Amy Cullen

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Just a blog

Well this is the first time I've ever blogged just for the sake of the blog! That's what blogs are right? Sharing feelings, thoughts, inspration and experiences? Well obviously I've been caught up in the story behind the 'photos' and never upload anything without the appropriate visual aid next to it. Today is different.
Not because I'm a great writer and passionate about the words I have to share but because I'm a total idiot and took my camera with me with no memory card in it. My fancy pants new camera will not take any photos without a memory card - so lame. And I had a fantastic opportunity to shoot people I LOVE to death but failed.
Yesterday we went to Salt Lake to visit Dan and Country so I could help Country with a new Heritage Makers book she wants to do. She loves our products and has so many ideas of what she wants to do. After a bit of conversation she decided that she wanted to join me in my efforts to spread the message of heritage and touch the lives of her family and friends and she's my newest consultant! I'm so happy because I'm crazy about Country and she will brighten up my business tremendously.
After our very productive meeting we walked next door to see Mikey and Chelle and their beautiful son Connor. This is what I wanted the camera for. He's so adorable and I wanted to get some shots of him with my kids. No photo op but something else happened that opened my eyes to something I've been missing. I am always behind the camera looking for the perfect shot . . . the 'just right' moment to capture on film (well on the card). Yesterday all of that pressure was totally gone as I just watched Connor chase around the house with a smile on his face . . . giggling as he grabbed mommy and daddy's hands and ran from room to room with his favorite people in toe. It was magical to feel of their love and adoration for each other and how close they are.
It turned something on inside of me that said "quit worrying about capturing the memories so much and just ENJOY THEM!" I worry so much about sharing my experiences with others that I don't experience it to the fullest myself. Of course I'll never be able to totally put the camera away, but I might not be so uptight the next time my kids want my undivided attention.

I have to say . . .

I failed to mention how awesome my husband is!! He is so supportive of me and my Heritage Makers business. Last week on our trip we had a lot of business conversations and relationship building to do. Todd is not afraid to express his gratitude for my business and mix and mingle with everyone. Many of my consultants have little or no support from home. And I am blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life that supports me no matter what I choose. I love you honey!

Todd and Amy's Caribbean Cruise

This past week we sailed on Royal Caribbean's Liberty Of the Seas cruise ship and had a wonderful time. The ship is supposed to be the largest of all the ships currently in the ocean and it was absolutely amazing inside. It even had an ice rink on board. I don't think we saw the entire ship it was so big. Our first stop was Labadee, Haiti. This is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean and you can only visit here if you are on a RC cruise. I was amazed at the mountains and how green and beautiful it was.We took a hike up to a place called Dragon's breath. Along the way were breathtaking views.This is me in Jamaica. There wasn't a lot to do there because we didn't travel to the "nice" side of the island. But we made it to Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville for drinks on the water!

Grand Caymen was a bit cloudy the day we arrived but it was still nice weather. When we got there we took a historic tour of the city and found it to be full of banks! Grand Caymen is the place where mega rich people go and store all of their money. The hotels are ritzy and real estate is way out of control. There was tons of shopping, rum and pirate stuff everywhere!

We stopped at a little place to try some rum cake just before we ended up in Hell. Yes that's right, the town of Hell is in Grand Caymen.

We sent home love from Hell. This is me at the Post Office. Next we stopped at Cozumel. We went through the city and ate at the same little restaurant we ate at years ago when we went to Playa Del Carmen. The city hasn't changed and I still love it. I'd say Cozumel is one of my favorite places . . . ever.

Me and my consultants had a great time at Carlos and Charlies downtown.The last night of our cruise we had a costume party. Todd and I dressed up as Sony and Cher. Yes I sang . . . couldn't help myself.One of the funnest things Todd did was play on the Flowrider on the upper deck of the cruise ship. It's an enormous water toy that shoots water out at you so that you can try to surf. Todd spent a lot of time on it and eventually mastered barrell rolls and stood up! I only tried it once because my swimsuit bottoms kept coming off. Not fun . . . but it was a riot watching everyone else lose their shorts!

One of my favorite parts is formal night. Todd hates it but I love getting dressed up for the photos. Since this cruise was part of Heritage Makers Top Achievers Club we have a LOT of photos to take with each other. Todd endures the pain every year.

Formal night in the dining room.

My new favorite picture of Todd and I. Our first formal night photo.

We had tons of fun and had some great business conversations with my team. I can't wait to go back next year after I've practiced my karaoke and can run with the pro's from my group!

See more of our cruise photos on my Facebook profile at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15644&l=fffaf&id=1068117861

New Years Eve

New Years was so much fun this year. It was Deb Bushman's 50th birthday so we had so celebrate BIG!! We started off the evening surprising her at La Casita. Right when she walked in the door we all started singing Happy Birthday!I don't think right at first she realized it was all for her. Don was pushing her into the back room where we were and she was getting ticked at him. Ha ha ha! She was so surprised to see everyone there! All of Deb's kids were there . . . Cami, Brandon, Jamie and their significant others and children surprised Deb. She thought they all had other plans.

I just love those La Casita margarita's! So do Cary, Judy and Todd!!

After dinner we went back to our house for a B-day/New Years celebration. This is Deb's cake.

Brandon's got it goin' on in the bartender department.

Deb like the chocolate banana combination Brandon was whippin' up. (Ebony hung out with Deb all night I think!)

Todd always finds the chicks . . . here he is lovin Michelle Johnston and Michelle Wittusen. He has a thing for Michelles for sure. (Mikey, if you and Chelle had been there your Michelle would have been in trouble too!)

So you're not going to be surprised that Andy was the highlight of my evening. Isn't he always? But tonight he was classic. Corey Johnston's younger brothers Garrad and Brady came by the party for a minute. Now I say 'younger' brothers because these two beef cake body builders are huge. They work out faithfully at the gym and have got muscles that would give Arnold a run for his money. One leans over to Andy sitting at the counter and asks if he's seen him down at the gym. Andy looks up with a look of total shock for a second but then (in true Andy form) buffs up his chest and says "well yes of course . . . I go down to the gym all the time!" Ha ha ha! We all busted up laughing as he looked Garrad in the eye and said "are you kidding me? This is all beer man!" Ha ha ha! I love ya Andy!

Deb got to open quite a few old lady necessities. Of course depends were on the list! And she found great uses for the extra liners. Those depends make a really nice bib. LOL!

You can't tell but Brandon's phone says 10:30pm. Yes, Deb hit the sack before the new year even arrived. Mikey, have you been teaching Deb some tricks?

I liked Brownie's idea for the Depends the best.

Michelle and I never get to have as much fun when we're including the kids. This just proves we can have an awesome time without the hangover!

Todd enjoys Brownie as much as I do. In fact, she did both of our hair today. And while we were getting ready for the party Todd was saying just how much he loves to talk to Brownie. He says she's like talking to one of the guys . . . just down to earth . . . no BS!

I had to throw this one in. I love you Don!

What's not to love!! LOL!