tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52474287192297490472024-03-04T20:10:17.990-08:00Adkins Highlight REALAdkinshighlightREALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13327854789612806016noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-53126789321562639232020-02-18T13:31:00.000-08:002020-02-18T13:31:01.815-08:00Episode 22: The Coffee Bean with Damon West<br />
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This week's podcast episode is INCREDIBLE. We had the opportunity to interview the formerly known "Uptown Burglar," who was sentenced to LIFE in prison. Damon West is now a best-selling author and motivational speaker. How does that even happen?! His story is so inspiring, his perspective on life is transformative, and after you finish this podcast we know you're going to leave feeling impacted and compelled to live the life you're called to.<br />
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<u>You can find him at:</u><br />
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Instagram: @domanwest7<br />
www.facebook.com/damonjosephwest<br />
Twitter: @damonwest7<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />AdkinshighlightREALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13327854789612806016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-20554862735185625742020-01-30T07:45:00.001-08:002020-01-30T07:45:41.639-08:00Episode 20: Purpose is Something Bigger than Yourself with Clare Smith<br />
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Clare Smith is a multi-passionate woman of God, and we are so excited that we had the opportunity to chat with her. From working in corporate America to being a writer for/friend of Candace Cameron Bure to being a stay at home mom...it's safe to say that Clare has done A LOT, but the most important thing that she has done is remain true to living out God's will for her life. This episode is full of insight and wisdom, and we know you guys are going to walk away feeling inspired. Enjoy!!<br />
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You Can Listen to the Podcast Below:<br />
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<iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/12911330/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" height="360" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
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Find Clare at:<br />
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@ClareSmithOfficial<br />
Blog: ClareSmith.me<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />AdkinshighlightREALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13327854789612806016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-56462206061422586432020-01-21T08:10:00.001-08:002020-01-21T08:10:48.717-08:00Episode 19: Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable with Ezra Gentle<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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Show Notes: Ezra is a serial entrepreneur who works in the film industry in Los Angeles, CA. In this episode, we talk about going against the status quo, and the tenacity that it takes to go after your dreams. Ezra is super cool and down to earth, and he shares some great wisdom, awesome stories, and some tactical advice for anyone who may be interested in pursuing a career in the film industry! Whether you do or don’t have the desire to pursue a career in this field, this episode is a must-listen!<br />
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You can listen to the episode here:<br />
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<u><b><br /></b></u> <u><b>You can find Ezra at:</b></u></div>
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Instagram - @EzraGentle</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Wedding Film Company - </span><a href="http://gentlycraftedfilms.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;">gentlycraftedfilms.com</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"> // @gentlycraftedfilms </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Business Videos - </span><a href="http://skiprocksproductions.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Skiprocksproductions.com</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"> // </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">@skiprocksproductions </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Desert Dreams Movie - </span><a href="http://desertdreamsmovie.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;">DesertDreamsMovie.com</a> // <span style="font-family: "helvetica";">@desertdreamsmovie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Personal website is coming soon at </span><a href="http://ezragentle.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ezragentle.com</a><br />
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Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts! Also, if you leave a comment review, you will be entered into our monthly drawing where we give away all different types of goodies on the 1st of every month! Anytime you share our podcasts and tag us on social media, that counts as an extra extry!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />AdkinshighlightREALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13327854789612806016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-74175809895092134982019-11-19T05:42:00.002-08:002019-11-19T05:42:41.998-08:00Episode 15: Trust the Process with Whitney Fenimore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whitney Fenimore is an amazingly talented musician who currently resides in Nashville, and we were so excited to have the chance to chat with her about pursuing a career in music! Whitney was actually a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” So, in addition to everything we covered regarding purpose, we were also able to talk to her about her experience on national television. This is an episode you aren’t going to want to miss! <br />
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<iframe style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/12088139/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" height="360" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
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You can find Whitney on Instagram <a class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/whitneyfenimore/">@whitneyfenimore</a></div>
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Links:</div>
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<a class="" href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/highs-lows-ep/1478817064">EP: Highs and Lows on Apple Music</a></div>
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<a class="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6259OJdHQBvqRkSiHxovxM?si=fdeRP2ycRwiKbJoYpdj6HA">EP: Highs and Lows on Spotify</a></div>
<a class="" href="https://youtu.be/eMQAHrNTLzI" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Find Your Love Music Video on Youtube</a> </div>
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Until Next Time!</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />AdkinshighlightREALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13327854789612806016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-44617902480701515752019-11-04T07:48:00.003-08:002019-11-04T10:16:26.496-08:00Episode 13: YOU Have a Purpose in Every Season!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tpy8dlARuVJE7NtsungH3ZaFII9_7tiwGK5colyNFVzPlayoD3GHrHShaXdv8El0wUxQRArdWPpgbBOe7UYwI7arcObR7N-IXubR0GB4yZ_8l9TIy561Tnmm83Dufzh0Kr-FgeRNBNs/s1600/Episode+12+with+Sarah+Brooks-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tpy8dlARuVJE7NtsungH3ZaFII9_7tiwGK5colyNFVzPlayoD3GHrHShaXdv8El0wUxQRArdWPpgbBOe7UYwI7arcObR7N-IXubR0GB4yZ_8l9TIy561Tnmm83Dufzh0Kr-FgeRNBNs/s640/Episode+12+with+Sarah+Brooks-2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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In this episode, we got to sit down and chat with the lovely Sarah Brooks! Sarah is a pastor's wife, a mom to FIVE beautiful babies, and a Beachbody coach! My favorite thing about Sarah though is that she is totally and completely REAL. I found her page on Instagram about four years back and was immediately drawn to her because of her honesty and transparency.<br />
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Over the last four years, I have seen her fearlessly live her purpose through every season that life brings by pouring her heart into others both inside and outside of her home. It's been amazing to see her bravely step into what God has called her to do---no matter what God calls her to do---as both a mom and a coach. Not only has she encouraged me by sharing her journey, but it's been such a blessing to see her family grow, her team grow, and the fruits of her labor blossom as she presses on each day to live the life that God has called her to.<br />
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In doing that, she has encouraged me to do the same, and I have a feeling you will find that encouragement here today too.<br />
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We hope you enjoy this weeks episode as much as we did! If you're looking for some inspiration and positivity, check out Sarah's page and everything she has to offer! She is an absolute gem!<br />
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Links:<br />
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-Instagram: @Sarahbrooks7<br />
-Email: <a href="mailto:coachsarahbrooks7@gmail.com" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">coachsarahbrooks7@gmail.com</a><br />
-Interested in becoming a part of Sarah's Team? Click <a href="https://forms.gle/vUPqZTfVKKrTAjM87" target="_blank">Here</a><br />
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-<a href="https://amzn.to/33aAlKp" target="_blank">100 Days to Brave</a><br />
-Listen to this weeks episode<br />
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Subscribe to our mailing list to get the podcasts emailed directly to you each week! All of our subscribers are also the first to be entered into our give aways each month!!<br />
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Until Next Time!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-8260333832563225972019-10-30T16:04:00.001-07:002019-11-04T07:52:46.567-08:00Episode 12: Marriage Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Does anyone elses husband have an internal alarm that dings for them to shave their entire body in the bathroom sink seconds after you've cleaned it?<br />
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How about a wife that leaves the bathroom door open when she's using it?<br />
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NO?! Just us?!<br />
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Well this is embarassing...<br />
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Over the last seven years, we have had plenty of ups and downs, but just like every other AHR topic, we want to shed light on the "downs" because no matter how perfect the relationship, one thing is guaranteed...hard times will come. While the little things above definitely do have the ability to become the "big things," we are going to talk about some of our more serious struggles in hopes to encourage you all to know you aren't alone!<br />
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There are <b>plenty </b>of relationships out there that talk about their cinderella stories, and quite frankly, we've had enough with the fluff. If you're constantly comparing your HighlightREAL to someone elses HighlightREEL, it's easy to feel like a failure and want to throw in the towel, but here's the truth:<br />
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We ALL struggle.<br />
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Relationships can be HARD! That doesn't mean you are destined for failure, and you are definitely not alone!<br />
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We hope you find this episode encouraging. It's not easy to talk about the hard stuff, and we <i style="font-weight: bold;">certainly </i>are not experts, but we believe there is so much power in pulling the curtains back and taking down the picture perfect ideal every now and again.<br />
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We are learning and growing every day. We know we arent perfect....but one thing is for sure...we are in this for the long haul...messiness and all.<br />
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Don't let imperfection make you feel like a failure.</div>
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Don't be discouraged if you face tough times. </div>
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Marriage is so beautiful, but it's also really stinkin' hard somettimes.</div>
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<i>You are not alone.</i></div>
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God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses, and he can do some pretty cool things with a messy story.<br />
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That being said, here are some lessons that we have learned and touch on in this week's podcast:<br />
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<b><u>1.) Love is a choice, not a feeling</u></b><br />
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<b><u>2.) Be a team against the trial</u></b><br />
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<b><u>3.) If you're not progressing in your marriage, you're going to go backwards</u></b><br />
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<b><u>Listen to this week's episode to hear us elaborate, and maybe even hear some advice from other marriages that we deeply admire!!!</u></b><br />
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Here are some of our favorite marriage resources:</u><br />
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-<a href="https://amzn.to/2BLu8Zr" target="_blank">The Five Love Languages</a><br />
-<a href="https://amzn.to/2BRBWJc" target="_blank">The Love Dare</a><br />
-<a href="https://amzn.to/2Nmk3aq" target="_blank">Real Marriage Book</a><br />
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You can listen to this week's podcast here:
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Thanks for listening, and being a part of our community!!<br />
<br />
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the podcasts emailed directly to you each week! All of our subscribers are also the first to be entered into our give aways each month!!<br />
<br />
We appreciate every single one of you!<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-84132498980581166252019-10-22T05:54:00.003-07:002019-11-04T07:53:51.475-08:00Episode 11: Leaving Behind a Victim Mindset to Live a Life of Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with the one and only Sarah Sliman!<br />
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Corey and I absolutley adore Sarah and everything she stands for, and we have a feeling that after listening to this week's podcast, you will too!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/11729150/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe>
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Sarah is a fitness guru, personal trainer, and speaking from experience, an absolutely amazing health coach---but that wasn't always her story.<br />
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-sarah-sliman-from-victim-to-victor-in-the-making/id1470339924?i=1000454373286" target="_blank">In this podcast</a>, we get to hear her talk all about how she got to where she is now.<br />
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Spoiler alert: It took her learning to leave behind a victim state of mind, and choosing to use her struggles as a catalyst to help others. If staying stuck in victim mode (guilty) is something you struggle with, you have to take a listen!<br />
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During her story, we covered everything from the struggle of comparison and feelings of not being enough to getting rid of the stigma around fitness culture.<br />
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I dont want to give too much away in this post because the podcast was <i style="font-weight: bold;">that good </i>and I want to encourage you guys to listen to it! Sarah's story is an awesome one that I think many will relate to. She is honestly one of our favorite people in the fitness industry and it's because of the path and mission she has chosen for herself and her business.<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/11-sarah-sliman-from-victim-to-victor-in-the-making/id1470339924?i=1000454373286" target="_blank">Take a listen! You wont regret it.</a></i></b><br />
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<u>In this episode we touched on:</u><br />
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-The struggle with comparison and feelings of not being enough<br />
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-How food restriction and body image used to control Sarah's life and how she began to overcome that<br />
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- Realizing that remaining in a victim state of mind was making her powerless<br />
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-How to be able to discern when a door is closing on your journey, and having the faith to take a leap into the next journey.<br />
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-What to do if you know what your purpose is but you're afraid to step into it, and what to do if you have no idea what your purpose is at all!<br />
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-Getting rid of the stigma around fitness culture and the idea that it's all about aesthetics<br />
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You can find Sarah:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahcatherinesliman/" target="_blank">On her Instagram</a><br />
<a href="https://espresso-state-of-mind.webnode.com/" target="_blank">On her blog</a><br />
For additional Power Group information, feel free to message her on Instagram!<br />
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Finally, we just want to let you know that we typically do a give away on the first of every month, and anyone that leaves a comment review on our podcast is entered to win. This month we are doing things a bit differently, and you dont want to miss it!<br />
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Instead of a gift card, the winner in this month's drawing will be getting a month of Sarah's Power group paid by us! This is not something you want to miss out on. Her Power Groups are basically the most economical and convenient version of personal training, and they are worth every penny!<br />
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There are three ways to enter the drawing:<br />
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1.) Leave a comment review on our podcast on the Apple Podcasts App<br />
2.) Share this week's episode to your social media<br />
3.) Listen to this week's episode!!!!<br />
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If you do all three, that equals three entries into the drawing.<br />
<br />
All you have to do to let us know you entered is send us a direct message on Instagram or Facebook telling us which entry options you did.<br />
<br />
Let us know how AHR is benefitting you, or what we can do to improve! This journey is all about growth and building a community of others that want to do the same!<br />
<br />
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the podcasts emailed directly to you each week! All of our subscribers are also the first to be entered into our give aways each month!!<br />
<br />
We truly appreciate you guys so much!<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-583360985633548742019-10-15T09:00:00.001-07:002019-11-04T07:54:25.152-08:00Episode 10: October Life Updates, Debt Updates, and Lessons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As time goes on and The Adkins HighlightREAL evolves, we have decided to give our updates less frequently in the form of a podcast. We are thinking the updates will be every month or every other month for those of you who have been following along on our journey of debt pay off, apartment living, healthy lifestyles and more!<br />
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That being said, this podcast covers all of the above and the lessons that we are learning along the way!<br />
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So here we go!<br />
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<b>Apartment Living</b><br />
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Aside from the fact that Corey may need to go to counseling due to our bedroom being "stuffy" and him losing a bit of space because we shifted our bed, it's going great!<br />
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Seriously though, we have adjusted really well, and while there are many skeptics when it comes to the amount of space, we have grown to love it. The benefits of a low maintenance home WAY outweigh the limited amount of space.<br />
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In this season, we know we are right where we need to be, and we are thankful we followed our guts and not the need to impress or have some type of status by having a home.<br />
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adkins-highlight-real/id1470339924" target="_blank">Check out this week's episode</a> to hear more about our discoveries and benefits of apartment life!<br />
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<b>Health and Fitness</b><br />
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You can't be winning in all areas of life at the same time, all the time, right?!<br />
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As you guys know, Spetember was a bit of a rough month for us due to a family tragedy. We aren't robots, and the focus of AHR is to be REAL. With that being said, our priorities shifted during this tough time, and our health and fitness goals kind of fell to the wayside.
