…be invested, committed and connected!

This past weekend I went to my second Mary Kay Career Conference! It was a blast…of course! Last year when I went I had no clue what to expect, I had only been living here for 3 months, I barley knew the ladies I was going with but I had a blast then too and made some great friends! This year I rode with  2 ladies I did not know for a 3 hour car ride…one I LOVED getting to know…the other could have talked a little less lol but both amazing women!

The amazing thing about Career Conference is that you go because you want to go, not because you have boss telling you HAVE to go. Everyone is happy and excited to be there. You get to laugh, cry, grow, learn and just have fun. My biggest take home from the event was from Mary Kay National Sales Director Amie Gamboian  "be invested, committed and connected." So I have decided that... I just cannot wait to share with YOU, invest in YOU, connect with YOU and be committed to YOU!! YOU God, my Husband, my family, my friends, my Mary Kay team members, my customers and even those of you that I do knot yet know. 

On more then one occasion lately I have found it so true that if you live your life intentionally things just seem to fall in place and make more sense. 

My amazing Mom wrote me a note in the sand the other weekend to DREAM BIG! This weekend when we were at church I saw that the week prior was about Dreaming big…While at this conference my take home of being invested, committed and connected was then also talked bout this week at church to invest and invite!! I just love all of these messages that keep popping up in my life! They remind me to enjoy the journey, dream BIG and invest myself! 

This weekend gave me that kick of motivation I needed to get going with my Mary Kay business again. Monday night I welcomed 2 women to my team, Tracey and Ashley! They both have be bursting with excitement and energy for the 3 of us to run together and help other women feel beautiful! It is truly amazing :)

Life is a Joureny...

I am not much of a writer but with the journey of our life in the process of changing and life always being a journey I have decided it is time for me to start blogging again!! I am very excited to use this space to update, inform, and just put it all out there for those of you are interested. Some of you may know it all, some may know bits and pieces and some may have no clue what is happening on our journey...


We are currently stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS and have been here for a year and 4 months now! My Solider Man is enjoying his job, LOVING all the opportunities he has to hunt (he missed out for 5 years while in TX). I am so proud of his hard work and determination, since we have moved here he has been promoted and enrolled himself in school!!


Just before we left Fort Bliss, TX I began my journey with Mary Kay as an Independent Beauty Consultant...I LOVE it! I have also been given many opportunities to meet new amazing women, step out of my comfort zone more times then I can count and grow as an individual. www.marykay.com/jenniferbehnke 


I started working at Artistic Works by Lu, many MIL spouses are very familiar with this boutique the story and the awesome jewelry if not check it out at www.artisticworksbylu.com. I love this job and everything that I get to do from personal shopping to marketing to event planning and everything in-between.

The Big "D" word!

Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you, until we meet again!

~Author Unknown



My Soldier, My Hero, My Husband!

DEPLOYMENT!

Reality is setting in, everything is becoming so real and I am having a rush of emotions coming over me daily! I am trying to keep it all together and be strong...but sometime it is just plain HARD! In about 20 way too short days I will be kissing my Soldier goodbye until we meet again in 9 months.

Our Little Family :)

We have been busy getting him ready and packing up our apartment and moving everything to storage so that I can move back to South Carolina to be with my family and friends while the sweet Hubs is deployed. 

The boxes are never ending!



Sorry to have been so MIA with my blog but I hope to keep it updated with everything that I do to keep me busy during the deployment and share some fun things with others who are going through the same thing or are about to go through a deployment.



Carolina Girl :)

Carolina bound in about 12hrs! Yay and I cannot wait to spend time with Family and Friends. As usual my 4 day weekend is jammed packed with fun.

Thursday I fly into Charlotte, NC drive 1.5 hrs to Columbia just to chat for a min and head out to Florence, SC where I went to College for a concert with My sister Lauren.

Friday is family time! My Dad graduated with his Master's so Friday is all about my Daddy!

Saturday is all about my youngest Sister Emily!! She is going to prom :) in our family this is a big production, I fly in from El Paso, TX  Lauren comes from Florence and Grandma comes from Florida so we can do a photo shoot with her...and NO this is not here first or last prom!  Saturday night after the Princess goes off to dinner and Prom we will be headed to dinner with My Family and Friends I didn't get to see at Christmas.

Sunday well it is Mother's day and what better way to celebrate Mom then all her girls be home :) and I am sure we will be going to Church...a bitter sweet moment it will be!  The last time I walked in there as Ms. Jennifer K. Hart and walked out married to My Fritz Charming, I can't wait!

Pictures in the next post from the trip :)

"To freely bloom - that is my definition of success"


 April is Volunteer month here at Fort Bliss, they have had many different lunches, dinners, Martini's & Manicures and the list goes on for anyone who volunteers, I think it is a great way to say Thank you to everyone!! On April 2nd I attend an Operation Homefront event, this was my second one and again it was great...there is one quote that has just stuck with me "Bloom Where You Are Planted"~Mrs. Pittard Commanding General's wife of Fort Bliss


Mrs. Lucille Pittard

I feel I have done just that, I was planted here in El Paso, Texas with my amazing Husband in September 2009. I have been "watered" by many different people, organizations’ and functions that has helped me to "bloom" into the wife, friend, daughter, sister and support of my beliefs that I currently am. I want to THANK all of you who have add the extra "water" when I needed it the most!

