tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14140743356405101802024-02-19T10:28:28.716-06:00a blog about faith, marriage, health, travel, familyBeth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-89406976676302193492022-07-18T11:34:00.001-05:002022-07-18T12:13:38.052-05:00St. Louis: The City that Grew Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6kIA5KiFoUpxiyldn9NzXmuYORAevUiVK9bTq8XybZEc6-HINh9B0nf4z0CefnY2BXziALy6lZvpZMal3IkRFx1n6lKMb8Q25a65qNqB930SL_JWcoIrh4-wvRBP7OXqf6JenLDZ3QA7mpmYLX5pjBSMQ9JEfjIlisqW639RGRIO1lrDynxv451/s3088/5714AA52-194D-4E32-AD4D-DF14A5DF419F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn6kIA5KiFoUpxiyldn9NzXmuYORAevUiVK9bTq8XybZEc6-HINh9B0nf4z0CefnY2BXziALy6lZvpZMal3IkRFx1n6lKMb8Q25a65qNqB930SL_JWcoIrh4-wvRBP7OXqf6JenLDZ3QA7mpmYLX5pjBSMQ9JEfjIlisqW639RGRIO1lrDynxv451/w480-h640/5714AA52-194D-4E32-AD4D-DF14A5DF419F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>In 2013, I was living in St. Louis and I came across a post about some fitness thing. I inquired about it, but only because I had started my journey just 4 months prior. I was curious. I asked a lot of questions. I ordered what I thought was an over-priced shake. I bought a home workout dvd…was I really going to be doing Richard Simmons or Jane Fonda style workouts in my second floor apartment?</p><p><br /></p><p>A couple months later, we bought our first home across town and I had a basement to workout in. TurboFire became my soulmate workout, and it evolved from there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Today, my thoughts about the products I use is VASTLY different from when I started. And my thoughts about the town that I left just a few years later are vastly different, too.</p><p><br /></p><p>This weekend, I went back to STL for our annual Team Beachbody Coach Summit. Not only did the Lord reveal Himself through things of this little hobby of mine, but He showed up BIG in my thoughts and feelings surrounding this city.</p><p><br /></p><p>STL holds a lot of difficult memories for me. We moved there 10 years ago when I was a brand new wife, fresh outta college, knowing no one. I didn’t even know who <i>I</i> was. My husband wanted to work at the corporate office, so moving to OKC was always in the back of my mind. We didn’t plant many roots. He climbed the ladder and traveled every week for work. It was a strain on our relationship. In 2015, I lost my Granny and didn’t know how to process that or grieve. My life felt outta control. When we had 18 hours to make the decision to move to OKC at the end of 2015, it was a “heck yes! Get me out of here, but I also want to do what God is calling us to do” type of decision.</p><p><br /></p><p>For many years after that, I didn’t even want to think about our time in STL. I wanted to run away from it. I had icky feelings for a LONG time. But each time I go back there, He reveals something to me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Last year, I had the opportunity to go see a friend who adopted her daughter. A lot of healing happened that trip as I drove around town looking at the places we lived. I drove the once-familiar roads that seemed so foreign to me. I remembered things that I had blocked out of my memories. It was a good trip. A celebratory one that turned into a healing trip.</p><p><br /></p><p>So this time when I went, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot of anything. But as I drove into the city, the familiar landmarks that once triggered a “we are ___many minutes from being home,” became strange to me. And I realized that the 417 will always feel like home to me.</p><p><br /></p><p>But this time, God showed me that I <i>needed </i>St. Louis in my story. If it weren’t for my time in STL, I wouldn’t have the relationship with Him that I do now. If it weren’t for my time in STL, I wouldn’t have discovered my identity in Him. If it weren’t for my time in STL, I wouldn’t be the girl I am today, and I wouldn’t be living in Joplin (which still blows my mind…but that’s another story for another day. Sure, God could have used other circumstances to grow me and bring me closer to Him. But He didn’t. He used 4 short years in St. Louis. It was the city that grew me.</p><p><br /></p><p>I still have difficult memories that I have to work through. But God uses all things for my good and His glory. He may not reveal everything about why we were there…but I believe that He has used it for my good. And He really does get the glory for that.</p><p><br /></p><p>Instead of thinking of all the bad, I can now look back on that blip in time with fond memories, knowing that the <b>people </b>we met are what is good. So thank you, St. Louis, for being a part of my story…a part of our story.</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-18470177239923118682022-05-30T14:01:00.004-05:002022-06-01T13:35:42.632-05:00Finally...Some Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM7a8gxZj6QoxjWv2lEwCnW58QOfyY6k2KgjxjG0WLCAvwRL1MdUNJ3zQzwx3d9ZY59ouHTtyXBrHqb4gBb7EMm8LeP9Ww5ewySSzlyiAgowANGAK691BhVpW6_t99XVDxbYihhl5J97DMUo8dHWMGq17Dzy9YzuSSrNTAiM4VwAUjM5NeqQN0Rll/s1169/7F659747-DDD6-42C1-9167-84E246BF75F5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1169" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM7a8gxZj6QoxjWv2lEwCnW58QOfyY6k2KgjxjG0WLCAvwRL1MdUNJ3zQzwx3d9ZY59ouHTtyXBrHqb4gBb7EMm8LeP9Ww5ewySSzlyiAgowANGAK691BhVpW6_t99XVDxbYihhl5J97DMUo8dHWMGq17Dzy9YzuSSrNTAiM4VwAUjM5NeqQN0Rll/w400-h400/7F659747-DDD6-42C1-9167-84E246BF75F5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I haven't been focused in a long time. Like I mentioned in the <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/healing-my-body.html" target="_blank">previous blog</a>, I've kinda felt like I was just bobbing around in my health and fitness. Last year, I definitely felt very unmotivated when it came to working out. I didn't give it my all. I worked out half-heartedly. I didn't feel like I had a purpose and mission in that season. I knew why I was eating the way I was, and I had connected with that reason. But my fitness floundered.</p><p style="text-align: left;">February presented a challenge called the "60 in 60." It was 60 workouts in 60 days using our newest platform called, "Beachbody On Demand Interactive." It is where our cycling classes are housed among <i>so</i> many others. You can join in live and interact with the trainer. It's pretty neat. So I decided that I was going to do that alongside my Hashimoto's Protocol journey.</p><p style="text-align: left;">It's really what I needed. I planned out my daily classes (which were 30 minutes), and I got to integrate cycling classes, which I fell in love with. This challenge is what I needed to grab my focus. Once I was finished with that, I decided to do a program that was longer...in individual workout time as well as duration of the program.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I did this workout program alongside the 4-Week Gut Protocol (although the 4WGP comes with its own special workout program). However, after a tight glute that flared my lower back (again!), I ended up not really working out for most of the program. But I knew that weightloss is about 80% nutrition and 20% exercise, so I just focused in on my nutrition. I had tunnel vision for my goals (which my specific goal was to get to my pre-pregnancy/pregnancy weight), and I met that goal within 3 weeks of the program! I still had another week left to see what I could do!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur1STf-9ipmkk1G_5mCbwN9nE3S_2gJAu60r_rcs33-wxuwds4fdizicLNi-6mre-XzfpV8mbK_e2fbyXajE_BCbkDf1fRnIexISkLPSNUZsCPgT44P8FSfQY36Qk0Zf9BRffNNoeshR47UDa6qsrVS35X8ZrbSBrTHVSNQM6Nnrhv6WKwF0M6sOA/s1936/B68C9991-E902-480A-B6E9-DB5412F90A4B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur1STf-9ipmkk1G_5mCbwN9nE3S_2gJAu60r_rcs33-wxuwds4fdizicLNi-6mre-XzfpV8mbK_e2fbyXajE_BCbkDf1fRnIexISkLPSNUZsCPgT44P8FSfQY36Qk0Zf9BRffNNoeshR47UDa6qsrVS35X8ZrbSBrTHVSNQM6Nnrhv6WKwF0M6sOA/w640-h640/B68C9991-E902-480A-B6E9-DB5412F90A4B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;">To be completely honest, I didn't take measurements. But I lost 11.1 pounds in 28 days. To say that I am thrilled with these results would be the understatement of the year. But more than that, this program has given me a TON of nonscale victories.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I can now wear almost all of my clothes that I wore pre-pregnancy. I went down one pants size in order to fit into these clothes. Actually, maybe I should say that <b>I can basically wear all my clothes in my closet</b>. That honestly feels really good.</li><li>I wake up with the "feeling" of a flat tummy. So <b>no more feeling extremely bloated</b>! Yay!</li><li>I recognized that <b>I needed to be eating way MORE </b>than I was. I've been a follower and early adapter of the <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-food-freedom-april-gracecamp.html" target="_blank">2B Mindset</a>. I have loved the freedom it's given me, but going into this program, I knew I wanted to do it as written, which is with the color-coded portion control containers. It made me realize that I need to be eating more, which is mind boggling.</li><li><b>My face is less puffy</b>--hashimoto's can cause puffiness in the face, which I definitely had. I shared earlier this year on my Instagram stories that it made me a little self-conscious, but I can definitely tell that I am no longer puffy!</li><li><b>I've been going to the bathroom more</b>--which is good (and maybe a little awkward to talk about)! My body is eliminating waste, which is also really good for my hormonal issues. I'm hoping to be getting rid of any excess estrogen!</li><li><b>We've been eating at home</b> WAY more! I've been wanting to do this, but honestly, the fatigue is a battle. God has also been working in my heart about this topic as a mom and a wife. It's one of my jobs to provide meals for my family, and I'm the "gatekeeper" of the home. So I've really been convicted about buying more quality foods, cooking healthier meals, and eating at home more. We still eat out maybe once a week, but that's so much better than it was a year ago.<br /></li><li>My resting heart rate has lowered. I wear an Apple watch and am pretty keen on what my "stats" are from day-to-day. In general, my resting heart rate is in the upper 50s, but since eating this way, it has gone wayyyy down to the lower 50s (even 49 on some days). This is something I check daily, and I'm not sure I've ever seen it this low (except one time when on medication for C0V)d.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-BTToW22dScDriQWsbd0tbkHYgZCromAhp_WOaViwFSuMnGKG2rU9X-0HWsHzkHYe5hobBfJ4wQr5y6aVe6c_DRCMOfJSeRZQzhRU87XjSQ3L090aMi7R3fFvO8lASHlXbMA785eqnUQ1pBzbEFGY3YFXbm_SBAG_eNx18KARff4pjfVnNwMmGiY/s4032/A2687E68-FE04-40B8-A48D-CA618B44E489.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-BTToW22dScDriQWsbd0tbkHYgZCromAhp_WOaViwFSuMnGKG2rU9X-0HWsHzkHYe5hobBfJ4wQr5y6aVe6c_DRCMOfJSeRZQzhRU87XjSQ3L090aMi7R3fFvO8lASHlXbMA785eqnUQ1pBzbEFGY3YFXbm_SBAG_eNx18KARff4pjfVnNwMmGiY/s320/A2687E68-FE04-40B8-A48D-CA618B44E489.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /></li><li>I think the biggest win of them all is the fact that <b>I got my body to respond</b>! I was following the nutrition program. I was working out. I was sleeping well. I was eating the right foods. And still my body didn't respond. I know that in the Beachbody world, this is frowned upon, but what I accomplished in these 4-weeks is learning how my body wants to be nourished...and that's with utilizing the knowledge that I have in both programs (2B Mindset and 4-Week Gut Protocol).</li></ol><div><br /></div><div>I know that food sensitivities and eating the <i>wrong</i> foods was keeping me from losing the weight. I now know that I wasn't fueling my body properly, and I wasn't eating enough of the right foods. So where am I headed now? Well, I still have healing to do and weight to lose.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I first started sharing my Hashimoto's journey a couple weeks ago, I had a friend reach out to me and share that she, too, was just diagnosed. It was nice to be able to chat with her and pray for her, and I'm looking forward to building on our relationship. So I don't share all of this for the "look at me," but rather I want others to know that they're not alone. Not everyone lives their life out loud like this. And that is totally okay. Not everyone is called to share their journey in a public space, and that's okay. But we can use our struggles and trials to help others.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I shared my journey and my friend reached out to me, that encouraged me to call a new doctor. Remember, I had fired my other doctor? Well, I now have a new one. And I'm hopeful that he will be able to help me dig deeper into my healing journey. I will continue to use this way of eating, because I now know that it's working for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oftentimes, I feel like I'm the exception to the rule. And this is just one example. I'm blending two nutrition programs to come up with the one that my body likes best. The absolute best part is that I'm eating all the things. I'm not depriving myself. I'm not restricting myself. I'm living in my food freedom--and that looks differently to someone with food allergies and sensitivities. Food freedom looks differently to me now than it did just a couple years ago. I'm so grateful that the Lord never leaves us. He walks with us. The only thing that I'm doing differently is walking at His pace instead of ahead of Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>So friends, don't give up. My journey will look differently than yours. Your journey will look differently than someone else's. Each body is bioindividual. Your needs will differ than mine and vice versa. So there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to nutrition. If you want lasting change, you've got to dig real deep for it. You can find it, but it takes work and effort. Most importantly, allow the Lord to guide your steps. He shouldn't be compartmentalized. He should be Lord of this part of your life, too. Don't do this on your own. Walk with Him. And if He says that you need to walk with someone else as well, I'm here for you, too.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-have-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/god-changed-my-heart.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-is-food-freedom-for-me.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-mindset-shift.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 7</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/healing-my-body.html" target="_blank">Part 8</a></span></p></div><br />Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-12133456027219124742022-05-28T16:59:00.004-05:002022-05-28T16:59:56.577-05:00Healing My Body<p>This past fall is really when I started digging deeper into trying to heal my body. I hadn't really gotten great answers from my doctor, so I decided that I had to take my health into my own hands. Obviously, my health has always been in my own hands, but I was trying to understand a new disease. I was reading books and following knowledgeable people on Instagram.</p><p>Dr. Izabella Wentz has really been the most helpful through her books. She's a pharmacist who also has Hashimoto's, and she has her own Hashimoto's program where she helps others. Her books are a wealth of knowledge, and they're really what encouraged me to take my healing into my own hands. She has her own protocol called, "The Hashimoto's Protocol," and it made complete sense to me when I was reading through it. So shortly after the New Year, I started doing it. I bought the supplements that made sense for me, and I embarked on this journey.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>[At this point in my health journey, I was very down. It had been an entire year that I had been working towards healthier living and weightloss. But in 2021, I only lost 10 pounds. I was very discouraged for a long time. When I got my Hashimoto's diagnosis, I was hopeful that when I went completely gluten free, I would be making strides with my weightloss. But I didn't. It was a very slow season. But it was a learning season. God truly had to change my heart and change my mind.</i></p><p><i>All of January I spent on my couch. My lower back had flared (I have a previous injury), and it was so bad that I couldn't function from day to day. I hadn't exercised like I wanted to. I didn't set intentions or goals for the year because I was in so much pain. So once my new chiropractor was helping me and I was feeling "back to normal," I used February 1st as my "New Year" beginning.]</i></p><p><span></span><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><i><br /></i><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DRIFQQ9ITb8IbZ-S3ut7OAUgHL3rfrycWwCU-w9YpIa9KJQsG3LUrqZfpAE_8cchzF--BmtECRc5tA4DAt7wBTpvvcQ3AfMqnE-vIvGLrn30TxIds_GGFnNbCvVSd3IDm6PExCpjtJTSppVC36V5d9ijY67BJA8j8lkpL_jGApaBNwfukSi0SFfo/s603/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-28%20at%204.08.26%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="603" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DRIFQQ9ITb8IbZ-S3ut7OAUgHL3rfrycWwCU-w9YpIa9KJQsG3LUrqZfpAE_8cchzF--BmtECRc5tA4DAt7wBTpvvcQ3AfMqnE-vIvGLrn30TxIds_GGFnNbCvVSd3IDm6PExCpjtJTSppVC36V5d9ijY67BJA8j8lkpL_jGApaBNwfukSi0SFfo/w320-h317/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-28%20at%204.08.26%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/bethvsfood" target="_blank">@bethvsfood :</a> <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">It’s always awkward to take “before” photos…at least I think. But they’re necessary. It’s a way to actually see your physical progress.<br /></span></b></span></span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />I’ve always gotten so giddy when women that I’ve worked with send me progress pics, and I can so clearly tell they’ve been working hard. They’ve been an important part of my journey, too…it’s just been awhile since I’ve taken any.<br /></span></span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />I know that my worth doesn’t come from my physical appearance. In fact, I’m very confident in who I am because I know Who I belong to. But I’m ready for this next step in my journey to healing. I’m ready to see the physical transformation so that it matches up with what I know and feel inside.<br /></span></span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />It’s going to require a lot…and I know I’ve already had a lot of progress from this last year—I got a new diagnosis, learned that gluten was part of the issue that is making my body attack itself, and now I’m ready to see if other things are affecting it negatively, too. </span></span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I’m taking February as the start of the new year very </span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">seriously. I’m ready to do this!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>[This was my Instagram post on February 4th, as I started a 60-day fitness challenge, 4-week diet bet, and the Hashimoto's Protocol all at once. I knew that I needed accountability from the Diet Bet, a challenge for my fitness, as I had seriously been floundering and unmotivated, as well as the nutrition part as the most important part.]</i></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><!--more--><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p>So February 1st was my official start of the New Year, and it's also when I decided that my body probably needed to be dairy free as well. I needed to come to this conclusion <i><b>on my own</b></i> rather than feeling "forced" to be dairy free. I think that through my Whole30 journey, I felt "forced" to be free of all of those foods/items because those were the rules. And while I am such a rule-follower, I sometimes want to break the rules. So once again, I say that God has been so kind to me on this journey. He helped me see that I needed to be dairy free so that I could start the Hashimoto's Protocol.</p><p>The first thing I did was support my liver. The liver is a detox organ. It takes all the things that are unwanted in our bodies and detoxes them out. But living in today's world, toxins are everywhere: in beauty products, in body products, in food, in our cookware, in our clothes, in our cleaning supplies...literally everywhere. I had already started living with lowered toxins due to my <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/search/label/toxin%20free%20home" target="_blank">journey earlier</a>. So what I really needed to tighten up was what I was eating. I took out all the inflammatory foods that I had been eating, and off I went!</p><p>The second part of the protocol was supporting the adrenals. Statistics show that most people with Hashimoto's also have Adrenal Fatigue. I am not sure if I have/had it or not, as I wasn't tested. BUT I knew that I could definitely use more sleep (#toddlermom) and I could definitely learn to lower my stress. The protocol recommended staying in bed for at least 12 hours, but I couldn't do that. As I was praying over this part of my healing journey, I was asking the Lord what I should do.</p><p>My morning routine is really important to me. I usually get up around 5:15 am, make myself some pre-workout, go upstairs and read my Bible. Then after that, I get my workout in so that I'm back downstairs and ready to "Mom" at 7 am. Well, a solid morning routine begins with an evening routine. This meant that I needed to be in bed asleep by 9:15 pm every night. There were so many nights that I didn't make this happen, so I would get 6-7 hours of sleep, instead of the 8 that my body really needs. Then, there were a couple months in there that Henry had a sleep regression and was waking up between 4-5 am. I was the one to get up with him, and I was not in a good mood for those months, because I wasn't getting enough sleep. It was tough.</p><p>As I kept praying over my morning routine, I felt like God was telling me to let go of that routine. Each season comes with its own challenges, and if I was really seeking healing, then I needed to sleep. At that point, I decided to allow my body to wake up with Henry, who was thankfully back to his "normal" wake-up time, which was anywhere between 6-7 am. I was still able to be up with him and have my "quiet time," but it was no longer quiet. Again, I knew it was just a season.</p><p>I was truly able to focus on my sleep, and I got 8-hours of sleep almost every night. This was much needed, as I continued on my journey. It showed me just how important sleep is to healing the body.</p><p><br /><span></span></p><!--more--><p></p><p>At this point, the 4 Week Gut Protocol had launched. I wasn't quite to the gut-healing portion of my protocol yet, so I wasn't interested in doing the program. <i>[Side note: it was mentioned in the book that if I were to skip to the gut-healing portion before I supported my liver or my adrenals, then I could have even more food sensitivities than I was already dealing with.]</i> I did, however, want to know how to lead others through it. So I purchased the program and joined a group of women who were doing it and followed along with them.</p><p>A few weeks after those ladies got done with it, I got to the gut portion of my protocol. So after going back and forth with myself, I felt gently led to do the 4 Week Gut Protocol within my Hashimoto's Protocol. It was similar to what I was doing, so I felt comfortable doing it! I was already taking the supplements needed, and there wasn't a huge difference between the programs, other than the fact that the HP gut-healing portion is two weeks longer. That's okay, I knew I could handle that.