That being said, we are not giving up on our health and fitness. There are times where grace and rest are needed, but we are ready to pick up where we left off.<br />
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Let this be an encouragement to you to give yourself grace when rough patches come. Health and fitness is a way to take care of your body, not punish it. When life gets crazy, be okay with rolling with the punches. And when it's time to get back to it, give yourself the tough love that you need and get back to work!<br />
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Listen to the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adkins-highlight-real/id1470339924" target="_blank">podcast episode</a> to hear what our game plan will be going forward.<br />
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<b>Debt Payoff</b><br />
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You guys----WE FINALLY MADE PROGRESS ON OUR DEBT JOURNEY!!!<br />
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Since August, we went from<br />
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$124,171.51 to $118,731.58<br />
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So, we are DOWN (finally) $5,439.93!!<br />
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In this portion of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adkins-highlight-real/id1470339924" target="_blank">podcast</a>, we discuss what we did to make that happen.<br />
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Disclaimer: What we did to make this happen is NOT what we recommend to you. If you have a discussion and determine a similar approach is what works for you, great, but don't take our words for it!<br />
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We are not financial advisors or professionals, but after a lot of discussion and prayer, this approach was what was best for us at this time.
If you want <i>actual advice</i> from <i>actual professionals</i>--a really good place to start is in this book below.<br />
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We have read it and applied it in the past. We are using Dave's debt snowball approach, and putting much of what he says into practice. He has classes and podcasts as well.<br />
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We highly recommend him!<br />
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-<a href="https://amzn.to/2IPwABW">The Total Money Makeover</a><br />
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-<a href="https://amzn.to/2ITPasH">The Total Money Makeover Workbook</a><br />
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<b>Life Lessons</b><br />
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We love doing this podcast because it excites us to have a recording of our journey that we can reflect on. We are doing our absolute best at living lives of intention. With that, we really try to embrace whatever we are going through and figure out what God is trying to teach us in each season.<br />
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I am going to give you the titles of the lessons here, but if you want to hear us elaborate on them or get the specifics of what we are learning, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adkins-highlight-real/id1470339924" target="_blank">listen to this week's podcast</a>!<br />
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1.)Pray, perservere, and trust in God's plan<br />
2.)Practice humility and let go of pride<br />
3.)Learn to be joyful in the season you are in<br />
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We love and appreciate all of you guys! Sharing this journey has been so fun, and it's really helped to keep us accountable! Thank you for all of the encouragement! We hope you are getting as much out of this journey as we are. As a token of our appreciation, we do a drawing on the 1st of every month.<br />
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Anyone that leaves a comment review on our podcast on the Itunes Podcast app is entered to win. Please leave a comment for your chance to win!<br />
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Until Next Time!<br />
<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-59988905669277263542019-10-07T16:52:00.000-07:002019-11-04T07:54:35.421-08:00Episode 9: Do We All Have a Purpose?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For a good part of my life, I struggled with the answer to this question.<br />
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I mean, I knew that the quick and easy answer would always be, "Yes" however, if that was the truth, why did it seem to be such a struggle to discover what my purpose was?<br />
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Finding the truths behind this question were and still are a big part of why The Adkins Highlight REAL was born.<br />
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I still can't say I have this concrete answer for what my purpose is, but what I have discovered is that's ok, and I want you to know that too.<br />
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Every day Corey and I are uncovering more answers on this journey, and this podcast is all about our updates, discoveries, and outlook on how each and everyone has a place <i>and a purpose </i>in this world.<br />
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So what's the answer to the question, "Do we all have a purpose?"<br />
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Here's our answer:<br />
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<b><u>If you woke up today you have a purpose.</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b> And that's a message that we are passionate about getting out to everyone we possibly can. We know life can be heavy, dark, depressing, confusing, difficult, etc.<br />
<br />
But you are here.<br />
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<i><b>And you are here for a reason.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i> Even if you don't know what that reason is yet.<br />
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You can listen to this week's podcast below:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/11553302/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span> <u>In this podcast we reference:</u><br />
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-The amazing movie titled <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/35gmL9S" target="_blank">Mr. Hollands Opus</a></u></span>. Click the link to get it on Amazon. It's has become one of my favorite movies because of the message it sends. I linked it here on Amazon, and you can rent it for $3.99!<br />
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-1 Corinthians Chapter 12 More specifically, verses 12-27, but the entire chapter is really good. I reference this verse often, and it has really helped me find peace when I feel like an outcast. To be honest, the inspiration for the interview portion of our podcast stemmed from this very passage. It's a good one!<br />
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-Romans Chapter 12 is another amazing passage. It's been a great reminder for me to submit each day to God, rather than to my own agenda. For a control freak like me, this can be really hard, but it's brought peace to me on the cloudy days knowing that when I give my life over to God, I can trust that He will direct my path. <b>He has a plan for each and every one of our lives. We simply need to walk with Him to uncover those plans.</b><br />
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-The Bible that I use is <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2MmpkOT" target="_blank">The Jeremiah Study Bible</a></span></u>, and I absolutely LOVE it! I tend to be a bible hoarder. I get bored with my bible and start looking for something fresh and new just about every year. A few years ago, I was looking for a new Bible, and my grandfather got this one for me, and it's really the only one I use now. The bottom half of the page is an explanation of the scripture. I reference this often when I am not very clear on how to interpret the verse I am reading.<br />
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-The link to the book that Corey referenced is <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://amzn.to/30QhbaF" target="_blank">Found: God's Will by John Macarthur.</a></span></u><br />
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- <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/2IwYenf" target="_blank">Better Dad's Stronger Sons</a></u></span> is the other book that Corey referenced. I have not personally read it, however, I have witnessed the impact that it made on Corey. It was the first book that he picked up in years, and it really helped him become the father God created him to be and got him into reading.<br />
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We love and appreciate all of you! We have really enjoyed sharing our journey with you guys, and hope it is making an impact. Please share our podcast with a friend or two because the most amazing thing to us would be to help and encourage as many people as possible.<br />
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Life absolutely can be hard, but it can also be really beautiful, and we just want to build a community of people to do REAL life with.<br />
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Until next time!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-53187060535211622832019-10-01T10:20:00.004-07:002019-11-04T07:55:00.948-08:00Episode 8: Sometimes Your Struggles Become the Catalyst to Your Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In this podcast I had the amazing opportunity to interview my dear friend Keisha Montfleury.<br />
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In life we all face dark seasons, and Keisha was no different. Keisha faced an uhealthy relationship due to addiction and despite her best efforts, divorce ended up being part of her story. While none of us ever wish to go through that type of struggle, some of us do. It's what we choose to do with the circumstances in front of us that can shape the rest of our lives though.<br />
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What I love most about Keisha is that she took that difficult season head on, and rather than using it as an excuse, she chose to learn from it and use it as fuel to help others to attain the tools necessary to prevent similar situations.<br />
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Keisha talks about how she could have easily chosen to fail and fall into victim mode of being a single mom on one income. Instead though, she chose to embrace her circumstances, reflect on her choices, and grow. She then felt called to teach other young women the tools that they would need to avoid walking down a similar path. She took her most painful struggles, and used them to change the lives of others.<br />
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Keisha now has a thriving business as a confidence coach for women. She helps young women all over southern California by putting on seminars, speaking at events, and writing books to help them become the empowered women that God has intended them to be.<br />
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You can listen to the full podcast here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/11469842/height/360/theme/legacy/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-adkins-highlight-real/id1470339924#episodeGuid=b3f5b2014dd14b2a9c9dbf48ac62feed" target="_blank">Podcast on Itunes</a></span></span><br />
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<b><u>My take aways from this podcast:</u></b><br />
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-Sometimes God gives us struggles and the things we are most ashamed of to help others and use them for His Glory. <i>Embrace the struggles, we all have them.</i><br />
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<i>-</i>Not all of us were created to follow the path that culture has created for us. <i>If you are unfulfilled, cling to God's word and His truths. We all have an identity in the body of Christ, and those identities are not all the same. <b>Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31</b></i><br />
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<i>-</i>If you are feeling frustrated because God is not showing you the whole picture, remember he wants you to trust in Him. <i>Take one step at a time and walk in God's will. </i><b><i>Proverbs 3:5-6</i></b><br />
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<b>-</b>Don't think that just because you have discovered your purpose, life is going to be easy. Taking hardships as a sign that you need to change you course is a mistake. The bible even says that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion just waiting to destroy us. <b><i>1 Peter 5:8</i></b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">-</i>Be aware of the lies that the enemy puts in your head. The closer you are to God, the more you will be able to discern what is a lie, what is not. <i>God is not the author of confusion.</i><br />
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<i>-</i>Your purpose doesn't necessarily have to be your career. It can be something outside of your career.<br />
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The book that I referred to is called <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310342996/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310342996&linkCode=as2&tag=theadkinshighlightreal-20&linkId=5930262515dcfbb0a197f56d9dcc58df" target="_blank">Present Over Perfect</a></u> </span>by Shauna Niquest. There is also a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310816025/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310816025&linkCode=as2&tag=theadkinshighlightreal-20&linkId=824e76219ae79b9e15bbfd04cf4a8568" target="_blank">study guide</a> that you can get with it too. It's one of my absolute favorites and truly changed my life. If you're looking for a good read, I highly recommend this one!<br />
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The book that I have of Keisha's is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999189638/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0999189638&linkCode=as2&tag=theadkinshighlightreal-20&linkId=315a4143d2416235a14554b207ad4461" target="_blank">Blue-Print to Self Esteem</a> and it's so cute and perfect for me to read to Liberty. If you have young girls or have any influence on young girls, these books are so perfect and sweet!!!<br />
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Check out <a href="https://www.keishamontfleury.com/" target="_blank">Keisha's Website</a><br />
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Check out Keisha's full <a href="https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07NV92K8Z" target="_blank">Author Page</a> on amazon!<br />
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If you're interested in booking Keisha to speak, you can contact here at keishamontfleury@gmail.com<br />
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Subscribe to our mailing list to get the podcasts emailed directly to you each week! All of our subscribers are also the first to be entered into our give aways each month!!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-17101506939512374272019-08-30T10:15:00.003-07:002019-08-30T10:15:51.449-07:00Our Debt Update Video & Some Encouragement for Today<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fHXvt_8Am9pZD8YPopeoksDzi9zxm_OSz0E0qbINlw1I0IXGLX9abPphE6fwp6n2tiAWu-3PBS5mFnnpG24bSqZg0Gobdrt5ee1d5iEpocWyCDCZ5SIFZmVKt3XtJiX8tPKG-qCPdcU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-08-30+at+1.13.59+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fHXvt_8Am9pZD8YPopeoksDzi9zxm_OSz0E0qbINlw1I0IXGLX9abPphE6fwp6n2tiAWu-3PBS5mFnnpG24bSqZg0Gobdrt5ee1d5iEpocWyCDCZ5SIFZmVKt3XtJiX8tPKG-qCPdcU/s640/Screen+Shot+2019-08-30+at+1.13.59+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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August 2019 Debt Update!</div>
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Hi Everyone! So this post is going to be pretty short, but as promised we are keeping you all posted on our journey. As you guys know, one of the things that we are working on is getting out of A LOT of debt.</div>
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With a cross country move, job changes, and everything else that comes along with these transitions, it has not been easy to stick to our financial plan. This has been ESPECIALLY hard on the days that we feel like we are going no where fast.<br />
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I'm not going to type out all of the details for this months update. Instead, below I will share our complete "Debt Update" video, but before I do, I just want to leave you guys with a few positive notes incase you are in the thick of something too.</div>
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<u>Things we have learned through sharing our journey:</u></div>
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<b><i>1.) If you are working toward some type of change in your life, don't give up! </i></b><br />
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We are learning that often times the process feels super slow, but if we are doing a little bit every day, we are still moving in the right direction---even if it doesn't feel like it! Ive have learned that when things are hard, that's when we need to keep pushing because we are right on the other side of a breakthrough.<br />
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You don't face opposition simply by sitting still and complacent! Remain consistent, even when it feels like its hard for nothing.</div>
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<b><i>2.) If you're struggling with something, you're not alone. </i></b><br />
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Almost every time Corey and I muster up the courage to share something that we think NO ONE could possibly relate to, the messages flow in. People have shared very similar stories about their own struggles, and that's what has been pushing us to keep sharing. I<br />
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f you are struggling with feeling ashamed or like a failure, remember that we all struggle. We are all human. We are all imperfect. There is community in sharing your struggles. There is peace in knowing you're not alone. If you're not already, follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theadkinshighlightreal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> where we share our daily struggles to encourage others to see that it's ok that life is rough sometimes! We want to have a community of imperfect people that can help each other through tough times!</div>
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<b><i>3.) It's not always about the destination. </i></b><br />
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Listen, we are all about dream boards and goal setting, but recently I have found so much peace in the journey. The days are hard. Fighting the urge to not buy my kids everything they want is hard. Eating good is hard. Improving is hard. But what I'm realizing is that I am becoming so strong through this process. Corey and I both are. Our marriage is better, our routines are better, and there is so much more peace in our lives. We <i style="font-weight: bold;">certainly </i>are not where we want to be, but yet I feel happier than I have ever been, and I know that's because I am pushing myself to live my full potential every day.<br />
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If you're not where you want to be, it's ok! Just look at where you are, and give yourself a pat of the back. There's so much to learn through the journey, so look around, soak it in, and be thankful for the lessons that life has for you--they are only shaping you into the person God created you to be! Embrace them!</div>
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I hope you all have a great rest of your week! I appreciate every single one of you. If you are wrestling with something in life right now, I hope these messages have helped. Also, if you ever need some extra prayer, please feel free to reach out. </div>
