My AdvoCare Journey

Okay, so I started with AdvoCare in March of 2012. My first experience was with the Spark energy drinks in high school, although at the time I didn't know who made them, I just knew that I bought them and they gave me enough energy to get through my long shifts as a waitress/hostess which could sometimes stretch until about midnight. I didn't hear anything more about them until my cousin signed up to sell at the beginning of this year. She worked very hard to try to get me to sign up, but since I had tried so many weight loss products before, I was skeptical.
      Jared lost his job in February 2012. At the time I was not working except for making bows for people on the side. Abbi once again approached me about AdvoCare, telling me how well she was doing on the products and selling. She told me it 100% risk free, so if I wasn't happy I could get my money back for signing up. Well that sold me. What did I have to lose then? We were down to $200 in the bank, so I decided to go for it. In the first week, I sold enough that I was not out anything, and then I actually started to make a profit once word spread. AdvoCare got us through until Jared got a job! We didn't have to sell our house, and we could still afford to feed our kids. And once again I was in love with the amazing energy that Spark gave me. It helped me to get up off the couch and start moving. It made me feel better about myself.
      I started taking the weight loss products in May 2012. I started with the 24 Day Challenge, it is expensive so I waited until I was at a better discount level before I bought it. Let me tell you, it was very well worth it. And once I figured up the cost of junk food and eating out, it is way more affordable than you would think (just $7.70 a day). The first portion consists of a 10 day cleanse and Spark. In our culture we hear the word cleanse and shudder. I won't lie to you and say the fiber drinks taste good, because that would be a lie, but the results were awesome, and I learned if you mix the drinks with orange juice they are substantially better. I wasn't running to the bathroom all day long like I thought I would be(just once in the morning), I didn't feel dehydrated, and I didn't have to drink a gazillion gallons of water like with most cleanses. I lost a pound a day, and by the end of the first 10 days, I had lost 10 pounds!!! On the second part of the challenge you do a 14 day weight loss system, Spark, and replace one meal a day with a meal replacement shake. The weight loss system is not a miracle pill. The whole point of the challenge is so you will start feeling better, learn new habits, and gain more energy. It did just that for me. Not only that, but I lost 8 more pounds bringing my total to 18 pounds lost in 24 days. Since then, I have continued on with a few additional products (they are cheaper in comparison to the challenge and they last longer as well). I have now lost 25 pounds in 2 months, and I have not gained any back. When I started, I hated myself. I had bad skin, a dangerously high heart rate, and I couldn't get off the couch. Now I have energy to play with my kids, my skin is bright and glowing, and my heart rate is normal again!
     Financially this has been a blessing. When we started, we were $18,000 in debt, and had no money in savings. Since starting in March, we are now down to only $7,000 in debt (my paychecks are expendable), and we have actually put money in savings for the first time in years. We are no longer living paycheck to paycheck. As of right now, I make an extra $500-$900 a month, but I am on track to replace my old income working as an LVN at the hospital. I am not going to lie and say you start out making excellent money, my first check was only $12. Like anything you will have to work at it. But it is your own car, you drive it how fast or slow you want. The blessing is no minimum quotas, plus once you get to a discount level you stay there, unlike some other direct sales companies. Also, if you just want to sign up for the discount, that is fine as well.
      Not only am I helping myself, and my family, but now I am helping others. Every time I get another email from a happy customer saying they have lost more weight, or they have more energy, or they just feel better about themselves, it makes me ecstatic. That is just me though, otherwise I wouldn't have become a teacher or a nurse in the first place. Helping others gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
      If you would like to learn more about the challenge go to www.the24daychallenge.com or if you would like to read more about my story and browse or buy products go to my site www.myadvofreedom.com. Find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmberTuckerIndependentAdvocareDistributor
They have a ton of products, not just weight loss. They have energy products, performance and muscle building products, skin care, and general wellness as well. Prices range from $18-$185(for the challenge bundle of products). There is something for everyone with AdvoCare, whether is a product, or a business opportunity. I can only tell you my own personal success story, but hopefully I can help you to have your own!

