tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431143098288167042024-02-01T23:17:46.221-05:00Diary of a Sassy StepmomSassy mom/stepmom of 5 navigates life with his, mine and ours.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-44206708865776731432016-04-14T12:11:00.002-04:002016-04-14T12:37:32.913-04:00My Battle with EndoIt's been a hot minute since I sat down to blog. Life has been crazy as usual with all these kiddos and I've been having some health issues that have been interfering with things a bit.<br />
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In an effort to raise awareness, I have been very vocal on my Facebook & Instagram about my battle with endometriosis and adenomyosis, and the effects it has on my daily living. I may have had it for years, but it started rearing it's ugly head about 7 years ago when Jay and I first bought our house together. I was under a lot of stress from moving & planning a wedding, so originally we thought it was a GI issue. I went to a gastro doctor and was diagnosed with IBS. I changed my diet and it was better, but never 100%. It wasn't too long after our wedding that I got pregnant with M, and I was totally fine during my pregnancy (except for the excruciating hip pain, carpel tunnel & insomnia!) & while nursing. As soon as I stopped pumping and my period returned, I was right back to square one. It took quite some time, and I had to do a lot of advocating for myself before I got my official diagnosis. <br />
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My mother had terrible cystic ovaries (I was conceived with only 1 ovary) and endometriosis. She had multiple D&C's and ended up having a hysterectomy at 45. I couldn't know for sure, but I just had this feeling that my issues were not stomach related. I am like my mother in so many ways and I just had this sinking suspicion that I had the same condition. After a few more trips to the gastro and more testing, he suggested I consult my gynecologist. I took his advice and for <b><i>months</i></b> we tried multiple types of birth control to ease the pain and control my cycle. Nothing worked and they all distorted my mood terribly. After pleading with my doctor for months, I finally convinced her to do an exploratory laporascopy in 2013. My fears were confirmed with the diagnosis of endometriosis. She excised whatever she saw at that time and put me on a regimen of new birth control after my surgery. Again I had the same problem, we could not find a pill that worked. She suggested <a href="https://impactethics.ca/2014/05/02/hidden-clinical-trial-data-about-lupron/" target="_blank">Lupron</a>, but after researching it, I decided the risks did not outweigh the benefits. In June of 2014 I underwent an endometrial ablation with the hopes that if my period stopped the pain may stop with it. I was told my doctor had a 97% success rate of stopping menses with this procedure. <b><i>Of course I fell into the other 3%!</i></b> It did drastically improve the duration and severity, so I found relief for about 8 months afterward. In the beginning of 2015 the pain returned, and has been getting consistently worse ever since. The sheer exhaustion is unlike anything I have experienced before. I still continue to do my best to function for my family, but it has become increasingly more difficult as time has gone on. In the fall of 2015, after months of complaining to my gynecologist about the severity of the pain, she sent me for an MRI to determine whether or not I had adenomyosis as well. I cried when I received the news that I did in fact have the adenomyosis. There is no cure for either, but the best chance for relief for the adenomyosis is removal of the uterus. It's still not a guarantee however, because leaving the ovaries behind means hormones still in the system, which means any edo adhesion left behind could continue to swell, become inflamed and cause chronic pain. I truly felt as though I was at an impasse. I had hoped to put off a hysterectomy until my 40's, as I am petrified of suffering the same fate as my mother. I was scared about how a major surgery like this would impact my family, my weight and fitness level, as well as our sex life. How will I take care of my kids if I need to be off my feet for 6 weeks? So many questions and doubts, so I continued to put the idea on the back burner and finally agreed to try prescription pain meds instead. I refused to take anything controlled, so 800 mg Ibuprofen & 500 mg Naproxen were my only options. They helped at first, but then not so much after taking them for a while... Last month the pain was so severe that I ended up in the emergency room. I spent the entire day there, and the only relief came from morphine. They sent me home with Ibuprofen with Oxy, and I knew in that moment that I had to make a decision.<br />
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I refuse to let this disease rule my life. I will not be forced to live on painkillers just to make it through the day. Not to mention the fact that I have teenagers, so I do not even want that garbage in my house. I have 5 beautiful children who depend on me, and I<b><i> </i>CANNOT</b> be kept down. I had a follow up with my gynecologist the next day and we decided it was time to do the hysterectomy. It is not a cure, by any means, but for now I feel like it is my best shot. She will remove my uterus and fallopian tubes, and excise any adhesion she sees while she's in there. My ovaries and cervix will remain for now so I will not have to worry about menopause at the moment, or worry that my bladder is going to fall out of my who-ha. <i><b>Isnt' that a relief?!?!</b></i><br />
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It was an emotional decision for me. Even though Jay and I decided we were done having children right after M was born, there is something much more final about having the organ that carries them removed as opposed to just having some tubes snipped. <b><i>Not to mention the fact that this time it's me & not him!</i></b> It makes me feel old, and I am still scared of ending up like my mom... but I try to remind myself that I take much better care of my body than she ever did. I am thinking ahead to the possibility of having this pain in my abdomen not be the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep at night. I am looking forward to making it through the day without my eyes closing at my desk at 3 pm, to not having to go home and stick the kids in front of the TV because I literally cannot keep them open one more second. I am looking forward to no longer having days were I literally cannot get out of bed and function at all. I have wasted so many days, lost so many opportunities to be enjoying time with my kids, lost wages & wasted so many hours of my life at doctor's visits, not to mention money on co-pays and medications. It has literally consumed every part of my life for the last few years. So, to me it's worth the risk of it not being a complete cure. If I can have any relief, if it will restore my ability to function as a normal human being at all, it will be so worth it to me. I can't spend every single afternoon of my life laying on the couch.<br />
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I've decided to document the process since I will be home from work for a while. Writing always helps me process my emotions, so I thought blogging this experience may do me some good, and may hopefully help some other women dealing with similar experiences.<br />
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Over the next week I am going to be eating as healthy as I can and banging out my work outs. I am hitting the abs hard, twice a day, to try to make them as tight as possible before hand with the hope that it will aid them in the healing process. I am sad to be missing out on the beginning of the race season this year, but hoping I will be able to be back at it by summer. I already missed one race due to fatigue, and I will have to forgo a 10K I was planning to run with a friend next month, which is a big fat bummer. In July Jay and I will be going to Vegas to celebrate his 40th birthday because his parents are awesome & we will be celebrating our anniversary as well while we are there. My goal is to get myself back to pre-surgery activity levels by the time we leave. I'm not sure if this is a lofty or ambitious goal, but I always like to set the bar high for myself, <i><b>so why not?!?!</b></i><br />
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Today I go for my pre-surgical testing, and the surgery is set for next Thursday. My plan is to blog a little with each step. My hope is to help others prepare and maybe cut down on some anxiety - for myself & hopefully other women in the same boat as well.<br />
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Wish me luck!!! <br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-8180467741065672892015-03-18T15:19:00.000-04:002015-03-18T21:37:11.173-04:00Mommy's right here, sweet girl....<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As far as parenting goes, last night was a rough one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">R was having a total meltdown over a game he bought for his ipod that kept crashing, and M was adamant that she was not taking a bath. By the time I got both kiddos to bed I was exhausted, physically and mentally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I swear I went out as soon as my head hit the pillow. I have no idea how long I was asleep when I thought I heard M's little voice...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now I know all you mom's out there have lived this scenario.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Something startles you awake, but you're not quite sure what it was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You think you hear your child, but your not 100% sure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It can't be, <i>right</i>? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tonight was supposed to be the night no one wakes up and you get 7 whole hours of solid sleep! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You lay there, and have the following conversation with yourself:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"You<b> </b><i><b>must</b> </i>be hearing things. She's not awake. She <b>CANNOT</b> be awake. Maybe if I ignore her, she'll stop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wait........................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh,<b> CRAP!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe if I ignore her, hubby will get her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh wait, he's not home.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">DOUBLE CRAP!!!! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">WHY??? WHY GOD??? WHY??? </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why can I not get <b>ONE LOUSY NIGHT</b> of sleep????</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">FINE! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">YOU WIN!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'm getting up!</i>"</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You know this has happened to you!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just as I'm about to drag myself out of bed, I hear Jay's soothing daddy voice, and I think to myself "<b>Thank you, sweet Jesus!</b> <b><i>He's home and I don't have to get up now</i>!!!</b>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> :::singing this and dancing joyfully in my head:::</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Except after a few minutes, I hear her again, only this time she's calling for me... "Momma, Momma, I want <b>MOMMA</b>!!!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know I'm terrible, but I have to get up<u> <i>so</i> freaking early</u> for work, that I really tried to ignore her again. "Let him handle it" I thought to myself, until I heard her again, only louder. This time she sounded like she was in pain, and the panic set in. So I dragged myself out of bed and went running across the hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I leaned over her tiny body in her little "big girl" bed, she reached out her hand and placed it on my cheek. The next thing I know she's wrapping herself around me and sobbing, "momma, momma". We're still not 100% sure exactly what happened. We know she had a <b><i>bad</i></b> dream. We know that in this dream, something <b><i>bad</i></b> happened to<b><i> me</i></b>. She wouldn't, or couldn't, tell us exactly what it was. She just kept crying and clutching me, squeezing me up. All I know is that it took forever to calm her down, and that girl held on to me <b>so tightly</b>... it made my heart ache.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In that moment, as I was laying there with my head on M's tiny chest, as she squeezed me tight and caressed my hair, it suddenly reminded me of the day my mom told me she had cancer. In that moment, I remembered it so clearly. Laying on my bed, curled up in the fetal position, sobbing with my head on mom's lap. "I don't want you to die" I said. "I don't want to die either" she replied. "Please don't leave me" I begged her. She promised me, "I'll do everything I can to stay".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In that instant, laying there with M, I couldn't help but cry. The memory of the fear I felt at that time was so real and so raw, and the thought of my baby girl feeling that way about me, it just broke my heart. The thought of her feeling that kind of pain, it ripped me right at my core.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She did eventually calm down, about 45 min later. Luckily for me, she let me go back to sleep after about 20 min... and her daddy stayed the rest of the time until she fell asleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As prepared as you think you are as a parent, sometimes even the most common of occurrences can catch you off guard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There are so many facets to parenthood, so many emotions you feel that you could never even fathom before you had a child. I've heard it likened to walking around with your heart on the outside of your body, and I think that's a good analogy. It's like a part of you is out there, vulnerable, but you can't see it or protect it. I wish I could protect her from that fear. I wish there was a way I could reassure her that I will always be here, but we all know there are no guarantees. I would love to shelter all five of them from the harsh realities of life, but I know it's just not possible. I know we can't shield them from the world forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We never know what life will bring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have no choice but to fill each day with love, laughter and as much fun as we possibly can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, I'll just file last night under <b>F</b> for <b>FAIL</b> and move on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will give no second thoughts to sending M to bed without her bath, or letting her go to school today with lip gloss and Desitin in her hair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'll pay no mind to the fact that R got me so angry I slammed his door and the picture fell off the wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It certainly wasn't the first bad night we've had. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It certainly won't be the last. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm also fairly certain the kids won't remember it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That's the blessing of childhood, of their innocence, every day is a clean slate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm thinking maybe I should take a lesson from them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-42689402487361694722015-01-30T11:22:00.001-05:002015-01-30T11:36:09.442-05:00Dee Runs Disney (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thursday morning we got up pretty early, hit the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory for some breakfast, and grabbed the bus to the Disney Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wild World of Sports complex. I had no idea what to expect there, but it was pretty cool. I picked up my race bib and t-shirt, and they had lots of running goodies. Poor Jay was completely bored out of his mind as I dragged him from booth to booth. I had no idea how many cool running gadgets, accessories, etc. were out there! It was a runner's paradise for sure. We stopped for some photo ops and then set off for Epcot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My one major complaint about the Expo was all the walking. Walking from the bus to the complex, walking back and forth between the buildings, walking back to the bus... it was exhausting! Next year we must plan better! More time up front and after to properly rest the legs! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, off to Epcot we go! We had a pretty good day there. We had planned our Fast Passes in advance, so we hit up Mission Space first, the Soarin' (which we hadn't been able to get on in our last 3 trips!) and then we hit the character spot and had some pics taken :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The best part about being there without the kids was that we didn't have to rush anywhere! We weren't being pulled in 5 different directions, so we were able to take our time. We used that time to wait an hour to ride Test Track, which would have been a nightmare with the kids!!! Then we took a very slow stroll through World Showcase and actually wandered through every single country, which I haven't done since I was a kid! It was so much fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course, my favorite stop was the good ol' US of A!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We finished off the night with the most delicious dinner in Japan, at <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/teppan-edo/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Teppen Edo</span></a>. It was a wonderful hibachi style meal with a very talented and funny chef, and a very friendly family from Indiana who were celebrating the engagement of one child and the college graduation of another. Dinner ended just in time for the fireworks show, and then we headed back to the Port Orleans. Hollywood Studios was on the agenda for the next day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our plan was to hit Toy Story Midway Mania as soon as the park opened and get that long wait out of the way, then head off to take care of our fast passes. It must have been only ten minutes past 9 by the time we got over there but the wait was already <b>over an hour</b>!!! That ride is insane. So we set off to do some of the smaller stuff while we waited for our fast pass times. They were scheduled one right after the other so we rode Star Tours, Tower of Terror, & Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (MY MOST FAVORITE RIDE EVER!!!) pretty much back to back. I still haven't purchased my Disney photopass pics yet, but when I do I'll post our pic from Tower of Terror. It is priceless. I am screaming like a mad woman, I look like a lunatic really, and Jay is just looking at me, laughing hysterically. This pic pretty much sums up a day in the life of "us". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We used our extra fast pass to ride Star Tours a second time because everything else was sold out. In our travels we noticed the wait for Toy Story was down to 45 minutes so we jumped on that and waited. We also hadn't been able to get on this ride in our last 3 trips, so we were determined. I decided after that I don't think it's worth the wait, but hopefully now I'll remember for next time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After that we decided to basically see every show in the place, another feat that is next to impossible with 5 kids in tow. We saw Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. The only things we missed were Frozen & American Idol. I couldn't believe how fast that day flew and before we knew it, it was time for our pre-race dinner! We hit up <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/mama-melrose-ristorante-italiano/" target="_blank">Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano</a> for some pasta & meatballs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3 am was right around the corner, so right after dinner we headed back to the Port Orleans & grabbed my runner's box (breakfast: bagel, PB, granola bar, banana, water). I hit the shower quickly and then laid out <b><i>flat me</i></b>. <b><i>Flat me</i></b> is basically every single thing I need to put on for a race. You would think that some things are obvious, but I am terribly forgetful, so I lay every single thing out. All the basic attire including my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14's, plus my Garmin GPS watch & heart rate monitor, Glide, iPod Nano & super cool new headphones, Flip Belt (for my phone, inhaler, tissues, snacks & ID), headband, race bib and pins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was fairly satisfied that I had everything, so I hit the sack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was asleep a little before 9 pm if I had to guess. I had a little trouble settling down, but I still ended up with a little more than 6 hours sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song woke me up at 3 am on the dot. I could hardly believe that the day I had been working so hard for over the past year had finally arrived! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for my recap of the big day, the <b><i>WDW Half Marathon</i></b>!</span></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-60324223501407722792015-01-29T13:08:00.003-05:002015-01-29T13:08:31.768-05:00Dee runs Disney! (Part 1)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As many of you know, I took up running 2 years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had reached my Weight Watchers weight goal a few months before and I was looking for a new way to challenge myself and aid in me maintaining my weight. When I first started out, my goal was simply to run the Marianne Volpe Pumpkin 5k & Fun Run - a local 5K that honors my late cousin Mary, the proceeds from which go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. In the beginning I used the C25K app on my phone, a program which uses a combination of walking and running to gradually build up to running a full 5k. I found that the app worked great for me and I completed the program on time with success in a full (albeit slow) 5k. I ran that entire summer, and I was totally ready for the 5k that October. When I crossed that finish line it was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and I was hooked!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I started looking for other small races to run locally, and I really enjoyed my training. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last January, after seeing a friend posting from Walt Disney World, where her husband had just run a half marathon, I decided that would be my next goal. "I can do that", I thought... "I never thought I could run one mile, but I had been running 3.1 for past year, so why not? Right?" Who wouldn't want to run through the most magical place on earth???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I spoke to Jay, and went to work on putting my plan in motion. Registration didn't open until April, so I had 3 months to secure some funds and try to find a babysitter for M. Thankfully, because I have the most amazing Dad ever, he agreed to pay my registration fee as my birthday gift for last year, and to watch M for half of our stay!!! Yippee!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now we just had to wait for the registration to open and hope I could get in. Good news! I did!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was really daunted by the task of running 13.1 miles. How does one run 10 miles more than they're used to? I wasn't even sure where to start... I did some asking around, and decided I would try the Galloway method, which RunDisney shares on their website. It uses run/walk intervals to maintain stamina and put less wear and tear on your joints. According to their schedule, training should start in September, but I was so nervous that I started training in July. I ran 2 short runs during the week and every weekend I would run a mile longer than the weekend before. Every week I thought it would be so much harder than the week before, but it really wasn't. Some training days were better than others, but I was able to just push through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As the summer came to a close I began to panic about my placement for the WDW Half. I had heard if you don't submit a legit time, they place you in the last corral. Now, I'm not a fast runner, but I'm not that slow either. I had been averaging between 10 - 11 minutes on all my training runs, so I didn't want to be at the back of the pack. I had to decide if I wanted to run a longer race and use that time for corral placement, and it had to be in by 10/15/14. "What should I do?" I was definitely trained for it. My body was ready to go. So, I registered, extremely last minute, for the Run like a Diva Half Marathon at a local park for 10/5/14. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was unbelievable! Somehow I finished, in spite of my nerves, with a pretty awesome first time PR of 2:28:33. I was so proud of myself not only for finishing, but for getting in under 2.5 hours. I felt like since I had one under my belt, now I could really enjoy the WDW Half when the time came. I submitted my time to RunDisney and actually ended up with a fairly decent corral placement of I - pretty much halfway through the pack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I kept up my longer runs on the weekends all through the fall, and thankfully we had some really warm weekends in December where I was able to get some road time in. The problem came when I got sick in December with a virus that I just couldn't (and still can't) seem to shake. I went to the doctor right away because I knew we were getting close to crunch time. She told me it was an upper respiratory infection and gave me two rounds of a Z-pack. I ended up taking them both because, while I felt a little bit better, it was still not good. I was still having trouble breathing, terrible head aches and severe exhaustion. I was getting pretty nervous about all the not feeling well. It's pretty difficult to run when you can't breathe! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Before we knew it, it was time to leave! I don't fly well to begin with, and I was nervous about leaving M. We knew the boys would be fine, but this was the first time we were leaving our girl for an extended period of time. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anxiously waiting to board...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and trying not to freak out before we take off!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thankfully the flight out was smooth, and we landed on time. By the time we got the Magical Express to the hotel & checked in it was almost 11 pm. We hit the sack right away because I couldn't wait to hit the Expo the next day and get started at Epcot!!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Magical Express!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical Express ride :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7wjKYmsoX8VoLsYtqHVlkWpbnUNj667mSbhOXrBSpvQyR4Kn2Bay_PoU5DLZhsyE6yzmvl1tSTYWMDCQqmONSAmH05XsS-ivZLMinLUdTFZTUfSbO0E1JLOyVTOmIQO06YBUJfrZzUo/s1600/image1+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7wjKYmsoX8VoLsYtqHVlkWpbnUNj667mSbhOXrBSpvQyR4Kn2Bay_PoU5DLZhsyE6yzmvl1tSTYWMDCQqmONSAmH05XsS-ivZLMinLUdTFZTUfSbO0E1JLOyVTOmIQO06YBUJfrZzUo/s1600/image1+(10).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Orleans - French Quarter </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrow, we go to Epcot!!!!</span></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-41756514075036171412015-01-28T14:09:00.001-05:002015-01-30T09:47:14.224-05:00Life Lately...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought about doing a holiday recap, but our Christmas was pretty much the same as it always is. We argue with the ex about what time we're picking up the boys, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">run the kids back and forth, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">eat, open gifts, run around some more, open more gifts, eat again.... pretty standard stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will say this: I'm really so sick of arguing about the pick - up time every. single. year. "The agreement says 11 am. No you cannot have an extra hour. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">IMO, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">11 is already too late as it is, considering you live an hour away and especially since you refuse to ever compromise and let them stay with us on Christmas Eve." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">That's right folks, my daughter has never woken up on Christmas morning with all four of her brothers. Not one single time. Every year we ask and every year she says no and then expects Jay to go out there later than the scheduled time to pick them up so her parents can have breakfast with them. </span>Ummm<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, no. They just saw them at Christmas Eve dinner 12 hours ago. Give me a break. For once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I would just love to have at least one picture from a Christmas morning where I have all 5 of my kids together. Is that too much to ask???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Okay.... end rant. Now for a couple of cute Xmas pics before I move on to 2015 :)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my love <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being goofy with my sis and nephew :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWY0gDT5uf_XTaRzLFLMxIEXbTiNoMpPS2QBq1vgsKGkP_XouyzUx2GffplZC5t_BXbeVHa4nJu2qywyGq9DqsycVY6GI3s1WqMwH44nF-pKpXglxQxLRqzjfiaZK4vQgg0v3s44yLLc/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWY0gDT5uf_XTaRzLFLMxIEXbTiNoMpPS2QBq1vgsKGkP_XouyzUx2GffplZC5t_BXbeVHa4nJu2qywyGq9DqsycVY6GI3s1WqMwH44nF-pKpXglxQxLRqzjfiaZK4vQgg0v3s44yLLc/s1600/image3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the scene every Christmas morning. Baby M opens all her gifts by herself and when R is with us (not at his dad's) he has to wait until his brothers arrive. This is by far one of the things I hate most about the blended family. I do not like to share, and I hate that my kids are missing out on these priceless moments with each other :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang's all here... even the dog! Love my family :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've been pretty busy since the start of the new year. Jay and I kicked it off with a trip to Walt Disney World, where I ran the WDW Half Marathon!!!! It was our first real vacation without the kids since our honeymoon 5 years ago. It was AMAZING!!! We had the best time and the RunDisney experience was beyond my wildest dreams. I will be doing a whole separate post on that shortly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Baby M started dancing lessons 2 weeks ago, which is also super exciting!!! She had SO much fun and is already talking about the recital :) I can't believe our baby girl is growing up so fast!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As many of you know I have been a Beach Body coach for a little while now, so I've also been working on growing that business (if you have any questions regarding Beach Body you can check out my <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/DeeRoe" target="_blank">link</a> or email me at DeeRoeTonesUp.com). With that also comes more work on my own healthy lifestyle, especially since I've been having a bit of a hard time with that after the holidays and our vacation. The winter always depresses me. I feel more hungry and less motivated to work out and get moving. I also don't run outside in the very cold temps because of my asthma, and I really miss running! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNUJzUQ42MDpDs_0GF_ae4zrZ3WX1JGcGTbWK_yfqYBwej-6IQpOcecwdd0RgHb2xPHaFYTXQS3_D-bHjfxD41oPed2avwZ6vLZuCvy2rLqciohZXI7tEw0bRiIkTx7gLJozofztIXQQ/s1600/image1+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNUJzUQ42MDpDs_0GF_ae4zrZ3WX1JGcGTbWK_yfqYBwej-6IQpOcecwdd0RgHb2xPHaFYTXQS3_D-bHjfxD41oPed2avwZ6vLZuCvy2rLqciohZXI7tEw0bRiIkTx7gLJozofztIXQQ/s1600/image1+(2).JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 of my favorite clean meals: spinach salad with cut up lean beef burgers and rotisserie chicken <br />