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Now for the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlf8WRB6FmM" target="_blank">August Debt Update Video</a>!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-6330322136549452142019-08-22T03:00:00.000-07:002019-08-22T08:08:39.872-07:00Letting Go of First Day of School Expectations: Advice to the Mom I was Two Years Ago<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIihTq7k7spJhQoPDGypzTXoDtvwBRP1xlhS1t1imVyzSaItUtWUgx9UPde9EharAlsYO3XRsQsElxPqAgWb9o3IMxgOd3xptZxHQc1FJqYHtlvATw_QCrxbaJI9Q4nh62iZXzSYwqkw/s1600/IMG_6511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIihTq7k7spJhQoPDGypzTXoDtvwBRP1xlhS1t1imVyzSaItUtWUgx9UPde9EharAlsYO3XRsQsElxPqAgWb9o3IMxgOd3xptZxHQc1FJqYHtlvATw_QCrxbaJI9Q4nh62iZXzSYwqkw/s640/IMG_6511.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I wrote this blog post in 2017 in the midst of a super chaotic season. Fast forward two years, and we're in the middle of yet another first week of school. If the me now could say anything to the me back then (and any other moms that can relate), it would be this:<br />
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Life is still crazy...It's still messy and full of chaos, but believe it or not, you were right. It doesn't have to be full of unrealistic expectations. I promise you this because I am here now. You'll find happiness in the mess. You'll find peace in the chaos. You'll learn contentedness in the things that you do have, and you'll be so dang proud of how far you've come...even if it's not how you pictured it.<br />
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You took a picture today, and it still wasn't Pinterest worthy. It didn't have the chalk board or anything else that the other moms so beautifully have, but you know now that none of that matters. <br />
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What matters is that you were there. You soaked it in. Your child went off to school knowing he was loved and that he would find a quickly scribbled but meaningful little note in his lunch box. You're doing okay, and you'll be just fine. Stop comparing and give yourself grace. Enjoy the snap shot of your babies. They aren't fancy, but the message and the lesson behind them is so much more important.<br />
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Keep your head up, you're doing great.<br />
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xoxo<br />
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.....</div>
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August, 2017<br />
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It wasn't one big thing, it was a mountain of little things.<br />
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I wanted to cry. I wanted to stare at my little boy, breathe in the moment, and pout about the fact that he's really not so little anymore, <i>but I had stuff to do.</i><br />
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It was his first day of school. Like first first day. Kindergarten.<br />
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And I didn't even shed a tear. Not one. The day came and went, and that was it.<br />
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There were little glimpses throughout the following days that I'd start getting choked up thinking about him heading off to school, but then I'd think about my tasks ahead, and onto the next think I'd go. Before I knew it, the first week of school was over. It was like I snapped my fingers and it was gone.<br />
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It wasn't until I got a text from a family member asking to see first day of school pictures that it really hit me.<br />
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Maybe <i style="font-weight: bold;">they </i>weren't expecting anything elaborate, but I was.<br />
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Since I've been a little girl, I've had this expectation. This dream of being THAT mom. You know, the one that always has her ducks in a row. The one that never loses her cool.<br />
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"You need a bandaid, or an ice pack, or a 5 course meal?! I've got one in my purse!!"<br />
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<i>And of course, the type of mom that takes the first day of school photos.</i><br />
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Not just a quick snap-shot, but the whole gamut. You know, the pictures where my husband and I are standing around and gawking at how handsome our little boy is. I shed some tears, my husband consoles me and says something cliche, my son groans about having to hold this big sign that says his teachers name, how many teeth he has, his age, and so on...<br />
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But in the midst of all of that, we get the picture. The one that I can refer to when he is graduating and say, "I remember your first day like it was yesterday."<br />
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<i>A moment frozen in time.</i><br />
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I thought back to that morning and cringed. Not something I really want to remember. Not one of my proudest moments. I remembered my son running late because he couldn't get his hair right. Of course, I was upset that we weren't going to be on time. So, rather than trying to calm his nerves and deciding that sending a late but peaceful kid to school would be better than sending a rushed and flustered one, I lost control. I blew a fuse and screamed at him about how he needed to hurry up, and he was making us late.<br />
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Yes, I did.<br />
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I screamed at my 5-year-old about his hair on his first day of school.<br />
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Go ahead and say it, I'm a monster. I don't even know why it was like this...Well I kind of do.<br />
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Despite the fact that I scurried to pack his lunch the night before, and we laid out his outfit, and attempted to check everything off of the list, I still felt like a slacker. Everything that I did was half-hearted. Even school supply shopping was a rush one night after work. I had nothing planned. No special sign, nothing cute or special planned for breakfast...yet I was paralyzed. I contemplated staying up to get all of this stuff done, but I was so overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I had to do otherwise, that I just didn't.<br />
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Instead, after my kids went to bed, I stayed up late getting caught upon my actual work just trying to put a dent in my to-do list. My husband got home late and much to my dismay, he informed me he wouldn't be able to be around for the mornings events because he'd have to leave for work before the sun rose.<br />
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I know it's hard for him to miss. I know he'd rather be home with us than up early for work, but it's also hard for me to see him miss. He's got a way of calming situations. I tend to be more high strung, and his level headedness sets the tone. My husband knows what to say, so I was a little bummed he wouldn't be there.<br />
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Back to that morning. Everything about it was rushed. I was tired. My son was tired. I felt as if I had let him down by not getting him amped up for the first day like my parents always had when I was as a kid. He just didn't seem excited, and he was not fun to get ready...at all. At this point I was regretting not doing anything a Pinterest mom would do. I could tell my poor attitude had transferred over to my son, but I didn't have time to fix it.<br />
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He rushed downstairs---still upset about the blowup, threw on his shoes, ate something quick and probably unhealthy, and we ran out the door.<br />
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And then I remembered...THE PICTURE!<br />
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I yelled for him to come back really quick so I could snap a picture. Of course, he didn't want to. (We had that part down.) I got a few quick shots anyway, and off we went.<br />
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He was mad, I was mad.<br />
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Thankfully on the way to school, I was able to collect myself enough to apologize.<br />
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I felt like I blew it. I lost my cool and I couldn't take it back. Not only that, but I could tell that I really hurt my son. I've spent 26 years preparing for this, <b><i>and it went nothing like what I had planned.</i></b><br />
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After school, we didn't talk about it. The next week I got that text message from a family member asking for his first day of school pictures. I was driving home from dropping him off, and it hit me like a ton of bricks.<br />
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I've spent so much time setting these expectations that are completely unrealistic for our lives right now. I'm not a Pinterest mom. I'm not a PTA mom. My purse does not have bandaids. It's full of smashed Goldfish from my two-year old. My life is busy right now, and I didn't plan for this.<br />
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<i>But that doesn't make me a bad mom. It doesn't make me any less of a mom.</i><br />
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I think those moms are fantastic. I LOVE seeing all of the elaborate photos. I think it's amazing to see each and every mom doing her thing. But what I have come to realize is that her thing doesn't need to be my thing in order for me to be good enough for my kids.<br />
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Our kids don't care about some elaborate picture, my husband isn't here all the time, and right now, a quick snapshot has to be good enough---and guess what? One day that story will be just as good. Had I accepted the fact that our life is messy right now and embraced the moments that God laid out despite my own plans and ideas, that morning would have gone a lot differently.<br />
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<b><i>Our stories can be different than what we daydreamed about as little girls. We can still find happiness and peace despite the fact that our lives might look much different than we had planned because sometimes God's plan for us is different than our daydreams---and God's plan is always better.</i></b><br />
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Does that mean I never have to try to do cute Pinterest stuff for my kids?<br />
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No! But if it's stealing my peace, it's not worth it!<br />
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And if things are not going the way I planned despite my best effort, theres a reason. Rather than clinging to my ideals of being a perfect mom, I need to let them go and embrace the fact that things can go differently than other families. and even my own plans.<br />
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Looking back, I have realized that the morning could have gone way better had I just let go of the crazy ridiculous expectations that I had set for myself. Life is hard. Being a grown up can be difficult. Being a kid is hard. But I failed as a mom that day---because of my attitude, NOT because I didn't get the picture.<br />
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This year, I let go of those ideals--and guess what? I still didn't get the elaborate picture, but I did get the perfect one because instead, I was present. I let the morning flow without crazy expectations. I let my son enjoy breakfast as I listened to him talk. I let him pick out his outfit, and style his hair exactly how he wanted. I reminded him to be a leader and that he would always be loved, and as we walked out to head to school, I quickly snapped a shot and it was absolutely perfect.<br />
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I was the calm to my sons nerves. And I like to think that he will always remember the way I made him feel that morning.<br />
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Let go of your ideals as a mom. Stop trying to make everything look good, because if it doesn't feel good what does looking good matter?<br />
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It's not about the picture. If you have the sign and the first day of school photo, please don't take offense. I applaud you for pulling it off.<br />
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But for me I learned that it's not about the picture. It's about letting go of the crazy expectations that we put on ourselves as moms. Let them go, and let yourself be in the moment. And if that means that you have to give something up, (like the picture for me) then give it up. It's not worth your peace.<br />
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I'm attaching this years photo to this post. It's not fancy, but it's perfect.<br />
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I would LOVE to see your back to school pictures. I'd like to see the signs. I'd like to see the breakfasts, and I would also like to see the simple and rushed snapshots. But more importantly, I want to hear about the memories. I want to hear about the impact that you are making on your kids.<br />
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Let go of the ideals and focus on your impact behind the scenes.<br />
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You're doing a great job, Mama. Don't beat yourself up.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-21914778588807167492019-08-07T13:51:00.000-07:002019-08-08T09:54:51.895-07:00In a funk? I think I have something that'll help you get out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU6blfluWM3pAdJtbO19l-iObbgx7hqB8LmYgpstE4Ej12b_UCAOcd-HUfcWWILLquC1kCGMsxip3qyKZc4fPUrZr9yLclD6g9cI1aJleIV_FRNBqyWkufnaQUHH7MVznG2jeMki-Dj0/s1600/IMG_6169+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU6blfluWM3pAdJtbO19l-iObbgx7hqB8LmYgpstE4Ej12b_UCAOcd-HUfcWWILLquC1kCGMsxip3qyKZc4fPUrZr9yLclD6g9cI1aJleIV_FRNBqyWkufnaQUHH7MVznG2jeMki-Dj0/s640/IMG_6169+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like my professional photography for this blog post?! HAHA! Hey I promised to be REAL on this blog, not professional. Also, if I'm being honest, this is a pretty good depiction of how my week has gone..and I've had to fight daily to get out of the funk...<br />
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I'll be honest, most days when I'm tired and in a funk, the only thing on my mind is a bowl of Half Baked Ice Cream and some Netflix. I'd be lying if I said I didn't cave into those temptations a time or two, but I know where those habits lead and it ain't pretty!<br />
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Just yesterday I woke up in a slump. I was tired and grumpy, and just not feeling life. I figured I'd attempt to bypass that black hole of Netflix, and glide through by doing the bare minimum. So, I started to chisel away at my daily checklist.<br />
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Earlier this year, I set a goal for myself to attempt to plug into at least 1 podcast a day, and read at least 10 pages of a self-improvement book per day. Thanks to my goal, both of those things appear on my daily checklist because I'm a major "list checker" so I include only the things a know I HAVE to get done that day.<br />
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I grabbed my book because if nothing else, checking something off of my list would make me feel a sense of accomplishment.<br />
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So, I forced myself to begin.<br />
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I quickly got sucked into my book, and 25 minutes later, I realized I was WAY past my 10 page goal. Not only that, but my mood shifted completely.<br />
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I know I sound like I'm doing an advertisement, but I'm not joking. I my mindset had a theme song for the day, it would have quickly switched from "Today I don't feel like doing anything" by Bruno Mars to "It's a beautiful day" by U2. I felt invincible.<br />
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And that was just from my book. I hadn't even listened to my podcast yet!<br />
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It got me to thinking, "How many bad days had I succumbed to before rather than just plugging into a few minutes of positivity to turn my day around? Do other people realize the power of these free tools?"<br />
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In that moment, I felt like shouting from the rooftops so that everyone could understand the power of these little tools. I'm not saying it's a full-proof plan, but it's darn close.<br />
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Born from my little epiphany, is today's blog post!<br />
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We get a lot of questions about what our favorite books and podcasts are, so I figured I'd share! I'll include the links too for easy access, but the best part is if purchasing a book is not in your budget---the podcasts are free, and so is your local library!<br />
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I know I sound like a fanatic, but my life is better because of these things, and I want to share that with you guys. It's so easy to get sucked into everyday life and forgot how impactful the little things are, but the more I reflect, the more I realize that the bad days often come after I've spent some time away from tools that help my keep a positive mindset.<br />
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If you don't currently read or listen to podcasts, you should try it! I cannot tell you how positively these things have impacted my life from my parenting to my finances. If you're having a crummy day, give it a try. If you're feeling on top of the world and want a turbo boost, I can assure you these resources will do just that!<br />
<br />
Maybe try listening to a podcast a day for the next month, or pick a book to get and read 10 pages a day.<br />
<br />
If you do, I'd LOVE to hear your feedback. I promise you, you won't regret it!<br />
<br />
Last thing I'd like to say is if you're looking to finish the year off strong, we are going to do a FREE private Facebook group. We are going to have people of all ages with goals of all types in the group, but the thing that we will all have in common is that we are all working toward some type of goal. Corey and I thought this would be super fun to do to hold each other accountable! If you're interested, email us at theadkins@theadkinshighlightREAL.com.<br />
<br />
Now for the good stuff...<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's the exact book that helped turn my day around yesterday: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400209609/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400209609&linkCode=as2&tag=theadkinshighlightreal-20&linkId=4c97bcb57a1fce5233513429dba4d222" target="_blank">Girl Stop Apologizing</a></i> by Rachel Hollis<br />
<br />
All of Ed's podcasts are amazing, but here is the one that had me fired up yesterday (Disclaimer: some language in this one): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdHW1YipmVo&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Win the War In Your Head And Find PEACE with David Goggins</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Other Podcasts (all can be found on the podcast app):<br />
<br />
1.) The Ed Mylett Show<br />
2.) Rise Podcast with Rachel Hollis<br />
3.) The Empire Podcast with Bedros Keuilian<br />
4.) Rise Together Podcast with Rachel and Dave Hollis<br />
5.) The Brendon Show with Brendon Burchard<br />
6.) The Purpose Show with Allie Casazza<br />
7.) The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast<br />
8.) The Adkins HighlightREAL<br />
<br />
<br />
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<u>A few of Bethany's Favorite Books: (All titles are links)</u></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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1. <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y9F3Jb" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Slight Edge</a></i> by Jeff Olson</div>
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2. <i><a href="https://amzn.to/32Eec7A" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">How to Win Friends and Influence People</a></i> by Dale Carnegie</div>
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3. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Y8SIjv" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>Grain Brain</i> </a>by David Perlmutter</div>
