tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84265685575155651222024-03-20T17:20:29.491-05:00The House That Jade BuiltGot HealthyAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.comBlogger784125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-54810072602834048832017-05-10T21:24:00.001-05:002017-05-10T21:29:42.550-05:00Introducing Edie Joy Reid<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm 2 months behind in updating ya'll, but we officially have a new daughter!!!! </div>
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Please meet Edie Joy Reid!</div>
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Jade & I started pursing our adoption at the very end of July & quickly had approval to adopt Edie. Then it was truly a paper chase for me to get us to her as fast as I could! It took about 7 months from ground 0 to travel!</div>
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Jade & I left for China March 1st. We arrived in Beijing & spent a day and half touring the city. We absolutely loved our time in Beijing. For two mid-westerners with not much big city experience we did it all! We tackled the subway solo & took several city buses! We ate noodles with the locals, marveled over the great wall & the forbidden city. We soaked up the culture and fell in love with our girls home land. </div>
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Then we hopped on a bullet train to Jinan, the capital city of Edie's province. The bullet train was a totally unique experience as well since we don't have anything to compare it to in America. We arrived in Jinan at night and the entire city was lit up like Las Vegas! It was beautiful and in some ways eery. There were hundreds of massive sky scrapers - completely empty - without a light on inside! It was apparent that this was a quickly growing city, that would be massive in the future! Jinan has 7 million people and I can't imagine how many will be there in a few years - their housing is ready for them!</div>
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Sunday morning we woke up and made our orphanage donation & went to walmart for a stroller. They were bringing Edie to us at 3 PM. It was the longest day ever, very similar to labor. We were so excited and so nervous. We prepped our room a thousand times, and prayed as a couple over the newest child we would be receiving.</div>
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They brought her to us and literally left her with us after 20 minutes. She was the most beautiful gift we have ever been handed, that wasn't ours to begin with. It was a long couple of heart wrenching days as our beautiful girl grieved hard. We knew we could offer her a beautiful life, love, and a family, but giving up everything she has ever known had to be terrifying. She's 3 years old and has only known orphanage walls and her nanny that's been with her since birth. Now she was saying good bye, being held by people that looked funny & spoke another language, and they would take her half way around the world to a place that would never be like her home land. It's overwhelming to imagine doing a change like that as an adult, let alone as a child.</div>
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She was officially adopted March 6th, 2017 in Jinan Shandong. We then drove to Tai'an, where she had lived the past 3 years to file for her passport. The rest of the week we spent touring Jinan and bonding with our daughter. Every single day we would get more glimpses into who this sweet girl was and she would expose more of her heart to us! I can't even begin to put into words what that feels like to watch it unfold! We were head over heels in love with her from moment one, she took time to feel the same about us.</div>
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We absolutely fell in love with her city. It has several natural springs, a giant lake, an amazing food district, ancient homes & alleys, a square full of life with people dancing, singing, and playing "tops". Everything about where she is from was beautiful and we tried to just remember it all so vividly so one day we can share our memories with our girl!</div>
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After spending almost a week in Jinan we caught an in-country flight to southern China to Guangzhou where all families from the US must go to finalize. In Guangzhou we had a medical exam to test for TB and to check her over, then we had a consulate appointment to get her visa so we could come home. It was humbling to see the huge line of Chinese waiting to get appointments at the consulate for a chance to come to America. I'll never forget how I felt that day walking by the line and recognizing the tremendous gift we have to live a life of freedom here!</div>
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We were in Guangzhou an extended amount of time because sometimes her province takes longer to issue passports & we didn't want to have flights to come home, but no passport or visa ready to allow us to travel. So we stayed clear until March 18th and then hopped on the longest leg of our journey yet to home!</div>
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In typical Edie fashion, she traveled like a pro and we finally got home after nearly 26 hours of travel, but also on March 18th. Ironically but yet not ironically because God - we arrived home on my Grandma's birthday - the Grandma that Edie is named after!</div>
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We officially had her in our arms a little over 2 months, and been together as a family almost as long. She has been a true gift to us all and completed our family of 6. Everyone adored her from the moment she met them and she adored them quickly after! I really thought transitioning home would be a struggle and that we may have issues as kids found their new places with 4 vs 3. I was wrong, they all adjusted beautifully and Edie is just like a bio kid to us all. She slid right into the mix. 4 kids is actually not that much harder than 3 - especially when you factor in that she sleeps all night, and feeds herself. </div>
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Life is great and we are so over the moon happy with our newest girl & how her siblings adore her!</div>
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PS - I took 1500 pictures while in china so I'll spare you all the daunting task of looking through all those ;)</div>
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<img src=" http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z468/suit1/new%201/sig_zps1900e1f9.png" />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-65308577640754542672016-08-10T11:29:00.002-05:002016-08-10T11:29:27.642-05:00Why China?<div style="text-align: center;">
I just wrapped up a great book about adoption in China called in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Mine%20In%20China:%20Your%20comprehensive%20guide%20to%20adopting%20from%20China%20https://www.amazon.com/dp/1534666443/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Wx1Qxb25CPJS2" target="_blank">Mine In China</a>. It has been an incredible resource to answer a million questions I had, but also a great eye opener on what we need to be prepared for.</div>
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I've been asked, why China. Why not the US? Why not foster care?</div>
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My most honest answer is, our daughter is in China. When I saw her I knew where she was, and where God directed us to go.</div>
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But I also want to share how Down syndrome is perceived in the US versus other countries. I've been told it takes an average of 3 years to domestically adopt a child with Ds in the states. (This may be longer now?). Ds is wanted here, people will adopt domestically and the list of applications is long. Just recently I saw a post on Facebook to apply to adopt a boy with Ds in the states and within days they had so many applicants they stopped taking any more.</div>
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In China 25% of the children waiting for adoption have Down syndrome. It is estimated way more than 25% actually are waiting because their files haven't even been completed yet.</div>
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Children with DS used to be viewed as "unadoptable" in China. It wasn't until more recently, 2011, that files even started being prepared for these kids. The need is great.</div>
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Every child needs a home. I do believe that. But for our family, we were called to China. Our little girl had no other applicants standing by. She was simply waiting. So that's why China. We are equipped to raise a child with Ds, and God has called us there.</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-41460391820997002902016-08-03T11:47:00.003-05:002016-08-03T11:47:43.199-05:00We are Adopting!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's with great excitement that we get to announce our future daughter!!!</div>