Before staring with AdvoCare in February 2012

After my 24 Day Challenge in May 2012

Before & Since

The 24 Day Challenge Bundle!

My Love, My Sanity, My Better Half

    Jared and I went to school together our whole lives. I didn't really notice him until High School when we were in band together. He was just some goofy, funny boy. One by one, our friends started pairing up and dating. So we were kind of forced to hang out with each other while they were all gaga over each other. On band trips we sat together, rode rides together at amusement parks, and talked to each other while they were all making out. I didn't really think much of him at first honestly, and I had a boyfriend at the time. But he was hilarious and always had me laughing even on my bad days.
    One day, during our town's Oktoberfest, we were abandoned by our friends again. We made the most of it, and hung out together for the day. This was the day I introduced him to my mom. That doesn't sound like much, but to get the full picture, you have to know how he was dressed. It was a day that started out warm, but ended up colder than you would imagine for a town in Texas. We had a marching band performance that morning, and he had forgot to bring his other shoes. So he was wearing shorts with long johns underneath, nerdy white band shoes, a flannel jacket, and a toboggan. Oh and I forgot to mention he had hair to his shoulders at the time. My mom tells me now she thought I was introducing her to a homeless person. We really had fun together that day, and I didn't realize it, but I hated for that day to end.
     In May of 2001, our band took a trip to Disney World. My boyfriend didn't want me to go, he said that he didn't want me alone with Jared. Which looking back is understandable now, but I reassured him, and told him that Jared was like a brother to me, and that was it. And honestly, that was how I thought I felt about him. Since our friends were paired up, once again we rode rides together the entire first day. He kept me laughing all day.
      The next day, he got up really early and left with another group. Somehow all day long we never ran into each other. We were at Epcot, and at the time there weren't many rides, so the group I was with were bored out of our minds all day. At the end of the day, our band director had us meet up at the front. Apparently, Jared had been bored too, and when he saw me, he ran to me and hugged me, and told me how much he missed me. My heart did a little flip, and I felt a happiness I couldn't place. (At this point I was still in such denial that I didn't realize I was falling for him.)
     That night something awful happened. Our band director called me and my group of girlfriends into his room. He broke some awful news to us. One of our friends back home had lost her father in a horrific accident. We were devastated. We went back to our room and cried. Jared and his friends did not know about this, and they prank called us. All he could hear when he was talking to me, was me crying. The next minute, someone was knocking at our door. It was Jared, and he just let me cry on his shoulder while he hugged me so tight. This was the moment I knew that I had fallen for him. He had my heart.
     The rest of the band trip we were inseparable. Watching fireworks cuddled up together, holding hands, and riding every ride together. The night we left, I was sitting with one of Jared's friends on the bus. Jared had me switch seats with the person sitting with him, and he let me listen to a song that spoke to me. This song is now our song. Drive by Incubus. "Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. With open arms and open eyes, yeah." Every time I hear this song now, it takes me back to that moment. We just sat there not speaking. Kind of afraid to. I mean, I still had a boyfriend, and at this point Jared and I hadn't put in to words how we felt about each other. At lights out on the bus, we cuddled up against each other, and were about to go to sleep. In the next moment he was kissing my forehead. He trailed down, kissing my nose, and eventually my lips. Our first kiss was magical!!! In that minute I knew that I wanted to be with him, and I didn't want to go back to reality.
     When I got home the next day, I called my boyfriend, had him come over, and I broke up with him. Of course he didn't take it well, but I felt that I had to do it. There we numerous other reasons at the time. I called Jared later that day and told him. And we have been together ever since. I am not saying we haven't had our moments. We have broken up, fought, and disliked each other at times. But we were high school sweethearts, and to this day we still love each other. I believe we always will.

My goofy boyfriend.

