Why I Joined ItWorks

I can't imagine being one of my friends/social media followers/blog readers and watching this girl go from a somewhat confused 25-year-old blogger/teacher/fit mother to this giddy, somewhat obnoxiously hyper, still 25-year-old ItWorks Distributor.

It's a lot to process, and I'm aware that I was already a little "much" for some people, and now I am most definitely too much for some people.

I am perfectly okay with that. Below I have listed the five main reasons why I decide to join It Works! Global as a distributor.

1. I am a product of the products, and they work. From Thermofit to Greens to skincare, I've tried so much of what this business has to offer, and I've loved my results. And yes--gasp!-- I've even been doing the wraps! I lost three inches off my waist with four skinny wraps! This, above all, was the most important reason for me. If you're going to sell a product, try it first. Or at least be willing to try as much as you can as soon as you can when you begin selling. I lost nearly twenty pounds with the products last summer and have continued using them to lose more and keep my weight in check!

2. The company is Christian-founded and adamantly upholds that foundation. Trust me, I did my research on Mark Pentecost before agreeing to let him be the boss I may never get to meet. He was a high school coach and teacher, just like me, but he needed another way to provide for his family because teaching just wasn't cutting it (and this was in the nineties). After several years dabbling in sales, he and his wife founded It Works! Global. I love how the company highlights the importance of giving back locally and globally through the It Works! Give Back Foundation.

3. The company is debt free. How many businesses can say that? I would eventually like to make this my full-time income, and although direct sales can change in an instant, one form of job security definitely comes from knowing that our company is free of debt!

4. I want to become financially free. Ahhhh... Don't we all? Eric and I have so much unnecessary debt that I'm hoping to pay off for us with my earnings from It Works! I understand that there are things that come along that we really can't help. (What twenty-one-year-old could have bought a home without a mortgage??) But the unnecessary things: credit cards, small loans, vehicle notes... I hope for those to be things of the past within the next few years. I also hope Eric and I can stop deferring student loans and pay those off quickly as well.

5. It's FUN. It really is! I am having so much fun talking to others about what I'm doing and how they can be a part of it too. And I've made some pretty amazing friends so far! I seriously wouldn't trade what I'm doing now for anything. It Works! has given me a new spark for life that can't be concealed. It's good to feel good again :)

I LOVE being a part of this business, and I can't wait to see where I'm at in the company in a year. If you've been thinking about joining, feel free to talk to me! If you're unfamiliar with ItWorks! Global but would like to learn more, email me at keepingpacekate@gmail.com. I would love to tell you more!

My First Dream Board Party!

The day after I joined ItWorks! Global, I got an email about a New Year's party at the home of one of the distributors. She's a Diamond level distributor (I think!) and ItWorks is her full time job. I didn't know anyone who was attending, but I knew I had to go.

This is your opportunity to meet some of these amazing women, I told myself. I do well in environments where I don't know many people, but it was still intimidating not knowing anyone. Literally. Even my upline, Chelsie, I'd never met in person!

I walked in carrying three Mississippi Magazines (they turned out to be a major icebreaker later--score!) and for about five minutes I stood awkwardly in the kitchen, smiling at everyone who looked at me.

Someone please come talk to me! I silently pleaded. People were steadily introducing themselves to me, but for some reason I could not bring myself to say more.

Compliment her shoes!
Tell her you love her sweater!
Yes, Kate, you would freakin' LOVE some champagne! Accept a glass!
You're seriously not going to take the champagne?
Ask her if she got that shirt at Loft: you have the same one!

All of these thoughts ran through my  head, but I was keeping quiet like a little mouse, sipping my champagne in the corner (yes, I finally got a glass) and smiling politely at anyone who looked my way.

Finally, I went and sat down in a chair next to a sweet lady who introduced herself as Priscilla. I'd noticed she wasn't chatting with anyone either, so I took that as my opportunity to get my mouth moving. She told me she'd been with the company for a few months but had a little trouble opening up to people and talking to people she didn't know.

She then asked me for pointers.

GIRL, LET ME SHOW YOU MY WAYS.

And that was all it took to get me going. From then on, I made a point to say hello everyone I could. My upline, Chelsie, came in a little while later, and it was so nice to finally meet her in person! I could tell from our conversations she  was my "type of person," so I loved finally getting to meet! (She's a Triple Diamond, and she is goals).

Kaitlyn, Chelsie, and me

My upline, Chelsie. She is the sweetest person!

Each of the Diamond leaders got to give a little speech with their best advice for new Distributors and those who are working their way up. I'm one of those people who takes advice and runs with it. I was standing there taking mental notes, and I've been applying their advice to the way I do my business. These are women who are my age and are working full-time on their own schedules. They have a passion for this company just like I do, and I can't wait to join their ranks!