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This has been a long & prayed over journey! My heart has been called for at least 4 years to adopt another child with Down syndrome. The timing has never been right, until my whole family was called!</div>
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And then one day, the most beautiful little girl popped into my newsfeed. I fell in love. Then, I watched a video of her and in that exact moment, I knew where we were going to bring our daughter home! It was undeniable!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra6arjvxQVaEBP6t0_f7Os6TpLvLHOGDXldXYgsuMpaQSzJWUYPQigRAM2IBvVuw49_DmDiDyqGjUVPRwZA8EBoAS24gnx4a-pWy66oGNRugBivcrCOt_lEiM21C7BtD0-wVhYSbGJy0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-07-18+at+9.00.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra6arjvxQVaEBP6t0_f7Os6TpLvLHOGDXldXYgsuMpaQSzJWUYPQigRAM2IBvVuw49_DmDiDyqGjUVPRwZA8EBoAS24gnx4a-pWy66oGNRugBivcrCOt_lEiM21C7BtD0-wVhYSbGJy0/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-07-18+at+9.00.25+PM.png" width="472" /></a></div>
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It's been a roller coaster so far, but one that is so worth it because in a short amount of time, we will be embracing this girl in China & bringing her home to meet her siblings!</div>
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The kids are ecstatic! In true Aubrie form, she bawled, and said she's been praying for this for so long! Everett agreed to sit by his sister in the back seat to make room for her in the car. And Ollie, well who knows what Ollie thinks! But Ollie LOVES babies, so she's going to be over the moon for a sister!</div>
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Baby sister is 2 years old. She also rocks designer genes. We will hopefully have her home within 9-12 months! She'll be 3 by the time we get her (I honestly think she's older than they say).</div>
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So please pray for us! We have a long road ahead! <3 p=""><br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-74278179794916268052016-04-28T14:59:00.000-05:002016-04-28T14:59:27.750-05:00Myth busters - why women need strength training more than cardio!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Cardio won't cut it! Literally! If you are wanting a defined, sculpted, toned body - cardio isn't going to get you there! It's so common that I hear people want to lose fat by doing cardio first. They literally try to run their behinds off, but truth be told they don't get a round & tight booty from running alone or the sculpted arms & Carrie Underwood legs they are really wanting! </div>
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It actually takes strength training to get the natural butt lift you are really looking for! And feel like you need cardio for a healthy heart - trust me leg day with 10-15 heavy weight squats is going to get in some of the most intense cardio you have experienced!!!!</div>
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Here are my fitness pictures from day 1 to day 90. During this time I was only doing cardio workouts for 30-60 minutes, 6x a week. Yes I lost weight, but my after photo still wasn’t the results I wanted to see. I went down in pants sizes & lost some pounds, but I was not toned or cut like I wanted to be. </div>
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Weight training is where it’s at because you will grow your lean muscle mass! Yes ladies that’s a sweet thing! Here is why…the more muscle you have = the more calories your body will burn even while resting. So you get to eat more food! You won’t “get bulky” by lifting weights because women don’t have the testosterone men have to get big! Instead you’ll carve out that figure you are really looking for!</div>
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3. Strength training disconnects success from the scale & places the focus of success on weights or reps going up! So many of my clients & myself included will vary in weight every day. Because of this, most of my clients will get discouraged and “give up” before they ever get started because when the scale doesn’t go down fast enough they determine their new routine isn’t working!!!! However, when we shift the focus on our strength gains & away from the scale, women get empowered. They realize how strong they are & they fall in love with strength training! </div>
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Here is a fun fact for you from a test group study if you still don't believe me!!</div>
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"Overweight subjects were assigned to three groups: diet-only, diet plus aerobics, diet plus aerobics plus weights. The diet group lost 14.6 pounds of fat in 12 weeks. The aerobic group lost only one more pound (15.6 pounds) than the diet group (training was three times a week starting at 30 minutes and progressing to 50 minutes over the 12 weeks).</div>
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The weight training group lost 21.1 pounds of fat (44% and 35% more than diet and aerobic only groups respectively). B<strong>asically, the addition of aerobic training didn’t result in any <em>real world</em> significant fat loss over dieting alone.</strong></div>
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Thirty-six sessions of up to 50 minutes is a lot of work for one additional pound of fat loss. However, the addition of resistance training greatly accelerated fat loss results." <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/01/what-burns-more-calories-cardio-intervals-or-weight-training/" href="https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/01/what-burns-more-calories-cardio-intervals-or-weight-training/" style="color: #07c8da; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nerd Fitness</a></div>
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<a href="https://fitwithannie.leadpages.co/6-beginner-strength-training-moves/" target="_blank">FREE step by step 6 home strength workouts anyone can do!</a></div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-46499045150594025132015-04-22T19:32:00.001-05:002015-04-22T19:32:21.330-05:00A free trip to Cancun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the 11 years we have been married, Jade & I have never taken a beach vacation without kids! </div>
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We went on a cruise for our honeymoon & a cruise for our 10 year anniversary. That's it! We've never sat on a beach and just soaked it in together! Every trip has had kids in tow and generally has been to Disney or Universal theme parking it up and we leave absolutely exhausted even though we have the best time with our kids!</div>
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So this year when I earned a free all inclusive trip to Cancun for two I was absolutely elated! He is the background partner in our business. I'm in the front talking to people, running groups, coaching a team - but he truly is by my side - helping make key decisions and giving me the best advice. I never do any of this alone! So to reward him for all his support was truly priceless!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG0s9fJ63Mo5tg1NNK7Izj5DvvYCpXiguRMRWQ0QJqmPi2A10-qn-WR42mJIpo_V8fxqUWqMLex9TqfaPKmXqGZkXxgI2ctty5JjjNvInbRDPpandy3ybWylaubwns3VJTdTYKm6CBNs/s1600/11012776_10206669067350436_6274871624652332706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG0s9fJ63Mo5tg1NNK7Izj5DvvYCpXiguRMRWQ0QJqmPi2A10-qn-WR42mJIpo_V8fxqUWqMLex9TqfaPKmXqGZkXxgI2ctty5JjjNvInbRDPpandy3ybWylaubwns3VJTdTYKm6CBNs/s1600/11012776_10206669067350436_6274871624652332706_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The view was spectacular, but honestly my date was even better!!! There is something about 5 full days together to soak up the sun and each other that like nothing else!</div>
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Jade & I met & started dating when I was 14 and he was 16. We've truly grown up together and consider one another our best friends! But as everyone knows - with kids and busy lives it's hard to always date each other and to keep the spark alive, but we've worked hard to keep it there! With owning our own businesses - two to be exact - sometimes we get stressed and bogged down - and well there aren't phone calls in Cancun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH11dG61-k2d7v9o1l-GjGfnEC-dnJI0564kUUD-V-4wgFra4hM08P9wVfFnaU0_BqBMqJ_ycphLOX06Lk6WQwXwVTO5gURpPFwWblIKV2ixsrWCzvke-9XI7wZ3DrZMv2KU8-UflgIA/s1600/11146292_10206669064590367_4064642689441013980_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH11dG61-k2d7v9o1l-GjGfnEC-dnJI0564kUUD-V-4wgFra4hM08P9wVfFnaU0_BqBMqJ_ycphLOX06Lk6WQwXwVTO5gURpPFwWblIKV2ixsrWCzvke-9XI7wZ3DrZMv2KU8-UflgIA/s1600/11146292_10206669064590367_4064642689441013980_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This week was one for the books - it was so wonderful to see him relaxing and interacting with our friends - our beachbody team - many of them also earned the trip for free and brought their hubbies along too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKAncI8O3shcmQ_OsZlUYsR6xd27mJrHGipGe6GDjrlHtsFv6oTn-3bDsw-gp0_Y1baCO2xyFMM05maOgq-_p5ua_qF6Gvdxig3kgq-RL9LKvP0jEIUDdFk0u3L-ZJ9qMSHk56jCu8hM/s1600/11174982_10206700053485070_5879246400944714216_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKAncI8O3shcmQ_OsZlUYsR6xd27mJrHGipGe6GDjrlHtsFv6oTn-3bDsw-gp0_Y1baCO2xyFMM05maOgq-_p5ua_qF6Gvdxig3kgq-RL9LKvP0jEIUDdFk0u3L-ZJ9qMSHk56jCu8hM/s1600/11174982_10206700053485070_5879246400944714216_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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On this trip we got to dream cast - to plan out where we want to go and how we want to spend our time & that is a priceless gift!!!</div>