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4. <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2XQTwu1" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Women Living Well</a></i> by Courtney Joseph</div>
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5. <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2LshDZC" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Total Money Makeover</a></i> by Dave Ramsey<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mukta" , sans-serif;">6.</span><i style="font-family: Mukta, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://amzn.to/2JP6Yot" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Love Does</a></i><a href="https://amzn.to/2JP6Yot" style="color: #5f6257; font-family: Mukta, sans-serif; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mukta" , sans-serif;">by Bob Goff</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mukta" , sans-serif;">7. </span><i style="font-family: Mukta, sans-serif;"><a href="https://amzn.to/32Bhkks" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">It's Not Supposed to be this Way</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "mukta" , sans-serif;"> by Lysa TerKeurst</span></div>
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<u>A Few of Corey's Favorite Books:</u></div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
1. <a href="https://amzn.to/2O11ZWZ" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Think and Grow Rich</a> by Napoleon Hill</div>
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2. <a href="https://amzn.to/2SxXh1T" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The School of Greatness</a> Lewis Howes</div>
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3. <a href="https://amzn.to/2XRHOzq" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Eat That Frog</a> by Brian Tracy</div>
<div>
4. <a href="https://amzn.to/2JOnXHp" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Crushing It!</a> by Gary Vaynerchuk</div>
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5. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Y4lIsX" style="color: #5f6257; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Better Dads Stronger Sons</a> by Rick Johnson<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small; letter-spacing: normal;">I hope you enjoy these resources as much as I do!</span></div>
</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-51449600775510279382019-07-18T06:48:00.000-07:002019-07-18T14:53:32.651-07:00Why I Stopped Trying to Lose the Weight, and You Should Too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWG7Wx1Ksw-klmphpXmfPVxKrzT1L4Uo_AUl-59FPT6A5m-wGq8tg1FUmvnW2I1Omrkxi8FwWweaoT5FOYYtCI56p4eUqyZmrWd3vbhVNewCPUWgBbemkYu0CD8ETrSJDCTnmBzUVzt4/s1600/IMG_4733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWG7Wx1Ksw-klmphpXmfPVxKrzT1L4Uo_AUl-59FPT6A5m-wGq8tg1FUmvnW2I1Omrkxi8FwWweaoT5FOYYtCI56p4eUqyZmrWd3vbhVNewCPUWgBbemkYu0CD8ETrSJDCTnmBzUVzt4/s640/IMG_4733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So since January of this year, Corey and I have been working hard to improve ourselves every single day in one way or another. One of those pursuits is a life of health and fitness. We both knew that we wanted to do it differently this time around, but what that meant at the time---we weren't exactly sure.<br />
<br />
We are about seven months in, and I never would have guessed the shape that this part of my journey would have taken, ESPECIALLY because I have spent nearly my entire life obsessing about my physical appearance and weight, and I never imagined that I'd be satisfied without having achieved those goals.<br />
<br />
Like I said, this time around we wanted it to be different, and it absolutely has been. So, below I want to share what that has meant for me this year, and I hope that it will help you to find encouragement if you are on the journey as well.<br />
<br />
First of all, I just want to state the obvious...it's been seven months and physically, I look just about the same. Seven months is a significant amount of time to lose a significant amount of weight especially for someone my size,<i> and I haven't really. </i><br />
<br />
I have only had maybe ONE remark about how I look "smaller," and normally the lack of this would have killed me and sent me on a downward spiral, but this time around things have been...different.<br />
<br />
"Different" has been tough, but different has been really, really good. "Different" has required me to dig really deep and shift my thinking as I am learning to shift my focus off of the number on the scale, and onto more important things. I've done my best to step up and do this work.<br />
<br />
You see, I spent more than three years trying to heal my physical self after my second kid, but the majority of that time, I defined that by losing pounds. I was unhappy with my body, very over weight, bloated, grumpy, and as a result those things affected my marriage, my parenting, and every other aspect of my life---especially when the scale didn't budge. I constantly told myself that "If I just lost the weight, I'd be happy."<br />
<br />
So, time after time I restricted my food, punished myself with exercise, and felt shame for not being my ideal body weight. I could not understand why despite the fact that I spent weeks and even months at times doing all the "right" things, I seemed to be getting even further from where I started in the first place. I wasted <i>hours, days, and even weeks of my life literally obsessing </i>about this and being angry over it.<br />
<br />
I looked around and saw all kinds of people who worked hard just like I was and the weight just came off.<br />
<br />
"I'm just not doing enough." I'd tell myself. "I need to be more strict with my diet and work out even harder."<br />
<br />
So, I'd implement an even more exhaustive plan only to find myself even more frustrated when I had nothing to show for it.<br />
<br />
The journey was frustrating, but I wasn't ready to give up. So, I decided I wanted to reach out and dig deeper into what was going on inside of me to uncover why this journey had become such a struggle. Maybe I <i>was </i>crazy and did need to just work harder, but something was telling me that there were other things going on...so I started to reach out.<br />
<br />
My first visit was a flop. I had tons of labs out of wack, but the doctor basically told me "You're unhealthy because you eat bad." (After I had told him I'd been eating clean months prior to meeting with him.) I was frustrated because I felt like he looked at me as an overweight person, and wrote me off as someone with poor lifestyle habits. Still, I wasn't ready to give up on myself.<br />
<br />
I felt compelled to take one last shot and reach out to different professionals to help me.<br />
<br />
I met with a <a href="https://www.dralishand.com/bio" target="_blank">Naturopathic Doctor</a> who was amazing and got me on the right track. She took blood work which gave me some answers that I needed. We found a lot of things out of wack that helped to explain why I felt like an anxious, irritable, 87-year-old on her death bed at the age of 27. We started to correct those problems with some supplements and tweaks in my lifestyle, and once I realized how good I was feeling, I decided to look into a functional nutritionist to dig even deeper and learn about food and lifestyle as it pertains to me individually.<br />
<br />
This next step was the catalyst in what is now my journey---not to a beach body, not to a size 8 jeans, not to anything pertaining to weight loss---but to healing.<br />
<br />
I am going to share about who I worked with, but I want to let you guys know, this is not an ad. I am not being paid for this OR discounted. I am simply sharing because my life is changing because of this program.<br />
<br />
After a good amount of research, the program I decided to go with was called <i><a href="https://reformwellness.co/" target="_blank">Reform Wellness</a>. </i>I started with a free 15 minute consultation, and decided to move forward with a package that was recommended to me.<br />
<br />
This program has been a crash course on nutrition, a therapy session (they aren't actually therapists), a breath of fresh air, a road to healing, and as a byproduct, a journey to weight loss as well.<br />
<br />
Notice, I put the weight loss last because although it's happening (finally), this is the first time I haven't even had to think about it...yet the pounds are coming off. For once I am focused on improving the right things.<br />
<br />
You see, when I started this program, we didn't start on the weight loss...we really haven't even focused on it at all. But we started on the areas that were keeping me from healing, and that healing allowed me to make necessary changes in many areas of my life, and let go of a lot of emotional weight I was carrying.<br />
<br />
What I think the most extraordinary thing that I've realized on this journey is that sometimes, you can do all the right things...<br />
<br />
You can work out multiple times a day, you can eat right, you can go to bed hungry and drink all of the water, you can fast, exercise some more, and <i>none of it...<b>none of it</b></i> will work because you've started in the wrong place.<br />
<br />
You see I spent all of this time focusing on my physical self, and by obsessing and stressing, and self-hating, and restricting, I was taking steps backwards and <b>destroying</b> myself and as a result, destroying any chance of losing weight or more importantly, healing.<br />
<br />
I'm so happy to say that I have had so much success on this journey to holistic healing, and its changed me both mentally and physically.<br />
<br />
The process has been long and it's been painful, but as a result, I am better.<br />
<br />
What did that process look like? Nothing I'd have ever expected to encounter on a normal "Journey to health and fitness." But here's a little glimpse.<br />
<br />
When I began the program I met with an absolutely amazing nutritionist. After our first hour meeting, I finally felt heard. I told her I was doing all the right things and not getting the results, and she believed me. She didn't stop there, but continued to help me dig deeper. Each week we worked through different things, and I was sent off with homework to work on for the next couple weeks. Through this journey I realized that I had it all wrong.<br />
<br />
My body <i>was damaged. </i><br />
<i>It was holding onto weight. </i><br />
<i>I was gaining weight at even the slightest taste of something "unhealthy."</i><br />
<i>And it wasn't because I had no self-control, it was because my body was broken. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The following weeks were a lot of work, and I'm still on the journey, but the things I worked on were the exact opposite of what I had been doing.<br />
<br />
I was told to rest and not work out.<br />
I was told to avoid foods that some would consider "healthy."<br />
I had some tough conversations to have.<br />
I realized I needed to allow myself to grieve rather than acting like I was okay.<br />
I had to put my phone down, and pick up my bible.<br />
<br />
Not your typical weight loss regimen, right?!<br />
<br />
<br />
And none of the things that were working for me fit into the box of, "Work harder, sleep less, eat cleaner."<br />
<br />
But guess what?<br />
<br />
<i>I started to feel better and the better I felt, the more I wanted to do. </i>The more relationships I wanted to heal.<br />
<br />
As a result, I am better, and not just physically.<br />
My marriage is better.<br />
My relationships are better.<br />
My outlook is better.<br />
My energy is better.<br />
But also, I am physically better too.<br />
<br />
<i>Life is messy, but it doesn't have to be heavy.</i><br />
<br />
I promise.<br />
<br />
What are you holding onto? What's stopping you from healing? Are there apologies that need made, or hard conversations that need had? Don't ignore whats quietly eating away at you, because I promise it's not just eating away at your emotional well being. It's eating away at your physical well being too.<br />
<br />
Diet and exercise only go so far.<br />
<br />
This journey is hard and it's uncomfortable, but I promise you it's so worth it.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you have to heal your emotional self before anything else physically will improve.<br />
<br />
Don't wait another day.<br />
<br />
And don't give up on yourself. Don't let people tell you that "you're fat because you eat bad." When you know dang well that's not the truth. Be your own advocate until you cross paths with someone who is willing to advocate with you.<br />
<br />
If you want to have the life you dream of, you have to do the hard things that you might have never even had on your radar.<br />
<br />
Like talking about the frustration instead of burying it.<br />
Or listening to the song that's too painful to hear so that you can let your emotions process and heal the wounds.<br />
Maybe it's visiting the grave site and pouring your heart out until you're completely exhausted but walking away with a little more clarity.<br />
<br />
Setting the boundaries.<br />
Drinking the water.<br />
Sleeping.<br />
Swallowing your pride and accepting that you cannot possibly hold it together for even a second longer without recruiting help.<br />
It might be wiping the fake smile off of your face and confessing you are far from ok.<br />
Or asking someone to be brutally honest with you so that your blindspots become more visible.<br />
It could be seeking forgiveness from God or a person or both.<br />
Or letting go of a door that slammed in your face long before you were ready.<br />
It might be grabbing someones hand and walking through a new and very scary door.<br />
<br />
I feel like I'm now understanding why they call it "<b><i>holistic health." </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Because it will take you places doctors never will, and get you places medicine never can.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Peace is on the other side of discomfort. And much to my surprise, my peace had nothing to do with weight loss, however, it's been a wonderful byproduct.</i></b><br />
<br />
What's holing you back from truly healing? Whats chaining you down from truly living?<br />
<br />
Be your own advocate, and take the next steps.<br />
<br />
Check out our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77t2oMouqg0&t=2s" target="_blank">youtube channel</a> for more health and life updates on our journey to a better life!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzwlwRHsFiDdbi4YVOWuNkWSaXIIdwWPELBcbmWoMT_R9rZ_UTtwji4jYTbLVt0DXAufuWiHWHNOEpImdN24Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-43704833765207508372019-07-12T07:32:00.001-07:002019-07-12T07:32:23.451-07:00Thrifting Update---Is it worth it?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyrDH8fO_D59cwJRELnhQQttwGsEDfNx-oMekLLjmc3FrurzHXgcdx9EWn-SOOhajKdhL7_zwZzXcP5ItLEHt29OkUH9z3Yu2xtHcmR5JnwCdwcCSgt1KhfDzGHKjQKYop9m_mjNri8I/s1600/Thrifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyrDH8fO_D59cwJRELnhQQttwGsEDfNx-oMekLLjmc3FrurzHXgcdx9EWn-SOOhajKdhL7_zwZzXcP5ItLEHt29OkUH9z3Yu2xtHcmR5JnwCdwcCSgt1KhfDzGHKjQKYop9m_mjNri8I/s640/Thrifting.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
As a lot of you guys know, Corey picked up an interesting hobby to make extra money when we moved back to Ohio....<br />
<br />
THRIFTING.<br />
<br />
We've been trying to figure out a better name for it, but essentially, it involves buying random items from yard sales, thrift stores, etc., and re-selling them for profit. If you have a name idea for his fun new obsession, comment below!<br />
<br />
So obviously we are not the originators of this idea. People have been doing this for years, but Corey started watching videos of Gary Vaynerchuk promoting this idea and he decided to give it a try!<br />
<br />
I'll be completely honest, I was not on board at first. Like, <i>at all. </i>I was not looking forward to spending ten minutes, let alone an hour or two yardsaling on the weekends. I had just spent a lot of my time on <a href="https://alliecasazza.samcart.com/products/your-uncluttered-home-friends-of-allie" target="_blank">Allie Cassazza's course</a> on decluttering and I didn't want him bringing junk back into the house. All of that being said, there was some tension at the beginning, but after a few conversations, we designated a small spot in the basement for his "inventory" and he promised it wouldn't take up too much of our Saturdays.<br />
<br />
Two months in and I'll be honest, I'm still not as excited about it as he is, BUT we've made a significant amount of money for the very little amount of time we've spent doing it!<br />
<br />
With that being said, I'm going to share what we've learned and of course how much we made!<br />
<br />
<u>FIRST, THE DO'S AND DON'T'S </u><br />
<u><br /></u>
-DO Buy from yard sales & thrift stores<br />
-DO Look for free stuff that could be resold<br />
-DO Sell your own stuff that you are no longer using. Instant profit! You'd be surprised how much stuff is just sitting around that could be turned into quick cash! Even after taking a decluttering course and downsizing to a two-bedroom apartment, we STILL had hundreds of dollars of stuff that we sold.<br />
-DO offer to list things for family members or friends, but always offer the profit back to them!<br />
<br />
-DON'T sell things people have gifted to you (even if you don't like it) It's hurtful and tacky.<br />
-DON'T sell things people have given you for free, UNLESS they say it's ok.<br />
-DON'T buy stuff from people you know just to sell it for more. Again, UNLESS they know and are okay with it, or you offer to split the profit with them.<br />
<br />
I think that's it for the do's and don't's. Just use your judgement and have some integrity.<br />
<br />
Here are the places we sold:<br />
<br />
<u>Facebook Marketplace</u><br />
-Clothes sold really well here<br />
-Larger items such as bulky kids toys or furniture also sold really well here<br />
<br />
<u>Ebay</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
-Sold lots of board games<br />
-Smaller kids toys<br />
-Clothes<br />
<br />
<u>Amazon</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
-This was a great place to sell books! We found brand new books for like a quarter everywhere we went and we turned them around for 10+ dollars.<br />
<br />
<b><u>So here's the break down on how much we sold:</u></b><br />
<br />
We spent very little time in the months of May and June doing this. Corey works a full-time job, and I had very little interest in helping. In the time that we (primarily Corey) did spend, we sold over $900.00 worth of stuff!<br />
<br />
We did spend some money on shipping, and Corey still has about 3/4 of the stuff that he purchased to sell left. So with shipping and what he spent on buying items, we spent about $400.00 leaving us with over $500.00 of profit!<br />
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This isn't something we are trying to make a living off of, but it is helping us put extra money toward debt, have a little more freedom to do fun things with our kids, and still keep a budget. We have also been able to take these experiences and turn them into lessons for our kids about money.<br />
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So, all that being said, I would say that for us, yes, thrifting has been worth it. Corey was right on this one. It was a very small time investment for a pretty significant turn around on quick cash. If you're looking for easy ways to make some extra money, I'd encourage you to try it! Start with your closet and see what you can let go of! I'd be willing to bet that you'd be surprised how much you have that can be turned into a little (or a lot) extra spending money!<br />
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Check out our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp9yMKV-VV8&t=205s" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> where we give more info on our thrifting adventures and more!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-63531943086271529352019-05-14T06:51:00.001-07:002019-05-14T06:51:25.960-07:00Why Being a Homeschool Dropout Made me a Better Mom<br />
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Once upon a time, I had a dream to homeschool my kids.<br />
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Our lives are anything but traditional and as my son entered into his first year of public school, our family felt super enslaved to the traditional school schedule.<br />
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I dreamed about all of the amazing things we could learn together, and I craved the freedom that came along with all of it. I thought about all of the fun trips we'd take, and the memories we'd make, and I just knew that this journey would be amazing.<br />
