Never a bridesmaid...

New blog - check it out @ Bl??ming Bl?gger

xxoo

jac

9:31 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Blog Spot

I've made more of a "public" blog that is a little more user friendly than this myspace blog. My BFF Morgs is preggo and started one and now I'm addicted, all your fault morg! If you want to follow me on my journey through 2008, click below and lets go! xxoo

http://blossomingblogger.blogspot.com/

?jac

10:27 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Face of Fascinations - Holiday Promo
Current mood: cheerful

So if any of you know me personally or watched my story on Starting Over, you know that I spent many years of my life modeling one way or another. Whether it was doing pageants as a child, or bikini pageants as an adult, I've always loved being in front of a camera!

A couple of months ago, an opportunity presented itself for me to get my feet wet in the industry once more. I hadn't done anything since before Starting Over, as the show helped me realize there was more to life than just being pretty. I've never resented or regretted modeling, I've been able to experience so many fun things because of it, but strayed from it wanting something more from life than a little acknowledgement of my good looks. (NOT to sound conceited, just my opinion, of course )

So in October, a friend of a friend called asking if Michael and I would be interested in doing some headshots for a Fascinations Holiday Promo. Sounded harmless, Michael had to turn it down because of his schedule, but I jumped on it. Didn't sound like anything too exciting, just something quick and easy and there was no garuntee they would even use my photos.

Well two months later, I received an email from Fascinations w/ some exciting information... They said, and I quote "You lady, were the unanimous all time favorite face of this promotion. So, unlike everyone else, your face is at every store...on our billboards....in our print/magazine ads.... and on our mobile billboard!". So as you can imagine, I'm very excited! And although I don't love the pictures that I've seen (There are 4 that they are using.. all headshots, nothing dirty!), I still wanted to share this info with you, so if you happen to live in Arizona, Colorado, or Oregon, you can keep your eye out for my picture :)

Here is a list that Fascinations sent of places my photos can be found:

Currently listening : Taking Chances By Celine Dion Release date: 13 November, 2007

1:58 PM - 7 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

PLEASE VOTE NOW!!!
Current mood: bouncy

So as u all know, music is my passion and I love to perform every chance I get. The radio station here in AZ held a singing contest over the weekend and I sung my little heart out.

ONLINE VOTING STARTED MONDAY 11/12 AND ENDS IN TWO WEEKS ON 11/26! All you have to do to vote for ME is copy and paste the link below, scroll to the right until you find ME (Contestant 23 - Jaclyn Romero), watch the 30 second clip, and click VOTE FOR JACLYN ROMERO when the clip has ended!!!

http://www.soyouthinkyoureastar.com/voteVideo.php?event=nov10

You can vote for me AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT! To vote multiple times, do not click "watch again" you have to click the miniature picture of my video, watch the clip again, and then it will ask you at the end if you would like to vote again.

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE!!! The grand prize is $10,000!!!

Thank you SO much!!!

Love and Kisses - Jaclyn

5:14 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Forgiveness - the new F word
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Blogging

Just watched Oprah. Today's topic... Forgiveness.

Forgiveness has proven to be a powerful tool in my life. Had I not learned how to forgive, I would still be stuck in a place in my life that was full of fear.

Why do we, as humans, hold onto anger? Why do we harbor such hateful and angry feelings? Why do we choose not to forgive?

For me, I felt that forgiving meant that I condoned the action or behavior that I felt hurt by. I felt that a person had to "earn" forgiveness, that they needed to be "deserving" of it. I felt like I needed to make sense of the action I felt hurt by, like I needed to understand why. I was wrong...

When Michael and I went to the Starting Over house, I was harboring very angry feelings for him and his actions. I wouldn't forgive. I didn't want to forgive. Because if I were to forgive him, then I would be saying "It's Okay". But during my time there in the house, I learned that forgiveness is something much different. Forgiveness had so much more to do with me than it ever had to do with Michael. I needed to forgive Michael in order to get un-stuck. Being unforgiving was keeping me in a dark, angry place. A place that I didn't want to be anymore...

So how did I finally forgive? It was as easy as making a choice. I chose to have compassion. I chose to forgive his actions. I chose to get un-stuck. I chose to move on. I chose to make peace with what had happened.

Holding onto that anger did not serve me. Letting go of that anger freed me.

Since then, I continue to forgive. It can be challenging at times, but I try to remember that it is my choice. I have found it even more freeing to forgive not just those things in life that hurt very deeply, but even the little things.

Forgiveness is powerful.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was YOU." - unknown

Forgiveness... the new "F" word.

3:44 PM - 7 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

I choose...!!!
Current mood: grateful
Category: Blogging

Tonight, I went back to the gym for the first time in months. It was one of the first "alone" times I've had since Brooklyn was born 4 weeks ago. I wasn't sad or worried to leave her, I knew she was safe with her daddy ;)

When I was leaving the gym, I caught myself saying "We did it! We went to the gym!"... Then I realized what I had said... "WE"??? No! I am a ME, not a WE! In that moment I realized that becoming a mother doesn't mean giving up my identity.

In the past 4 weeks, there have been moments, and sometimes days, where I felt lost and confused. I understand now why I felt that way. I was allowing my life to end while Brooklyn's life began.

I'm choosing to separate myself from my daughter.

I'm choosing to be an individual.

I'm choosing to not make choices for my daughter, but make the choices for myself that will in turn be the example I want to set for the beautiful little peanut I brought into this world.

