#PrepWithPurpose - August 31, 2016: Little James needs us .. again.

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

I finally rested with a little peace of mind last night. Some stars aligned yesterday that helped me make my decision as to what show I'll do next! This is assuming when I go to the doctor on Friday for him to look at whatever pain this is/was in my leg is nothing serious. I haven't attempted to sprint..so I am not even sure the issues is still going on ... Fingers crossed :-)  I always have motivation (well .. most days) .. but when I have a show to focus on I always get more hyped up! So I am excited!

Thankfully today Prep With Purpose is back just in time and I've got a "familiar" little face that will be my motivation.

Prep With Purpose - August 31, 2016: Little James needs us ... again.
 I don't typically do "follow ups" because if I did we would just keep lifting up and for the same people over and over again. There is nothing wrong with that at all and I hope that you DO continue to keep each person in your thoughts as time passes, but my hope is that we bring new people in each day! But as I mentioned yesterday... I'm getting low on people to lift up and for. I go ta few today .. but after that I'll be out again! So please SEND THEM MY WAY guys!! 

I got a message that one of our little ones that we lifted up and for a few days ago needs prayer more than ever.You may remember James. HERE is is FULL STORY. Please go read it. It is one of the most heartbreaking Prep With Purpose entries I have done to date. His moms blog really got to me. Her words have stuck with me. Today I lift up and for not only her sweet son .. but the entire family.

In short .. tiny little James has something called Trisomy 18. According to the Trisomy 18 Foundation - Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a error in cell division, known as meiotic disjunction. When this happens,  instead of the normal pair, an extra chromosome 18 results (a triple) in the developing baby and disrupts the normal pattern of development in significant ways that can be life-threatening, even before birth. He was beating "medical odds" at first .. but now I am told that little James is in heart failure, and they found out that he is not a candidate for heart surgery because of his size, etc. The family has made the difficult decision to take James home for whatever time he has left. 

I ask that you join me in lifting up and for little James today. Let's ask God for a miracle and that he wrap his arms around his family during this horrible time. 

XoXo,
Stacy 
 
I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing?
Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose -- Repeat and Request

Hey Guys

Been a few days. This is NOT by choice. It makes me super sad and has really affected my motivation level. Last time I had a PREP WITH PUROSE was Saturday when I lifted up and for a young man and campaign called HOPE 4 Adam. Nobody is sending me anything, my searching has resulted in no ideas and every time I find someone asking for prayer on FB and ask them to send me details .. they don't. So I decided to take a couple days and just ... wait for something to come about.
I do have one very special one I'm working on for later this week (waiting on a few more details) but other than that .. nothing. Yesterday was a REST day so I didn't need "someone" .. but I did Sunday and I do today!!!

Honestly..... I've taken the past couple days to kinda pray about me and my life a little bit. I am faced with what seem like silly decisions .. but it is important to me. I am having a REALLY hard time picking my next show. I had full plans on waiting until the end of September. But I'm so far ahead of the game and am actually trying to GAIN some weight (was too conditioned at my last show) ... so it would be easy for me to step on stage next Saturday. That said ... part of me is enjoying the break from the stress of booking shows and all the travel  .. but the other part of me wants to get started a little earlier than planned! If I do well .. that means I can go into a FULL ON off season a little earlier than planned. But then there are lots of factors that have me leaning toward just waiting. I go to the doctor on Friday for this random little injury I had pop up when sprinting (which I've not tested to see if it's still there because HIIT has been cut out for over 2 weeks) .. budget is a BIG one (our Nashville house still hasn't sold and these shows are expensive) and timing (we have friends coming in town for Olympia, my husband is slammed getting the stage ready for the show and I'm working backstage doing interviews again this year so have some research to get started on.) Prep doesn't bother me ... since this is a LIFESTYLE for me and I DO NOT believe in extremes ... it only means a little else food and usually little more cardio. But now that all my HIIT cardio has been cut .. it really doesn't bother me, lol! It's the travel, logistics and $$ that make it a "burden" .. if you wanna call it that. But this show I'm looking at is only a ONE hour flight! See why I'm tempted?! Anyway .. gonna spend today trying to listen to my instincts ... look for some signs from God and try to not stress about it. But I do have to decide by days end and if you know me then you know decision making is my ultimate WEAK point!! So maybe pray for me too, lol?!

Since part of NOT stressing and focusing on what is in front of me means not spending endless hours online searching for people for this project ... I'm just going to do a REPEAT of my last Prep With Purpose from Saturday.  I noticed that blog hits were VERY low this weekend. Which means that nobody was really logging on and reading about our last person. I think it's worthy of a repeat considering that Adam's campaign could not only save HIS life .. but THOUSANDS of others!!!

Please read about it HERE. In the meantime .. if you have seen someone asking for prayer for any kind of urgent or ongoing physical reason (they can be young, middle aged, older. it can be for any physical reason) .. please email me at simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com and include ALL details that can help me write up an entry and a picture or link with pics (if possible.)

Today is lower body MAX effort day. I"ll be lifting heavy and praying for Adam and this campaign!

XoXo
Stacy

#PrepWithPurpose - August 27, 2016: Hope 4 Adam

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

If you noticed .. I skipped a day for PREP WITH PURPOSE yesterday. That is because it was another REST day for me. Now that my 2x a week HIIT has been TOTALLY cut out .. I have two days that I have rest days. As I mentioned earlier this week .. I just can't do it .. I can't do NOTHING. So I will do some stretching, rad rolling and also light glute training and/or core work. But it's not a real lift .. so since I'm low on people for PREP WITH PURPOSE I held off on posting a new one. I did take time to lift up everyone I've featured this week so far! So I still had some motivation and some quite time being thankful for the ABILITY that God gives me to be active/healthy!

Today we are picking back up and lifting up and for a young man from California that was diagnosed with cancer last month. I actually found out about him from a random email from a site called Social Native. I'm not sure exactly what this site is .. or how they found me .. but I'm glad they did! It appears that they find people on socials that they believe could make an impact and send them stuff like this to post about.  I'm glad they found me because now I have a great PREP WITH PURPOSE for today! I plan to follow up with them to see if we can work together in the future for more people to feature!