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I see a beach house with a vacation view in our future! It's on the dream board & we will make it a reality!!!</div>
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Thank you Jade for your unwaivering support & belief in me! Without your push we would not be standing where we are today!!!</div>
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If you would love to hear more about how we earned a free vacation & how we regularly earn free trips please email me at anniereidfitness@gmail.com! We are looking for passionate dreamers & doers to join our team - people to become our dear friends and to travel with us while we explore the world!</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-2025036272188033322015-01-06T09:49:00.002-06:002015-01-06T09:49:59.988-06:00My Ectopic Pregnancy<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been putting off writing this for sometime. Trying to gather my thoughts, my emotions, and to understand purpose in hard things. For me this blog is my therapy. I have re-read where I was during my pregnancy with Ollie, during her open heart surgery, and it puts me right back in that spot. Then I see more recent blogs I have created with the joy we live now. So it only is right to share this so I can always remember a piece of our life - an important piece. I write here for mainly for myself.</div>
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The truth is we were finished having babies. I wanted a baby after Ollie, but Jade didn't and we had come to terms with being done and were perfectly happy with the 3 kids we have. But God had different plans for us. I had an IUD (paragaurd) placed in 2011 - I have had it almost 4 years. In November I started having some abnormal and severe cramping, I thought it was my IUD and I told Jade it was time to talk about a vasectomy and get my IUD removed. I personally don't like using synthetic hormones & my IUD had none in it - and honestly it was his turn to take one for the team. He setup a consult appointment to get his vasectomy. </div>
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Literally 2 days later (Thanksgiving day), I started having the pregnancy symptoms - after 3 prior pregnancies I know what it feels like to be pregnant. Jade thought I was crazy, I agreed, but took a test anyway. Then I saw the positive lines. We were blown away! And his face when I told him was sheer excitement for another baby. I couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe it - it truly was a God thing!</div>
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So we scheduled an appointment immediately to get my IUD removed, and prayed like crazy that it wouldn't cause a miscarriage...and it didn't! My hormone levels kept climbing & everything seemed to be on the up & up.</div>
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We planned a big reveal for our family at Aubrie's 9th birthday - we knew they would be shocked because they knew we were "done". We bought the kids a baby doll to open at Aubrie's birthday party with a note about their new sibling coming in August. It was several weeks of excitement & quite honestly amazement in God's miracle work.</div>
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I had some spotting this pregnancy, which was different for me that's never happened before, but with my blood levels continuing to improve my doctor was confident all was fine, but honestly I felt in my heart that it wasn't...so I told my sisters & mom because I kept thinking I was miscarrying.</div>
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I went Christmas shopping with my sisters December 11th & felt great all day. It was so nice to spend a day with them. It was a great day talking about baby #4 and planning what was to come! I was 6 weeks along at this point which is still rather early considering we knew for 2 weeks prior.</div>
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Then on the way home I started to not feel well and it escalated quickly from me not feeling well, to thinking I may throw up, to passed out in a gas station on the floor then puking my guts out...waking up to an ambulance & fire truck. I took an ambulance ride, waited a long time, and found out I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured. We had lost the baby and I had internal bleeding and needed emergency surgery.</div>
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By the time she took me into the OR I could barely breath b/c of the bleeding. I had a laproscopic surgery and one day of recovery in the hospital. I came home with a huge, bloated and painful belly but was back to my old self within 2 weeks.</div>
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Our hearts were broken, but we are recovering at home with 3 kids to hug and kiss daily. But please continue to pray for me. I went from not wanting any more babies, to ecstatic about a baby, to losing the baby, and now I'm in this tough position to decide what's next. I know God has plans and I will understand them all some day, but some days it's hard. But all in all we are recovering and doing well....thank goodness for my husband - he's my rock as always! <3 p=""><div style="text-align: center;">
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-3997165902915549932014-12-10T11:43:00.002-06:002014-12-10T12:00:58.585-06:00Slow Cooker Chicken & Barley Stew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You simply MUST try this stew! It's amazing! I reposted the recipe from my dear friend Valerie Woeste over at her blog <a href="http://healthylifewithvaleriewoeste.com/2014/12/09/chicken-barley-stew-slow-cooker/" target="_blank">Healthy Life</a>. She is the master at clean, healthy, easy, and tasty recipes!! </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INSTRUCTIONS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fill a slow cooker with broth, 8 oz water, garlic, herbs and pepper. Add chicken, peas and barley, then layer onion, potatoes and carrots overtop. Liquid should just cover vegetables. Do not stir.</span></div>
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-77224298426185966442014-11-25T09:10:00.003-06:002014-11-25T09:10:42.484-06:00HUGE Holiday Sale!!!! Get Healthy for Christmas!!!<br />
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-73622731025493218202014-11-18T09:02:00.000-06:002014-11-18T09:02:17.755-06:00Best Crockpot Recipe Ever! Family Favorite!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Even though I stay home with my kids and work at home I still feel that dinner time crunch!!! Planning ahead in the morning for dinner that night always helps our evenings run more smoothly. Here is our family favorite - we eat it almost weekly! Let me know if you like it!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
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TACO SOUP:</div>
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3-4 frozen chicken breasts</div>
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1 can low sodium black beans</div>
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1 can corn</div>
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1 jar salsa</div>
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Optional - diced peppers & onions</div>
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Cumin, chili powder, salt & pepper to taste</div>
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Water - if you add more water it becomes a soup- less water and it becomes a taco filler or use to create a taco salad</div>
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Cook on high 6 hours, shred the chicken, add Greek yogurt, avocado, and low fat cheese if desired!</div>
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-83563430128503027592014-07-01T14:00:00.000-05:002014-07-01T14:03:20.469-05:00Through Ollie's Eyes<br />
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I plead with you to take some time to read through this. It's probably one of the most raw posts I have ever put out there and it needs to be read, it needs to be spread, it needs to CHANGE your heart and hearts around you.</div>