</p><p>Once again, off I went. The part that was most difficult for me was the meal planning portion. The 4 Week Gut Protocol utilizes portion-control containers. I had used them previously, but it always feels like a game of tetris while planning meals. I had to make sure I was eating all of my containers (for example, I was allowed 7 green containers. This is a 1 cup measurement for veggies. I needed to make sure I had 7 cups of veggies in my plan for each day.).</p><p>It requires you to remove 6 common inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, artificial sweeteners, corn, soy, and alcohol). I had already been free of most of those foods--corn was the only one I really had to pay attention to. But it was fairly easy for me since I was already everything free. haha! I was just really hopeful at this point, that even if I lost nothing, that my gut would be that much closer to healing. I was maintaining everything that I had learned through the Hashimoto's Protocol. So when I got to the adrenal part, I was still supporting my liver. And when I got to the gut part, I was still supporting both my liver and adrenals. It's a program that builds on itself, which is really cool. The 4-Week Gut Protocol just fit right in with the gut-portion, and I'm really glad that I completed it, as it showed me SO much about my body. More to come on that...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-have-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/god-changed-my-heart.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-is-food-freedom-for-me.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/its-mindset-shift.html" target="_blank">Part 7</a></span></p><p><br /></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-26425367114687501502022-05-24T15:38:00.000-05:002022-05-24T15:38:00.305-05:00It's a Mindset Shift<p>The Lord has been so kind and gentle with me. He has known my fragile heart throughout this journey, and He's been good to nudge me and convict me and change me. I've already shared the biggest heart change with you, but as we've walked together on this journey, He's been good to speak right to my heart.</p><p><br /></p><p>I fired my doctor. Yes, the one that diagnosed me with Hashimoto's. I fired him because he was wanting me to do something that I didn't want to do. I felt that he was concerned more about my weight than my overall health. I have to think that it's because he came from a conventional medicine background. He practiced for years and I'm sure he pushed medicine over the root cause approach. But I came to him because I wanted to figure out the root cause of my symptoms. I was tired of hearing, "Oh, here's a medication for you to try." At first, he was great. I'm very thankful that he diagnosed me quicker than most people get diagnosed.</p><p>But I was not okay with the constant badgering about it. <i> </i>I don't want a medication for weightloss. I don't want a quick fix. Why? Because I tried those for years. Do you know what happened? It was a behavior modification. It wasn't a mindset shift. It wasn't a heart change. Those results never lasted. And if they did, I wouldn't be in this position.</p><p>Real change requires a shift. If there is no shift, there is no real change. For so many years...through all of the Whole30s and all the struggle with binge eating and everything else, I desired the change. I even said that I had surrendered it to the Lord. And I had. But I wasn't willing to learn. I wasn't willing to be still long enough for Him to talk to me and show me what I was supposed to do.</p><p>I think that's exactly why He gave me the slowest season EVER with weightloss. Y'all. It took me a YEAR to lose TEN pounds. Seriously!! I had to dig deep into WHY I was doing this. If I never saw another pound drop from the scale, would I continue doing this? Would I continue to eat according to plan? Would I continue to move my body? Or would I quit? Well, He gave me that exact situation. I had to dig deeper than I have ever had to dig in my life. I had to connect deeply to <i>why</i> I was continuing to follow through with these actions. I had to be willing to wrestle with it. I had to be on my knees in prayer daily as He helped sustain me and push me through this season.</p><p>What it came down to was this: <i><b>I desired healing more than I desired weightloss</b></i>. Did I still want to see weightloss? Absolutely. But I knew that if I could get my hormones to regulate and heal them, my body would start to work properly and the weightloss would be a happy side effect.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now let's shift gears a bit and talk about money. You're probably wondering if I'm off my rocker right now. HA! I'm not, I promise. When my husband and I were first married, our rent for our tiny one-bedroom apartment was <b>more</b> than what we brought in. Thankfully, we had a little nest egg to help us, but I also had to cut costs where I could. I learned how to <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2011/07/cut-out-paper-money.html" target="_blank">coupon</a>. [Oh my word, I blogged about it!] I even taught a couponing class to my fellow college friends in said tiny one-bedroom apartment. I was <i>so</i> good at getting things for free because of my couponing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvLE5bXFLzD0-sXwxi41ccsw7_CIIKJIvT2epiCAgBBQnZj0P0q2K6b9r6qPK-Iufto_bcA3QolRDkQSjpZyoBO74HhuwPB9Cb1lW3yGdbEcHXYzmsuCkbSf_z57zZTDOZ5ZZ0PPlyWlPGVRI17elNf_6_smjDEksI5lCYC_U-gAs9v38u5OaDgZ-/s504/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-24%20at%203.22.29%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="107" data-original-width="504" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvLE5bXFLzD0-sXwxi41ccsw7_CIIKJIvT2epiCAgBBQnZj0P0q2K6b9r6qPK-Iufto_bcA3QolRDkQSjpZyoBO74HhuwPB9Cb1lW3yGdbEcHXYzmsuCkbSf_z57zZTDOZ5ZZ0PPlyWlPGVRI17elNf_6_smjDEksI5lCYC_U-gAs9v38u5OaDgZ-/w400-h85/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-24%20at%203.22.29%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Fortunately, we are not in that same position anymore. My husband got a great job out of college and has been working extremely hard for his family ever since. But my mindset around money has been the same. I'm pretty frugal, and I still try to cut costs where I can. I don't coupon anymore, because it is somewhat more difficult to find coupons for broccoli, carrots, and ground beef (but wouldn't we all love some of those right about now?).</p><p>One of the ways the Lord helped reshape my mindset was around gluten-free foods. Now hear me when I say that just becau<span style="font-family: inherit;">se it says "gluten-free" does NOT mean that it's healthy. There are plenty of unhealthy GF options. But there are certain things that I like to keep on hand that are gluten-free and are definitely more expensive than the conventional counterpart.</span></p><p>Unfortunately, I think that most things that are healthier options are more expensive. BUT I'd rather pay the farmer than the doctor. ;) So I had a revelation when I was purchasing some almond flour gnocchi to make my family's very favorite meal. I was feeling bad because they're what I would normally consider "expensive." I felt stuck in a mindset that I wouldn't be able to cook things for my family because I wasn't willing to make the purchase of food that now went with my new lifestyle [How messed up is that thinking?]. <i>I want to be a good steward of the money that the Lord has entrusted to me. But I also need to buy food that is beneficial to my body and not harming my body.</i> So while almond flour gnocchi is about $3 more than regular potato gnocchi is when it's on sale, He gently showed me that it's okay to sometimes "splurge" on things that will be good for my body. Sure, I may only purchase these things on sale, but the extra dollars in the grocery budget are needed and used wisely.</p><p>This definitely is a privilege, I know that. But it's a testimony to how He can change and reshape our minds and hearts if we allow Him to. I'm not one to go and spend my money on groceries, so this was something that He really needed to do a work in, and it made my food freedom more free.</p><p><br /></p><p>In Romans 12:2, it says, "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Do not conform</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> to the pattern of this world,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">—his good, pleasing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> and perfect will."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to be healthy spiritually, we have to be transformed in mind. There is only ONE who can do that. You can talk the talk, but if you don't actually allow Him to transform your mind to be more like Christ in all things, then the talk is worthless. I understand that talking about money sounds frivolous, but it was an issue that was actually a little crippling to me. Allowing Him to renew my mind in <i>all </i>areas has freed me up to think about more important things.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am in a totally different place today than where I was just a year ago. I'm at a totally different place than where I was in January. I'm excited to keep sharing in this space, and I will share a little more in the coming days with what I've continued to learn on my journey.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-have-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/god-changed-my-heart.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 5</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-is-food-freedom-for-me.html" target="_blank">Part 6</a></span></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-14023544171694122312022-05-23T15:03:00.002-05:002022-05-23T15:03:28.760-05:00What is Food Freedom for Me?<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> "I<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">t was recognizing that a gluten-free life was truly food freedom for me."</span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">That statement hit me like a ton of bricks a couple of weeks ago. When I was going through a weird transition in my life with my health journey and coaching, I decided to open up a brand new Instagram account, especially for me. It was my way of documenting my journey without a lot of people looking in. I didn't <i>not </i>accept followers, but I've kept my account small so that I could keep the main thing the main thing.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Well, one day a couple weeks ago, I said the above statement in my stories. It literally was like the Holy Spirit speaking right to <b>me</b> when I was sharing with the people who do follow. I finally realized that food freedom meant taking out the foods that were actually harmful to MY body, even if they were a "healthy" food.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">My body has sensitivities to gluten and dairy (and possibly some more foods that I'm currently unaware of). There are foods made with gluten and made with dairy that are considered "healthy," but my body cannot process them properly. They are inflaming my body, which makes me have horrible side effects, <i>and</i> what I didn't know...they are actually making me sicker.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYE5qLVxgxVCZ-xyRzWfZNc1XVtQJEU5__Z40IybkGXFxskv-yicz2_T9R88wDLvHit_-ZMiXf_OskQqz_YxjwSYXX2JqSzeXK6wqrk9zqCHIoXxrYKNwa70hq1Rh0MHR16EiDwRWRCoNbeOeZgFX_vSCfNlq6U4jbAeuzKfanLg91QdOaKcmpbFPJ/s1640/Food%20Freedom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYE5qLVxgxVCZ-xyRzWfZNc1XVtQJEU5__Z40IybkGXFxskv-yicz2_T9R88wDLvHit_-ZMiXf_OskQqz_YxjwSYXX2JqSzeXK6wqrk9zqCHIoXxrYKNwa70hq1Rh0MHR16EiDwRWRCoNbeOeZgFX_vSCfNlq6U4jbAeuzKfanLg91QdOaKcmpbFPJ/w640-h360/Food%20Freedom.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">Back in my Whole30 days, I truly felt that "food freedom" was being able to eat anything I ever wanted without feeling guilt or shame. But that's not food freedom. I've learned, personally, that being able to eat without guilt and shame means you have a great relationship with food. That's what <i>everyone</i> wants, right?</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;">Let's dig a little bit deeper...</span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;">The word "<i>freedom</i>" means: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the state of not being subject to or affected by (a particular undesirable thing).</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">I always like to look at the meaning of words because it can give me a clearer vision of what it truly means. A few years ago, I remember feeling "trapped" inside my body as I was dealing with binge eating. I was <i style="font-weight: bold;">obsessed</i> with food. I couldn't stop thinking about food. I was always looking forward to what I was going to eat next. I was hiding food and/or hiding while eating food. I was literally a <u>slave</u> to food at that point in my journey. I had zero control.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">When I was eating foods that were making me feel bad (bloating, tummy aches, etc), I was being affected. So that's not freedom either. It has really taken me this long in my journey (many, many years) to realize that taking these foods out (being gluten/dairy free) is actually <i>freedom</i> to me because my body is healthier and happier.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">So now when I plan my meals, I recognize that eating this way is actually freeing to me. I once saw it as a huge hinderance (and yes, there are still obstacles to overcome), but I understand the value of it.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">I want to continue to be a student of my body. I want to listen to what it's telling me. Symptoms that are "common" aren't "normal. Headaches aren't normal. Cramps aren't normal. Bloating isn't normal. Belly aches aren't normal. They're common, but that's because the body is telling you something. When I started to listen in, it clued me in to what it was saying.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-have-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html" style="color: #2a88d5; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Part 4</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/god-changed-my-heart.html" target="_blank">Part 5</a></span></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-90610294529547617452022-05-19T14:36:00.002-05:002022-05-20T14:09:01.080-05:00God Changed My Heart<p>Back in January 2021, when I decided to get really focused on my nutrition and workouts, I was a little bitter. I was <i>determined</i> to be able to nourish my body without taking gluten and dairy out of my diet. I fully wanted to prove to myself, and to all the experts that said "<i>If you have PCOS, you should be gluten and dairy-free." </i>I still wanted to be able to enjoy the foods that I really liked.</p><p>I was also super bitter from having done so many rounds of Whole30. I was caught up in a vicious cycle of restricting foods, being deprived of foods, and then binging on them. It was just adding fuel to a very small fire, and it ended up being a really large, uncontrollable fire.</p><p>So when I was confronted with the idea of a gluten and dairy elimination diet by my doctor, I honestly wasn't for it at all. I was resistant to it. I had an attitude about it, and honestly, that was the exact reason I put off making an appointment with him for so long. I just did not want to do it.</p><p>Eventually, I went and I did as the doctor asked. Surprisingly, I was eager to actually do it when the time came. I was hoping that it was a simple fix, such as being gluten or dairy-free for a little bit. But when I got the results and was told that I had to be gluten-free for the <b><i>rest of my life</i></b>, it was shocking. It was a lot to digest. I had to sit with this idea for a long time so that I could process it.</p><p>And to be honest, when I got started, I started very slowly. I did <b>not</b> take all gluten out of my diet. I kept "slipping up" but having one of Henry's animal crackers here and a bite of something else there. I would end up with a stomach ache or maybe some bathroom issues, but my "will" to live a gluten-free life hadn't arrived yet.</p><p>It truly took me about 3 full months to come to grips with how I was physically feeling and the fact that I could actually feel better. So it was finally at that point that I made a commitment to converting my pantry to be gluten-free. It was also the turning point for me where I said, "NO MORE GLUTEN." And I've never looked back.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Side note: I think a lot of people want to "cheat the system." I've seen numerous questions about whether or not just limiting the intake of gluten is good enough. But as I've heard...a woman was making brownies, and she had a secret ingredient...just the tiniest piece of poop. Now, do you want a <i>little</i> poop in your brownies? Replace the poop with gluten. Even the tiniest bit in your system stays in your system. As I've read, it takes about 6 whole months of being 100% gluten-free to actually rid your entire system of gluten.</span></p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I've come to realize that through all of my "experience" with food that God was preparing me for this moment. I already knew how to eat gluten-free because of my Whole30 experience. I didn't have to learn this way of life, because I had already learned how to read the labels. It wasn't an easy transition whatsoever, but I know that it could have been more difficult.</p><p>I also realized the gentleness of God's love through all of this. I may need to take more foods out of my diet as I figure out exactly which ones make me feel miserable, but just taking gluten out and getting used to the idea of being gluten-free has been helpful for me. It is completely overwhelming when you try to overhaul your diet completely at the same time. But taking one thing out at a time is much more manageable.</p><p>I knew that dairy was also something that I may need to leave out of my diet, but I wasn't ready to do that quite yet. I was still in denial that dairy was making me feel bad, and there was just no way that I was going to be able to give up cheese. But really, I needed the time to <i>just</i> be gluten-free so that I could really see and feel what that meant for my life.</p><p>I asked the Lord to specifically walk this journey with me. I knew that I wouldn't be able to do this on my own, and He has never once left my side. He's guided me and sustained me. He's nudged me, and more than anything He's changed my heart through all of this.</p><p>I no longer have a bitter attitude towards eating this way. I was bitter for a bit. I mean, I had lived 32.5 years loving and eating those foods that I now had to give up. I really needed to grieve that life in a way that I could give this "new" life a fresh outlook. Sometimes people say to me, "Oh well, I'm allergic to ____, but I just eat it anyway." I can't do that. The effects of eating gluten (on accident or on purpose) stay in my system for days. So not only will I be feeling miserable in the present, but also for the next 3-4 days, if not longer.</p><p>Earlier in my journey, I would do that. I would be tempted and I would give in. But now, it's no longer an issue. I don't want to eat the item with gluten because I know how bad I will feel and what the effects will be. I credit that to the Lord because I was really lamenting bread (and gluten-free bread is just not the same). So it has required discipline, but it's also required the change of heart that God has given me.</p><p>Yes, on occasion, I do still get tempted. Just a couple weeks ago, I was at an event where I brought most of my own food. The desserts that were served there looked amazing, and the thought of eating them was tempting. But <b>it wasn't an option</b> for me. So the temptation was there, but God gave me the strength to get through the moment and realize how bad of a decision it would be for me.</p><p>I realize, as I'm writing this, how easy it is for me to say that "God changed my heart." That is easy. But the process to get here has been a painful one. It's been a year and a half of working day-in and day-out, truly a moment-by-moment process, on this change. Each revelation has added up and gotten me to this point. It was praying for cravings to subside. It was un-learning some things. It was re-learning how to fuel my body, and it was recognizing that a gluten-free life was truly food freedom for me.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-have-hashimotos-thyroiditis.html" target="_blank">Part 4</a></span></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-37365602084524513772022-05-17T13:44:00.000-05:002022-05-17T13:44:08.399-05:00I Have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis<p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed a part?<br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" target="_blank">Part 3</a></span></p><p>It was May 11, 2021, and I had a doctor's appointment that day. I was so excited to hopefully be getting answers to all the weird symptoms that I was feeling. But what I didn't know is that the results would change my life.</p><p>At my first doctor's appointment, I was encouraged to do a gluten and dairy elimination test. Obviously, I wasn't any stranger to <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" target="_blank">elimination tests</a>. I eliminated gluten and dairy for three weeks. In the fourth week, I added gluten back into my diet for one day, and for the next three days, I observed any symptoms. Then I was gluten-free again, and I added dairy back in and for the next three days, I observed those symptoms.</p><p>I reported back to my doctor that I definitely had a gluten intolerance. (At the time, I probably also had a dairy intolerance, but I may have been in denial about that.) When we went over the bloodwork, he got to the thyroid portion and said, <i>"You have autoimmune thyroiditis, so that means you'll be gluten-free permanently."</i></p><p>I remember talking to my mom on the phone right after the appointment in disbelief. I hadn't ever heard the phrase "autoimmune thyroiditis" before, but I had heard of Hashimoto's. So I was very confused about it all, and when I got home to research, anything that said "autoimmune thyroiditis" was related to Hashimoto's. I was also prescribed two different thyroid medications that I had to start immediately.</p><p>I had to go back to see my doctor in just a few short weeks to make sure that this medication was working for me. It's synthetic thyroid hormone, so I had to make sure my body was responding to it, and I didn't need any adjustments. So I was armed with all my questions to ask my doctor that day. I had already purchased a few books on Hashimoto's because I'm a researcher. I researched all about PCOS, and now I was going to do the same thing with Hashimoto's. I dove into my questions, and thankfully he answered them, so off I went.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which means that my immune system is attacking my thyroid which in turn is slowly killing it. That means that my thyroid cannot produce enough hormones to function normally. The thyroid is in charge of many of the body's activities. It's essential to have thyroid hormone in your body.</p><p>I still feel really unknowledgeable about it all, but I'm currently managing. I keep reading books on Hashimoto's and I've become a student of my body. At first, I was okay with the thought of being gluten-free. But the thoughts about it and actually doing it are two different things. It took about a week for my new reality to set it. I had been planning a night a week to eat out for our family. And while it's still doable, it's more difficult. I was limited on what I could eat. It was that reality that really made me start grieving my former lifestyle. [If that sounds like first-world problems, it really is!] But I wasn't about to give up.