Prep With Purpose - August 27, 2016: Hope 4 Adam

Adam Krief is a 31 year old husband and father of 3 children. Last month he was diagnosed with
with Primary Myleofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy, but needs a bone marrow transplant to save his life - that's where the #Hope4Adam Instagram campaign comes in.

To find a donor match, he turned to the Be The Match bone marrow registry. Although there are over 13 million people on the registry, he was not able to find a match. So now he is partnering with Social Native to tap into the power of social media to educate and inspire people to join the registry and find my match. Being a donor is easy. Go to bethematch.org and sign up. You will receive a packet that includes a swab to rub the inside of your mouth. Then you mail back your saliva sample in an envelope with prepaid postage. Even if you aren't a match for Adam .. maybe you will be a match for someone else! Blood cancer kills more children in the United States than any other disease and is the second leading cause of all cancer deaths in the country, according to bethematch.org.


If you go to his Hope 4 Adam Facebook or Instagram page you will see a beautiful video that was posted. Also a local news station where he lives did THIS story. I encourage you to watch them both so you can learn more about Adam and his journey. They are very touching.

My grandmother died of a blood cancer in 2001 .. it's a rough thing to watch happen to a loved one. So today when I hit the gym (lower body endurance lift .. so it's a long one) I will lift up and for Adam. I will pray that a match is found and that he is on the road to recovery soon!

XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 25, 2016: Ramble Davis

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

Back when I was a news anchor at WVLT in Knoxville I would walk into the newsroom as chipper as someone could be at 3:30am on Thursdays (oh...how I don't miss those morning show hours) and say HAPPY DAY BEFORE FRIDAY everyone!!! I always LOVED Thursdays. Why Thursday?! Well .. for those that are working for the weekend it means that you have just ONE MORE DAY! Just get past this day (Thursday) and then it's Friday (when everyone is in a better mood.) It just made the day more exciting! So .. happy day before Friday, lol! These days .. Thursdays mean it's my Upper Body Endurance Lift :) I'm excited to train today and have some killer motivation from a sweet little boy that was born with special needs .. and now .. has another fight .. cancer :-(

Prep With Purpose - August 25, 2016: Ramble Davis

Meet Ramble. He turns two in November. Ramble was born November 2014 ... with Down Syndrome. Kids with DS face many challenges .. one being they have a much higher chance of getting leukemia than other children. Sadly Ramble has been diagnosed. He will be in the hospital for 8-10 .. no doubt emotionally and financially draining for his family.




It goes without saying that first and foremost little Ramble needs LIFTING UP!!! But also his family needs some support. A friend has set up a Go Fund Me page to hopefully help make things a little easier on his family. As I always say .. if I don't know the family .. I can't "vouch" for their financial need. I just pass on the page and let you make the decision.

But well wishes and prayers are FREE! Besides .. that is what PREP WITH PURPOSE is all about! We are able .. we are healthy .. we CAN get to the gym and be active or go about our day to day activities (work, school, etc.) So we use those that CAN'T as our motivation!! Then while we are at the gym (or work/school) we LIFT UP AND FOR them the entire time! Motivation for us .. well wishes for them :) Win-Win for sure!

Ramble (and his family) have already had to overcome so many obstacles. It's pretty unfair that they are faced with another one. Cancer will no doubt be the biggest battle they have had to fight.
Let's lift up and for him and his family .... now Ramble .. get to kicking cancers butt!!!

XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 24, 2016: Carolyn Shirley Reed

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

Happy Hump Day :) I trained my humps yesterday (and actually the day before as well) .. but I'm sure I'll throw in something to activate the booty today too! I am still really sore from my heavy upper body lift on Sunday .. so not sure I can do my 2nd upper body lift ... so I think I'll just do my one day of endurance training today. It usually takes me less than an hour and I have a pretty long to-do list  .. so this will fit perfect! That is one suggestion I give people. Plan what you are training around your week! This will set you up for success and fewer excuses to get it done! But at the same time ... be willing to be flexible and shift things around if your body is telling you otherwise!

Today's PREP WITH PURPOSE comes from simply watching the local news. I don't really WATCH much TV but I always have it on in the background. A good portion of the day I'd say that it's on some sort of news station or news talk type show. My local station of choice is usually Fox 5 here in Vegas (because the evening anchor is a familiar face from back home in Nashville.) While cooking my post workout meal and stressed about NOT having a Prep With Purpose for today I heard her say "A cancer patients means of transportation stolen" ... I immediately stopped what I was doing and watched.

A local Nevada woman was recently diagnosed with cancer and the truck she will use to get her to and from treatments .... was stolen. But there is more to the story. Today we will lift up and for Carolyn Reed and hopefully help spread the word about her stolen truck so that police can catch whoever is responsible.

Prep With Purpose - August 24, 2016: Carolyn Shirley Reed

Picture Source: FOX5

Talk about a bad week. Just this past Friday Carolyn Shirley Reed was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Then on Tuesday she woke up to discover her truck had been stolen.The truck was her way of getting to and from her upcoming chemotherapy treatments. But the truck was also going to provide transportation for Shirley and her husband to take their camper and go to the mountains this weekend. A few days away to absorb this fresh news and try to relax during this horrible time. Reed told Fox 5 news "What they’ve done to us was more than the truck. It was a joyful weekend just to get our minds off things, and now everything’s just shattered, but I have hope.”

Okay. So first .. my lift today will be for Carolyn. I will lift up and for her and ask that God give her some sort of peace and understanding during this horrible time and series of events. I just don't get why bad things like this happen to people during ad times. You hear about similar things SO often?!?! "When it rains it pours" ... I guess? NOT the way it should be and I'll never understand that. But none the less .. after I lift up Carolyn .. I will also pray that these criminals are caught and her truck is returned in time for them to take that trip this weekend.

Okay .. So let's catch these ass holes (sorry .. language .. but they are.)

Picture Source: FOX5

You can watch the full news story for all the details, see more pictures of the truck, etc. But it was stolen from their home located at Pecos and Oquendo roads. It's a 2000 Red Ford F-250 with a black shaker hood. Anyone with information about the stolen truck was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555

Carolyn if you are reading this .. I know you don't know me .. but I am more than happy to take you to your treatments if you don't get your truck back!! I'll also gladly give a nice left hook to whoever stole it WHEN they are caught :) Keep your head up ... stay strong .. have faith! YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August, 23 2016: Paul Tidwell

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

Yesterday felt SO ODD! I would normally wake up and start my Monday with a Phormula-1 protein shake and/or some bcaa's and then hit the football field for HIIT sprints. But my coach cut out ALL cardio!! And since I only do cardio on off days from training .. yesterday was a .. (gasp) .. REST DAY!

