white house black shutters

enjoy the everyday and embrace a simple life

Looking Back on 2017!

Looking Back on 2017!

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I’ve been taking it easy these past few days after having baby #6, our precious Nora. Doug and I had…
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New Normal, New Changes

New Normal, New Changes

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Three weeks ago today, we added a new little person to our family. Her name is Kate Louise. She’s snuggly,…
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Instagram

  • #fridayintroductions Hi, I’m Ann Marie! ♡ I found this sweet 1920s coat stand a few weeks ago while thrifting. The stain and shape remind me of the stair railing (swipe) in our 1910 house. Also it’s not quite level - just like our house. 😄⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ I felt so happy when Doug took this picture, yet wasn’t going to post it. It was hot out, and I am not shy about wearing shorts. He took it and said “wow, you look great!” And later that night when I looked at the picture I almost deleted it. Gulp. That’s what I look like? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Eight years ago I had a serious autoimmune issue which resulted in deep leg wounds. I didn’t know what would happen, if my unborn son would be okay, if I’d ever move past the disease, be able to have more kids, or if I’d still have my legs.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I really thought I’d lose my legs. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Eight years later my son is awesome, my health has been relatively good, and we added four sweet children to our family. And I have my legs! They are covered in scars, bruise easily, and have cellulite.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Yet... I still have my legs.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Thanks be to God, I still have my legs.⁣⁣ ♡⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ I remember those months when I was stuck in a chair, couldn’t do basic things for my family and sat there desperately wanting to. It was a soul crushing longing to be doing something, anything. Minus the giant bandages, my legs looked pretty good and yet that was the last thing on my mind. I was the smallest I had been in 10 years while my body was *literally* attacking itself.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ This body has taken me on many adventures since then, and allowed me to enjoy the sweet mundane moments of life. These legs have let me walk, stand, make dinner, comfort babies, play with kids, and just work like legs should work.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ I hope this inspires you to take a moment to accept and love yourself, just as you are. Despite your “imperfections,” be they physical or not.⁣ ⁣ I’m still working on accepting it. Yet I am so very thankful for this body and all it’s done for me, imperfections and all.

About Ann Marie

Ann Marie Heasley

Hello! My goal is to help you seek beauty in your everyday life. Here I’ll share my experiences and offer tips on how to simplify, seek beauty, create a home you enjoy, or declutter through my annual #40bagsin40days challenge.

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