Take me out to the ball game!

One of the things that I wanted to do while in KC was go to a Royals game. Not because I am a big Royals fan but because I have never been to a MLB game.
We got to go to one with all of our Platinum friends and it was so fun! It was so so so hot that day (105 with the heat and humidity) but we did a good job at keeping the kids drinking and out of the sun as much as possible. We had really close seats but we gave those up after about 30 minutes to find some in the shade. We could still see the game though. :)
Kaydence loved watching them hit the ball and laughed when they would slide on their butts into one of the bases (which she called basements, I didn't have the heart to correct her, it was too cute :)). All of her little friends were there and I think that she enjoyed running up and down the stairs with them more than anything. :)
The Royals lost by one run but it was a pretty exciting last inning. All in all, it was a very fun experience and I'm glad we went. We were all red faced and soaked in sweat by the end but it was worth it. We'll most likely never be in Kansas to go to a Royals game again.
I took a ton of pics but my computer wont let me upload them for some reason. Hopefully I can figure it out later. :)

Off to protect the homes of Kansas City!!

Earlier this week I got a chance to go out knocking with Rob. I was so nervous but I really wanted to see what he job was really like. On the way out to his area I kept asking April (the manager Gentry's wife) what I should do and say. She basically told me to stand behind Rob and not say anything. This would be easy for me because I was so nervous.
Walking up to every door my stomach was in knots, not knowing how the people answering the door would act. Luckily I didn't have to worry about saying or doing anything cuz Rob was on the ball the second they opened the door. People were pretty nice for the most part. There was only one lady that yelled at us and slammed the door. I was terrified but Rob said that was nothing compared to some people. We got into a few houses to sit down and Rob did get a sale! It was so neat to see him have success and see how well he delivered what he needed to say and got to know the customer and what would really work best for him and his family. Rob is such an honest and trustworthy guy, you can just tell that he cares and wants to help his customers the best way that he can. The guy was really cool and we chatted about his kids as Rob was wrapping things up.
By the end of the day (which was only less than 3 hours for me) I was sooo tired! My legs and back were killing me and I was emotionally drained. This has got to be one of the HARDEST jobs physically and emotionally that anyone could ever do! I always knew that Rob worked hard at this job but to see it first hand and actually do it, I have SOOO much more respect and sdmiration for him! He must love us so much to be willing to work this hard! To be out in the heat and humidity, walking and talking to all kinds of people for 7-10 hours a day.... I could NEVER do it. It definitely takes a VERY strong and determined person to do this job!
Rob has had so much success at it so far and there is still so much time to have alot more. I look at every single sale differently now that I know how hard he works for each one.
It was definitely one of the most interesting, anxious, fun and eye opening experiences that we've had together. I definitely love Rob even more, seeing how hard he works and knowing that he is doing it to make a better life for our little family!

Here are a few pics that I took. They are definitely not glamorous cuz we were so hot and sweaty after a hard days work! :)

Half way done!!

Yesterday marked exactly half way through our time here in Kansas! I can't believe that it has gone by so fast! This has definitely been the biggest rollercoaster ride of emotions ever! This has been such a great opportunity for Rob to work a job that he gets paid for how hard he works and gets lots of recognition for the great job he is doing. He is so used to working a desk job where he would get paid the same as the guy at the desk next to him doing nothing. He is doing so awesome! He has already gotten over 40 sales! His goal is 100 so he is right on track! He is still one of the leaders of the group and I am so proud of him! It is fun to have such good friends here to keep a fire of friendly competition lit underneath him!
We came out here with lots of friends that we have known for a long time and have made lots of new friends along the way!! It is so awesome how close we have gotten to everyone because we really are like a family, we have to lean on eachother for everything and spend almost everyday together. I really DO NOT think I could've made it through this experience without Jamie, Jen, Brittany, April and Johanna!! It is so nice to know that someone knows exactly what you are going through and can give you so much support! I LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!
Platinum has been such a great company to be involved with! The managers Gentry, Taylor and Ben are amazing!! There have definitely been some times when Rob didn't know if he wanted to, or even could do this job anymore but all these guys are more than willing to lend a hand and offer advice and encouragement! There have been many times that I have heard of there morning meetings being really emotional and spiritual! Platinum is always doing fun incentives to help the guys sell. This week it is "no bagel" week, which means to get at least one sale everyday. Rob has done it so far and today is the last day so fingers crossed!! If they do it they get a cool Platinum hoodie and a gift card to Einsteins bagels. HE HE!! Next week is "Beat you best" week, where if they beat their best week so far they get a customized pair of Nikes. They get to pick everything about the shoe! SWEET huh!
Every week they have a dinner goal and if they hit it we get to go out to dinner on Platinum! Those are always so fun because there is about 30 of us cramming into any restaraunt that'll take us at 10 p.m. It is so fun to get to chat and the guys blow off some steam because the week is over. We also do activities every friday morning and they are a blast! We have done a Fear Factor one which was hysterical and disgusting!! We watch movies, eat pizza, play at the park, go bowling, golfing and play at the pool. I think this is the best time that we get to know everyone on a fun level. :)
This week Chance, one of the owners of Platinum, came into town and took everyone that got a sale the day he was here to dinner. It was so cool to get to sit down and talk to him! He is an amazing guy that started out just like Rob and now has things pretty sweet! The next morning we all played kickball and had a pizza party.
The kids and I have been seeing alot more of Kansas and doing so many fun things. Kaydence is absolutely LOVING having friends to play with everyday. There are 3 girls (Peach, Isabel and Taelie) and 1 boy (Caden) close to her age and they all play really well together. First thing she does in the morning is ask to play with them! We go swimming a few times a week and Easton is finally loving the pool and will stay in his floatie. The first couple weeks he would scream bloody murder when ever you would get him anywhere near the water.
So overall I would definitely say that this experience has been great! There definitely was a hard time a couple weeks ago where Rob wasn't selling as well but once he switched his focus he was right back on track and has had his best week ever this week! I still get home sick and miss my family but they have been so great at putting pictures on facebook and calling me often that it definitely makes it easier. I can't wait to get home and hug them (especially my new little nephew Caleb, he he :)) but I want to make sure that I get as much out of this experience as I can because I will probably never make it back to Kansas. I have learned ALOT while being here with Rob and I having to rely on each other for everything and I have learned the value of having great friends in my life!!! I feel like I will go home a better person and definitely be grateful for this experience! Who knows what our future with Platinum holds... we're defintely feeling like there could be a real future here and this could take us to some great places in the summers to come but things change quickly in life. :)
Here are some pics of different things we've been up too! Enjoy!!