I am having some really odd pain that only comes about when I sprint (sometimes I'll get it here and there randomly .. but really only when sprinting. It's odd and a little scary.) I can't get in to see a doctor until September 2nd unless they have someone cancel .. so to be safe coach said STOP.
He could have replaced sprints with different cardio (sprints are my choice .. not something he requires) .. but since I started my reverse diet post Tampa Pro 2 1/2 weeks ago ... I've actually been losing weight and/or holding steady at a weight that is too low to not be SUPER close to a show. Honestly .. it's too low for even peak week or show day. We aren't really sure why. So in addition to the increase of food ... NO CARDIO for me right now. As I said above, since I do my two cardio sessions a week on off days from lifting, this means TWO REST DAYS?!?! I'm not sure why I'm (kinda) complaining, lol. I guess I just HATE doing NOTHING. To make myself feel better .. I ended up training glutes at home on my GLUTE BUILDER :) I love that thing. It gives me just a totally different BURN! If you want more info on it I've posted some on my Instagram, I snap it here and there and I can email you details on how to order or get more info -- simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com. Anywho .. since it wasn't really suppose to be a training day I didn't post anyone new for Prep With Purpose. I just lifted up and for Sunday's person again. I hope you joined me ... I know Shanique could really use some extra love right now.

Moving on to today .. it's heavy lower body day for me! I saw today's person I am featuring pop up as a facebook status by numerous friends that live in Murfreesboro, Tn. We are lifting up and for a man that for decades has been giving away his contagious smile to strangers passing by .. but now finds himself in need of some smiles and lots of well wishes .. as he fights stage 4 cancer.

Prep With Purpose - August 23, 2016: Paul Tidwell 

PHOTO COURTESY - HELEN COMER/DNJ

In Murfreesboro, Tn .. if you travel along a certain stretch of Old Nashville Highway.. then you have no doubt seen Paul Tidwell smiling and waving as you pass by. For almost 40 years, Paul (who has special needs) has sat outside his home and waved to anyone that drives by .. garnering quite a following.  So it raised a lot of concern when his friends (some who take that route just to see him) noticed him missing.

Paul was feeling a bit under the weather because of a nagging cough that just would not go away. Paul's family took him to a clinic, but the clinic turned down his insurance. His family took him to the ER where a CAT scan found what was eventually diagnosed as stage 4 lung cancer (that is also in lymph nodes, a bone in his neck and his bronchial tube lining.)

Because of his special needs, Paul's brain doesn't allow him to feel pain, which is why he didn't know he was sick. Same is true today. He doesn't feel the affects of the cancer or treatments .. so he is still outside waving and smiling .. as if cancer hasn't taken over his body. If you don't see him as you pass by .. his family said it's because he has doctors appointments and treatments (he started radiation last week and starts chemo this week.)  While he knows he is sick...his family says he doesn't understand what is really going on. So even though he may not feel the pain ... his days doing what he loves (smiling and waving and making other people happy) could be cut short .. as his doctors are giving him a grim prognosis.

Paul's family says you can help by simply continuing to drive by as usual! But they are hoping as you pass .. that you drop off cards, notes, treats, hellos, hugs and most of all PRAYER during this trying time.

I am thousands of miles away from Murfreesboro ... so I can't give Paul a smile and wave ... but today I will do one thing they ask .. I will pray. My lift will be FOR PAUL! I will walk in the gym smiling and maybe even throw out a wave or two to those I see. I'll have a happy-go-lucky attitude and be grateful for my health and ability. I'll live my life as Paul is living his .. life every day is the last. I hope you join me in lifting up and for Paul today and I hope he feels the extra love!

To read more about Paul and get the address where you can send cards you can read this news story where he is featured. 

XoXo
Stacy 

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com
 

#PrepWithPurpose - August 21, 2016: IFBB Women's Physique Pro Shanique Grant

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's Sunday! Let's make today count! Sundays are often spent dreading the fact that the next day is MONDAY .. so much that we forget to enjoy what time we have left of the weekend! It's a great day to think about the week ahead .. but in a productive way! Spend some time reflecting on your goals for the week, getting prepared so that you don't make poor choices, inking in your training into your schedule (yes in INK) and of course relaxing and enjoying family/friends before the work week begins!

Today I'll do a heavier upper body workout and the person I am lifting up and for is another member of the #FitFam. This story is just so heartbreaking to me .. especially as a competitor. Just one month away from gracing the Mr. Olympia stage...injuries sustained from a scary incident shattered the dreams of IFBB Women's Physique Pro Shanique Grant. 

Prep With Purpose - August 21, 2016: IFBB Women's Physique Pro Shanique Grant 

One of bodybuilding's most promising young stars (only 21) had to back out of competing in the Olympia. If you aren't a competitor I guess you can't fully understand the heartbreak.
To train for this .. to earn that spot (which is NOT easy) ... prep for this caliber of competition and then only weeks away be robbed of the chance to compete. I simply cannot imagine.

Shanique Grant shares the story of what happened and why she had to back out of Mr Olympia on her Instagram page:
 

"So as some of you may know... Monday night, I was set up and was jumped by three girls... In the process of fighting them off one pulled out a knife and stabbed me 2.5-3 inches deep into my forearm, I lost almost 1 liter of blood by time I was officially stitched up (10 stitches). I'm currently suffering from moderate nerve damage, major swelling and torn muscle tissue so physical therapy will be needed very soon. With that being said, I'm sad to say I will not be competing in my ultimate dream at 21 years old...the 2016 Olympia for I will not be able to train nor perform at my best due to my injury. Things happen, I'm not going to say I'm OK. But I am trying to cope with this in the most professional and calming way as possible."


The good news is that at only 21 .. Shanique has a LONG career ahead of her. But that doesn't lessen the pain, the disappointment, the hard work that seems so wasted.

She would obviously give ANYTHING to be in the gym training today .. so I will not take my ability for granted! I will lift up and for and for Shanique today. I will be praying that she has a speedy recovery and is able to get back in the gym soon.

