tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212218122024-03-07T01:13:57.421-05:00A Peakin To Our LivesJennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2763125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-1937410902596267652015-07-28T09:44:00.002-04:002015-07-28T09:44:34.395-04:00Our Colorado Adventure! (better late than never!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A couple of weeks ago, we returned from a fun family adventure to Colorado! We'd been talking about heading that way for years now and this summer was the year! Unfortunately, we felt as though it would be best to leave Cason in Iowa as he likes his regular comforts and can get distraught in new situations. It turned out to be a good choice for everyone!</div>
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We started our trip with a few nights in Denver...</div>
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We hit the aquarium, the Museum of Science and Nature and downtown Denver. We ate at lots of fun restaurants and didn't have a schedule...no naps, no solid plans...it was wonderful!</div>
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The aquarium was so amazing...they even had mermaids!</div>
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The shark tank was all of our favorites!</div>
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Feeding the stingrays was pretty exciting too!</div>
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One evening we just decided to go for a drive and it was so beautiful that we pulled over on the side of the road and got out to explore and take a few pictures...</div>
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Look at all those bison! The boys loved seeing these guys!</div>
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There is something so incredible about the Rocky Mountains...so gorgeous and breathtaking. Pictures don't do any of the incredible views justice...</div>
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Prairie Dogs! So cute...there were SO MANY!</div>
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Probably my favorite part of the trip was the day we headed up to Winter Park for the 2nd half of our trip and stopped at Red Rocks Park and hiked. We had the boys dressed for the anticipated low 70's, upper 60's temperatures we'd be feeling in winter park because we didn't plan to hike so far (parent fail on our part because it was HOT HOT HOT during our hike...and they were in pants...yikes!), but just kept going because it was so incredible!</div>
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The views, you guys....man! I love this place!</div>
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The boys were "ON TOP OF THE WORLD"!</div>
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We hiked over to the amphitheater...</div>
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The only thing that would have made it better were if we were actually there to see a concert! That place is incredible!</div>
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On our way back to the car, we saw this fella just chillin' in the shade!</div>
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I don't have many pictures of our Winter Park adventures because I put the camera down and actually took part in the fun, but we had a blast! Winter Park Resort was an all day adventure that the boys loved beyond words! It ended on a not so great note after Sean had a serious wipe out on the alpine slide and got quite injured....lots of road rash and a cracked rib. YIKES! I also got a sunburn on my face...a really bad one. That being 1 mile and a half closer to the sun is serious business!</div>
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This sunset was our last night...it was the PERFECT ending to an incredible trip!</div>
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I have never seen a more beautiful sunset!</div>
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The boys were so sad to leave...they said they want to move to the mountains...I get it. I have the itch too!</div>
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It was such an amazing trip!!!</div>
<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-90401984422135006942015-07-06T13:34:00.003-04:002015-07-06T13:34:57.516-04:00Summa Summa Summa TIME....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love summertime! This summer has been super fun so far and we have lots more fun ahead of us!</div>
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I got to meet these 2 beauties for lunch a few weeks back and we spent a couple of hours catching up and reminiscing about high school...when did we become 30 somethings?! I will say, my 30's have so far been the best years of my life! So fun getting together with high school friends!</div>
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I've got to spend lots of time with my friends and their adorable kiddos. I tired PhiPhi out this day! Adore this girl so much!</div>
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Lisa got me a selfie stick, so we had to test it out. LOL</div>
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We spent a weekend in Kansas City for our tradition where we take our nieces and nephews on a trip for their 10th birthdays. We went to Oceans of Fun, Worlds of Fun and Sean took Bode to a Royals/Red Sox game. Such a fun and special trip!</div>
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Tate and I got a one on one date while they went to the baseball game!</div>
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Lots of sliding and swimming happened...such a fun weekend!</div>
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We returned in time to celebrate my amazing husband and father to my boys and my awesome dad with a fun Father's Day!</div>
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I am so fortunate. I have the best family in the world...</div>
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The weather heated up and we got the water table out for Cason...turns out the big boys liked it too!</div>
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Cason has figured out the concept of the "selfie"...cutest thing ever!</div>
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Our big boys have actually spent some time playing TOGETHER and getting along this summer! It's a summer miracle!</div>
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Gotta love girl time...especially when it's with this amazing niece of mine! Oh, Ayla...I adore you!</div>
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And it wouldn't be a good day unless some of it is spent with our talking to this lady!</div>
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She works so hard all year and life gets busy so we take FULL advantage of the summers...pool time with the kiddos, lots of texts and phone calls. I hate when she goes back to work. HATE IT!</div>
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The 4th of July has become our holiday. We have a super convenient location for fireworks which means no searching for a parking spot and lugging a bunch of stuff for blocks and blocks to find a good view. We have a perfect view of the Bettendorf fireworks from the field just 3 houses down from us! We love having our friends over for the 4th...but first, let me take a family selfie...</div>
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A patriotic and YUMMY trifle!</div>
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My big boy...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YHBDNxBsqsI_oRoNmC1ZlWv6XN6baunhSvfTNwsVLKWUhfXU8PorigeI019cv3eQz5QXLVlgG7aFI0mDYryNr8gDEXtRaez0SScPCPdEa9giPNRYwEPZC_mqhsTPmPJWvRWG/s1600/Photo+Jul+04%252C+5+29+26+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YHBDNxBsqsI_oRoNmC1ZlWv6XN6baunhSvfTNwsVLKWUhfXU8PorigeI019cv3eQz5QXLVlgG7aFI0mDYryNr8gDEXtRaez0SScPCPdEa9giPNRYwEPZC_mqhsTPmPJWvRWG/s640/Photo+Jul+04%252C+5+29+26+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My girls...adore each of these girls as they are such an important part of our village. The friendships I have with them are so precious to me.</div>
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This winter, we are even taking our first girl's vacation to Florida...plus a few other amazing women that will be joining us! Can't wait!!!!</div>
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And nothing says "I LOVE THE USA" like drinking a Modelo on the 4th of July! LOL</div>
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And to think that all of this was just the first half of the summer!</div>
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We leave tomorrow for a family vacation to Colorado for week. Sweet Cason isn't going as he just simply can't deal with most public places. His 2nd Mommy and Daddy, Lora and James are keeping him for us for most of the time and Sarah and Mike will be keeping him over the weekend. I just can't say enough about how grateful I am for the DeCooks and the Peakins for all they do to help us...we are so blessed by them and thank God to call them all family! They love our kids so well...we could never repay them for all they have done for us!</div>
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Upon our return from Colorado, we will be fitting LOTS of pool days in at the DeCooks and Peakins' neighborhood pools, I have filled my schedule with photoshoots and appointments and hopefully we will fit in several of the items on our summer list before Sean and I leave for an incredible vacation just the two of us! I can't even believe it...I have wanted to experience all that St. Lucia has to offer for YEARS. I met someone from St. Lucia in 1999 and she spoke of her country in a way that made me want so badly to visit it! So we are!!! An 11 month late 10 year anniversary trip will be spent with my amazing husband for a week in the beautiful St. Lucia!!! I.CAN'T.WAIT!</div>
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Loving summer and soaking it all up! Hope you are too!!!</div>
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-13573678495613980592015-06-15T12:00:00.000-04:002015-06-15T12:00:22.979-04:00Finding what works for US...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am having an internal battle with some recent realizations Sean and I have had. First of all, I know that every family is different and no one can know what it is like to be in another's family. Ours is just the same...unless a family deals with the same things we deal with and has a child with special needs and another with medical needs while the 3rd has sensory and social issues, they won't understand why we make the decisions we make. I still am battling though...I battle with how it looks when we make certain choices...what will people think?!</div>
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It's ridiculous, I know this! I know that I love my kids beyond words and I do what is right for them and our family. So why do I care what other people may think of us? I don't know. I just don't want people to think poorly of us, I guess. It's silly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_wzctuQtUNelzZioq_P0GBcqUbBTZEYp_h_LIkKqZiyDe_ZKkL9bliYu02moxYrVX5mZnFbYEbT8BRqMrCZUo4lUrjQAY5duOkQmPyBZuE2U_8Bv-bPJ31nvVfK8WyPUPX-p/s1600/mom-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_wzctuQtUNelzZioq_P0GBcqUbBTZEYp_h_LIkKqZiyDe_ZKkL9bliYu02moxYrVX5mZnFbYEbT8BRqMrCZUo4lUrjQAY5duOkQmPyBZuE2U_8Bv-bPJ31nvVfK8WyPUPX-p/s640/mom-5.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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All of this to get to the point. We have slowly started to realize that our constant exposing Cason to certain things has become an issue. We thought it would improve, he would grow accustomed to the sensory overload that comes along with lots of public places, restaurants, museums, zoos, etc. We were wrong...it has gotten worse. His meltdowns have become more inconsolable, louder, screaming and hitting himself in the face is something he has taken up. He claws all over us and acts as though he just wants to crawl out of his own skin. The zoo in Des Moines a couple of weekends ago was the final straw. It was bad. He cried...almost the entire time. He was terrified of the animals, the sounds, the crowds. He didn't want to walk, he didn't want to be held, he didn't want to be in the stroller, he didn't want to be there. Period. This made the evening less enjoyable for all of us. We couldn't relax and enjoy our time because Cason was so upset. Nothing calmed him down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW47y4anfJvjy2G3BIQKcwBxE3j3dJnHvnJPYxGvBbo9y3E0TZD7Hxqb0FXNUzd2CbQakt8bosXNZkH4TLsrG2lOfZoXOD52xZ26KLkXPTYKnFmpwmO35H61omRD7GxUGih32Q/s1600/zoo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW47y4anfJvjy2G3BIQKcwBxE3j3dJnHvnJPYxGvBbo9y3E0TZD7Hxqb0FXNUzd2CbQakt8bosXNZkH4TLsrG2lOfZoXOD52xZ26KLkXPTYKnFmpwmO35H61omRD7GxUGih32Q/s640/zoo-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was after leaving the zoo that Sean and I realized that we cannot keep doing this. We just can't. It is not the reality of what works for our family, for Cason, for Tate and Wesley. It isn't fair to anyone.</div>