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And I lasted less than three weeks. It was a colossal fail. I beat myself up for months about it.<br />
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Today though, I'm going to explain why being a homeschool dropout made me a better mom.<br />
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I grew up in a HUGE family. Between my siblings and my cousins, some of us were in public school all through high school, some of us did private and then public, some of us switched between homeschooling and traditional schooling, etc. Pretty much any combination that you can think of has been done.<br />
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Since I was able to witness all of the different scenarios, I saw the pros and cons to just about every option, which made me curious about what avenue would be best for our family.<br />
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When my son started out in school, I worked full time so he went to a public school for kindergarten. After his first year and even before that, I really had the desire to explore homeschooling. I was able to scale back at work in time for his first grade year, so I was excited to finally get to homeschool!<br />
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I was thrilled!!! He was pretty excited too. We set up a classroom, and got new school supplies. I had lots of help from several of my aunts who are homeschooling experts, and I had all of the tools that I needed to succeed.<br />
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Day one was amazing. We had a blast and he learned a ton.<br />
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The rest of the week was a little exhausting, but my aunt reassured me that that was normal.<br />
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During the second week, my son started to get super restless. I took him places to burn off some energy. We did tons of activities and he was even playing soccer, but he was still yearning for more socialization. I was running myself ragged trying to get him to be worn out by the end of the day, and I was falling behind in the little bit of work I did have to do.<br />
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Overwhelm was an understatement.<br />
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I wanted to make it work so badly, so I pressed on and started fighting him tooth and nail to get his school work done. It was terrible.<br />
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By the time we were at the end of the second week, it felt like we were on year 35, and my six-year-old and I were barely speaking to each other.<br />
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What seemed to come so naturally to other homeschooling families was total calamity for us.<br />
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I was so disappointed in myself, and I felt like I wanted to quit, but I also felt like I was letting people down by quitting. I had all of this support, yet I was still failing. I was failing myself, and I was failing my poor son.<br />
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I felt like I was lacking the skills, patience, and confidence to continue. I also felt like if things continued, our relationship would be severely damaged. I was devastated.<br />
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So I talked to my husband and we both agreed that this wasn't going to be a viable option. Maybe it was bad timing. I was also in the middle of the grief process as we had lost someone very close in our family the previous summer. Maybe it was trying to balance work and schooling. Maybe it just wasn't going to work out for this year, or maybe it was never meant to work out.<br />
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Begrudgingly, the following week, I enrolled him into a charter school/learning center where he would go to school four days a week. To be honest, my pride hurt a little.<br />
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I was a home school drop out.<br />
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As time went on though, he started going to this new school and our relationship was getting better. He was less restless at home. He was learning A TON, I was getting my work done while he was gone for the day so that I could enjoy him in the evenings, and I wasn't as overwhelmed.<br />
I realized how much better off he was at this school, and that idea that I put on myself that I had failed began to lift.<br />
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After I realized what a positive impact the change was for us, all that really mattered was what was best for <b><i>my child.</i></b><br />
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You see, giving up on homeschooling because it wasn't working wasn't failing him.<br />
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Trying to force something that was causing decline in my son's education, drive, and our relationship was failing him.<br />
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I wanted to homeschool, so we tried, and it didn't work out.<br />
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I'm not a bad mom because of that. I'm not any less of a mom than the Pinterest-y ones who homeschool all 15 of their kids.<br />
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In fact, I am a better mom because I recognized that <i>what <b>I </b>so desperately wanted </i>wasn't working and I chose to swallow my pride and get him into an environment where he would thrive.<br />
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And to be honest, I was disappointed. My dreams of homeschooling did not become a reality and some days it still makes me sad. But at the end of the day, it's not about what I want. What matters is that I did what was best for my son.<br />
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For this season of life, it didn't work. Maybe in the future it will. Heck...maybe it never will.<br />
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Here's the moral of the story, and I'll be honest, it's nothing profound...<br />
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At the end of the day, you need to do whats best for your child, your family, and you.<br />
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Public school isn't going to ruin your kids.<br />
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Home schooling isn't going to make your kid disadvantaged.<br />
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Private school is perfectly fine...<br />
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If that's what's best for you guys.<br />
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And switching things up when you decide you've made the wrong choice isn't going to screw your kid up. Forcing them to make something work that clearly isn't working, may though.<br />
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When I finally mustered up the courage to tell my aunt we dropped out, here is what she said:<br />
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"KIDS ARE RESILIENT."<br />
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If you decide to test one route out, and your child is not thriving, its okay to change up your course!<br />
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<i>You are not a failure</i> because public school wasn't right for your child.<br />
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<i>I am not a failure</i> because, for the time being and maybe even forever, homeschooling isn't right for us.<br />
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At the end of the day, I tried. I had a desire to homeschool, and this year it was a big flop.<br />
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It's going to be okay.<br />
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Do what's best for you and your family, and find people who support you through that.<br />
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Stop listening to the people who can only open their minds to one avenue of education.<br />
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If it works for their kids, then amazing, but that doesn't mean that's what will work for yours!<br />
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Every child is different.<br />
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Every family is different.<br />
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And that's what makes parenthood so beautiful.<br />
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**I am going to add this in here. I wrote this post about three months ago, and never published it because our lives got crazy. Ironically, one of the aspects that turned upside down was that we moved cross country resulting in our kids being taken out of school a month before the year ended. Here I am finishing out the year with them at home. I'll be honest, it's going better, but I still don't think it's for us as much as I want it to be. I decided to finish up this post as I am in the midst of deciding where to enroll them, and I've got to say, my simple advice below is helping...***<br />
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So I want to leave this post by saying this:<br />
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If you've been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear your comments.<br />
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I feel like especially in this day and age, social media makes it so easy for us to feel chained down by the opinions of other people.<br />
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We look at the lives of other people, and feel guilty that our lives don't seem to match up. We have these inner dialogues with ourselves that are far from healthy. We think because we aren't "normal" we have done something wrong...but I want to say to you that that is a lie!<br />
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Do what is best for your family, and remember that seasons change. What works seamlessly in one season may be a total bust later on. It's ok. Give yourself grace, put your selfish desires aside, and trust your gut. <b>You know what's best for your kids.</b><br />
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If you've changed things up because your family is crazy like mine, let us know!<br />
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I'd love to hear about all the different journeys so us parents can see that there isn't one right way to do it.<br />
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We should be supporting each other, and cheering each other on because at the end of the day our goals are all very similar...<br />
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We all just want whats best for our kids, <i>so do that</i>, and then give yourself a pat on the back. :)<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-90039673882388294662019-05-06T06:32:00.001-07:002019-05-06T06:32:46.924-07:00Six Not-So-Genius Tricks when Road Tripping Any Amount of Time with Kids...<br />
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We survived 3 weeks on the road with our kids!<br />
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I am no Pinterest mom, BUT I did just survive almost three weeks on the road with our six-year-old and three-year-old. If I'm being completely honest, we didn't just survive---we thrived!!!!<br />
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I thought about doing a post on a bunch of intricate and Pinterest-esque tips on traveling with kids, but that's not really what took place, so I'm not going to fake it.<br />
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That being said, I did want to share some tips that I found super helpful. I can't promise that you haven't heard these things before, but what I can promise is that they are cheap, easy, quick, and can be done by me, so they can be done by YOU.<br />
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So, whether you are driving an hour to visit the in-laws, or a for a few weeks like we just did, these were our "musts" when it came to the kiddos!<br />
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I hope you find them helpful!<br />
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*Disclaimer* I am typing this with my kids shooting Nerf Guns all around me, so please excuse typos. #HighlightREAL<br />
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<h3>
Six Not-So-Genius Tricks When Road Tripping Any Amount of Time with Kids...</h3>
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1.) <b>Whether You Have to Pee or Not, You're Going...AT EVERY STOP</b><br />
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At almost every stop, only one of my two kids had to go to the bathroom. At our first stop, I realized that if I didin't get them on the same schedule, our stops were going to be a lot more frequent. Initially, it seems so much easier to just run the one kid in, but sure enough 15 minutes back on the road, and the other one is yelling for a bathroom. So, at our first stop I told the kids, "If one has to use the bathroom, we are all going." There is nothing worse than making a pit stop and that one kiddo claims "I don't have to go!" only to hear the potty scream 5 miles later. So our rule was if we have to stop for one person, we are all going to use the restroom, even if we don't have to. The trick was magic, and surprisingly, we didn't have any 15 minute later incidents!<br />
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2.) <b>Treasure Bag = Magic!</b><br />
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So I made a few stories regarding this magical bag on our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theadkinshighlightreal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and it turned out to be a life saver! I can't take credit for thinking this up myself, and I don't remember where I heard about this idea, but from here on out it's a staple when we have long trips. All I did was run to The Dollar Store and buy about $20 worth of stuff. Some of this stuff included candy, stickers, little trinkets, coloring books, etc. I did not tell the kids what was in the bag ahead of time, and I hid it up in the front seat by me. I told the kids that I had a treasure bag, and if they were well behaved and kept their areas clean, at each stop they would get to choose a treat. For the most part, my kids were well behaved, but anytime they began to argue or act up, I reminded them that their treasures were only for good behavior, and they were back to their best behavior. The other benefit was that after each stop, they had something new to keep them entertained. This was so helpful for me since I drove the first 20 hours alone.<br />
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3.) <b>Keeps Snacks at a Minimum</b><br />
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I limit my kids snacks at home, so why would I spend extra money letting them snack in the car when they are already cooped up more than usual? I knew that snacks would mean increased bathroom stops, a messy car, and upset bellies. I know this sounds anti-road trip, but honestly, this was so helpful in getting them to eat real meals at our stops. It also kept the bathroom breaks to a minimum and our car less cluttered. They each has access to water, and I kept a bag of just a few healthier snack options up by me in case they did get hungry, but avoiding total access to snacks was a win for us.<br />
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4.) <b>Electronics Are Your Friend</b><br />
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Ok, I know that many people might disagree with me here, but when it came to electronics on our road trip, I had to be really honest with myself. As much as I would have loved to have my kids read books and quietly gaze out the window the entire time, that was a fantasy. I knew I had a 20 hour road trip ahead of me with two little kids, and no other adults. I decided that now is not the time to be Super mom. My focus was to make the trip as pleasant as possible and get there safely, and the electronics helped immensely with that. Our portable electronics are reserved only for long road trips, so they were a special treat, and because of that, they kept the kids entertained (and me sane.) Each kid had their own DVD player and a tablet. There were times that we were able to sing, have conversations, and enjoy each other's company. Then there were times that I was so thankful that I could simply say, "Ok, time to put your headphones on." While they were enjoying a movie or a game, I was able to enjoy silence, or even listen to a podcast or two of my own. If you want to limit electronics, I get it, but choose wisely and know that if you allow them during a road trip, you're still a stellar mom!<br />
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5.) <b>Wipes, Wipes, Wipes</b><br />
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Boogers, sticky hands, dirty windows, or giving the kids something to do...wipes are a must. I kept a pack of wipes up front with me and put a pack of wipes in each of the kids doors along with a hand sanitizer. This kept me from having to reach back and clean messes, and it also gave the kids a sense of responsibility. I told them at each stop that they needed to wipe down their cup holders and get rid of trash. They LOVE wipes, so this encouraged them to keep their area tidy. Cheap buy, and well worth it...don't underestimate the power of wipes!<br />
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6.) <b>Keep it Simple!</b><br />
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Like I said, I had all of these elaborate plans to do everything a Pinterest mom would do, but I'm me and that didn't happen...and to be honest I'm glad! Looking back I realized that I would have wasted a lot of time and money doing all of these elaborate things for two little kids who could honestly care less. Kids are pretty simple! When I realized how short I was on time, I quickly went around the house and gathered some coloring and activity books that we already had and put them in two separate bins (one for each kid). Those bins sat under their feet and they knew those were their activities. To be completely transparent, the amount of time they spent in those bins compared to their DVD players was pretty small, and that's okay! I think the same would have been true even if the bins were full of expensive stuff from Hobby Lobby. Keep it simple! Find stuff already around your house, and don't overload your car.<br />
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Well, I think thats about it. Like I said, I don't have a ton of tips, and what I have isn't elaborate. It is do-able though, and that's what I like!<br />
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I hope you find this helpful whether you are planning a cross-country road trip like us, or driving an hour to see family!<br />
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If you have tips for road-tripping with kids, please share below!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-64993398324109296642019-04-26T07:12:00.001-07:002019-04-26T07:12:12.327-07:00It Feels Good to Be HomeHi Everyone!<br />
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The final stretch of our road trip flew by crazy fast, and because of that, I didn't have a ton of time to write.<br />
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We packed a lot into a few days, starting back up in New Orleans!!!<br />
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So, my Dad, Carter, and I flew from L.A. to New Orleans on Sunday night. After a few delays, we finally arrived at our hotel at about 4a.m. on Monday. We were exhausted, so we slept until 10 and then hit the ground running.<br />
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The guys had to do a trade show for work, so we all went and helped them set up. After that, we stopped at our first place to eat in New Orleans. If there's one thing I'll always remember about New Orleans, it's the food! Goodness gracious it was delicious!<br />
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Our first stop was at the "<a href="http://www.thehowlinwolf.com/" target="_blank">Howlin' Wolf</a>." We got a bunch of appetizers to share. Some of them had Alligator meat in them..so good!!!<br />