I have no doubt we will see her on that O stage in 2017!

XoXo
Stacy



I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWIthPurpose - August 20, 2016: Luke Nelson

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

I hope you had a great week and really enjoyed each day! Living in the moment and being thankful for each day instead of wishing it could be the weekend. That said .. it's here :) I hope you take a break from the stressors of work/life and get in some good quality time with those you love!

I'll be doing the usual...being lazy with my husband! We've gotta start being a little more productive around the house on the weekends. So maybe we will knock out a project or two .. maybe not .. ha! It's hard to do too much right now though because we have put any "house spending" on hold until our home in Nashville sells!

I say be lazy .. but I have gym sessions on the weekend too! The grind never stops! Today is an endurance based lower body lift. So it takes tons of energy! With every rep I will be lifting up and for a little 3 year old that should be outside enjoying the sunshine and playing ... but instead he is inside of a hospital recovering from surgery after having a cancerous tumor removed. He has a LONG road ahead of him. Let's send him all kinds of love.

Prep With Purpose - August 20, 2016: Luke Nelson
This is Luke Nelson. He is three years old and loves Spiderman, The Hulk, Batman and his sisters :) He is recovering from a surgery he had on Wednesday to remove of a cancerous tumor on his kidney. The type of tumor he has is called - Neuroblastoma tumor. The family has a Facebook Page where they are keeping everyone up to date. Here is the latest update as of Friday:

Luke is doing great recovering from his Neuroblastoma tumor removal surgery! He came out of surgery around 8pm last night and was moved from Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital across the street to the New York Presbyterian Hospital because the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Sloan was full. When we got up to the PICU floor Luke got settled in and was kept sedated for a few hours. He had come out of surgery with a few tubes and wires all over him, he had a breathing tube in, a stiff NG nose tube to suction bile out of his stomach, a chest tube to drain fluid from his abdomen and chest and a drainage tube to drain excess fluid and blood where the tumor was removed from. He also had wires and monitors all over his body and bed. It was scary at first seeing all those tubes and wires connected to him. He was swollen and puffy and looked so small and fragile in the bed. As his mom my heart immediately started to hurt knowing that my precious little boy had gone through so much during surgery, that hands had been inside him and that he was most likely going to have a lot of pain over the next few days. We did get to see his tumor removal incision which stretches from the middle of his stomach all the way across to the middle of his back but looks really really good. Around 3 a.m this morning the PICU Drs. decided that he was awake enough to remove the breathing tube since he kept trying to pull it out and was biting on it out of pain and upsetness, so they sat him up and took it out for him. He wasn't crying or talking but he had tears running down his cheeks and was making soft whimpering noises so we could tell he was in some pain. They started morphine along with some other pain medications and that has helped a lot. He slept most of early this morning but is now staying awake for much longer. His surgeon came by and said he looks amazing and that the swelling is going down and that he can have the nose tube taken out and be transferred to a normal room back at Sloan once one opens up and that he doesn't think he is critical anymore. To have major abdominal surgery one day then be well enough to be moved to a normal room the next is huge and means that he is healing and doing great! So they pulled the nose tube out which made him extremely happy and he is now awake and watching cartoons with his Mickey Mouse doll. Dr. Kushner, his oncologist here in New York wants to start his 5th round of chemotherapy as soon as possible so we will likely start Monday morning. Once he has fully recovered from both surgery and this round of chemotherapy we will do an MIBG scan and bone marrow draws to see if he has any cancer left in his body. Removing the tumor was a huge mountain that we are so so thankful to be over and even though he still has another round of chemo to complete here in NY and radiation and antibody therapy to complete in Texas we know that we are on the road to eventually hearing that the cancer is gone for good. 

We are so so thankful for all the prayers everyone has been lifting up for our son. We thank God that He is such a good, good God and that He has been raining down His love and mercy on us. Through Luke's entire cancer journey we have wanted to make sure that we are keeping Christ at the center of it. We are called to glorify Him in every circumstance, not just the good times but also the tough times. These last few months have been the toughest of our lives. Watching Luke fight a cancer that is trying to take over his body and kill him, being separated from our daughters, having to take an extended time off work for Clint, having to give up homeschooling our oldest daughter right now for me, all of this has been hard. But the greatest thing we can do in all those hard times is to glorify Him, praise Him, worship Him, thank Him and trust in Him. We daily choose FAITH over fear and put all our hope and trust in the one who made us. We are on our knees still today, thanking Him for guiding Dr. LaQuaglia in surgery, thanking Him for Luke recovering so well so far, thanking Him for all He has done for us. We thank God for His great love for us and for how He has answered every single one of our prayers. 

We will keep updating on Luke and his fight against Neuroblastoma and we will keep giving God the glory and our complete trust in this journey. 

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I will never be shaken.
~Psalm 62:1-2~

Obviously little Luke has a really long road to recovery. Today lets lift up and for this sweet little guy. Let's be grateful for our ability to be active, our ability to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, to go about life today without THIS kind of worry and stress.

Hopefully he and his family will feel the extra love!

A Go Fund Me Page has also been set up for the family if you feel led to donate.

XoXo
Stacy

I am currently OUT of people to feature. If you know someone that has an urgent or ongoing need for lifting up .. please let me know! simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 19, 2016: California Wildfire

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's Friday Field Day ... whoop whoop! Not really, haha. That means it is my HIIT only day and I hit the football field for 22 minutes TOTAL. That includes a long warm up, long cool down and rest periods. In all my HIGH intensity is only THREE minutes. So I can NOT complain. But those three minutes will feel longer today because our air quality is still a bit bad because of the massive fire burning in California. I probably should go INSIDE and do my cardio...but I get so bored! I also have already been mixing it up and NOT sprinting for every HIIT session I do. So I need to get one field day in this week .... so that is what I shall do this morning! One reason I try to save HIIT only for Friday is because I do it early and then I am done for the entire day!! It will be Netflix & chill with the hubs!! Speaking of Netflix .. if you haven't discovered Wentworth do yourself a favor and get on it. BEST SHOW EVER! It is similar to Orange Is The New Black (as in it's set in a women's prison) but it blows it out of the water SO much that we never finished last season or OITNB and haven't watched this season yet! 

Back to the California wildfire .. that is the focus of today's PREP WITH PURPOSE. I'm not really getting any requests for anyone to lift up/for. I do have one I'm working on for tomorrow .. but after that .. I'm dry :-(  So I'm getting creative and thinking out side the box a little. Yesterday I lifted up and for the communities and victims of the flood in Louisiana .. today it's neighboring California.

Prep With Purpose - August 19, 2016: California Wildfire

photo from wildfire today.com

Turning on the news and seeing that there are wildfires in California (or stepping outside and having bad air quality here in Vegas) has happened numerous times since I've lived here. But it seems this fire is a really bad one...sparking what they call "firenadoes" and as of Wednesday evening has already burned almost 26,000 acres! Veteran firefighters are even saying they have never seen fire behavior so extreme.

Ringo Chiu/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

1600 firefighters are out there battling the blaze, nearly 83,000 people are under evacuation warnings and 34,500 homes were threatened. They are SLOWLY containing the fire .. but much damage has already been done. So far it's been reported two firefighters have been injured and the inferno has also claimed a high-profile diner. It's called The Summit Inn. It's on the world-famous Route 66 and many famous visitors over the years -- such as Elvis and Clint Eastwood.



As I made my bed this morning (See my full post on Instagram about this. Pretty interesting research about making your bed and it's link to productivity and happiness) .. I stopped to be extra grateful.
I thought about the people of Louisiana that don't have a bed to make because their homes are under water and those in California that have had to evacuate and are wondering if they will have a bed to go back and lay in tonight.

We always think to ourselves that this stuff won't happen to us ... but it can. Take a moment today to be grateful for your home and everything and everyone in it. Then as you lift (or whatever it is you are prepping for today .. work, school, etc.) take a moment to lift up and for all of those exhausted from fighting this fire and everyone in it's path.

XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing? Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com 

#PrepWithPurpose - August 18, 2016: Lifting Up Louisiana

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

We all have "down" days. Never for one second think because I keep a positive attitude on here that I don't have moments. I have them .. daily. In fact that is one reason I do PREP WITH PURPOSE.
I was really struggling with figuring out my life (have been for some time) and when this idea popped into my mind this past spring ... it just gave me a strange peace. Even if no one logs on and reads or joins me .. I feel like I have some sort of purpose for the time being. In addition to helping others and having something to motivate me daily - it gives me a daily goal to get on here and blog. This week has been full of so many people that are in tough situations and as I've lifted up and for each one ... I've prayed that God remind me how blessed I am ... that I am enough ... that I'm on the right path to somewhere ... wherever that may be. He will eventually show me.

As usual, I'm spending most of my day trying to find people for this project. It makes me sad because I KNOW there are SO MANY people out there that are in urgent or ongoing need of well wishes/prayer. But I don't have a magic ball. This is where I need YOUR help. Maybe you see something on the news, see something on your social feed, have a friend or family member in need, or even just an acquaintance from work you have overheard talking about someone? Please send them my way!! I need as many details as you can offer (or links you can send me) and pictures if possible! simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

Today we will be lifting up and for Louisiana. You can't turn on the TV without seeing the heartbreak.

Prep With Purpose - August 18, 2017: Lifting Up Louisiana  

I lived in Nashville during "the big flood" and watched peoples lives turn upside down. We were so blessed that our home and business suffered no damage. But it was heartbreaking to see the community we lived in under water. People are STILL trying to pick up the pieces. So today I'll lift up and for everyone that has been affected by this natural disaster in Louisiana. Many people lost everything .. they are weak and exhausted from being injured, cleaning up, or simply from worry and stress alone. I can lay down tonight in my home with my family next to me. I am healthy and any exhaustion I may experience is nothing compared to what these poor families are going through.

I've seen numerous Go Fund Me type pages. But one that keeps popping up on my feed and one I can vouch for because I know the person that set it up ... is THIS ONE. 

Meghan Linsey (who some of you may know as the runner up on Season 8 of The Voice) is a Louisiana native and is raising money that she will make sure goes directly to victims, their families and into the community of Ponchatoula...where she is from.  Since most families don't have access to kitchens and all of them will be cleaning out and rebuilding their homes, they want to use the money to buy gift cards to local restaurants and local hardware stores and distribute them to families. The rest of the funds will be used to hire local carpenters that will help rebuild the community.

As I sweat, pant and push myself during my endurance workout today (that is what's on tap for me at some point today) .. I'll not complain. I'll rejoice that I have the CHOICE to be at the gym spending my time .. when so many people are sweating, panting, exhausted and crying as they pick up the pieces of their lives.

XoXo
Stacy

#PrepWithPurpose - August 17, 2016: Jacqueline Carrizosa

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's hump day! Let's get past the middle of the week with a smile on our face, look forward to a few more productive days and then hopefully a nice relaxing weekend with those we love! Friday will be here in a blink, so how about we make it a goal to not wish away the next few days and enjoy them for what they are .. a gift :)

Yesterday was hump day for me! I totally smashed my lower body workout. I can already tell I'm gonna feel this one for dayyyyyyyys. It was all in memory of a member of our #FitFam. I hope you joined me in lifting in Taylor's honor as well as up/for his family. 

A little update on me quickly. I am feeling good .. feeling relaxed .. back on my schedule from so much traveling and ready to get back on stage soon(ish)!!! After reviewing all my judges feedback and having a long chat with my coach ... I'm in an odd spot. Actually going to attempt to gain a little weight and see where it goes on my body. I can always re-lose it if it goes places we don't want. Then we are gonna experiment with something new for peak week and see if it dials me in where the judges would prefer to see me. Despite all I eat and the very little cardio I do .. I am still just a little too lean for the bikini division .. but only in certain spots. I guess there are worse things, lol. Actually... this is really hard. REALLY hard. Since you can't spot reduce or gain ... it makes things SUPER tricky!! It's also hard because I LOVE my more conditioned/hard look. We shall see what happens. It may mean this first show back isn't successful .. the changes may not result in the look we want .. but that is part of it. I'm still learning my body, learning what it is the judges want to see from ME at this phase in my career ... but also what "look" will make me happy/confident as well. 

