Check out this awesome offer from Shutterfly

Because I love you, and I love a deal - I am pretty sure you all love deals too.  Check out this awesome deal I found from Shutterfly for bloggers. I ran across a promotion the other day for Shutterfly, where bloggers can get 50 free cards! How awesome is that??? I love Shutterfly for their great customer service, large selection and quick turnaround! I love, love, love, the photo books you can create on their website. Super easy and super cute. I made two of them earlier this year, one for Kristin's wedding shower and one as a guest book for Kristin and Macky's wedding.I have also printed digital scrapbook pages using Shutterfly and they turned out awesome. You can use their templates or upload your own pages.  They have such an awesome selection that anyone can find something they love! Check them out- Shutterfly won't disappoint! This is such a great opportunity to find great gifts for just about anyone on your list. Chances are if you are on my Holiday list- your getting something from Shutterfly!

 This year I am using Shutterfly to make a lot of my holiday gifts, including things like calanders, photo mugs  and holiday cards.  

I had a minute to update

I had a minute to update and after fighting with blogger - I finally gave in - the blogs are posted out of order - so scroll down and start at the beginning if you want to or just read them as they are - either way I hope you will enjoy them

Love

Joy

The 39.3 miles that changed my life ... Conclusion!!!

Okay, here are the last photo's from My Avon Walk

day one - opening ceremony 

Day one mile 12

Day 1 mile 23 ( isn't that obvious?) 

Mile 26 ... it was pretty congested 

Finish Line Day One 

My tired feet day 1

big huge blister 

so pretty I though you would want to see it twice 

breakfast.. for anyone who knows me... this was
hard to eat , thank goodness for
ketchup 

Waiting for the finish line day 2 

My feet - day 2 

My pretty pretty flowers from my mom & dad
 Thanks for all your love
and support !!!!

if you haven't already ... go donate PLEASE www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams 

if you ever get the opportunity to be a part of this walk - I highly recommend it - immediately after I crossed the finish line I told Kate I wanted to do it again!!!

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 3

So I have been fighting with blogger - and blogger is winning
Here is another post
So we got to Wellness Village at the end of Day one and it took everything I had not to break down and cry - I was so overcome with emotion- emotion from the amazing people I had met and stories I had heard, the heartbreaking losses so many had to go through that brought them to this point, the emotion of actually making it the entire 26.2 miles - when at points I thought I was not going to make it another mile. I called Ryan and I almost broke down, I called my mom and I almost lost it.  It's a combination of excitement and exhaustion, pain and pride.... it's unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
Once we were at Wellness Village we got foot and back massages, went and got our tent and set it up.. (yeah we had to pitch our own tents....) ate ( Kate and I both went back for seconds... yeah for pasta) showered. And then we went to the Med tent... see during the walk, I could tell that my foot hurt but I didn't dare to look- if I had I don't know if I would have had the will power to go any further.  I had the hugest blister on my left big toe.  Actually considering my feet and my history with loosing toe nails and getting blisters ALL THE TIME ... I consider this a success... only one blister - it was just HUGE.  After getting my blister drained... it was so gross. We headed back to camp and went to sleep.   
 We woke up early the next morning ( early then we were planning thanks to our noisy neighbors) Went and had a delicious breakfast of eggs and potatoes ( yep I had to break down and eat eggs ....luckily there was ketchup) We set off for day two feeling tired, and sore, somehow 13.1 miles sounded a heck of a lot further today then it did yesterday.  
But we did it - the last 3 miles were horrible - we were tired , my back was killing me, Kate's ankle's were swelling more then normal for a pregnant person (although probably exactly as much as they should given the fact that she had walked 40+ miles)
We made it - and it was AWESOME !!!   Don't forget to visit My Walk Page  I just $460 from my fundraising goal.... every donation makes a difference!!!

It's hard to see but I was trying to
get a picture of all the walkers behind
us - Day 2

Day 2 mile 7 - so really mile 33.2 miles
this was a little more than half way
day two !

One of the many rest- stops where we could refill water
go to the bathroom and get medical attention if needed
Each rest stop had a theme I think this one
was old Hollywood 

Here we are just outside the closing ceremonies
waiting to cross the finish line - Day 2

Inside Closing Cermony - it's basically a sea of pink

Still waiting.. the finish line is in sight!!!