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I want to offer you a view through Ollie's eyes, through my daughter's heart.</div>
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Can you imagine walking into a room and because of the characteristics on your face you are automatically labeled and discounted. Like you are wearing a giant sign around your head that says "Treat me differently!" That people immediately discredit your intelligence, your ability to communicate, your ability to learn. That they don't know how to treat you, what to expect from you, and because of that they lower all expectations because you couldn't possibly be capable of "typical" peer interaction. Can you imagine people being scared of you because you aren't the "same"?</div>
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Can you imagine working twice as hard as your peers to walk? Can you imagine spending endless hours a week in therapy so you can speak more clearly? So you can write your name? So you can cut paper? So you can jump or stand on one foot? Seriously would you be that dedicated to doing everything your peers are doing - would you work that hard?</div>
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Can you imagine what it would feel like to hear someone drop the word retarded right beside you like it was some hilarious joke? A tard - so - so funny right? To have jokes made about you about the "short bus". Mongoloid? Fucktard? To be labeled Downs and referred to as Downs - not your name but she is Downs? Really? Because my daughter is not one of those things but others label her as such. It sounds terrible doesn't it - but I've heard ALL those this week. This one single week.</div>
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Can you even fathom for one tiny second how that would make you feel? Because as her Mom. I feel all of that. It cuts me, it makes me cry, it makes me strong, it makes me mad, then it humbles me to BE THE CHANGE I so desperately want to see in the world.</div>
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When we know better - we do better!</div>
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Ollie Faith is 3. I don't see Down Syndrome in Ollie. I very rarely even remember she has Down Syndrome because she is that much like a typical toddler. I treat her like she's 3, she has the same expectations, same discipline, and she rises to the occasion like every other 3 year old. Ollie is funny, ornery, super stubborn, majorly sweet, and a enriches the life of our family in more ways than I can count.</div>
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But this week she has been devalued in small ways that compound each day. Because each person that drops a derogatory term around me devalues her life. Each person that underestimates her devalues her life. We can do better. She deserves better. I only wish that people saw HER not a diagnosis. That they wanted to know HER & learn about HER not how to treat her differently. That they stopped their friends from using words that were hurtful and replaced those words with respect. Because she deserves it. </div>
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Ollie works so hard to make everyone around her feel loved and important. It's her gift in life, her gift from God to bring and spread joy - but if you are not open to HER - the real her - you will miss all of it.</div>
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Please stop labeling people and making assumptions but ask questions, get educated, be respectful, make friends, and help us change the world for her and all her friends because they deserve better.<br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-69125732489385524432014-05-30T10:03:00.002-05:002014-05-30T10:03:33.174-05:00Lucy Claudette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had to put down our beloved pug this spring. She was having some major health issues and living in pain. It was terribly hard. She became mine when I was 20. I adopted her from an abusive home. She slept with me all through college and was our first baby. She welcomed all our babies home and was the best dog ever for kids!</div>
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We still miss Trudie Claudette!</div>
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I didn't think we'd get another dog, but the kids were certain the Easter Bunny was bringing a puppy. So I searched high and low and found this girl - a Boston Terrier!</div>
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I picked her up and officially became the #bestmomever!!</div>
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Her name is Lucy Claudette. She's 5 months old this next week. I thought I was getting a dog for my kids - truth is I got a dog for myself. I absolutely love this girl! </div>
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She's super sweet, doesn't shed, sleeps in my bed, and spoons me all night! Plus her nose is freckled - I love it! Life is good with Lucy.</div>
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Plus, I get to say "I Love Lucy" all the time - that is worth it right?! Yep I think so!</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-6588658629467942712014-05-29T10:00:00.000-05:002014-05-29T10:00:02.990-05:00Ultimate Reset - 21 Day Vegan Cleanse/Detox<div style="text-align: center;">
So Tuesday the 27th I kicked off the Ultimate Reset for the 3rd time. </div>
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Why? I just have fallen off the wagon too many times to count this winter & spring. I needed to refocus and this gives me just that - 21 days of focused meal plans & recipes to detox & cleanse my body so I can hit my workouts again with more energy & more excitement!</div>
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Day 1</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCBoE5wbH6p2qk7wFoZvjAEoDmO8kwOBoimzaD1tLmFpWXFmdxRdmLCg3Gt7oatWLiDpAAbqfsfYQC1qIz6YCyGqYuT2P1XacMf8uU19NWekSGMEeTga5F0DGTQC9iCIiRaRGhYT1MOA/s1600/image-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCBoE5wbH6p2qk7wFoZvjAEoDmO8kwOBoimzaD1tLmFpWXFmdxRdmLCg3Gt7oatWLiDpAAbqfsfYQC1qIz6YCyGqYuT2P1XacMf8uU19NWekSGMEeTga5F0DGTQC9iCIiRaRGhYT1MOA/s1600/image-13.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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What is it? It's a 21 day whole foods vegan cleanse. It kicks off with some eggs, salmon, chicken, and yogurt but after the first week it's a completely vegan diet. It sounds miserable doesn't it? It's honestly not. I have huge portions - tons of clean food & solid recipes to get me through. The toughest part is mental. That clearing of the children's plates where there are left over goldfish just begging you to eat them. And tossing them in the trash because they aren't on plan. Oye that's always tough!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyvdXY5eX9hQJ6vcpI2t3KeKrfD3Fv9BckwkdhSL_uX6ZdE2k2-st3XLWtTq0ayrvBfEsxK2WHytS5EwBr5OoaBQHXqxqmTpngPg0ZObUMgVeJAN9_s0UC7RLO-YO0xG0psWMl-VPozk/s1600/image-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyvdXY5eX9hQJ6vcpI2t3KeKrfD3Fv9BckwkdhSL_uX6ZdE2k2-st3XLWtTq0ayrvBfEsxK2WHytS5EwBr5OoaBQHXqxqmTpngPg0ZObUMgVeJAN9_s0UC7RLO-YO0xG0psWMl-VPozk/s1600/image-14.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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So what are the benefits? For me I just as a whole feel a lot better. I wake up without an alarm refreshed and ready to hit the ground running without coffee - it's amazing really! I typically lose up to 10 pounds in 3 weeks - everyone loves a little weight loss & lack of belly bloat!</div>
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I'm also fairly certain I have some food intolerances - I feel so amazing after this then I quickly blow it and eat some gluten or dairy. This time I'm going to work hard to pinpoint what foods are triggers for me after this reset so I can continue without them!</div>
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I included all the pictures & stats of my starting point. So far I'm down 3 pounds & getting past the caffeine headache withdrawals - that part stinks! I'm looking forward to feeling amazing & will be sharing some meals/supplements here soon! Stay tuned!</div>
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-61369092971297514252014-05-28T14:45:00.003-05:002014-05-28T14:45:53.391-05:00You Better BELIZE It!<div style="text-align: center;">
So Mother's Day...not to sound like the worst mom ever, but it never goes as planned in our house. Usually it's the one weekend my kids decide to go bat sh*t crazy & fight like mad. I host cookouts and am generally exhausted when the day is done. #truth</div>
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So almost every mother's day I have proclaimed that the next mother's day I'm spending the day all by myself at a spa or mall.</div>