Today is an upper body lift and some endurance work. I'll be lifting up and for a Vegas local that was training for a motorcycle race when she had an accident. She needs our immediate thoughts/prayer. My real estate agent here in Nevada shared a Go Fund Me Page yesterday. Scrolling socials seems to be the only way I'm finding people to feature! Please help me out guys! I know you all run across people that need lifting up! Send me an email with all details if you do!

Prep With Purpose - August 17, 2016: Jacqueline Carrizosa 
*Since I don't know Jacqueline..it's easiest to just copy/paste all the info from her Go Fund Me Page*

Veterans Training Fund lead ambassador and Machine Guns Vegas Range Safety Officer Jacqueline Carrizosa was in a critical accident over the weekend while training for her 640-mile Vegas to Reno ironman motorcycle race, intended to raise funds for Veterans Training Fund. We can now confirm due to injuries sustained during the accident, that she has broken her back in two places, and has lost a kidney. She is stable now, but needs our help. An official VTF-approved GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with her medical bills and rehabilitation, and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Jacque. We ask you all to please donate what you can, and please send prayers and positive vibes to Jacque via Twitter at @Brojaq  and using the already trending hashtag #PrayforBrojaq in support of our favorite Navy veteran, professional motocross rider, and all-around great person.

Through Jacque’s employment at MGV  and involvement with several firearms accessory products (she’s even trained Rihanna for her role on the set of the movie “Battleship”) the 26-year old has positioned herself as a post-military ambassador by applying her previous military training to real world employment opportunities, putting herself in a unique position to empower veterans.

Jacque was set to race the General Tires Vegas to Reno 2016  as the first military veteran female to Ironwoman a race against 300 competitors. Her race was to take place August 17-20 and the funds raised for Jacque’s Vegas to Reno Race would have gone directly to the Veterans Training Fund (VTF) , which provides scholarships to veterans who intensively train in its programs in order to transition into new careers which incorporate their previous military training.

This is just so heartbreaking. It would be like me being on Prep for a big show and being in an accident that kept me from following my dream. Aside from her physical wounds .. I can imagine this would be very depressing. Actually I know it can. Years ago (2008) I was just weeks from possibly trying out for college level cheer when I was in a horrible car accident that stripped me of ever being able to cheer/tumble again (in that college time frame anyway.) It sucks. Bad. When you are active and CAN'T be ... it's a rough thing.

So let's remember that WE ARE ABLE!!! WE CAN BE ACTIVE!! Today let's lift up and for Jacqueline... who would give anything to be training for her race!!

XoXo
Stacy

#PrepWithPurpose - August 16, 2016: In Memory of Taylor Normandeau

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's Tuesday! I hope that you started out your week blessed yesterday. More than anything I hope you spent the day lifting up and for a member of our #FitFam ... Shina. Today I am featuring another person in the fitness community .. but sadly it won't be because I'm lifting up and for him .. rather in memory of him.

The #FitFam is such a large community. Most of the time we don't know each other .. at all. But when one struggles, falls into hard times, is hurt, is hurting, etc., we seem to all rally together as if we are blood.That is the case for today's Prep With Purpose. I did not know Taylor .. but several people I respect in the bodybuilding world seemed to have known him well. So today my lower body lift will be in HONOR of Taylor. With every rep I will think of him and lift up his family during this horrible time.

Prep With Purpose - August 16, 2016: In Memory of Taylor Normandeau

I did not know Taylor and I don't know many details about his death. I don't need to. Pain is pain. Suffering is suffering. A young life gone too soon is tragic no matter how it happened.

I am going to copy/paste directly from the Go Fund Me page that was set up for his family by friends that I do personally know.

As I always say with these funding pages .. if I don't know the person .. then I can't vouch for the need. But I know the person that set up the page and have enough fit fam that seem to know Taylor's family that I feel 100% comfortable saying that you should give what you can to this fund. If you can't give financially .. thoughts and prayers are free. In the least .. please give them that! Today let's lift up and for this precious family and in honor of Taylor.

Go Fund Me Entry --- On August 13th, the world lost a very special person. Someone who touched many people's lives through his passion for bodybuilding and fitness. Taylor Normandeau was a loving, selfless father to Cade, devoted husband to Rachelle and friend to all. Taylor sacrificed everything for Cade, put all his needs and wants aside, making sure he had the best care and education possible. As a community, let's come together to assist in any way possible to help the Normandeau's through this very difficult and tragic time. 

As I lift in honor of Taylor today and lift up and for his family .. I will ask that God give them peace and that the community wrap around them in every way possible during this horrible time.

XoXo,
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing?
Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 15, 2016: Shina Mitchell Dean

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's Monday! Instead of saying ... ughhhhh ... say it with me .. YAY!!!! I am alive, I am able, I am given a fresh new week! We often dread Mondays but today let's try to rejoice in the fact we are given the start of 7 new days. Take a moment to reflect on what you can do TODAY to help make this the best week ever!!

I have a few new "visions" (if you want to call them that) in my life. Possibly some changes I'd like to see happen. I want to take this week to really visualize them becoming reality. See how that makes me feel. Will they? Should they? Who knows. But for this week I'll think about them as if they will and reflect on how that makes me feel, etc. To be really honest with you guys ... I am still having a really hard time finding my purpose in life now that I'm done shooting my last tv gig .. with no freelance gigs in site for the immediate future. So I pretty much spend my days as a busy housewife (i.e. also Doug's life assistant, lol), working out, blogging and helping people with supplement plans, etc.

Today is grocery shopping and meal prep Monday. Since this takes a big chunk of my day, I usually make this an off day from "lifting" and do one of my short HIIT sessions since they only take 22 min total (including warm up and cool down.) Whatever I do today ... it will be for a sweet girl that many people in the Tennessee #FitFam know very well. She is not only a #FitMom .. but part of a glam team in town that gets all of us girls make up and hair ready for stage. Her name is Shina. She was in a car accident a few days ago and suffered MANY severe injuries. With time she will heal physically. But there is one wound left from the accident she will never recover from. One that will remain open forever. Read on and please remember Shina and her family in your thoughts/prayers during this horrible time.