Then it was time to make dream boards... Think of it like scrapbooking! We were cutting pictures and quotes out of magazines that inspire us to reach our goals with the company. I'll tell you a little about my Dream Board below!

I'm not entirely artistic, and I'm not entirely finished with my board. I plan to continue adding to it as I reach goals and set new ones. In the top center, you'll see "Help us help Mississippi kids." Guys, I will never stop wanting to give back to my community, my state, to the world. I want this extra income so I can start donating to charity and causes I'm passionate about again.

I have two photos of "dream homes" on the board. I love our simple little home, but we are quickly outgrowing it. It's our dream to build a home of our own, or find the perfect one, perhaps somewhere outside of city limits. Eric has also expressed interest to me in living in Tennessee so that he's closer to work. I want a home big enough for Vaught and our dogs to roam and play.

On the bottom left, you'll see pictures of engagement rings. Not only do those symbolize my dream of going Diamond by the end of 2016, but I also want an engagement ring.

This is where it gets a little personal, and Eric probably won't be thrilled with my sharing this, but it's my blog :) We hit a rough patch financially a few months after having Vaught. It was around Christmas time, and we were literally living paycheck to paycheck. We really needed money one day... For our car insurance, our electric bill, our gas bill. All the bills were piling up, and we were exhausting our outlets for getting money. So, I went to a pawn shop and sold my engagement ring and wedding band.

Yep. Eric didn't ask me to; in fact, I did it and then told him about it, and he was so upset with me. But I did what I thought I needed to do. I loved my rings because Eric picked them out for me himself. I know you don't have to have a ring to show your faith and dedication in your marriage, but I sold that symbol because my family needed money more than a ring on my finger.

Eric understands, and we've talked about it several times. He's promised me that I will get new rings, just like I've promised him that it really doesn't bother me. And it really doesn't. But at the same time, I want that symbol back, I do. So, he's told me that once we're truly stable again, no questions about it, I will get my ring. Hell, he's said he'll propose all over again if I want him to. What a sweet man I have!

With ItWorks, I know that all these goals I have for myself and for my family can be accomplished. We have unnecessary debt that I hope I can eliminate with my commissions and bonuses. It's so important to us that Vaught attend private school, so I hope I can begin saving for his tuition. We have very little back-up savings, so I hope that I can help build us back up. Two years ago, we had at least a couple thousand saved up because we made far more than what we actually needed, but you never know what life is going to throw at you, and I've learned to be okay with it.

I honestly wouldn't trade where I'm at now for anything. I'm learning to appreciate and see the beauty in the struggle, and that's an amazing thing. ItWorks is what I want to do. I want to be with this company because I believe in it. I am a product of the products, and I love the friendships I'm building along the way.

I hope you've all enjoyed getting an inside look at what we crazy wrap ladies really do. And if you wanna know more, you know how to get me :)

Christmas with the Paces:::2015

This was one AMAZING Christmas break! In all honesty, it was exactly what I needed after my first semester teaching 6th grade English. I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and revived. I went back to work Monday with a happy face and bright smile. No, I don't feel like teaching is the career I'm going to retire from, but I'm focusing on the here and now, and now I've got babies who need me, and I'm going to do my best for them!

Can you tell I've been doing a little bit of yoga and meditation over the break? :)

Unlike other holiday breaks, this one was actually long and enjoyed to the fullest extent. I read a couple new books, took naps, went shopping, sat at Starbucks for hours, took naps, ate good food, took naps... Did I mention I took some naps?

This blog post is about to be a total "photo dump," so get ready! I will try to keep everything in order as best as possible!

Our first family Christmas event was Sunday, December 20th, at my Grandmother Eva's house. This is the gathering for my mom's side of the family. We had so much fun!

 

That Monday, my best friend Jaymo and I went Christmas shopping. We have a new Tanger outlet mall in Southaven, and we had so much fun shopping and exploring. I always love spending time with Jaymo... She's been my best friend since my eleventh grade year of high school.

 

Tuesday, December 22nd, we met up with my older sister for brunch at iHop.



Then Eric and I had to make another trip to the Tanger outlet to return a pair of shoes I'd bought him from the Nike store. They were a size 15 and were too small... Did I mention my husband wears a size 16 shoe?

 

Even though I'd just been over there the day before with Jaymo, I had fun walking around a little more with my husband. We bought a couple more gifts for family, and he gladly held our bags while we explored. What a sweet one I have!

Christmas Eve began with a brunch at Eric's dad and stepmother's house in New Albany, Mississippi. We played Dirty Santa after and had so much fun! I was thrilled to "steal" a plate of fresh fruit during the game!

Vaught met his new cousin Grace and was not a fan!