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After that, the kids and I hung out at the hotel while the guys worked. We did go on an adventure to find something sweet to eat, and landed at a little diner that had the lovely little things called beignets. If you've never had beignets, they are a must have when in New Orleans. I don't recall the name of the diner that we stumbled upon, but <a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Du Monde</a> is where we went for round two, and it's an original and very popular coffee stand in the French Quarter.<br />
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Monday through Wednesday, the guys worked and then kids and I hung out. When they were done, we would walk around, explore the town and find somewhere to eat. Here are photos of some more of our adventures...<br />
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The kids and I swam, played frisbee in a park, and took some pictures of the city...<br />
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I ended up enjoying New Orleans a lot more than I had anticipated. Maybe it was the company we had while we were there, but regardless, I would definitely visit again!</div>
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Wednesday evening, we stopped for dinner with my Dad, and then started heading for Nashville. My dad took a flight back to Ohio. We thought about inviting him to come with us, but we were already packed into our car like a bunch of sardines, so off to Ohio he went.</div>
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Wednesday evening, we drove from New Orleans to Birmingham...</div>
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Thursday we had a car ride full of laughter and concerts in preparation for the City of Music, and then, we finally arrived in Nashville around 2pm!</div>
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This was everyone's first time in Nashville but me. I was so excited to be back. It felt like Christmas! I couldn't wait to show everyone around (and subliminally message to Corey that this is where we will retire.)<br />
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Anyways, our first stop was of course at a park. When I had visited with my friend Andrea a few years back, we stumbled across this park and I couldn't wait to bring my kids back to it. Thankfully with the help of Google, I was able to find it again.<br />
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We let the kids burn off some energy, and then we went to a place called <a href="https://www.edleysbbq.com/" target="_blank">Edley's BBQ</a>. It's such a cute joint, and the food is delicious. Definitely worth it if you are in the area!<br />
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After food, we found a hotel, got cleaned up and then hit the town!</div>
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We rode scooters down Broadway, we stopped to get Ice Cream, and then we tried on some boots at boot barn....</div>
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After exploring a bit, we decided to try and find a place to introduce our kids to live music. Thursday evenings in Nashville may not seem like the best place for kids, but it went surprisingly well. I think the key is to get to Downtown early (like 4ish) and be done by 9 if you have kids. That's about what we did and we had a blast!!! Most bars were 21 and over, but there were a few that welcomed families until 9pm. We ended up stopping into <b>The Famous Saloon</b> and seeing a band called <b>AG3</b> perform. </div>
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OUR KIDS LOVED IT. Liberty was absolutely enamored by the music once she realized that the singers were real (and not robots like Chuck E. Cheese.) She even got a shout out when we were walking down the street by a girl that was performing. Heres a photo of her admiring the performance.</div>
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I really, really enjoyed taking the kids out. While it might not seem ideal for little ones, we had a perfectly family-friendly night and we were back at the hotel by the time the party animals started coming out. My heart gets so happy when I get to expose my kids to people doing things they love. Whether Carter and Liberty become teachers, doctors, laborers, or some type of performers, my mission as a mom is to make sure they are following their dreams, and what better way than to show them real-life examples of people making it happen?</div>
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Back to the trip...</div>
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Corey and I had intended to stay in Nashville until Saturday, but the kids were getting antsy. Our first sign was when I caught Carter instructing adults at the hotel breakfast on how to use the pancake machine. We also realized that they were telling other visitors that the Hotel was our "Home-tel." Finally, they found out we were only two hours from their cousin in Louisville, and with that we knew Nashville didn't stand a chance.</div>
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Corey and I decided to call the trip a couple days early, so Friday morning we left for Louisville! We made it there early Friday afternoon, and seeing the kids together made it all worth it!</div>
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We only stayed for a couple hours because it was Easter weekend and we decided we might as well spend Easter in Ohio! We made it to my parents house in Ohio at about 1am on Saturday. Our minds were tired, and our bellies were full of fast food. We were happy to have arrived at our final destination, and be out of the car!</div>
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We are in the process of getting settled which is why I am so late on posting this. We spent Easter Weekend laying low and house hunting and we have found a place! The next couple weeks are going to be full of establishing new routines and systems, and we are ready!</div>
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We will be sure to get back to posting our regular stuff such as our journeys on budgeting, healthy living, parenting, marriage and more! </div>
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Thanks for joining us on our journey home, we really appreciate the love and support!</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-88352249251227494972019-04-16T12:41:00.000-07:002019-04-16T12:41:04.086-07:00Hiking, Homeless Bags, and Hollywood--Roadtrip Update!Hi everyone! So I initially started this post while sitting in Los Angeles on set with Carter on Sunday, but the day got away from me so here we are two days later...<br />
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It is now Tuesday the 16th, and we are in New Orleans!<br />
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I'm going to back track a little to pick up where we left off which was Dude Perfect and hanging out at the hotel. While the kids could have stayed in the hotel all day, I was getting a bit of cabin fever, so we decided to get up on Wednesday and find a place to hike. The place we found turned out to be really awesome! It was called <b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.plano.gov/facilities/facility/details/Arbor-Hills-Nature-Preserve-20" target="_blank">Arbor Hills Nature Preserve,</a> </b>and I would highly recommend it if you are ever in the Dallas area! It had a playground, a ton of trails, a creek, and even some places to grill out. The trails and the entire property would be great for all ages.<br />
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The kids had a blast hiking and climbing, and we enjoyed the fresh Texas air. The kids love to use their imaginations and make everything "magical." We ran into "magical trails," and "magical water," "magical sticks," and more. Thankfully, we didn't run into any "magical snakes" even though Carter desperately wanted to. Here are some photo's of our adventure!<br />
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Wednesday after Corey got off work, we went to see the movie <b><i>Dumbo</i></b> (for the send time) with him. Liberty claims it's her favorite movie EVER. We ended the night at the hotel grilling out and playing some basketball.<br />
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On Thursday, the kids and I decided that we would drive around Dallas to give some bags out to the homeless. This idea was inspired by my cousin Makenna, who loved the homeless. She has an amazing story that I would love to share on here one day, but for now I'll just say that she loved the outcasts, and one of those groups were the homeless. Since she passed away, we have been making up bags with food and toiletries and keeping them in my car. We also have a photo of Makenna in them with her story on the back. Through her story, the hope is that these people feel the love that she used to share as well as the love of Christ. I sat down with the kids, read them a bible story, and we talked about serving others and thinking of others before ourselves. The lesson got them excited, and off we went to find a few people to donate to!<br />
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After about thirty minutes, we discovered that Dallas is <i>much</i> different than Southern California. While in California we could have handed out 50 of those bags in about 30 minutes, we quickly learned that Dallas was very much different. After driving around for about an hour, we finally found a young homeless boy sitting outside of McDonalds. We pulled up and just as I was rolling down my window to ask if he wanted me to oder him something, we realized that he was not homeless, but just waiting for a ride. The biggest give away for Carter was the fact that he had a cell phone. Carter yelled, "That man has a cell phone! He's a fake!" Thankfully, we realized this before actually handing out the bag. To make a long story short, we drove around for a bit longer until we decided to call it quits and head to a park. We will keep trying though!<br />
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Ok so, we spent Friday at the hotel packing while Corey worked because we knew that Saturday we were leaving early to head to the much anticipated Silos!<br />
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We got up early Saturday to head to Waco, and it was pouring down rain. Because of the weather, the trip took a little longer than expected but it was well worth it. Also, our car was filled to the brim.<br />
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Back to Magnolia---<br />
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I think Corey (and the kids) would agree that Magnolia was just as dreamy (ok maybe Corey wouldn't use the word dreamy) as we were expecting, and even though we were soaking wet from the downpour, we'd do it all over again!<br />
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We did head over to their restaurant, but the wait was four hours, so we found a cute place called <a href="https://www.bubbas33.com/" target="_blank">Bubba's 33</a>, and it was delicious! If you ever are in the area and decide to go there, get the bacon appetizer! Might have to make a trip back just for that!<br />
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After Magnolia, Carter and I were scheduled to fly out to Los Angeles for his commercial, but because of the rain our flight kept getting delayed. I was extremely nervous that we wouldn't make it there, but thankfully despite the weather we made it just a few hours behind schedule! Heres a photo of us in the airport waiting for our plane to take off:<br />
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My amazing parents picked us up from the airport and stayed with us in L.A. for the night.<br />
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Sunday we spent the majority of the day on set. My mom was able to come along with us which was really nice. Normally we cannot share photos, but the director did give us permission to do so for this one because the toy has already been released, so here are a few photos of that...<br />
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After filming, my dad came and picked us up. The three of us (My dad, Carter, and I) were scheduled to fly out and meet Corey and Liberty in New Orleans. Our flight got delayed a few hours though, so that bought us some extra time to hang out. We were able to get some dinner with my mom at <a href="http://www.killershrimp.com/" target="_blank">Killer Shrimp Cafe</a> (delicious btw, and open 24 hours,) hang out for a little bit, and even catch the sunset on a cute beach called <i>Charlie Beach</i> in Marina Del Rey before we had to head to the airport.<br />
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Corey and Liberty had a great time on their trip as well! They got lots of great pictures, but they are on Corey's phone so I can't add them right this second. He did do a post on our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theadkinshighlightreal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> though, so you can follow us on there!<br />
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We made it to our hotel in New Orleans at about 4am on Monday morning, and we hit the ground running at about 10am!<br />
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Like I said, today is Tuesday, but to keep this post short I am going to stop here and do all of New Orleans in one post. I will say that I am pleasantly surprised by this city. I like it a lot, and we are having a lot of fun. The kids and I have been hanging out while Corey and my dad work the show here, but we have had a good amount of time to get out and explore with them as well.<br />
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We are scheduled to be here until tomorrow evening, and then the four of us are heading to one more city before we hit Ohio---Nashville! It's one of my favorite places, and I'm excited to share it with the kids. As always, if you have recommendations for Nashville, or New Orleans, please leave a comment!!!<br />
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Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!!!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-65429886859087825632019-04-09T11:53:00.000-07:002019-04-09T11:53:39.978-07:00A Backfired Prank & Lowered Expectations---Road Trip Post Number TwoWe are officially on day five of our trip!<br />
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Our schedule has been full of stuff, but I'd be willing to bet it's not the type of touristy stuff you'll be expecting. Here's a breakdown of what we've been up to:<br />
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Sunday we got up and went to church. It is the church that the local ForeverLawn Dealer attends, so we were able to meet them there. I really enjoyed it and the fact that we were still able to go even when on the road. After church, we went out to lunch with them and their four kids. It was such a fun time!<br />
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The rest of the day we spent getting prepped for the week. The kids were exhausted from travel and the time change, and it was clear they needed some down time...<br />
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Look at Liberty's pathetic face..<br />
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The week quickly came to a start and Monday I began planning all of the extravagant things I wanted to be able to do while visiting a new city. The more I tried to plan though, the more the kids were begging me to go to the pool, go to the hotel gym, and go play outside.<br />
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I slowly started to realize that maybe all those extravagant things weren't so ideal.<br />
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Something I learned from my Dad is that when it comes to the kids, they don't care about all of the extra money you spend on them. You don't have to take them to all of these extraordinary places to make their day super exciting. The more the kids were begging me to just go do the simple things, the more I realized how true that was.<br />
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As you guys know, we are working on paying off our debt, so after a little persistence form the kids, I snapped out of it and decided to let them make the plans. I figured it was better to lower my expectations to meet theirs than to drag them around and make them do things they didn't really care to do anyways. As tempted as I have been to take them and do all things Texas, I'm realizing that they are just as (if not more) happy with having my attention on the basketball court, playing with sticks, reading books, and going to the playground. I know they won't be this easy to please forever, so I'm going to take advantage of it.<br />
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While the stories are likely going to be a little less exciting share, and some tourist attractions might go unseen, I'm going to be okay with it because the kids are having a blast, and we aren't paying an arm and a leg to make that happen!<br />
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While we can totally do most of what we have done here at home, the reality is that I usually don't. I usually don't give them this undivided attention (working on it) because I'm busy with my responsibilities of everyday life. So anyways, we are enjoying this, and here are some photos to prove it.<br />
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Monday, the three of us hung out at the hotel, worked out, played basketball, and did some school work. We attempted to go to the pool, but it ended up being infested with bugs, so they closed it down. Ew.<br />
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The gym rats:<br />
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Before we found the infestation of bugs..<br />
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When Corey got home from work Monday evening, we decided to take the kids out. As some of you know, we have been scheming to take them to meet Dude Perfect. While we were never able to get a hold of them, we still wanted to take the kids to their office to see where the magic happens. We decided to surprise them so we told them we were going to this really boring museum called the "Peruvian Winchester Museum of Wigs." We made them wear wigs and look up photos of the wigs of the presidents. We realized it was beginning to backfire when the kids started getting really, REALLY excited to go to the wig museum. I wish you guys could have seen Liberty strutting her stuff in her wig.<br />
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Anyways, when we got there the kids were excited and disappointed all at the same time. They were stoked to be at the office of Dude Perfect, but they were so sad the Wig Museum did not exist. Once Liberty realized we were there and they guys were not, her disappointment escalated to rage and she attempted to break in to see them. I could not stop laughing.<br />
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We ended up getting some cute pictures and then taking them to get some BBQ and dessert. All was made well.<br />
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Today we are back at it working out, playing basketball, and playing with sticks. My kids are happy, and so am I. We will likely find a hiking trail later this week, and if we do end up going to do something touristy, its purely because of my own selfish motives.<br />
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One thing Corey and I really want to do is go to Magnolia in Waco. Has anyone been there? I think that is probably totally worth it, and I'm also thinking it's kid friendly. If you've gone, let me know! It's a two-hour drive, so I'd love to get info from someone who has been there.<br />
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Oh one last thing! Yesterday Carter got some exciting news that he booked another commercial!! The good news is that he is getting jobs and loving every second. The bad news is that just like the first commercial threw a wrench in our travel plans, this one is doing the same.<br />
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Now, Saturday night Carter and I fly back to L.A. so that he can film Sunday and Liberty and Corey will travel on to New Orleans. We will meet them there either Sunday or early Monday.<br />
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I hope everyone is having a great week! I'll post again in a day or so!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-17909501412210336992019-04-06T19:48:00.002-07:002019-04-09T11:54:06.519-07:00We Have Survived the Twenty Hour Drive to Texas!Alright, so I promised that I'd post updates of our cross-country move back to Ohio, so here is the first official post!<br />
