To start, we ended the year perfectly! With a 15 hour drive through the night to Washington state and being surrounded by family! Our Christmas was filled with laughter and building a snowman outside (we California folk have warm blood so the 30 degree weather was one for staying inside for me). We stayed up till crazy hours of night, played games, and created memories. It couldn't have been more perfect! Here’s a little review of what each of us did this year.
Carter
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Carter's freckles melt my heart!
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Carter got lunch from school! He was pretty excited!
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My social
butterfly had a rough time after schools shut down. He missed his friends
terribly, but we made home school fun and made the best of it! He was able to
choose most of the topics he learned about while working on his reading and
math skills. I think his favorite part was watching videos about neat creatures
and wonders of nature.
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Carter's first day of in person school
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He was
disappointed 2nd grade started via Zoom, but at the end of November
he finally got to meet his teacher in the flesh! He loved meeting his
classmates and playing imaginary football during recess/break/snack time. I
think with only 2 babies at home to play with, we got into the bad habit of
watching YouTube and playing video games.
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Twin day at school. They decided to be quadruplets
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For Carter’s
extra curriculars (there wasn’t much to choose from) he chose to play flag
football and start piano lessons. This little boy is incredible with how fast
he learns and how awesome he can play a song even though he hasn’t practiced
it. He has a heart of gold and loves to be a helper at home. What would I do
with out him?
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My silly boy <3
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Daxton
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My favorite Island boy
 | Love Love Love
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This little
fireball has been a blessing to our family ever since that evening on August
26, 2018 when I met him. It has been so fun to see him grow, gain a crazy
personality, and start talking! He is the sweetest little boy and will give
everyone he meets kisses!
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Their relationship is so sweet!
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Sometimes he can be quiet and shy, but when you see
his true crazy side… you know you’re alright in his book. Although he likes to
push his little sister’s buttons, he really loves that little girl and misses
her when they are apart. I think his very favorite thing to do is wake her up.
He asks me to do it every day! If he could only learn to be a good eater, I
would have no complaints. He’s a lot like his mama and LOVES all the sweet
things in life!
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Sweet sweet boy
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Callie
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My sweet baby girl
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Oh could
there be a cuter little girl out there? She melts my heart every second of
every day. That sweet little face gets her a lot of things, and I think she is
secretly the favorite in our house. I love that mom is her favorite, and I love
that she learned how to give kisses! Even though she acts like she is shy, she is
almost as crazy as her big little brother (minus the mischievousness).
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| Cutest Little girl EVER!!! |
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She's the BEST eater!
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In 2020
Callie turned one, learned how to walk, and learned how to say quite a few
words. Her little voice lights up my heart, and I love it when she says, “uh
oh.” She is an awesome eater just like her biggest brother and is always happy
to try something new. I wish she could stay this little FOREVER!
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This beautiful little girl turned 1!
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Jason
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LOVE him!
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As always,
Jason has won husband and father of the year! He has pursued many of his dreams
including buying a brand-new house and landscaping a back yard. He has loved
his job with Wonderful Citrus, and even received a premotion. He amazes me with
how much he thinks about others and how awesome he is at playing with our kids.
I often think that I don’t deserve him,
but I’m so happy he chose me!
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A daddy and his little girl
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He continues
to help with a 22q Family Foundation and coaching adults how to beef up resumes,
practice for interviews, and be a listening ear for concerned parents. He’s
been a huge support with all the dreams I have, and even puts up with some of
them. He’s incredible and I am so excited that we celebrated 10 years of being married!
I am so happy he’s mine forever!
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The boys
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Me
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Longest I've had my hair in a VERY LONG time!
 | The only half I was able to do
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My goal of
running 5 half marathons for my little angel girls came to an abrupt halt after
the 1st one in February in memory of Shanna. I was struggling
mentally and emotionally after the world shut down and I was with my kids 24/7.
I needed something that made me Clarissa, and so I found a passion for health
coaching. I became a health coach and hope to continue on the journey of
helping people. I still teach a little on the side and try to keep a clean
house. My favorite thing though, is playing with my kids and making them laugh!
My little family is everything to me, and so I’ve learned that I need to take
care of myself so I can take care of the ones I love most.
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The start of a health coaching adventure
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There is
always a silver lining in the hard that we go through in life. It may not seem
like it in the moment, but as I look back on the year we’ve had… it’s been
pretty awesome! I hope we all can remember the blessings that came from a year
of shut down and hard! Happy 2021 everyone!
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Selfie with my favorite little girl on earth!
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Visiting family in Colorado
 | More Colorado fun!
 | Love California weather and riding bikes with my little crew!
 | Jack-o-latern fun!
 | My Favorite selfie with my crazy boy!
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