Week 4 - Unicorn of the Week and Recap

After team Sports, Go Sports terrible showing in Week 3, I didn't have high hopes for Week 4. But I still did my research and made my plan. Somethings worked out well for me, others not so much. Before we get into all that let's talk Unicorn of the Week (because I know the suspense is KILLING you!) 

For the first time ever we had a TIE for Unicorn of the Week! Last time I looked at my points there was 45 seconds left in the Saints vs. Cowboys game and the Panthers D/ST was the hands down winner. The suddenly my Facebook timeline started blowing up about the overtime touchdown and sure enough Drew Brees' points had jumped.

Breaking the tie was easy. Not only did Brees help win the game in overtime, he also reached two major milestones of his career. It was only natural that he had the honor of wearing the golden horn as the Unicorn of the Week for Week 4!

The winning touchdown was Brees' 400 career touchdown pass. Making him the fifth player in NFL history to reach reach this milestone. Earlier in the game he also reached 5,000 career completions to join Brett Favre and Peyton Manning as the only NFL quarterbacks to ever achieve that feat. And just think, he gets to top it off with the highest honor of Unicorn of the Week!! Not a bad way to come back from an injury. :)

This week I did take chances. Thankfully two of them paid off.

1. Drew Brees I almost didn't play him this week since I wasn't 100% sure if he would be back or if he was how well he would do.  My NFL despising husband loves him and from everything I have read so do his teammates. He seems like an all around awesome guy so  at the last minute I decided to chance it. Plus his little family is really adorable. Like REALLY adorable.

2. Panthers D/ST Everything I read said that they would be the big wildcard of D/ST this week. They could pay off really well or be super disappointing. Since I knew the Texans were playing Atlanta I decided to roll the dice and see what happened. At one point they were up to 25 points but by the time it was said and done they finished with 15. Compared to the -4 by my benched Texans, I think I made a good call.

3. Arian Foster This guy has been sitting on my bench waiting for his big return. Kipper and Ricky both kept telling me once he came back he would pay off big.  Well he came back this week, but 1 stinking point is far from paying off in anyway, shape or size. I am going to chalk it up to return game jitters and the fact that he isn't completely healthy yet. If he doesn't get it together he and his grumpy face photo are going to be getting the boot!

4. Lamar Miller I don't know what it is about this guy. The first week I said he was about to be dead to me but then he pulled through. Every week since then he has fallen short of his projections but some reason I keep putting him back in. After another lousy week and only bringing in 3 points he might be done on team Sports, Go Sports. He has caused too many glittery unicorn tears to be shed.

When it was all said and done, I was able to squeak out a win by a 2 points - Thank you Drew Brees!!  Team Sports, Go Sports is now 3-1.  Till next week my friends when we take on team Shake and Bake!

Help Spread JOY To Local Homeless Children This Allietober

Everyone knows I LOVE birthdays! I am pretty sure my love of birthdays started at an early age and just keep growing. 

As a child, I was very fortunate to have a family who always hosted awesome parties and showered me with love. The older I got the more I wanted to share that feeling with those I hold near and dear, including my fur babies (don't judge) on their special day. 

When October became Allietober it wasn't because I wanted a month of gifts or parties. It was more about capturing that spirit of celebration and JOY for more than a day. This year (inspired by my boss Rachel's sweet little boy, Grant) I have decided to share the JOY I feel all Allitober and #sharemybirthday with The Birthday Party Project! 

The Birthday Party Project is a DFW based nonprofit who brings JOY to homeless children through the MAGIC of birthdays by throwing monthly birthday parties at local shelters. I have had the opportunity to volunteer for this organization and was incredibly touched by how a simple action such as throwing a birthday party could impact a child who is living with so many uncertainties. 

Each party has a fun theme and includes all the children staying a the shelter. In addition to all the party activities and treats, each birthday child receives their own special cake and a birthday gift valued at $30. 

Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy and excitement we all remember from our childhood birthdays. While we can't take away the pain and uncertainty  these children experience, we can help create a special memory they can hold on to when times are really tough. This Allietober I hope you will join me in helping spread JOY to the homeless children in our community through the magic of birthdays by supporting The Birthday Party Project!  