 

My #1 supporter!

On Friday I was supposed to tell you all my exciting news and because it never fails that something crazy happens (key broke off in trunk of car and the micro chip has to be next to key to work!) I was unable to tell you Friday drum roll... I was recognized and awarded with 3rd Brigade Volunteer of the Year! I enjoyed a nice lunch and award ceremony. Our quest speaker was Gary Sinese, the LT Dan Band was playing a free concert that evening.  Gary is a huge supporter of the USO and Wounded Warriors.


"LT Dan"



After recieving the award!



1-13 CAV Command Team & My Fritz Charming!



Gary Sinese!



Things I am looking Forward to!

Seems how I have been so MIA with blogging I thought I would share a few things that I am looking forward to and some upcoming events in my crazy busy life!
Well to start with tonight I have a soccer game, our last game is on Saturday :( I am sad for soccer to end but so ready for T-Ball to start on Monday! When I couldn't find a team to play on myself last year I decided to the next best thing was to Coach Soccer, my first team that I coached was great! I mean they all worked together very well and played hard and we had a winning season with only one loss, yay go Lil' Strikers...well this season it has been the complete opposite for me and my Lil' Strikers we have won 2 games I know it's not about winning when you are coaching 5 & 6 year olds, it's about learning the game and skills...but it has also been a VERY big challenge with these little soccer players, they just were not really into it at practice or the games so for me as a Coach who has played for 18 years it has been hard to say the least, although I do have about 3 out of the 15 that are all about it! So here is to another season of soccer!


T-Ball yes the lady that I Coach soccer with and her son is on our team also wanted to me to Coach T-Ball with her! Sooo here goes nothing...wish me LUCK with this because I have no hand-eye coordination and have also been scared to play softball and get my teeth knocked out lol. Let's go Lil' Slugger's we can do this!!

I have a BIG day tomorrow but I will save that for tomorrows post :) I need to do something to keep you coming back!

Staring Monday the hubs is back to training.....UNTIL July 1st ugh(with a few weekends off in-between) the joys of them prepping for deployment, but I guess I would rather that then them going un-prepared! With that being said I will be headed to SOUTH CAROLINA on May 5th for a long weekend with my family! I will be there for 2 other great reasons besides being with my family :) It is Emily my youngest sister's prom and Mother's day! WooHoo!

My Sister's & I at Christmas

I will also be heading to Albuquerque, NM June 4th for a good friends graduation, way to go Patricia keep up the hard work! She is a Mother of 5 great children 4 of them under the age of 10 and wife to an AMAZING Soldier and going to school! She will be receiving her associates’ in June and then continuing to get her Bachelors’ starting in July! I am thinking I might even check out the Albuquerque Zoo while I am there I have heard it is pretty awesome!

So there you have just few things that keep me busy in my crazy life & I LOVE every bit of it minus not ever getting to see My Fritz Charming, My Hero, My Soldier and most of all MY LOVING HUSBAND!

My Hub-a-Love!

"We are shaped & fashioned by what we love!"

Once again I have been busy and have not updated my blog...sorry!! But I have been busy updating my inventory and what glitz by Jennifer has to offer :) Here is the link to my website or Facebook! I am truley having a blast designing and creating fun new items for my shoppers. Please feel free to share this with any of your fellow bloggers, friends and family. I have started doing giveaways so be on the look out, or if you have any special request let me know!

Funky & Fun over the top hair bow & Flip Flops

This is my top item right now :) and I LOVE making them!!

Not everything that I do is for girls so if you have the cute lil' men in your life I have stuff for them as well just let me know what your looking for.

"no scrifice forgotten, nor need unmet..."Team Hope for the Warriors

I have 26 days left until I am running 26.2 miles in Washington D.C. for the Marine Corps Marathon on the Hope of the Warriors Team. I will be running with my amazing Mother and I am very excited and very nervous!!

I need your help :) I need to raise $500 for the Wounded Warriors...click on the link below to go to marathon page and make a donation anything helps :)) thank you so much... for your help!!

Donation Page of Jennifer Behnke

 

 

Pictures of glitz items

Diaper clutch and changing pad





glitz by jennifer

Ok...so I know I have been MIA for like 5 months, yikes! but I have a very good reason :)

My new found hobby of sewing has turned into a business! Yes a business! It is great and I love it because I get to be creative and design my favorite things. But it has now taking over my house and my life (why I have not posted). I am currently selling my items in a boutique here in El Paso called The Pink Cottage and it has been a huge success. I am also started this past weekend with my first bazaar, not as much sales there but got my name out big time. The bazaar was for Home Based Businesses of Fort Bliss, my upcoming ones are a PTA Fall Bazaar and El Maida Shrine Fall Bazaar...wish me luck! And as many of you may already know I have a page on Facebook- search glitz by jennifer and like my page if you’re not already. I really want to start a website to order from but I currently cannot keep up with my order that I have just from Facebook, The Pink Cottage and friends :) It is a great feeling though!