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This realization made me so sad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iBhrz0WqCBBcGyiT6aRidyTKEhi8CgBWLq4Cqwk6rpJeeeWNx1dgTByVROXy0dOeEMv_4OLvpfKro5_zz_87H1I5GyP6JG4OVopEzEPyxR0NlZv1M9J32520kMmHF2-fB17G/s1600/zoo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iBhrz0WqCBBcGyiT6aRidyTKEhi8CgBWLq4Cqwk6rpJeeeWNx1dgTByVROXy0dOeEMv_4OLvpfKro5_zz_87H1I5GyP6JG4OVopEzEPyxR0NlZv1M9J32520kMmHF2-fB17G/s640/zoo-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I want to do things as a family of 5, but the big boys are able to do so much more now, they enjoy lots more things that Cason finds terrifying. He wants to be in a more private setting, some place less chaotic with less stimulation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNeKY3fsa-AHvtqTkx7Y4jnZs8IZn1t9YGTAH_38DRNOnXVrbIdRizd03P7NuMNJftDVcusSXuzaLjii86nt6jdw7P-CdRODilurEXD-R7ZivskImTVE0ZwDhCR4BV5N3QYCG/s1600/jd-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNeKY3fsa-AHvtqTkx7Y4jnZs8IZn1t9YGTAH_38DRNOnXVrbIdRizd03P7NuMNJftDVcusSXuzaLjii86nt6jdw7P-CdRODilurEXD-R7ZivskImTVE0ZwDhCR4BV5N3QYCG/s640/jd-5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are definitely certain settings that work for Cason during outings and travel and we fully intend on taking advantage of doing things that Cason will learn from and enjoy, but many of those things aren't enjoyable for the big boys and they need to be exposed to things as well.</div>
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We had our first vacation as a family of 5 planned in July. The first time we would all go away somewhere together, just the 5 of us. Our trip to Colorado is something we have been looking forward to for a while now. We have lots on the agenda that the big boys will LOVE and as we got to thinking about the trip, we realized that most of those adventures, while they are things we are able to bring Cason along on, will be experiences Cason will not enjoy at all! I think the thought of not bringing Cason on our family vacation entered my mind a long time ago, but I pushed it out of my mind knowing that this was a family vacation and so our whole family NEEDS to go...we will just deal with it. It's our reality.</div>
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You see, it could be our reality...bring Cason along with us and deal with his freak outs, understand that this is our family and it's what we have to do. OR, realize that bringing him along in these situations isn't beneficial to anyone. The big boys have to sacrifice...we leave places early, I have to stay back with Cason sometimes, we have added stress, we don't go to certain places that will be uncomfortable for Cason or that we will waste money going to knowing that no one will enjoy it with a screaming child in tow. Also, Cason sacrifices being in a comfortable situation with people he loves in a setting that he enjoys. I hate seeing Cason so worked up and upset. It has become clear what the obvious decision is to be the most beneficial to all of us. We just cannot bring him EVERYWHERE with us any longer. This realization makes me so sad. I WANT Cason to enjoy these experiences and I WANT to be with our little family as much as possible...I don't want to leave a child behind. I love being with Cason, but I don't like seeing him miserable and I don't like our big boys not being able to experience certain things because Cason cannot participate. It's not good for any of us.</div>
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We are SO BLESSED to have such an amazing village of people who love our boys and who are willing to care for Cason in these situations. So we decided we would see if anyone would be willing to keep our Sweet Cason while we go to Colorado in a few weeks and finding people was no problem! Lora and James, Sarah and Mike didn't hesitate and I know Cason will be so loved and spoiled while he is with them!</div>
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I am working on being okay with leaving Cason behind, with understanding that this family dynamic is much different than I had always dreamed before having a family. However, I wouldn't change my family for the world...I wouldn't trade any of my kids for any other situation. This is our reality and our family and what works for us and God gave my these boys and also gave us this incredible village of family and friends...it all works. It is just how it is supposed to be. Maybe in the future Cason will be able to join us on more adventures, but for now, if necessary, we know we have lots of loving arms that will keep him while the other 4 of us are gone!</div>
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God's plans are often different than our own, but His plans are perfect.</div>
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Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-60842225393324369782015-05-17T16:42:00.001-04:002015-05-17T23:15:41.056-04:00Life according to my phone...<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a new record for me as of late! 2 posts in 5 days?!?! What?!!! Unheard of!</div>
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So here is what has been going on according to my phone (and a couple other pics that aren't from my phone)...</div>
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Stopped in Williamsburg on my way to Des Moines a couple of weeks ago and they had 50% off all women's clearance clothing...so that pretty much made my week! I got shirts for 0.48!!! Amazing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNbUOlayzuS0sxgohmliHP1W34cNljGfTFfReyIS3fk2MpXCaOMWelc2QrAJIDYjTzFwkkVJhdlQvel50keavk_uMmj5nAUHQk2xBDoVJczH4LCUJOnmY2UUGqHDuLujY-SiZ/s1600/Photo+May+01,+12+36+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNbUOlayzuS0sxgohmliHP1W34cNljGfTFfReyIS3fk2MpXCaOMWelc2QrAJIDYjTzFwkkVJhdlQvel50keavk_uMmj5nAUHQk2xBDoVJczH4LCUJOnmY2UUGqHDuLujY-SiZ/s640/Photo+May+01,+12+36+06+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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While in Des Moines, I got to go to The Lion King with these beauties and their mama and grandma and my other sister in law, Sara and my mother in law. I saw it years ago and it was JUST as wonderful the 2nd time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXLcZZTN61Crnc-5RZXgBlBu1lnN1AovsfOoXOidV4cJ8VCZGoiUsPaU9iHvjl0HqR12b4GWfwUqeeCSMf8CLPk8s1DBcZxBSpCmqQGuaa90fuKsK2wj2CQrv4rdzT81V2i4I/s1600/Photo+May+02,+6+35+33+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXLcZZTN61Crnc-5RZXgBlBu1lnN1AovsfOoXOidV4cJ8VCZGoiUsPaU9iHvjl0HqR12b4GWfwUqeeCSMf8CLPk8s1DBcZxBSpCmqQGuaa90fuKsK2wj2CQrv4rdzT81V2i4I/s640/Photo+May+02,+6+35+33+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Paleo is on full force for me...in fact, I've stuck with Whole30 past my 30 days...and it didn't stop me from celebrating Cinco de Mayo with some yummy paleo Mexican food!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ScdddSyVmw-ehPbR6VDPOJC5T_lXbPl_7hnx7WJ-i4gGukqVBqrpCMz_J6Gkp0b6_sjmoZ8Nl3L0rQqzrHL_zqnAw-sIbFgy0aHMofQpRn0xF1FLdLczJmds9TOqH8LzTPsy/s1600/Photo+May+05,+5+26+27+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ScdddSyVmw-ehPbR6VDPOJC5T_lXbPl_7hnx7WJ-i4gGukqVBqrpCMz_J6Gkp0b6_sjmoZ8Nl3L0rQqzrHL_zqnAw-sIbFgy0aHMofQpRn0xF1FLdLczJmds9TOqH8LzTPsy/s640/Photo+May+05,+5+26+27+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mother's Day was wonderful. I had a great day and even got some fun gifts...Sean surprised me with this beautiful scarf!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSR2FgUyL4Dd8DFZgp1457TaQdW_ev0qKAfNJRqyPiYWgoZF1rfjQMRuzZLGtlZdtBR2UycW4QD6B1MuvsZqgKKQz4qVLYSdKLxHcINGSoRYjxJE8VzNuKStd4xGYSwEnWiJI/s1600/Photo+May+10,+10+09+27+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSR2FgUyL4Dd8DFZgp1457TaQdW_ev0qKAfNJRqyPiYWgoZF1rfjQMRuzZLGtlZdtBR2UycW4QD6B1MuvsZqgKKQz4qVLYSdKLxHcINGSoRYjxJE8VzNuKStd4xGYSwEnWiJI/s640/Photo+May+10,+10+09+27+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then we got to celebrate my mom, the most amazing mom in the world in Muscatine with my whole family. Fun fun!</div>
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I can't believe it's that time of the year, but our summer list is done and ready to have some items crossed off!</div>
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Don't even get me started on the disgustingness (it's a word, in my vocabulary at least) of my boys' bathroom. It's appalling. I can clean their sink and 2 days later it will look like this. And don't get me started on their toilet and pee....everywhere. Yuck!</div>
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Cason's last day of preschool was Thursday. He has an amazing teacher that loves him and that he adores.</div>
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I made zoodles for the first time (zucchini noodles) and they were SO GOOD! This awesome vegetable slicer is going to change our paleo lives! Welcome to our world paleo "pasta", can't wait to add some recipes to the menu!</div>
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Another one of my Mother's Day gifts from Sean and the boys. Have you heard of <a href="http://boymomdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Boymom</a>? Cute stuff...and they have some Girlmom stuff too! I got 2 shirts...this one, since my boys are soccer lovers and another that reads (My Boys - My (super) Heroes. Love them!</div>
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The NKF Kidney walk was yesterday. I helped plan the event and had a great time supporting an important cause. It was wonderful to have family and friends come out and walk with Wesley's Warriors and also support us with donations. Thank you all...it means so much to us!</div>
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This week is the big boys' last full week of school...then they have Memorial Day off and go 2 1/2 more days after that. THEN SUMMER!!!! I am SORT OF ready. We have a busy summer ahead and while I LOVE spending time with my boys and doing fun family things, it is also nice to have a few free hours a day while all 3 are at school. :) Now that Cason is done with school, I have him full time again which is easing me into a new routine. Can't wait for the warm weather to stay and for some pool time and vacations!</div>
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Bring on summer!</div>
<br /><!--3-->Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-47258640038282635532015-05-12T09:45:00.001-04:002015-05-12T09:45:07.439-04:00Massive Update...because it's been so long!So now it's been 2 months since I've posted?! Yikes! I love having this blog to look back on from years past, but I am finding it harder and harder to keep up with it as our lives get busier and busier! I will continue to do my best, but most of my life is documented on Facebook these days.<br />
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Health Update:<br />
I went off the wagon with my eating for a couple of months and gained a few pounds (ahem...8 lbs to be exact!) back. I guess I assumed that I wouldn't because I have remained consistent with my working out, but I was wrong about that! Weight loss (for me at least) happens at the dinner table...period. It certainly boosts my results that I am working out, but when I fall off the diet wagon, my working out doesn't make up for that. Soooo...lesson learned!<br />
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I got back on Whole30 (which I LOVE...I feel sooo much better when I am not eating dairy, grains or processed foods!) and yesterday was my last day with it. I weighed myself this morning and found that my 30 days on the program helped me to shed off 15lbs! I'll take it! I don't think I will be done...I would like to lose 10 more pounds before switching back to normal paleo. We'll see how that works. :) <br />
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I am still doing the gym 5-6 days a week and doing some running outdoors again now that the weather is nicer. Body Pump is my favorite class and I have even started getting Sean to go...he loves it too!<br />