with 1/2 baked sweet potato and steamed or grilled veggies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post InsanityMax 30 Sweat Intervals</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last major development... we got a new addition to our family!!! We rescued a kitty from the animal rescue shelter that my mother-in-law volunteers at. We thought maybe a friend would help Guinness come out of his shell a little and help him feel better. It hasn't really helped too much in terms of him making a mess, </span><span style="font-size: large;">but he does seem to be happy to have her </span><span style="font-size: large;">and more interactive with the family again. </span><span style="font-size: large;">She is so sweet and cuddly and so great with the kids! </span><span style="font-size: large;">They all love her so much already! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVTtlOsKMhqiPnde9Xzbv9G0sMTZqZZ4vsKyvwLX_ogqpDOk-u7d07fFqeCZiP7ciTMARgR_o-qLsB5RSoNUDHGefwheve1q0kU3u4oAWcX_GBNVTDb5N9GXJ78n8dwUXY7vxeGQh6Xk/s1600/image1+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVTtlOsKMhqiPnde9Xzbv9G0sMTZqZZ4vsKyvwLX_ogqpDOk-u7d07fFqeCZiP7ciTMARgR_o-qLsB5RSoNUDHGefwheve1q0kU3u4oAWcX_GBNVTDb5N9GXJ78n8dwUXY7vxeGQh6Xk/s1600/image1+(7).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Miss Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves her new girly bed <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and her new brothers and sister, even the feline one!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last thing.... This guy made his violin debut last week at his very first orchestra concert!!!! </span><span style="font-size: large;">We couldn't be more proud of our little budding musician! Now we've got one violinist, one drummer, one guitarist, and one singer... Maybe they'll form a band and make us rich!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for D & J take on WDW Marathon Weekend & Happy Wednesday Ya'll!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-48323396973097243432014-12-23T20:05:00.001-05:002014-12-24T13:06:38.257-05:00A Letter to my Husband<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the love of my life, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the every day marathon that our lives have become, I don't think I take enough time out to let you know how much you mean to me, how much you are loved and appreciated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The twinkle in your beautiful baby blues, the way you clearly loved your boys so, the easy going way in which you spoke that made me feel like somehow I had already known you forever... All these things and more drew me to you that very first night. I had long since forgotten the feeling of butterflies in my stomach, but it all came rushing back to me under the dark lights of Cannon's Blackthorn. I couldn't wait to see you again, to get to know you better. When you kissed me I just knew, I knew I would be kissing those lips for an eternity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've traveled a long and winding road this last 7.5 years. It hasn't always been easy, but together we have managed to take it all on and come through whatever has been thrown our way. Five kids can be a lot to handle, but I think they are all a testament to us, and the strength of our love; to the value we put on family. The boys especially; they are so good, so genuine, so loving, so strong, and it's all because they have you for a role model. An honest, hard-working, loving man who puts his life on the line daily for the job he loves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would be remiss not to mention all the turmoil going on in NYC right now. It has a huge impact on our lives. First and foremost, I have to tell you how unbelievably brave I think you are. There is no way in hell I could ever be a police officer. I'm far too chicken to ever put myself in a position of possible physical altercation, or to even hold a weapon, let alone having to use one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am humbled by the fact that someone I love is so willing to give of themselves for the safety of others, and so very honored to tell people that I am your wife. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am amazed by the ease at which you do you job, the comfort level you have even with all the risks involved. The way you never seem afraid...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In spite of all of that, I am terrified every time you walk out that door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I never gave it much thought in the beginning. Work was just a place you went, and you always came home, and I never heard much about what happened in between. Then the assault happened. Ever since then I'm always a little nervous when you leave for work, because now I know something </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">can </i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">happen to you. You are </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">not</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> infallible</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now, today, in December of 2014, I am petrified at the thought of you being a walking target. The fear that you could walk out that door for work one day and never come home is far to real right now, and it paralyzes me at times. I can't imagine, even for one second, what my life would be like without you in it. You are the thread that stitches my ripped seams. The glue that holds all my broken pieces together. You are the </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">rock </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">on which I depend for all things. Without you, my world would be dark. Our children would be lost. I truly can't even fathom it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted you to know that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today of all days, I need you to know that you are one of the 6 greatest gifts God has given me. Of course without you, the other 5 gifts would not have been possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You show me love, Every. Single. Day. Even when I'm in a bad mood; when I'm being evil and terrible to you, you always show me love and patience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You support me, Every. Single. Day. When I feel like the load of this life is just to much for me to bear, you shoulder it for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I am down on myself, you lift me up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You give me strength, Every. Single. Day. When I lose faith in myself, you encourage me in ways I could never to do for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You truly are my better half, and I would be so lost in this world without you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I pray to God that he will keep you safe; that my mother - my guardian angel, is watching over you as well, and that they will keep you coming home to us safely every single night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love you, my lobster. I will never stop loving you. I will love you with every ounce of my being for the rest of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, and every day, I just need you to know how thankful I am for the gift of you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Forever and always,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
Dee XOXOX</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-90797382903573872542014-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:002014-12-23T21:04:37.840-05:00A Letter to my MotherTo my mother, my angel,<br>
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16 years ago I had to say goodbye to you, the most amazing woman I have ever known. Beautiful, smart and funny; loving, compassionate and kind. Sarcastic and sassy, yet sweet and gentle, generous and the most loyal person you could ever meet. When I think of how difficult it was to say goodbye, I have to remind myself that no pain was greater than the pain of watching you suffer in those 7 months, and I have to thank God for taking you to a place where you no longer feel <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">pain.</span></div>
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For years I replayed that last day over and over in my head. Every. Single. Detail. Every memory like a tiny needle stabbing me again and again. Now, so many years later, I choose to remember all the days before that last day. We made more happy memories in the 19 years before the cancer than can be erased by those 7 long, hard months. Most days now I can wash away the sadness with a happy thought of you shaking your booty in some ridiculous dance, or calling out to me, "Petunia..." from your perch on the couch. I remember the smell of your Trident Original gum, and the curves of your perfect fingernails. I remember the way you would tuck my hair behind my ear, and wait up in my bed for me to come home from a night out. I remember your round face, and your love of Vienna Fingers. I refuse to remember the way the cancer left you. I won't let it win.</div>
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It has been 5,840 days since I gave you a hug, or a kiss, or heard the sound of your voice; and while each of those days it has gotten a little bit easier for me to carry on without you, not a day goes by that you are not on my mind or in my heart. It breaks my heart that my children will never know your love the way I knew it, but I know you are watching over us and keeping us all safe every day. I know you live on in Michele and I, more so than I'd like to admit sometimes(!); and that J, A, R and M all have a piece of your spirit - I see it in the way they love others. To quote a great family friend, "she left an indelible impression on all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. My life is a better place because she was in it". I hope you know how much you meant to everyone in your life, not just us. Your friends still reach out to me to tell me how much they miss you, how blessed they were to have had you in their lives. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Thank you for keeping daddy safe, and close to us. When I was younger I would sometimes wonder how you put up with him, but I see it clearly now. There has never been a man with more patience, or kindness. You chose wisely when you married him, maybe somehow you knew someday we would need him, and his inner strength and beauty would shine through. I couldn't ask for a better father for myself, or grandfather for my children. He has kept us all going in your absence, you would be so proud of the way he has opened himself up. Ever since that day at the funeral home when he was showing everyone the napkin you wrote your phone number on for him the night you first met, 20 years before - the way he tucked it into your hands so lovingly, so you could take it home with you. I knew in that instant what true love looks like. So I thank you for giving me that gift, even after you were already gone. </span></div>
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Mom, thank you for being my rock for the 20 wonderful years we shared on this earth together, and for being my guiding light in the 16 years since you've been gone. Thank you for being the voice in my head that keeps me going when all I want to do is throw in the towel. Your memory, your legacy - they give me the strength to keep going. </div>
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"In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky, in my heart there'll always be a place for you for all my life. I keep a part of you with me, and everywhere I am, there you'll be. Everywhere I am, there you'll be". </div>
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I hope that I can be even half the mother to my children that you were to us. I hope that my friends will hold me in the same high regard that yours do you. I hope that my husband knows that even though I am rough around the edges, every edge is carved with fierce love for him and our family, just like yours were. Every day I strive to emulate you, your love & your generosity. I hope that someday I will come close. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I love you, Mom and I miss you more than words could ever say.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Until we meet again, </span></div>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-1088208453628622772014-12-22T10:36:00.000-05:002014-12-22T10:36:26.470-05:00A Letter to my DaughterI thought I'd write a couple of letters this week. I'm feeling a little emotional with my mom's anniversary this past weekend, and it always helps me a bit to let some things go. So today I write a letter to my daughter. I'm sure it won't be the last, there will be so many things I want to share with her over the years. Experience has taught me to always write things down, to document them, because you don't always say what you're feeling in every situation in life, and you never know what direction life will take. You may think you have all the time in the world for recipe sharing, story telling, or explanations, and then suddenly your time is cut short...<br />
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To my smart, sweet, sassy, beautiful girl,<br />
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There are no words to measure how I feel about you. From the first time I held you in my arms 3 years ago, I knew you were the missing piece to the puzzle. I knew you were the band-aid to my wound, the Spackle to the whole in my heart. Please don't be mistaken, I love your brothers fiercely and with abandon, there are no favorites here... but our relationship, yours and mine, was destined to be different from the start. Not only are you our last baby, and the only baby your daddy and I share together, but as our only daughter, you represent a unique opportunity for mommy. With you I can finish all the mommy/daughter things your grandma and I started but never got the chance to. All of things I never got the chance to share with her, I will share with you. She taught me how to crochet, and needlepoint, and sew, but we never got the chance to do any of those things together as adults. We cooked side by side in her kitchen many times during my childhood, but never as adults and friends. The day I graduated college I looked out into the crowd, and she wasn't there, but I will be there to see you toss that cap. The day you stand up before God and family and promise yourself to your best friend, I will be there... and the first time you hold your own baby in your arms, I will look on with amazement.<br />
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Whenever I miss my mom, and I'm feeling sad, I just look at you, and it warms my heart. I see her kindness in your eyes, her sass in the way you tilt your head when you talk, her soul in the way you love everyone so freely. I daydream of all the things you and I will do together as the years pass. Even if it's the most mundane things like grocery shopping or taking a walk, I imagine us doing them together when you're grown, and it makes me feel whole again somehow. The idea of being able to share with you all the things I never got to share with your grandma makes the pain a little more bearable somehow. When I look at you I feel a little less empty, a little less lost.<br />
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It's not just because you carry your grandmother's name, not just because you are my only girl...<br />
I hope you know that there are a million more reasons why I love you so.<br />
Every freckle, every eyelash, every single brown speckle in your beautiful hazel eyes... <br />
Every time you open your mouth and something so innocent, or so unbelievably funny comes out... Every time I see you with your brothers, the way you love them so and teach them how to be gentle and kind.<br />
I love you so because I know you will change the world someday.<br />
Your sharp mind and huge heart are going to help you make a difference in this world, this I know for sure.<br />
You have already changed ours so very much. <br />
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I look forward to every day with you. I cherish every second we spend together. I love every single mommy/daughter game we play, every adventure we take together. We will continue to journey on you and me, the girls team in our house full of loud, silly, stinky boys. No matter what life throws at us, no matter how far away you drift as you grow and try to find your own place in the world, I know you will always come back to me. I know in you I have a best friend for life, and I am telling you now that in me you have yours. I will always be here for you, I will always be your #1 fan. Forever and always.<br />
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Love,<br />
Momma<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-30453031144039675612014-12-15T11:05:00.000-05:002014-12-15T11:05:37.811-05:00Birthday Fun!!!We're back!!!<br />
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We had a super awesome time celebrating all the kids birthdays at Universal Studios Orlando last month!!! We were there for Halloween, and baby M turned 3 while we were there as well. It was a very relaxing (meaning no set schedule to follow) and fun extended weekend.<br />
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We had a photo finish to the airport because my new iPhone 6 (<b>thank you Verizon Wireless</b> for the $200 trade in, making my phone essentially free!!!) shipped 2 weeks early and was basically delivered as we were walking out the door. I am very happy it came in time though, because the camera takes really great pictures and that came in very handy while we were away!<br />
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The flight down to Florida was amazing. Boarding went smoothly, and once we were all on board we took off with no delay. That <b>NEVER</b> happens when you fly out of NY....<br />