I started out with adult women's dresses and a few girls dress along with embroidery for boys....Now I am mainly doing children’s clothes anything from complete costume to embroidery to appliqué as well as baby items (blankets, car seat covers, diaper bags, ext.) Here are a few pictures of items I have done!

Sunday Fun-day projects

Baby blanket with silky ribbon loops-other matching items to come later this week- Great for GIFTS!

 

Little girl dress with monogram at bottom

 

Monogram :)

 

New style of dress :)

I am really enjoying doing all of this and learning to make new things! I hope you enjoy as well.

Designs by Jennifer Karissa

Here are some pictures of the things I have done so far....

First one I made :)

Easter Sunday

Lemons

 

Dragonflies

Family pic for Emily's Prom!!!

Second one of this one I made with a few things added this time

Monogram also on the overall leg

back pocket of boys shorts

Graphic was already on there...just added the name :)

And this is just some of it! I will take orders so let me know if you want anything...I am LOVING and ENJOYING being able to do all of this. 

Ten on Tuesday

Well this is my first time doing Ten on Tuesday but I been wanting to blog and have a lot of random thing so here it goes!

1. 
   
   My parents got me an awesome sewing machine for Christmas so I have been dying to use it! Back in March I bought a bunch and I mean a bunch of patterns for different things like pillows and dresses and I got it all out and started learning :) I have since made 9 dresses and sold 6 of them!!! I am addicted to sewing and making things, last night I bought some fabric I have been looking for and I will be making a pair of shorts this week so once they are done I will post pics. Along with ones of the other dresses. p.s.I am taking orders and also doing little girl dresses! Oh and monogramming (my friend lets me use her machine until i get mine in July!)
2. 
   
   Since I moved here to El Paso I have become very involved with our FRG (Family Readiness Group) it keeps me busy and it is a great group of woman to be around. Last week I accepted the position as FRG Leader so I will be spending even more of my time on stuff for families and the soldiers, but I love every bit of it. Wish me Luck!!!
3. 
   
   The unit the my husband is in is called the Warhorse and the wives are called Fillies so myself and two other wives have started a group called Fittest Fillies based off of Biggest Loser. We meet once for weigh-ins and we also have different exercise classes just about every day of the week ranging from walking, swimming and my fav...Behnke Boot camp, lead by my husband when the Army allows his schedule to do so, otherwise it's me! I am still looking for a 1/2 marathon to train for in maybe June or July, any suggestions?
4. 
   
   I am hosting a baby shower on Sunday for Cassie one of my friends and an FRG member :) She is due May 23rd so I hope she makes until the shower! On a side note please keep her, her family and especially Cassie's mother in your prayers as she is in the ICU right now and cannot be with her.
5. 
   
   A long time friend and high school/college co-worker Jessica is moving to El Paso this weekend and I am so happy and excited to have a friend from home here in El Paso!!! Have a safe and fun drive here Jessica and Trey :)
6. 
   
   I am hoping to go to FL with my Family in June for my Mom's birthday, long weekend with them is much better than no time at all!
7. 
   
   I am currently board out of my mind...proctoring the 1st yr Medical student NBME, ugh long day!
8. 
   
   Hubby and I have not had much time just the two of us between his work, my work, FRG and life so I am hoping to plan a little getaway, camping trip something for Memorial day weekend and enjoy some US time! That man make me smile :)...suggestions on place to go?
9. 
   
   I am working on a blog for me to put the things that I am making & selling so be on the look-out for it and I am taking request! Here is the link to our Fittest Fillie Blog check it out.
10. 
    
    I miss my hubby! Off to play in the field again, he will be in the field/training more this year then home, ugh!

Spur Holder!

I did it, and so did all the of 1-13 CAV wives that took part in the 1st Annual Spur Ride...we earned our Spurs!

Let me just tell you...This was a very exciting, fun, motivating and team work filled day and would LOVE to do it again. We started the say around 8:30 AM and it was COLD and WINDY as it has been for the past two weekends now but that was not stopping any of us.

Myself and 5 other ladies took part of the competitive team for Apache Troop so we were timed on how long it took us to do the obstacle course part of the spur ride. The obstacle course was made up of climbing up a chain link ladder, jumping over walls, going over and under telephone poles, sit ups, push ups, island hoping, bear crawling under wire, climbing up and over a rope wall, crawling through a tunnel and a few other things in-between. We also had to complete a history test, take apart and put back together a weapon ( I took it apart in 1 min 15 sec, but it took me 1 min 20 sec to put it back together which resulted in 20 squats). My favorite part of the whole day was repelling off the 4 story building!! I want to do it again :)

And still today I am so SORE :) It is a great feeling to know that I worked out so hard that every inch of my body can feel it! I did NOT like the sand stickers or splinters that I got all in my hands from the bear crawl but it was ALL worth it in then end and I have one proud Hubby!!