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Cason Update:<br />
Cason's last day of preschool for this year is this Thursday! He is going to do the summer program, so that will be good for him, but he has several weeks off starting Thursday afternoon! He will probably wonder what on earth is going on. He LOVES school! He has the most incredible teachers and his year alone made me realize how worth it it was for us to make the huge life decision to up and move to the district last year. For us, and our family needs, it was the best choice. He has accomplished so many things this year...he wears his glasses all the time now, matches colors, speaks so much more functionally and has matured socially as well! He loves music and can sing every song (on key!) that plays on the radio. It's so crazy and awesome!<br />
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Wesley Update:<br />
Kindergarten was a rough transition for Wesley as so much more was expected of him this year than in years past, but the team at his school has been amazing at working with him to provide for him what he needs to be successful. His academic IEP was dropped at the beginning of the year because he tested on target and has remained above that benchmark all year! He struggles in many areas, but seems to remain JUST above that threshold. :) His behavior has been up and down...he struggles maintaining focus. He is now working with a school based therapist from Vera French who we really like and has been diagnosed with ADHD and they are concerned about some attachment disorders...neither of which are surprising to Sean or I. He is so well known in the school....I swear, every child in that school knows him! I've never seen anything like it! We will even be at HyVee or WalMart and multiple adults will pass us and say "Hi Wesley!" and I will have no idea who they are! So funny! He is such an athlete...man, he is going to be great at athletics. He did great in soccer this year and really enjoys any sport he can play. Wesley will take part in the summer school program as well which he is looking forward to. We are proud of all that he has accomplished this year. He has started to read and has really grown academically and in the last few weeks has really made amazing strides in improving some of his behavioral challenges as well! I hate to even type out the words, but this has been Wesley's healthiest year yet! He hasn't had a hospital stay for over a year and has hardly gotten sick at all. Thank goodness!<br />
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Tate Update:<br />
Starting 2nd grade at a new school proved to be difficult for Tate as well. Academically, he has been great, but he struggled to make friends and his teacher had some health issues this year which caused her to be out for extended periods of time. She was such a wonderful teacher for him though and we are glad he had her. He probably needed some of that inconsistency to force him to learn coping skills, but it was hard for him at times. Those of you who know him know that Tate needs consistency! It took a while, but in just the last few months, Tate has really started to make friends. It was never his peers that didn't want to be friends with him, it was more him not agreeing to play with them when they asked or him just preferring to be alone. He started playing soccer which he is actually really good at and really enjoys! He looks forward to playing again in the fall. We are thrilled that he found a sport that he enjoys! We believe that soccer may have been a factor in helping him come out of his shell. He did start cub scouts back in the fall, but after the first few meetings, it became a struggle as he didn't enjoy it and didn't want to go. We kept him in for several months and tried to help him enjoy it more, but once he joined soccer and continued to not want to do cub scouts, we gave in and let him quit. :/ We just don't know that cub scouts is his "thing". We are hopeful that in 3rd grade, Tate will continue to make friends and continue to grow and mature more socially. We are so proud of him and the things that he has accomplished this year and the ways that he has surprised us. He has stepped out of his comfort zone more than once and actually enjoyed his new ventures on several of the occasions.<br />
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This summer will be a busy one! Between a few trips we are taking, some work around our house we are doing, my photography businesses being busier than ever this year and the 2 littles participating in summer school, we are jam packed! Glad this is a longer summer so we can fit it all in. :)<br />
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Our nephew Bode turns 10 at the beginning of July so that means we will have a fun 10th birthday trip for him! We've been planning his trip for a few months now and look forward to surprising him. For those that don't know, 4 years ago we started a tradition with our oldest nephew that when all of our nieces and nephews turn 10, we take them on a short getaway. So far, we've only had 2 turn 10. We took Brigg to St. Louis for 2 nights and went to 2 Cardinals games and stayed in a hotel and had fun dinners out. We went to the Magic House and the zoo. It was an amazing trip! Then, for Lani a year and a half ago, we took the train and stayed in downtown Chicago for 2 nights and I took her to see Wicked. We never tell our nieces/nephews when we will show up and say, "let's go, we're taking you for a couple of days!" so it makes it a huge surprise. After Bode turns 10, we have Leah and Tyler that turn 10 in January. They will be SUPER surprised because they are the oldest on the Peakin side and don't know of this tradition yet! <br />
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So our trip with Bode will be at the end of June, then we are going on a family vacation in July with just the 5 of us. We are going to Colorado...spending a few nights in Denver and then heading up to Winter Park for a couple of nights. We are driving so we plan to hit the zoo in Omaha on the way. Can't wait for a family vacation to somewhere fun and new that the kids have never been! Then in August, Sean and I get to go on our 10 year anniversary trip (11 months late...ha!) to St. Lucia. We had been planning to take a trip to Italy, but to make a long story short, plans changed because of a few fears I had about traveling over seas right now. So St. Lucia it is! It is another destination that I've been wanting to go to since I learned about it back in 1999 when I met someone from there while in school. We are SUPER excited to get some time away just the 2 of us and relax!<br />
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To say our summer will be busy is pretty much an understatement! All fun things, but busy none the less. Hoping I can find time to keep this blog updated more often amidst all of the other things we have going on this summer. The boys still have 2 weeks of school left, but then BRING ON SUMMER!Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-49364519401368289182015-03-10T16:05:00.000-04:002015-03-10T16:05:03.054-04:00My Journey to Health...an update<div style="text-align: center;">
I just realized that I haven't written a blog post (aside from my cabbage rolls recipe I posted last night!) for a month and a half! Yikes!</div>
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I thought it was time I posted an update as I have recently had lots of people ask how things are going with my diet/exercise. So here's the low down...</div>
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My diet...I wouldn't say I've fallen off of the paleo wagon, but I am definitely holding on and being drug by it. ;) I cook paleo 90% of the time at home. When I go out, I am conscious of my choices, but definitely haven't stuck to paleo. And you know what? I can tell...not in my weightloss, but in how I FEEL. Eating paleo just makes you FEEL good. Period. I stay away from pop (unless I am drinking a cocktail, which is rare it seems) and have really tried to avoid cheese...well, dairy in general. I have continued to lose weight...at a slower rate (and much slower than I would like to!), but it's still going in the right direction. I would like to get back to full paleo soon. Or at least be better about it when I go out.</div>
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I ate this one night in the last month...and have had several other desserts that I didn't photograph!</div>
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The fact that I am still losing weight might be a bit of a miracle! lol</div>
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However, when I eat like that, I work out extra hard...I do machines and then walk and plank and do stairs and do Body Pump. I work out hard when I go to the Y and now am super excited to be able to start running outside!</div>
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The ARC at the Y kicks my a$$! I have a serious love/hate relationship with it. I love it when I am done and I see this...</div>
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I recently got a Fitbit Charge HR and am a slave to it. Seriously, it is going to probably be the reason I lose weight...I've already lost another pound since having it and it's only been 5 days! It's amazing...I log all of the food I eat and every ounce of water I drink. It tracks everything! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!<br />
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And I still have to say that having working out buddies has been my saving grace...the reason I haven't given up. I can't say enough how thankful I am that Sam has motivated me and kept me going to the Y even on days when I just wanted to sit on the couch...I hope I have done the same for her! Even Lisa has started to join us every now and again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWfgOoWwafAy2Z6gJoplB4iYg8yp8EtVDBCo9YkXdovOyfaJc80X5C2ueVVC9MWZxVh3q3BrAEdjq8CTqGXIYIAyc-E_CFD1doJoO0S08MvjRAMqstDdlpZdRbAf99I1Bw1ij/s1600/Photo+Mar+02,+9+43+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWfgOoWwafAy2Z6gJoplB4iYg8yp8EtVDBCo9YkXdovOyfaJc80X5C2ueVVC9MWZxVh3q3BrAEdjq8CTqGXIYIAyc-E_CFD1doJoO0S08MvjRAMqstDdlpZdRbAf99I1Bw1ij/s1600/Photo+Mar+02,+9+43+17+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the consistency and how hard we are pushing ourselves...it is working. We are getting stronger every time we go. I am so proud of us! It feels so good!</div>
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And when I'm down in the dumps and feeling lazy, the best way to motivate me to go to the gym is to buy some new, crazy, fun workout clothes, and then I HAVE to go to the gym because I need to wear my new clothes! LOL</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWwKe-qmuO2udQyTZE0fNXtbJYJ16ayXIC62thPOlaunJuzSGDnJvHQ88PoFr_Ikcp29pfiB9scN8Qv02vxgovrABqodIAOL388QfRuYXDL-2hUh5kIZyhr3Q6nwHPA4t2O1Y/s1600/Photo+Jan+24,+10+02+10+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWwKe-qmuO2udQyTZE0fNXtbJYJ16ayXIC62thPOlaunJuzSGDnJvHQ88PoFr_Ikcp29pfiB9scN8Qv02vxgovrABqodIAOL388QfRuYXDL-2hUh5kIZyhr3Q6nwHPA4t2O1Y/s1600/Photo+Jan+24,+10+02+10+AM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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These pants are my fave...and they are crazy and Lisa and Sam make fun of me for wearing them, but I love them. They match my crazy personality. I like things that most people don't! Ha!</div>
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On the horizon for me? Color the Quads, Inflatable 5k and I think I am even going to run the Bix for the first time! Eek! A little nervous about that. And my sister is trying to talk me into a sprint triathlon in the fall. We'll see!</div>
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So there is my update...healthier every day (aside from this stupid cold I am battling right now!) and stronger every day...and with the help of my Fitbit and my friends holding me accountable, hoping I will continue to be LIGHTER every day!</div>
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Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-19508288257594644882015-03-09T23:05:00.000-04:002015-03-09T23:05:27.689-04:00Cabbage Rolls Recipe<div style="text-align: center;">
(These are not Paleo, but could be changed up to be paleo pretty easily)</div>