So right about now you are probably wondering what you can do to help, aren't you?!? Well there are several, simple ways you can help out! 

Donate Dollars 

The easiest way to contribute is by making tax-deductible donation online on my #shareyourbirthday fundraising page!  The coolest part about making a financial donation is that 100% of the donation goes directly to the cost of the parties! 

Not sure how much to give? On average this is what it takes for each party to happen, 

Of course no amount is too small and every single penny goes a long way in sharing the JOY with these precious kiddos! 

Donate Items 

Another great way is by donating something from their wish list! I am more than happy to arrange pick up of your items. 

• Birthday Gift Wrapping Supplies
• General Party Supplies (Hats, Horns, Streamers)
• Toys (All Ages, $30 Value)
• Round and Rectangle Plastic Tablecloths
• Gift Cards (Walmart, Target, Toys R Us) 

Donate Time

Become a Birthday Enthusiast and volunteer for a party! (find out more here) This is a great opportunity for just you, your family or a group of friends!  Parties fill up fast so you have to plan ahead, but I can promise you one thing - you won't regret it! 

Donate Your Status

Unable to donate or volunteer right now? Or want to do more? This is easiest way you can help - share this blog and/or the link to my #shareyourbirthday fundraising page on your social media platforms! The Birthday Party Project started as a grassroots effort in Dallas and now has expanded to over 12 cities in 8 different states in just 4 short years! People just like you spreading the word has made it possible for for over 11,000 homeless children to experience JOY through the MAGIC of birthdays!

It is my hope this Allietober that with the help of my friends and loved ones we will be able to spread the JOY to some really special children. Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider supporting this wonderful cause. And cheers to making the 34th Allietober the best one yet! 

Week 3 - Unicorn of the Week and Recap

Oh Week 3 you were NOT my friend. Not only did I have a terrible week, others in the league had a freaking amazeballs week with multiple players racking up close to 30+ each. Lots of glittered unicorn tears were shed as one week has taken team Sports, Go Sports from first place to fourth!!!

The Unicorn of the Week was once again not my highest scoring player but had the largest percent increase from projection. It was really close between but Brandon Marshall squeaked into the honor this week. He also had something else to celebrate - passing 10,000 career receiving yards. Something only 44 other NFL players can say about their careers. 

Unfortunately the excitement of that milestone was upstaged by a failed lateral (some kind of play that is risky) that he called "probably the worst play in NFL history!"  The fact that someone who said they made the worst play in NFL history is the Unicorn of the Week should tell you pretty much everything you need to know about my bad Fantasy Football week! 

Here is to a better week as team Sports, Go Sports takes on third place Team L Train.

Week 2 - Unicorn of the Week and Recap

Week 2 of Fantasy Football has come to a close. I know you have been waiting in the edge of your seats to see who will be the coveted Sports, Go Sports "Unicorn of the Week" for Week 2!  (If you have no idea what I am talking about and think the Allie you know and love has been abducted by aliens...start here.) 

Just like Week 1, this week's Unicorn of the Week was picked off of points only. He wasn't my highest scoring player but he did come in 12 points over projection. That was the largest percent increase from projection (86% increase to be exact!) of any player this week thus landing DeAngelo Williams top honors as Unicorn of the Week!! Williams has been really good for me the last two weeks so I am bummed that Le'Veon Bell is coming back from his two game suspension so his playing time will be limited. :( 

Overall I had a really great week, scoring 113 points and winning my match up by 75 points! It was my first experience with some benched players doing better than my actual team. Everything I read said to keep Colin Kaepernick on the bench so I stayed with Drew Brees. Well Brees only scored 12 points  where Kaepernick brought in 26.  I also gave my friend Lamar Miller another shot since he pulled through for me in Week 1. Of course he got hurt and didn't return to the game, only bringing in 3 points. All the while benched David Johnson racked up 16 points! ahh! 

And because I am a sweet and wonderful wife, I will publicly admit that this one time Kipper was right. I should have played the Texans D/ST. The Rams were projected nearly 5 points higher than the Texans so I went with the Rams. This resulted in a 2 point loss for me... sigh. 

This coming week I am going to do a little more research on my players so that my only strategy isn't who is projected the highest. I want to keep my winning steak going as I face off with AJ this week! But for now, while I am sure this will be short lived,  I'm going to celebrate the fact that I currently have the highest points in our league!! 

Yay Athleticism!! 

That One Time I Joined A Fantasy Football League

Most of my friends are big football people. I am not. They call it football season. I call it tailgate season. They say halftime. I ask how much longer till intermission.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Football Sundays. They are normally my favorite part of the week. Generally it means yummy food and my best friends spending the day together where most everyone happens to be paying attention to football.  My version of Football Sunday looks more like this:

With the gangs love of football there is a natural love of Fantasy Football. Most play in multiple leagues and it can be a little competitive. This year I got a wild hair and decided to join the girls league - Wine Women! The buy in was a bottle of wine and the winner takes all. I know nothing about football or Fantasy Football (I wanted to draft a cheerleader for Kipper's team last year...) but I love wine so why not!

Unfortunately I had something come up and was late to the draft party so Kipper had to draft for me. This could have been good or bad. He knows a lot more about football, but isn't a fan of the NFL. I am pretty sure he tried his hardest to draft only players who were good role models and had never been to jail! Ha. Anyway it was official team Sports, Go Sports was born. (if you don't get them name you must check this song out) And our mascot is a unicorn and I imagine our team wears awesome rhinestone and glittered uniforms.

After that I sort of forgot I had signed up until a few days before Kipper asked if I had checked my team roster to make sure no one was out hurt. What?!?! I sort of thought you drafted and that was it. I didn't realize you had players on bench or that you could trade players. Suddenly my competitiveness set in and I need to know everything there was to know so I could win!!

Lessons of the Week:

1. Projection Numbers  At first I thought if a player had a projection of 1 that meant they were the top pick. Then I realized lots of people had 1's. This isn't golf and the lowest score doesn't win. Glad I figured that out before this week got started or I would have had the lowest score in the history of Fantasy Football. 

2. Player Selection   This might be the most important part of playing Fantasy Football. I started out following in Kipper's footsteps by googling players to see what type of person they appeared to be off the field.  After about 2 players I realized that was a lot of work so I would just go off of projections and if I thought they looked friendly or fun in their profile photo. Overall this did workout pretty well for me except in the case of a Running Back. Originally I had David Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals who was projected at 4 points. I switched him out at the last minute for Alfred Blue of the Texans because he was projected at 9 points and he was extra smiley in his photo. I also thought it he did well I could yell "You're my boy Blue!" which makes me giggle. Well in the long run Mr. Smiley Pants only brought in 4 points and guy on the bench brought in 11. 

3. Follow Your Gut  Kipper told me to keep the Texans as my D/ST (still don't really know what that is) but the Panthers were projected just a little higher. Since it was a team thing I couldn't really use the smiley photo thing as a tie breaker. At the very last minute I made the switch and it paid off big - 20 more points than if I would have kept the Texans! This could be beginners luck, but I'll take it.

Honestly can't believe I had so much fun playing this week and I didn't even have to watch football! I'm sure the fact that I had a good week and racked up 112 points out of a projected 100 didn't hurt. 

I had so much fun I decided I would turn this experience into a fun blog series. It would force me to get back into regular blogging and  I figure something funny has to come out of this - starting with the Week 1 Unicorn of the Week!!!  

For Week 1 the Unicorn of the Week was picked off of points only. He wasn't my highest scoring player but he did come in 11 points over projection. That was the largest percent increase from projection of any player this week thus landing Jason Witten the honor of being the first ever Sports, Go Sports Unicorn of the Week!! 

Here is hoping the beginners luck carries on to week 2! :) 

Sunshine VoxBox Review

I have several friends who are on Influenster and have enjoyed getting VoxBox deliveries. About a month or so ago I decided to sign up and give it a go. It is free so why not!  So what exactly is Influenster anyway?!? 