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I figured this would be the best way to post so that I can share the details, and post photos without blowing everyone up on social media.<br />
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The kids and I pulled out of Lake Elsinore at about 9am yesterday, and we arrived safely in Dallas at about 6:45pm today.<br />
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Overall, the trip went really smoothly...well except for the speeding ticket...oops.<br />
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Anyways, the kids were amazing travelers. I'll be completely transparent and say that electronics were a lifesaver. While I try my hardest to keep my kids off of screens as much as possible, I figured a twenty hour car ride alone with them was not the time to implement this rule. That being said, I'm very happy that I chose my battles on this, because they were entertained and I was able to safely focus on the road.<br />
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Our first pit stop was just on the border of California. The kids were able to run around for a bit, and Carter even got an audition done for a commercial his managers sent to him! Here is a photo from our first stop:<br />
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Other than the electronics, the only other things I really planned ahead of time were bins for each of them full of books, and the "treasure bag." I filled a grocery bag full of random dollar store toys and snacks, and I told the kids if they were good and kept their spaces clean, they could pick a treasure at each stop. It worked out marvelously, and was definitely good incentive to keep them behaved.<br />
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I thought I might regret putting candy in the treasure bag, especially after Liberty proudly announced, "Mommy I ate AAAAALLLLLLL the white stuff in the bottom of the bag!!" As I watched her polish off a bag full of sugar from sour patch kids. She said it as if it were the equivalent of her eating a bowl full of broccoli. Anyways, it made me giggle, and didn't stop them from getting a nap in!<br />
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The drive from California to Texas is one of my favorite drives to make. I'd do that stretch monthly if I could because the scenery never ceases to amaze me. Unfortunately though, I was driving so I couldn't snap as many pictures as I wanted to.<br />
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Other than a couple other random bathroom breaks and a stop for lunch, the first day was pretty uneventful. We drove about 11 hours which put us in Albuquerque, and left us with about 9 hours to drive the following day. The kids and I got some rest and then took off around 8 the next morning.<br />
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About an hour into our morning drive is when the police caught me red-handed as I was daydreaming and found myself going a little more than slightly over the speed limit. Liberty told me to rip my ticket up in front of the cop when she brought it back to the car. I calmly explained that probably wouldn't be a good idea. The kids then asked how they'd get to Texas since I was going to jail, and then Carter wanted a lesson on radar guns. So, we made the most of the situation, and I just tried to convince myself that the ticket was a $122 lesson plan for the kiddos.<br />
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Other than the run-in with the police, the remainder of the trip went great! Oh! We did stop at the Cadillac Ranch to snap a few photos. It was not out of the way at all, and was an excuse for the kids to stretch their legs.<br />
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We ended up in Dallas close to 7, and Corey met us with Chipotle at the hotel. We took the kids to run around outside and see the pool, but Carter's only (relentless) request was to workout in the gym. So, we took them down and he did pull-ups, ran on the treadmill, and lifted weights. He was happy as a clam. (Not my kid.) Here's a video of him "working out" in the hotel room while he waited on us to take him to the gym:<br />
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We are all settled into our hotel which will be our home for the next week. The kids are snuggled up watching Disney channel, and I'm trying to find things to keep us busy this week. If any of you know of any hiking trails or kid-friendly things to do near Dallas, let me know! The pool and relaxing sound like a great plan too.<br />
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Regarding the rest of the trip, as of right now, our plan is to head to New Orleans on the 16th and then be back to Ohio by Easter (maybe). I'd really love to make a stop in Nashville.<br />
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We will be sure to keep you all posted! Thanks for the prayers and support.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-77920414910445147622019-04-03T14:04:00.000-07:002019-04-03T14:04:21.840-07:00Finding Connection in a Life Full of Goodbyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So it's been quite a while since I've posted...oops.<br />
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While this blog is a lifestyle blog that focuses on much more than just our upcoming move, the reality is that right now, our move and everything that comes along with it has been all consuming, so that's what we have been talking about.<br />
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During this transition, the hardest part for me has been accepting the fact that despite my contentment with relationships, routines, and the community that we prayed for and have come to absolutely adore, change has yet again come knocking on the door. The past couple weeks have been full of "lasts" and anticipated goodbyes, and to be quite frank, it's been heavy.<br />
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Many of you guys know our story, but for those of you who don't, Corey and I have moved our family around a decent amount in our seven short years. As a result, I have unintentionally conditioned myself to avoid investing in relationships, knowing in the back of my head that the likelihood of us picking up and leaving again would be pretty good.<br />
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When we left Ohio three years ago, we had just begun making true "adult friends" for the first time in our lives.<br />
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Does anyone else feel the struggle of making friends as a grown up? I mean honestly, it's stressful. You have to make sure the other spouses get along with each other, the kids mesh, and heaven forbid if you don't discipline the same, agree politically, etc. all bets are off.<br />
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Anyways, back to the point, I can remember back in Ohio when we finally put ourselves out there and went over to a new friends house for dinner just days before we left for California. It was awesome. The wife was a co-worker of mine, and our kids were similar in age. We hit it off and felt so grateful as we sat around the table and talked about life, our kids, and everything else. As we pulled out of the drive-way, my heart sank. I was bummed to have finally found the connection that I was yearning for, only to be leaving for another state. Secretly I began to count down the days of when we would return to Ohio so that we could continue the friendship with this family, and hopefully find our own community.<br />
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As we began to get settled in California, I hesitated to connect with anyone as I clung to the hope that we'd return to Ohio eventually. Of course surface-level connections and relationships couldn't hurt, but what was the point in truly investing in a church, families, or the community, when the likelihood of us moving back to Ohio was pretty good, right?<br />
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Two years.<br />
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For two years I carried on with this attitude. I took my kids to school, sports, church, and more without making an effort to talk to people, to help out, or build any type of relationship, and it was completely lonely. I looked forward to visits to Ohio, and did everything in my power to get any and all family out to visit us, ignoring the fact that there could be great relationships all around me.<br />
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Regardless of how lonely it was, I carried on knowing that I was doing the right thing by protecting myself and my family. I thought I was saving myself from a heap of energy and disappointment when the inevitable move pulled me away from our newfound friendships. Investing in relationships only to leave them again felt pointless.<br />
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Finally, after about two years in California and many difficult conversations, Corey and I excitedly made the decision to make it our home. Our plans to move back to Ohio became less and less likely, until finally, we decided California was where we'd get established.<br />
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We decided to begin putting an effort forward. I prayed for God to allow us to meet the right people, and step out of our little box of a life. At kids practices, we started conversing with people. We decided to start looking for a church closer to our house so that we could get more involved. I decided to start making eye contact at school pick-up, and sure enough friendships started to blossom. California began to feel like home because for the first time in a long time, we were connecting. Doors were opening, we found a new church through baseball parents, and through that church more relationships were created. My heart found what it had been yearning for--a community. A friend to text when I had a question. Kids that my little ones could hang out with outside of school. People to confide in and pray for us when hardships came.<br />
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Well anyone who has been following us for any amount of time knows what's next in the storyline...<br />
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<b><i>Change.</i></b><br />
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As the months went on, life took some unexpected turns, and you all know how it turns out...we are moving back to Ohio.<br />
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And here I find myself in the same mindset that I found myself just days before we left Ohio...counting down the days until we move back to California, and we haven't even left yet. Our friends, our church, the school, the sports...We are leaving it all behind, and reflexively there is a part of me that regrets ever putting energy into establishing ourselves out here in the first place just knowing how much easier it would be to pull away with no strings attached.<br />
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Here's the thing though, these goodbyes are a blessing. The goodbyes mean that we have impacted and been impacted. They mean that we have memories. They mean that we lived, and felt, and experienced beyond the walls of our own home. As I reflected on the memories and tried to begin to digest what the next few months would hold for us, here's what I realized about why finding connection in a life full of goodbyes is so important:<br />
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<b><u>1.) God doesn't call us to be comfortable, God calls us to follow his will.</u></b><br />
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Some people can make friends in an instant. For me, that doesn't come so naturally. I think that part of the difficulty in all of these moves is that making new friendships and meeting new people is uncomfortable for me. I am constantly overanalyzing everything, and it sucks a lot of my energy. That's why I think that once we find a routine and friendships, it's so hard for me to leave because finally, I'm comfortable.<br />
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Unfortunately though, what I know is that God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He doesn't call us to settle into a routine meeting the same people at the same time day after day. Sure, that's nice and predictable, and naturally that's what I prefer, but I have to think that if God has led us to uproot our family yet again, that it's for a reason. As much as it feels like it some days, God isn't punishing us by pulling us away. It is so easy for me to put my head down, and start fantasizing about a potential future back in California. It would be so easy for me to just keep to myself until that day comes, but what if that day never comes, and what blessings would I be passing up by doing this? What relationships might I be passing up on in the meantime? I don't know much about this move, but what I do know is that Corey and I are following God's will. If I believe that, I have to believe that whatever people cross my path along the way cross it for a reason, even if it's uncomfortable. Just like He provided for us out here, He will do the same wherever we end up.<br />
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<b><u>2.) Maybe this relationship isn't about you.</u></b><br />
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As I think back on the relationships I've made over the last year, by default I think about what it's <b><i>done for me</i></b>. Just a little selfish, eh? Even when trying to pursue friendships over the last year, I continually waited for others to put the effort forward first. As I reflect on how my friends here have invited me to places, complimented me on something, or sent a simple text message, I realize how impactful that has been for me. Why then have I not done the same for others?<br />
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I got to thinking about all of the mom's I've dodged at the park avoiding conversation, and even eye contact at times because I knew I likely wouldn't be around weeks or even months down the road, and I didn't want to have to explain my story to yet another stranger. I thought about all of the check-in text's I could have sent but never did because I was busy being comfortable, or simply didn't want to bother people. What if it wasn't about me though? What if when I was at the park I was put in that person's path to simply have one conversation, to make a compliment and be a blessing. Who have I missed out on impacting by withdrawing myself? I don't have the answer to that, but what I have decided is that with this upcoming move, I'm going to be more intentional about introducing myself even if it's just at the park. I'll try harder to compliment people, even it's just a stranger at the store. I won't avoid friendships just because my future is unknown because at the end of the day, all of our futures are unknown, and maybe, just maybe my next interaction isn't about me.<br />
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<b><u>3.) If a relationship is meant to last, it will.</u></b><br />
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For so long I believed that investing time in people during a temporary stage in my life was pointless because as soon as that season ended, so would the relationship. I figured that once people know we weren't sticking around, they'd likely stop putting the effort in as well, and it felt like any energy I spent investing was for nothing. As I was reflecting on the sweet family in Ohio that we had dinner with a just days before we moved, I realized that yes, maybe we aren't as close as we'd be if we were in Ohio, but there is still a friendship there. Thankfully because of that, we know we have another family we can look forward to returning to. She and I go months without texting, but every now and then, I will get a message from her and it will completely turn my day around. I am thankful for that friendship even if the physical meetings were brief, the relationship has lasted.<br />
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As I get ready to leave California, I am working on trusting God with the friendships that we leave behind. As much as it bums me out to leave though, I have faith that 1.) These relationships were established for a reason, and 2.) If the relationship is meant to last, it will. If any of the relationships were simply meant to be for a brief stent of time, I trust that I was able to make a mark, and that ultimately they were part of His plan.<br />
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<b><u>4.) Withholding connection is only blocking you from blessings and opportunities.</u></b><br />
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Finally, I just want to say that when I finally allowed myself to begin connecting, so many blessings and opportunities came for not only myself, but Corey and the kids as well. I think about my sweet friend Keisha who I met with the other day and how she has encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I think about our pastor who has spoken so much truth into our lives, and indirectly encouraged us to step out in faith. I think about friends that our kids have made, and even connections that we have been able to make for the business. It may have been easier to leave had I continued to withdrawal, but who knows where I'd be without those little connections. I also hope that in some small way we have been a positive impact to those we have met as well.<br />
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I can honestly say that God has taught me so much through this. Until recently I viewed our life of continuous change as a burden, but I'm beginning to see it as a blessing. I can honestly say that if I knew we were planning on going back to Ohio, I never would have allowed myself to connect in the way that we have. Ultimately, God knew all along that we wouldn't be staying in California, but maybe he allowed us to think that we'd be here forever so that we'd give the people who crossed our paths the time of day.<br />
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So, whether you are a military family, a high school or college student facing tons of change, a young adult trying to figure out how and where to get established, or just an ordinary mom and wife like me...I hope this encourages you not to hold back. Allow yourself to invest in people, even if they only cross your path for a day. Look for opportunities to make connections. Invest in others, period.<br />
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God has placed you in this season and through these circumstances for a reason. Embrace the people He places in your life, even if it isn't going to benefit you. They have been placed in your life to shape you, to teach you, to transform you, to impact you, and to help you become who God has made you to be even if they aren't yours to keep forever.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-68048623368492662312019-02-20T10:10:00.000-08:002019-02-20T10:17:15.136-08:00How to Make a Big Life Decision: Why we Chose to Rent vs. Buy<br />
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<br />
As you probably know, Corey and I are moving our family from California, back to our home state of Ohio.<br />
<br />
I will continue to elaborate on the move and all of the details as they come. For the background story, feel free to read my post titled "<a href="http://adkinshighlightreal.blogspot.com/2019/02/when-life-doesnt-go-my-way.html" target="_blank">When Life Doesn't Go My Way,</a>" but for now, I'd like to talk about our decision making process when determining whether to rent or buy.<br />
<br />
Previously when we lived in Ohio, we owned our home. It was nice knowing that our mortgage was going toward something rather than "being thrown away" each month on a rental. We got a decent deal on our home because we bought it as a foreclosure. This really worked out for us when we decided to unexpectedly move cross-country eight months after we bought our house. Thankfully, we were able to sell it for a decent amount more than we bought it for and we came out on top.<br />
<br />
When we moved to California, we quickly realized the market is a lot different than Ohio. Homes are way more expensive, and it's definitely more of a renters market out here. With our financial status and uncertainty of decent areas to live, we decided to rent for a few years until we determined where we'd stay.<br />
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Now, there are many financial pro's and cons when it comes to renting vs buying, and I'm not going to get into all of that here, because for us, finances were not the only factor. I am going to explain how we decided what our next move would be, and hopefully if you are in a similar situation or in the midst of really any big life decision and are continuing to go back and forth, this will help you.<br />