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We had a late flight, so I was <strike>a little</strike> a lot nervous about the transportation situation. Thankfully the car service provided by Universal was there waiting for us, and they did have a car seat for little Miss M, so things were going way better than expected already!<br />
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We stayed at Universal Studios new on-site hotel, The Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Check-in was pretty smooth, although slightly time-consuming - although that just could have been because it was 10:30 at night, and after a long day of work/school and racing to the airport, we were all pretty beat. We got our keys and headed off to the room. This is where things started to go down-hill. Our room was in the main building, which was good, but it was far - I mean, <i><b>REALLY FAR</b></i> away from the main lobby and pretty much everything else in the place. We were the second to last room at the end of the longest hallway I have ever walked down. Needless to say, I was already annoyed... When we got inside the kids were checking things out, and A noticed that the drawers weren't cleaned out. There were some receipts and loose change. Then he checked the fridge, and there was still food in it!!! I immediately called the front desk. While I was holding with them, M was horsing around on the bed. It was then that we discovered the sheets hadn't been changed!!!! Now, I was FUMING!!!! It was so late already, we were tired and cranky, and I was really hoping this was going to set a precedent for the rest of the trip.<br />
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Thankfully, it didn't. In the end, the hotel changed our room, and gave us two new adjoining rooms with a much beautiful view of the pool and a better bathroom set up. Once we were settled, things couldn't have gone better!!! The transportation from the hotel to the parks was a cinch. It is within walking distance, but since this hotel is relatively new, the walkway was not 100% completed. We didn't want to chance it with all the kids and the stroller, so we stuck with the bus. It was great! The seats were cushioned and leather, and the ride was less than 5 minutes from door to door. The bus lets you off at City Walk, so there is a little walking required to get to the actual parks, but since the weather was beautiful, no one seemed to mind.<br />
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In my opinion, this was the perfect time of year to visit. The temperature was good, a little cool Saturday and Sunday, but it sure beats sweating your behind off!!! The crowds were manageable. We didn't wait terribly long for anything except for Harry Potter Escape from Gringotts. The line for Transformers was also pretty darn long, but they gave us what they called a "birthday express pass" so poor M wouldn't have to spend her entire day waiting on line for a ride she wasn't even big enough to ride. We thought that was super awesome of them! <br />
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We had the meal plan for this trip, and it really was worth it. For a large family like ours, we really did save quite a bit of money. We actually ended up taking some snacks home. I <b><i>definitely</i></b> recommend it. Our package came with two complimentary breakfast at Harry Potter, we had some quick but great lunches, and we had some pretty delicious dinners as well. Unfortunately, M's birthday dinner was our least favorite place, but live and learn. If you're down there, skip Vivo Italian Kitchen. It wasn't worth it. Food was sub-par & the service was terrible. They did take some stuff off the bill though, so at least there was that. We did the character breakfast for her that morning at Jake's in the Royal Pacific hotel, and that was a much better experience. The food was great there and the characters were awesome. M was loving it! We all had a good laugh when Gru ran around the restaurant with my cell phone while my mother-in-law was on FaceTime.<br />
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While we were away I had a bit of a breakthrough in the body image area. At the request of my husband I did bring my bikini on the trip, although I wasn't sure I would wear it. I let the kids talk me into going down to the pool even though it was only in the 60's, so I had to put it on... and I actually felt good in it!!! For the first time in almost 15 years, I put on a bathing suite and felt comfortable in it. The fact that it was a 2 piece just takes it to a whole other level. I've been working hard for that, and I'm proud of all that I've accomplished. I'm hoping by this summer I'll be even more comfortable! Small victories!!!<br />
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We really had a great time, and it was hard coming back to reality. It was nice to have the whole family together for 5 days. We don't get to do that often enough. The kids did not want to go home...<br />
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Somehow the time has slipped from Halloween to Thanksgiving and past, and now we are just 2 short weeks away from Christmas! How could this be??? Looking forward to some more family time while the kids have an extended break from school. After that, it will be Mommy & Daddy's turn for a little fun <i>so....</i><br />
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Now I'm looking forward to some alone time with my man... Next up, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend!!! Can't believe I'm running my second half marathon next month,<b> AHHH!!!! </b><br />
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More on that to follow....<br />
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Happy Monday :)<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-33830738592030356892014-10-24T15:30:00.001-04:002014-10-24T15:30:55.518-04:00School DaysThis school year has marked a lot of new beginnings for us. We now have one High School student, one Middle School student, two 4th graders and a pre-schooler!!! That's right, folks! We have at least one at every level, and yes, Baby M started school this year!!!<br />
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It is hard to believe that 3 years have gone by already, and that our baby girl is in school, but it's TRUE!!! She is going to school 3 days a week, for 3 hours a day, and so far she is loving it! She loves her teachers and has made a couple of good friends so far. We thankfully did not have any trouble with her separating from Jay at drop off right from the start. So far, so good on that front! She is enjoying learning about the days of the week and the seasons, and play centers is one of her favorite times of the day. She loves playing in the "home" center, specifically in the kitchen. The apple did not fall far from the tree with this kid!!!<br />
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As far as the boys are concerned, I wish I had better news to report. Three out of four of our boys are not doing as well as we would like at this point in time. Enter blended family BS mentioned in my last post... When there are no adults who are fluent in your native language in the house to help with homework & studying, it can be difficult to do well. My husband has tried to no avail to discuss the situation, with not one response. So what can we do from an hour away? It is breaking my heart to see them struggling, but I'm really not sure what the solution is. We both feel that our hands are tied, and it's a terrible feeling. To top it all off, they are moving... AGAIN! Thankfully not far enough that they have to change schools again, but the inconsistency and constant moving is not good for them. They need stability, and are clearly not getting it where they are. I really, truly wish the courts were set up to favor the more responsible party, which is not always the mother.<br />
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A while back I posted about R having <a href="http://diaryofasassystepmom.blogspot.com/2014/03/ants-in-pants.html" target="_blank">"Ants in the Pants"</a>. Thing were slightly better over the summer, but picked right up when school started and were worsening at an alarming rate. We decided to take him to a pediatric neurologist where he was diagnosed with ADHD. So now the big question was to medicate, or not to medicate.<br />
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All summer long I tried changing his diet, modifying his sugar intake, etc. I used some essential oils as well, but nothing really seemed to help. By the time we made it to the doctor I was literally at the end of my rope. I still am really. We decided to go ahead with the meds and he was really showing signs of improvement for the first 10 days. No side effects to speak of, increased attention at school and better behavior overall at home. Then the bottom fell out. After the first week and a half he started to have what I've been told is called a rebound effect. He was showing less focus at school and his behavior at home was terrible. The doctor changed his dosage at our follow up but it was evident to me after only a few days that this was just not the right medicine for him. I immediately called the doctor and we decided to change to a different medicine. She told me not to worry, that these things take time, and sometimes it can be months before they find something that works. So, it's been about a week on medicine #2. So far so good. He is experiencing decreased appetite, which we are watching closely, but thankfully no other side effects. He is doing extremely well in school and is making much better choices at home. I am grateful for the improvement, but am only cautiously optimistic given what happened with the last one. I'm really hoping that this, in conjunction with the therapy we just started with him, will be the key we need to manage this with him.<br />
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As a parent it's difficult because of course I want him to be happy, successful and well adjusted. I am fully aware of the challenges he faces, and I understand what is going on completely. However, as a human, I'm easily frustrated by his behavior. It's hard for me to find the patience to deal with this day in and day out, but I am digging deep. Thankfully, his dad, step-dad and I are all on the same page as far as treatment and resolutions for at home behavior are concerned. We are all working well together with the school & doctors to best help him and our family get through this rough patch.<br />
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I found this <a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-things-remember-you-love-person-with-add.html?dgs=2" target="_blank">article</a> on FaceBook today about how ADD/ADHD effects relationships. I thought it was interesting. I never really thought about it from the perspective that it's something that is impacting him every. single. minute. When you look at it that way, the gravity of it really sets in. When he says he can't help himself, he really means it, and it's heartbreaking... <br />
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I try to focus on the good times, and these smiles make it easy to do! Just hoping things continue to improve from here. Please say a prayer for us!<br />
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In the meantime, we will be busy with lots of family time while Jay is on vacation next week. Looking forward to our big birthday bash trip coming up, there will be lots of pics to come!!!<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-15329456164109122132014-10-18T10:35:00.000-04:002014-10-18T10:35:47.468-04:00I'm Back... Again!!!!I've been away... for a while. Sorry about that :(<br />
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Lots of things have been happening. Some good, some bad, and I haven't really had the time or the desire to write about them.<br />
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Today I decided that instead of sulking about the bad points, I'm going to share the good ones instead! Maybe I will inspire others to make a change, maybe I will even inspire myself!<br />
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Last year I made a bucket list, <b>20 in 40,</b> a list of 20 things I want to do before I turn 40. You can read all bout that <a href="http://diaryofasassystepmom.blogspot.com/2013/04/20-in-40.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a> So far, I have accomplished <i><b>only</b></i> 3 things on that list:<br />
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Run a 5K<br />
Run a Half Marathon<br />
Get a pet - Yay, Guinness!!!!<br />
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I'm hoping to cross of one more in a couple of weeks on our family trip, which is to ride The Incredible Hulk roller coaster in Universal Studios.<br />
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I'm not sure if 3 or 4 things in a year is good or not, but I feel pretty proud of my running accomplishments<b> for sure</b>. I have been working hard this year to clean up my health a little bit and make myself stronger. Small changes to my diet have definitely improved my endometriosis symptoms (more on that next week) and helped me to increase my muscle mass and general physical fitness.<br />
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While I was in the process of trying to improve my general health and well being, I fell in love with Beach Body and some of their programs. I started with Shaun T's Focus T25, and then I decided to try the 21 Day Fix. The results I got were amazing! I feel stronger at 35 than I ever have in my life, and with that has come the self-confidence I have always been lacking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34ouNuwf-vrgeNf8p3OetK4Cca20u34mjws1_8n7PFZ6IbqqhyphenhyphenYTQw2c6lP4Z0LvIBA9g6dC5eP3IAtGaOP6GCnBxDvgIKRfnGAdJ5CSAyt3Ol-3AOGofIet16GmuHo00ZUrZYnuNlDA/s1600/fix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34ouNuwf-vrgeNf8p3OetK4Cca20u34mjws1_8n7PFZ6IbqqhyphenhyphenYTQw2c6lP4Z0LvIBA9g6dC5eP3IAtGaOP6GCnBxDvgIKRfnGAdJ5CSAyt3Ol-3AOGofIet16GmuHo00ZUrZYnuNlDA/s1600/fix.png" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gaining strength and confidence each day has given me the desire to want to share these things with others, so I decided a couple of months ago to become a Beach Body coach. I am really enjoying helping other people realize their own potential and achieve their fitness goals. If you are interested in any of the BB programs, you can check them out <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/DEEROE" target="_blank">HERE</a>, email me at <a href="mailto:DeeRoeTonesUp@gmail.com" target="_blank">DeeRoeTonesUp@gmail.com</a>, or PM on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeeRoe2014?ref=hl" target="_blank">FaceBook</a>. These last 6 months or so have changed my life. I am now a firm believer that the body achieves what the mind believes. YOU can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, you just have to take the first step. <br />
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The changes I made to my diet and exercise routine were small, but because I continued to make them day in and day out, I was able to run my first half marathon at the beginning of this month!!!<br />
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My official time was 2:28:33. Not bad for my first time!!! Now I can officially call myself a runner & I am ready to take on the Walt Disney World Half in January 2015!!! #RunDISNEY #WDW #WDWHalf #WDWHereICome #Runnergirl #Runnermom #ALLTHEHASHTAGS</div>
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The low points of my hiatus will be for another post, today is all about the positives! I started a new business and achieved what I consider to be one of the greatest accomplishments of my adult life (outside of my college graduation and my children, of course!). </div>
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<i>The moment I crossed that finish line it was an <b>"in your face"</b> to every bully in elementary school who called me fat, to every jerk who pushed me around and made me feel ugly and worthless.</i></div>
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<i><b> I am having the last laugh.</b> </i></div>
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Not only am I healthy and strong, but I am teaching my children to be the same. I'm also teaching them to be compassionate and tolerant of others who may be struggling to find their own way, which is way more than their parents ever did for them. </div>
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Next week I'll post an update on the kids & all those happenings. We've been very busy with school, birthdays and outings, among other things... Plus, we can't forget the usual blended family BS (but that's a whole separate post!!!!)...</div>