Here are my feet - 39.3 miles later ... bandaged and broken
(not literally) but it was all worth it 

We did it !!!! 

I did it!!!!!

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 2

So here we are Day one complete - there was so much
traffic at the "Official" 26.2 mile
marker that we borrowed this sign
from on the the people cheering
at the side lines

Here is our address for the event. E88, sleeping in a small tent on the hard ground never felt so good.  

Here is our tent .. home sweet home ! 

They call this tent city - you can see the shower trucks in the
background... once again, I have never enjoyed showering
in a tent so much 

yep, as if getting up at 6:00am to the thought of walking another 13.1 miles
wasn't hard enough... we had to take down our own tents 

Tent City 

Tent City @ night 

Here is the tent where we ate dinner and breakfast while at Wellness Village 

These are my feet after day one.. I haven't taken my socks off yet
to see the 6th toe I grew on my left toe 

  Here we are at the official END of the Walk on Day ONE 

39.3 miles that changed my life

 I know, I know... my Avon Walk For Breast Cancer was officially 41 days ago... but I have been uber busy with school and teaching and Ari and life - and it seems like I almost never get a free moment to update my blog.  But alas it seems I might actually get a chance to do it right now- so here it goes.

On September 11th I participated, along with 2800 others, in the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer Santa Barbara.  It was one of the most amazing events I have ever been a part of and I am so glad I made it my New Year's resolution oh so long ago... 

It started out with my best friend forever Kate, who just happened to be 5 months pregnant at the time, flying all the way from Alabama to participate in the walk with me- LOVE YOU KATE 

Kate flew in on Thursday night, Friday we were busy all day tying up loose ends to prepare for the walk, and Friday night we had a great pasta dinner at Buca di Beppo's.  Early to bed for us (although I was so excited I could not sleep!!!) 

We got up EARLY 4:30am to drive the hour drive to Santa Barbara so we could be ready for the walk to begin

This was Opening Ceremonies when we first arrived.. so EARLY 

The view in front of us -  Opening Ceremony 

The view behind us - Opening Ceremony 

it was cold and foggy as we waited with the other walkers and crew - but we were excited and eager to begin.
As we got started we met the most remarkable people, people who were walking in honor of loved ones they had lost, people walking while fighting their own battle with breast cancer, and people who had fought and won their battle - proud to announce that they were now cancer free.  Some of the most amazing people we met were the people who spent their Saturday and Sunday camped out on the sides of the roads cheering us on, handing us treats, and thanking us for walking. Every time I felt like I couldn't walk any further- someone, either another walker, Kate or someone from the sidelines said just the right thing to keep me going.

Picture Opportunity with John Wayne Mile 12

 We were so busy walking and enjoying the time we had to catch up with each other... (I hadn't seen Kate in years...) that honestly the first 12 miles sort of flew by.  I am happy about that because I take it to mean that all the time I spent walking with Ari and training at the gym paid off.  Around mile 11 or so we started to walk up what the walk organizers had described as moderate hills... yeah right - these hills were STEEP and that sucked, but at mile 12 the John Wayne Cancer Foundation had a mile marker and a photo op spot for the walkers ( who can resist John Wayne) as well as pink bandannas dipped in ice water that were PRICELESS!!!! They were so refreshing!

Me and Kate showing John Wayne some love!!! 

13.1 Miles on day one- the official half way mark

Mile 20 and still feeling pretty good. My foot had started to hurt but I didn't dare look at it. I figured ignorance was bliss at this point.  We were so excited to only have 6.2 miles left of our walk... for the day.  I don't think I have ever been more excited about the prospect of pitching a tent and sleeping.  By this time of the day - that sounded like the Ritz! 

This was attached to a motorcycle that belonged to the
 group of bikers who were working the event. Most of the
bikers would blast music from their bike stereo and
they would dance to keep our spirits up.  They were
awesome people (most of them were men)

Day ONE - COMPLETED !!! 