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I have never made cabbage rolls...or eaten them, but have wanted to for a loooong time. And tonight I just made a super simple recipe, but they were super good! Now that I've made them and my ENTIRE family LOVED them...like devoured them, I will now know how to change them up and make them a bit more flavorful next time. I think the next time I make them, I will use ground sausage for more flavor. So here is my recipe that I created by mixing a few different cabbage roll recipes I found online. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfU0kBHe9tT-S80UOHJ3hR4BCFAUkrwY-KI0Lw5JLieDAsewmaxNQQ8AGg6BoDratIcwVIn-T0HXiBuXOVo14ZuIzAuYd79JCPzFYTz_OymbS7_w_hYdCc3X4DzpiXbBmWWzI/s1600/Photo+Mar+09,+6+38+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfU0kBHe9tT-S80UOHJ3hR4BCFAUkrwY-KI0Lw5JLieDAsewmaxNQQ8AGg6BoDratIcwVIn-T0HXiBuXOVo14ZuIzAuYd79JCPzFYTz_OymbS7_w_hYdCc3X4DzpiXbBmWWzI/s1600/Photo+Mar+09,+6+38+38+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>CABBAGE ROLLS</u></b></div>
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1 head of cabbage (this made 14 rolls for me, so 14 large leaves...some I used 2 smaller leaves)</div>
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1 lb ground beef (or sausage)</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1/3 cup uncooked white rice (or brown)</div>
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1 jar marinara sauce</div>
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1/2 onion</div>
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garlic salt (I didn't measure...maybe a couple teaspoons?)</div>
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basil</div>
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salt and pepper</div>
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Cook your rice and mix it with your ground beef/sausage, 1 beaten egg, 1/4 jar of marinara sauce, garlic salt, chopped fresh basil (you could use dry basil) and your onion. Don't go to light on the seasoning, because I was pretty liberal with mine and worried it may be too salty, but it wasn't at all. Boil some water and put your cabbage leaves in for about 3-4 minutes. Take out and drain and pat them dry. I cut out the tough rib on the end of the leaf so there was a V shaped cut out of the end. Roll a spoonful of meat into the cabbage leaves...roll them so that the ends are tucked in and no meat is showing. Place them in a large saute pan and pour the remainder of the marinara sauce on top. Put on medium-high heat until the sauce starts to boil and then turn down, cover and let simmer for about 35-40 min. One of the recipes I saw said you could put cheese on top. We didn't do that, but it would have been good, I bet. :)</div>
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Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-16224299735999611232015-01-21T18:21:00.000-05:002015-01-21T18:21:14.696-05:00Tate in the Kitchen - Paleo Pumpkin Spice Granola <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEinPM-ccEEeAnAJFhIeg9EJahjJ4xcM_K93WIgkErf7zvn0tZMk9w0zz3Ud8Qj23tj93Qd3uZaDGPpgwJ7NPjm-1IMKQSe7dlLWC_xVFaVQWLGpyHXkcCcOr7cZ4YkTpAHUW/s1600/Photo+Jan+19,+6+40+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEinPM-ccEEeAnAJFhIeg9EJahjJ4xcM_K93WIgkErf7zvn0tZMk9w0zz3Ud8Qj23tj93Qd3uZaDGPpgwJ7NPjm-1IMKQSe7dlLWC_xVFaVQWLGpyHXkcCcOr7cZ4YkTpAHUW/s1600/Photo+Jan+19,+6+40+38+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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This stuff is a staple in our house...we almost always have a batch on hand!</div>
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What you need:</div>
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1 cup dried cranberries</div>
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2 cups plantain chips (or banana chips)</div>
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2 cups almond slices</div>
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2 cups coconut (unsweetened)</div>
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2 cups chopped pecans</div>
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1 cup chopped walnuts</div>
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1 cup pumpkin seeds</div>
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1 cup sunflower seeds</div>
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2/3 cup Coconut Oil</div>
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1/2 cup raw honey</div>
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4 Tbls Pure Maple Syrup</div>
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2 Tbls Pumpkin Spice Spice</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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2tsp Vanilla Extract</div>
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Pre-Heat to 300 degrees.</div>
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Mix all of the nuts, seeds, coconut, plantain/banana chips, dried cranberries, salt and the pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.</div>
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In a sauce pan, heat up the coconut oil, honey, maple syrup and vanilla extract until it is all melted together. Pour the mixture on top of the nut/seed mixture and stir together to make sure everything is coated with the liquid mixture.</div>
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Pour everything onto cookie sheets on parchment paper...I use silpats. Bake for 25 minutes and then take out of the oven and cool before breaking it apart.</div>
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This makes a TON, so you could cut it in half if you don't want that much. :)</div>
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I eat it like cereal with almond milk over it.</div>
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-51130195234496499222015-01-20T14:20:00.001-05:002015-01-20T14:20:51.544-05:00Something happened yesterday...Wesley's story is complicated and the details are not something I plan to disclose, but yesterday for the first time, something happened...here was the conversation we had...<br />
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Wesley: "Mommy? What was I called when I was a little baby?"<br />
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Me: "What do you mean? What was your name?"<br />
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Wesley: "What did the girl who I grew in her tummy call me?"<br />
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Me: "She called you Wesley, that is the name she gave you when you were born."<br />
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Wesley: "My name was Wesley when I was a little baby?!"<br />
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Me: "Yes. That was the name your birth mom gave you...your name has always been Wesley."<br />
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Wesley: "My birth mom? Do I have a birth daddy?"<br />
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Me: "Yes. Your birth dad's name is Wesley also! You were named after him. You know how Tate's birth daddy is named Brandon? Your birth daddy is named, Wesley."<br />
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Wesley: (giggling) "That is silly! Are you almost done with my hair? I want to go play."<br />
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And that was it. <br />
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That is pretty much how things go...any serious conversation doesn't last long with Tate OR Wes, but Wesley has also NEVER asked about his birth parents. It is something I have thought A LOT about and how I might respond to what questions he might have. I am nervous about a lot of it...I want to say/do the right things for him and also for our family. I want him to know where he comes from, but also want to protect him from knowing the "bad" stuff. I don't know that I can. He's 6...these questions were bound to start coming out. I was caught off guard by it last night and now can't stop thinking about that short exchange. I know this is just the beginning.Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-21856414950138721222015-01-19T12:15:00.001-05:002015-01-19T12:15:11.444-05:00Tate in the Kitchen: Crockpot Balsamic Glazed Drumsticks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsydj1Snl2KLyVlOKnxPitvwFdaev66AiGuUuqImnSx3dqD_NYT5BKE_FYicM6LXXLOCyCRvGVrmpgm5DHvjgIDNIT6bZ1NI3Rl7ZqElfcGaSD3jQMInO6OopRhkMDmvcr5Q2/s1600/Photo+Jan+18,+5+59+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsydj1Snl2KLyVlOKnxPitvwFdaev66AiGuUuqImnSx3dqD_NYT5BKE_FYicM6LXXLOCyCRvGVrmpgm5DHvjgIDNIT6bZ1NI3Rl7ZqElfcGaSD3jQMInO6OopRhkMDmvcr5Q2/s1600/Photo+Jan+18,+5+59+14+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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What you need:</div>
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16 Chicken Drumsticks</div>
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6 TBLSP Coconut or Olive Oil</div>
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1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar</div>
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6 TBLSP Soy Sauce (or Tamari if you are GF)</div>
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2 TBLSP Honey</div>
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You are SUPPOSED to Marinate the chicken drumsticks in this mixture for 24 hours or put the mixture and drumsticks in a freezer bag for later. Then, put in the crockpot for 8 hours. However, we didn't plan ahead and we just put frozen drumsticks directly into the crockpot and poured all of these ingredients on top and let cook for 8 hours and they were sooooo delicious! The chicken was falling off of the bone and it was super flavorful!</div>
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-57384718473925595642015-01-19T11:52:00.001-05:002015-01-19T11:52:04.838-05:00Tate in the Kitchen : Roasted Vegetables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In an effort to get back in the habit of blogging more, I am going to TRY to start a bit of a series here on my blog called "Tate in the Kitchen". I will post each time Tate makes does his cooking and include the recipe. Obviously, the dishes will be super easy as he is the one making them completely on his own, but so far the last two things he has cooked were DEEEELISH! Maybe for my friends out there who have kiddos his age, they will be able to have their kiddos make some of these dishes too! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgkV1RlYQP7TqoMsz49IkcX501hHdXUkpiSoOd9304319GsSvXTVvEuZgwpgR7DOB1RZ09hS6M3nwtUOFryKAYUIlGbIgIBOr-3X0glyrM2KWZHu7sfLetx0mvawTyskYiVlD/s1600/Photo+Jan+17,+6+25+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgkV1RlYQP7TqoMsz49IkcX501hHdXUkpiSoOd9304319GsSvXTVvEuZgwpgR7DOB1RZ09hS6M3nwtUOFryKAYUIlGbIgIBOr-3X0glyrM2KWZHu7sfLetx0mvawTyskYiVlD/s1600/Photo+Jan+17,+6+25+04+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Roasted Veggies:</div>
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Use the veggies you like, we roast lots of different kinds of veggies, but this time we did broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and onions.</div>
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Pre-Heat oven to 425 degrees.</div>
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Put your veggies in an even layer on the pan and and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes, flip them over and roast for approximately 10 more minutes.</div>
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That's it!</div>
<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-82910853355804948122015-01-18T03:32:00.001-05:002015-01-18T03:32:36.927-05:00An emotional roller coaster...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqldnL2hyWHEbn6vTyxmR6Ay9oPUfLO2nW7LfVEauN9LDhWtB_nQDN5wwUdogowgRGxUbfeq0wP__X-cw9qPO3ME_Vk9OPBGVeqKsbUQyNtRzOkOOtc13ivUT-HktrIu29g6Ey/s1600/Cason+(full).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqldnL2hyWHEbn6vTyxmR6Ay9oPUfLO2nW7LfVEauN9LDhWtB_nQDN5wwUdogowgRGxUbfeq0wP__X-cw9qPO3ME_Vk9OPBGVeqKsbUQyNtRzOkOOtc13ivUT-HktrIu29g6Ey/s1600/Cason+(full).jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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These 3 shots were all taken in the exact sequence as pictured above...literally snap, snap, snap...probably all within 4 seconds of each other. It's impressive really, the emotional roller coaster this child lives on! ;)</div>
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LOL!!!!</div>
Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-41087573028347165352015-01-16T18:15:00.001-05:002015-01-16T18:15:43.068-05:00Well Hello!<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been almost 2 months since I've posted! YIKES!</div>