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Oh I'm a hateful Mom, but for real when you spend 24/7 with your kids as a stay at home mama - sometimes you just need to get away! Feel me?</div>
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So this year I did. The day after Mother's day I took a #girlsTrip -(note capitalize the T on that or it takes on a new meaning when using Instagram!) I flew out with my coach, mentor, and dear friend for a week in Belize!</div>
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It was magical! It was refreshing! It was just what I needed to get reinspired in life - to be a better wife, better mom, better friend, better business woman. We all need balance and sometimes balance comes from the outside - by getting away, unplugging, and re-engaging with life!</div>
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In all honesty I wondered what in the heck we would do for a full week to ourselves - how would we entertain ourselves? We with a condo smack dab on the beach in one of the most gorgeous places in the world - there was no time to be bored! We had a stunning view, incredible front porch on the beach, and the nicest resort staff to boot! We laid out, listened to music we can't play around our kids, enjoyed adult beverages, kayaked, paddle boarded, at our fill of chips and salsa & GAUC!!!! </div>
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We took a day trip to Belize City - hopped in a van and took off almost to Honduras to tour a mayan ruin (the history nerd in me was geeking out!!!). Then we went zip lining and cave tubing through Jaguar Creek and saw real LEGIT Jaguar foot prints - creepy cool! Our friend was crazy brave and tasted termites - I opted to jump into a cave river off a rock - I'm not one for legs in my mouth but she proclaimed they tasted like carrots! What?! How?! </div>
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We took in all the glory that Belize had to offer & Facetimed our babies at night.</div>
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It was incredible. I'm incredibly blessed to have a husband that fully supports my business, dreams and aspirations and that says honey - take a week off and I'll handle the house! I came home to a fully cleaned home with all the laundry and dishes done - I have trained him well <3 a="" allows="" amp="" and="" dear="" do="" experience="" fortunate="" friend="" good="" have="" i="" is="" job="" life="" m="" me="" nbsp="" nd="" od="" p="" so="" that="" to="" travel="" with=""><div style="text-align: center;">
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-75113157200288274762014-04-23T16:59:00.001-05:002014-04-23T16:59:44.020-05:00What To Expect If Your Baby Has Down Syndrome<div style="text-align: center;">
There used to be a time when fear consumed me. I let the what ifs take over me. I sobbed on my husbands shoulder. I envisioned my life to never be the same. And my biggest fear - how will I survive if my baby doesn't survive her open heart surgery?</div>
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I would turn it over to God only to pick that burden back up again.</div>
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I put on a mask when I went out in public. I pretended I was coping just fine. I acted as if I wasn't scared but faithful in the Lord.</div>
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And at times I was OK. At times I walked cloaked in faith. But I struggled daily. Sometimes God's plans are really REALLY hard to understand when you are walking in them.</div>
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What I have learned in the last 3 years is what to really expect when having a child with Down Syndrome. Someone once gave me a book about what to expect, I read a few chapters and threw it away. I hated it. Most books and pamphlets are so outdated the material is beyond depressing.</div>
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I have learned to turn toward blogs, follow families living out my fear, and in that I found some peace & friendships I still lean upon today!</div>
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When Ollie was born I learned to expect everything from her. I learned that I couldn't set the bar lower for her than my other children, but instead I had to set that bar just as high. She meets expectations and generally exceeds them - if I give her the opportunity. The only people limiting her is how we treat her! I refuse to limit her.</div>
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I have learned that I have to paint out my expectations for others. Some people still don't see the beauty in a child like ours. It makes them uncomfortable so instead of asking questions they become stand offish BUT if I set the expectation out there & tell them how we feel about our child - their entire mood shifts. And I know it sounds odd and weird but I've done it many times. I would be a rich woman for the amount of times people have told me "They are so sorry." My response has always been, "Why? I'm not." It throws them off every time and sparks rich conversations where I have an opportunity to share the truth I now live.</div>
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I have learned there is beauty in "imperfections". I don't believe Ollie is one bit imperfect but in the eyes of many she is. There is great beauty in all her God given pieces. Her crooked pinky fingers, the light spots in her eyes, the way she smiles, the way she looks so much like her friends that it connects you to a world of people you now love like your own. Her tiny little heart beat that doesn't beat quite as it should but it's healthy - oh that heart beat is precious. The way she smiles with her whole body - I can truly see her smile from the back of her head she wears it so well!</div>
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I have learned that God's plans are always best and in time they always make sense. I have learned that unanswered prayers are often answered - just not as you have requested. I have learned that having a sibling with Down Syndrome doesn't limit your other children but makes them better, more compassionate, more understanding, more open hearted, more open to the world in general. My big kids are incredible in their level of understanding differences and embracing everyone for who they are.</div>
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I have learned that kids & adults can both learn about Ollie. I have learned how to be an advocate. How to be a hard ass and stand my ground when I need to. I have learned to partner with others, and to realize that sometimes complete strangers want to push my daughter to her capacity too! Sometimes strangers become your closest friends and fall in love with your child just on how she works so dang hard to do everything she can do.</div>
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I have learned that when the cards are stacked against you - some how you come out left handed adding another card to the deck - but you can still draw stinking circles - big deal there folks! Left handed circles!</div>
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I have learned that staying inside my shell is no longer possible. That by being vulnerable, being real, sharing our daughter, sharing our story, and shoot sharing her photo on public social media avenues opens up a whole big can of worms of what ifs BUT it does a heck of a lot more good.</div>
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I have learned that one single post teaching that the R word (retarded) is HATE speech can spread like wild fire on social media. Why? Because our daughter was created for a purpose much bigger than me and her ability to breathe joy and life into others is much more than I could ever be capable of by myself. That by sharing her - others are blessed, others are reached, others are educated.</div>
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In 3 years time, I've learned that not every day Down Syndrome is awesome (some medical stuff always sucks) but 99% of the time it rocks our socks & we would never ever dream of life any other way.</div>
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Fear is abolished, God has prevailed! Every day I thank the good Lord for that single extra chromosome that has made all the difference!</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-30072705070188222014-04-15T09:47:00.001-05:002014-04-15T09:47:22.721-05:00An Ode To Trudie<div style="text-align: center;">
12 years sounds like a long time, but in actuality I think 12 years flew by faster than I could keep track of.</div>
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I adopted Trudie Claudette from an abusive home when she was 6 months old. When I got her she was extremely underweight, her collar was so tight her neck had no hair on it when I removed the collar, her back legs were slightly deformed, and she had the most quirky personality. I'm fairly certain she was in her kennel a majority of the time and teased by little kids constantly.</div>