We met some of the most inspiring people during the walk, as well as some of the nicest. There was a group of bikers, mostly men, who had signed up to volunteer and direct traffic. They would park their bikes at the intersections where we had to cross and most of them had their bike and themselves decorated for the occasion. They cheered us on, and had candy and gum for us.  One of the motorcycle crew members had this on his bike - we saw him several times throughout the weekend and he always made us laugh. (it helped that he looked a lot like Santa Claus)

Tender Mercies

I'm not going to lie... church is hard for us- don't get me wrong- I love going to church and when we don't go I miss it and my entire week is a mess.  But that being said, it is hard for us (well really ME)
Ari is at this age where the hour long sacrament meeting is just too much - we have tried everything: quiet toys he only sees on Sundays, crayons, snacks, etc., etc, etc.   nothing works.  The few minutes I do get to spend with Ari is sacrament meeting he is usually being LOUD, trying to crawl under the pews, or trying to get other people in the meeting to start up a conversation with him.  He pretends to have no idea of what it means to be quiet or whisper.
This last Sunday, Team Williams was down a player to begin with (Ryan was at the office all day preparing for an audit)
We made it to church almost on time and I was optimistic that we might make it through a decent part of Sacrament- BUT from the moment we walked into the chapel - Ari started screaming - screaming....
Agh... I panic, I know most people have gone through this, I try to tell myself that no one is judging my parenting skills because of this outburst and we exit as quickly as possible.
Now anyone who knows me knows I am not a super spiritual person- don't get me wrong- I am spiritual - but I don't get up and bear my testimony monthly (or yearly....) so what I am about to share with you, may seem small- but felt like a mountain moving to me.
I broke down in the Mother's room, I couldn't take it anymore, I felt broken and defeated and like the worst Mom in the world, I mean what kind of mom can't keep her two year old quietly entertained for an hour?  And worst of all, I was angry at a two year old... and I was mad at myself for being angry... I was pleading
with myself to be a better mom, and pleading with my Heavenly Father to help me be a better mom.
And just then, screaming Ari went silent, and laid in my arms, and looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said "love you mommy" and laid in my arms for the rest of the hour and just stared into my eyes ...
And there was peace in my heart- and I knew Ari meant it, and I knew I was a good mom and I knew my Heavenly Father listened to my prayer...
I don't remember what the talks were about on Sunday, but the hour I spent in the Mother's room did more for my spiritual well being then any talk I have heard in a long time...
I love this little boy... and all the tender mercies along the way

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer:

Did you know that three million women are living with breast cancer -- and one third of them don’t even know it? Even more startling, breast cancer kills approximately one woman every 13 minutes, robbing us of our mothers and grandmothers, our sisters, and our best friends. No one knows what causes breast cancer or how it can be prevented and there is currently no known cure.

Knowing these statistics I feel even more compelled to do something to bring us one step closer to finding a cure. This September I will join thousands of others in the Santa Barbara area to walk 39.1 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

As part of this commitment, I have agreed to raise at least $1,800 for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. Since 1992, the Crusade has raised and awarded more than $525 million for the cause. That money is used for medical research, clinical care, support services, education and early detection programs. While researchers have made significant progress in the last few years, there’s still more that needs to be done.

I know that the journey I’m about to take doesn’t begin to compare with the challenges that cancer patients and their families endure. So, for each step I take and for every time I think I can’t possibly go any father, I’ll be humbled… recognizing the small sacrifice I’m taking on behalf of millions of women everywhere. I’ll think of those who have lost the battle and of those who fight fearlessly everyday. Victory for me will be crossing the finish line and surpassing my fundraising goal, and I hope you’ll be a part of it. Please take this opportunity to honor the women you love by donating to the cause. Give whatever you can - every dollar really does help.

I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and encouragement in this big undertaking. When I hit the road, I’ll know that you were a special part of my journey and of the journey of so many others along the way.

If you would like further information on the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, please visit www.avonwalk.org.

Please also visit my personal walk page www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams – to see the progress I am making as I prepare for my walk or make a donation online. 

In It To End It,

Joy Williams

p.s. If you would like information on how you can blog for the cause, please email me @

joylinwilliams@gmail.com.  It doesn’t cost you anything and hotels combined will donate $20 for each blogger I get to spread the word.  Email me or visit http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx for more information.  

your reading this So......

your reading this so I am going to assume that you are aware of the blogging world.... and being aware of the blogging world is what I need.   Now here is your call to action.... go to http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx and follow the blogging directions
copy the pre written code and paste it into an HTML/Code box in your blog layout... just make sure you change the part that says World Vision to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
then send the email (just like the blog directions state... giving the address of your blog and the name of the charity you want your donation sent to which is www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams
then ... so I can include you on my shirt of sponsors post a comment to this blog post letting me know you did it