</p><p><br /></p><p>I originally read that it was best for people with Hashimoto's to be gluten, dairy, and soy-free from the start. But based on my history of binging, I <i>knew </i>that taking all of those things out at once was not a good idea. To be fair, I was already soy free because of PCOS (soy mimics estrogen in the body). So that was easy. Check. I knew that I <i>had</i> to be gluten-free, so that's what I worked on for the next few months.</p><p>Once I figured all of this out, I just thought the weight would come off. I thought that gluten was hindering my weightloss journey, and once I took it out of my diet, I'd be golden. But that wasn't it. I continued to struggle and struggle with the weightloss aspect of this journey. Taking gluten out of my diet completely made me feel wonderful. So I knew that I was on the right track.</p><p>It did take about 3 or 4 months for the fatigue to subside and for me to start to feel "normal" again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapfrEzDS83U1uhWNx1RWyCHBLa_AsW-TaZbVAD-hqsFIdkjIZj8NYKXpoDKbmJ64dunpLlZmx2pzPp4R6MzEExnY_KxsR82a2YoijcmwDGpVZFYPiPy6bADVgbhbbf8pGhIYXI_otHKGFETd6yd0zGWidWIxKkjg5C4qCGMx9URndWcS-9LHqRkqe/s4032/IMG_8267.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapfrEzDS83U1uhWNx1RWyCHBLa_AsW-TaZbVAD-hqsFIdkjIZj8NYKXpoDKbmJ64dunpLlZmx2pzPp4R6MzEExnY_KxsR82a2YoijcmwDGpVZFYPiPy6bADVgbhbbf8pGhIYXI_otHKGFETd6yd0zGWidWIxKkjg5C4qCGMx9URndWcS-9LHqRkqe/w640-h480/IMG_8267.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I took this picture on August 24th, 2021 right after lunch. I remember the day clearly--I had made lunch <i>and</i> cleaned it up all within minutes. This hadn't happened in probably 8 months or so. The fatigue had just overtaken my life.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My doctor had described it like this--we want the lightswitch to flip our symptoms. We want the pill or the fix or whatever it is to just work immediately. But it isn't like that. It's like a daytime alarm clock where the light starts at a very low setting and then gradually and gradually gets brighter and brighter. And that's exactly how it felt for me. Fatigue was the very worst of my symptoms, but I had other symptoms, too. They all got better as time went on.Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-32079445688639633742022-05-16T08:00:00.003-05:002022-05-16T13:20:55.853-05:00Body Positivity and Weightloss<p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Missed a part?<br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" target="_blank">Part 1 here.</a><br /><a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" target="_blank">Part 2 here.</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p>At the end of 2020, I knew that I had gained weight. I had already surpassed my "heaviest" weight, but I wasn't really doing anything different. I was still eating according to my plan, and I was working out. So in the last week of December, I made a plan. I grabbed an accountability buddy, a workout program, and my meal tracker. I set to work. At this point, I had stepped back from any coaching work that I was doing. I was really needing to focus solely on my journey. I quit taking sweaty selfies. I quit recording my workouts. I quit sharing on social media. I just wanted to do this for me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFB3UHjqmVVfe2_wacNfFG32UvRMtL9lls5YyJsadBYgGK6hAKEgYkF7lKby7N-pQRXvHwPPlazQYZ8bZRNvQHDrp4ANSNIORNtqRR7lsxWy86Sz76IBHJgzmRdhyq6akxN2G1SZkbHGqnOdBunV0IwO4eY78APmXSHDIdAsdZ6T0ZgMMKekeGoGS/s2318/IMG_0409.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFB3UHjqmVVfe2_wacNfFG32UvRMtL9lls5YyJsadBYgGK6hAKEgYkF7lKby7N-pQRXvHwPPlazQYZ8bZRNvQHDrp4ANSNIORNtqRR7lsxWy86Sz76IBHJgzmRdhyq6akxN2G1SZkbHGqnOdBunV0IwO4eY78APmXSHDIdAsdZ6T0ZgMMKekeGoGS/w162-h640/IMG_0409.HEIC" width="162" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christmas 2020--I have never really liked any picture of myself, but when I was looking for a picture last week, I stumbled upon this one. This had been my "norm" after having gained the weight. I now know that you don't realize it until you can look back to see how far you've really come.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I submitted my food tracker to my friend every day, which honestly was difficult at first. No one had ever seen how much I weighed. Not only that, I had to be honest about what I ate, which held me to a standard and kept me accountable. I didn't necessarily want to have a "perfect" day of eating, but I wanted to make this my lifestyle, which meant treats here and there. This was <i>not </i>going to be another battle with food. This was about learning to love food and knowing how to fuel my body properly.</p><p>At this point in my journey, I had gotten into my own head. I had been hearing some voices and thoughts about this journey and how it shouldn't be about weight loss. I kept hearing the phrase "weight release," and how we shouldn't refer to it as weightloss (it's the same thing...call a spade a spade). The #bodypositivitymovement is definitely something that can be this way. There are thoughts about how you should love your body where you're at, and you don't have to lose weight to love it. I had also been hearing thoughts about how we should steward our bodies well because it's where the Holy Spirit resides, and we should think beyond weightloss.</p><p>It took me a long time to sort through these things. I had to bathe this in prayer because honestly, I wasn't sure what I should be thinking or saying. I wasn't sure what I should put out there on social media for everyone to read. I didn't want to lead anyone astray or make them think a certain thing about their own journey, and honestly, I didn't want to take myself down a harmful path.</p><p>So here's what the Lord guided me to, and what we came up with together:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">My body is a good body. It has served me well in the 30-some-odd years that I've been on this earth. I am especially more grateful for what it did through my pregnancy and birth. I thought it was broken because that's what many doctors had told me. But it's a great body, and I can be thankful that it gets me where I need to go! I can also recognize that it definitely could stand to lose some pounds. </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">Just because I think it could lose some weight doesn't mean that I hate it. Yes, I do understand that the Holy Spirit lives in my body, and my body was made as a temple for the Holy Spirit. I understand that I get one body (on earth...can't wait for those heavenly bodies...am I right?!), and I am to take care of it well. But I am not to idolize my body. I shouldn't elevate it to the state where all I'm thinking about is my body. I shouldn't be obsessing over every little thing I put in my mouth, and I should be obsessing over what it looks like or my body's relationship with gravity. </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">I can say proudly that "I am the daughter of the Most High God. I want to take care of my body, because He entrusted it to me. I recognize that I haven't taken the best care of it in the past, and unfortuntely my body shows it, but I will do my best to steward it well. I will eat nutritiously and move it, and hopefully my body will reflect that."</span></div></blockquote><p>So, yes...I love my body. I want to steward it well, and I want to lose some weight.</p><p><i>Friends, if I could encourage you for a moment, I want to say this: there are so many voices out there telling us what we are and what we're not. There are a lot of things being said to us, and we have to use the "Jesus filter" to figure out what is right and what is wrong. God gave us His Word so that we might be able to discern truth. Not someone else's truth. Not your truth. HIS truth. When you turn things over to Him, He will help you sift through the things to help you see what is right.</i></p><p>By March, I was struggling. I was working out and eating right, and I had barely lost 10 lbs. I knew that something wasn't right. It was also at this time I was struggling with the fatigue. I couldn't keep going on like this...not when I knew how it felt to feel good. But Satan was definitely at work through this. I had thoughts that I didn't want any more kids if this was how motherhood was going to go. I couldn't believe that others had more than one kid because I felt like I was drowning. I'm not saying any of this to be dramatic. It's truly how I felt at the time.</p><p>I had come through the postpartum depression and the pandemic depression, only to feel defeated. I knew I had to do something, so it was then that I made an appointment with a new doctor. The more I've learned about health, the more I desire to do things as naturally as possible. Yes, I believe there is definitely a place for modern medicine, but I wanted to keep my options open. I made the appointment with the functional medicine doctor, and right off the bat, I knew it was going to be a different path.</p><p>After my first appointment, I had hope for the first time. There was no, "You just need to lose weight." I was met with compassion and belief about my symptoms, something I hadn't ever experienced before. He ordered some lab tests for me, and off I went.</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-77467281315904598322022-05-13T08:39:00.006-05:002022-05-16T13:18:16.214-05:00My History<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Missed the first part? Check it out <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/hi-im-beth.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><p><br /></p><p>The worst of my symptoms was debilitating fatigue. But I wasn't a stranger to being tired, because I had a toddler. I remember asking my sister-in-law one day how tired she felt because she too had a toddler. I remember just telling her that I was exhausted by the end of the day, and she said the same thing. The one thing I didn't tell her was that I didn't have any energy to spend doing things with my son. I could barely get up and make breakfast. If I did make breakfast, I couldn't clean up the dishes. I spent several months in this state. No matter how much sleep I got at night, I was still completely wiped by 9 am.</p><p>I had been working daily on my health journey. I was eating the right foods. I was following an eating plan, and I knew it worked. It had worked prior to getting pregnant, but I wasn't seeing much progress at all. Now...to understand the lessons that the Lord has taught me over the last year and a half, you must understand more of my history.</p><p>Before getting pregnant, I had struggled with binge eating disorder, but in some strange way, being pregnant helped me with that. It wasn't as big of a struggle for me once I had my son. I'm not sure why that is, but I was working furiously at changing my relationship with food. I knew I needed a better relationship with it, as I had been very much in one extreme or another.</p><p>In 2014, I found the Whole30 program and used it as a way to live life. I had completed 8 rounds in just a few years, and I thought it had changed my life. Reading the book about finding food freedom forever is what I needed, and I really <i>wanted</i> to find it. But in reality, the program (which should be used as a 30-day elimination diet and nothing more) started the process of ruining my relationship with food. It makes you take out all inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, grains, legumes, sugar, alcohol), doesn't allow you to recreate any sort of baked goods using "approved" foods, and it doesn't allow you to step on the scale at all for the 30 days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLDh7ZSFiiv8beSD-GcaO9RJ7L873VKJAHLNY3Gi5fEiPP_EC8Qpaw6q69JcKOwO-pw0lOM60atiU-fWEHLRbrDHdw-WgFWxkUxi19hXt_EX_lKQ5FO3C0Ptk3f9mV-F9Iw74oK5TBcS05rAMjPZMC_hAJ1Sf828V4NkNVu6GxIc8x2n1ZzG4tc0s/s3264/IMG_7391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLDh7ZSFiiv8beSD-GcaO9RJ7L873VKJAHLNY3Gi5fEiPP_EC8Qpaw6q69JcKOwO-pw0lOM60atiU-fWEHLRbrDHdw-WgFWxkUxi19hXt_EX_lKQ5FO3C0Ptk3f9mV-F9Iw74oK5TBcS05rAMjPZMC_hAJ1Sf828V4NkNVu6GxIc8x2n1ZzG4tc0s/w480-h640/IMG_7391.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm a black and white person...who's learning to live in a grey world. But this program was one I could definitely follow since it had strict guidelines. But instead of using the knowledge I learned from the round of the program, I began to see this as my lifestyle...a Whole365. As a perfectionist, it was so <b>hard</b> when I couldn't sustain it. Looking back, I see that it wasn't meant to be sustained. But what it did do was put me in a vicious cycle of restriction (taking out foods), deprivation (not having them for a long time), and binging (once I could have them, I couldn't stop). It was a cycle that began in 2014 and didn't slow down for the next 4 years. It consumed my thoughts and my actions.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>In May 2018, a <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-food-freedom-april-gracecamp.html" target="_blank">brand new eating program</a> came out from the network marketing company that I've been a part of for the last 9 years. I was super skeptical at first. It promised to be the "undiet" where you could eat whatever you wanted to with no limitations on the amount of food. Seems crazy, right? With any program that is launched, it's tested by lots of people. In one of the test groups, I watched a couple of women with PCOS use the program and share about it. They had tremendous success, so I thought, "Yes! I'm going to try this. I'm going to prove to myself that I don't have to give up bread and dairy products."</p><p>So started my journey with my most favorite eating plan called the 2B Mindset. I tried it out on the go right away. We went to Europe for 3 weeks in May 2018, and I came home having lost a pound, even when eating the fun foods of other countries. I tried my best to stick to the principles of the plan (which are SO easy to implement), and I had seen progress on vacation. I was hooked. I later became a Certified Mindset Mentor, which just means I took extra classes and a test to be able to dig in deeper and help more people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2el-w_oLxJkJP7belmOJ8xy46gHP9CgqzhyR61_Zsb3m0NCvuIk_CGooLSWZC0tjmCGT9veOD8AXA0zbdy9MnGRcgXEgs0PqdUG-f_Wp89H9G2nZHczatam5KbVzelN-REFJSQI-OHzOXtx7VorgVhe6rAGrHiewJ2mMrWz3ACaikIRMKsUI-jl3U/s4032/IMG_9101.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2el-w_oLxJkJP7belmOJ8xy46gHP9CgqzhyR61_Zsb3m0NCvuIk_CGooLSWZC0tjmCGT9veOD8AXA0zbdy9MnGRcgXEgs0PqdUG-f_Wp89H9G2nZHczatam5KbVzelN-REFJSQI-OHzOXtx7VorgVhe6rAGrHiewJ2mMrWz3ACaikIRMKsUI-jl3U/w480-h640/IMG_9101.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>This plan, however, can feel very liberating....sometimes <i>too</i> liberating. There are no set guidelines on how much to eat, so it works well if you like or need to eat a lot of food. There are guidelines around certain types of food, such as "Fiber Filled Carbs" or "FFCs." To look for a great option, you want it to be 150 calories or less per serving, with 1 g of fiber per 10 g of carbohydrates. You want the fiber to be more than the sugar, and you want it to be a food that you will not overeat. If you can't control yourself around it, then it's not a good option for you.</p><p>This eating plan really allows you to dictate what works for you. And the longer I'm on this journey, the more I realize that every single person should be eating differently. Not one eating plan is going to work for everyone. We are all bio-individual. We each have different health needs. So finding the food that works for your body is truly an experiment, and one worth investing in.</p><p>Anyway, at first, I went hog wild. I really didn't understand the importance of figuring out which foods worked for me. I just knew that I wanted to include bread, sweets, and dairy products. I wanted to "prove" to the experts out there that I didn't have to go gluten and dairy-free. So sure, it was a little bit of pride. But off I went. The binge eating disorder ramped up again in late 2018 and I reached out to my coach about it. Yes, even coaches have coaches. ;) She was so encouraging, offering me ideas to implement. And then I got pregnant.</p><p>The weird thing about my pregnancy is that I didn't gain any weight. I was the exact same weight from the day I found out I was pregnant to the day I went into labor. I was definitely expecting to gain weight, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that part. But the Lord, gracious as He is, kept teaching me about nutrition in those 9 months. I kept learning, and I kept implementing. I still didn't take anything out of my diet (like gluten or dairy), but instead, using the scale, I learned what foods my body liked (when I lost weight) or what my body didn't like (when I gained weight) postpartum.</p><p>You can find part 3<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/body-positivity-and-weightloss.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-68218748481833235272022-05-12T16:36:00.006-05:002022-05-13T08:40:24.539-05:00Hi! I'm Beth!<p>Okay, okay, okay. Today's the day. Today I'm going to start writing again. My husband hooked up a monitor and keyboard to my laptop and I just feel inspired to write. I think it's because that's exactly how I used to write...on a desktop. I think the inspiration will keep coming as I keep writing, because honestly, although I've wanted to start writing again, I have felt that I have nothing to share. I know that's not true, but I personally haven't been inspired by anything.</p><p>So I'm just going to start with what I know best...and that's my story. Since I haven't been in this space for a long time, I'm going to take some time to reintroduce myself and share my health journey with you. Why my health journey? Because I haven't shared anything publicly on social media about it in a long time, <i>and</i> because the Lord has been working in my life and especially in this area. I want to share it with you, and I need to share it with you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hi. I'm Beth. I'm a 30-something-year-old wife and mom. I've been married to my husband for almost 11 years, and we have an almost 3-year-old boy as well as an 8-year-old dog. I started this blog when my husband and I were living in St. Louis as newlyweds. Some years later and a few moves later, we are back in Missouri living life!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT6GBpaoTQk01S-RFa9TK80nDh8g12BkSku-VLHuynNDS5_G5t6BpHfuJtUcIc3wIy4B91NQ6fATXk7ZLZDFiRWvLBQB42-xdAFIXeN8l-DoTE6Nw1FKTBboimOVk1O-WeDPu9kyaywOudY6nTwYQpiX95ibXYBiZQ6RRpnS45UejcSECY34eWFpj/s1800/1E0D55CC-E69C-49D2-98FF-B1BA03A5F719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT6GBpaoTQk01S-RFa9TK80nDh8g12BkSku-VLHuynNDS5_G5t6BpHfuJtUcIc3wIy4B91NQ6fATXk7ZLZDFiRWvLBQB42-xdAFIXeN8l-DoTE6Nw1FKTBboimOVk1O-WeDPu9kyaywOudY6nTwYQpiX95ibXYBiZQ6RRpnS45UejcSECY34eWFpj/w512-h640/1E0D55CC-E69C-49D2-98FF-B1BA03A5F719.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I started this blog as a way to share what I had been learning as a new wife. It then kind of morphed into a blog to share my health journey. And here I am years later, still sharing my health journey. BUT I've learned so much, and I want to share that with you, too.</p><p><br /></p><p>So....if you've been around a while, you probably know most of my story. If not...buckle up. </p><p>You can get a refresher <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2016/01/lets-start-at-beginning.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-hardest-year-of-my-life.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-pcos-story.html">here</a>, and <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-miracle-of-life.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome when I was 15 years old. I didn't share that with many people at all until about 9 years ago. I thought I was alone in my struggle, and when I finally opened up about it and what I was going through, I had an <i>outpouring</i> of women coming to me and sharing that they, too, had PCOS. I didn't feel as alone. So I made it my mission to keep sharing so that others wouldn't feel alone. Because they aren't alone...and neither are you.</p><p>I have kept up to date with information and research on PCOS because I've wanted to know how to help myself. Every doctor that I've ever seen has just said, "lose weight." And friends, I <i>wish</i> it was just that easy. But it's not. I shared my knowledge on my social media for years during the month of September. Why? Because someone I would talk to would tell me, "Oh, I need you to talk to ____, because she just found out she had PCOS." I'm not an expert. There are <b>many</b> experts out there and women who actually specialize in helping women with PCOS. But I shared my knowledge with those in my circle. It made me feel like I had a purpose.</p><p><br /></p><p>I started my health journey in 2013 because I had hoped that one day I'd have a baby. Most of my doctors had told me that I would need help getting pregnant if I could get pregnant at all. So I started out on a journey to get healthy so that I could give myself the best chance to get pregnant and sustain the life of my unborn baby.</p><p>Fast forward to 2018, I got pregnant fairly quickly when we started trying. I was so surprised, but friends...that was God. I had a healthy pregnancy and in 2019, we welcomed a baby boy who is now a hurricane of a toddler. The end of 2019 brought post-partum depression, and the beginning of 2020 brought a pandemic and with that, it brought more depression. So I was depressed for a long time. It was so hard.</p><p>The summer of 2020 brought dreams that I didn't know could be dreams. In early June, my husband brought up the idea of moving back home. I was literally shocked because I figured that I'd be living in Oklahoma the rest of my life. I was okay with living in Oklahoma for the rest of my life. But God knew deep down how much I needed my family. He knew deep down how much I wanted to be near my family. Long story short, we moved home at the very end of Summer 2020. But then heading into 2021, I had a whole new set of symptoms.</p><p>I was newly focused on my journey once again, but I just couldn't lose any weight no matter what. This wasn't a new concept since it's really difficult to lose with PCOS, but it just felt harder. I finally gave in and made an appointment with a new doctor. I had labs and appointments and at last, I finally had a diagnosis: Hashimoto's. With that came new diet challenges--I was now permanently gluten free. That's all I knew about Hashimoto's, so I knew that I had a lot of research to do.</p><p>You can find <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2022/05/my-history.html" target="_blank">part 2 here</a>.</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-24814067954300782032021-09-12T17:17:00.001-05:002021-09-12T17:17:11.557-05:00Colorado: Part 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">On Monday morning, we headed towards Salida with a stop in Cañon City. Tyler had never been to the Royal Gorge, so I knew he needed to see it. We decided to take the train through it, though. This would be an adventure for both of us.