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Trudie Claudette - Mailman Hater, Nap lover, Food Vaccuum, Tiny Friend 2002-2014</div>
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I took her home with me to my apartment at SIUC and we became the best of friends. I had a two hour drive home and she loved sitting on my lap as I drove and she always napped. She was teeny tiny back then.</div>
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When Jade & I got married she moved in and was our first child. I actually drove her to my Mom's house every morning to be babysat - ridiculous much? Maybe a little. She slept in our bed and I spooned her every night!</div>
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She welcomed home all 3 of our babies and allowed them to all lay on her and abuse her in their loving kid ways. She moved from our bed and started sleeping with them - under the blankets of course!</div>
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Yesterday we had to say goodbye to her. She was having some severe pain in her back hips and I just knew it was time. It was incredibly hard and I did the ugly cry at the vets office then in my car before I left the parking lot. Putting your pet down sucks - I know there are worst things in the world but none the less it ranked up there with a pretty bad day in my book of bad days.</div>
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We buried her under a group of big trees in our yard and the kids said their goodbyes. It was a hard shitty day. I took a nap and ate donuts to make myself feel remotely better for a bit - yes even I skip workouts and eat garbage at times - it's my old habits that pop up when I'm emotional.</div>
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The only highlight in the day was when we walked out to bury her and right beside her grave Everett Mason was peeing - boys will be boys?! At least it was a good laugh to get us through her funeral and lay her to rest.</div>
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Today I keep looking for her, trying to feed her and put her outside - life is weird without her - but today we are all doing OK.</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-60177313418044911222014-03-19T17:44:00.004-05:002014-03-19T17:44:45.892-05:00All is Well In Ollie Town<div style="text-align: center;">
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I apologize for a lack of an update but girlfriend saw a hematologist in St. Louis and everything checked out A-OK. We were blessed with an answer - she does NOT have leukemia - praise Jesus! She had a virus of some type that messed up her blood work! She had a routine blood test at her 2 year checkup because leukemia is very common in toddlers with Down Syndrome - they always check it, but fortunately it's not a part of her story.</div>
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So we are thrilled, we celebrated, and continue to celebrate!</div>
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God is GREAT and he blessed us with an incredible girl that continues to bring abundant joy into our hearts! </div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-80906753635933760412014-02-25T13:53:00.000-06:002014-02-25T13:53:15.142-06:00Ollie Update<div style="text-align: center;">
I just got off the phone with STL Children's and feel much better about things.</div>
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We moved her blood work up to yesterday (the 24th). Her numbers were improving but her Dr. wanted to have hematology take a look at it just in case.</div>
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Hematology doesn't feel that her numbers are a huge concern but to be cautious we are going to go in to see them and do some more blood work. </div>
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I'm super thankful to live near a major hospital capable of taking care of my sweet girl & that they are proactive enough to take a second look to be sure all is well!</div>
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Keep praying but things are looking up!!</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-47986486745666572352014-02-21T11:30:00.001-06:002014-02-21T13:34:53.412-06:00Prayers for Ollie<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends, I'm coming to you again for prayer for my sweet girl.</div>
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She had some routine blood work done and the results aren't typical. Jade & I don't want to breathe life into a what it could be situation...we know what her results could be but we know we have no control and we really don't have answers at this point. And worrying about a what if will drive us mad. We have walked this line before with accepting Down Syndrome and handing her over for Open Heart Surgery. We know all we can do is submit it to God and let HIM rule in our home.</div>
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So we ask you please storm heaven in her name. Share her with your friends, families, and prayer chains that on March 11th when we revisit labs for bloodworm that all is A OK and that she is healthy and strong.</div>
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*****The doctor has changed her opinion and we will redo her blood work Monday February 24th and if it's still off we will see a hematologist in STL Children's within the week. I'm counting on an awesome follow up and no appointment in STL.*******</div>
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~Jade & Annie</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-2551749541304207592014-01-17T13:01:00.001-06:002014-01-17T13:01:51.255-06:00Healthy Living With Kids & A Spouse<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the most common questions I get as a Mom on a health journey and now teaching others about health and fitness one of the most common questions I run into is, but what do I feed my kids? I don't want to cook two meals. What about my husband he isn't on board?</div>
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And here is my response, and it may sound harsh, but don't cook two meals. They eat what you eat - period.</div>
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My take on this has always been, if you don't like what I'm cooking - cook your own dinner - totally applies to my husband as well and trust me once he was offered that option he stopped complaining because at least there was dinner on the table right?</div>
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Right.</div>
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So what have we changed? Clean eating doesn't mean the end of the world, it doesn't mean you need to find 30 new recipes to make dinner totally new and exciting every single night. Chances are most of you are eating the same foods week to week anyways and there are ways to clean them up and make them healthy.</div>
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We still eat pizza - gasp - oh the horror! We totally do. I often make our own dough with whole wheat flour or sometimes I buy pre-made crusts that are whole grain. I use tomato sauce as my sauce with some italian spices and top it with chicken and veggies and low fat mozzarella cheese. We love it - I eat my portion size & I'm happy and done. The old me would have ordered pizza out and stuffed myself until I had to unbutton my pants then I'd eat more in the night or the next morning for breakfast - true story.</div>
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We still have burgers - gasp again! But now instead of ground beef (my Dad will hate me for this since we raise cattle) - we use ground turkey and I mash up black beans, corn, and organic corn tortilla chips into the ground turkey with some cumin & chili powder and then I make patties. Top it with some avocado - hot diggity it's good guys - seriously real good! Also fast!</div>
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So that's just a few examples of how we eat now versus how we used to eat. Eating clean can be fast, it can be flavorful, it can be EASY if you don't over complicate it. Look at what you like to eat and ask yourself can I remove or replace ingredients that aren't the best options? Most of the time the answer is yes and by taking those small baby steps over the course of 6 months to a year you will overhaul the eating habits of your entire family, shed some weight, and definitely feel better because you have eliminated a majority of processed foods if not all processed foods from your diet.</div>
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And as far as exercise goes do it. If you have to pause because your kids are coming in and out of the room - so what! At least you are doing it right? If your baby wakes up - do squats or lunges while holding your kid. Do chest presses with your kid - they will love it and it keeps you active. Be an example to your kids - let them workout with you even if it's a bit cray! Show them how fun fitness can be!</div>