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More on those little munchkins to come :)</div>
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Happy Weekend!!! </div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-189503742947365942014-05-08T15:14:00.000-04:002014-05-08T15:24:04.897-04:00A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Office... The Story of This Week's NSV<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A funny thing happened to me today on my way from my office to the main office in my building. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was taking my typical thrice daily walk to check my mailbox when I just so happened to catch a glimpse of something, or someone, in the display glass in the hallway. This person seemed familiar to me, although I didn't quite recognize her. She looked <i><b>kinda</b></i> like me, only thinner! and she had toned-ish looking legs! and a spring in her step!!! "Who could <b><i>that</i></b> girl be?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think a lot of women deal with this, <i><b>especially</b></i> if you have struggled with weight issues for a long time (or you know, <b>FOREVER</b>). I don't see myself in the mirror the way other people see me. A lot of the time, I still see the <b><i>old </i></b>me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, in my conscious brain I know I've lost weight. I also know I look better and healthier now than I did before <i><b>but...</b></i> when you are overweight for a decent portion of your life, when you use food to cope with your emotions - the inner fat girl <b>does not</b> just politely back out the door when you tell her it's time to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She hangs around, <b><i>nagging</i></b> at your subconscious, rearing her ugly head at you from time to time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think sometimes it can be a good thing. Sometimes you need a reminder of where you came from to kick your butt in gear, and sometimes you just need to <b><i>indulge</i></b> - and believe me, she's there for that too!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">However</span><span style="font-size: large;">, <b><i>sometimes</i></b> she is there to mock you and play games with your head. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some days you just can't see past the inner fat girl in the mirror, <b><i>no matter how hard you try</i></b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me, today was <b><i><u>not</u></i></b> one of those days. For the first time in <b><i>a long time</i></b> I walked past that glass and caught a glimpse of what I've been working so hard for. I saw someone who looked <b>strong and happy</b>. It doesn't happen every day, because all you ladies know we are <b><i>far</i></b> too critical of ourselves and our bodies, but today I actually liked what I saw. Today I was <b><i><u>proud</u></i></b> of what I saw. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today I had a non-scale victory!</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure I'll ever be satisfied, but I'm also not necessarily sure that's a bad thing. I think it's good to have new goals and aspirations to keep us moving forward. I'd like to see how far I <strike>can</strike> will push myself, how many things I can accomplish now that the old me never thought were possible (like beach volleyball, maybe???). </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYiBEP5NiB9wormrGbHbh5SdL8ffKqYC42Brd-s4yV0wBhpb_vYZno1zVPPNzLwk8P7CcHPTnlp9CBf9z9FcYn3lizhyphenhyphenLAiT0VLqzmrx40EuQZ2UBxKcHLZ30NIbtmcvBFyWHpHo_3q8/s1600/9c29c42106a28a801e976a1d407ae37b_large.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYiBEP5NiB9wormrGbHbh5SdL8ffKqYC42Brd-s4yV0wBhpb_vYZno1zVPPNzLwk8P7CcHPTnlp9CBf9z9FcYn3lizhyphenhyphenLAiT0VLqzmrx40EuQZ2UBxKcHLZ30NIbtmcvBFyWHpHo_3q8/s1600/9c29c42106a28a801e976a1d407ae37b_large.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't know what the future will bring, but I do know this... Today is shaping up to be a pretty good day my friends, <i><b>a pretty good day indeed</b></i> :)</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-72162217305206892222014-05-07T11:20:00.000-04:002014-05-07T11:46:15.681-04:00Hooray!<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So... I got this <u><b>super cool</b></u> email the other day telling me <b><i>my</i></b> little ol' blog has been nominated as a top Step-parenting Blog! <b><i>How cool is that??? </i></b></span></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've been so sick, I <i>almost</i> missed it. Thankfully that didn't happen and now I'm sharing this little tidbit with all my internet friends. <b><i>Who doesn't love a good contest???</i></b></span></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to cast a vote (or two) for little old me, please follow this link & show me some love <3 </span><span style="font-size: large;">Votes can be cast one time per IP address.</span></center>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><a href="http://voiceboks.com/50-step-parenting-blog-nominees/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">http://voiceboks.com/50-step-parenting-blog-nominees/</span></a> </span></center>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure which lovely nominated me, but I am flattered <b>BEYOND</b> belief! The fact that anyone reads this thing makes me smile, the fact that people might actually think it's good takes it to a whole other level! I just try to share my journey, my experiences with my wacky crew & keep it real. Thanks for taking the ride with me :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love to all! </span></span></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-76696648510755282022014-04-04T15:19:00.000-04:002014-04-04T15:19:45.805-04:005 on Friday<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't done a link-up in forever. My friend Cari over at <a href="http://adventuresoftheroberts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Adventures of the Roberts</a> always does this one and I thought it looked fun so I'm going to jump in this week! I'm sharing 5 bits of randomness on my </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">second</span><span style="font-size: large;"> favorite day of the week :)
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/search/label/FIVE%20on%20Friday" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="THE GOOD LIFE BLOG" src="http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p782/thegoodlifeblog/5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068.jpg" height="200" width="200" /> </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{ONE}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So happy for warmer weather. M was able to play on the playground during R's baseball practice the other night, so everyone was happy! Except for me, mainly because she <b><i>insisted</i></b> on leaving the house looking like this....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{TWO}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beach volleyball. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm playing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This summer, on an actual team. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fo Realz.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is scary, mainly because I'm extremely uncoordinated & tend to fall a lot... but it's guaranteed to be a good time with this motley crew. Can't wait for that debacle to begin!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{THREE}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We finally broke down and bought M a baby Anna doll since she has been doing so good with potty training. To say this girl is in love would be an <u>understatement</u>. Her braids have already been removed, hair is a hot mess, & she must have "AH-na", Olaf & "AH-na's" hair brush everywhere we go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{FOUR}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Captain America comes out today!!! Can't wait to catch this one in the theater with my love! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{FIVE}</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finally found a Quest bar I can get behind!!! I've been looking for something meal replacement-ish to have before/after I workout besides my protein shake. Jay has banished from using the Nutri-bullet in the morning, so I can't take one to work for breakfast or have one before I hit the gym on the weekends. I bought a few different flavors of the Quest bars because I've heard so much about them and how good they taste. I tried Cookies & Cream and Chocolate Brownie; I was <b><u>not</u> </b>impressed with either. They both had that funny aftertaste that things with artificial sweetener tend to have, so I gave up for a while. Last night I remembered I had a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough left and let me tell you, that was <b>delicious!<i> </i></b>I need to buy myself a whole case of those bad boys!!! The best part is they're gluten free too, so good for my belly :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Have a great weekend!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-62996936613606467182014-03-26T12:41:00.000-04:002014-03-26T12:41:07.327-04:00Ants in the Pants<span style="font-size: large;">I've been struggling a bit lately, and I hate the feeling that I am losing control over something. So I'm coming to you for help, my bloggy friends. The beautiful thing about the Internet is that there are so many people out there, and someone is bound to have a similar experience to you. I'm hoping that's the case, and someone out here in the blogoshpere can give me some guidance or maybe just a boost. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a parent, you always want what is best for your children. You want them to be happy and successful in everything they do. For this reason, I have always had a hard time with school. I hate not knowing if they are happy and feeling special and successful all day. I worry about them getting picked on or feeling "stupid" if they get the answer wrong in front of the class. Part of this is me projecting my insecurities from my own poor school experience, and I know that. I assume the other part just comes with being a parent and the difficulty of separating from your child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You see, my son has ants in his pants. These ants have followed him since kindergarten, all the way to the third grade. They even make their way home with him at the end of every school day. We have been watching them closely, hoping they would hit the trail <i>(pun intended)</i>, but so far we've had no such luck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So what do you do when you know your child requires a little more attention than most?</i> <i>How do you focus on your own responsibilities when you know your child is struggling and you can't be there or don't know how to help him? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our two older boys both have had their share of learning difficulties so I'm no stranger to this sort of thing, but with our little guy it's a little less black and white. He is academically quite capable, but he has a very hard time focusing. The concern is that if he continues to have this difficulty, the missing information will eventually cause him to fall behind. We have already tried manipulating sleep/wake times to improve behavior during the school day, and giving a break after school before homework to no avail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are currently working with some behavioral modification programs both at school and at home, trying to focus on the <u>positives</u> rather than the negatives. The consensus is that if we give <b><i>the power to him</i></b>, he will focus longer and try harder to make things go in the direction in which he wants them to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I was a little nervous to tell him about the new system we were going to be using at home where he will be earning his TV and electronic device time by way of neatly and correctly completing all of his homework assignments. He was <b><i>SO</i></b> excited about the new program his teacher was using in school and how well he did with that in school, I thought it might go better than I expected - and it did, <i><b>at first</b></i>. Homework went off without a hitch! He made corrections without complaint, and earned almost of all of the electronics time available during his allotted after school hours. Apparently the more he thought about our arrangement the more he decided he didn't like it, because by the end of the night it was all he could talk about... </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and then he put his nasty pants on.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Next came those dreaded words. The words no mother ever wants to hear, <i>even when you know they don't really mean it.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "<b>I HATE YOU</b>", he said. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then he put himself to bed. He wouldn't even say good night to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>* SOB* </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is hands down the hardest part of parenting. <u><i>My mind</i></u> knows we are doing what is best for him, but <u><i>my heart</i></u> wants to tell him to forget the whole thing & give him whatever he wants just so he won't be mad at me anymore. <i><b>I know</b></i> it was only the first day of our new systems, but I was hoping it would go a little bit better than "<b>I hate you</b>" right out of the gate. <i><b>Cross your fingers for me that day 2 goes <strike>a little</strike> a lot better. </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a hyper or easily distracted child? How do you deal with homework? Outbursts? Has anyone tried modifying diet, and if so, did you find it to be successful in any way? I would love to know I'm not alone in this and hear some other perspectives/advice. </span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-55819723295151932812014-03-13T12:07:00.002-04:002014-03-13T12:07:31.875-04:00Thankful Thursday<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've spent the last 2 weeks suffering miserably and recuperating from the flu. I have never been so sick before in my life. The fever and sweats kept me up all night. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I mean literally had to get up and change my clothes in the middle of the night, menopause-type sweats!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> The pounding in my head and ache in my back made me want to curl up and sleep all day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, when you have children rest is pretty hard to come by. Jay was unable to stay home from work, so I was on my own most of the time. It's taking me a little longer to get 100% back to myself since I wasn't able to rest as much as I should have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been very hard to get back into the exercise groove because my body is still so tired, and I had an asthma attack during my first post-flu attempt at running. I like to do everything full throttle, so I'm having a <i>really</i> hard time taking it easy. I'm generally an all or nothing type person when it comes to working out, so it's really been bugging me that I can't get in the type of workout that <i>I</i> love. I'm feeling better every day though, so <strike>I think</strike> I'm almost there! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slowly but surely I'm getting back into my routine, and I've been thinking this week about how lucky I am... even when it seems that maybe I'm not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In spite of all the hardships, I still have a ton of things to be thankful for:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we live in NY, where everything costs a bloody fortune, it's sometimes easy for us to forget that we both have really good jobs and make a good living. Unfortunately it's not enough, but I'm very grateful for what we do have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week when I was sick I had to take care of the kids myself, which sucked a little bit, but not too much because I have the best kids ever. They were both so well behaved! Baby M especially, I still can't get over how good she was!!! Even R was able to reign in some of his excess energy and keep it together so I didn't want to kill him on top of feeling like shit. On Saturday when the boys were with us they were also so good and so helpful. I really am so blessed to have such good kids. At first I was mad at Jay for not being able to help me out more, but I decided I have to just view it as more time spent with my loves, whether I felt good or not. Being upset about it isn't going to change anything, and I need to focus my energy on more positive things. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylmMhx0bDSLPOccL6EeEr1HUTPbOx4BEItn416VS8hkVpfCTVfugLVwZ8KgdUxH8FObW4ChOGuCssiDcNARu6YmavGhtAvxfQZg_ajJIuvsmlsga8oGT1kLA_nKoWuodpUt2Ln-H8Crw/s1600/10006439_679293715460705_1006479695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylmMhx0bDSLPOccL6EeEr1HUTPbOx4BEItn416VS8hkVpfCTVfugLVwZ8KgdUxH8FObW4ChOGuCssiDcNARu6YmavGhtAvxfQZg_ajJIuvsmlsga8oGT1kLA_nKoWuodpUt2Ln-H8Crw/s1600/10006439_679293715460705_1006479695_n.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am also thankful that I have such wonderful friends, who brought me & the kids dinner and goodies when I was stranded in my house for a week. My bffl checked in on me every. single. day. When you don't have a mom, it's nice to have someone looking out for you... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which is why I'm equally as thankful for my sister, who also checked in on me daily while I was sick & helped out by taking R to religious ed for me so I could rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people. I have definitely learned my lesson for next year & I will be first on line at my doctor's office for my flu shot! Never want to deal with that bullshit ever again. </span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-49817616920806751762014-02-26T14:12:00.000-05:002014-02-26T14:12:22.296-05:00Lost: Patience <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lost:</b> Patience</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If Found:</b> Please return to the frazzled crazy woman at the end of this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know that being a SAHM is not walk in the park, but there are some days that I really wish with all my might that I could give that a whirl. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my job(s), but sometimes it just gets the better of me. I am constantly wishing I could do more, be better... and it's <i>exhausting</i>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Jhfaf5jLG5qvA69spdlnCCRBozqZ-QNukxEdjyuCA10FuTwSDBdVlKJWewBsc-bnf5c6an8SlpdH4m4PdkV4qk-VVquilbSgYLgEOKhgAjDBEPWHEOqXSjZOoWZ08rklOq7hiI6kLg/s1600/harried-mom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Jhfaf5jLG5qvA69spdlnCCRBozqZ-QNukxEdjyuCA10FuTwSDBdVlKJWewBsc-bnf5c6an8SlpdH4m4PdkV4qk-VVquilbSgYLgEOKhgAjDBEPWHEOqXSjZOoWZ08rklOq7hiI6kLg/s1600/harried-mom.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to be at work super early and my friends let me tell you, I am <b>NOT</b> a morning person. <b>AT ALL</b>. Having to wake up to the alarm at that God-forsaken time Monday - Friday is a chore in and of itself, forget about having to be ready to be somewhere on top of that. Dump 8 hours of work on top of that, and I'm already day-dreaming about actually dreaming before I'm even half-way through my day. When I come home I have to squeeze in 45 minutes of exercise for my own sanity, and then I have to put on my wife/mommy hat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The major problem with this, is that I'm too exhausted to enjoy my children while wearing said hat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last week Jay was on vacation, so that was a dream come true. He is most definitely the chef of the house, so he had my lunch ready for me every day when I came home </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Who's better than him?)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and either he cooked dinner every night, or we partnered up and cooked together. All four of the boys have a job to do, so set-up and clean-up went smoothly. It was so nice to be able to enjoy family dinners and then actually have time to hang out with the kids when it was all cleaned up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, this week we are back to reality. The boys are back at their moms, and Jay is back at work. We are back to 2 hours of homework a night, plus reading. Night time showers and packing lunches. Now it's just me, R & M for dinner and it's just too quiet. R helps out, but by the time I'm done cleaning up left overs and doing dishes, I just don't have the time to spend with them that I would like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know people say to just leave the messes because your kids are only small for so long, but what do you do when you are a type A personality that simply just can't do that?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p4nPqrlVozapAr3PJS9XP31Chuwk6dA8f4cTX01ohD8iT64JpybyPoHDkOHl1yGx8Z_puiz7EDvwKcsI05DJCgr5kN81FfnRyltQGnPVxG_4GjKnkryMz1xCCf2aQ6CH7vNAf60RQgI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p4nPqrlVozapAr3PJS9XP31Chuwk6dA8f4cTX01ohD8iT64JpybyPoHDkOHl1yGx8Z_puiz7EDvwKcsI05DJCgr5kN81FfnRyltQGnPVxG_4GjKnkryMz1xCCf2aQ6CH7vNAf60RQgI/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ...also an undeniable nervous twitch?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a compulsion, I know - but I just can't stand the papers on the table, the dishes in the sink, the crumbs and toys all over the floor... If I try to leave the chores behind in an effort to spend more time with my loves, it literally keeps me up at night! I want to be able to enjoy the little time I have with my kiddos after working all day without feeling like I'm being a bad wife because the house in unkempt. Not to mention the fact that it would be nice to have 5 minutes for myself to watch some TV or read a book. <b>GASP!</b> <i><b>A book?</b></i> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Do I even remember how to read?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">How do I find balance?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRjCsk-FaJPPJ-sYMmWjF1_NV2i3mAppNOpIVYCSZ_FfgOLdmXXcGvIalN65unpiGKAgFxIlLpJ-5yhVhfakIzcFSyk9otPGt31eoiB7EthY6v-VVjOZea5-GikRQ4OWNCIE3ZuJedGg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRjCsk-FaJPPJ-sYMmWjF1_NV2i3mAppNOpIVYCSZ_FfgOLdmXXcGvIalN65unpiGKAgFxIlLpJ-5yhVhfakIzcFSyk9otPGt31eoiB7EthY6v-VVjOZea5-GikRQ4OWNCIE3ZuJedGg/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">this is what I should look like all the time....</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeWo-iaFfC38AC9BLT6nUSwAc03jazE47krKR97rwxd8TZbKr6ClrIs8BC7J3qnWt8IljhoilAdMsX-VLkKg-gOyBe1aCg8jcJ3eFDa_kQ6KawJyAClNINm7aKUy6y5Q2l7UGTWeglQU/s1600/Animal-the-muppets-premiere2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeWo-iaFfC38AC9BLT6nUSwAc03jazE47krKR97rwxd8TZbKr6ClrIs8BC7J3qnWt8IljhoilAdMsX-VLkKg-gOyBe1aCg8jcJ3eFDa_kQ6KawJyAClNINm7aKUy6y5Q2l7UGTWeglQU/s1600/Animal-the-muppets-premiere2.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but I'm pretty sure 95% of the time I look like this...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd19oWq9sc1j67nS3JsgZaDjX_zt7YEUTl8U69VzTmqu2J0iDbMri5nXnr-yhUgDLsj3iTl7PaVeF4ICbvp0fHBPL0DFSQ-hAJIzcCEbUQAL2K2Mh3iZJYnRlrz95fjaZ9WizOoAw1CDw/s1600/Animal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd19oWq9sc1j67nS3JsgZaDjX_zt7YEUTl8U69VzTmqu2J0iDbMri5nXnr-yhUgDLsj3iTl7PaVeF4ICbvp0fHBPL0DFSQ-hAJIzcCEbUQAL2K2Mh3iZJYnRlrz95fjaZ9WizOoAw1CDw/s1600/Animal.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or maybe more like this!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do I find time for myself when my darling 2 year old won't sleep? She boycotts going to sleep, and lately is having trouble staying asleep. Where did we go wrong? She was doing great going down on her own</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for months. N</span><span style="font-size: large;">o fuss and no tears,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> sleeping through the night like a champ, and now all of the sudden bed time involves more negotiations than international peace summit! WTF? Aren't babies supposed to sleep poorly as infants and get better with age? What is with this regression here? I really don't know how much more of this broken sleep I can take! <b><i>I. am. dying. here! </i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCJjq3IkGHNiM597o9iEokjlGXtUvw7JZSIklmFEj9eMmZLRmaAXUP_s8DQ9l3qIc-3f9syKIzCA8LqDtXSKlRqaYEZuOkgkpRH3cZUJ-RKh-rmZti2zi9YakHBHqeZ0iTVs09LjzNfs/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCJjq3IkGHNiM597o9iEokjlGXtUvw7JZSIklmFEj9eMmZLRmaAXUP_s8DQ9l3qIc-3f9syKIzCA8LqDtXSKlRqaYEZuOkgkpRH3cZUJ-RKh-rmZti2zi9YakHBHqeZ0iTVs09LjzNfs/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but how can I stay mad at this face???<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Between the lack of sleep, stress from work, and stress from life in general, I'm just really not feeling like myself lately. Little things are setting me off that never did before. I have lost my patience and I need to get it back, <i><b>STAT!</b> </i>Apparently healthy eating and exercise alone are not enough to ward off the stress. </div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Someone please tell me I'm not alone! How do you find balance between work and home responsibilities and keep your stress level down?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This mama is tired and feeling pretty crappy :(</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-43298303431855044412014-01-31T15:23:00.003-05:002014-01-31T15:27:39.923-05:00FAIL! & Some Weekend Goodies<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a couple of <b>FAILS</b> to note today. One personal, one blogger. Two big fat <b>FAILS</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FAIL #1</b> - I totally fizzled on the Dr. Oz 2 week plan. In my defense, 4/7 of us had the stomach flu for all of last weekend and part of this week... but the truth is, I was modifying it <i>a lot</i> at the end of last week. I did lose 4 lbs the week that the I did it, and I took a few positives away from the experience:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. I <i>can</i> live without soda. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. I <i>can</i> control myself enough to seriously limit my gluten, carbs, dairy, and the times of day that I am eating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. I <i>feel</i> better while doing all of the above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am currently working on making my house a more nutritious place for my family. I am paying much closer attention to the types of things I am buying and how we prepare our meals. I'm also keeping up with the <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/focus-t25-workout.do?e=165830&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_T25_TANDT2" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black;"><b>Focus T25</b></span></a>, and Shawn T is <b>Kicking. My. Ass!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FAIL #2 </b>- January 25th was my <b><i>1 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY</i></b>, or <b><i>MY BLOG'S</i></b><i><b> 1st BIRTHDAY</b></i> - however you want to look at it. I had a whole big post planned out in my head, and before I could start writing it - <b>THE VIRUS HIT!</b> So instead of writing the super fabulous post I was imagining in my head about how much I've enjoyed writing this little ditty, I spent 5 days cleaning up <strike>a little</strike> vomit, rubbing bellies, wiping tears, and being sick myself. Then I spent the rest of this week catching up on all the things we missed at the beginning of the week - housework & work for me, and hours upon hours of schoolwork for R. Hopefully by next week I will have my shit together! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I bid you all a good weekend, two more orders of business... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. SUPERBOWL! </b>We have no plans... <i><b>womp! womp! </b></i>We'll be hanging out at home watching the game with the kiddos, rooting for the <span style="color: #e69138;">Broncos</span> of course. Being true <span style="color: blue;">Giants</span> fans, we have to root for a Manning!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2.</b> I need to wish a <b><span style="color: #351c75;">Very Happy Birthday to my big sis Michele!</span> </b>When we were younger it sometimes seemed like the years between us were endless for her more than me, I'm sure!, but we've become so close as I've gotten older, and I am so thankful to call her my friend. I am grateful for her wisdom and experience, especially since my mom has been gone. I'm also grateful for her ability to let loose and find the party. She reminds me often that everyone deserves a little fun once in a while -<i> no matter what your age or whose mom you are!</i> <span style="color: #351c75;">Michele</span>, for this year I wish you nothing but good things - wishes granted and dreams come true. May you find what brings you true happiness, no one I know deserves it more. <b><i><span style="color: magenta;">NOW BRING ON THE GOOSE!!!</span></i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-15182932992275584262014-01-23T10:08:00.000-05:002014-01-23T10:16:44.810-05:00Checking In....<span style="font-size: large;">Just want to start by wishing a Very Happy 12th Birthday to my beautiful niece Ashley, who loves it when she gets a shout out on my blog :) Hope you have a great day, darlin'! <span style="color: #351c75;">We love you!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Monday I started the Dr. Oz 2 week rapid weight loss plan. I went into it knowing we were going to Atlantic City Sunday and Monday, and that I would definitely be off the plan while we were there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a few things I've learned so far:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">1. Don't start what you know you can't/wont finish</span> - I lost 4 pounds the first 5 days... and then in AC I went on a 2 day bender and gained half of it back. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Even worse than that, afterwards I </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">FELT. LIKE. SHIT.</b><span style="font-size: large;"> Which leads me to lesson #2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">2. Gluten is the devil</span> - I didn't realize what an impact this was having on me until I went without it for a whole solid week and then went back. Since the weekend I have been extremely bloated and felt exhausted, and both physically and mentally sluggish. I have no energy to do anything. I was feeling so good before! I'm honestly a little mad at myself for getting so carried away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">3. I'm done with chicken </span>- I had grilled chicken a few times during the week last week as my 6 oz. for the day. Each time I got more and more turned off by it. When we were out to dinner Sunday night I ordered Chicken Parmesan, I figured <i>if it's smothered in sauce and cheese how bad could it be?</i> Well, even that grossed me out, so I think I'm done eating chicken for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">4. I can survive without soda!</span> It's been over two weeks now since I had any kind of soda, so I told myself that I would have some while we were away if they had my beloved Diet Dr. Pepper. Of course my Diet DP was no where to be found... so, no soda for me! I drank vodka with seltzer like a real grown up! Who knew? My sister would be so proud :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week I am back to Dr. Oz's plan, although I am substituting eggs for some of the meat since chicken is now off the table. I'm not sure if I will just finish out the original 2 weeks or try to do another full 2 weeks from when I got back on Tuesday, but one thing is for sure - I'm definitely keeping away from gluten and keeping the carbs and dairy to a minimum. Last week I felt better than I have in a long time, and now I am still recuperating from just 2 days of not paying attention to what I was fueling myself with. I'm definitely going to make a lot of these changes permanent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I was feeling so great last week, I had tons of energy to do the Focus T25 workouts I ordered. Shaun T is <b>crazy</b>, but in a good way. They were hard, but who doesn't have 25 minutes? Sunday and Monday were my rest days, but of course I still went to the gym for my favorite class Sunday morning. My legs were like <b>JELL-O!!!</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week I have fizzled out big time because I truly have had <b>ZERO</b> energy. I should have started back up on Tuesday, but I laid around in my pajamas instead. The <span style="color: #351c75;">SNOW DAY</span> here yesterday did not help my laziness situation, <b>AT ALL</b>. Today I'm getting back in the saddle, I have to just rip off the band aid and get right back into it. I'm going to double up for the next couple of days so I can stay on schedule. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully my legs don't fall off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How is the weather where you are? Were you lazy or productive with your snow day???</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-7854487859990691592014-01-15T09:00:00.001-05:002014-01-15T09:00:34.954-05:00My Husband is Awesome<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seriously. My husband is <b>AMAZING</b>. Did I mention he's the best, <b>EVER</b>? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So far Dr. Oz's plan hasn't been <i>terrible</i>, but I was worried about Monday night because dinner is our meal. Well, I'm here to tell you Jay came through in a major way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He somehow managed to cook us an utterly fantastic dinner without compromising Dr. Oz's restrictions. It was <u>so</u> good, I almost forgot I was on this plan</span><span style="font-size: large;">! </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">not really.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> Even he couldn't believe it. He said <i>"am I really full from your diet food???"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He spiced rubbed some chicken & then sliced it up with my brown rice, home-made guacamole, tomato, onion, and green & red peppers. It was so delicious! He threw on some shredded cheese for the kids and they were sold! So yummy, and awesome that we were all able to sit down together with the same meal. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRK9Y6JwDulF98y2Ou6lEGly3FcBtUp4lDg9UkCMOf-TKmaG0fJ69X1XUmf9VJJlmsppdDyJJUir61hbgb5QHW_TjHMwObrmTv1JLbsFVoQOle3lTA0NvBzz3XUm_KgUFMnv3IfPxhUY/s1600/IMG_8505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRK9Y6JwDulF98y2Ou6lEGly3FcBtUp4lDg9UkCMOf-TKmaG0fJ69X1XUmf9VJJlmsppdDyJJUir61hbgb5QHW_TjHMwObrmTv1JLbsFVoQOle3lTA0NvBzz3XUm_KgUFMnv3IfPxhUY/s320/IMG_8505.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it doesn't look too fancy, but it was delicious!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 2 wasn't terrible either. The first half of the day was almost exactly the same as Monday, so that kinda stinks. Dinner last night was pretty similar, I just changed up the veggies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>*</b>FYI - <b>DO NOT</b> use raw garlic, in anything. Ever!</u> I totally ruined what was promising to be delicious cauliflower mashed by adding in one super </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">tiny</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> clove of raw garlic. I was <b><i>SO</i></b> disappointed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today I'm making tilapia, and believe it or not, R is super excited about that! He's been on a fish kick lately. <i>"Who are you and what have you done with my 8 year old???" </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took a couple of before pics on Monday before I hit the gym. I'm thinking I wont get on the scale until Saturday, since Sunday starts my AC hiatus. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Still waiting to feel better, but I guess it's still too early for that. Waking up was a bit easier for me today, but I'm thinking that's because my kids had me so exhausted that I was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">actually </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">able to fall asleep at a decent time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Worst part of the day for the past 2 days was being <b>SUPER hungry</b> later at night and not being able to snack, and also not having my dark chocolate covered fruit before bed. <b>WAHHHHH!!!!!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have trouble sleeping without my nightly dark chocolate fix. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXeoW9ipLM6I0HM83OWpYxrnHX9sak-Rb3YtK2AhlCr8pKC5bgbiULrMuxzqFqiniAFmXgUtWXoTO_7MtIfP5Oj1fVBGQZ4Ev-AXXesRq4cUG268jp5oRPjLo7KJIUrTLNIOir_zD0vM/s1600/pom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXeoW9ipLM6I0HM83OWpYxrnHX9sak-Rb3YtK2AhlCr8pKC5bgbiULrMuxzqFqiniAFmXgUtWXoTO_7MtIfP5Oj1fVBGQZ4Ev-AXXesRq4cUG268jp5oRPjLo7KJIUrTLNIOir_zD0vM/s200/pom.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, how I miss you!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm really not sure how I'm going to survive 2 weeks without these little ditties!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I miss them so much already!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday also started Focus T25. Shaun T is on crack! <b>Fo real!</b> I would like to think I'm in <strike>pretty</strike> good shape, and that shit kicked my ass!<u> It's no joke.</u> We'll see what today brings...</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a side note, just because I've been talking a lot about health lately... I wanted to share a couple of <b>ultra cute</b> pics I snapped of my little munchkin & I just being silly. <b>God, how I love this girl!!!</b> Her giggles just brighten up my day :)</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She insisted on taking pictures of her loving me up <3</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaZDIm8afhgXbWUbmkagntuF-mH1ky05kD06IjFVihoP_7YAPI-3v1UdSVzDPJ48sfcoxg6JRPkeq8ymTFw8tiqKpExZDfLVUc3rMNtKtKeDMX_5F3kjtrhHTsxdRaE4EMFO3L3BkvRo/s1600/Maggiebasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaZDIm8afhgXbWUbmkagntuF-mH1ky05kD06IjFVihoP_7YAPI-3v1UdSVzDPJ48sfcoxg6JRPkeq8ymTFw8tiqKpExZDfLVUc3rMNtKtKeDMX_5F3kjtrhHTsxdRaE4EMFO3L3BkvRo/s1600/Maggiebasket.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Silly girl!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy Hump Day All!!!! We're halfway to the weekend... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">if that isn't a reason to smile, I don't know what is!!!</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-64382004452706588672014-01-13T15:16:00.001-05:002014-01-13T15:17:35.429-05:00The Dr. Oz Plan, Take 1...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, I've decided to jump on this Dr. Oz two week rapid weight loss plan bandwagon... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not because I really want to lose any more weight, but because I'm interested in the health benefits he promotes. I'm dying to see if I will have less fatigue and great mental acuity once I have cut gluten, carbs and sugar out of my diet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read details about the plan </span><a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-rapid-weight-loss-plan-one-sheet" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">here.</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't think a regimen this strict is something I would choose to maintain past the two week mark, but I'm curious to see how much I <strike>can</strike> will stick with it and what I can incorporate into my daily lifestyle after the 2 weeks is up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With that being said, I'm already planning a 2-day hiatus from the plan because the hubby and I are headed to Atlantic City next weekend for some grown-up time, and I am surely going to have a few drinks (<i>& wings... & pizzas... & hoggies... </i><b>JK!!!)</b> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">maybe not</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIUNu2PHmBIX9OYV2F1pyQDIe64BSLHKm1y6pDCiZKtcZw2EuoFt7FSKyCRIRo9BufMamuYcGXip6FapHQCA0PY5_iUtbhR6rUBgjjUwnNAizKKjzAr89sPJ6NJiAoxrpMBV8Ewhi068/s1600/totalrewards_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIUNu2PHmBIX9OYV2F1pyQDIe64BSLHKm1y6pDCiZKtcZw2EuoFt7FSKyCRIRo9BufMamuYcGXip6FapHQCA0PY5_iUtbhR6rUBgjjUwnNAizKKjzAr89sPJ6NJiAoxrpMBV8Ewhi068/s1600/totalrewards_logo.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The best part about this whole thing is that I've even convinced Jay to give it a try, or at least a modified version. This is a <b>HUGE</b> deal because he loves food, so I'm really impressed that he agreed to take this plunge with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I started off the day with lemon water and Greek yogurt. I was supposed to whip up this <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-2-week-rapid-weight-loss-plan-breakfast-smoothie" target="_blank">smoothie</a> for breakfast, but I've been banished from smoothie making at the ungodly hour I have to be up for work. So, I had the veggie broth for lunch...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything tastes better in my favorite mug!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and brought the smoothie back to work with me for "lunch". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay is insisting on cooking tonight, so we will incorporate the 6 oz of meat in with the 1/2 cup of rice & low-gli veggies at dinner time. Then more delicious (NOT) veggie broth on the side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Taste-wise it really hasn't been <strike>too</strike> terrible so far, but I've heard the end of the day is the hardest. I always have something sweet right before bed (around 10 pm) and this plan calls for no eating between 8 pm - 8 am, so I'm sure I will be <u>really</u> feeling it later. I'm hoping I don't feel too week for my chic boxing class tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I realized I didn't do a before pic, so I'll try to remember that before I hit the gym later. I'm curious to see how much of a difference there will be overall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wish me luck! I'm <b><i>crazy lady hangry </i></b>already, and it's only 3 pm!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-78446964581546758002014-01-10T15:30:00.000-05:002014-01-11T00:45:47.413-05:00Happy New Year....<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Our holiday season was a busy one, filled with <b>LOTS</b> of celebrations and good times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay and I both had vacation (2 different weeks, <i>of course</i>) and we had the boys for a full week, so there was lots of family time to be had. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The kids all got exactly what they wished for from the man with the bag, so we had four very happy boys and one very overwhelmed little girl. </span></div>
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This Christmas was great for M, as she was finally starting to get the concept. She really was in puffy heart love with the season; Learning and singing Christmas songs, helping decorate the tree and wrap presents. We really had a blast with her this year. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Her favorite gift (and our <i>least</i> favorite, lol) was the Doc McStuffin's toy microphone that Santa left in her stocking. It lights up and plays "Time for Your Check-up". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She sings it <b>All. Day. Long.</b> <b><i>Errr damn day. </i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePbpQ0g4c57IusN0d_A9qDTzcgPMdi-GtXg5gDYsOtydlsolZBE-CND5IDqoLqEOAsgdQtWMriuVU4R5KU5O2pok7ovs-kUt7Fxz0BjjHfNImsS0V1-37HKK7kmQO3TULd7m95RbfgmQ/s1600/girlsbaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePbpQ0g4c57IusN0d_A9qDTzcgPMdi-GtXg5gDYsOtydlsolZBE-CND5IDqoLqEOAsgdQtWMriuVU4R5KU5O2pok7ovs-kUt7Fxz0BjjHfNImsS0V1-37HKK7kmQO3TULd7m95RbfgmQ/s1600/girlsbaking.jpg" height="232" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby M and I preparing my mom's famous cheesecake for Christmas Eve dessert. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWXFJOCYSSfy0xNwMYMWq05Y83Yg1WbtB3QM8_sa14yrtt-rpvRy08_tcYo5spjG9dmJ_bB_WkffA7H_7mjK_NswiNsts45mDONE6md4to4cBLTAmA3p8eosNlWCclL7ksiOffDmWgh0/s1600/Maggiexmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWXFJOCYSSfy0xNwMYMWq05Y83Yg1WbtB3QM8_sa14yrtt-rpvRy08_tcYo5spjG9dmJ_bB_WkffA7H_7mjK_NswiNsts45mDONE6md4to4cBLTAmA3p8eosNlWCclL7ksiOffDmWgh0/s1600/Maggiexmas.jpg" height="232" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M opening her gifts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKe4iaN2lMPqorztzyWM9LYuYDfzACPuMLaf80bX_FI_w0OTIeKkpMxuIDpdFvjdihyFKJls9mtwy0b5aXc5Qb2KiBfYHB1IMZhhAo5DKoOZE3i7Lk5_Gdls7hoZPe6TvYfvyct-xfQY/s1600/happyryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKe4iaN2lMPqorztzyWM9LYuYDfzACPuMLaf80bX_FI_w0OTIeKkpMxuIDpdFvjdihyFKJls9mtwy0b5aXc5Qb2KiBfYHB1IMZhhAo5DKoOZE3i7Lk5_Gdls7hoZPe6TvYfvyct-xfQY/s1600/happyryan.jpg" height="232" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R opening the one gift he was really dying for this year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2g5jSkup5OxY2CKylJX6GvkMg6AEvoNwv8sb6gCP-Knf4UcbBVlSFnz3KGnoibVcbR-TBoaR0DnJd_8Dw2VAe8UaafjJ-dprz5G56g2IIt2Aoj4Qz09VyPysIwynb9Kbd0wG7hsPOT4/s1600/xmaskids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2g5jSkup5OxY2CKylJX6GvkMg6AEvoNwv8sb6gCP-Knf4UcbBVlSFnz3KGnoibVcbR-TBoaR0DnJd_8Dw2VAe8UaafjJ-dprz5G56g2IIt2Aoj4Qz09VyPysIwynb9Kbd0wG7hsPOT4/s1600/xmaskids.jpg" height="232" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my loves together on Christmas :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay had to work on NYE and the boys went back to their moms, so it R, M & I spent it with my dad, my bestie & her family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is truly no place else I would rather have been. Even though I couldn't be with my hubby & the rest of the boys, it was comforting to ring in the new year with some of my most favorite people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now it's 2014... and we got a cat. A kitten really. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His name is Guinness & he's super cute. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Well,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"> I think he's super cute</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay's partner & his lovely wife had this little cutie and the rest of his clan hiding out in their backyard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay has been considering a cat lately because he really wanted the kids (esp. M) to have a pet and we just can't do a dog right now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, we decided it was fate! Since this little guy was the only one who wanted anything to do with humans, we decided to give it a go. Chris & Erin scooped him up and met us at the vet with him and the rest is history.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Gbz-Dk1kguudiaofnIYRz2xZr1sAK7-WO1e8h-3EKu64BcROZEq3iJ6hnFFDDcrLsvgDY5VJ7rbpoTPuZfeMgMerpL9dx08G9v4F6KFxLkn5MyAm2FlDuATksEzw19F7Z62O5GtJ9k/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Gbz-Dk1kguudiaofnIYRz2xZr1sAK7-WO1e8h-3EKu64BcROZEq3iJ6hnFFDDcrLsvgDY5VJ7rbpoTPuZfeMgMerpL9dx08G9v4F6KFxLkn5MyAm2FlDuATksEzw19F7Z62O5GtJ9k/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, it's a new year, and I've got a million things swirling around in my head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are so many things I want to do better this year. So many changes I would like to make. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now if only I could execute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">definitely</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> need to have more patience with my children. I need to try harder not to let the little things get to me and stress me out so much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The truth of the matter is, to a certain degree life is what it is. Some things are out of my control, and those are the things that usually upset </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">me</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> the most. I need to focus more on taking things in stride and making the best of what we have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">How does the saying go? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When life gives you lemons.... I need to enjoy my littles, because they will only be little once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The house will be messier, the laundry will go longer, but I am determined not to worry so much about these things going forward. Unless we're having company, who is seeing my messy house? Exactly. No one but us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm not talking health hazard dirty here, just not my usual OCD standards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to do more puzzles, read more stories, and have more dance parties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I have got to learn to let go a bit.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I also really need to get a handle on this gluten free eating and make it work for me, because my pain has been so much better since I started dabbling in this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think I'd like to try to remove most carbs from my diet altogether, rather than always looking for gluten free solutions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was </span><strike style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">very</strike><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> extremely hard to stick with this over the holidays, but I'm more determined than ever to be pain free in the new year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since I've been maintaining my weight for over a year now, I need to change things up on the fitness side as well. I'm not going to focus on the scale as much as how my clothes fit and how my body looks (to me).