I choose NOT to feel disempowered  for my realization that I was allowing my life to end. I CHOOSE to feel empowered for my realization that I am an individual who is also a mother. I am enlightened ;)

9:43 PM - 13 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment

2 more weeks!
Current mood: anxious

So we are almost there... Just two more weeks to go! The past few weeks have gone by so slow, 2 more weeks sounds like eternity to me! We had a doctor's appointment today. They did an ultra sound to see how she was growing and she's HUGE! They estimated that she's about 7 lbs already, yikes! Of course it's just an "estimate", but jeesh! I'm dilated to a big fat ZERO, no progress whatsoever. It doesn't look like our little girl is in any hurry to be born, she's perfectly comfortable just where she's at. And I have to admit, I do love being pregnant. As much as I'm ready to have her already, I absolutely treasure feeling this little miracle wiggle around inside of me. I already have a sense of her personality, and her and I already have our own secret language :) How special is that? I'm the luckiest woman alive! We'll absolutely keep you all posted on any baby news. But I honestly feel that she's going to stay camped out in my uterus at least another week or so. I'm still working and plan on working for as long as I can. Michael is so anxious to meet his little princess, he gives her little pep talks daily, encouraging her to make her way through the birth canal, right into his arms! He's mesmerized by her already. I knew he would be! Many of you have asked us to post pics of the finished nursery. I'll try and put together a slide show and include some new belly pics too :) Thank you all for the well wishes and baby advice, we appreciate it! Can't wait to share our tiny "Little B" with you all! Love and kisses - jaclyn, michael, and soon to be Brooklyn.

5:03 PM - 12 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

It's a GIRL!
Current mood: ecstatic

Yes it's a girl! The little "peanut" we've created is a precious little girl! We got to see her yawn and rub her little eyes with her tiny little fists. She is amazing. I've never been so anxious to meet anyone in my entire life.

I'm 19 weeks now (4 1/2 months), so we're halfway there! Where does the time go?! She'll be here before we know it. We will paint her room this weekend. I bought her first onesie today, so cute and little. I can't believe how much I love her already, and I haven't even met her yet!

Michael has been busy shopping for cribs and music mobiles online. She already has him wrapped around her tiny little finger. He's going to be the most amazing father.

I'm feeling great. I didn't get morning sickness like most women do. Lucky me! I did feel sick in the first trimester but never got sick. I was extremely fatigued, but that's gone now. I love being pregnant. I can feel her little kicks through out the day, but mostly at night. They aren't strong enough for Michael to feel yet, but they will be soon enough. I can't wait!

I'll keep everyone posted as the weeks go by. I just started to show, so I'll have to post some new pics of the belly soon.

Hope everyone had a nice thanksgiving and is enjoying the holiday season!

Love,

jaclyn (and michael)

xxoo

8:06 PM - 20 Comments - 21 Kudos - Add Comment

Baby on the way!
Current mood: grateful

So we didn't waste much time, did we?! Yes, the newlyweds are expecting! And no it wasn't a surprise. We couldn't wait to be parents. We want more than just a couple so we thought we'd better get going on it!

We have known for quite some time, but have wanted to wait till our first ultra sound to announce the news. Today (Michael's bday), we had an ultra sound and were lucky enough to hear our little peanut's heart beat. 171 beats per minute! Amazing.

For me, the pregnancy has seemed very real over the past several weeks. I'm the one who's getting up 5 times a night to pee, the one who's sick morning noon and night, the one who's breasts have doubled in size (or at least it seems like they have!). So to me, it has all been so real. My body's changing!

But for Michael, he has had nothing physical to prove to him that this is really happening... Until today. Once he saw the little heart beating and heard it, I think that was the moment he knew that this is real, this is really happening. He's going to be an amazing father.

I have a constant feeling of naseausness, but I think I've had it pretty easy so far, compared to many of the morning sickness horror stories I've heard. We are only a few weeks away from entering the 2nd trimester, when the risks of miscarriage drop considerably. So for all of you who pray, please say a prayer for our little button and for Michael and I that everything goes well! So far the doctor is pleased with what he sees. And now that we've heard the heart beat, our chances for miscarriage have dropped below 5%. So things are looking good.

Thank you for letting us share our happy news with you! I'm sure I'll be posting blogs with all our progress and news along the way.

Love always and God bless,

Jaclyn & Michael

PS: We are due on May 5th... Cinco de Mayo.

4:18 PM - 36 Comments - 65 Kudos - Add Comment

My fearless moment! Yeah!
Current mood: FEARLESS!
Category: FEARLESS! Blogging

The little town we live in, Maricopa, is having a "Maricopa Idol" contest. When I heard about it, I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to practice being FEARLESS! I absolutely LOVE to sing, but in the past, I allowed fear to stand in my way of sharing my talent and greatest joy with others.

Some of you may remember, several months ago, I entered a singing competition here in AZ. I made it to the finals in that competition and was absolutely thrilled! That was the first time I sang in front of anyone other than my family and friends. The feeling of being on stage and sharing my voice is so exillirating, there's nothing I can compare it to.

Since that competition, I have made baby steps in my musical journey, but have not sang publicly... until last night. It's amazing what letting go of fear can do. It has opened a door for me that I had kept so tightly shut for so long. It's wide open now and I can't wait to see what's next!!

I'd love to hear what letting go of fear has done for you! Those stories are so inspiring to me and I try to remember others' triumphs when I may be struggling to have one of my own! Thanks for reading! :)

xxoo jaclyn

2:24 PM - 9 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment