A New Kind of Normal

What I Wore Wednesday

Jamee — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:36:42 +0000

I did really well for while keeping up with my What I Wore Wednesday posts but then surgery happened and I haven’t been able to get on the bandwagon since but as I mentioned in my latest favorite pins post, I really need this! My office has been relocated at work and now I seriously see no one except our maintenance guys so between that and feeling less than stellar about myself, I pretty much quit trying. So in efforts to reclaim myself, I’m going to work harder at taking the time to put outfits together because I need this.

I was able to snap pics of two outfits this week. Correction, I was able to get my husband to snap two pictures this week. He hates doing it but until I can convince him to get a full length mirror for our room, its how its got to work!

Outfit #1:

Dress: Old Navy

Demin Jacket & Necklace: Goody’s

Shoes: Yellowbox

Outfit #2:

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Ebay

I know neither outfit is super-exciting by any means but its a start! I love the potential of the striped dress from Old Navy. I’ve found myself trying to stick to more flowy tops and dresses in efforts to hide my weight gain but I definitely think its counterproductive and in reality making me look bigger. I am thinking that maybe adding a fun thick belt might be a way to add some pop and show that I actually do have a waist under there! Thoughts?

linking up with:

Sharing Our Spoons Week #2

Jamee — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:23 +0000

I cannot believe its week #2 of Sharing Our Spoons! I’m not sure about anyone else but the past week has seemed to both fly by and last forever! That ever happen to anyone else?

Here were my goals for the week:

Physical: cut back to 1 soda a day. Some people drink coffee, I would like a coke. Then its water.
Mental/Emotional: Start journaling. I need a place where I can write completely unfiltered.
Spiritual: Start a new devotional book – All I Need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans
Something fun: Get my nails done! My anxiety has really done a number on my nails so I’m treating myself to a manicure!
BONUS: Get back into climbing shape by starting the pushups challenge and walking a minimum of 3x week.

How I did:

Eh. Not too proud of week 1. Its always my nature to beat myself up for it but the purpose of the group is to be able to say “Ok, I didn’t reach my goals this week but this a new week and I have the CHOICE to make this week different.” So I’m totally game for kicking butt the next 7 days & here’s my game plan:

I found this on pinterest but of course it links to nowhere so if anyone knows the original source, please let me know! Definitely plan on using this method to help goal #1!

To get a jumpstart on goals #2 & #3, I got a pretty journal to start writing in and have put my book next to my bed! Twitter will be turned off and my phone put down when I climb into bed until both my reading and journaling are done!

I actually did #4! I didn’t get them professionally done between the shuffling back and forth to the doctor on my lunch breaks but I did take some time this weekend to do an at-home mani & pedi!

I also downloaded the pushup challenge app to keep me going!

How was your week? Be sure to link up your post! To chat throughout the week, use the hashtag #sos! Also something to consider for the future – weekly chat session? Yes/no/maybe?

thankful for ALL the women in my life

Jamee — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:28:06 +0000

Once you travel the road of infertility and adoption, Mother’s Day changes for you. Not that you are no longer faithful for your mother but for some, it seems to be one day where you feel like you are wearing a scarlet IF on your shirt. You are surrounding by women celebrating the honor of being a mom while you patiently (or not-so-patiently) wait for your chance. Just three years ago, I spent the church service crying in the bathroom wondering if I was ever going to get that chance.

So today I would like to say thank you and celebrate ALL the amazing women in my life! I am incredibly blessed to have a mom that is also my best friend.

A sister who, through all the twists and turns of life, is always there for me.

Strong women of faith in my family who have served as role models throughout my life.

Sisters in Christ who have lifted me up in prayer so many times and have been there through each surgery and treatment with a word of encouragement and a hug.

Bloggy friends who have become IRL friends and though miles separate us, there is a bond so strong that it feels like they are just down the street.

For each and every one of you, I am thankful!

source

Abby’s Two Moms

Jamee — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:00:44 +0000

In many households, Mother’s Day includes breakfast in bed, flowers, and maybe a gift or two. Not that any of those things won’t be happening in our household (hint, hint, hint) but I cannot celebrate the joy of being Abby’s mother without first acknowledging her birthmother, L. I cannot celebrate my love and joy without taking a moment to pause and know that when her children wish her “Happy Mother’s Day!” tomorrow that one child she carried for nine months will not be there. Even as we try to celebrate the miracle of adoption each and every day, it can be easy to overlook the pain that accompanies the beauty.

So right now I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to L! She is an amazing woman who loves her children, all of them, and it was through our adoption journey together that I was able to see selfless love played out firsthand. The choice that a birthmother makes to place her child to allow him or her to have a better life is the most selfless thing a person can do, placing all needs before her own. I cannot imagine the difficulty in making such a decision and am in awe of her strength and courage to do so. Without her, I would not have the opportunity and the privilege of celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Thank you, L, for everything. We love you and pray for you daily!

In honor of L, I want to share this beautiful video called The Agape Project:

For more about the Agape Project click here!

This is one of my favorite adoption poems and have included it in Abby’s lifebook:

Once there were two expectant mothers.
One carried and cared for you beneath her beating heart
She became your Birthmother.
The other carried the hope of you within her.
She became your Mom.

As the days passed, and you grew bigger and stronger,
Your Birthmother knew that she could not give you all you needed after your birth.
Meanwhile, your Mom was ready and waiting for you.

One day your Birthmom and your Mom found each other.

They looked into each others eyes and saw a friend.
Your Birthmom saw the life your Mom could give you.
Your Mom saw how much your Birthmom loved and cared for you.

They decided that what you needed was both kinds of love in your life.

So now you have two families,
One by birth, the other by adoption.

And you have a home where you can get:
your questions answered,
your boo boos bandaged,
your heartaches soothed,
And much needed hugs.

And a place where you can find:
answers to your questions,
your image in the mirror,
a part of yourself,
And much needed hugs.

Two different kinds of families
Two different kinds of love
Both a part of you.

Source

A Blessing In Disguise

A Few of My Favorite Pins

Jamee — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:48 +0000

With bouncing between so many doctors appointments the last week or two, I have had a hard time feeling pretty. Its been more of a blah. So I decided to do what every girl should do: 1- Vow to get back to linking up with What I Wore Wednesday and take more initiative to spend a little more time putting together outfits that make me feel better about myself; and 2- Logged onto Pinterest.

Here are a few of some of my favorite things that caught my eye this week:

source: polyvore.com via Accessory on Pinterest

I sorta have a thing for the chevron pattern these days so that matched with my love of skirts in warm weather makes me adore this outfit! I love the boho-chic accessories and the pop of green as well! I wish I had the hair too!

source: polyvore.com via Tyra D on PinterestLove the mix of colors in this one! I love gray and yellow and while I’m usually not a fan of navy, I really like it in this combo!

source: polyvore.com via Megan N on Pinterest

The only thing I would change about this outfit would be that the shorts would need to be longer! I would be quick to throw on flip-flops with these but I love the show they have paired with it!

source: nailstah via Shell Things on Pinterest

This polish would look great the the outfit pictured above! White and turquoise just screams summer to me! Anyone else?

source: lindseyholder.com via Jamee M on Pinterest

These short hair tips are getting my through my frustrating awkward-in-between-want-to-chop-off-all-my-hair stage! Need to stick to my guns for my bucket list!

What are some of your favorite things you’ve pinned this week?

Sharing Our Spoons Week #1

Jamee — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:11:33 +0000

“Sharing Our Spoons” will be a weekly link-up where you are able to find support and encouragement to focus on your entire health. Not just physical but all of you. For this link-up you will be able to choose holistic goals to help you achieve optimal health. The five goals include:

Physical: could be weight loss or exercise related or it could be goals like eating more veggies or cutting soda
Mental/Emotional: take a day to be alone, write a letter, paint, etc
Spiritual: start a new devotional book, commit a certain amount of time a day for prayer/meditation
Something fun: Take time to treat yourself – maybe a pedicure or Starbucks (if you don’t typically splurge for specialty coffee)
BONUS: One thing to get you out of your comfort zone a week – try something new, sign up for a class you maybe have been putting off.

Welcome to our first week of Sharing Our Spoons! So excited to be linking up this week with our first set of goals! Draw up your post with your initial set of goals and link your post up using the linky tool! Next week, we will share how we did with our goals for the week as well as change any goals as needed! Cannot wait to visit all your posts!

My Goals:

Physical: cut back to 1 soda a day. Some people drink coffee, I would like a coke. Then its water.
Mental/Emotional: Start journaling. I need a place where I can write completely unfiltered.
Spiritual: Start a new devotional book – All I Need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans
Something fun: Get my nails done! My anxiety has really done a number on my nails so I’m treating myself to a manicure!
BONUS: One thing to get you out of your comfort zone a week. I love climbing and I miss it. Its been seven years since I climbed regularly and I’ve just figured I never would climb again but I’ve decided, daggonit, that I can and will climb. Our local Y has an indoor climbing wall (and the university is getting ready to install one as well) and it will be much more feasible for me to be able to climb inside. I’m not talking crazy hard routes where I have to hang from 2 fingers or anything – I’m not in complete denial! LOL! But I want to build up my physical activity to where in a month I would feel comfortable giving a beginner’s route a shot! So this week I’m going to try to walk at least 3 times this week and start the push-ups challenge!

Last Week’s Winners:

Premade Blog Template – Mamie
Fingerless Gloves by CC Almon – Untypically Jia
Pitter Pat Gift Certificate – Anna

You will be emailed today!

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Abby’s Party Day

Jamee — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:35:10 +0000

Abby had really been looking forward to her birthday party. I had really been looking forward to her birthday party. This was the first year that she actually realized what a birthday was and what the party was about so she was really, really looking forward to it. She wanted a Tangled party so that is what we set out to do! I scoured Pinterest for ideas. We invited her friends from school and church.

Then last weekend happened and as much as I tried to fight it, we realized that a big party would not have been in the best interest for anyone. I cried and felt so guilty. I felt like a failure as a mom and worried that Abby would be so mad.

made the call to cancel her party but still have our family come to town and have a more-laid back gathering at our house.

Saturday morning came and I honestly don’t think Abby even noticed the difference. My parents, sister, and niece came down from Virginia for the weekend and John’s parents and brother came in from two hours away. It was an amazing day. To save on stress, we ordered a deli tray and a fruit tray but I made gluten-free cupcakes which turned out delicious!

I had worried that not having a big party would be sad for Abby but when I look at these pictures, I think we made the right decision:

My lesson from the weekend: Cut myself some slack. Its not the frills of the celebration that make the best memories – its the family.

Fresh Start

Jamee — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:41:27 +0000

My marathon of bowel preps is now over. Thank you Jesus! It definitely wasn’t my first rodeo as I’ve definitely known how to survive a bowel prep but being that a colonoscopy wasn’t waiting at the end made it quite different.

I would like to know who gets hired to write the labels for bowel prep kits. My BFF Mamie and I were joking on Twitter about some of the descriptions. This week’s bottle read “sparkling saline laxative” as if using the word “sparkling” would make it easier to drink. Mamie’s favorite was the brand “Go-Litely” which should have been retitled, “Go-all-day-and-all-nightly.” I think the one that really takes the cake are the barium shakes you have to drink before CT scan or upper GI which kindly read, “Pleasantly Flavored.” Whoever the jerk is that wrote that I would LOVE to treat him or her to three or four bottles and see how pleasant they find it.

But I digress.

Lately its been no secret that I haven’t been happy with my body. I busted tail in 2010 to lose close to 40 pounds. I was so proud of myself and definitely felt confident about my body for the first time in a long time.

Then 2011 happened.

It was not a good year. Pain seemed to escalate throughout the year regardless of any type of intervention we tried. Surgery did not even provide relief as we would have hoped and let’s not get started on the megace treatment.

Between the pain, inactivity, and treatments, it kills me to say that all of the weight I lost is now back and its a struggle to not hate myself for it.

So with this week’s cleanse, I’ve decided to make something positive out of it and use this as an opportunity to have a fresh start and start to make better choices about what I put in my body. The timing of the kickoff of Sharing Our Spoons is great as I’m really looking forward to having the accountability and support of some amazing ladies on this journey to regain control of my body or maybe re-lose would be the better way to think.

Either way, I’m ready to go. I just signed up for a six-month meal planning service to help me plan healthy, gluten-free and kid-friendly meals in advance instead of showing up at the house every day after work and having John and I ask each other, “What do you want to do for dinner?’ Menu planning will commence tonight and grocery shopping will take place this weekend to help us get off on the right foot!

I feel super-charged already just putting this all in writing! Who’s with me?

*P.S. The giveaways associated with the Sharing Our Spoons kick-off will run through the weekend & winners will be drawn Monday so be sure to check it out!*

{review} – Fresh Produce Clothing

My Hospital Saga – Part 2

Jamee — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:51:24 +0000

Yesterday I headed to Charlotte with my husband for my follow-up visit with my gastroenterologist after my weekend trip to the ER. I wasn’t able to see my primary GI doctor because they wanted me to get in as soon as possible so my appointment was set up with one of his associates so I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

Right off the bat, they ruled out pancreatitis. While I had slightly elevated levels, it was nothing close to what would indicate pancreatitis so we were able to mark that off the list. We next did a brief overview of my medical history. He immediately apologized when I told him about my journey with endo. He said that endometriosis is like the black plague for women. I have never heard a better description. That man deserves a medal.

We went over the blood work taken at the ER and compared it to my blood work done at my previous visit. My liver enzymes are a little up but not anything crazy – just something to keep an eye on. He sent me for more blood work as well as an abdominal xray and then met me back in the office. At my latest EGD, they discovered my gastroparesis. After confirming with the xray, it seems that its not only my stomach that is paralyzed but pretty much my entire GI system. This coupled with existing chronic pelvic pain (endo/adhestions/etc) was probably the source of my severe abdominal pain.

So the plan is to attempt to jump start my GI system with back-to-back bowel preps (I started the 2nd this morning). I will also start a new medicine that will try to help stimulate my system which will help the gastroparesis as well. We also dropped to the two new medications I started last week as they were likely adding to the irritation. Not sure what that will mean for my pain levels but hopefully once things get moving again I will notice a big difference!

Sharing Our Spoons Kickoff! Closed

Jamee — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:40:12 +0000

The day is finally here to kick off the new Sharing Our Spoons campaign! You may have read some of the background on the Sharing Our Spoons page but in case you missed it, the idea for this campaign came to me after I noticed just how important the online community has been for fighting my illnesses as well as for health/weight-loss. I wanted to see what would happen if we combined the two and after getting come feedback, Sharing Our Spoons was born!

“Sharing Our Spoons” will be a weekly link-up where you are able to find support and encouragement to focus on your entire health. Not just physical but all of you. For this link-up you will be able to choose holistic goals to help you achieve optimal health. The five goals include:

Physical: could be weight loss or exercise related or it could be goals like eating more veggies or cutting soda
Mental/Emotional: take a day to be alone, write a letter, paint, etc
Spiritual: start a new devotional book, commit a certain amount of time a day for prayer/meditation
Something fun: Take time to treat yourself – maybe a pedicure or Starbucks (if you don’t typically splurge for specialty coffee)
BONUS: One thing to get you out of your comfort zone a week – try something new, sign up for a class you maybe have been putting off.

Get your thinking caps on to select what your first set of goals will be & you can share next week for our first official link-up!

In the meantime, add your blog url to the link up list so we can pay each other a visit this week!

Also, what fun would a kick-off be without some giveaways? How about 3? The kick-off giveaways include:

A free pre-made blog template by the amazing April of CreativeGirlMedia

April is the design genius behind the most recent makeover of A New Kind of Normal as well as previous make-overs! She is amazingly talented & a great girl all the way around!

A fabulous pair of fingerless gloves by the amazing C.C. Almon

CC Almon is a fellow spoonie and a totally gifted knitter! I received a pair of these gloves of my own and love them! Abby got a pair as well for her birthday! CC is an amazing friend and supporter and if you haven’t had the blessing of meeting her before now hopefully you will have the chance to throughout Sharing Our Spoons!

A $10 Gift Certificate to The Pitter Pat Boutique

I have known Emmylou, the owner of The Pitter Pat Boutique, for several years and am so thankful that our paths crossed when they did! She has recently opened up her boutique and I have been a frequent shopper and all of her designs and products are amazing! I know you will fall in love with The Pitter Pat Boutique like I have!

So to enter the giveaways, all you have to do is leave a comment finishing this statement – I WANT TO SHARE MY SPOONS BECAUSE…

And that’s it!

Just to be clear, to be entered for the giveaways, leave a comment. If you want to visit and meet participants as well as have others visit you, be sure to link up your blog using the linky tool below! Be sure to grab a badge as well! If you are twitter and want to chat, you can use hashtag #soskickoff!