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I would like to build muscle to become leaner, stronger, and decrease my percentage of body fat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I also plan to increase my distance running to a </span><a href="http://www.run-li.com/site/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">10K</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and possibly a half marathon,</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> although I'm not sure I'm ready to entertain that thought just yet!</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><br></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdIPDaWDGCmYPovhHfE3_r8WN21qZfKiVyhr8emLMnh_kO5WrIOkXjTCdXA6YfcIzigydUEAJcxn8A_SLpMvvmYGJOdH7-E9BJieOD49Ng2uv1J54nT3IZ3Bg0vYDIq-YEDfS2fXEP98/s1600/13.1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdIPDaWDGCmYPovhHfE3_r8WN21qZfKiVyhr8emLMnh_kO5WrIOkXjTCdXA6YfcIzigydUEAJcxn8A_SLpMvvmYGJOdH7-E9BJieOD49Ng2uv1J54nT3IZ3Bg0vYDIq-YEDfS2fXEP98/s1600/13.1.gif" height="133" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">?????<br></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My childhood next door neighbor is getting married this July </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">(Congrats Brooke & Aaron!!!)</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> and my goal for this summer is to be able to wear a dress from Express that has been hanging in my closet FOREVER(!), to their wedding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I only wore it once before I gained too much weight to fit in it again. It is </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">so gorgeous</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> that I couldn't part with it. For all the times I cleaned out my closet after R was born and said, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">"you'll never be that size again"</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, for some reason I kept this dress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since age has caused things to shift and settle, it's going to take </span><strike style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">a little</strike><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> a lot of work to get back into this dress - so that is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">my fitness mission for the first half of 2014.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqTqpfA3fzq3aQLEbhtVqMgLbw5MBP02vSJx5L62-eSK3BIK48lFiwwva-b9AJR8BeA-prP6QBM7ItI55a-YdnKrfLQwNtF2nC4tP00riw1GP2arc9bVB4K1Eot0HBL13Wgxq95oYVWo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqTqpfA3fzq3aQLEbhtVqMgLbw5MBP02vSJx5L62-eSK3BIK48lFiwwva-b9AJR8BeA-prP6QBM7ItI55a-YdnKrfLQwNtF2nC4tP00riw1GP2arc9bVB4K1Eot0HBL13Wgxq95oYVWo/s1600/photo.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me in the dress in question, circa 2001. <br>
I will get my a$$ back in this dress this summer! </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jay and I are both going to try the Focus T25 workouts, and I'm contemplating taking a stab at Dr. Oz's Two week rapid weight loss plan - mainly because of the health benefits he promotes. <i>Less fatigue and clearer thinking?</i> <b>Sign me up!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm thinking maybe I can tie feeling better in to having more patience and energy for my band of tiny ruffians.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCQMjK2p8U6dmJ25geCjiag73X1ejWfD-75KTlLGN8vc4wWXjmUKMOo6hKWzX7q7ssSDvmY2d1K9evYu56Y1YN2UH3nD2VrQtLyKyhDE2eUMz__ZV1rcyBU1lwroIO-zckxfiKwF9d6w/s1600/Focus-T25-Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCQMjK2p8U6dmJ25geCjiag73X1ejWfD-75KTlLGN8vc4wWXjmUKMOo6hKWzX7q7ssSDvmY2d1K9evYu56Y1YN2UH3nD2VrQtLyKyhDE2eUMz__ZV1rcyBU1lwroIO-zckxfiKwF9d6w/s1600/Focus-T25-Banner.jpg" height="120" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't have 25 minutes a day??? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm also extremely determined to make more time for my husband and our marriage this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We get </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">SO </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">caught up in the kids and the daily chores of life that we aren't enjoying each other and what brought us together in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, I am more in love with Jay now than </span><u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">ever</u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> before. I just don't get to show him enough, and that bothers me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I need to focus more time on building him up and letting him know just how proud of him and grateful for him I truly am. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIDsUILseo00qC16xZFbr03hc1iYtJpWTdZhfCzJoecoMtXTT2WsApqz8X-4q7MEyvO9ECPsPz_azqIvlSKAvoiVZU-2hvKElL-JgQpeQb9GeiVoxtZXUC76AdIpgFBpDpVeLh2bhAhA/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIDsUILseo00qC16xZFbr03hc1iYtJpWTdZhfCzJoecoMtXTT2WsApqz8X-4q7MEyvO9ECPsPz_azqIvlSKAvoiVZU-2hvKElL-JgQpeQb9GeiVoxtZXUC76AdIpgFBpDpVeLh2bhAhA/s1600/photo+(1).JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st date night of the new year. I surprised him with a night out :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What's new for you this year? Any resolutions you want to share?</span></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg">Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-13078449039920988842013-12-05T12:42:00.000-05:002013-12-05T12:42:15.578-05:00It's My Party...<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is my 35 birthday.... <i>Half way to 40.</i> Not sure exactly how I feel about that. I do know how I feel about my birthday as a general rule though, and it's not good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When my mom came home from the hospital the last time, the doctors told us she would most likely have a burst of energy for a bit right before the body started to shut down. <b>She did</b>. We had almost 2 <strike>good</strike> great weeks of conversation & time spent together. For almost two weeks she was able to walk herself around the house and do some things on her own, she even went back to sleeping with my dad in their room instead of the hospital bed that was set up for her in our living room. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My birthday was on a Sunday that year. We had dinner and had the family & some friends over for cake. We sat next to each other, we shared cake and coffee (tea for me!) and had a few laughs. It was the first time in my life that I received a birthday card filled out by my dad. It was also the last birthday card I would ever get signed "love, mom & dad". </span><span style="font-size: large;">I had no idea that that day would be the last day I would be able to have <i>real</i> conversation with my mother.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The very next day she was like a completely different person. She was lethargic, unable to move on her own, her speech was unrecognizable... I think it was a combination of the disease and the morphine, but the difference was astounding. For the next two weeks we watched her deteriorate. She became a shell of her former self. All the life in her, her beautiful spirit, just faded away. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I like to think that she held on to that energy just to celebrate with me one last time, and I am so grateful for that. The flip side of that is that now my birthday will always be about "the last time". The last time we sat at our table together, the last time we ate together, the last time we really talked, my last birthday together... and I know I shouldn't let my mind wander there, that it's not what mom would want; and yet I can't help myself. I can't help but imagine what the last 15 birthdays would have been like if she had been here to celebrate them with me. I can't help but feel that I hate December and everything it stands for. I can't help but wish I could bring her back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's my pity party for today...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully tomorrow will be better. </span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-10847576112309615882013-11-08T12:59:00.000-05:002013-11-08T12:59:43.204-05:00Friday's Letters<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #351c75;">Dear Baby M -</span> I cannot believe you are 2 years old already! Where did the time go? I can remember your tiny little fingers & toes and sweet baby smell like it was yesterday. You are growing and changing so much every single day, and I am constantly amazed by how much you know. You are so very sweet, and also so very sassy - just like me. I cherish every day with you, because I know that before we know it you will have traded in snuggles with mommy & daddy for Starbucks with your girlfriends... all the mundane things that seem so trivial right now because they are a part of our day-to-day; coloring, reading stories together, bath time - I will miss those one day. I wonder what you will be like as a teenager, as a woman... where will you go to college, what kind of man will you marry, will you have lots of kids of your own? I have so many hopes and dreams for you, my love; and I know you will have so many of your own. I will be here with you every step of the way, helping you achieve those dreams. I love you so very much, my sweet girl, and I look forward to what the next year will bring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dear Retail -</span> Quit it with the Christmas commercials, advertisements, sales... NEWSFLASH! Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet! Get back to me on 11/29!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dear Hot Chocolate -</span> It's nice to have you back, I've missed you! </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PS - I may be leaving you for DD red velvet latte... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dear Mother Nature - </span>Please, please, please don't make it too cold tomorrow morning! I'm doing another <a href="http://www.glirc.org/assets/images/events/Rockville%20Centre%205k%20and%2010K.pdf" target="_blank">5K</a>, and I really don't want to freeze my a$$ off! K, thanks! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dear Veterans - </span>Thank you so much for all you have sacrificed to protect our great nation. The selflessness you and your families display as a part of our Armed Forces is unparalleled, and my family and I are so very grateful for your service. We are also thankful for the day off to honor you.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43114309828816704.post-13979684174186800222013-11-06T15:27:00.003-05:002013-11-06T15:28:20.017-05:00Baby M Turns 2!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to believe that just 2 short years ago we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little princess. I say this mostly because it's hard to imagine our lives without her in it now that she's here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I worried a lot when I was pregnant that I wouldn't have enough room in my heart for all the boys and a new baby. I wondered how all the pieces would fit together, </span><span style="font-size: large;">h</span><span style="font-size: large;">ow I would find enough of myself to go around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had some complications after my delivery, so I wasn't able to hold her right away... In fact, it was hours before I held that precious girl in my arms - but I knew from the moment they placed her on my chest that there would be no trouble making room for her in my heart, that with her here our family was complete. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Clearly all the men in her life felt the same way :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every day this girl amazes us with her sweetness and her kind heart. She is also a spitfire like her mother, so her sass always keeps us on our toes. Combine these two things with all funny things she says, and there is <u>never</u> a dull moment in our house with M around. It has been a pleasure getting to know her as she has grown from a baby into a toddler and started to come into her personality. As difficult as it can be with her testing the limits and wanting to do literally <b>EVERY. SINGLE. THING.</b> on her own, </span><span style="font-size: large;">this is my favorite age so far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past Saturday at 12:12 am our baby girl turned 2 years old. We started celebrating from the moment she woke up, and didn't stop until <u><b>Sunday night</b></u>! We all had a blast! Good times with good friends and family, this was the theme for M's birthday weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday night before I went to sleep I set out all her presents in front of the fireplace with a bunch of balloons. I wanted that to be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her brothers had a doctor appointment in the morning, so when they got back we all headed to our local mall for lunch and a special trip to Build-a-Bear Workshop for the birthday girl. Stuffed animals are her favorite, so she <b>LOVES</b> it there. After a few <strike>hours</strike> minutes of debate, she picked out a My Little Pony, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">who she lovingly named Rainbow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She had so much fun filling up Rainbow's heart with special traits, stuffing her, and giving her a <i>"bath"</i>. Then we made the birth certificate and the big screen behind the cash register lit up with a special birthday message for our girl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She loved that, </span><span style="font-size: large;">once we told her what it said! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Rainbow was boxed up and ready to go we headed home to get ready for the PARTY! We had a few friends and family at the local gymnastics gym, <a href="http://icangymnastics.com/" target="_blank">All American Gymnastics</a>, to celebrate. It was great because they had everything there. The entertainment, the food, the cake, they even had goodie bags! Of course I didn't realize they provided the goodie bags, and got some personalized goodies from my friend Amanda at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/AmandART/162917440438735" style="color: #351c75;" target="_blank">AmandArt</a>.<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>She's awesome! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">M had the best time running around with her little friends. I think the trampoline was her favorite, but they also let her fly on the trapeze at the end and she really loved that! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we had cake, and after that the family came back to our house to open presents. She had a good time with that too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made those really cool candy corn cupcakes that have been circulating all over FaceBook, and of course didn't take any pictures of them. Another blogger <b>FAIL! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They came out really good though, & they tasted delicious. After presents we sang happy birthday again, this time to M and her Uncle E who shares the same birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once all the company was gone we all snuggled up on the couch and watched Monsters University. Jay and I didn't really love it, but the boys thought it was hysterical. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday we vegged out for most of the day, watched the Jet game and played with all of M's new toys. Then we headed out to Chili's for one last birthday celebration for M and her birthday buddy Uncle E. We had to wait even though we had called ahead, but the manager gave us a bunch of free stuff so that made up for it. The food was great and the company was even better. Usually M gives a hard time eating when we are out but she ate her entire meal and then some. Then we sang happy birthday one last time with some super delicious ice cream and skillet chocolate chip cookies (yum!), and some spiced pumpkin molten cake (double yum!) for the birthday uncle :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, it was a great weekend. I still can't believe our baby girl is 2 years old. She is always learning and growing, and teaching me something new honestly, so I'm really looking forward to what the next year will bring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Hump Day All!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope the rest of your week goes quickly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z6hc2q.jpg" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221874041128437362noreply@blogger.com0