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I don't even know what to write about. It's been busy....and stressful....and exciting.....and busy. Sooooo...pretty normal I'd say! ;)</div>
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I am still going to the Y about 6 days/week. Still so proud that I've stuck to it. I am working on being better about eating...I didn't do great with Paleo while we were in Florida just before Christmas, but tried to get back at it when we got back. I am still only cooking Paleo, but when we go out, I struggle to stick to it. I am going to get back at it this week though. Still only Paleo at home, so I'm mostly there!</div>
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I am HOPING to run the Bix7...that is my goal this year. Maybe I'll push for a half marathon in 2016...we'll see.<br />
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All I know is that I feel best just after I've worked out. Why did I wait almost 34 years to make this a part of my life?! I have done so much more than I ever thought I could back when I started working out in September. I cannot imagine how much more I will be able to do in another 5 months! I feel more energetic, healthier and happier.<br />
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I am not going to lie...I feel like I am working my ass off and wish the weight would be just falling off, but it IS coming off....just much slower than I had hoped or expected. I don't weigh myself, so all I know is that my clothes get looser and looser until I need a smaller size and I feel like I've been at a plateau for a while. Probably because of my poor food choices over the holidays though. If in a month, I am still feeling like things aren't fitting differently, I may need to change something up.<br />
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As far as the family goes...it's a damn miracle that Wesley has remained healthy all winter so far! Where is some wood I can knock on????!!!! Tate has a scope procedure on his esophagus/stomach in a couple of weeks to try and figure out what is going on with his regular throwing up. Cason is progressing and doing amazing as usual...and he turned 4 a couple of days ago! Sean is back at school after his winter break.<br />
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So that's what's going on! Hopefully I won't wait another 2 months before I blog...I want to be better about it...like is just so busy! :/ </div>
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Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-79731849950130525742014-11-30T11:54:00.001-05:002014-11-30T11:54:31.488-05:00November in Review...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where did November go?!?!</div>
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Update on my health journey...I am still going strong.</div>
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I will admit that this month was a bit rough when it came to my diet, but I have been working out harder and more often than I have since we started this journey. When I cook at home, it's paleo, but I have failed to stick to paleo way more than I care to admit this month.</div>
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I am still staying away from the scale. I don't see that changing. However, I know I am still losing because my pants are getting looser and I am fitting into smaller sizes. I'll take it!</div>
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We tried to run on a super cold evening...it sucked. I need better cold weather running gear.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxs-JAWC2FN6lzJUENPXvsMCEORIwx_fkaCL-pM0cLq8oAw1ILG8wgwBfb3FjgL0cqpC56VEDV2SRYb-ot-rjoANLuSJ44Lf2SPz2xPVDhZcsDp92_7Hfogee0U3RhEc4aArw/s1600/Photo+Nov+11,+5+45+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxs-JAWC2FN6lzJUENPXvsMCEORIwx_fkaCL-pM0cLq8oAw1ILG8wgwBfb3FjgL0cqpC56VEDV2SRYb-ot-rjoANLuSJ44Lf2SPz2xPVDhZcsDp92_7Hfogee0U3RhEc4aArw/s1600/Photo+Nov+11,+5+45+05+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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So we joined the Y and have gone almost every day since!</div>
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I like it because it's giving us other options. We've tried some different machines to work some other muscles and I've noticed that it has helped my running!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1LHwMhMACQyTB2-u_tjdoKw-egNJAyrPFb_irGY6QvzL-bXc0_eM1Q0RtNkoma7AephfQl4K6jgAyqQ7SCJRshbrX4UGCiENXnyB8FS0jcWXMVpeW2C85UHoLo12PvT1ydvt/s1600/Photo+Nov+18,+9+07+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1LHwMhMACQyTB2-u_tjdoKw-egNJAyrPFb_irGY6QvzL-bXc0_eM1Q0RtNkoma7AephfQl4K6jgAyqQ7SCJRshbrX4UGCiENXnyB8FS0jcWXMVpeW2C85UHoLo12PvT1ydvt/s1600/Photo+Nov+18,+9+07+35+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I actually am starting to hate the treadmill a bit less...I still hate it, just not as much as I did a month ago.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLecMatYErsmQTxP4DhquCL5YubFOJCLqXEh97KySsR1_jCaM9Ax3JahhAsbp3Qo0H5R5xHd1JyR41Lk3QdidUR5t1gzxxOWuv0rThDQVqSVDd9qZQyyNezwgZCAPUegTY3J_/s1600/Photo+Nov+20,+9+20+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLecMatYErsmQTxP4DhquCL5YubFOJCLqXEh97KySsR1_jCaM9Ax3JahhAsbp3Qo0H5R5xHd1JyR41Lk3QdidUR5t1gzxxOWuv0rThDQVqSVDd9qZQyyNezwgZCAPUegTY3J_/s1600/Photo+Nov+20,+9+20+03+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's so nice to have someone to keep my motivated. It's funny...Sam and I are working SO HARD when we go work out. We don't chat or anything, we talk for the 30 seconds it takes to walk into the Y and the 30 seconds it takes to walk out, but while we're there, it's all business. Somehow though, just having someone there keeps me motivated and keeps me going. I continue to be SO PROUD of us and so amazed at how far we've come!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ0D6oeWea_4BCoCn1uef8WYaRTMGY-rgYAtS8Wb6A6DdV12NDuRNn6MXfZqsTjsc2_6Y7n45uxGNVbrRa82h8i_moOY6etLRXhbk7PGUu-1KfGTw1Pc2CLO549yKPL_BdOLR/s1600/Photo+Nov+23,+11+38+17+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ0D6oeWea_4BCoCn1uef8WYaRTMGY-rgYAtS8Wb6A6DdV12NDuRNn6MXfZqsTjsc2_6Y7n45uxGNVbrRa82h8i_moOY6etLRXhbk7PGUu-1KfGTw1Pc2CLO549yKPL_BdOLR/s1600/Photo+Nov+23,+11+38+17+AM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are often motivated by the crazy hardcore athletes we watch at the Y. This woman, we named Beastmode...she is...it's ridiculous.</div>
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We are "those people" that are constantly checking into the Y on Facebook and posting pictures of us at the Y. It will not stop. I NEED to do that to keep me accountable. Sorry if it bothers you...I do what I do for me and to keep myself motivated and accountable and keep me on track. Period. :)</div>
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This time of the year is the hardest with all of the yummy food and family gatherings and the hustle and bustle and being so busy that you can't find time to work out. I don't want this time of the year to get the best of me. We can't...we've worked too hard and come too far.</div>
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Apparently this is also the time of the year for sickness. Tate had it bad...</div>
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He got a scary high fever and then spiked fevers for over 2 weeks off and on!</div>
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Turns out he had strep...not great for Wes to get exposed to! We has avoided any major bugs so far, but just has a nasty cough that he has had for a month. His labs have been less than ideal and so he has been getting frequent lab draws, some medication adjustment and lots of extra fluids. We are awaiting some test results right now, so prayers would be appreciated!</div>
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We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family and then woke up SUPER early on Friday to head out to the Hawkeye game! Hot coffee and Hot Hands hand and body warmers saved the day...it was FREEZING!</div>
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It was so fun to have some adult time to spend with friends!</div>
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And this man...I love him.</div>
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Life is so busy and when school is in session for this busy mama...it sucks to not see her as often. I miss her all the time. It was SO NICE to get a whole day to hang out with her and just relax and have fun!</div>
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Jamie and I photographed a gorgeous, winter wedding a couple of weeks ago and I have completed my family sessions for the year. It's been an insanely busy fall for my with photography and I am blessed to get to call this passion my career.</div>
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We have our trees up and decorated, my Christmas shopping is almost done, our elf Christopher Pop In Kins arrived yesterday morning and the boys are super hyped for Christmas! We have fun stuff in store for Christmas and look forward to surprising the boys (and the Peakin girls) when we head out for our annual Christmas trip. This will be our biggest trip yet and we cannot wait! :D</div>
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Sean takes his final test for this semester in a couple of weeks and then he'll have almost a month off of school!</div>
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Looking forward to what is to come in December!</div>
<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-45501199099343530682014-11-01T22:36:00.000-04:002014-11-01T22:36:13.005-04:0053.25 Miles in 9 weeks - A Running Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
11 weeks ago, in an extremely unhealthy state in my life, I started running. Thank the LORD I had my great friend Sam to do it with me or I may have never stuck with it!</div>
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This was taken probably around week 4(ish)...</div>
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I had days where I DID NOT want to go. The only reason I did was because of Sam and her motivation.</div>
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Even though I didn't want to do it, I was ALWAYS soooo happy and proud after each run!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR_mJMq6FVd0-9NQ1CVusiQAT3NhuLDQfL3RJx0VnMsWbnv27ldj1F_vYqBeMW2cgeayOmUwj58EQc2tB47XOWqEcI3X9hiKyQ44Gc1bkEnyRYGeduQYyfFWDNzMCZN7q5Tgn/s1600/Photo+Oct+02,+11+21+30+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR_mJMq6FVd0-9NQ1CVusiQAT3NhuLDQfL3RJx0VnMsWbnv27ldj1F_vYqBeMW2cgeayOmUwj58EQc2tB47XOWqEcI3X9hiKyQ44Gc1bkEnyRYGeduQYyfFWDNzMCZN7q5Tgn/s1600/Photo+Oct+02,+11+21+30+AM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are several different Couch to 5K programs and ours started small...very small. We needed that. We weren't even going much more than a mile for the first few weeks. We would run for 60 second stints with a few minutes of walking in between. I remember when we started having to run 3 minutes straight...it seemed impossible. Then, we went 5 minutes straight and we were HUFFING AND PUFFING and hurting BAD! Then, we went 8 minutes...WHAT?!?! That's when the 3 minutes was like nothing...like a blink! We were so proud and getting stronger every single run. We were dedicated and determined to proving to ourselves that we could do it. We have consistently gone 3-4 times per week rain or shine.</div>
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I started finding myself in the "active wear" section more often and found that investing in weather appropriate gear was imperative in making my running experience more enjoyable. I actually know what I prefer to run it. Dare I say that I am a runner?! I am. We are. We are runners...and I can fully feel it and know it now. I feel guilty on days I don't run. I look forward to it. We may be slow and we may have a lot of improving to do, but we are runners.</div>
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I love the time I have running. Once we get in our "zone" (usually around 1 mile), we are able to talk to one another during our runs...we even laugh sometimes...we even take the harder, hillier routes sometimes, just because we know we can.</div>
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And once I took my picture WHILE running...this was at about mile 1.5 in week 5 or 6. I am still smiling. And I remember that run actually...it was my best one yet. I felt like I could go forever! Isn't it funny how runs go that way? One day you just can't get into your groove and it's miserable the whole way, when the exact same distance and weather conditions the next day, it seems so easy like you could go an extra 3 miles! Crazy how that goes.</div>