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">C A Ñ O N C I T Y</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPyviKphOyjkpP4ug6GmIM1DGUmdxBE1OlMN9xfdV1gbqYSqzmX0wt43V97Vp_GSKiX87DByGfz7PzLjsHn6_I2-aYvT9j6FNQY1GJOMMOiZX5upz4CEWzoFQgxXGgWD4lCeYbuaPnmU/s2048/25CC385D-BA4F-495A-A48F-496D253313E1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPyviKphOyjkpP4ug6GmIM1DGUmdxBE1OlMN9xfdV1gbqYSqzmX0wt43V97Vp_GSKiX87DByGfz7PzLjsHn6_I2-aYvT9j6FNQY1GJOMMOiZX5upz4CEWzoFQgxXGgWD4lCeYbuaPnmU/w480-h640/25CC385D-BA4F-495A-A48F-496D253313E1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGL8pk9LTXoJtbsAauR9Pu0xGizBBcb8TZ-nCONe22HnulCrPRsE7-GKcDc-CmrN99sQhTBWYZ951PYdWIHYGaJt21uAcBVK3_fCPbe7MH0PvRscDGRnYfoH03MTZkIpLpqN582xBtjE/s2048/25F0FD05-ADD0-4E16-B8E3-99D31AF0272D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGL8pk9LTXoJtbsAauR9Pu0xGizBBcb8TZ-nCONe22HnulCrPRsE7-GKcDc-CmrN99sQhTBWYZ951PYdWIHYGaJt21uAcBVK3_fCPbe7MH0PvRscDGRnYfoH03MTZkIpLpqN582xBtjE/w640-h480/25F0FD05-ADD0-4E16-B8E3-99D31AF0272D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Henry loves trains right now, and he says, “Shoo, shoo,” so of course I took a few pics to send to my mom to show him. It was a beautiful morning for a train ride. The train depot is several miles from the Royal Gorge bridge and activity area. We rode west along the Arkansas River and into the gorge.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem8ZaVOo9-sdNBx7UP7ewDCy70kVS-oqJpwxqzTAdUMWi-3ZAUlSuXi65Ep6FTB8xlVeyA-KBTRdBiEcRuetgvEPVO2fFpFEWidEbsAn5mEb9Le_tSot6uX8wSs6gZjKHiiOzCfPqZjE/s2048/46B04210-E49D-41E4-9BCD-A43D4CCFEF4C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem8ZaVOo9-sdNBx7UP7ewDCy70kVS-oqJpwxqzTAdUMWi-3ZAUlSuXi65Ep6FTB8xlVeyA-KBTRdBiEcRuetgvEPVO2fFpFEWidEbsAn5mEb9Le_tSot6uX8wSs6gZjKHiiOzCfPqZjE/w640-h480/46B04210-E49D-41E4-9BCD-A43D4CCFEF4C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTWGJuc5zWGEbp1jFdIVveNTgKA5aPC23L0lB3wiOujz_h6asC3rG3cOcVYO6_VHnFM8y3b_Wg83-kb1nuXfBAoZhwDwhbfnVPzdit820_EBnb2JboMIAfV5mQZRgDHL1UsEOO0_u5Qs/s2048/B0C65368-723F-4442-8F18-E70C6506DB58.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTWGJuc5zWGEbp1jFdIVveNTgKA5aPC23L0lB3wiOujz_h6asC3rG3cOcVYO6_VHnFM8y3b_Wg83-kb1nuXfBAoZhwDwhbfnVPzdit820_EBnb2JboMIAfV5mQZRgDHL1UsEOO0_u5Qs/w480-h640/B0C65368-723F-4442-8F18-E70C6506DB58.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>We splurged a little extra on the “Vista Dome” car and I’m so glad we did! The windows allowed us to see so much more, and we were on the upper level of the train.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDRUSRGinfTB9RZ29hX1a5jQT8lcEhED1f-jGwyCagEJbHuYL3x4UeAkO9QGercLJJFiFuhSNxd-4VUZz1CNKlcEqRUB1ZZ8fS-4afQIa88pVR57vDu9HqDu5rfBQ2GlCxVQDX-tRPwo/s2048/5FB925BA-1FF7-48C1-AC5E-C1929A6A0ED9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDRUSRGinfTB9RZ29hX1a5jQT8lcEhED1f-jGwyCagEJbHuYL3x4UeAkO9QGercLJJFiFuhSNxd-4VUZz1CNKlcEqRUB1ZZ8fS-4afQIa88pVR57vDu9HqDu5rfBQ2GlCxVQDX-tRPwo/w480-h640/5FB925BA-1FF7-48C1-AC5E-C1929A6A0ED9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYupIJnZixgvLHn7BgH6qC5FMM9PGsXRlE0PKVfBh-MAxgGj3rTr5-oBm8t52jwbWAeEws0A45T_b7XkiEE0dqF9xIeBN712ta_Le8ShsZSDfh4gtHZpQ4fAUe_VPybL5ebHGOwDb6yU/s2048/094F0B2C-3BA6-4100-9E7B-E4D60BE4A79A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYupIJnZixgvLHn7BgH6qC5FMM9PGsXRlE0PKVfBh-MAxgGj3rTr5-oBm8t52jwbWAeEws0A45T_b7XkiEE0dqF9xIeBN712ta_Le8ShsZSDfh4gtHZpQ4fAUe_VPybL5ebHGOwDb6yU/w480-h640/094F0B2C-3BA6-4100-9E7B-E4D60BE4A79A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOIDKtsmhkOayB1W54HX3OiBvtCuuSiZjF5nH3V_1sPQgXyEt-Jm5cpXVMNovXA7aMJY8PqofPalFm3z-FDN1ABu4PsJXHF1FnevMjg3VmgeqDAIniyYnN45W2CNKp3KCkjReLx3I74A/s2048/EFB2AA7E-0947-4355-96C2-D8E54AC85A79.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOIDKtsmhkOayB1W54HX3OiBvtCuuSiZjF5nH3V_1sPQgXyEt-Jm5cpXVMNovXA7aMJY8PqofPalFm3z-FDN1ABu4PsJXHF1FnevMjg3VmgeqDAIniyYnN45W2CNKp3KCkjReLx3I74A/w480-h640/EFB2AA7E-0947-4355-96C2-D8E54AC85A79.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The train also had a couple of open cars so you could go outside. We opted for that when we got to the bridge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3le8hvYuaEhNwnnmhCReIEqOO_kuXA1Sd-NeJ3OFnouONNI7ByZJM07BTwlu-ep4zsIQA_aFttooMmZ-gZttzKOr80XO0apnmbfC9ryiAvKFKo8BacGhsV3CB7GD2VnAKB6OOoD2VWt0/s2048/C8F5B83D-E528-427F-8969-BCDE6EE8B306.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3le8hvYuaEhNwnnmhCReIEqOO_kuXA1Sd-NeJ3OFnouONNI7ByZJM07BTwlu-ep4zsIQA_aFttooMmZ-gZttzKOr80XO0apnmbfC9ryiAvKFKo8BacGhsV3CB7GD2VnAKB6OOoD2VWt0/w480-h640/C8F5B83D-E528-427F-8969-BCDE6EE8B306.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAHkcQNPpSBCFV9Ht2pp2dXaBTMFWkd_WDc_UglkBhz2AWUnCaUy8i_vTycV3pcRm71lVE158f06kWztvy09MMso_176WR8323TvUQ7lIrGAJYMznKJZm66tjxBi59VrAF2hC1GpNgUw/s2048/83E2A776-591E-4790-B612-8767F503A61B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAHkcQNPpSBCFV9Ht2pp2dXaBTMFWkd_WDc_UglkBhz2AWUnCaUy8i_vTycV3pcRm71lVE158f06kWztvy09MMso_176WR8323TvUQ7lIrGAJYMznKJZm66tjxBi59VrAF2hC1GpNgUw/w480-h640/83E2A776-591E-4790-B612-8767F503A61B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvCGxY3le8WMOb4S4vPuOd9-qnJqzYUuZAZJNsorjLzHdWw9RQ_2H8dqMUUuxtdHAOSvrvsd5tkE7QEZw3psJimf-JVXdAWtIEJHyIr3qM47a5SYrCT39ZuN6Jx8vOeVkPxgn4CxBOhg/s2048/89DD8376-EC9E-4C79-91C9-E44C62A46E7D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvCGxY3le8WMOb4S4vPuOd9-qnJqzYUuZAZJNsorjLzHdWw9RQ_2H8dqMUUuxtdHAOSvrvsd5tkE7QEZw3psJimf-JVXdAWtIEJHyIr3qM47a5SYrCT39ZuN6Jx8vOeVkPxgn4CxBOhg/w480-h640/89DD8376-EC9E-4C79-91C9-E44C62A46E7D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBijPmxyVTrJKswOQyEYSHMPdXc1a40NanqyJLd39-nLQQlt-zlbf-mSJMVtchYur6aGXwhutgYRHUGaFO29j9BS8OnwoKr5E4IQgNmZgBmWcVVKNbHC9-F6aElRU3BaKjvKQc0x-wj9g/s2048/A958EF3B-FFD6-49B1-ADDF-9447DEF7EEC2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBijPmxyVTrJKswOQyEYSHMPdXc1a40NanqyJLd39-nLQQlt-zlbf-mSJMVtchYur6aGXwhutgYRHUGaFO29j9BS8OnwoKr5E4IQgNmZgBmWcVVKNbHC9-F6aElRU3BaKjvKQc0x-wj9g/w480-h640/A958EF3B-FFD6-49B1-ADDF-9447DEF7EEC2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKur078YvxOB0gCoyTskIbb3wNb9r_cD6i0Q6P_pa6rfQ7peEx2A1_5VFARFhgP7ysyUniQ5v6cLMTv7bGklYasM0FAhFZxTuxdHIJ8AB3zJiefTcIKjP6t58CPqjYlGcn3PZ-brGVfHI/s2048/C783B4B4-2FE5-49A0-B0B0-24398CD077B4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKur078YvxOB0gCoyTskIbb3wNb9r_cD6i0Q6P_pa6rfQ7peEx2A1_5VFARFhgP7ysyUniQ5v6cLMTv7bGklYasM0FAhFZxTuxdHIJ8AB3zJiefTcIKjP6t58CPqjYlGcn3PZ-brGVfHI/w480-h640/C783B4B4-2FE5-49A0-B0B0-24398CD077B4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we were headed back towards the train depot, we passed lots of rafters. I thought it looked like so much fun! Our server said that this stretch of the river had a class 5 rapids, and you had to be at least 18 years old to raft this part of the river.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYttB1-sD6yvMhMGhfUWJrgoAnp0NaMtzMS2WdpUOceHWwxw-lZb29FML9eFxQuzICzd1cpCidHZz64UUbNeNaLE_qVGwctAbpfdYjfwwxIBmrWYFeYh8ttzUF5oGo86dNdqK-YPSWZm8/s2048/531381C9-FB27-41C5-83F3-59E76F2B84AE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYttB1-sD6yvMhMGhfUWJrgoAnp0NaMtzMS2WdpUOceHWwxw-lZb29FML9eFxQuzICzd1cpCidHZz64UUbNeNaLE_qVGwctAbpfdYjfwwxIBmrWYFeYh8ttzUF5oGo86dNdqK-YPSWZm8/w480-h640/531381C9-FB27-41C5-83F3-59E76F2B84AE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcID-wW-ILUi7GonrTo8QHl6EF1nMFAokXFvm9KRCzMs8_u1pcYX9Jx8XEXj5qv3DVN9FxiVA-6BG5LjUr6KyhS6T2FXNkQZV6lezoJPw5R8JLAvyQEpoQ2AT2UY-6G7hGlnZk_YkiBY4/s2048/D52361B9-DA50-4280-AC77-710940F0F124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcID-wW-ILUi7GonrTo8QHl6EF1nMFAokXFvm9KRCzMs8_u1pcYX9Jx8XEXj5qv3DVN9FxiVA-6BG5LjUr6KyhS6T2FXNkQZV6lezoJPw5R8JLAvyQEpoQ2AT2UY-6G7hGlnZk_YkiBY4/w480-h640/D52361B9-DA50-4280-AC77-710940F0F124.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>Once we got back, we went to lunch. We were trying to decide whether or not to spend the money to go across the bridge. We decided to look on our All Trails app to see what kind of hiking we could do in the area. It was very hot that day—95° or something, but we found a trail and decided to try it. I’m so glad we did! The views were absolutely stunning (and free)!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtL5yiF6bsFzMbNPcNqHtS7maY3R1sYbKY4QrrYqWDLIislOAR4VyfRsrQeObCY6wrv9zI9MoWBFY8V_H7Yxq5IvI00yPvx8-r9lpA9HxclIIni_ycchQ0U7vAR27rZhav4k0nxWcu5io/s2048/D6EDF57D-80B4-4505-B59B-46D9E15C9F22.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtL5yiF6bsFzMbNPcNqHtS7maY3R1sYbKY4QrrYqWDLIislOAR4VyfRsrQeObCY6wrv9zI9MoWBFY8V_H7Yxq5IvI00yPvx8-r9lpA9HxclIIni_ycchQ0U7vAR27rZhav4k0nxWcu5io/w640-h480/D6EDF57D-80B4-4505-B59B-46D9E15C9F22.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EBLBihNFBl3neby8vAk1JJcneS09xLgju9BYQLXnqqUCVUWgpRSDxK0Ri_HTtovAf9ROZldTAbXHXf56smYfFYAroxo9dF5HpLzFkovuVcF8nuf_Lzx6v6ZIKkv21UV6w5DgabNQQ6M/s2048/4CFC53C8-F2D8-42A5-9D03-ECB042C33CE3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EBLBihNFBl3neby8vAk1JJcneS09xLgju9BYQLXnqqUCVUWgpRSDxK0Ri_HTtovAf9ROZldTAbXHXf56smYfFYAroxo9dF5HpLzFkovuVcF8nuf_Lzx6v6ZIKkv21UV6w5DgabNQQ6M/w480-h640/4CFC53C8-F2D8-42A5-9D03-ECB042C33CE3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFKxf2Ngrs5nKHwPBFEdvSU3fPtfdsnSBSAyvT-3vkLasZFv7QNaFyyLp-gUxYwnINleC6VtIenNk5IyxcpRRpmbXSE52lzh-tsoyVd4nJhK8Ed-Xk3AKXyhX3JpD5Snj_YuZZVRJ4Uw/s2048/AAD24B95-A977-4433-9858-95EFDC7A417F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFKxf2Ngrs5nKHwPBFEdvSU3fPtfdsnSBSAyvT-3vkLasZFv7QNaFyyLp-gUxYwnINleC6VtIenNk5IyxcpRRpmbXSE52lzh-tsoyVd4nJhK8Ed-Xk3AKXyhX3JpD5Snj_YuZZVRJ4Uw/w480-h640/AAD24B95-A977-4433-9858-95EFDC7A417F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely, you can see the lunch train to the left of the river.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhj0u8ThmY-RHOovdc37e9m7whb8wDdl0_NAyPid1fDMprtZsMoZPsNzoopbgQmqhC-cfuXvWLJxaNhBGLp4icLJ3l1LCcXJpz1QgullqIewdaXx5cXMcv_6actTOiaXe9IcX2-s5_us/s2048/C2A564D7-C4A8-4583-A339-223571CF1588.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhj0u8ThmY-RHOovdc37e9m7whb8wDdl0_NAyPid1fDMprtZsMoZPsNzoopbgQmqhC-cfuXvWLJxaNhBGLp4icLJ3l1LCcXJpz1QgullqIewdaXx5cXMcv_6actTOiaXe9IcX2-s5_us/w640-h480/C2A564D7-C4A8-4583-A339-223571CF1588.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWra7TV-3ZLc00Ob60BhVHlWRyBCQUmM7ArOZD5iBmksfuVP6QWAa3lb8zGPw37AptmgFtUOcnWb7qDyo26Y0FeFEfOEq45NIrLQReIjZET7t4EPVoSyE6c8cic6V30mqHxcA2RLBgryw/s2048/93BF3AC7-FC75-42C4-8277-1F8AC3B3AD61.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWra7TV-3ZLc00Ob60BhVHlWRyBCQUmM7ArOZD5iBmksfuVP6QWAa3lb8zGPw37AptmgFtUOcnWb7qDyo26Y0FeFEfOEq45NIrLQReIjZET7t4EPVoSyE6c8cic6V30mqHxcA2RLBgryw/w640-h480/93BF3AC7-FC75-42C4-8277-1F8AC3B3AD61.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv9iAJakMqsPXwc3O5tFQOfIEvKBoacK1sy5AQGLLdizpoQIG1ILzKeEWW2gBc-fuxCs6JMgNp2oMSIOaX-w1AFfUSi7Wj8iL1BUQh33Pf6fe7cClPIEoXNxWpbwW-YLhnsYSsFw1TX4/s2048/EE34BAD4-B3E6-435D-A88B-7DDEA2CBB16B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv9iAJakMqsPXwc3O5tFQOfIEvKBoacK1sy5AQGLLdizpoQIG1ILzKeEWW2gBc-fuxCs6JMgNp2oMSIOaX-w1AFfUSi7Wj8iL1BUQh33Pf6fe7cClPIEoXNxWpbwW-YLhnsYSsFw1TX4/w480-h640/EE34BAD4-B3E6-435D-A88B-7DDEA2CBB16B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsW28soTVsIrX1jnZ5jV2UDRVtkUoEMMTypdIOLRN50KLzzT8clQGfpaDd6tOCmCZyyBUCnb2hdk3oBexujbIdvRVBcbvwMk-VqcI1tIYVIZ_Pv0TyAPDJoQC5IBZVCsMBvFYityM2ck/s2048/60028A65-BEA7-4D3B-B1F4-C170E8CD68BA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsW28soTVsIrX1jnZ5jV2UDRVtkUoEMMTypdIOLRN50KLzzT8clQGfpaDd6tOCmCZyyBUCnb2hdk3oBexujbIdvRVBcbvwMk-VqcI1tIYVIZ_Pv0TyAPDJoQC5IBZVCsMBvFYityM2ck/w480-h640/60028A65-BEA7-4D3B-B1F4-C170E8CD68BA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The hike was worth saving the extra money. If you’ve never been over the bridge, I say go. But Tyler doesn’t like heights all that much, and he didn’t feel like he was missing out. If you’ve done the bridge and gondola, then go for the hike (or do both)!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">S A L I D A</h3><div>After our hike, we drove on into Salida, which was about an hour away. We got checked into our hotel early, and then headed into their “downtown” area. We ate supper at the cutest little pizza joint. They had the best gluten free crust I’ve ever had!</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, we rented an off-road jeep. This was something Tyler wanted to do, and to be quite honest, I wasn’t excited about it. BUT this was <i>our</i> trip and I was up for the adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div>They gave us an atlas, showed us some places we could go, and let us go off on an adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5uTxHbZqXTEFfuZu3GB7oDzSrNbV7zZt-DffXpqI26IxWoegJ-tftviW-qUQAGFc6cPauwdZnzIIuaQoHQgEW4An3WTD5jLN5Wi35zPAMJ7fk5n5k9McJHzNc6mFGcvRl3wDfcBEuww/s2048/8A825643-AE46-4291-9FC5-C2ADC9935AD3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5uTxHbZqXTEFfuZu3GB7oDzSrNbV7zZt-DffXpqI26IxWoegJ-tftviW-qUQAGFc6cPauwdZnzIIuaQoHQgEW4An3WTD5jLN5Wi35zPAMJ7fk5n5k9McJHzNc6mFGcvRl3wDfcBEuww/w480-h640/8A825643-AE46-4291-9FC5-C2ADC9935AD3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Most of our travels were on gravel road. I thought to myself, “This isn’t that bad.” But we hadn’t gotten to the crazy part of the road yet. Ha! It ended up taking us 2 hours to go 7 miles. It was dusty and bumpy and hilarious. And we had a great time!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet3zk2RSLr8DiE_wQMxd5EkPJ6jq3hefDT2LJuVP7UVJGTLn4SZnrzw0-zmwg5wg7piL2lO4l6jn2suGvcBpTsamr0oXj2-3dad9d6HZ6GcPnMl65xUvuIj_4zgACumZ_FDPeslV7oDs/s2048/4681177D-C708-45CC-8E3C-BAFB6949F1AA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet3zk2RSLr8DiE_wQMxd5EkPJ6jq3hefDT2LJuVP7UVJGTLn4SZnrzw0-zmwg5wg7piL2lO4l6jn2suGvcBpTsamr0oXj2-3dad9d6HZ6GcPnMl65xUvuIj_4zgACumZ_FDPeslV7oDs/w480-h640/4681177D-C708-45CC-8E3C-BAFB6949F1AA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way up Marshall Pass.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwma7eODJyamRX5WTEQhrXqQRc0a0R0CkIfpXaZz90o3SbL0Ir7zEPz6m0_XzgZ5542OYGbE41ra_fFrgCMS9cy_M7SQ-eQfx1xbJqQVKZAHCqATa68vVLhNoHUKycg6gLeGtMOrde_A/s2048/ED6DCF5B-93E0-4B0A-9F1F-5C9F1FCD59E9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwma7eODJyamRX5WTEQhrXqQRc0a0R0CkIfpXaZz90o3SbL0Ir7zEPz6m0_XzgZ5542OYGbE41ra_fFrgCMS9cy_M7SQ-eQfx1xbJqQVKZAHCqATa68vVLhNoHUKycg6gLeGtMOrde_A/w640-h450/ED6DCF5B-93E0-4B0A-9F1F-5C9F1FCD59E9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O’Haver Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0YHNHwaPFKgA07-FrR8Y6To2Hz5O7gUEJ691aFxPLrs8_h19YfBQ1BP0O8hbw0CHMhs5uK3VwoUCDqdigh2xLxWCFuvuTZxeXG7cBMeDUOcZclj4S-GruxQbwf9RvRiw55T7omLKyVM/s2048/64D053C7-DEFA-46E4-A2AD-5F455BE2FBBB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0YHNHwaPFKgA07-FrR8Y6To2Hz5O7gUEJ691aFxPLrs8_h19YfBQ1BP0O8hbw0CHMhs5uK3VwoUCDqdigh2xLxWCFuvuTZxeXG7cBMeDUOcZclj4S-GruxQbwf9RvRiw55T7omLKyVM/w640-h480/64D053C7-DEFA-46E4-A2AD-5F455BE2FBBB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd7Q44SgwRsVNhiOk-dVrb8i01sCsFUWsUrJr0FZ_tlYaPUuVMWzq33Ie3MUORqwJ0wLQrfl4LodygwAFEDg4coDmsN0DPVbQoITalWdyOFo3wNiiYA_VfpsG7L6IOxlGkGp6NijjZuk/s2048/79B25956-CDCE-4731-9885-C78AFAFDD365.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd7Q44SgwRsVNhiOk-dVrb8i01sCsFUWsUrJr0FZ_tlYaPUuVMWzq33Ie3MUORqwJ0wLQrfl4LodygwAFEDg4coDmsN0DPVbQoITalWdyOFo3wNiiYA_VfpsG7L6IOxlGkGp6NijjZuk/w480-h640/79B25956-CDCE-4731-9885-C78AFAFDD365.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvjIpSUxKBpnabgvzxClvYCcZti0XPGZKOylsUr0lTBr1KoaJEn7FfEjwJb1XM8mlAD8o12jrSsx6d5Wlj-m0NjOPkn7Z_gv3DfSpcGPUhe6naFNihyphenhyphen2OWm5R0HIh1-O_0hYjuNXmEg/s2048/BD66F75B-E462-4212-9B01-4371552546D5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvjIpSUxKBpnabgvzxClvYCcZti0XPGZKOylsUr0lTBr1KoaJEn7FfEjwJb1XM8mlAD8o12jrSsx6d5Wlj-m0NjOPkn7Z_gv3DfSpcGPUhe6naFNihyphenhyphen2OWm5R0HIh1-O_0hYjuNXmEg/w480-h640/BD66F75B-E462-4212-9B01-4371552546D5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTgUSlZThnFRR_BHaZyuiAMf4hMf3S9uRskuGHzXJT_Sjm_8kPLmJDr5riMhad-zuvPco6icfo4vejC0SE2A1K4vhj2L8adbYQIPZGCUvOZ8o8Gke2OX9-OYAjYAlY17ZzvaY7HFFTvY/s2048/99B1E446-F62D-48C7-BE60-9045E8F2AFD8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTgUSlZThnFRR_BHaZyuiAMf4hMf3S9uRskuGHzXJT_Sjm_8kPLmJDr5riMhad-zuvPco6icfo4vejC0SE2A1K4vhj2L8adbYQIPZGCUvOZ8o8Gke2OX9-OYAjYAlY17ZzvaY7HFFTvY/w480-h640/99B1E446-F62D-48C7-BE60-9045E8F2AFD8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tPzanCtRby2db0sFfXy0GyMxzL0NlLf06qtMVX4EGosR2cFwRhamHehvuyPcDSHpHDNwFpPhzDQ01apHorwz3AczRqQ0esUDdphMls-mt7ZqTTDYwJyhp0h3_u-h8O3f8MN2w9MS5fI/s2048/AE7AD112-4A65-450E-B15F-6576ED4A5EB6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tPzanCtRby2db0sFfXy0GyMxzL0NlLf06qtMVX4EGosR2cFwRhamHehvuyPcDSHpHDNwFpPhzDQ01apHorwz3AczRqQ0esUDdphMls-mt7ZqTTDYwJyhp0h3_u-h8O3f8MN2w9MS5fI/w480-h640/AE7AD112-4A65-450E-B15F-6576ED4A5EB6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kwy0Ky6BlWUeRHLH2GnIDXgP54uJCTbwuRxPVE9v0lYZLUVH1luAacJ-xstgLqNv32Tice9o_doWOlvHwKgoL8ZQX_xk2P8XAYLXNGmsMaFuP6O89PPvC_enKPqJQwPHKIRC9atemgw/s2048/F47B9905-2194-422B-87E5-0F23B13A0CB0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kwy0Ky6BlWUeRHLH2GnIDXgP54uJCTbwuRxPVE9v0lYZLUVH1luAacJ-xstgLqNv32Tice9o_doWOlvHwKgoL8ZQX_xk2P8XAYLXNGmsMaFuP6O89PPvC_enKPqJQwPHKIRC9atemgw/w640-h480/F47B9905-2194-422B-87E5-0F23B13A0CB0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>On the other side of the pass, and on the way back to Salida, we stopped in the tiny town of Sargents at the only restaurant in town. I had the best salad and we completed our meal with their homemade ice cream.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWio6Pwpnmo19PqLpE3uZHhYPwXzOzl6VwCjpgts13H1JtAxJVc0_33csSA3fOKFN2-xnN9iSIOaLfebgKK3jn6n9gEBfO8bnSckc4zwbO9FC2Rkp_Q7eTILtT4xNQMUqOoGCLpW3ooY/s2048/6C402BEF-912C-4341-ABE4-03217AB6CC5C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWio6Pwpnmo19PqLpE3uZHhYPwXzOzl6VwCjpgts13H1JtAxJVc0_33csSA3fOKFN2-xnN9iSIOaLfebgKK3jn6n9gEBfO8bnSckc4zwbO9FC2Rkp_Q7eTILtT4xNQMUqOoGCLpW3ooY/w640-h480/6C402BEF-912C-4341-ABE4-03217AB6CC5C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7Fs2ZikIlLlivO7WkQuCM6j34Cjiah9pZYCaTiEhvvWERyjQ-z5yR9zQYzIX_5EeJ0rUC2D3uWStYDZM7INgSNYfXsig6N9QouLK71Ok71eZcb2s8yqfWUIvhWMZFO0KdVwY1r3XJCI/s2048/A78811AA-206B-483F-A79C-7E5D2FAA90A0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7Fs2ZikIlLlivO7WkQuCM6j34Cjiah9pZYCaTiEhvvWERyjQ-z5yR9zQYzIX_5EeJ0rUC2D3uWStYDZM7INgSNYfXsig6N9QouLK71Ok71eZcb2s8yqfWUIvhWMZFO0KdVwY1r3XJCI/w480-h640/A78811AA-206B-483F-A79C-7E5D2FAA90A0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you’re ever in Sargents, stop by! You won’t be disappointed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We did stop at a waterfall on the way back to Salida. It was gorgeous. Once we returned to Salida, we headed over to Crested Butte. But more on that in the next post.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xfrriuO46y1Vs2hGkNUWIZAFwFWblL_iuX11HAL95-epi0KuSSJDNPkzXDvhGrUoByNFiSPaMZz-KOpE2746kvmc-ZaMtTFyt-yAW-NEFCt9hvkWJBRarlrgB9WtWcFR2nXLDXRVtI4/s2048/8F78F987-412F-4CB1-A404-F0822BA77E5A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xfrriuO46y1Vs2hGkNUWIZAFwFWblL_iuX11HAL95-epi0KuSSJDNPkzXDvhGrUoByNFiSPaMZz-KOpE2746kvmc-ZaMtTFyt-yAW-NEFCt9hvkWJBRarlrgB9WtWcFR2nXLDXRVtI4/w480-h640/8F78F987-412F-4CB1-A404-F0822BA77E5A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTUJ3J-h_srp8GGbwcpg-EJIZlviWJEZNCzq-k2JLpr0G_WFJrR26KtfXs5_Zq1Vi3br4zIxNq_heSCgv4L4Lu8et3JV2eWQmKoNc7zwnDCl9s6bn4zYvqmKpuXhxEuWXSKsXof0pBD8/s2048/F73EB379-2ABD-4DDD-91C5-1B89580B240F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTUJ3J-h_srp8GGbwcpg-EJIZlviWJEZNCzq-k2JLpr0G_WFJrR26KtfXs5_Zq1Vi3br4zIxNq_heSCgv4L4Lu8et3JV2eWQmKoNc7zwnDCl9s6bn4zYvqmKpuXhxEuWXSKsXof0pBD8/w480-h640/F73EB379-2ABD-4DDD-91C5-1B89580B240F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-22123351640990269022021-09-11T06:43:00.002-05:002021-09-11T06:43:52.365-05:0010 Year Anniversary Trip: Colorado<p>We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on July 30th. How in the world have we already been married that long? It seems like just yesterday we had our wedding. Then we blinked and here we are.</p><p><br /></p><p>When we started planning our 10 year anniversary, we were gonna go big. We had planned an Alaskan cruise in the summer so we could see the glaciers on a balcony room. But alas, COVID19 hit, and cruises were suspended. And while they are somewhat back in business, it was too late, and we weren’t qualified to go anyway. So we started looking for something else. The US offers so many options when it comes to travel, and one thing on my bucket list is to go to Glacier National Park. So we started planning that trip, but there were NO places to stay during our dates. We really couldn’t believe it. Plans kept falling through, and we finally just decided to go to Colorado. We love Colorado. We’ve been there many, many times. But this time we decided to do things we’ve never done before.</p><p><br /></p><p>We once again planned the trip solely on credit card points—we’d been saving them ever since our Europe trip. We booked our flights, and a week before we were to leave, we got Covid. Womp, womp. The trip was postponed. But we got flight credit, and instead of having to fly out of Tulsa, we could fly out of our local airport for even cheaper. Yay!</p><p><br /></p><p>Traveling while leaving the kid at home was different for us. It was like packing for 3 people instead of just 2, but we did it. This is the first trip that we’ve ever left him for that long. I was a little nervous to leave him, but I fully trusted both sets of grandparents to rock the babysitting gig. I’m so grateful that we didn’t have to worry about them.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tyler had never been to Colorado in the summer (other than when he traveled to the Denver office for work—and that does not even count). So we decided to make a road trip of it (after we flew to Denver).</p><p><br /></p><p>Flying was exactly the same with the exception of now having to wear a mask. But all other regulations were just that. We flew out of our little local airport and directly into Denver.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvDWwWGI_G8tWGNmcaFCQ3O0GuuY9xr7GmrDkZmMy3u81l5Tv60KGAVlGO3IQPkAOl5AnQ1IHmbHWscb3_fdHAUXoJi5rRUvqXaSO9MRppzv6vKYz2GhvqXX7lr7ykf1YC9PyFiOErFI/s2048/969B4AEE-2DC6-4A0E-96EB-EF706FC3969F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvDWwWGI_G8tWGNmcaFCQ3O0GuuY9xr7GmrDkZmMy3u81l5Tv60KGAVlGO3IQPkAOl5AnQ1IHmbHWscb3_fdHAUXoJi5rRUvqXaSO9MRppzv6vKYz2GhvqXX7lr7ykf1YC9PyFiOErFI/w480-h640/969B4AEE-2DC6-4A0E-96EB-EF706FC3969F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkmue-yYirrLQMsHdtcxSD4k_xGetHDz0A3z_RQcA4HTFez7taEMmCPd1SVoK814HF135Wv8us_dOukJFr3zIcqID1O5poWfeFBIlRiMd0QDqeThf7zf28oJ3GZSk7fAFx9rvihx4kK0/s2048/190A58C8-18F3-44CF-936C-1A5A679F9792.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkmue-yYirrLQMsHdtcxSD4k_xGetHDz0A3z_RQcA4HTFez7taEMmCPd1SVoK814HF135Wv8us_dOukJFr3zIcqID1O5poWfeFBIlRiMd0QDqeThf7zf28oJ3GZSk7fAFx9rvihx4kK0/w640-h480/190A58C8-18F3-44CF-936C-1A5A679F9792.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view outside the front door of our hotel on Sunday morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p>We drove down to Colorado Springs from Denver, after stopping for a very late lunch. We checked into our hotel since we stayed up by the Air Force base. Then we decided to head down to Garden of the Gods. I was surprised at how hot it was in Denver and Colorado Springs. I was hoping for cooler weather, but at least we didn’t have much humidity.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hy7v8HsPqllqYMKOm2kcfsLbdGNviGITi7CLFsrFc_h-BL7tSS7aBf5F_CkR2dKs-hmhV3Xri6ZQkG75gImLI3ZHqXiaBHBTOBHm6Zmk8nXZ_-PYm0iiE9xILu4WZlHt-bKx8LNyDRE/s2048/4CFD3364-8AD3-4C23-9685-FADCA82EC6FA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hy7v8HsPqllqYMKOm2kcfsLbdGNviGITi7CLFsrFc_h-BL7tSS7aBf5F_CkR2dKs-hmhV3Xri6ZQkG75gImLI3ZHqXiaBHBTOBHm6Zmk8nXZ_-PYm0iiE9xILu4WZlHt-bKx8LNyDRE/w640-h480/4CFD3364-8AD3-4C23-9685-FADCA82EC6FA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRWdsGmOyPW0Ry0STw_n67V1BZuRpXb682Ws_Jt-OCiTRakLo58gfrP3W51Eyai15NZhXF0zqr8jw5mAlBXGRDRE_c0yMXVYsloSLXrG_tuQNQY5_msZsg86E6TINfD1I2NOpMqxS8Js/s2048/09C8327B-9446-43D1-A0BE-5299282E3E30.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRWdsGmOyPW0Ry0STw_n67V1BZuRpXb682Ws_Jt-OCiTRakLo58gfrP3W51Eyai15NZhXF0zqr8jw5mAlBXGRDRE_c0yMXVYsloSLXrG_tuQNQY5_msZsg86E6TINfD1I2NOpMqxS8Js/w640-h480/09C8327B-9446-43D1-A0BE-5299282E3E30.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsITg5CC0y98feR6poSgv3u4eeRske0pLaIbUPPAvU2gBQLcW-bcjntQvhFwlU0rf8Ue_6T995eTueSvPH1Jdonv5qW-HecccvvAFqXmffkII1szixAAuyfBggzrS9Ej-C46LfVjrdo0c/s2048/67A5F03F-05F8-4518-A302-6550BB02D91F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsITg5CC0y98feR6poSgv3u4eeRske0pLaIbUPPAvU2gBQLcW-bcjntQvhFwlU0rf8Ue_6T995eTueSvPH1Jdonv5qW-HecccvvAFqXmffkII1szixAAuyfBggzrS9Ej-C46LfVjrdo0c/w640-h480/67A5F03F-05F8-4518-A302-6550BB02D91F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrFkvHhVGLTLVQB-IhpUAaI5P1iJiuqj9mHGe1cCxlMTwAOY4B7YcSma0ZWj1CARfqFEMxssk7lYClzH2f4TpbECOZu8ljLhq_n9_xZWvCoEhrX3JJNhTAiN0RfR8S5QpG8on8UXbBM0/s2048/0285223E-FD01-4409-88BA-4497BA38A0FB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrFkvHhVGLTLVQB-IhpUAaI5P1iJiuqj9mHGe1cCxlMTwAOY4B7YcSma0ZWj1CARfqFEMxssk7lYClzH2f4TpbECOZu8ljLhq_n9_xZWvCoEhrX3JJNhTAiN0RfR8S5QpG8on8UXbBM0/w640-h480/0285223E-FD01-4409-88BA-4497BA38A0FB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUEovgh8yTPOKAqqLpr8tEtwAbJvCtZXe5JLtfbLQkPXHGR1seYF07WvE_jZu7XjR3fAvqnEZ1oY0qur0tulYHZAMXjlAqfWHNTxbUhrw7gGuqG4Kl5GJTlU53mmLPcCekYMMrb6WoMw/s2048/B8F9238E-9E55-4CE9-8551-16830423E8D9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUEovgh8yTPOKAqqLpr8tEtwAbJvCtZXe5JLtfbLQkPXHGR1seYF07WvE_jZu7XjR3fAvqnEZ1oY0qur0tulYHZAMXjlAqfWHNTxbUhrw7gGuqG4Kl5GJTlU53mmLPcCekYMMrb6WoMw/w640-h480/B8F9238E-9E55-4CE9-8551-16830423E8D9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07tYPlZpvt5qxwi_3NLNWaL4NoDHJ1zjtIswxr_zMnL1hyUoJxHuLlMCSXZ19RoIeXSOqJ90vPgwtktx69MMTlmTZFpuiuxqtYH-Pw0KXPziFNPeRMx5nWKrTvZ-VUpzH8xrWCnj-6QY/s2048/B0122B0E-4CEC-4DE5-BEC2-23CD252D54AB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07tYPlZpvt5qxwi_3NLNWaL4NoDHJ1zjtIswxr_zMnL1hyUoJxHuLlMCSXZ19RoIeXSOqJ90vPgwtktx69MMTlmTZFpuiuxqtYH-Pw0KXPziFNPeRMx5nWKrTvZ-VUpzH8xrWCnj-6QY/w480-h640/B0122B0E-4CEC-4DE5-BEC2-23CD252D54AB.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>On Sunday morning, we got up and headed to Pike’s Peak. I’ve been up Pike’s Peak several times, but every time, my dad or someone else was driving. I didn’t really want that stress on us, as I knew that we would be driving a lot later. So we decided to take the newly revamped Cog Railway up.</p><p><br /></p><p>For reference, Colorado Springs sits at approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, and Pike’s Peak is over 14,000 feet. It was a climb. It took about an hour to get up to the top, and we had 40 minutes to look around. They just built a brand new visitors center up there, which was nice! It was rather chilly, and I’m glad Tyler and I packed our “Switzerland coats” for this excursion.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU-8EOFS-JsDibuguQwuVAN8ofE-_JL4eHoTx6Rgt3KQ9wJX9hl6tVR1qgBkOiF2Ba3YYjJL5KsDaJXggNGHTTiHObZSY-xYqRzJAYjuI62rN9oYbz0VQHkvoOSln9sAUooUifQSa-aA/s2048/143EC312-86EF-4DCF-BC8E-17A773CD3495.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkU-8EOFS-JsDibuguQwuVAN8ofE-_JL4eHoTx6Rgt3KQ9wJX9hl6tVR1qgBkOiF2Ba3YYjJL5KsDaJXggNGHTTiHObZSY-xYqRzJAYjuI62rN9oYbz0VQHkvoOSln9sAUooUifQSa-aA/w640-h480/143EC312-86EF-4DCF-BC8E-17A773CD3495.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0gX9_gBXVJxBuWB9YBu8hGX0pcAxe52s_pjiFVgcBs-5QMCMhcGuH7gqGO1XP8u6SORN4vpSFo0rzZlQO2tqvAwmy9HEgpOoh-blw_LeXfJ0nN3OyhWPXtnx8OkmfpDAamvs02YDCwk/s2048/886EB7F3-C03C-4AB4-937D-9BB33DD334E2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0gX9_gBXVJxBuWB9YBu8hGX0pcAxe52s_pjiFVgcBs-5QMCMhcGuH7gqGO1XP8u6SORN4vpSFo0rzZlQO2tqvAwmy9HEgpOoh-blw_LeXfJ0nN3OyhWPXtnx8OkmfpDAamvs02YDCwk/w480-h640/886EB7F3-C03C-4AB4-937D-9BB33DD334E2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQtmWkxcczqIR6-xzYD7S9xIXbcBntXBC11wl2sXRz60U2tl76OnG_CENHCI5bDnq9VmBtlT5TnQHXWxysGssQWq0klSo7KB4aQF6gGVYZoes6XMrIX-sRjtiBaWFrafjFOQUcNNU3Jo/s2048/CF513A8D-C2BF-49AD-AFBA-0A91C2D9E819.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQtmWkxcczqIR6-xzYD7S9xIXbcBntXBC11wl2sXRz60U2tl76OnG_CENHCI5bDnq9VmBtlT5TnQHXWxysGssQWq0klSo7KB4aQF6gGVYZoes6XMrIX-sRjtiBaWFrafjFOQUcNNU3Jo/w640-h480/CF513A8D-C2BF-49AD-AFBA-0A91C2D9E819.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The trip down was a little longer than the ride up, and gratefully so. I did not want to be rolling down the tracks at a high speed. Haha. At this point in the trip, the ascent to that elevation really affected me. My head was pounding, and while I had already consumed over 60 oz of water by 10 am, it did absolutely nothing for me. My head hurt so bad that I thought I was going to throw up. I couldn’t really even tell Tyler what I wanted for lunch. I just wanted to go lay in bed.</p><p><br /></p><p>He was gracious about it, and I did just that for the rest of the day. I felt better after a little nap, but my head was still pounding. I will say, this was the <i>only</i> headache I had on the entire trip, but it was sure a doozy.</p><p><br /></p><p>Monday, I got up feeling a lot better and we headed onto Cañon City. But I’ll share more about that in the next blog entry.</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-2893586941567293572021-08-28T14:43:00.002-05:002021-08-28T14:43:54.908-05:00A Shift in Winds<p>Before I was a mom, I had several hobbies I liked to do. I enjoyed writing, reading, and crafts. Then health and fitness entered my life, and I became consumed by that world...honestly, it wasn't a bad thing, because it did become a passion of mine. I have learned how to help myself in my diagnoses. But somewhere along the way, I just became wrapped up in that world.</p><p>Then I became a mom and life hasn't been the same. I still love doing those things, but it's been difficult to juggle any of those things while raising an active little boy. However, I did learn how to listen to audiobooks while driving and taking walks. So I'm hoping that I can continue to squeeze my other hobbies in as well.</p><p>This past winter, I put my coaching business aside and focused on myself. But I was fatigued after doing the simplest of tasks. It was all I could do to make lunch and then sit on the couch for two hours afterward while Henry took a nap. So I went to the doctor and in May I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid.</p><p>It's now almost September and I am just now starting to feel like myself once again. It seems that every September, I desire some sort of shift in my life. And here I am. I'm still not coaching full-time (and 100% okay with that), and I'm trying to figure out what I can do. I want to write...I know I used to blog every day, and I haven't sat down to write in forever. I want to craft. I bought a Cricut last year on Black Friday and while I've used it some, I want to learn how to use it more.</p><p>So...how does one find time to do all the things she wants to do? HA! I know my number one priority in this season is my family. But if I can find time to do the other things, too, I would love that. If I do continue to blog here, what should I write about? I often feel like I have nothing to share. If I craft, what do I make? I'm sure time will tell and I will come up with things to write about and to make.</p><p>But if you're a mama, how did you find time to do something for yourself each day? Even if it was only for an hour?</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-64400426918354096182021-03-03T09:47:00.001-06:002021-03-03T09:47:53.992-06:00Growth in Motherhood<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOFKpn_UUIBTkeIx9olcbkwh-woZ3N2DWjSufvhlnvD1C2yRfD49mqUgjt7vie0GKtnB2dzjFEJqGGec33mGZJpc8FrA_Nl6bOzUY8-9z5haMIBXtCgExtq2Hhy0srm9aWY5sXAL2rQg/s2048/89EE6818-27BA-4389-8828-C957D24B95C5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOFKpn_UUIBTkeIx9olcbkwh-woZ3N2DWjSufvhlnvD1C2yRfD49mqUgjt7vie0GKtnB2dzjFEJqGGec33mGZJpc8FrA_Nl6bOzUY8-9z5haMIBXtCgExtq2Hhy0srm9aWY5sXAL2rQg/s320/89EE6818-27BA-4389-8828-C957D24B95C5.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">We are doing a study on the pressures that moms face in my Mom’s Connection group. And to be honest, I didn’t feel any of those pressures in the way they were meant. So I was really struggling with the study. I don’t say that to sound conceited...because believe me, I have so many other issues. </span><span class="s2">😂</span><span class="s1"> But as I was digging, I found that I do feel some pressure.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I have a self-imposed pressure to do it all, meaning I feel that pressure from myself, not an outside influence. But I don’t mean do all the things and have all the roles. I just mean that I feel like I have to be mom to Henry all of the time and I am not supposed to ask for help.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I feel that it is my job to be mom (it is), and the only person I can ask for help from is my husband. </span><span class="s2">😬</span><span class="s1"> But allow me to give some background.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">In 2011, we were married. Tyler finished school and just a few short months later landed a job that took us to OKC for 3 months, and then onto STL for 4 years. He then moved positions which moved us back to OKC for another 4.5 years. The closest we’ve been to our family was 3 hours, but for the majority of our marriage we’ve lived 5 hours away. Short enough to visit frequently, but not short enough to ask them for help when I desperately needed it (flood of 2015, flood of 2019, postpartum depression/newborn life, pandemic, etc).</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I had to learn to do things myself. I was already independent, so this wasn’t difficult for me. But when we moved back to OKC in 2016, the Lord has impressed upon me the idea that community was important. It is. He created us for community. I was just learning this and leaning into it when March 2020 hit. Then we were isolated even more than we already were.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">When we moved back home to Missouri, I recognized that I struggled with this, as my husband has lovingly pointed out. He has texted my mom numerous times to ask for her help, but I struggle with it. I just feel like since Henry is my son, I need to be in charge of him.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">I often worry that he is way too much to handle for others who aren’t used to him. He is always on the go until he lays down for the night. I always have to keep an eye on him because he is always getting into things he shouldn’t be. But the Lord gave me a picture this week.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">The reason why I struggled with Granny’s death so hard? Because I loved her and she loved me. I loved going to her house and she loved having me there. Despite my Grandpa’s, “Beth Elaine, quit blowing bubbles in your milk,” instructions in his stern voice, they did love me (and my brothers). And I want that for Henry.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">So I have to allow people to help me. Henry is a joy, and when others get to experience his joy, it’s the best for everyone. Henry will know his grandparents and his grandparents will know him. It’s okay to ask for help. Because when we do, and we can get away for even just a couple of hours, we feel refreshed. At least I do.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">We were made for community...and the blessing is that others can help us. But we also get to be a blessing to others as well. I am still learning these important lessons the Lord has taught me, as it filters into motherhood. I want to lean into Him and draw from His strength when I feel weak. I want to allow Him to speak life into me. I want Him to continue teaching me, but I want to be moldable so that He can grow me in the likeness of Christ.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">Our Mom’s Connection coordinator said this yesterday, “As my child grows through these stages, I have to grow, too.” I was blessed by that. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m in a constant state of growth. Growth is painful and difficult, but it’s worth it. It’s for my good and His glory.</span></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-58462973167332074412021-01-05T15:14:00.003-06:002021-01-05T16:14:52.794-06:002021: Connect<p>2020 showed us all a lot of things. One of the things it showed our family was the importance of family and how being closer to them would be a good thing. <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-day-our-lives-changed.html">So we moved</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>When I was planning my wedding, I joined this community on The Knot. There were too many trolls, and Instagram was new, so we moved over there. A couple years later, I found a group of blogging women when I joined the blogging world. I wanted to share what I was learning as a young wife, and I wanted to connect with others. But I was challenged one year to pick "<a href="https://aliedwards.com/one-little-word-2021">one little word</a>." I have loved doing this year after year, and I've tried to share below what each of my words word for the year. I think I missed a few years of writing about them, but they have been transformative for me. Now, most people have moved on from blogging, but I've picked it back up, simply because writing is cathartic for me, and I'm <i>really </i>starting to hate facebook.</p><p>2013: <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2013/01/grace.html">Grace</a></p><p>2014: <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-word-for-2014.html">Be</a></p><p>2015: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefitnessprincess/posts/1606705596224167">Brave</a></p><p>2016: Trust</p><p>2017: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bethbranstetter/posts/10155934815201753">Abide</a></p><p>2018: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10155937499756753&set=a.425078271752">Release</a></p><p>2019: Surrender</p><p>2020: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10157823377631753&set=a.10157823377851753">Rooted</a></p><p><br /></p><p>As I started thinking about a word for the new year, I kept thinking of how much I needed a social media break. So I took it. I jumped back into Instagram (slowly), but haven't really made my way back to Facebook yet. During my break, I realized just how often I took pictures to post or share. I realized how often I look to others for acceptance or affirmation. I realized how little I knew some of the people I was following. I realized how often I picked up my phone.</p><p><br /></p><p>This year, I want it to be about connection. I want to truly know the people I surround myself with and those I follow on social media. I want to connect with others without someone thinking I have an ulterior motive. I want to live more outside the world wide web. I want to connect with my family. I want to connect with the Lord.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqBrYZpwzX6FuIe9-R8Lo0ma7zy6LGyxI0BpaQvgEVy0cFmEU44I6PSFSv2tgI3XmIoA2UWB727M7XWwqcMFN7n32DF4nbVdRoT1uzvQYE2N2_hi-nr2DCC2JyCCYdNrVhR6GXSOwTOc/s3965/Connect.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="3965" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqBrYZpwzX6FuIe9-R8Lo0ma7zy6LGyxI0BpaQvgEVy0cFmEU44I6PSFSv2tgI3XmIoA2UWB727M7XWwqcMFN7n32DF4nbVdRoT1uzvQYE2N2_hi-nr2DCC2JyCCYdNrVhR6GXSOwTOc/w640-h128/Connect.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So for 2021, I choose CONNECT as my word. What is your word?</p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-3558017480715290822020-12-30T10:53:00.003-06:002020-12-30T10:53:58.038-06:002020: A Year in Review<p>It's the week between Christmas and New Years...the week that no one knows what day it is and what you're supposed to be doing. It's actually one of my very favorite weeks of the year. Weird, right? It's the week that I get to slow down to reflect on the year and look toward the new year. I love it. I don't have to think about Christmas presents or gatherings. We don't have to travel. We get to stay home and gear up for a new year.</p><p><br /></p><p>It's the week that I try to sit down and think about the goals I want to set for myself. I'm not really one for New Year's Resolutions, but maybe it's the same thing. I don't know. I pray over a <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2013/01/grace.html" target="_blank">word for the year</a> to focus on and I try to narrow it down by the first. I write out my goals, and I get ready to bring in a fresh new year. And I am fervently praying that 2021 will be a <i>good</i> year for everyone.</p><p><br /></p><p>2020 wasn't a horrible year, but it wasn't a super amazing year. It started out, for me, recognizing that I had postpartum depression. I made the decision to be fully weaned from my breast pump by the first of the year, and as hard as it was at the time to make that decision, it was the <b>best</b> decision for me. Here I am a year later and I truly understand that it takes about a year after breastfeeding stops to fully feel like yourself again.</p><p><br /></p><p>March came, and I was fully planning on spending a "Spring Break" at my parents' house. My husband was supposed to be traveling for work, so I was going to spend the 8 or 9 days with my mom and dad so that I could have a little bit of help with Henry. Well, we all know that March is when the world came to a halt. It was weird. My husband came home from work one day and never went back...which was the biggest blessing that we didn't know about until months later.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was difficult being a mom with an infant and not being able to get out of the house. I try to get out of the house at least once a week so that I can feel somewhat "normal." I need it. But when the virus was brand new and no one knew much of anything, it was scary to think about going out with an infant. So we stayed home.</p><p><br /></p><p>The summer came, and my husband proposed an idea to me in late June or early July. His new position at work was a permanent "work from home" position. That meant he could literally work from anywhere as long as he had internet. So while we always dreamed we would eventually move back to Springfield if we could, we made the decision to <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-day-our-lives-changed.html">move to Joplin instead</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>That was the best decision for our family, and I will never not be emotional over it. I <i>needed</i> it. I needed to be closer to my family. I needed to know that if I needed help with Henry, I could have it at a moments notice. It was a huge answer to prayer...a prayer that I've prayed for many, many years. The one thing that sucks most about becoming an adult is that you come to understand the fragility of life more. At least, that is what has been on my mind <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2019/05/four-years-of-missing-you.html">since 2015</a>. This year, it's definitely been at the forefront of my mind.</p><p><br /></p><p>And here we are...the end of 2020. More than anything, I pray this next year will be a year that continues to bring me closer to Jesus. If I don't hit a single goal...I just want to have a closer relationship with Jesus. That's all that matters. I pray that, you too, will have a closer relationship with Him this year. <3 </p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-1575218096613821432020-12-16T11:15:00.001-06:002020-12-16T11:15:41.121-06:00Pivot<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">When I commit to something, I go all in. I want to see it through, and I want to see it succeed. Whatever it is. But I can get caught up in that...and when something isn't working, I have a hard time letting it go. I want things to be perfect. If it's not working, I want to fix it so it will work. But sometimes things are only in our lives for a season. Making decisions of what things stay and which go is the hard part.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">The Lord has really been whispering to me over the last few months. I say whispering because I always pray for Him to give me a flashing neon sign. Sometimes I have a difficult time figuring out if something is from Him or if it's my own selfish desire. I need Him to be very clear. But this time, His whispers have had me questioning everything.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The year 2020 brought a major change of moving closer to our family. I don't want to squander any opportunity that I have to hang out with them. I don't want to have to say "no" to them because of some silly obligation. With our move came a brand new church. And while we haven't quite settled in yet, we have been enjoying the weekly teachings. Boy, have they challenged me. They aren't messages that I can just leave at church on Sunday, but ones that have brought thought and questions to my life through the week. So while I continue to chew on each of them, I have some of my own questions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">What does He have for me?<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">What things does He want me to make a priority?<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">Where am I called in this season of motherhood?<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">What things can I let go of?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">Letting go is hard for me, as I mentioned. But I want to live a life of surrender...instead of grasping something with white knuckles, I want to have open hands. After all, the only titles and positions I'm filling are because the Lord has given them to me. </span><span style="font-family: times;">He brought this idea of a pivot into my mind. The word "pivot" means </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;">to modify while retaining some continuity according to dictionary.com. While I am continuing to move forward with my life, some things definitely need to be modified. And as we head into the New Year, I need to make some decisions. I need to pivot directions while staying grounded in the One whose foundation I stand on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;">What will stay?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;">What will go?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: times;">What about you? Do you have things that you need to let go of? Do you have things you need to make a priority? How do you go about figuring those things out?</span></div>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-86307967936709454432020-09-30T10:52:00.004-05:002020-09-30T11:03:51.525-05:00The Day Our Lives Changed...<p>It was 4 pm on Friday afternoon, and I heard the garage door go up and my husband, in his loud car, drive in. The door opened, and I looked up from my position on the floor with my 10-week old son. My husband looked like he had just been hit by a bus.</p><p>"What happened?" I asked. "Are you okay? Did you get fired?"</p><p>He could only simply nod.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, this may be a strange conversation to have, but we had joked around in the past that Tyler would get fired because of his strong opinions. But the relationship he had with his boss was very transparent. He felt comfortable sharing his opinions and thoughts with his boss because that's the type of relationship they had built.</p><p>But 8-weeks prior to this conversation, my husband got a new boss. He was still on paternity leave, and he wasn't sure what to expect when he headed back into his office to meet his new boss.</p><p>The department was headed in a different direction, and they didn't feel that he could be of use to them.</p><p><br /></p><p>Okay, so that was that. And that is why my husband came home at 4 pm on that Friday afternoon. Once I figured out what had happened, I calmly said, "Okay, it will be alright. We will be fine. God is not surprised by this."</p><p>I have no idea why I was so calm and not freaked out that I had a 10-WEEK OLD BABY and my husband didn't have a job. But I was at peace. Things would be okay. The Lord was in that conversation that day. He was not surprised by any of this.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>It's not about what you know. It's about who you know.</i></p><p>That sentence is so true, and it came to be helpful as Tyler started trying to sort through the rubble and find a clear direction. He texted an old buddy of his, and he contacted the recruiter for the company that he worked for. What do you know? He had an interview the next week and a job offer all within a week and a half of him losing his job.</p><p>The Lord was in that conversation that day. He was not surprised by any of this.</p><p><br /></p><p>Flash forward a couple of months. COVID-19 became a real thing and his company started telling people to work from home. We are so grateful that he was able to do so. But we also started re-evaluating our priorities. We once thought we would be living in Oklahoma for the rest of our lives. We thought that Tyler would be with his previous employer for a long time. We thought a lot of things, and suddenly, we realized they didn't have to be.</p><p>So Tyler asked me why we were still in Oklahoma. I was caught completely off guard by this question. He's known that it was my deepest desire to move back home to be closer to family. As we talked about it, we made plans to move back to Missouri sometime within the year. We had a goal to be moved by Christmas. He started sending me links to homes that were for sale. They had the address of Joplin or Carthage. <i>What?!</i> We had always talked about moving back to Springfield. I had always assumed that we would move to Springfield. Our parents assumed that we would move to Springfield.</p><p>But God was already in this situation. He wasn't surprised by any of this. And He had a plan greater than our own.</p><p><br /></p><p>We learned how quickly the houses were moving as we watched my brother and sister-in-law try to find a home to purchase. So while we were still looking to look, we knew that we would have to act quickly if we wanted to put an offer in on something we loved. We had an amazing realtor who wasn't just our realtor, but our "coach" as well. We talked a lot of strategy because we also had a home to sell in Oklahoma City. Homes were moving so quickly, we weren't sure sellers would accept a contingent offer. So we had to be approved for a second mortgage. Now...if there's anything to throw up over, it's the amount of money that you can be approved to borrow. It makes me sick to my stomach. But we were approved, and we quickly made an offer on a home in a very desirable neighborhood OVER FACETIME.</p><p>God wasn't surprised by any of this. But we sure were!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZkifkf6qIsqojLLEPbyv04tHPYhPkI2P0Nb6EJ6JEh6Wkp0DJcNCEEhrz6ZuHLZgjI80sqUYgIHbCkwBPqdoCgqgZ05gyIfw_LBwh5eLAXI1c4fi8xazCeUFu9QKoKgRKfbOACWKmN0/s960/118423796_10158793629774122_1587290718312636019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="960" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZkifkf6qIsqojLLEPbyv04tHPYhPkI2P0Nb6EJ6JEh6Wkp0DJcNCEEhrz6ZuHLZgjI80sqUYgIHbCkwBPqdoCgqgZ05gyIfw_LBwh5eLAXI1c4fi8xazCeUFu9QKoKgRKfbOACWKmN0/w640-h586/118423796_10158793629774122_1587290718312636019_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The waiting game to buy a home is the longest process ever. The packing process of your current home with a 1-year old will age you about 10 years. But thankfully, my in-laws came to help and my dad flew down for a day to help load the truck. We are so thankful for the help! I'll spare you the crazy details that ensued the day before we were to leave with our loaded truck. We were supposed to close on a Friday and it didn't happen. So we were homeless for the third time of our marriage.</p><p>Once again...not a surprise to God!</p><p><br /></p><p>The night we pulled into Joplin, I cried happy tears. My dream was coming to fruition. We were immediately met with my uncle, three of my cousins, my brother (who lives 3 streets down, by the way), and my parents. They helped us unload our truck, and I just thanked the Lord for this very situation.</p><p><br /></p><p>As we have now been here one month, I still haven't been able to process it all. We finally have an accepted offer on our Oklahoma home, and we will be able to close that chapter soon. But to be here...somewhere that I didn't see living--<i>ever</i>--is the greatest gift.</p><p>Family is so important, and something that I haven't had in the first year of Henry's life is help when I need it. So as I navigate what that looks like--because if I can be honest, it's hard for me to ask for help--I will be trying to soak it all in.</p><p><br /></p><p>We didn't see this life change coming. We really thought we would live in Oklahoma for the rest of our lives. But God knew what would happen next. He knew that one huge life-altering event would domino effect the rest of these decisions. I'm so grateful to be close to my family and my friends. I'm grateful that cousins will get to know each other. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here with a renewed heart and mind after being gone for 9 years. I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned along the way. And this isn't something that I ever want to take for granted. But most importantly, I'm thankful for a God who is sovereign and unchanging. He is faithful and good...no matter the circumstances.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-1070710939572762442020-02-04T20:43:00.000-06:002020-02-05T15:08:55.890-06:00She is Free Spotlight: Jorie<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In January, I promised myself to get back to blogging regularly. It's an outlet for me, and I feel like I can work through a lot of emotions by writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, today's emotion isn't hard....it's easy. And it's <i>happy!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">This year, I really want to take some time to spotlight the ladies that are working hard in the She is Free Studio. They have decided to make the investment in their health and have experienced inside-out transformation. God is really working in the lives of these women, and I'm excited to share their stories with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">This month, I want to introduce you to Jorie. She took on the workout program that has 100 workouts in it, called Morning Meltdown 100. I asked her a few questions, and I want to allow you to listen in on our conversation.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Before you started working out with Beachbody On Demand, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">what were your hesitations and how were you feeling?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: Honestly, I hated working out. I hated the feeling of getting out of </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">breath (still not really a fan of that! Haha!) and it just seemed daunting. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Like it would take forever to see or feel any changes. I’ve started other </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">workout stuff before but never finished....I’d miss a few days or it’d be </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">the same thing over & over and I would just lose all momentum so I’d </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">give up. But I felt “blah”. I wasn’t happy at all with how I felt, lack of </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">energy, strength, endurance, etc. I was tired constantly and never felt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">like playing with my kids if it took a lot of energy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>What made you want to do Morning Meltdown 100?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: I really liked that it was a variation of workouts. If it’s the same </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">exact thing every single day, I get bored and quit. And to be honest, I </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">needed something “big” to kick myself into action. I’ve never done </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">anything close to 100 workouts...[I like to remind Beth that when I joined </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">BOD, I asked her for basically the easiest program there was]....and I really wanted to challenge myself. I </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">was tired of being tired. I wanted a change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>What kept you going?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: Part of what kept me going is that I’m stubborn. Once I started, I wanted to prove to myself I could </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">actually do it! But also, I was amazed at how quickly I started to feel better and stronger and just more </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">energy all around, so I wanted to keep at it for sure! Really though, the biggest motivation was the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">accountability group Beth started for it! There were MANY days I had no motivation to continue but </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">those girls kept showing up and kept ME wanting to show up! I could not have done it without them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>What are you most proud of?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: The fact that I actually did it! So many days it was a mental fight to push play, but I knew I needed to </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">do it. For myself, for my health, for my family....and some days you just have to do it even when the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">motivation isn’t there at all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>How do you feel now?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: I wouldn’t say I absolutely LOVE working out, but I enjoy it so much more than I ever thought I </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">would! It’s become a stress reliever, a place I can clear my head. It makes me rely on God so much more </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">to be my strength, especially on those days I’m not feeling it at all, because without HIM I couldn’t do any </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">of this! I feel stronger than I ever have before in my life, healthier than I ever have before and I have </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">energy and strength to enjoy my kids, have fun with them, play with them and carry them all over the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>What have been your results?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Jorie: I didn’t lose much weight, and that was a huge mental thing I had to get over. We have become SO </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">trained in this society to care about numbers and only numbers....please know that I’m not discrediting </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">weight loss. Obviously, a healthy weight is extremely important! But I have spent so many years obsessed </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">with that and only that. I would do whatever it took to get those numbers to drop, even extremely </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">unhealthy choices. The weight would drop but I wasn’t healthy. So, this program did more for me </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">mentally than I could’ve ever even imagined. I finally broke those chains of an obsession with numbers. I </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">was losing inches and gaining strength. I KNEW I was getting healthier even if the scale didn’t drop. I knew </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I was building muscle!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I dropped a total of 7 inches ~ 4 of those inches were my waist! My clothes fit better and more </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">comfortable and they fit in a HEALTHY way for the first time in my life and that motivates me more than </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">anything else to keep going! I want my kids to see a model of healthy. True health, not what society says is </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">health. I want my daughter to see that strong IS healthy. Strong IS beautiful. And strong and healthy is </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">honoring to God as we learn to take care of the bodies He has blessed us with!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I’ve moved on to a new program now and am excited to see my health journey continue! Thank you, Beth, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">for being an amazing coach. For helping me, challenging me, encouraging me, motivating me and </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">believing in me! I could NOT have taken that first step without you! Thank you for walking this journey </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">with me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Coach Note:</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I am extremely proud of this girl. She has become such a wonderful friend to me. And to think that </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">we met through Instagram! How crazy is that? To see how the Lord is working in her life--breaking </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">the chains--and to see her walking in that freedom is truly incredible and an answered prayer! I </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">truly cannot wait to see how He keeps transforming her as she walks in His Light!</span></div>
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</style>Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-47981426957714961712019-11-24T07:55:00.000-06:002019-11-24T20:40:46.089-06:00Henry's Birth Story<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Monday, August 12<sup>th</sup>, I went in for my 39-week appointment. My doctor asked me if she had done a membrane sweep the last week, to which I replied, “No.” She asked me if I wanted it done, and I said, “Go ahead. We’re ready to meet this baby.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had only heard about this, but knew that it could possibly get labor started. We were two days away from his due date, so I wasn’t worried about anything. At this point, I was still only 1 cm and 70% effaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day, I went to Aldi to get some groceries. I really didn’t know if I should be planning anything elaborate, but let’s just be honest…the last few months of pregnancy left me unmotivated in the kitchen. I did buy a lot of things that had a long shelf-life, so I knew that if I did go into labor, the food would still be good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That afternoon, I realized that I needed to text Kaitlin, our doula, to let her know my progress. That was around 4 pm on Tuesday, and about 15 minutes later, the contractions started. I was laying on the couch and realized that I had a couple contractions within a good amount of time. I decided to start timing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At 4:47 pm, I texted Tyler to let him know that I was having contractions. But I told him not to get too excited because they were 11-12 minutes apart. Around 6:40 pm, I sent another text to Kaitlin, letting her know that I was having contractions and they were about 7-minutes apart. She told me to rest up—which I had planned to do in early labor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Resting was difficult. I continued to sit on the couch, and then I eventually moved to my bed in hopes to get a little bit of sleep. However, sleep didn’t come. I moved back out to the couch so that Tyler could get some sleep, although, I’m not sure how much he got either. My contractions were 8-10 minutes apart all night at a minute long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tyler took the day off, and his work decided that he was going to start his leave on that day. They cut all his communication. So he was stuck at home with his laboring wife. HA! I knew that I still needed to take my 40-week pregnancy picture, so I had him take it, which I'm sure was comical. We had to wait through a couple of contractions to finally get one that didn't look like I was in pain. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fot4y3sa3dHwwY-kB4IfxPQcPZax4MZbgMELe0kC_7xpRYwm-ZNvucaMmnfWFUW6GBWsEU832xg1PMSryaB__v_zS24l1eKbH9ReY9TLr_wCmvoePLugf-ha2y8XYhUwn7KmNKFMTRo/s1600/tOFQGm%2525rQmyohHSSWjBzGw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fot4y3sa3dHwwY-kB4IfxPQcPZax4MZbgMELe0kC_7xpRYwm-ZNvucaMmnfWFUW6GBWsEU832xg1PMSryaB__v_zS24l1eKbH9ReY9TLr_wCmvoePLugf-ha2y8XYhUwn7KmNKFMTRo/s400/tOFQGm%2525rQmyohHSSWjBzGw.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I texted Kaitlin back and forth all day. She was such a wealth of knowledge, and it was comforting to know that she was there to help us as needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She was going to come over to the house when my contractions were about 5:14 apart, but then they slowed again to 7-minutes. It was like that all day long. They’d speed up, then slow down. She gave me a little workout circuit to try, and I got a little relief from the pain, but not a ton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the early afternoon, they really started to get painful. Like really painful. I was having to close my eyes, grit my teeth, cry, kick and scream…whatever it took to get through them. Kaitlin was there for the ride…encouraging me and supporting me along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She called me around 5:15 that evening to see how I was doing and how I was getting through the contractions. She told me to give it a couple more hours before we head to the hospital. Honestly, I didn’t know if I’d make it a couple more hours. I had been walking around my kitchen and living room for <i>hours</i> just to cope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I texted her around 6:15 and told her we were getting ready to head to the hospital. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. The contractions were SO strong and some of them were 2-minutes long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ride to the hospital was awful. I’m so thankful it was only 10-minutes away. I had to literally lay my seat back to get through some of the contractions—sitting was so difficult. When we got to the hospital, Tyler dropped me off at the front door. I went and checked in. They had me give a urine sample, and while trying to do so, I had THREE contractions. The nurse had to knock on the door to make sure I was okay. Evidently, they’ve had women try to give birth in there. I would have found that funny, but I was in a lot of pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They hooked me up to the NST machine to watch my contractions, progression, and the baby’s heart rate. I had some of the <i>worst</i> contractions while sitting on that bed. I was only 3 cm dilated, which was somewhat discouraging. Tyler was texting with Kaitlin at this point, and she thought they would just send me home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was literally praying that I would be admitted because if they sent me home, I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the pain. God answered my prayer because Henry’s heart rate kept dipping and they weren’t sure what it was. They kept monitoring me, and during the awful contractions, his heart rate continued to dip. They weren’t sure if it was because his head was being squeezed or if it was the placenta malfunctioning. They checked me again, and as they did, it sent me into another horrible contraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They called in the on-call doctor (by the way, my doctor’s office is on the second floor of the women’s hospital, so I knew there would be someone there), and she started talking gibberish at this point. I honestly didn’t know what she was saying, but the words “induce,” “Pitocin,” and “emergency c-section” were all mentioned. I know that she just had to cover all her bases, but it was somewhat scary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kaitlin had arrived at the hospital at that point. She was the only one who had a good head on her shoulders and could understand what was going on. At one point, Tyler had left the room and it was just Kaitlin and me. She knew that our plan was to have the baby and then call our parents after he had arrived. I was in tears at this point and she asked me if she thought we should call our parents and let them know what was going on. I told her that there were a couple of points that I did just want my mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tyler got back to the room, and they decided to admit me. We walked over to my labor and delivery room, and the nurse was getting me hooked up to the machines again. Another nurse was in there, trying to start my IV, but apparently, I have small veins. Who knew? She stuck me 4 or 5 times just trying to get the IV in. I’ve never been stuck that many times before, but I’ve also never had to be in the hospital. I do give blood regularly, and I have never had any problem with them sticking me in the arm, but trying to get it in my hand was a different story. She ended up putting the IV in my arm for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Around 12:30 am, Kaitlin, Tyler, and I were all discussing my options to get an epidural. I was 90% sure going into this birth that I would be getting it. At this point, I was 300% positive that I <i>needed</i> it. So Kaitlin asked for me, as I was literally giving it all I could to get through my contractions. The anesthesiologist came in around 1:30 am and took his sweet time putting it in. However, as soon as he got it in, I had immediate relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the commotion died down in my room, Kaitlin told me to rest. She was telling me that she thought getting an epidural would allow my body to rest and do what it’s supposed to do. She went home to get a little bit of sleep and to be able to take her kiddo to school the next morning. Tyler and I were able to get some small naps here and there. The nurse kept coming it to try to reposition me, and let me tell you—it is SO weird not to be able to feel your legs. She literally had to push me over to get me to change sides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But our little Herbie was a stinker. He did NOT like the different positions he was being put in. He <i>only</i> liked it when I was laying on my right side. At one point, the nurse came back in because his heart rate kept dipping and they couldn’t figure out why. But I was still oblivious to how serious this could have been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At 7 am, the nurse came in with a doctor—not my doctor. This doctor explained that my doctor usually takes Thursday mornings to be with her boys at home and she rounds on my doctor’s patients. She also explained that my doctor does this with her patients on a different day. I thought that was kind!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The nurse checked me once again, and I was finally 100% effaced and dilated to a 6! Hallelujah! My body was doing exactly what it needed to be doing! The doctor broke my water, and Tyler texted Kaitlin to let her know what was going on! She responded pretty excitedly!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kaitlin got back to the hospital around 8:30 that morning, and we were just playing the waiting game. They were still trying to position me differently, but Herbie wasn’t liking it. So I continued to lay on my right side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Around 10, the nurse checked me again and she surprisingly said I was at a 9. Everyone was very excited, because they thought that they would need to start me on Pitocin that morning. Thankfully, I didn’t need it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The nurse started to make preparations, and so many thoughts were going through my mind. I couldn’t believe that this moment was already here. At this point, Tyler went inside his shell. He knew what was coming, so he found a chair by my head and sat in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was 10 cm, the nurse had me start pushing. Kaitlin was such a wonderful cheerleader, giving me tips along the way. I mean, I had no idea what I was doing. I pushed for 20 minutes or so, and then the nurse called all of the people that needed to be in the room to prepare for our birth. She even got ahold of my doctor who did indeed make it in time to deliver Henry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At 12:05 pm of August 15th, after just about 44 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing, our little Henry Calvin was born. I will never forget the moment I looked into his eyes. I literally couldn’t say anything and just started crying. I looked over at Tyler and he also had tears in his eyes. We had done it. Henry was here. I got to cut the cord, which was so cool. And Tyler announced his name to the entire room, since we hadn’t shared it with anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was fun to call our parents and siblings to share the news. Our parents made the trek down, and my best friend (who's also my sister from another mister) came as a surprise to us! I was so glad to have her there. <3 </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0myqjFfrJkSJT_k88gNXVp4_ayXECuySfzmzdSZ3gmh9vcxFhyphenhyphenBPgm1oNm2dVX5Ub7Gnmah63ANqtSJgEPsUmEe-B9lf7QJtRax0WWowMR4TuQuwU8DPK_-sXNc8lEbBnROpDZIKERg/s1600/LAY7QS70QCeYqscvWmYpSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0myqjFfrJkSJT_k88gNXVp4_ayXECuySfzmzdSZ3gmh9vcxFhyphenhyphenBPgm1oNm2dVX5Ub7Gnmah63ANqtSJgEPsUmEe-B9lf7QJtRax0WWowMR4TuQuwU8DPK_-sXNc8lEbBnROpDZIKERg/s400/LAY7QS70QCeYqscvWmYpSA.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diane was sick that day, so I don't have a picture of her with Henry at the hospital.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOyN23voGiUXN6fETHSkuklh2CSLLuAP7E9zCEFC55Fs96ofZOpjTQBQw39dK97Ii8DxtdBUVRrCyqoMVIpJ-mUN4GxvwtRVH8sUHktund2YHbmL0YtZO-anykfCVG6jTNOsYyeD_LJ8/s1600/2bCtEs8kTIGM5B3UGaalCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOyN23voGiUXN6fETHSkuklh2CSLLuAP7E9zCEFC55Fs96ofZOpjTQBQw39dK97Ii8DxtdBUVRrCyqoMVIpJ-mUN4GxvwtRVH8sUHktund2YHbmL0YtZO-anykfCVG6jTNOsYyeD_LJ8/s400/2bCtEs8kTIGM5B3UGaalCA.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe5i9BU7ZE57VgqrTLEp2gooIJ4b7rx_jHA-RjmatCNRZiBcaMF6d2vwP9gcZ9eIkywTvE-BOqAPazDPgoazmsc82TfWyjs5tmcGwhjnFa0w60vl6TCUIyfZAaP1_xbsv-Kl0xLAT8Ag/s1600/IMG_5931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe5i9BU7ZE57VgqrTLEp2gooIJ4b7rx_jHA-RjmatCNRZiBcaMF6d2vwP9gcZ9eIkywTvE-BOqAPazDPgoazmsc82TfWyjs5tmcGwhjnFa0w60vl6TCUIyfZAaP1_xbsv-Kl0xLAT8Ag/s400/IMG_5931.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Going home!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT3bhcrno27K3M8b9B2QiUo77Gkow2Qo92nFfZ5yo335GbgtdqZQmeb1z0aDt2iB_tU78LMAMj9dJ2E2SlVDtILEEsn5GnE_Lfa-w2_gXGij1yWR_PXnjMkYLcOaBZvnKu9th6jZl368/s1600/NIOXHNHoTNSPE5ha2qdehA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT3bhcrno27K3M8b9B2QiUo77Gkow2Qo92nFfZ5yo335GbgtdqZQmeb1z0aDt2iB_tU78LMAMj9dJ2E2SlVDtILEEsn5GnE_Lfa-w2_gXGij1yWR_PXnjMkYLcOaBZvnKu9th6jZl368/s400/NIOXHNHoTNSPE5ha2qdehA.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was so tiny in his carseat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl_KSlVnDIayGiMhfHWaUUShMVMBTbUwi2CQQFC0R4K7uEex0IzQAn4ywsDQI-_S_zz58XCo04JL-5bB7SB9PUByWkrF19gNh3O5yRejl4hXkcs3r7-K0zi98D_rGmz60EXgwI9JzIHU/s1600/B2jIfqfNTt%252BPpEeszqkGCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl_KSlVnDIayGiMhfHWaUUShMVMBTbUwi2CQQFC0R4K7uEex0IzQAn4ywsDQI-_S_zz58XCo04JL-5bB7SB9PUByWkrF19gNh3O5yRejl4hXkcs3r7-K0zi98D_rGmz60EXgwI9JzIHU/s400/B2jIfqfNTt%252BPpEeszqkGCA.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Introducing Scout to his new brother!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kaitlin, our doula, came over about a week after Henry was born for a little postpartum meeting. I was so thankful for her, and I will definitely hire her again for our next kiddo! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We love our little Henry so much!!</span></div>
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Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-54843763646929344222019-05-24T11:14:00.000-05:002019-05-24T11:14:12.611-05:00The Miracle of LifeWhen I share my miracle baby story with others, I feel like they think I've lied to them. But that isn't the case...I just haven't truly been 100% transparent because this is a journey that's so private, and I have a lot of hurting friends. But God is a BIG God, and He truly deserves ALL the praise in this story, so I'm sharing today in hopes that I can encourage you.<br />
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When I was 15 years old, I was formally diagnosed with <a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2017/09/what-is-pcos.html" target="_blank">Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome</a> or PCOS for short. I was told that it would be difficult to get pregnant. I was told that I could go on birth control to regulate my cycle and metformin to control my weight and all sorts of other medication to help where needed.<br />
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At 15, I didn't care. I didn't do anything to help my body. At 18, after I graduated high school, I made the decision with my parents to go on birth control so that I could live a somewhat normal life at college. Ten years later, I took myself off of it with no intention of getting pregnant. I just knew it was making me crazy...and it was. But that's a story for a different day.<br />
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In April 2013, I started my health and fitness journey. I knew I needed to lose the "married weight" that I had gained, and it was then that I started really digging into PCOS and what it meant for my life. I knew that <i>one day</i> I would want to have a family...even though the thought of having kids scared the crap out of me. I knew that I would need to change my lifestyle in order for it to happen.<br />
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I really dug into the research of PCOS:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Women with PCOS have a higher risk of miscarriage.</li>
<li>PCOS is the number one reason for infertility.</li>
<li>In pregnancy, women with PCOS have a higher risk for gestational diabetes, larger babies, and preterm birth.</li>
<li>Women with PCOS have a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, sleep apnea, anxiety, endometrial cancer, and so much more.</li>
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Okay...great. So having a family was probably going to be difficult. But I continued to research and I learned that I could control so many different factors if I just watched my diet and I exercised. If you've been following me on social media for very long or you know me in real life, you know that my eating has been a source of pain in my life.</div>
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From restriction and deprivation to binge eating to restriction and deprivation to binge eating...the cycle went around and around and around. I couldn't get off that carousel of disastrous behavior. About a year ago, a food freedom course was released that I decided to take. It was kind of like a class with some videos that I watched and really learned the why and how behind the program. I then implemented right away. I was still so skeptical because I was allowed to eat things that I had been restricting and depriving myself of. But I kept going with the program.</div>
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I was on the road to healing myself of so many mental aspects of the deprivation and restriction. I was on the road to healing my body. I was on the road to leveling my hormones out. I was on the road to feeling the best I have ever felt...inside and out.</div>
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In November 2018, I turned 30 years old. As I got closer to that number, I realized that it may be time to start trying to have a family. After all, I had no idea how long it would take because of all the statistics stacked against me. We hadn't really wanted kids before...and if I'm being completely honest, I haven't had that longing to be a mom my entire life like so many women do.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">**Before I share the next few things, please let me say that I am <u>not</u> against modern medicine. It's a great thing sometimes. It's needed sometimes. I am not looking down on anyone who chooses to go a different route than I have. This is simply my story.</span></i></div>
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But I knew this: I did not want to go on any medication. I had researched the various medications that can be used to help women conceive. I had researched the medications that help women lose weight. To me, the side effects were not worth it. I also knew that adoption has never been off the table for us. When Tyler and I were dating and getting a little more serious, I told him that I didn't know if I'd be able to get pregnant. Thankfully, that wasn't an issue for him, but we talked a lot about adoption. I also told him that IVF wasn't an option for me.</div>
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So back to the story...I have never missed a yearly appointment with my OBGYN. That's the only doctor that I've ever seen on a regular basis. I wanted to be sure that I listened to what she has had to say, any advice she could give, and for a long time, I just needed to go so that I could renew my birth control prescription.</div>
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She has always asked if we were ready to get pregnant and the answer was always "NO!!!" until October 2018. I told her that my upcoming birthday was definitely making us consider it. Can I just say that she has been one of the most encouraging doctors that I've ever had?! She has never once talked to me about my weight. She has never once considered that PCOS might just be a huge hindrance in getting pregnant. She wasn't concerned about my age. She was not negative at all. She simply said, <i>"We don't call it infertility until you've been trying for over a year. So have fun with it." </i>She ordered some baseline bloodwork for me so that we would know where all my hormone levels were at, and that was it.</div>
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At this point in time, I had regulated my cycles to about every 74-76 days (this was coming from months and months and months of no natural cycle). It had been consistent for several months, so I knew that if we started trying after my doctor's appointment, it would probably be about January before I'd need to take a pregnancy test.</div>
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I put off my bloodwork for about 6 or 7 weeks. I was mainly just worried about my HA1C levels. I wanted to get a few more weeks of good, healthy eating in before I went to get it done. The day before I decided to get get my bloodwork done, I took 4 pregnancy tests...which all came back positive.</div>
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Complete shock is the feeling that came over me. I knew on that Thursday morning that I would need to go get my bloodwork done...so I went the next day. The next Monday, I had a call from my doctor...confirming my 4 home pregnancy tests. I think she was as shocked as I was!</div>
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At my pregnancy confirmation appointment, I met with the NP who had looked over my chart. She simply laughed and reminded me of how great a story I had. She wasn't wrong, but it took several months to grasp what God had done.</div>
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HE did this. I may have learned how to treat my body and honor Him with it, but HE was the One who answered my deepest desires. And He is the One who continues to answer my prayers...the fact that I've been able to carry our Little Cheerio for 28 weeks so far and the fact that I passed the Gestational Diabetes test...and I didn't just pass. I passed on the first time with 10 points to spare.</div>
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Can I just say that in all the glucose tests I've had before...none of them have come back in the normal range? They've all been slightly elevated. Yet...God answered. He answered and He proved me wrong.</div>
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Science is a good thing. It helps us understand sometimes. But God is greater than science. He is bigger than the statistics. This little miracle of life has proven that to me time and again.</div>
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I want to continue sharing my journey...and I will. It may take a few days, but I want to share my pregnancy experience with you. But I felt that I needed to share the honest story on how God has worked in our lives and how Little Cheerio came to be.</div>
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The Lord is good. He's good even when things don't work out the way we want them to. He's good in the midst of struggle and heartache. He is good when the prayer is answered. He is good. Trust in Him, friends. <3</div>
Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-66940758935551491482019-05-22T11:50:00.000-05:002019-05-22T11:50:48.699-05:00Four Years of Missing YouPrior to Tuesday, May 19, 2015, I was so hopeful for that year. But that morning, I got a text message that shocked me to my core. Granny had a stroke. A couple of hours later, I got a phone call telling me that I should come home...there probably wasn't much time.<br />
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Alone in my car for five hours as I drove across the state of Missouri, I had a while to think. I thought of every good thing about my Granny...how she loved others, how she cared for others, how she never thought twice about doing kind things for others. She was a servant. I thought a lot about my own life. Where was it going? What good thing did I have going? My relationship with Jesus was more of an SOS-relationship. I called on Him when I needed Him.<br />
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At that point, my mom had been inviting me to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). Although we lived hours apart, the study was offered in St. Louis...in several different locations. I had looked into it, but I never jumped at the chance to go. She continued to invite me for four years.<br />
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I remember so vividly making a decision in my car that I was going to turn my life around...quit living for myself...and I was going to work on my relationship with Jesus. I made a commitment that day to seek out a BSF class. Unfortunately, BSF is on a schedule that coincides with the school schedule. So they had already let out for summer break, and I had to wait until September to join.<br />
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I got to the hospital with time to spare, because she was still talking. Her eyes were closed, but she was talking. Her speech was slurred because half of her body was paralyzed, but she knew who I was and she automatically asked about Tyler. He was in Detroit that week for work and wasn't with me. I talked to her. I held her hand. I don't know how much longer it was before she didn't respond...it may have been a few hours.<br />
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My family is large. We are weird. We do things differently. But we love Jesus. The majority of us got to be there with her at the hospital...in her room...for days. The staff at the local hospital was very kind to us in allowing us ALL to be there. I grew up in a small town, so most of the staff knew us anyway. But that's one thing I won't forget in all of this...the kindness they showed to us.<br />
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Granny taught little kids at church. In fact, the Sunday prior, she was teaching. She also taught a Sunday School for adults with mental disabilities. She loved singing with her kids and adults. She loved to sing with her grandkids.<br />
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Remember how I said we are weird? One of the first holidays that Tyler spent with my extended family, a sheet of paper was passed out with music on it. We gathered in a circle and sang before we prayed for the meal. I'm surprised he's still around, in all honesty!! :)<br />
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So while Granny was in the hospital, we sang to her...hymns, children's songs, our family song...we even wrote the words to her favorite hymn on the hospital board. :) I told you...we are weird.<br />
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We didn't know what to expect. We didn't know when Jesus would call her home. So that evening, we all prayed together before we left the hospital. We said our "see ya laters," and we headed home for some sleep.<br />
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It was a long few days. On Thursday, my husband finally had made his trip to me. He arrived at Granny's house at the same time the ambulance brought Granny home. Granny absolutely <i>hated</i> hospitals and doctors. We knew that she would rather be at home. So we got permission to bring her home with the care of a hospice nurse.<br />
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We gathered in her home with no care of how quiet we should have been. Granny loved her crazy family, and she would have loved having us all there. Unfortunately, it was a party to send her Home. The girls were celebrating awaiting her Homecoming with a tea party...which she also would have loved so very much.<br />
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On Friday, May 22, 2015, shortly after sunrise (her favorite time of day), Jesus called her Home. I was truly so happy that she was no longer suffering here. But in the months to come, I was literally heartbroken.<br />
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Fall of 2015, I joined my first study in BSF. That year, we were studying Revelation. If you're not familiar with BSF, it is a <i>very</i> in-depth study. I had <b>no</b> clue what I had gotten myself into. Fast forward to December and we moved to Oklahoma City. I knew that I wanted to finish out the study because it was so good. I joined a class here, and I'm so glad I did!<br />
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As I look back on what Revelation taught me...it's that Granny was in heaven with her Savior. As much as she loved her family, she loved her Jesus more. She wouldn't want to come back here after meeting Him. I was okay with that.<br />
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Grief is a funny thing. There's no time limit on it. It can come in quickly. It can leave quickly. And on days you think you're doing okay...it can break you all over again.<br />
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The first year after she was gone was the hardest for me. We had so many life transitions. I think what made it the hardest was living away from my family, and when I would come back home, I had to face the fact that she wasn't here anymore. At the same time, my husband was gone every week for work, and I was by myself...with my dog. Scout was a good listener, but sometimes I wished he could have given me some advice.<br />
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Healing has been a slow process, but I'm in a much better place than I was. For so long, it was all I thought about. I tried to self-medicate with food...but it wasn't a good filler. Four years later, and I'm still trying to untangle myself from some of the things that I chose to do during my time of grieving and depression.<br />
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Last year, Tyler and I booked a trip to Europe over this date. It was the best decision. I had happy thoughts, and I kept thinking of the things that I would have told her about our trip. She loved to hear trip reports from the grandkids.<br />
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But this year has been a little more difficult. Another life change...and there are so many times that I wish I could call her and tell her that we're having a baby boy. She would be so excited.<br />
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When I was about 8 or 9, Granny and Grandpa took me with them to see hot air balloons. I don't know why I remember this trip, and I don't remember too many details. But every time I see a hot air balloon, I think of them. The day we left for Europe, I saw a hot air balloon.<br />
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At 19 weeks, we had our anatomy scan. It was on a Wednesday morning. On that previous Sunday morning, I saw a hot air balloon on our way to church. It was still cold that morning, so I have <i>no</i> idea why they were out. My mom had come down that week, and on the day she left to go back home, I saw <i>another </i>hot air balloon.<br />
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I may be completely off my rocker, but that day, I was sad. That was the day that I wanted to call her and tell her our good news. So I talked to God instead...and I told Him that I wasn't sure how it worked in heaven, but if He could please tell Granny that we were having a baby and that it was a boy, that I'd appreciate it. :)<br />
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Truth is...I miss her. I miss her like crazy. I have so many wonderful memories with her, and I'm thankful for those. But some days are still hard. Today is one of those days.<br />