Prep With Purpose - August 15, 2016: Shina Mitchell Dean


On August 4th Shina Mitchell Dean was in a car accident. She suffered head trauma and lots of broken bones. But the deepest of all her wounds is losing her baby that she had been carrying inside of her. Shina only had a couple of months left in her pregnancy. In fact .. just days before the accident she was picking out "looks" and preparing for a maternity shoot to take place that week. She says this when looking back at the pictures:

"I can't help but to look at these pics in my phone and wish he was still alive and ready to meet us in a few short months! So here are my pics, my forever favorite selfie pics... 💔 my tummy is now flat with no precious baby to nurture. I am beyond devastated and really don't understand life right now. I need so much prayer please y'all...

Shina gave birth to her little boy (Jaxson Dean) just after the accident and she and her family were able to share a few precious hours with him before he went to heaven.

Her words about losing her child are heartbreaking to say the least.  "It's hard to comprehend that just yesterday he was moving around in my tummy! Please say hi to our sweet angel baby... He's so gorgeous! Dark hair, big beautiful lips like his Big Brother Braxton and perfect hands and feet. He is the perfect baby and has now joined Jesus and the Angels to watch over us until we see him again.




Shina spent 9 days at Vanderbilt Medical Center (undergoing surgeries, etc.) and has now been moved to a rehab facility in Kentucky.  Her wounds will heal with time. In fact... because of her fitness background she is bouncing back quicker than expected. But losing a child .. that is something she will never recover from. My heart breaks for her. I simply can not imagine the pain she is experiencing.











One of the most touching posts on her Instagram a picture she took of a wound ... next to a tattoo that she got years ago. Take a moment to really reflect on her words.

Sometimes you get tattoos just because....God gave me this scripture, a scripture I wasn't really leaning towards. This weekend I found out why, I found the purpose... Bc he did cover me with his feathers and he now has my angel baby in the softest feather bed you could possibly ever imagine. God is good, God always knows and God always heals. My heart hurts beyond words and I'll never really fully understand but I will bc of my hope and trust in God... Bc without his feathers covering over me I wouldn't be strong enough to do this...

I ask that we all lift up and for Shina today as she lays heartbroken in rehab facility trying to regain her strength and get back to life.... life without her baby. Each of us have two working legs, two working arms, a healthy beating heart .. one that likely isn't broken from losing a child. Don't you dare take advantage of that. Life can change in the blink of an eye. It did for Shina. It could for you too. Cherish this day .. the abilities that you have been given .. and everyone that is important to you.

Shina .. everything I do today will be for you. I will lift up your name over and over with every stride/rep. I will lift you up and pray that God not only heal your broken body quickly .. but somehow heal your broken heart. That He give you a peace that passes all understanding during this dark time. I hope you feel the extra love.

XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing?
Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 14, 2016: Tyler Rogers

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

 

 Hey Friends,

Had a good - but rushed - lift yesterday. We ended up getting out the door a little late to get to the gym and had a firm dinner reservation at 8pm. So I ended up having to take ONE thing out of my scheduled workout. I never do this. I'm very much a "If I am suppose to do it .. I do it ALL .. if it gives me the option of 10-15 reps .. I do 15, etc. BUT date night was important to me and we couldn't push the reservation back. So I pushed HARD and got done what I could!!!

As for dinner. It was such a nice couple of hours with my husband. We ate at our FAVORITE Mexican restaurant here in Vegas. We always ate there when we visited .. but as residents we had yet to go yet! Mexican food can be REALLY hard to accurately track so I always just go for something else when we choose to go out to eat. But as I mentioned yesterday ... I really wanted it and needed to give myself this "celebration" dinner that I never really had the chance to do with my hubs.
I enjoyed myself mindfully .. knowing I went over my allowed macros .. but I lived in the moment. All day thinking of precious little James and his family. I hope you lifted up/for them yesterday.

I found myself once again "empty handed" when it came to a Prep With Purpose person today. I decided to give Facebook a scroll since that is where I seem to have found many people of the people I've lifted up and for in this little project. A friend of mine posted about this young man and at the very same time my husband yelled at me from across the room and said "hey I have a prep with purpose you can do." I told him to send it to me ... turns out ... it's the exact same one! I don't know Tyler and don't seem to know any of his friends ... I guess his story has just gone a little viral on our socials. Either way .. I'm glad we ran across his story. Today I'll be doing a max effort upper body training day and with every rep .. it will be in his honor!

Prep With Purpose - August 14, 2016: Tyler Rogers 

I found all the information about Tyler on a Go Fund Me page that his friend set up for him. Here is what I know according to Go Fund Me.

Tyler was admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles this week after once again growing very ill and experiencing severe abdominal pain. After days of rigorous tests, doctors have determined that he has developed a psuedocyst approximately the size of a grapefruit and needs to have the cyst along with his gall bladder removed surgically this Tuesday, August 16, 2016. To complicate the situation, Tyler was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last year after he had a lengthy stay in the hospital because of severe pancreatitis.


Tyler does not have insurance. He works/hustles on his own as a graphic designer and web developer. He is also in the entertainment industry and juggles several contract and freelance deals. Because he works in this type of freelance manner ... he doesn't have the benefit of full time staff medical insurance. I feel for Tyler here. I am in TV and when I left "corporate" world I would have been in the same boat had it not been for my husbands company insurance.


Medical costs for Tyler are spinning out of control and with his impending surgery (which will create more bills and less work) things are only going to get worse.

I don't know Tyler and CAN NOT vouch for this Go Fund Me Page -- but I do feel that with my husband and I both seeing this story as I searched for someone to lift up and for today -- that he was sent to me to write about! So if you feel led to help financially ... go for it! But that is not what this prayer chain is necessarily about. It's about LIFTING UP AND FOR those in need of urgent or ongoing physical prayer ... using them as our motivation because they are unable and WE CAN!!



So today I will lift for Tyler. As he lays in the hospital bed .. preparing for surgery on Tuesday .. I'll pray that he is free of pain and that the doctors remove the cyst and gallbladder with no complications. Tyler is young, talented and has so much LIFE ahead of him. I pray that he GETS WELL SOON! Today is for you Tyler. I hope you feel the extra love from a stranger in Las Vegas :)


XoXo
Stacy

I want to continue this project/prayer chain. But I'm finding myself spending HOURS searching for people to "lift up and for" because I'm not getting any requests -- I know you guys have to know someone (or have heard of someone) with an ongoing or urgent need for physical healing?
Please send me all details possible, a pic if they don't mind sharing, etc. simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com

#PrepWithPurpose - August 13, 2016: Lifting Up And For Little James

For backstory on what #PrepWithPurpose is all about please read the blog entry and/or Instagram Post.