Hotels combined will donate $20 for every blog that does this - 65 blogs and my goal is made.... but I need to make sure it gets done with enough time for the money to show up in my account so please don't wait ... do it now....
p.s. I don't have 65 friends that blog ... but I have you and  I know you have atleast 5 friends that blog and they have atleast another 5 friends that blog that you don't know and so on and so on... so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE .... spread the word  - wouldn't it be awesome to have like 100 blogs post this widget .... that would be $2000 .... easy !!!!! all for a really really amazing cause

don't forget to visit my walk page and check out my progress!!!! My walk is less then 100 days away !!!!!

I have this really talented friend

I have this really talented friend and she just opened an etsy shop with her really talented mommy  - so check it out its really cute

and while you are surfing the web, check out my walk page and check on my progress, and join my army of 1000.  Already a member... check out Spread the word for charity    and see how you can raise another $20 for my walk - and it won't cost you a thing

and then tell ALL your friends about this really cute etsy shop, my avon walk and spread the word for charity

don't forget the charity this is all going for is www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams - you have to let them know so the money goes to the right place...

now what are you waiting for... go go go

5 years ...

  

Has it really been 5 years... (well 6 if you ask Ryan).  Yep, that is right Ryan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on May 14th.  I can't believe we have been married 5 years, it seems like just yesterday- but they have been 5 amazing years.  I love being married to my best friend and I love that no matter where we are or what we are doing - I always have a good time if Ryan is there with me.  He is the best husband, and partner and Daddy I could ever ask for. He is a hard worker and he knows how to have fun.  I love his relaxed, carefree attitude, and I love watching him play with Ari.  

Ryan and I have been missing Utah a lot lately.....WHAT.!?! okay not really Utah - but Utah dining.  Seems to us, that while we lived in Utah we had restaurants that fulfilled all of our cravings, - and well since moving to California - that just isn't as easy to do.  (Funny little side note- when we used to visit Cali or even Vegas we HAD to go to IN-N-OUT, we would eat there all the time while on vacation.... now that I live here and it's down the street - well- I just don't really crave it anymore.....) 

Oh, but lately I have been missing pupusas from center street in Provo, burritos from bajio, pork salads from Cafe Rio or Costa Vita, pot stickers from David's kitchen, sticky rice from 5 star restaurant,  and Mongolian BBQ from China Buffet.  

I talk to Ryan all the time about how, even though the weather here is 100% better and we have Disneyland and etc. etc.  every once and a while I get Utah sick .... 

So for our anniversary Ryan surprised me dinner at Cafe Rio!!!!!!! 

That's right - Ryan found out that a Cafe Rio had opened up in Manhattan Beach which is only like an hour away - so we drove down there for our dinner.  Cafe Rio pork salad has never tasted so good.  It may not have been a fancy dinner - and it definitely wasn't our most expensive meal- but it was perfect - exactly what my Utah sick heart needed.  Now we just need to find a pupusa place ???

I love you Ryan - I love you more today than I did yesterday, if that is even possible - and I will love you forever, without a doubt.  

Then to finish off our completely un-fancy but PERFECT evening - Ryan and I went to see Iron Man,  - it's a little known fact that Robert Downey Jr. is my #1 celebrity crush - (what you think that is weird... well I think you're weird!!!) 

   

  

But even on his best days..... I crush on Ryan more..... 

yeah, you might say I am pretty happy with the way things turned out 

Here's to forever Ryan.... Love you !
p.s. have you joined my Army of 1000 strong - well, I think you better  1000 Strong
p.p.s.  it would make a great anniversary gift.... you know, if you haven't bought us anything yet- hint, hint.... go now!!!!

Ari & Mary

On Friday, I babysat for a friend of ours, who has a six week old little girl named Mary- Elizabeth.  I was a little curious about how Ari would react to the baby - and I was pleasantly surprised.  (Although I don't know why since he is so gentle with everything else - of course he was going to be gentle and helpful.) but he was down right adorable...

 Ari helping Mary- Elizabeth play Legos with him. 

Ari showing Mary- Elizabeth how tall he can build.

Ari and Mary-Elizabeth

Sweet Kisses 

such a sweet boy - he was a great helper! 

Love you Ari.... you have such a sweet heart !