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When a hubby won't work out, won't get on board - don't push him. Let it happen at his pace. Don't argue over it because it just makes him not want to join you. Be the example to him, change yourself and he will come around. It took Jade two years to join me and now he's a different man & we workout together. I was worried about his health & high cholesterol, but it had to take him wanting to change for himself before he was ready to join me. Just imagine if your hubby harped on you to get healthy it would make you mad - same goes the other way. Be supportive, be encouraging, love your husband, and the day will arrive :)</div>
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If you want some meal ideas of what we do as a family check out my <a href="http://housethatjadebuilt.blogspot.com/2012/12/eating-clean-guide.html" target="_blank">eating clean guide</a>.</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-57734011927414785132014-01-08T10:58:00.000-06:002014-01-08T10:58:23.502-06:00A Journey To A New Me<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of you have followed me for several years. You knew me when I just had Aubrie and Everett and decorating was my passion. You saw that shift big time in 2010 and you prayed for my pregnancy and you really prayed for me as I handed Ollie over for open heart surgery. You have loved on my family immensely and I'm ever grateful for you!</div>
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You have also watched me dive into fitness after Ollie was completely healed from her surgery.</div>
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Things you may not have known were some of our larger struggles that I was far to embarrassed to write about at the time, but perhaps you suspected anyway. I had a pride issue and was far to proud to admit we needed help at the time. I was completely unpaid on my maternity leave and our income was cut in half - we live in a new home we had built & I had a relatively new car - it was bad. I had a very very gracious employer who kept me on health insurance through Ollie's surgery and never allowed me to reimburse them for my premiums - my company and bosses were amazing! But aside from that we really struggled. My best friend put together a baby shower where we were given gas & visa gift cards. With our hospital 2 hours away we drove a lot and Ollie saw doctors weekly if not more than once a week. We had hotel stays, food on the road, and co pays of roughly $400 or more a month by the time we would see all Ollie's doctors. </div>
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On top of a baby in heart failure, fear of bills is a lot to handle. It was kind of to the point where you really don't care about money too. You say eff it right? Or I did.</div>
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We were forced onto public aid, social security disability to be exact. Jade & I felt almost as if we were pimping out Ollie's diagnosis to get a check to help us survive. I know that isn't true, but when you have worked so hard for everything you have and it crumbles so quickly and you are forced to do the necessary it's just a kick in the gut - I don't know how to compare it to anything else unless you have been there yourself.</div>
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Ollie got better. We started seeing less doctors. I started sewing & making jewelry - anything to help us make $20 at a time so we could get more groceries. We just couldn't get ahead and didn't know how. I knew I needed to be a stay at home Mom. Ollie needed home therapy and I didn't want to hear about her progress or delays second hand. I knew I needed to be home. So I officially quit my job, my good job, gave up our insurance, and we went on medicaid. Yep it was worse than before.</div>
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But an opportunity opened up for me August 2010. Through my personal fitness journey I became a coach. I was hoping to find my way out of the body I had created through stress and anxiety. I was trying to find something each day to do that was mine, that would make me confident in my own skin again. And I did find it. But I never expected to find an opportunity to make more than $20 at a time. However, I found it. My coach led me into growing a business. A business that in 3 months time helped us get off of social security disability. A business that planted the seed of a dream in my heart again that I COULD have more. That would could take care of our family without state aid. That dream made me dive all in with a passion of helping other people because you see, by helping other people that is where my personal success was found. You can't be successful if you don't make a positive imprint on the lives of others.</div>
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My first full year of coaching in 2012 I earned $20,000 - half of my old income - but I had generated it in a few hours a week working from home - helping people and helping myself. I was confident. I had friends that supported me and loved me and understood my trials because they had been there themselves. </div>
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This past year has been a whirlwind. I really committed to helping a lot more people and helping my friends, that became coaches alongside me to find success. I had the ability to share my story on stage in Vegas in front of 7,500 people. And it was more than my story it was an opportunity to tell the world my child has Down Syndrome and is a rock star. The crowd cheered! It was a huge shift from two years ago when I'd say my daughter has Down Syndrome & people responded I'm so sorry. To advocate for her on that grand of a scale was truly God given. I have ended up ending 2013 as a 5 star diamond, Elite coach which I know means nothing to you but it's a big accomplishment for me. I also ended ranked 85 out of a company of 150,000 coaches in less than 2 1/2 years. I have done it by sharing my families story, changing our health, and helping others.</div>
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It's truly all given to me by God but it blows me away every day that I'm on my way to a 6 figure income, at home, at a desk in my living room, with 3 kids around me on a snow day, all by changing lives and loving on others!</div>
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Thank you all for your prayers and support - I know I don't blog enough and I'm working on changing that in 2014 but I wanted to share with you what our last 3 years b/c girlfriend is almost 3 - what's been going on!!</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-45929386094443536622013-11-19T15:25:00.005-06:002013-11-19T15:25:49.012-06:00#IBet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I posted this on Facebook, but really felt the need to blog this too. I know i'm rarely present on this blog & need to be better about this but I advocate a lot on FB. I feel someone needs to see this today...feel free to share my #IBet story...</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />Recently one of my friends shared the most inspiring story I have ever read - she is a "single" military wife (while her husband was deployed a year - he is home now! ) with 2 small children living in Japan & she has officially built an income by helping others that allows her to retire her spouse so he can be home and present in their lives. A man on a plane tried to belittle her for being away <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">from her children for work, and her response was priceless & had him in tears - and me too! She in turn challenged us to write our own stories so here is mine...<br /><br /><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ibet" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#Ibet</a> if you were pregnant and received a Down Syndrome diagnosis & open heart surgery diagnosis that you would still celebrate the child that God was giving you. That you would understand that unanswered prayers are always the best! That you would see that she is beautiful, smart, funny, and perfectly made.<br /><br />#Ibet if you received this diagnosis that you would NEVER call someone or something "retarded" again. That it would pierce your heart every time you heard it and you would regret every time it had been uttered from your mouth in the past.<br /><br />#Ibet that after you handed your tiny baby over to a team of surgeons praying for God to hold her hands so she wouldn't be scared, that they could repair that broken heart so you could take her home again, and that her pain could be managed because it tore your heart to hear - that you would never take for granted every day of life. That you wouldn't fret & moan over the minor details that hold you back from life but that you would celebrate the small things like they were big things and you would turn it all over to HIM.