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EVERY TIME we finish a run, we say the same words and we give each other a high five...every time! "I am SO PROUD of us! We kick ass!" And we are...we are so proud. Who would have thought those first days when we ran for 30 seconds and felt like we couldn't go a second longer that we'd be running for 30 minutest straight and smiling the whole way. That we would run up and down the cul de sac 2 extra times at the end of the run JUST to get in that extra 1/4 mile. We are amazed at what we're doing now. We know that it's only going to get easier and we'll only be able to go farther and faster. We believe in ourselves now!</div>
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Because we couldn't find a 5k that worked for the both of us to do this fall, we ran our own...last week. And we killed it! We did it for a great cause and you guys, WE KILLED IT!</div>
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Again, we were SO PROUD of ourselves!!!</div>
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We feel unstoppable. We don't care if it's 40 degrees, if it's raining...we are running. We know it's going to get colder and eventually, we will have to start running on treadmills (not looking forward to that!), but we are not stopping. I have big hopes. I would love to run a 10K and maybe even a half marathon! Who knows! All I know is that I am capable, WE are capable of so much more than we know. I feel better than I ever have...between the food I am putting in my body to the work I am making my body do. I feel healthy. And I am proud of us. I am SO GRATEFUL for Sam and her encouragement on those days I didn't want to get off the couch. I am so grateful for Sam in those moments on our runs when I wanted to stop, when I felt like I couldn't go another step. Her and I have never ever strayed from the Couch to 5K program we are doing...not once. We haven't walked when we should have been running. We haven't stopped early. We have stuck with it 150%. I could have never done that without Sam.</div>
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Friends...I am telling you...if I can do it, if we can do it, SO CAN YOU! You find time for YOU, you find motivation from wherever you can...your friends, your family, the mirror...those jeans you want to fit into! (I just fit into my first pair of GOAL JEANS 3 days ago! I now have a new pair of goal jeans that I would love to fit into my Christmas!) I recommend you find a friend to do it with...a friend that is in the same place as you so you, that is as much of a beginner as you are.</div>
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DO IT...you will be SO PROUD of yourself!</div>
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Can't wait to say I have run 100 miles!!! I will let you know when that day comes FOR SURE!</div>
<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-79282848360866824752014-10-21T17:20:00.000-04:002014-10-21T17:20:39.637-04:00Holding myself accountable...I got weighed today.I need to do this post to hold myself accountable...especially after today.<br />
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Remember when I started this lifestyle change of mine? It was in July...we started eating paleo and then 6 weeks ago, I started a Couch to 5K. Before this, I was eating TERRIBLE and working out ZERO days per week. The big things that I was doing differently this time (unlike when I had started dieting/exercising in the past) were I was not doing a "fad" diet. I was just trying to eat clean, not processed foods. I gave myself cheats on occasion after the first month of being strict. Also, I tried to be realistic this time. I was making these changes mostly to FEEL better (eliminate headaches, digestion issues, etc.), but obviously knew that in doing that, I would lose weight which I also wanted to do. So I threw out the scale. I decided I would NOT weigh myself...at all. And I haven't...until today.<br />
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I had to get weighed because of an annual health screening through Sean's work for a health insurance discount we can get if we participate. And as expected, I was disappointed. <br />
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"The scale is the devil" ~Cassie Burback<br />
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Yes, it is. It puts thoughts into your mind...<br />
<br />"I'm not doing a good job"<br />
"What is wrong with me?"<br />
"I should give up."<br />
"This hard work isn't worth it"<br />
"I can't do this anymore without better results"<br />
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It is the devil...he is getting into my head through the scale.<br />
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I lost 14lbs since mid July. That's it. Ugh...so disappointing! That number, it made me forget about the fact that I can run 2 miles straight now, without stopping. It made me forget that I have gone down 2 pants sizes since then, that I no longer get migraines or have indigestion. It made me forget that my blood pressure went WAY down and I am clearly a much healthier person.<br />
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I have a before and after picture, but honestly, I am too embarrassed to share it! Plus, it's not my "after" picture. My after picture will be when I meet my goal...and I don't even know what my goal is. I will share it someday. I am still too insecure with myself and how I look. I am so proud of the progress that I have made, but damnit, I want to like how I LOOK! <br />
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So after speaking with several encouraging friends (one of whom actually makes a career out of fitness...thanks Tesi!!!) on the phone and getting some tips, I am going to step it up...start some new things. I hope to join the Y to assist me in that! Going to add a little something different in along with my running. Excited to change it up a bit and hopefully see some more results!Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-54003071381248725872014-10-16T00:33:00.002-04:002014-10-16T00:33:46.485-04:00Vegetable Soup Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I posted this picture on Facebook of the vegetable soup I made the other night because it just looked so pretty! Apparently it looked yummy to all of you as well because I got lots of comments and requests for the recipe. The thing is that I made it up with all of the veggies in my fridge and on my counter so this is going to be a rough recipe because as far as seasonings go, I just kind of threw stuff in without measuring. It was so delicious though and I will definitely make it again! Oh, and it is EASY!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnHSBn3of3ZZts49YEcSkAXVh-HDaxC5-Twv6R5uA67Re_vvAH7cHAI7Afh5gCr7q6TMGAORYa-voCnOvQMHQMvR1DOUwducqmBp4IBqieZYRRIZFWJ8lOZowpywdFXS_1ys6/s1600/vegetable+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnHSBn3of3ZZts49YEcSkAXVh-HDaxC5-Twv6R5uA67Re_vvAH7cHAI7Afh5gCr7q6TMGAORYa-voCnOvQMHQMvR1DOUwducqmBp4IBqieZYRRIZFWJ8lOZowpywdFXS_1ys6/s1600/vegetable+soup.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 container vegetable stock (you could use chicken or beef stock though)</div>
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1/2 head of Cauliflower</div>
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4 stems of Kale</div>
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2 Sweet Potatoes (I leave the skin on)</div>
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1/3 bag (the smaller bags) of baby carrots (cut in half)</div>
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1 red pepper</div>
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1 yellow pepper</div>
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1 can Stewed Tomatoes (or a few fresh tomatoes)</div>
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1 can diced tomatoes with olive oil and garlic (I used the HyVee brand)</div>
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3-4 small yellow onions (I used 4 small ones)</div>
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3 garlic cloves (chopped)</div>
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butter (ghee if you want it to be paleo)</div>
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sea salt</div>
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fresh ground pepper</div>
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red pepper flakes</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Badia-Seasoning-Complete-12-Ounce-Pack/dp/B00451U7HQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1413431986&sr=8-4&keywords=complete+seasoning+badia" target="_blank">Badia Complete Seasoning</a> (this is what I use and LOVE, but I have to get it in Florida)</div>
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First, I chopped all of the veggies (except for the sweet potatoes and kale) very course. Since there was not meat in this soup, I wanted big chunks of veggies. In a big soup pot, I used approximately 1 TBSP ghee (or you can use butter or evoo or coconut oil) to saute all of the veggies (except for the canned tomatoes, the sweet potatoes and kale) and the chopped garlic cloves. I just sauteed them to make them a little tender...maybe 5 minutes or so. While doing that I seasoned with salt and pepper. Then I poured the vegetable stock and canned tomatoes in and added some more salt and pepper as well as approximately 1 1/2 TBSP Badia and approximately 1 TSP red pepper flakes. I let this simmer while I cut the sweet potatoes and took the kale off of the stems and chopped it into smaller chunks. I added in the potatoes (I leave the skin on) about 30-60 minutes before serving because they can get pretty mushy. I added the kale about 15 minutes before serving. Throughout the cooking I was constantly tasting and adding salt and pepper as I went. I did feel like when I was making it that I was putting in a lot of sea salt, but it needed it to get it to where the flavor was right. :)</div>
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It was SO GOOD, but just for fun when I make it again, I would maybe also add celery and even maybe mushrooms. It would be really good with some sort of meat in there too! If I didn't have Badia Complete Seasoning, I would probably put extra garlic in it, some extra salt (because Badia is salty), a bay leaf, basil or some other fresh herbs you like. You could also probably just throw everything in a crock pot (and just skip the sauteeing of the veggies in butter) in the morning and then an hour before serving, add the sweet potatoes and kale into the crock pot to complete it.</div>
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I know this is not a very "official" recipe, but that's because I just made it up on a whim to get rid of a bunch of veggies I had in our fridge before they went bad! :)</div>
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Hope you all like it!</div>
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-27532621800656161402014-10-13T00:52:00.000-04:002014-10-13T00:52:15.325-04:00Paleo and RunningSo I started a Couch to 5K with my friend Sam 5 weeks ago. Day one we were huffing and puffing and tonight we ran and after 2 miles and my best pace yet, I was still able to carry on a conversation. I don't want to be braggy or go on and on, but you guys, this is a big deal for me and Sam and I am so proud of us! Sam just had a baby 2 1/2 months ago and I was just so out of shape it was embarrassing!<br />
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I want to be healthy. I started with changing my diet to paleo...and I am proud to say that I am still going strong. Sean is too! And I have a meal once every week or two that is not paleo...and that's ok. I am back at it the next day. I only cook paleo and only have those "cheat meals" when we got out. And I feel good...the running has really helped that as well. <br />
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It has been so amazing to have a running partner and I could have never done this without her. We were in the same place...we both are running at the same pace and we motivate each other. It's such a blessing! We balance each other out...it seems as though when I am not feeling it, Sam is there to push me. And when she isn't feeling motivated, I am there to push her. It's incredible how far we've come in 5 weeks! We can't wait to run our first 5k together!<br />
