Sunday, January 29, 2012

Wakeup call

I have a little "old" man that lives in my house.

He wakes up with the sun daily at 5:30 - 6:00 without fail.

No matter how late he stays up, he's always up with the roosters.


What's he doing you ask?

Oh that's right, taking a big ole deuce and screaming throughout the sleeping house "I'm done!  I.AM.DONE!"

Somedays being a Mom is a stinky job - literally!  Ha!


Saturday, January 28, 2012

How I wish...

that I could bottle up this smile


and sprinkle it around the world


so others could feel the joy that she brings to our family!

Love.this.girl!!


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Do It For Yourself

OK if you are a Mom like me, I highly doubt you take much time doing anything for yourself, and when you do you have that creeping Mom guilt.

You know - you go out to dinner with a friend and feel guilty the entire time that you aren't doing something with your kids.  We all do it.  

Well what are you doing for yourself lately?  I mean seriously are you investing into you?  Because it makes us better moms, wives, friends, women if we take time for ourselves.

People ask me all the time how I have the energy and time to exercise.  It's honestly the one thing I do for myself every day.  Being a stay at home Mom sounds like I have all the time in the world - wrongo!  Have you ever watched 3 kids during the day that are 6 and under and add to that two kiddos in the basement that are running around some days too?  The house is a perpetual tornado.  I do laundry & cleaning constantly.  I'm changing diapers, wiping butts, making food, cleaning up food, rocking babies, stopping fights, helping them with their crafts or games.  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE it!  It's the perfect job for me, but free time - yeah right.  I can't even pee without someone watching me!

So I exercise every day, just for ME.  Not for Jade, not for the kids, for ME.  I put on a movie for the bigs, Ollie plays in her exersaucer & I sweat it out.  Yes, I get interrupted, but at least I get it done.  I feel unbelievably better, I have more energy, I'm proud of myself, I'm comfortable in my own skin, I burn off frustration, I'm happier.  The list goes on and on the benefits I am having.  Plus, I'm healthy for once.  I'm no longer overweight.  My knees don't ache, my back doesn't ache, I'm not exhausted after I just wake up.  

So yeah maybe time is short for you, but how are you spending your time?  Do you blow 30 minutes on Facebook, on blogs, an hour watching Grey's anatomy or your favorite shows?  I'm betting yes because I did.  So I urge you to take time for yourself today.  If you need a push - contact me!  I would LOVE to help!!  I'm a FREE Beachbody fitness coach because it changed my life & I LOVE to help others take control of their health too!  It may take a small investment, but aren't you worth it really??




This WAS me!  Size 14 - now I'm a size 6 - BOOM!  Gotta love me some Beachbody baby!!  And if I can do it, so can you - ANYONE can do this!  Beachbody offers so many programs from beginners to advanced & I can help you find the right one for you.  So reach out to me and join one of my small fitness groups to gain support!  Where else do you have a team of friends pushing you toward your goals and cheering you on?  Nowhere else but Team Beachbody! 

Nutrition + Support + Fitness = SUCCESS!!

housethatjadebuilt@gmail.com




Saturday, January 21, 2012

What I wish I knew...

When I was pregnant with Ollie I was scared.  I didn't know what this "new" Mom life would be.

Here is what I wish I knew before she arrived...


How beautiful she would be, she's truly gorgeous!

That her giggle would still be as sweet to my ears as Aubrie and Everett's.

Love doesn't count chromosomes.

She would bless me in ways I never would have comprehended before.

She would build my relationship with Jesus.

That she's a baby, not a diagnosis - I forget she has Down Syndrome.

That from the moment I first saw her, that I would be overwhelmingly happy & in love with her and that extra chromosome.

That I'd look back at open heart surgery & view it as a blessing not a curse.

That I would love her tiny little hands so very much.

That being her Mom is easy.

That people sometimes stare, but it is because they need me and her to educate them.  We make a good team.

She would enrich the lives of her older brother & sister, not burden them in anyway.  They adore her!

I would learn patience, and would slow down to celebrate every.single.milestone.  Her newest is clapping - I cried...I couldn't even tell you when Aubrie & Everett clapped - isn't that sad!