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If there's anything that I've learned in the last four years, it's that no one can tell you how to grieve. No one can tell you that time is up and it's time to move on. Life does move on, and we learn to cope with our new normal. The pain gets easier to deal with...but it's still there. The tears don't come as often, but when they do come, it's okay to cry. <3Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-18103687883721502752019-03-26T15:40:00.000-05:002019-03-26T15:53:32.268-05:00Finding Food Freedom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">I'm BAAACCCCKKK!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After taking many months away from the health and wellness industry, I am back. God called me into a season of rest back in August/September. As I look back on the journey, I had <i>no</i> clue what He had planned for me. He used this time of rest to show me the many idols that I had placed in front of Him...including food. Food was all I could think about, and I was struggling with admitting it to the group of women that I was supposed to be leading. What kind of leader is that?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">God is gracious. He is kind. After many months of being in my personal coach's GRACEcamp and surrendering my food and thoughts to Him daily, I have been freed from the shackles that I was once wearing. God doesn't want us to live in bondage. He came so that we may have LIFE. Jesus died for our FREEDOM. Why do we act like we are still slaves to sin?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is time to LIVE in our FREEDOM!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With that said, I am SO excited to be opening up my VERY first GRACEcamp in April! We will be focusing on the food freedom course that I have been doing and working through. To be honest, I loved this course so much that I became a certified mentor for the program. It's truly incredible. Here's a little bit more about the program:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have followed me for any period of time, you know that I have struggled with food restriction, binge eating, and emotional eating. It's no secret that when it comes to my health and fitness journey, I really stink at the nutrition aspect of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so excited to share that for the first time, my company has designed a "nutrition first" program. Exercise is just extra credit! This program is designed to help you get a handle on your eating habits. There is no counting calories. No measuring food. No using food containers. No cutting out food groups. No deprivation or starving. The best part? You can follow this program even when you're out on a date at a restaurant, on vacation, or at a party!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's a solution that's effective because it was created by a woman who understands. Not only did she lose 100 lbs on this program, she became a registered dietitian nutritionist so that she could help others lose the weight and win the weight loss war.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ilana figured out how to eat large amounts of food <i>and</i> lose weight and keep it off at the same time. She figured out that it was all in her mindset. The system that she created allows you to feel full and satisfied while giving you strategies that can help you in real-world situations such as eating out, traveling, cravings, and more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is not a diet. It's a <i>mindset shift.</i></span><br />
<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What’s the best part about this weight loss program?</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #898989;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The 2B Mindset is simple to follow. </span><span style="background-color: white;">You will learn simple strategies to get you drinking more water, enjoying wholesome food and simple ways to prepare them. And it will shatter the myth that the bathroom scale is your enemy. It's </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Simple. Enjoyable. Sustainable. </i></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who is the 2B Mindset for?</span></b></div>
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<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyone who wants to lose weight — happily — so they can keep it off for good!</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those frustrated with the deprivation of traditional diets.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">People overwhelmed with all the weight-loss products/info out there.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyone challenged by junk-food cravings.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those for whom other diets have not been successful in the past.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those who feel guilt or shame when overeating.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those who love<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> to eat food,</span></span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">People who love to travel but don't know how to stay on track.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyone who doesn't like or want to workout.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those who love<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> to workout but struggle with food.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">People who aren't seeing results with just exercise.</span></li>
<li style="color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those who struggle with:</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yo-Yo dieting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Emotional eating</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sugar addiction</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scale<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> obsession</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Portion control</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Motivation to workout</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When can I enroll?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am always enrolling new clients for this program! It's an ongoing nutritional plan that doesn't have a start and end date. If you would like to be considered for the group, please fill out <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://forms.gle/bnqziNADLe18YeDe7" target="_blank">this contact form</a><span id="goog_22247003"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_22247004"></span> </span>so that I can get in touch with you!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Member Benefits:</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 2B Mindset Program</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Grocery Shopping Tips</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Weekly Meal Ideas</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">First month of nutrient-dense superfoods that support your goals</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One-year subscription to Beth's Netflix of Fitness</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Accountability within our ladies-only community</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beth as your coach</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">*<i>All packages come with a 30-day money back guarantee.</i></span></li>
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<span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What's Included:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">41 videos in the 2B Mindset Program</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">21 videos to teach you the basic principles of the program, including education on food groups, what to eat and when, and real-life strategies for every eating situation (such as eating at restaurants, at parties, while on a trip, for vegans/vegetarians, etc).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5 videos to overcome common weight loss struggles and gives advice on weight loss challenges.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">15 recipe videos that show you have to cook time-saving, delicious, easy, and satisfying meals in no time.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">PLUS videos on how to adapt the program to need-specific lifestyles such as vegetarian, vegan, and even pregnancy!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">PLUS there are 6 extra videos in the library that offer more in-depth training on some of the principles.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Getting Started Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to get started.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Go-To Guide accompanies the videos and highlights key takeaways, recaps the food lists, features grocery shopping lists, and more.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2B Mindset Recipes which includes over 30 of Illana's favorites.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Tracker, which has room for 90 days of meal and progress tracking, and other key indicators that play a role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A 30 oz water bottle that has motivational reminders on it to help keep you on track daily.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0.2px;">Would you like to be considered for my April Finding Food Freedom workshop? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0.2px;">Make sure you click the application <a href="https://forms.gle/bnqziNADLe18YeDe7" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE </span></a>and apply. I will connect with you and see what options match your go</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify; word-spacing: 0.2px;">als and financial season so that we can get you started on your journey to food freedom!</span></div>
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Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-81959087423987906202019-02-27T12:54:00.000-06:002019-02-27T12:54:01.676-06:00Girls Trip 2018Last spring, my mom called me one day and asked if I wanted to go on a girls trip with her. Did I even have to think about that answer? <i>NO!</i> My answer was an obvious yes.<br />
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Tyler and I were planning our Europe trip, and she and my dad had already committed to taking care of Scout for us. So I knew that we would have to plan around that. Since I was getting emails from <a href="https://scottscheapflights.com/">Scott's Cheap Flights Premium Membership</a>, I suggested Ireland since that was the most recent in my inbox.<br />
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My mom doesn't like to fly. So she politely turned me down. About a week or so later, she came back to me and said that she wanted to go to Colorado to see her brothers and their families. If you tell me we're going to Colorado in the summer, I'm not going to turn you down.<br />
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Wait....wait....wait...<br />
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If you tell me we're going to Colorado, I'm not going to turn you down. Colorado is probably my favorite place in the US. Granted, I haven't been to all 50 states, but Colorado holds a lot of memories and pieces of my heart.<br />
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We went in August, and we left on a Monday morning, so my mom came to OKC on Sunday afternoon. I did convince her to fly, and we ended up both flying roundtrip on Southwest for less than $200 total. Y'all...if you don't take advantage of Southwest's sales, you're missing out.<br />
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We took a very early flight out, which had us at the airport at 5:30 am or something crazy. Neither one of us normally sees that time of day. HA! But it was worth it. We got to Denver at 7-something that morning, got our rental car, and started driving towards Colorado Springs.</div>
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I had put the car rental in my name, thinking we could do some switching around if we needed to. We even talked about putting both of our names on the reservation. However, that cost an extra $25 PER DAY! It ended up being just fine, and I chauffered my mom around the state for the week.</div>
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We stopped in Castle Rock for some breakfast and shopping. We then headed on towards Colorado Springs and made a spontaneous stop at Focus on the Family. I'm so glad we did! I hadn't been there since I was a little girl when my parents brought the whole family. I didn't remember most of it, but I have so many memories of listening to Adventures in Odyssey. </div>
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We wandered around, and it was so neat to hang out with Whit for the day. I pretended to be a kid again, and I went down the slide. I was also excited to see that they brought back the magazine called, Brio. This was a magazine that I loved to receive in the mail when I was in junior high and high school. I even have a Brio Pen Pal, and we are still in touch today!</div>
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My uncle Billy and aunt Birdie live in Colorado Springs, and they were our first stop on the trip. We were so blessed by their hospitality the few days that we stayed with them. My cousin Jessie was also there, and it was so good to get to catch up with all of them. We don't see them nearly enough.</div>
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Jessie was a fantastic uber driver ;) and carted us off to the Red Rocks Open Space for a morning of hiking on one of the days. I absolutely <i>love</i> nature in Colorado. I really wish the weather was cooperative enough here in Oklahoma to allow for hiking every day. That would be my choice of exercise. There's just something about being in nature, in the mountains, that brings me closer to God. I'm in awe of the creation He made.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW275bB8PchTTJyKuBkfruN2aWu2yJnEZkYa_hTt8T7E7PH2P1X9KOfWDBtjHD7vvdOsw_rZ6pJBN1MKLp5HwD-59hyphenhyphen5OPJPWfwDDmRF4iLUI4JkOucUiCjWhmN1cKowHnwM4gGb9zbk/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW275bB8PchTTJyKuBkfruN2aWu2yJnEZkYa_hTt8T7E7PH2P1X9KOfWDBtjHD7vvdOsw_rZ6pJBN1MKLp5HwD-59hyphenhyphen5OPJPWfwDDmRF4iLUI4JkOucUiCjWhmN1cKowHnwM4gGb9zbk/s640/IMG_2376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking over at Garden of the Gods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4KVM1XDtMolUX6lNNUl_XHzT2Qf-W4_qxprnyZFJ3oflR6qUT_M7HOxwNTDDAy8cs9LWlkTaFpLArxVB-s_c7XA8cf9r44lGQrmiEZgcrXTUGq74Dq_AnUMPjQdmsIX27lxmRbGCq5M/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4KVM1XDtMolUX6lNNUl_XHzT2Qf-W4_qxprnyZFJ3oflR6qUT_M7HOxwNTDDAy8cs9LWlkTaFpLArxVB-s_c7XA8cf9r44lGQrmiEZgcrXTUGq74Dq_AnUMPjQdmsIX27lxmRbGCq5M/s640/IMG_2379.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jessie is very observant. She was pointing out the little details, and I loved that!!</td></tr>
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It was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the mountain air. We really enjoyed hanging out with them! </div>
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On Wednesday morning, we left Colorado Springs and headed towards Breckenridge. It just so happens that Breckenridge is one of my favorite little towns, and again, it holds a million memories for me. We decided to head up to Peak 8 at the Ski Resort. I'll also tell you that Breckenridge is my very favorite place to ski, but we don't ski there often because it's so expensive. </div>
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The gondola begins at the parking lot in downtown Breck. It's free, so we hopped on and rode to the top just to see what we could see.</div>
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We didn't stay up at the top very long, so we rode the gondola back down. Then we headed to the main street. We had already planned to treat ourselves to Starbucks drinks. Priorities, right?!<br />
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We also knew that we were going to eat at Downstairs at Eric's. That's our favorite restaurant to eat at, and it's such a fun atmosphere.<br />
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The town and the scenery are absolutely beautiful...no matter what time of year you visit!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmerp9gLS8RxsV-jeXfspr_Y_z2MuaLWrDym1-Hx3csVtfSdzP_coqZAPytYppB1EgYWY9Fy1epX322gCfb7uPYDrYNIub2HkvCBpFUAbYR9CAE-Ykjhz0Kt7jJKyUPWrAV6kftWV1o/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmerp9gLS8RxsV-jeXfspr_Y_z2MuaLWrDym1-Hx3csVtfSdzP_coqZAPytYppB1EgYWY9Fy1epX322gCfb7uPYDrYNIub2HkvCBpFUAbYR9CAE-Ykjhz0Kt7jJKyUPWrAV6kftWV1o/s640/IMG_2461.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I love how you can see the ski area in the background.</td></tr>
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We stayed in Frisco for the night...it's cheaper than Breckenridge and only a few miles down the road. It's easy access to I-70 as well.<br />
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The next day, we headed toward Estes Park. But there were several places we stopped along the way. Georgetown is one of our favorite quick spots to stop. It is the quaintest "village."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">It's a tradition to take a picture in the middle of the street each time we visit!</td></tr>
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We didn't really have plans on this trip. We had a loose itinerary, and we knew where we were staying each night. But we just stopped wherever we felt like it. So as we were driving the back roads to Estes Park, we stopped at a beautiful sightseeing pull off.</div>
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I had never really driven in the mountains before. The hairpin turns, the climb in elevation, the cars following too close for my comfort...that was all an adventure.</div>
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We kept traveling until we got to Winter Park. We had decided that we were going to go alpine sliding. I hadn't been since I was a kid, and we both think that Winter Park has better alpine sliding than Breck does. It was actually a little more expensive than we thought it was going to be. But hey! When at Winter Park...</div>
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We made it a challenge to see how many times we could get down the mountain to get our price per run at a reasonable number. We ended up going down 5 times before it started raining. We still had quite a bit of driving ahead of us, and we weren't sure we wanted to wait until they could get the track dry. So we ended up leaving. But it was such a fun experience!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">On the chair lift up!</td></tr>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IBTqyrEWpaQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBTqyrEWpaQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Here's a video of one of my runs! If you ever get the opportunity to go Alpine Sliding, you should! It's so much fun!<br />
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Tomorrow, I'll be sharing more about the second half of our trip!Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414074335640510180.post-87484487770785116992018-09-07T10:54:00.000-05:002019-01-05T11:03:17.214-06:00Helpful AppsIf you are planning any sort of trip such as this, I would love to share some of the apps that we used that were really helpful.<br />
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When planning the trip, we used Trip Advisor a lot! This helped us learn which hotels would be a good option for us, and it also helped us plan activities within each city/country.<br />
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Visit a City was helpful to us, but I didn't use it a ton.<br />
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In London, we found the Tube Map to be most helpful. This allowed us to figure out what line we were supposed to be on, where we needed to transfer, and how long it was going to take us to get there. It worked without data, which was the best part. However, there was some "real time" stuff available if you did have use of a cell phone plan.<br />
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I had downloaded Open Table because most of the hotels that offered Afternoon Tea hosted reservations there. In the end, we didn't need it.<br />
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The London Pass app was helpful in planning which things we wanted to see. But it also can host your pass there as well. We had the physical pass because we were uncertain of how often we would need to find wi-fi.<br />
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The Gatwick Express app was helpful for us in finding times that the trains ran to and from the airport. You can also purchase your tickets on the app as well.<br />
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In Paris, the Paris Metro app was most helpful for getting around the city. It also told us which line we would need to be on, when we would need to transfer, and how long it would take to get to our destination. We are both good at reading maps, so it helped to have a map of the transit of the city.<br />
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We used Google Translate for the majority of the trip. If we didn't know what a word was, we'd type it in the app and it would tell us. It would also tell us how to say English phrases in the language we needed. It worked offline, but if you are connected online, you can hear them read it back to you so you know how to pronounce it.<br />
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Pocket Maps is super helpful too. You can download maps of whatever city you need so you know where to go.<br />
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Rick Steves offers his audio guide on an app. If you're wanting to know more, he offers guides for almost anywhere!<br />
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The SBB app was helpful in Switzerland when we were trying to figure out which trains to be on. Unfortunately, we needed to be hooked up to wi-fi to use it. But we'd try to plan ahead and take screenshots of our routes that we needed.<br />
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There are a lot of apps out there that can be helpful. Find the ones you like and use them! These are the ones we found most helpful.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times";">Other Posts in this Series:</span><br />
<div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-night-in-venice.html">A Night in Venice</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-grand-plan.html">The Grand Plan</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/06/im-hoardera-points-hoarder.html">A Points Hoarder</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/06/youre-only-taking-backpacks.html">Backpacks</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/planning-planning-and-more-planning.html">Planning</a></div>
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-londonpart-one.html">London #1</a><br />
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-londonpart-two.html">London #2</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-londonpart-three.html">London #3</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-francepart-one.html">Paris #1</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-francepart-two.html">Paris #2</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-see-francepart-three.html">Paris #3</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/i-see-francepart-four.html">Paris #4</a></div>
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<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/switzerlandpart-one.html">Switzerland #1</a><br />
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/switzerlandpart-two.html">Switzerland #2</a><br />
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/switzerlandpart-three.html">Switzerland #3</a><br />
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/switzerlandpart-four.html">Switzerland #4</a><br />
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/venice.html">Venice</a><br />
<a href="https://bethbranstetter.blogspot.com/2018/09/i-see-londonagain.html">London...Again</a></div>
Beth Branstetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876631771401704113noreply@blogger.com0