 

 

We hadn't planned on going to the "Cooper Family Christmas"per travelling arrangements over the holidays, but we ended up in Potts Camp at my Granddaddy's house Christmas Eve night. I'm so glad we went; I enjoyed seeing my dad's side of the family and visiting with everyone.

This photo is my and Audrey Anna's tradition every single year!

We returned home to Olive Branch and woke up Christmas morning so Vaught could "do Santa." He really didn't understand what was going on, but he enjoyed his new car and rocking horse from his grandparents in Virgnia!

We then returned to Potts Camp to my parents' house for our big Christmas Day brunch! We opened presents with them and spent most of the day there.

Eric's mom and stepdad got us new cookware: OMG!

Vaught picked out gifts for my mom and dad at daycare.

I know the photo above probably has you going WTF?! but it's a Christmas tradition my brother started years ago. At some point a long time ago, he discovered that the daddy reindeer can "mount" the mama reindeer, so every year when my  mom pulls these out, he takes them and puts them in a new location (typically somewhere where everyone will see them) and poses them like this. This year she caught him in the act and tried to take the reindeer away, but he got away from her and set them up in the living room!

Christmas night was so peaceful. Vaught was worn out and went to bed early, so I enjoyed coffee and a book on the couch.

 

I jump-started healthy eating again the next day with fresh fruit and almond butter for breakfast. I definitely had not been counting calories all week!

 

On Wednesday night of the next week, I met Audrey Anna in New Albany to exchange our gifts. She got me an adorable coffee mug from Starbucks and a Colorado Chick beanie! I'd been wanting one for two months!

And did I work out over the break? HA! Like, three times! I did go on a couple of good runs, but I regret not working out more! Even still, my total Christmas weight gain was just over three pounds, which I've since lost, so I ain't even worried about it.

 

 

Two more significant things happened over the break: Ole Miss won the AllState Sugar Bowl, and I became an Independent Distributor for ItWorks Global. Both of these things made my Christmas break that much better! I have loved working for ItWorks! so far. I've already signed several loyal customers and am signing more each week! ItWorks products helped me shed 30 pounds and get over that  weight loss plateau I hit last year. Please message me if you're interested in learning more!

 

 

The words in the photo above ring so true to me right now. Although things at my job as a teacher are a little iffy, I am loving being a part of a company that is quickly changing lives. I can already see many positive ways that it's changing me. I'm waking up with a new fire and passion; I have goals I want to accomplish, and ItWorks is helping me do that, while having fun in the process!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post again; I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Come back tomorrow for a post on my first DREAM BOARD PARTY!

The End of 2015... And a Big Leap

I'm just going to be completely honest: this year has not been the best.

In less words than I have time for this morning, it just wasn't the year I hoped it would be. Granted, I learned a lot this year. I have some amazing memories with my little guy and our family. But here I am on the last day of 2015 and my mind and soul are restless.

A couple of weeks ago, I had this song stuck in my head. It was popular in, like, 2004 I think.

 I've got it all, but I feel so deprived. I go up, I come down, and I'm emptier inside. Tell me what is this thing that I feel like I'm missing and why can't I let it go? There's gotta be more to life than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me. Cause the more that I'm tripping out thinking there must be more to life. Well, there's life, but I'm sure there's gotta be something more.

I just took you down memory lane for, right? It's a Stacie Orrico song, a one-hit-wonder kind of thing; she's not even writing music anymore. But I spent days humming that song in my head and finally bought it off iTunes and blared it in my car driving down the highway. And I realized that's definitely how I've been feeling for the past few months... There's gotta be more.

Four (technically just three) years of teaching are in the books, and I am willingly admitting that I'm unhappy with my job, yet again. I love my kids, love talking to them and learning with them, but teaching--planning lessons, dealing with administration, dealing with Common Core, dealing with PARCC, dealing with lots of other things--is not my happy. As a matter of fact, I feel lower in my career than I ever have. It's affecting me at my job, obviously, in my home life, and in my personal life.

I called my mother squawling like a child the Wednesday before school was out for Christmas break.

"I have never been so disappointed in myself or so unhappy in my life!" I cried to her. It was very dramatic.

"Listen to me, listen to me," she said in that motherly voice. "You've got to calm down. Calm down, get a grip, and we can talk."

I finally chilled out and was able to speak calmly. I told her that although I've been complimented numerous times on my teaching strategies and lessons, it didn't override the dozens of times I'd been corrected and told that I need to do this better, change that, fix that, don't do this that way. I was finally admitting that I was just miserable and knew that this was not what I was supposed to be doing.

"I've been praying about it for nearly four years now, Mom," I told her. "I know this is not what God wants me to do."

"Then change something," she said, so I decided to.

I'm returning to work Monday morning with a smile and a good attitude because I'm a team player, and I will do anything to succeed and help my kids reach their goals. However, I will also be informing my boss, an amazing principal, that this will be my last year to teach and that I am looking for work outside of public education.

I don't need to explain myself further, I don't feel the need to justify my decisions. I just know in my heart that this is what I need to do. I am almost finished with my Master's degree in English, and I fully intend to finish it and still have a dream of teaching at the college level (my dream job to begin with), but in the meantime, I've got to figure out exactly what I want to be doing to make my life happier, more fulfilled, more balanced, at this very moment.

Which leads me to the leap.

I began using ItWorks! Products in April of this year, and as most of you who've been reading for a while know, they helped me shed nearly twenty pounds over the summer. I fell in love with the products I used and the way they helped curb my appetite, give me energy, and slim down to become a healthier mom and wife. I began praying about becoming a distributor in the summer and nearly made the leap, but decided not to at last minute. To be honest, I didn't want to be another person selling something on social media.

My results in just SIX DAYS earlier this year!

But I've had more than a handful of people ask me about the products since I used them to help me lose weight, and each time I've thought: This is money I could be making! I am a product of the product--I could sell this stuff because it did work for me!

So yesterday--yes, just yesterday, after another friend contacted me about the products, I signed up to become a distributor on a team with a girl (and a few other women) I personally know and have seen succeed with ItWorks!

Right after signing up, I felt this wave of relief come over me. It was such an exhilarating, refreshing feeling. I had this total feeling of peace... This is what you're supposed to be doing, Kate, I thought to myself. Keep teaching, keep trying your best at school, and that excitement you've lost for the classroom? Push it towards this.

It's all going to work out.

If by now you're rolling your eyes thinking Oh no, not another annoying salesperson, stop those rolling eyes and listen to me. I am a product of the product, and I used to get SO annoyed with ItWorks! people. You have no idea... But then I finally decided to try the products and fell in love. This is my personal promise to you, dear friend and blog reader: I will not be annoying. I will not post fake-sounding ads or unrealistic pictures (sorry, but some of those have got to be doctored by really crazy sales reps), and I will not push my products on you. But trust me, these are products I use and believe in, and I am so happy to become an official ItWorks! Distributor!

Want to be my first customer? Visit my site by clicking here! You'll find my number there where you can text me if you'd like more information!

I think 2016 is going to be a fantastic year. I wish you all a Happy New Year!

"Everything Fits!"

I'm working on a post detailing what we've been up to over the holidays, but today's post is going back in the direction of health and fitness. Although I've put on a couple of holiday feast pounds (and for the first time ever I'm not at all worried about it), my progress with weight loss definitely showed in the Christmas gifts my mom and dad got for me this year.

I'll never forget waking up on Christmas morning two years ago in 2013 and stepping on the scale in my bathroom, horrified at the number it flashed back at me. I have no idea what possessed me to weigh myself on Christmas morning, but I'm so glad that I did. It was the wake-up call that I needed, and I'm so proud and thankful to say that I now weigh nearly forty pounds less than I did on that day two years ago.

I also remember opening gifts at Mom and Dad's... My mom is one heck of a shopper, so she collects Christmas gifts (clothes) for us all year. I remember pulling shirt after shirt, dress after dress, out of my enormous Christmas bag, thankful to even be receiving presents on Christmas morning, but at the same time, I was humiliated as I held and admired each piece, knowing that hardly any of it would fit me. They were all such pretty, and some of them expensive, pieces... I'd already made my mind up that morning that I was going to change my bad habits, and the clothes just made me all the more determined.

Well, fast forward to this year. Again, another humongous bag stuffed with clothes and t-shirts. But this year, I admired each piece with appreciation and confidence.

"Do you like your stuff, Kate?" my mom asked me.

"Yeah!" I told her. "I think everything is going to fit, too!"

My mom gave me this kind of incredulous look... "Yeah, I think it will too." I don't think she really understood why I was so excited about stuff fitting.

So when we got home Christmas night, I laid out some of my clothes from my Christmas bag and began trying them on. There was much more in my bag, but below are three of the t-shirts my mom got me.

 

 

 

ALL of the t-shirts above are size LARGE. Do you know how long it's been since I worn a plain size large t-shirt? It may not seem like much to some of you, but I'm used to XXL t-shirts "fitting..." 

But the size large shirts above are perfect!

 

Since my sorority days when humongous t-shirts were it, I haven't bought that many t-shirts, so I haven't really noticed how huge an XXL shirt fits me now... But in the first photo of this post, the gray shirt I have on is a 2XL and whoa... That's quite a large shirt!

 

She also got me a pair of pajama pants (size large that are amazing) and a dress from a boutique that I love (XL). I didn't get pictures with those, but they are both perfect fits!

 

When my husband walked into our bedroom and saw me trying on my Christmas gifts, he asked me, "You like what she got you?"

 

My response? With pride and humility: "Yeah! Everything fits!"