<br />
How we determined whether to rent or buy our next home:<br />
<br />
<b><u>1. FIRST AND FOREMOST, DETERMINE YOUR "WHY."</u></b><br />
<br />
There are many emotions that can go into a move. Finances are involved, comfort and security are involved, and if I'm being completely honest, status is involved as well.<br />
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That's why it's important to determine your why. It's so easy to get caught up in the idea of "Keeping Up with the Joneses," but if your goals go beyond status, it's important to not lose sight of that.<br />
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It's also easy to have a microscopic view about money, but if other factors are important to you, it's important to weigh those as well.<br />
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That's why we decided to list our "why," and go from there.<br />
<br />
Here is what we determined:<br />
<br />
<u>Our Why:</u><br />
<br />
<b>1.) We want to spend more time with our kids/family. </b><br />
<b>3.) We want to rest and live slower paced for a bit. </b><br />
<b>4.) We want to pay off debt. </b><br />
<br />
Here are some questions you can ask yourself when determining your why?<br />
<br />
Why are you moving in the first place?<br />
Are you ready to find a home to grow your family in?<br />
Is status important to you?<br />
Are you looking to have a less financially demanding situation?<br />
Are you wanting to get planted?<br />
What do your next 5-10 years look like?<br />
<br />
So on to step two...<br />
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<u><b>2.) TAKE YOUR "WHY," AND WEIGH IT AGAINST EACH SCENARIO.</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>Scenario 1: Buy a House/Fixer Upper:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Does this option support reason #1?<br />
<br />
<i>1.) We want to spend more time with our kids/family.</i><br />
<br />
Kind of, however we are aware that along with home ownership (especially a fixer upper) comes house repairs, yard work, and increased time on housework depending on size of the house. Although there may be extra space to entertain, weekends would likely be spent on home repairs/upkeep, and while we are not opposed to these things, this option may end up sucking more of our time and money than we would like.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #2?<br />
<br />
<i>2.) We want to rest and live slower paced.</i><br />
<br />
Most likely not due to increased demand for home renovations/repairs.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #3?<br />
<br />
<i>3.) We want to pay off debt.</i><br />
<br />
While we could likely pay off debt (depending on the size of out mortgage) overall, this would increase our debt total, and the majority of the debt payoff would not be until the future (if and when we successfully sell the house.) Again, buying might make us a chunk of money 5 years from now when we decide to sell, but that's not our only goal. It's not solely about finances, so it was important for us to really get to the bottom of why we are making the move in the first place.<br />
<br />
Fixer upper- Even if we did end up coming out making money in the end, reason 3 would not be accomplished here. A fixer upper would likely tempt us to make improvements on the weekends and off hours, pour extra money into the home, and take time away from what we want our focus to be in this next season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Scenario 2: Renting a house</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Does this option support reason #1?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<i>1.) We want to spend more time with our kids/family.</i><br />
<br />
Previously, Corey and I were not fond of the idea of renting, however the thought of adding any amount to our debt right now seems daunting. For that reason alone, we have been highly considering it. If you consider reason number 1 again, renting sounds even better because any major home repairs would not suck our immediate time or money.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #2?<br />
<br />
<i>2.) We want to rest and live slower paced.</i><br />
<br />
More so than scenario 1.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #3?<br />
<br />
<i>3.) We want to pay off debt.</i><br />
<br />
Yes. Renting a home would not add to our debt, and while it's not a long-term solution, finding the right monthly rent could really help us focus on paying off the debt.<br />
<br />
<b>Scenario 3: Renting an apartment</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Does this option support reason #1?<br />
<b><br /></b><i>
1.) We want to spend more time with our kids/family.</i><br />
<br />
Yes! While a smaller apartment might not provide the amount of space we need to entertain family within our home, this option would absolutely provide us optimal time to go out and spend with our kids/family. If you read my post "Don't Let Your Stuff Steal You Peace," you will know that over the last year, I have really been focusing on eliminating unnecessary "stuff" from our lives. I am finding that the less stuff we have, the more time we have because we have less to clean and less to worry about! An apartment would encourage us to continue living this way by providing less space to collect that unnecessary "stuff."<br />
<br />
Our family is not about the "stuff," we are all about getting out and walking or hiking, and the more time we have to do this, the better. So yes, an apartment completely supports this option. No yard to keep up, minimal stuff to keep up, fewer square feet to keep clean! Living this way will give us the peace to know that our homefront is in order and taken care of so that we can be ready to go out and love on and serve those around us.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #2?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<i>2.) We want to rest.</i><br />
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Our thought process for a small apartment is to make it as cozy as possible with as little upkeep as possible so that our demands at home are minimal to provide optimal time for rest.<br />
<br />
Also, see above.<br />
<br />
Does this option support reason #3?<br />
<br />
3.) We want to pay off debt.<br />
<br />
Yes. Renting an apartment would not add to our debt. Also, an apartment equals less space, which equals smaller utility bills, and a smaller space would discourage us from buying unneeded things, and an overall smaller overhead!<br />
<br />
<b><u>3.) MAKE A DECISION</u></b><br />
<br />
All of that being said, one of our very last ideas (the apartment) became one of our very favorite ideas as it met each of our criteria. We are so excited to enter into a season of a more simplistic home life so that we can go out into the world and focus on those around us, our church, our kids, and pay off debt in the meantime.<br />
<br />
Our rationale may not be right for you, and that's okay! The point of this post is to help you go through each option and weigh them against your "why" regardless of what big decision you are making.<br />
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Are you in the process of a season change, or a big move? Are you struggling to figure out what the right decision is?<br />
<br />
I'd encourage you to take some time and really sit down and write down the goals you would like to achieve by making this decision.<br />
<br />
Why are you making this decision in the first place?<br />
Is it money, space, time?<br />
Do you just need a fresh start?<br />
Do you need to take it back to the basics like us?<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you and your family whether others agree or not.<br />
<br />
We promise to keep you updated on our journey of apartment living!<br />
<br />
Also, check out our YouTube Video "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEQA4RdVulE" target="_blank">Rent vs. Buying</a>."<br />
<br />
Subscribe to stay in the loop and check out our Youtube Video "Renting Vs. Buying" to hear more!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Well, I'm writing this post with a lot of mixed emotions.<br />
<br />
Just a few days ago, this wall was filled with family photos, and now, the last sign that remains is the one above that states, "You are my Home."<br />
<br />
I bought it right after we moved to California as a reminder that my husband and my kids are what make our house a home.<br />
<br />
That being said, we are moving...again...<br />
<br />
I'm excited, confused, sad, and frustrated all at the same time, but I've been through enough seasons to know that at the end of the day, it's not about what I want...it's about what God wants.<br />
<br />
Let me back up...<br />
<br />
Corey and I have been married for almost seven years.<br />
<br />
About six months before we got married, I found out I was pregnant (more on that in <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://adkinshighlightreal.blogspot.com/2019/02/come-to-table.html" target="_blank">Come To the Table</a></span>). <br />
<br />
When we got married, we lived with my parents for about one and a half years until we graduated college, and then one year after. Then I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Liberty Rose, just before we moved into our new home. I was working as a nurse full time, and Corey was working a job that had absolutely nothing to do with his degree.<br />
<br />
Wow that's a lot.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I should have seen my first pregnancy, early marriage, and Corey's career shift as the first three signs that no matter how hard I try to plan, control, and manipulate my circumstances to fit my own selfish agenda, that's not how life works.<br />
<br />
As time went on, Corey's job required more and more traveling, and while he absolutely loved it, he was gone a lot. So, we began to discuss options for him to be home more because we had two young kids, a new house, and I was also working.<br />
<br />
You know the saying, "I plan, and God laughs?"<br />
<br />
Well, Corey did end up switching jobs because he could not pass up the opportunity. He began working for a different branch of the same company, but in Southern California. Yes, that's right, he moved to Southern California without us. While we knew this would be temporary, this was still a very trying season. I stayed back with the kids to pack and sell our home, continue to work, and move back in with my parents. Corey came to Ohio to visit every six weeks or so.<br />
<br />
This went on for about six months. Initially the plan was to keep this going for about two years, but my heart and our family really struggled emotionally through this season so to make a long story short, after about six months, I quit my job, packed the kids and I up, and off we moved to California to be a family again.<br />
<br />
The move was scary, but it was also exciting. Our hearts were content as we were finally a family again. For about the first two years, I was unsure of how long we would stay, so I naturally held back from making any meaningful relationships. That last sentence alone could be an entire blog post, and it likely will be in the future, but anyone who moves every couple years can probably relate to this. In my mind, I would think, "We don't know how long we are staying, so theres no point in getting close to people only to leave again. I will wait until our future is more clear."<br />
<br />
Well, after about two more years, we fell more and more in love with California and the idea of raising our family here. We were planning to buy or at least be part owners of the business we were running, and so my heart finally began to feel comfortable allowing my kids to get attached to friends, rooted in school, set on the idea of a church family, and Corey and I actively began to try and make friends. California began to feel even more like home, and for the first time in years, I began to feel settled. I began to see my future, and my kids, and where they would grow up. I felt at peace.<br />
<br />
In mid 2018, a number of things took place. The life that Corey and I had just begun to feel like we were in control of started slowly slipping out of our grasp. It seemed the tighter we clenched on to the ideals that we had in our minds, the more those things were being ripped out of our reality.<br />
<br />
If I'm being completely honest, I began to respond like a toddler looking for his woobie (blanky). I was angry. I was angry at Corey, angry at God, and angry at everyone around me that had to do with the things that looking back in retrospect, no one could control.<br />
<br />
With each passing day, our future in California began to diminish, and our life's roadmap looked like it was being re-routed to Ohio.<br />
<br />
My internal dialogue thought things like,<br />
<br />
"Why God, why are you doing this?! Just as we are settling, and finding contentment, consistency, comfort, and friends, you shake everything up and ruin it for us? We are happy here, and I'm not leaving."<br />
<br />
I fought it. I fought with Corey, I fought with myself, and I fought with God.<br />
<br />
If you watch in our <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPatbetA6bY" target="_blank">YouTube video</a></span>, you will hear the story about our house. Our house stayed for sale for nearly a year, and then ended up selling two weeks before we said we were moving back to Ohio. I will keep that short here, but check out the video.<br />
<br />
The more I fought it, the more things like that began to happen. So, I started praying for God to either change my heart, or show us some sign that we should stay. The house selling was the final sign that despite what we wanted, God was leading us to Ohio.<br />
<br />
So here were are. We are moving to Ohio. Our official announcement on social media is <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bkarmie/posts/10156771386901183" target="_blank">h<span style="color: blue;">ere</span></a></span>.<br />
<br />
Honestly, my heart has changed. I am growing more excited every day, but I'm still sad to be leaving. But you know what? Even if I was completely set on California (some days I am), I'm still going to obey.<br />
<br />
More than even my heart needs to settle. I need friends. I need routine. I need to know my kids will have childhood memories in one house rather than a thousand random ones. I don't want to screw them up. I want them to stay here. I want to stay here.<br />
<br />
But that's not what God wants for us. We are yearning to get rooted, and He is screaming "Pack Up and Go." As much as it kills me to accept that, I will obey.<br />
<br />
I so desperately want life to go my way, but it's not, and when I think about it more, I can't help but be okay with that. I have lived in many seasons to know better than to fight God for what I think I want. I am learning that when I get that nudge from Him to go, I should. Maybe He is protecting us from something. Maybe He has bigger opportunities for us to walk into, or maybe He just wants us in Ohio for some reason that we will never know.<br />
<br />
Right now, I can't make total sense of this move, but I know and Corey knows in the depths of our souls that this is what God is calling us to do, so we are going to do it.<br />
<br />
I don't have anything super profound. I don't have any miracles, or answers. All I know is that God is saying "Go," so we're going.<br />
<br />
And if there's anything I hope you take away from this, it's that I hope this gives you the courage to do the same.<br />
<br />
If you're feeling unsettled, pray. Hard.<br />
<br />
Pray for God to give you clarity. Pray for him to give you answers. Pray for his will, even if it's the total opposite of what you want. And be honest with yourself.<br />
<br />
Are you following your own selfish agenda, or are you following God's will for your life?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Life may not be going my way</b></i>, but it's going God's way. I don't have to be happy about it, but I do have to obey. When I obey I know I can give it all to Him, because my circumstances are in His hands. When I give it to Him, I can rest assured knowing that even when things don't make sense, I am not fighting His will, but allowing it. And I'd much rather things not make sense and know that it's God's will, than to know that my life is in shambles due to my own selfish agenda.<br />
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Whether it be a cross country move, a relationship that needs mending, a job change, or anything else, follow His will.<br />
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Jeremiah 29:11<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BTniS_yii5gf7YHgbkxpbK7BiFq08U6aoTSrol-Bd83BXB-o7BHNjTi39S6eYajUr9M9kTOIiS8j4vBIT4Rt-Az6mv-iKx1eaZyfBHI3c72sxs-imxMdn9m2GEzBbPotMLjFZ8ym9S0/s1600/PostSignature-1a.png" />Adkins Highlight REALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474621738492598507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247428719229749047.post-51065857584918800602019-02-12T19:58:00.000-08:002019-02-12T19:58:29.828-08:00January 2019 Debt Payoff Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The numbers for January are finally in.<br />
<br />
I'm just going to be honest...they aren't pretty.<br />
<br />
So, we launched our blog (unofficially) at the end of December 2018, and with that came a lot of goals for us to work toward in 2019.<br />
<br />
While we knew what our January looked like, we were still hopeful that even with our chaotic schedule, we'd some how be able to magically pull off getting rid of some debt.<br />
<br />
As we said, this is our "Highlight REAL," so with that, we have promised ourselves to share the good, the bad, and the ugly.<br />
<br />
We quickly went into January with no game plan.<br />
<br />
We spent the first 9 days on vacation in Orlando at Disney and Universal.<br />
<br />
We then came back and had our best friends come in from out of town, so we were out doing a lot of fun stuff (some of which required more spending than normal)<br />
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Finally, we made the decision to move back to Ohio, and so we spent the last few days of the month packing and moving into our temporary house for the next month and a half until we head back.<br />
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All of that being said, we are in more debt than we started out the year. $1,091.47 more to be exact. That brings our total debt amount to $122,414.54.<br />
<br />
Yowzers.<br />
<br />
Lesson here: "Fail to plan, plan to fail."<br />
<br />
I don't think I need to go into detail about why we failed, and we are absolutely not making excuses. We just let our schedule dictate our budget rather than our budget dictate our schedule, and in the end this showed. If you want more details about what we did wrong, you can watch our YouTube video by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL3a-f17E_o" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm going to close this post out writing where our debt is coming from, and what our plan of attack is for February.<br />
<br />
<br />
Adkins Debt:<br />
<br />
Car Loan #1: $11,594.49<br />
Car Loan #2: $7,198.64<br />
Credit Card #1: $3,246.39<br />
Credit Card #2: $4,984.12<br />
Credit Card #3: $11,424.36<br />
Student Loan #1: $8,271.84<br />
Student Loan #2: $37,526.42<br />
Student Loan #3: $38,168.28<br />
<br />
Total= $122,414.54<br />
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We are working toward paying off our credit cards first. They are the smallest lines of credit, and have some of the highest interest.<br />
<br />
Also, because we are moving, we are anticipating some upcoming expenditures that we would not have otherwise:<br />
<br />
-Moving truck ($3,000)<br />
-Gas for the drive home + hotels and food ($2,000)<br />
-Deposit for future house/apartment ($1,000)<br />
-Misc furniture/utilities needed once we arrive (couch, kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, deposits for utilities) $2,500<br />
<br />
Total= $8,500 needed for move home.<br />
<br />
So not only are we just working to pay off our debt, but we also want to consciously save for our move home so we are not accruing more debt during the move.<br />
<br />
Here's to a more intentional, and more successful February. It hurts to fail, and if this post does nothing else, its certainly holding Corey and I accountable!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned!!<br />
<br />
<br />
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