so proud that we never threw in the towel and gave up. We keep pushing through. We are not perfect, we have had our downs in life but we cherish the ups so much we forget the hard times.

The most important thing we have is communication. we always talk! Sometimes we only get a few minutes alone to talk about the day or concerns we have but we make the time. I always know how he is feeling and he always knows what is going through my mind. Not just because of a look or a touch but because we ask. I see a lot of people who don't talk and I causes so many problems.

Second most important thing is the care we have for each other and our family. If one of us is feeling down or under the weather the other will do what ever we can to help. If I'm feeling sick or stressed Josh will take care of the kids or dinner so I can have some time to get my head together. If he comes home from work and had a bad day , from crohn's, ill do what ever I can to make him comfortable ; like take the kids to my moms or make sure were all quietly working on things so he can rest. It might not seem like a lot but it makes all the difference.


Our best advise for a happy marriage and relationship is to always be honest, understanding, and to  think of the other. Secrets, lies, and ignorance get you nowhere. It is so true, Honesty is the best policy. we have to be honest with each other to know how the other feels. Weather it be what's for dinner or how to discipline our children. Then we understand how the other feels and can talk out what our next step will be. when were not together, we still should be. If making plans or decisions, at the end of the day the other person will be with you when you are following through. Bad decision or good. This accounts for all decisions big or small.

In short, were a team. Always cheering for the other and knowing we can count on each other for anything. We have a beautiful life and a beautiful family. I am so lucky to have him by my side for anything, and I know he feels the same. So Love your spouse, talk, understand, be with them every day you can. In the end you wont regret it.

-Mj

30 days of 30: day 26

Mj's Sweet Things Etsy store

My Etsy shop was opened November of 2011. It was an idea given to me by many clients and a coworker. I have always been one to make things for myself and others so I figured why not offer it to the world! I have a lot of great ideas and have had many things in my store but just not enough traffic to my store. i really want to make 2015 great for my store. Im working on items to put in the store and have started to use pinterest to advertise!
I love making items that people will love. Sometimes i dont want to give an item away cus its just too cute. Here's to a great 2015!!!

-Mj

30 days of 30: day 25

Salon

When I was first doing hair I had no intentions of owning my own salon. It was easy to just work for someone else. I was flexible and carefree (mostly) as the years have gone on I have found what I like and what I want to give to people. When you work for someone you have to follow their rules. I think I'm getting to a point in my life where I'm ready to write my own rules. 

I almost jumped in to owning a salon but life happened and I missed my chance. Their will be another chance. For now I'm taking lots of notes, pinning lots of ideas, and of course still doing hair. My next step will be to rent a chair ! Then I can build myself up to take that plunge!

I love doing hair. The look on someone's face when you have achieved what they drscribed. To turn someone's day from a crappy one to a great rest of the week. It's an amazing feeling! 

-Mj

30 of 30: Day 24

Hairdressing- 

   As a child I was not a big Barbie fan but I was a girl and I had a lot if them. I loved to play with their hair though. I had long hair till 4th grade, I got lice and mom chopped it off. It was hideous!! By jr high it had grown back some and I was

always doing fun things with it. I had also learned of a school called evit and I had it all planed out to go for cosmetology! By high school I was cutting my brothers, mom, and friends hair ( although I sometimes got in trouble).

In jr year I applied for a scholarship to be a votech at one of the local cosmetology schools. My councilor also put me in to go to evit. I was denied evit but got the scholarship to go to international academy of beauty! It was one of the best chances I have ever taken. 

30 of 30: Day 22

Crochet - 

   We moved to Arizona when I was 10 and that same year I met a sweet lady who taught me crochet. I caught on fairly quickly and have never stopped. I made baby blankets for friends moms and hair scrunchies for me and my friends. (Yes it was the 90's) it's always felt awesome to make sonething with your hands and give it to someone. 

  20 years later I'm still crocheting. Still making baby blankets and gifts for friends and family. It has become a tradition now for me to crochet my brother sonething crazy for Christmas, once a doll from the movie 9 ( I loved it so much I wanted to keep it) and another year sushi!! One year for Christmas everyone got slippers. The following year we went to my family's house up north for my sons birthday and everyone that came I made a beanie for in 2 days (9 total) . 

   I absoutly love crochet and now I sell some of my creations! Although a lot of the time it's hard to part with some stuff! It's just too cute!! 

-Mj 

30 Days of 30 : Day 20

Vincent Louis Helsel

Our first born. He changed us and still makes us better people. He is a great big brother. Loves to help. I honestly couldn't ask for more.

We tried for a long time to get pregnant. I finally came to the conclusion that I couldn't have children. The next morning it happened. Mothers day 2004. Best gift ever.

He is the first grandson and really made all of our lives richer. as a toddler he always made the cutest faces. He truly did and still does light up a room.

He was almost 2 when our first daughter was born. I had 2 in diapers and he was awesome. Always helpful and never jealous.

He is really shaping up to be a great person. Has good grades, loves to read, offers help when needed. I feel like we really did something right with him. And our daughters.  

Nothing can prepare you for parenthood. you get a lot of advise and horror stories from friends and family but you never know what its like until you experience it. Being a parent is one of the most amazing things I have done in my life. to create a life and watch it grow in to an amazing person. it is indescribable. I wouldn't change a moment.

I love my son.

Mj