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As far as an update for our Paleo diet. There isn't a whole lot to report aside from the fact that we're still going strong! :) I made the most amazing Paleo Pumpkin Spice Granola the other day which we are enjoying and we are thrilled that it is now "soup season" because there are tons of yummy paleo soup recipes that I am looking forward to making! I am trying 2 different soup recipes in the next week or so. Can't wait!<br />
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And I STILL haven't weighed myself! I have no desire to. I am noticing a difference in my clothing and honestly, the number doesn't matter to me. I want to be healthy, I want to FEEL good and I want to feel good about myself and how I look...and I want to look better. Not going to lie...I want to feel good in my clothes...and I want to decrease the size of my clothes! I am working on it hard and get so excited when I notice in a piece of clothing, but I have a long way to go!<br />
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I am going about this so differently than I ever have before though and I attribute much of that to the fact that I'm not weighing myself. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I want to lose weight the right way...the healthy way. I don't expect to be 3 sizes smaller in one month, but I would LOVE to be 3 sizes smaller in one year! :) And rather than my goals being a number on the scale, I am goaling myself in other ways...a quicker pace on my mile, working out that extra day in a week than I want to, fitting into the jeans I wore LAST winter, this winter. Realistic goals I think.<br />
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Right now, I am feeling motivated, I am feeling more motivated than I even did in the beginning of trying to get healthy. I am determined to do this. I don't even really know what my ultimate goal is...and I like that I don't have a final goal. I guess I just don't want to stop, I want to keep pushing myself. I am running 2 miles a few times a week now, so once I am running 3 miles a few times a week, I want to start trying to go farther. Maybe I'll try and do a 10k next year. Who knows! Once I get bored with the food I am making, I will find new clean, healthy recipes. This is my plan. I have always struggled in the past to stick with my healthy kicks and make them a lifestyle change...I want to do it this time. I want to succeed! Pray for me...I don't have the best track record! ;) Ha.Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-58881833469744468872014-09-26T00:06:00.001-04:002014-09-26T00:06:11.814-04:00It's been busy in these parts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every year Jennie Peakin Photography gets a little bit busier. I love it...I still can't believe I get to call this passion my job. I cannot imagine doing anything else. Fall is crazy busy...so this is what I've been up to for the last month or so...</div>
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If you haven't already...LIKE<a href="http://facebook.com/jenniepeakinphotography" target="_blank"> Jennie Peakin Photography</a> on Facebook to keep updated and you can also check out my business blog at<a href="http://jenniepeakinphotography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> jenniepeakinphotography.blogspot.com</a>.</div>
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Also, we are picking up quite a bit and booking lots of weddings (a couple are this fall!) with my partner Jamie and my new wedding photography business, Vantage Nine19. LIKE us on Facebook <a href="http://facebook.com/vantagenine19" target="_blank">HERE</a> and check our our <a href="http://www.vantagenine19.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and <a href="http://vantagenine19.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> to keep updated!</div>
<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-62888487453275387342014-08-28T00:53:00.002-04:002014-08-28T00:53:49.592-04:00It's been a while...I haven't just posted random thoughts on here for a while. Turns out, having 3 kids and a photography business is a lot of work! Who would have thunk?! :) <br />
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So what should I write about? Hmmmm...<br />
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Well, Jennie Peakin Photography is going to be featured in the October edition of Quad Cities Gold Book thanks to my lovely friend, Leslie who writes for the Gold Book. :) I am excited to continue to grow my business. I am quite busy with Jennie Peakin Photography, but would love to expand out a bit and get some more birth sessions (my favorite!) and would love to continue booking weddings for Vantage Nine19.<br />
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Today I was contacted about an exciting event! A couple of years ago, we walked the Kidney Walk for the National Kidney Foundation...a foundation near and dear to our hearts. We were honored to walk and raise money for the NKF and awareness for all who were willing to hear. :) Well, I was asked to be on the planning committee for a new NKF Eastern Iowa Kidney Walk that will be held in the QCA! I can't wait to do all I can to help make this event a success not only this year, but in the years ahead. So be prepared...you will be hearing a lot more about this event as things come together. And to all of my family and friends, I hope you will join us at the NKF Eastern Iowa Kidney Walk this spring!<br />
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School being back in session (for all FOUR boys) has gotten us back into a routine a bit more. We are thrilled with PV Schools still and love sending our kids to school each day. They love it. I am happy that we are back in a routine and thrilled that I have a few hours alone each day to get editing, housework and errands taken care of. Wesley starts soccer in a couple of weeks and I think that Tate is going to be in Cub Scouts! Finally something he says he wants to do! Well, as of tonight he wants to, but he isn't always terribly excited and willing when things all come down to it. I feel like we are approaching a new chapter in our lives where we are going to be running our boys to sports and cub scouts and revolving our schedules around their event schedules. Wesley wants to be in every sport possible, so I know that he is going to keep us busy!<br />
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Speaking of busy...we are getting to that time of year! You know, Sean's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary and Tate's birthday...all packed within a 3 1/2 week period of time! It's always nuts. And then there is the weekend Hawkeye game watching that happens every Saturday...which we LOVE! We are ready for some Hawkeye Football for sure!!! I cannot believe Tate is going to be EIGHT! His birthday parties have gotten a bit out of control and when I counted up how many people would be invited, it was pushing 45 people! With the move into our new home and the setup we have, we just can't accommodate that many people as easily as we could have at our old home. Our set up at our old home with the large screened in porch space was so much better to spread out in and if the weather isn't good, we won't have a place to go outside like we did when we lived in Davenport. Sean and I tossed so many ideas back and forth and Tate REALLY wanted to have his birthday at HOME. So we decided to not do the big bash this year like we had in the past. We will celebrate that day with all of his local friends (who happen to be our family friends, so their parents will be coming as well) and then we will be doing a couple of other separate celebrations. Not sure how much better it will be...lots of celebrations or all done in one shot with a super big one, but we're trying it out this way this year!<br />
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Wesley wants to have a bowling or Monkey Joe's birthday party this year...so funny how those two are SO DIFFERENT! It's crazy to think that we are even THINKING about Wesley's December birthday! We already booked our Annual Christmas vacation with Mike and Sarah and family too! Nuts how quickly time flies!<br />
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I am not ready for the COLD, but I am definitely ready for some cooler weather...like not 90+ degrees. I could deal with sweatshirts in the evenings. I love fall...aside from the ridiculous allergies that take over me this time of year!<br />
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Happy Fall everyone!<br />
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-87419912525334919522014-08-20T11:21:00.003-04:002014-08-20T11:27:38.834-04:00This is why we moved...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For this feeling that we're having right now.</div>
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The feeling of complete peace and comfort with where are boys are getting their education...the environment they are in, the care and concern for their needs that the administrative personnel has. This is why we moved...because of this day...today.</div>
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Cason was supposed to start school in January and we did not send him. The amount of discomfort and stress and worry we were having by sending him to the only preschool that could accommodate his needs was just too much. We had struggles at that school with Wesley too and it came down to our big decision of whether we should move or not. Open enrollment for special education was not an option. We spoke with our neighboring districts extensively and did our research.</div>
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It was a no brainer...we needed to be in PV District for our boys specific needs and for what WE were looking for in the schools for our boys. Period. We listed our house and a couple of weeks later bought the house we live in now. It was a hard decision to make to move from a home we loved and into a new school district. However, we have never regretted it! We have been in constant communication with the boys' schools and teachers and we are just so impressed! We are so happy, excited and RELIEVED!</div>
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And when I sent this one off to school today for the first time...put him in the care of people who hardly know him and his quirks and who have only spent a handful of minutes with him, I walked away confident and with a smile on my face. And he ran away from us with pure joy! I know we made the right decision...TODAY was the reason we moved. I have confidence that we will look back on this decision we made and know that it was probably one of the best decisions of our lives for our boys.</div>
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Cason is in Preschool!</div>
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Wesley is in Kindergarten!</div>
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Tate is in 2nd Grade!</div>
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This is almost all of my heart right here...and they are all in school today. I cannot believe how much I have been blessed to be their Mommy! I don't deserve them!</div>
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<br />Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-84390050414222462672014-08-18T23:23:00.000-04:002014-08-18T23:29:46.012-04:00What do our kids eat?<div style="text-align: center;">
Crap.</div>
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They eat a lot of crap.</div>
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You can't deny that processed foods and limitless amounts of ranch dressing and sweets are bad. There is just no argument there. However, our kids (aside from Cason) are ruined. They love that stuff. I mean, so do I!</div>
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So how do we address that?! Well, with time...lots of time. We can't switch what they eat overnight and we don't ever plan to completely say that all of that stuff is off limits. We just want them to have better habits and that starts at home. We were taking tiny baby steps before...and now the steps are just sort of baby steps...a little bit bigger baby steps than what we were taking.</div>
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So I made fried fish the other night and Tate loved it. It was paleo and yummy and so with that...no more fish sticks! Baby steps. </div>
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I threw away all of our candy in the cupboard because c'mon...why on earth does a child need to eat candy regularly...period. They will get some more on Halloween, and they will eat some of it and I will be fine with that...and then it will go in the garbage shortly after. Baby steps.</div>