Hey Friends,

It's been an odd week.

My husband just got home yesterday after a week in CHINA! I don't really have much going on in "life" (yet somehow seem to be busy .. odd how that happens) and I have found myself lacking motivation. No real reason at all. I think I'm just really goal driven and without a show in the NEAR future and kind of at a point where I just need to maintain my physique .. it gets a little stagnant.
Maybe I"m bored? I changed my workouts a tad (shhh...don't tell my coach) for this week only just to do ANYTHING different. I'll chat with him today to see if we are going to change them going into prep for my string of Pro shows that I'll do late summer/early fall .. or if we will stick to what has worked. I know what he is going to say (lol) but I get bored so easy, so I try to change things up in my OWN way .. but I think that is one reason I like OFF season so much .. more variety!

I think it is actually not so much lack of PERSONAL motivation as it is not having anyone to lift up and for. It's made for some loooooooong workouts and HIIT sessions! I love this little project so much. I don't even know if anyone is reading this. I'd like to say I don't care ... but I do. But only because if more people read .. more people are "lifting up and for" the person of the day. But either way .. it's been an amazing thing for me personally. Finding a purpose deeper than myself in such a "me-me-me" sport has been a really powerful thing.

For now .. I've decided to hold off on competing again until September or October. I got feedback from judges and there really isn't anything I need to "work on" per say .. just need to try to figure out a few things when it comes to dialing in (which may just be a few posing tricks .. not sure yet) and make sure in the next weeks I maintain my muscle (don't lose or gain.) Regardless I'm going to be going hard ...as usual. So I need people to LIFT UP and FOR!! If you are someone, know someone, have seen something -- please email me! simplystacyfitness@yahoo.com. In order to do a blog entry I need ALL DETAILS possible and if the person doesn't mind .. a picture or two or three.

Moving on ... I had a great little girl to motivate me yesterday. If you didn't see it .. please check out my entry on little Charlie Darling. Today I find myself writing a similar entry. Another tiny little innocent baby ... so fragile and in desperate need of our prayers. This Prep With Purpose may be one of the most heartbreaking ones to date. A friend of mine that I was in a church group with many years ago when I lived in Knoxville sent me today's "person". This little boys mother has a blog that I seriously cannot read. I tried. But I found myself so sad, so helpless, so depressed for this family.

Please .. lift up and for this precious little boy and his family today and continue to remember them in the days to come.

Prep With Purpose - August 12, 2016: Little James
  
Welcome to the world James. This little guy was born just a week ago and all odds are against him. Most statistics say he shouldn't have even made it out of his mothers womb .. others say he won't "make it" long enough to be discharged from the hospital. But look at this little guy ... I can just tell he is a fighter ... can't you? 

From what I can gather from his mothers blog..she knew what I am about to tell you going into his birth. 

James has something called Trisomy 18. According to the Trisomy 18 Foundation - Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a error in cell division, known as meiotic disjunction. When this happens,  instead of the normal pair, an extra chromosome 18 results (a triple) in the developing baby and disrupts the normal pattern of development in significant ways that can be life-threatening, even before birth.  A Trisomy 18 error occurs in about 1 out of every 2500 pregnancies in the United States and 1 in 6000 live births.  The numbers of total births is much higher because it includes significant numbers of stillbirths that occur in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Unlike Down syndrome, which also is caused by an extra chromosome, the developmental issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with more medical complications that are more potentially life-threatening in the early months and years of life.  Studies have shown that only 50% of babies who are carried to term will be born alive, and baby girls will have higher rates of live birth than baby boys.

He is doing well at the moment, but he had some seizures a couple of nights ago. According to her blog, they are expected to be able to take him home tomorrow...barring anything else developing. He will go home with his NG tube in place, and they will feed him using a syringe pump until (if?) he becomes able to handle oral feedings better.

His mothers words are so heartbreaking -- "It hammered home the point that James is a “medically fragile/complex” child. He is always going to have special needs. I cannot begin to fathom how we are going to get by, how life is going to proceed and be manageable. And then I laugh at myself for worrying about that. I am certainly putting the cart before the horse. James isn’t even home yet, and I am already worrying about the what-ifs of long term care. Who knows if I even get long term with him? What is long term for James?"



James has two little sisters at home. So of course his parents are worried about them too. We need to not only lift up and for little James ... but the entire family. I know they must be so grateful he is already beating the "medical odds" .. but as you can read .. her pain and worry is something she will continue to carry as little James fights to LIVE.

Today is my hardest lower body lift day. I am also planning on doing something I NEVER do and having a "loosely tracked" day when it comes to my macro counting. My husband and I haven't had a date night without my scale, or at a place where the macros are listed, in I don't know how long. This doesn't mean I'll say "forget it" .. it means I'll attempt to hit my macros by guessing .. knowing I'm going over today .. being mindful .. but not worrying about it for a meal/day. I don't do this when on prep .. but technically I have a couple weeks before I'll need to be "back on it 100%". I never allow myself to do this. I always track except maybe holidays. I haven't even had a chance to celebrate my PRO win really .. or my first pro shows .. etc. So tonight I will set my scale aside and eat mindfully and enjoy every bite. But first I'll get in that TOUGH lift and every single rep, every drop of sweat, every ache and pain ... will be in honor of little James and his family. I hope they feel the extra prayers and love. 

I will also hold his mothers words dear to my heart. These are a few exerts (strung together) from one of her blogs. Her words hit me so hard and I will carry them with me today as allow myself to let go a little and live in the moment. I pray that we all learn to be better at living in the "now" .. focus on each moment we are in ... and live in it. As she says .. let go of control. (oh how I am SO bad at this.) 

One day at a time. One hour at a time. One setback at a time. It is all I can deal with at this moment. Living in the now, holding my sweet baby, kissing him every time like it could be the last – that is how I am existing. What comes tomorrow will just have to wait until tomorrow. His presence is a gift, he is the sweetest little boy, and I cannot look into the future, or my heart will shatter.
I need to be here with him now and focus on each moment with him. Live in the moment. Let go of control. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Love freely and remember the things that really matter.  

**Exert from blog. You can read more about this families journey and little James HERE**

Be well my friends.
Stacy