That she would nurse so well and exclusively that weaning her would freak me out...but I have to do it soon!

I knew as a mother I would always fight for what is right for my children, I'm learning that fighting for her will be at a whole new level, and I'm ready for it.

That the book that listed every single medical condition she would have, was mostly wrong, but in some parts right.  It used to scare me, now I know her better than anyone and know more than her doctors in most cases.  

That the Down Syndrome clinic in St. Louis is a must - we had thought it wasn't a need when I was pregnant  - now we are SO grateful for it!

That most people think they know all about Down Syndrome and about 99% of those people know diddly squat.

She would take my strong marriage to a brand new level - she made Jade & I even better than before!

That I would be able to juggle all her medical and therapists appointments with no problem and be sure I'm around for the bigs too.

That she would be another piece of my heart broken off, walking around outside of my body.  I love you so very much tiny.

I could go on and on and on.  The truth is, I was scared for no reason.  She's a child of God.  She's a gift from HIM.  She's a beauty and I am blessed time and time again to be her mama.



For anyone that stumbles upon my blog & that has a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome or a heart defect.  Please feel free to email me at housethatjadebuilt@gmail.com  I would love to hear from you and help in anyway that I can.  When I was pregnant, my greatest resource could not be found in any book, but in the lives of kiddos just like Ollie Faith.  Their lives and photos shared with me on blogs built me up and strengthened my heart.  Their Mamas poured their hearts into mine and for that I am forever grateful - it is now my job to pay it forward.



Friday, January 20, 2012

One More Day of Play

When we bought our tickets it was buy one day get the 2nd free at SeaWorld...so rightfully so we took advantage.

We saw some things we didn't get to see the first day.


The kids are always in love with the dolphin tank!


Teeny tiny is always in love with her chicken.


It was a nice paced day.


We are all sad. 


Tomorrow morning the kids get to swim then we are packing up and heading back to reality.


We have some loved ones at home that we want to kiss on, but man we wish we could stay another week!


These kids & my husband are just far too much fun for one week of vacation!!


Until we meet again - Florida we love ya!


Chef Mickey's & Downtown Disney

Yesterday started off with a giant hitch.  At 4:30 Miss O woke up having trouble breathing with croup.  We fought the good fight at the condo - steamy bathroom, cool night air over and over until it was under control.  Our pediatrician is the bomb diggity & called in a steriod prescription for her so she's on meds and now you can't even tell she's sick.  During the day it's remarkable how much better she is!

We had a mid-morning brunch appointment with Chef Mickey.

It was awesome!!



All of the characters came through and hugged on the kids.  It was fantastic!




The kids were ecstatic!








Ollie was less than enthused, but participated.

Then a celebration song came on and we were to swing our napkins around like helicopters.  Reminding me of a song I used to dig in college...



Then we went to Downtown Disney.  The lego stuff was amazing!!


Woody and this dragon were all made of legos!




The rest of the day we spent at home - the bigs and Jade hit the pool and me and Ollie hung out in the condo.

Gotta go we're off to SeaWorld again!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Animal Kingdom Antics

Today we hit up Animal Kingdom.

It was a great time!




I took the kids on the ride Dinosaur right off the bat - they both declared they did not like it and would not ride it again.  It was too scary!  Ha!




Everett refused to be in most pictures so enjoy the Aubrie show!




He was mad that we wouldn't pay for him to play all the carnival games so we let him "play" - he thought it was fun for some reason.

Aubrie also took the crazy roller coaster ride up the mountain behind them - it was crazy fun!  She also did not like it.



They couldn't resist the drums!




The bird show was a huge hit!



Jade & I brought in our own Great Horned Owl - she was cuter than their owl.


Then it started to rain and they canceled the parade - boo!




But we made the most of it and went to the Lion King show & Everett & Aubrie were asked to participate. Aubrie was too shy and said no - Everett was all in!





We wrapped up the day at the Rainforest Cafe - Everett's posing kills me!


Tiny was worn out from a long day & slept all through dinner.



Mega drink - yes I think so!


Jade & I are looking forward to an "easy" day tomorrow!  Breakfast with Mickey & Minnie and some Downtown Disney!



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