And what the heck is a VoxBox?!?

Within a few weeks the notification that I had been selected for my first VoxBox hit my email and I was ecstatic!  I got lucky and was selected for the Sunshine VoxBox! It was filled with 6 summer inspired products that I couldn't wait to try out! 

I love that Influenster includes a card with each VoxBox giving a little detail on the product, including what each product retails for. Now that I have tired all of the products out I am ready to share some awesome (and some not so awesome) finds with you - starting with my favorite ones! 

1. Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds  I really didn't think I would like these. I'm sort of a wimp when it comes to spicy things, so I figured I would have to take Kipper's word on if they were any good. I decided to "just try one" and OMG! These are awesome!!! They have a great flavor and a little heat, but not overbearing at all. This size package retails for $1.59 and the larger cans are on par with other Blue Diamond flavors. We have already gone through one can of these since trying them! 

2. Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher Leave-In Smoothing Creme Enhanced with Avocado and Olive Oil   Another product I wasn't sure about that ended up being one of my favorites. I have used a similar product for frizz control by Rusk for years...like 10 years! I'm a girl who finds what I like and sticks with it, but since this was free I gave it a whirl. You can actually use this with damp or dry hair, but I have only used on damp hair. It controls the frizz, makes my hair soft and I think helps it hold curl a little longer in the Texas heat - all without being heavy or greasy! The best part? You can find it at Walmart for $6.99!! That is a fraction of the cost of the Rusk product I have been using. 

3. barkThins Snacking Chocolate  This is the only product I had actually had before. We are a big fan of barkThins in our house. A yummy snack to help curb your sweet tooth that comes in interesting flavors. The Dark Chocolate Coconut is my favorite so far so I decided to use my coupon on it. In Fort Worth I have found barkThins at Target, The Fresh Market, and HEB, but according to their website Costco and Whole Foods also sells them. A regular bag will cost you $4.99, just beware that if you are having a moment of weakness - you could put away a whole bag in one sitting! :) 

4. Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray Moisturizer When I got my VoxBox I was recovering from a terrible sunburn. I was so excited to try this product as I was trying really hard not to peel. The product itself is great for the cost - $6.49 for a 6.5 oz. can. It is moisturizing without being heavy or greasy. Similar to spray on sunscreen you do have to rub it is. I also found you need to be careful where you apply it. We have tile floors in our bathroom and the over spray made them very slick! Because I am klutz this makes me wonder if I would by this product again. 

5. Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths  When I got picked for this VoxBox this was one of the products I was most excited about. They do a great job and don't leave your skin feeling dry or oily, but I can't get past the smell of them. I know that is the Witch Hazel as I have had issues with other products. It isn't a strong smell, but just enough for it to bother me.  I will keep using them till this pack runs out but at $6.99 I know I can purchase a comparable product that doesn't make me turn up my nose.

6. SinfulColors Nail Polish Part of this product being my least favorite might have to do with I am not a nail polish girl. Don't get me wrong - I love getting pedicures - I just can't paint my own nails/toes to save my soul. I also wasn't crazy about the color I received as I tend to be more traditional than trendy when it comes to nail polish colors.  With all that said it is about what I would expect for a $1.99 bottle of nail polish. It took several coats verses the one or two coats it takes with OPI or China Glaze. SinfulColors comes in hundreds of shades from creams, glitters, shimmers, mattes, specialty textures and eye popping brights. For the price it would be great for the teenager or collage student who like to change their nail colors every few days. 

Overall this was a great VoxBox and I am really glad I joined Influenster. Fingers crossed there will be more fun VoxBoxes in my future! :) If you are interested in getting in on the fun follow this link and get started today! 

{legal stuff: I received all of these products complimentary for testing purposes}

For Richer, For Poorer, In Sickness And Health: Our New Normal?!?

The last month has been sort of rough in the Martin household.  While we sometimes like to be spontaneous, truth be told we (crazy Boston boys included) are very much creatures of habit. We like our routines. And I like my color coded calendar that keeps it all in order.

Over the last few weeks I feel like we have been sent through an extra spin cycle in the washing machine. Kipper started nursing school and a new crazy schedule at work. This also means re-figuring our weekly finances since he is working less hours because of school.  Because that wasn't enough my body decided that it was also a great time for me to get really sick. Then there was Kipper's trip to the ER for a weird growth on his neck (Praise God it isn't life threatening and we are seeing the ENT in a few weeks!) Fenway's allergies were out of control causing him to reverse sneeze and randomly throw up on us in the middle of the night. Oh and he scratched his freaking eye again. And to top it all off I was hard headed and pushed myself too hard, too fast in my workouts after being sick and got really dehydrated. Thus making me sick again.

This was our warm welcome to our new normal or at least for the next 15 months. And as stressful and hectic as those weeks have been they have also been a huge reminder of one of the biggest blessings in my life - my husband.

During these few weeks he has been exhausted from switching to nights at work and stressed out over the fire hydrant of information he has to get down in less than 6 weeks for the first part of the program. He has turned his life upside down with one goal when it is all done - be able to provide for our hopefully growing family. With all that was going on I would understand if he wasn't present like normal or a little more selfish with his time. But it isn't like that at all.

He takes the time to make sure I am eating well and taking care of myself. He makes a point to remind me that I am appreciated. He encourages me to go out and have fun, even when he can't join me. He still tries to help around the house as much as he can (because lets be honest...he is terrified of what our house would look like if I was left solely in charge of all things domestic.) He has taken the time to go fill my car up with gas so I didn't have to. He has brought home flowers, just because. On nights when he needs to stay up late studying, he still makes it a priority to tuck me into bed and say our nightly prayers.  And he even bought a bike trainer so he could ride in the living room and be able to hang out with me, verses spending more time away from the family by riding outside.

I have always thought Kipper hung the moon. Even before I realized I had any romantic feeling for him and we were just friends, I knew he was pretty awesome. Yet over the last 4 or 5 years he has gone through an amazing transformation that has made him an even better husband. The last month has reminded me how blessed I truly am by our marriage.

But if am being honest and painting the whole picture, I feel really guilty. He has put so much pressure on himself and has had a rough few days. Much of my prayer time over the last few weeks has revolved around him and how I wish there was something more (other than being more domestic than normal) that I could do to help shoulder some of the weight he is carrying right now.

Over the course of our relationship I have learned most of the time I believe in him long before he believes in himself and vice versa.  For many years I have believed his calling was in nursing, it just took him a while to realize that is the path he needed to take. When he applied to this accelerated nursing program there was never a doubt in my mind that he would get in. And now he is facing the next big challenge - 1 test that decides if he will be allowed to continue in the accelerated program. And again, I believe with all my heart he can do this.

The closer the test gets, the more his worry has set in. This is where my guilt really comes into play because I know so much of that pressure is because if he knows if doesn't become a nurse we aren't sure how we will make our adoption happen.  He is has carried that stress and worry for the last 6 weeks, so concerned that if he can't do it that I will be heartbroken and disappointed in him.

But how could I be disappointed in him because of that? He has worked so hard, studying hours on end and sacrificing things he loves.  He was brave enough to step up, put himself out there and try. That is more than most people would do. I could never be disappointed in him for that.

Sure I might be heartbroken, but not for the reason he thinks. If I have learned one thing during our long, still winding road to parenthood it is this - God will provide we just have to trust his plan. Every time we thought we were at the end and out of options, he has provided us with new hope and a new way. It might require more discipline or strength, but God will provide. The only reason my heart will be broken is because I don't ever want to see him in pain or upset and I know he would be.

So basically long story long - I do know what I can do to help and that is to continue to feverishly pray for him. And today I am asking our friends and family to do the same.  I normally don't feel comfortable making public asks for prayer but over the last 2 days I have felt in my heart to put this out there. If you don't mind, please join me in praying for clarity and peace of mind as he goes into his test. Pray that he can let go of the stress and have confidence in himself. And pray that no matter the outcome God's will is done.