<br /><br />#Ibet that the fear you once had about how your new baby would impact her siblings would turn into great thankfulness. Thankfulness that they have a sibling that is special! She makes them better because she teaches them patience, kindness, and complete and total acceptance. That you will know they are better because they have each other.<br /><br />#Ibet she would constantly blow your socks off - that you'd witness her walking, talking, potty training, and all of it would bring tears to your eyes because you've been given papers & books that said she wouldn't, couldn't, or would NEVER do this that or the other...until she was way older or possibly never - and you'd fist pump the air every time because she is just that awesome & because she's breaking the molds!<br /><br />#Ibet you'd talk about her a lot because people NEED to learn from her. That adults need education MORE than the kids! That you'd have a constant fear that it wouldn't be kids that view her as less than - but actual adults that breed that into their children...so you would share her beauty, smile, and daily glow to teach them that what information was handed to them was wrong so they can learn and teach their children better. It starts with adults - not kids.<br /><br />#Ibet you would push for inclusion, high school, college - because you know she's capable of anything! You wouldn't EVER limit her!<br /><br />#Ibet your life would be bigger, richer, and better because you learned what a life with Down Syndrome meant. That you would embrace it. That she would be JUST like your other kids. You would treat her the same, respect her the same, set the same expectations, and she would rise to the occasion every time. That you would forget Down Syndrome in your daily life but thank God daily for her and the lessons you have learned.<br /><br />#Ibet Down Syndrome would bless your life too.</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="userContentSecondary fcg" style="color: #89919c;"> </span></span><br />
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*these photos are my property*</div>
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-59483944134653995272013-09-04T14:14:00.000-05:002013-09-04T14:14:00.661-05:00Filthy Kids<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently my sister, Maggie, caught her two little girls glue-handed. They had applied glue stick to their lips like chapstick, their arms, legs, and the entire tv as well. Their palms were nearly glued together.</div>
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My nieces: Penelope (2), Caroline (4)</div>
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I was in hysterics picturing her walking into them covered in purple, dries clear glue! And thinking paybacks are a B. Which is funny because she lived with me while Everett was a full-blown hellyun & I'm sure she thought thank God my kids aren't like him - haha now she knows Penelope is him in a shrunken girl version!</div>
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But what was funnier was the Facebook conversation that ensued - the be thankful your kids never...</div>
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left a half eaten chicken leg behind your tv cabinet...</div>
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spray painted your brand new navy work truck with yellow spray paint...</div>
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Can you guess which one of the above was Everett????</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-30846526378456363882013-09-03T11:17:00.001-05:002013-09-03T14:10:17.976-05:00Annie's Diet Bet<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey friends - want to put some skin in the game & add extra incentive to your weight loss goals????? </div>
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Check out the link below & join in a DIET BET with ME- if you lose 4% of your weight in 28 days you split the pot of CASH with anyone else that hits that goal - you invest $35 to join but may get much much more in the cash pot! I know many of us wouldn't mind to drop some weight & to win some cash in the end sounds like a pretty sweet deal too! </div>
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Now here is my warning I want you to do it the good old fashioned way - hard work - exercise + nutrition! It's about getting healthy & getting rewarded - NO starvation tactics or you will gain it all back and possibly then some! Go check it out - it's all online & we can do this as a team!! We start September 23 - October 20th!</div>
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If you want my help & guidance email me anniereidfitness@gmail.com & we can design a plan that WILL WORK for you! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Click <a href="http://diet.bt/17BQwNE" target="_blank">HERE</a> to join!!</span></div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-59927327407229596972013-08-29T10:58:00.001-05:002013-08-29T10:58:08.798-05:00Back To School<div style="text-align: center;">
Well they are back at it! </div>
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Aubrie went to 2nd grade. Here is what I've basically gotten out of her since she started..."Mom everyone knows it's impossible to make new friends in 2nd grade." Really? I did not know this. But apparently it is so. She's already requesting a cell phone and Ipad Touch - apparently some other 7 year olds have them already. Seriously people - my mind is blown. Not gonna happen Aubrie, not gonna happen! She's again a top notch student that is brown nosing her teacher daily - it's how she rolls and she's quite good at it!</div>
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Everett is repeating Kindergarten. Why? Because he just turned 6 August 16th. There are many reasons, but last year he was one of the smallest, he struggled with maturity, attention span, and impulses. I feel like he really, really grew up and changed so much since March to now. So this year he's going in as the big dog. If I say he's one of the biggest he gets mad - he IS NOT the biggest, he's just bigger than some of the kids. His teacher sent a note and said she already cried this year over his progress & that he is her go to guy! Yep I'd say repeating kindergarten is most likely the best move ever for our little dude. When I ask him about his day - he remembers nothing - literally nothing other than it was good & he liked lunch and recess. </div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426568557515565122.post-78722749049088252352013-08-16T08:38:00.000-05:002013-08-16T08:38:20.647-05:00Six Years Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's hard to believe how fast your babies grow up, but they do!</div>
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<br />He started off chubby at a whopping 8 lbs 11 oz with dark black hair that laid so nice!</div>
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Within a year we knew his personality. He was sweet, slept all night, never cried, and loved his big sister!</div>
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By 2 his true colors were coming out, he was a walking tornado always into something and taking things to a new level beyond what his bigger sister had thought up! He was a walking concussion that always shook it off - I to this day don't know how!</div>
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At 3 he was just full of personality and most definitely my favorite little boy ever!</div>
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At 4 we saw him as an older brother that would do anything for his new baby sister - they are also the best of friends. He is the most love able little boy I know - kisses and hugs have always been his thing!</div>
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At 5 he constantly made us laugh with his crazy antics - he loves the DS & his Wii and loves to make friends everywhere he goes. It's true take him to the park and I guarantee you some 15 year old girl knows who he is and acts like they are BFFs - I'm not quite sure how he does it - but he does! He also hugged everyone and kissed them goodbye - he even tried to get the mail man! Ha!</div>
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Going into 6 is exciting! I'm a little sad that he's so big, but yesterday he wasn't too big to still hold my hand! It's an exciting year for him - we are doing Kindergarten again since his birthday is so late & he's really matured since this spring! He's sweet, funny, kind - he'd do anything for anyone, he always shares, and he always smiles! I'm very blessed to be his Mom and proud to call him mine! He's definitely a light in our lives!</div>
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Happy Birthday Everett Mason - don't wear out your Wii today with all your new games!</div>
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<img src=" http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z468/suit1/new%201/sig_zps1900e1f9.png" />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10422211235427449216noreply@blogger.com1