A couple weeks ago we went to Independence Missouri to see the visitor center there and had a fun time with friends. It was neat to see an original Book of Mormon because we had never seen one before. They had a whole area for the kids to play in with old fashion games, a log cabin and a horse and cart.


Easton in the little play cabin

Look out Kaydence and Taelie are at the reins!

We never plan to dress them the same but it happens alot. Ha ha


Me and my little man!
Oh and the first pic of me with my short hair! :)

Kaydence bringing up the water pail. Afterwards she said "Feu mom, that was hard work" and I told her to imagine having to do that everyday and she said "No thanks, I'll just get water from the sink" ha ha :)

Easton thought this was so funny

Last week we went to a fun arts and crafts place down at the Crown Center called Kaliedescope to make fathers day things for daddy. Kaydence made him a card, a hat, a flag and a puzzle. She had such a blast!! Me, not so much! It was so chaotic and hot. It was fun to do once but that's enough for me.




All Easton wanted to do was eat the markers



Cutting the puzzle Kaydence and mommy made

making music!

The lovely finished products. The hat says happy fathers day and the flag says #1 daddy. Rob LOVED them all!



Snack time circle while the grown ups play kickball
Dahlia, Stockton and Broox


Easton on the run with his snacks


Chance kicks... Oddly, the only pic I took of the game


Kaydence was a pro. I really was surprised how hard she could kick it. With bare feet too! :)

Wonderscope Childrens Museum!!

Here in Shawnee, Kansas there is a children's museum that is alot like Discovery Gateway. There are different rooms with different activities for the children to do. Their favorite was the golfball rollercoasters and the sound room, where they used everyday objects to make cool sounds. There was also a farm, shopping room, tinker room and many more. We got to go with our friends the Noerrings and Arthurs. All of the kids LOVED it!



Watch out! Easton is ready for battle!


There were tubes that blow air through them and you could put scarves inside and they would zip around and shoot out of different ends. The kids thought this was hysterical! Especially when they got hit in the face with a scarf.





They had an awesome mini Legoland where everything was built out of legos!


Look out, Easton's on the controls!!


Kaydence scoping out the underwater world!


A whole little house built of Legos


Yes, thats a Lego toilet! Don't worry, it's just for show and behind glass in case anyone gets confused. :)


Kaydence said she was checking Facebook! Gotta keep up with her little buddies!


Stealing daddy's hat again


Exploring the tunnels


Getting WET!


Daddy joining in on the fun!


Easton's poem-
"Oh the thumb suckers thumb may look wrinkled and wet
and withered and white as the snow
but the taste of a thumb is the sweetest taste yet
which only us thumb suckers know!!"
-Shel Silverstein


Pirate Captain Kaydence



Easton and his little girlfriend, Alyssa

Curious little Alyssa


Musical bowls. Kaydence could've played on these for hours!


The golfball rollercoaster


Dressing up!!





Riding a cow... now there's something you don't see everyday!


Kaydence and Caden with their war paint on!


CHEESE!!

Our first month!!

It is so crazy that we've been here for a month already! Things are going really great so far. We've had the chance to explore the city and we've seen a few things and spent lots of time at the park and pool. The weather was beautiful last week but the humidity is definitely kicking in. A couple of days it felt like you were stepping into a sauna when you went outside.
I didn't think that I would like living in an apartment but i love it! It is so nice to be able to clean the house from top to bottom in an hour. We really don't have much stuff here and I'm suprised that I don't find myself missing any of our things from home.
Rob is doing GREAT at his job! It is so great to see him growing and gaining the confidence in himself that is needed to do this job. He is #2 of the first year reps in our office!! With our really good friend Bryce as #1, there is some very friendly competition going on there and the race is tight. LOL! It is so great to see him being successful and alot of our friends as well. It is so good to see him enjoying what he does. He has had a good experience getting to talk to lots of different people daily. We've had some pretty weird and really funny things happen to some of the guys in the office but nothing too exciting happen to him so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way!! :)
Here are some picture from our trip here and the area around where we live.

Sneaking some snacks for the road


Exercising to pass the time


All tuckered out


Settling in for the night in our hotel


Kaydence thought that she was helping blow the bid energy pinwheels faster. She was so excited every time we saw them!


Ahh the soothing thumb makes the whole world better


Our first trip to Shawnee Mission Lake


Checking out the ducks


Daddy had to hold Easton because he is not a fan of the grass


Bouncing fun at the park





Sliding fun!


Climbing monkey


Princess Rapunzel! Kaydence wears this almost everyday. Such a dress-up princess!


It is so fun to have lots of little friends for the kids to play with everyday!
Twinners! Kaydence and Taelie


Easton and his buddy Broox. What a couple of handsome boys!


Easton and Stocktons. Such studs!!


Little Lanaya. She is one of the quietest, sweetest little things I've ever met