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The kids like fresh fruit...and we have it in the house. So why would I open a can of fruit with dinner every night?! I won't. They will eat watermelon and grapes and apples and bananas, not pears in heavy syrup. They love mandarin oranges and I will still feed them to the boys for now every now and again even though they aren't good for them in that syrup. Baby steps.</div>
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The boys love sandwiches with lunch meat...I will buy the Hormel lunch meat with no preservatives or artificial ingredients instead of the cheapest stuff I can find. Baby steps.</div>
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So these are the changes so far and each week or month we plan to replace some of the crap they eat with a healthier alternative. It will probably take years to change these horrible habits. The good thing is that at least ONE of our kids will eat ANYTHING and we are even being better about what we feed him. There is just no reason for Cason to develop a taste for unhealthy things. Healthy food is delicious!!! So we are being more aware of what goes in his mouth as well. No, we won't never let him have special things like cake on his birthday or treats now and again, but we are going to be extra aware of what he eats so not to ruin his eating habits like we have ruined Wesley and Tate's. It's our fault they eat the way they do...period. We need to fix it.<br />
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We know that the kids will go to sleepovers and eat pizza and Hostess snacks and candy and that we'll go out to eat and they will want crap. We are realistic in knowing that these things are things they will eat, but we hope to change their tastes for things. Hopefully by working on them for the 95% of the time that they are at home, they will start to prefer the things that are better to put into their bodies. It's going to be a process...it's still a huge process for Sean and I every day! We are praying we can take the time and effort and do the work it requires to change ALL of our eating habits for the better.</div>
Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-73560956775985558982014-08-10T23:15:00.002-04:002014-08-10T23:15:22.548-04:00What do we eat?I have had lots of people intrigued with what exactly Sean and I are eating now that we are eating Paleo. Honestly, it varies. I decided to try and go through what a typical week might look like for us. <br />
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First of all, at the beginning of the week, we have found it works best if we cook up a couple of large, inexpensive steaks and several chicken breasts. I have a griddle that is on top of my stove (which I don't know what I would do without!) and I make both the steaks and chicken breasts on there. When they are done, I cut half of the steaks into strips and package them in individual baggies for topping a salad and then I cut the remaining steak into 4 pieces of steak and package those in a baggie as well. I do the same with the chicken breasts...cut half of the breasts (I usually make 6) into strips and package in individual baggies for topping salads with and then the remaining breasts and put in a baggie together that I can heat up throughout the week. All of this meet usually covers Sean and I for about 5 lunches each.<br />
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Breakfast: Sean eats an apple and a banana almost every morning for breakfast. I eat fruit for breakfast most of the time as well. A banana is common for me, but I will eat whatever we have. If I don't get around to eating until mid/late morning, I will sometimes eat a larger meal for brunch and not eat lunch. This would consist of either some of the strips of meat I have prepared along with some over easy eggs and some fruit or sometimes bacon and eggs and fruit. Also, there is a sweet potato hash that is yummy (I will have to do a post on my favorite recipes) that has potatoes, onions and sausage in it.<br />
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Lunch: We eat a lot of salads with our strip meat on the top and other raw veggies we have (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower) and we dress our salads with different things, but we love the Roasted Red Pepper Annie's dressing you can find in HyVee's healthfood market. We also sometimes make the prepared steaks and chicken breasts we have and eat those with raw veggies and sometimes will fry up and egg to eat with those as well. Otherwise, we will eat leftovers from the night before or sometimes saute up some veggies in coconut oil or cut a zucchini in half lengthwise, drizzle in olive oil or spread some ghee on it and season with sea salt, pepper, garlic and put in the oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes. We almost always eat some sort of fruit with every meal as well.<br />
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Snacks: Both Sean and I snack on cashews, pistachios and almonds a lot. I also snack on fruit or carrots and celery a lot.<br />
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Dinner: We find ourselves eating some form of protein (grilled steaks, chicken, kabobs, roast, pork chops, fish) and at least 4 nights a week we roast veggies. It is our favorite and never gets old. We roast all kinds of veggies (brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, celery, carrots, leeks, cabbage...pretty much anything!). The way we like to roast them is by spreading the cut veggies onto a baking sheet and drizzling with coconut or olive oil and sprinkling with sea salt and fresh ground pepper and roasting for 10 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping the veggies over so they don't burn on one side and then roasting them for an additional 7-10 minutes. MMMMM...they are soooo good! Sometimes we will just eat a salad with our protein or even raw veggies too. I have recently discovered and fallen in love with frying food with a mixture of almond and coconut flour, sea salt and pepper...dip your protein in egg, into the flour mixture, back into egg and then into the flour mixture again. We fry it in a skillet with coconut oil...it's sooooo good! Also, we bake fish with lemon a lot as well. I have a couple paleo soup recipes I really love also! We have made burgers and lettuce wrapped them, made italian chicken and lettuce wrapped it, made our own version of tacos by browning ground beef and seasoning with cumin, chili powder and adding lime juice, peppers, tomatoes, onions and wrapping in lettuce. I found a paleo tortilla recipe that I am excited to try as well. :) We don't feel limited with options at all and don't often do the same thing more than a couple of times. Pinterest is amazing for finding simple paleo recipes and I use it a lot!<br />
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We are still going strong and both LOVING it! Sean has lost close to 20lbs in these last 5 weeks in just changing his diet and as I have said before, I have no idea how much I have lost because I don't weigh myself. :) What I can say is that I am fitting into clothes easily that I wasn't even close to squeezing into only 5 weeks ago. I would say that I have lost almost 2 pants sizes.<br />
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Some of the other changes I have noticed...<br />
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<i>NOT A SINGLE HEADACHE IN A MONTH!!!! This is unheard of for me...a girl who got a terribly debilitating migraine about once a week and minor headaches at some point at least every other day!</i><br />
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<i>I have more energy...I'm just simply not tired all the time.</i><br />
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<i>Less aches and pains...I can't explain how diet changes this, but it's the truth. I just FEEL better.</i><br />
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<i>No heartburn/indigestion...again, this was a huge issue for me before, and it's GONE!</i><br />
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<i>Less skin issues...my skin just looks clearer.</i><br />
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<i>My hair is not greasy...like ever. This was oddly one of the FIRST things I noticed when eating paleo both times I've tried.</i><br />
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<i>I am just in a better mood...I just feel mentally healthier. Again, not something I would have expected from changing my diet, but it's the truth!</i><br />
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Maybe I'll post some of our favorite recipes here in the near future!Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-19205621955754243842014-08-06T01:46:00.001-04:002014-08-06T01:46:14.655-04:001 month eating Paleo update...I am still going strong peeps! :) Sean is too! Weirdly, I am proud of the fact that I ate a tiny piece of cake a couple of days ago at my brother's birthday celebration and it didn't ruin me. Imagine that! I actually am not craving cake or sweets anymore than I was prior to eating that few bites of cake.<br />
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I am still not working out though. :/ I called Anytime Fitness today though to see about a trial membership to see if I will like it. So that counts as a step in the right direction, right?! I am excited to start running and hoping I can do some other forms of exercise as well and will have another option for working out besides running outside once it gets super cold out.<br />
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And I still am not stepping on the scale. I love not being so concerned about the scale. I can tell in my clothes that the weight is coming off and that makes me happy and keeps me going. And I like Paleo eating. It's expensive...I don't like THAT part. We are able to eat a pretty big variety of things and I am a huge fan of meat, veggies and fruits so it's a good diet for me. Oh, and eggs...I eat eggs pretty regularly. I miss desserts. I miss dairy...I miss cheese and milk. And chocolate...I miss chocolate. Not so much that I am going crazy though. And I plan to hopefully get to a point where every once in a great while, I can eat a little of those things as a treat.<br />
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Mostly, I FEEL good eating clean. I feel like I am putting things in my body that are good for it. I haven't had a headache in WEEKS! That is so worth everything! And I am losing weight...being healthy is the goal and with that will come weight loss...at least that's the plan!<br />
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It's been just over a month since we started eating Paleo...Sean has lost over 15lbs (all the while, never giving up beer:)) and I have no idea how much I've lost, which I am FINE with! We both feel great and are enjoying this diet. Most often, it is actually pretty easy to do!Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21221812.post-75112302598638545402014-07-25T00:02:00.000-04:002014-07-25T00:02:16.896-04:00My Diet UpdateI'm happy to say that Sean and I are both still going strong on this Paleo diet...hopefully lifestyle change. There is freedom in throwing out the scale...figuratively, not literally. Though I totally would throw it out...Sean wants to keep it.<br />
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I have no idea if I've lost weight, but I feel like I have in my clothes a little. I feel good...I feel so good! I don't know the last time I had a headache!<br />
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When I want a donut, I grab a banana or some sort of fruit and if I feel like that won't satisfy me, then I assume I am not actually hungry, but bored instead. <br />
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I miss cheese and milk...dairy in general. Ranch dressing...oh, I love ranch.<br />
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I am kind of over missing out on certain beverages like I was missing them in the beginning. I have only drank water and green tea since July 3rd...oh and those Vodka Tonics...and I know, Tonic Water is far from Paleo, but we'll just act like it's Paleo because I'm not giving up a little bit of alcohol...just sayin'. :)<br />
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So I'm going strong...though I need to work out...I know, I know. That's coming next. Soon...I hope.Jennie Peakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524221376487239355noreply@blogger.com0