The day we were married. 8-2-04

Us now! <3

A Sweet Surprise

     About four years after Jackson was born, things were moving right along. I had finished the long and grueling year that was LVN school. We took a fun vacation to Disney World with the kids, and when we returned, I managed to secure a job the day I applied for it. Things were just how they were supposed to be. I decided in that month that we were more than likely finished with having kids. We had our girl, and we had our boy. The perfect American family. Jared had a good job, and now I did too. So we decided Jared would get a vasectomy.
     We started researching vasectomies, and even scheduled Jared's first evaluation. Work was going well, and I was very busy trying to adjust to working and running the household. I was late, but didn't think anything of it since I am so irregular anyways. Then, one day at work I got really sick. The stomach flu was going around, so I figured I had it. A couple weeks later, and I still didn't feel right. I looked at the calendar and it had been 9 weeks since I had my last period!!! Had I been that busy? So we decided to take a test. And it was positive! I am pretty sure that I punched Jared in the shock. I mean things were going well, I was getting used to working, and I thought we were complete. I couldn't have been more wrong. When I finally got in to see the doctor at 13 weeks, and they did that first sonogram, she already had little arms and legs, and looked like a baby. I was super excited now.

Look at that baby! 13 weeks!

      I had wonderful pregnancy other than horrible morning sickness the whole time, and one kidney infection. Livia actually decided to come on her own, on her due date! I told Jared the whole time I was pregnant she was going to be a spitfire with a personality all her own. And she definitely has been. She came out with a head full of dark hair unlike my other two almost bald blond babies. I can honestly say that she has been a wonderful baby, and she has completed our family. For good now! I can't imagine life without her!  She has been another wonderful, surprise addition to our family. And I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with her since I didn't get to with the other two. We are complete!

The day she was born!

Pretty baby girl.  

Livia at one month old with her brother and sister.

Livi is one!!!

Livia now!

Mixed Emotions

      When Emma was about 18 months old, I found out I was pregnant again. This pregnancy was again unplanned, but I was on birth control this time. Apparently birth control doesn't work right for me. I was scared and nervous at first, but I thought it couldn't be so bad since we already had one child. I haven't told many people about this, only Jared and a few friends know about this pregnancy, because just when I was getting used to the idea of adding another baby to our family, it was taken away. About 8 or 9 weeks into the pregnancy, I was in water aerobics class with my friend Jessica. I was doing my thing and all of the sudden I started cramping. I got out of the water, and went to the restroom, and there was bright red blood. I started shaking and immediately went home. I continued to cramp and bleed and pass clots all night long. I had lost the baby. This is still hard for me to talk about.
      I stayed in bed and cried for days. I think Emma was staying with my mom for a few days, so I had no excuse to get out of bed. It hurt so bad. Mourning for someone that I had not even met or held in my arms. For something that I hadn't even know that I wanted. Jared tried to comfort me, but I didn't want to be touched. I kind of shut him out for awhile. I know it had to be hard on him too, but men mourn in different ways. I sat and wondered what I had done wrong. Did I exercise too much? Was it because I had cleaned the cat box out before I knew? Was there something wrong with me? Eventually the pain kind of numbed a little, but of course it will never go away. I still wonder what that child would have been like. Would it have been a boy or a girl? We named him or her Charlie. We know that in our hearts we have four babies, and that sweet baby is waiting for us in Heaven.
      After a couple of months, I decided that I did want to try again. It was a hard decision at first, but I knew that it was what I wanted. We found out we were pregnant again on Emma's second birthday. We decided to only tell mine and Jared's mother this time since it was so hard going back and telling the friends I had told that I was no longer pregnant.
      As hard as that time was for me, and how I couldn't figure out the reason, I know now it was so I could have my sweet Jackson. If I had carried Charlie full term, then I wouldn't have my wonderful, sweet, funny boy. The same boy that infuriates me in one moment, and the next is curling up in my lap loving on me. And I can't imagine my life without him. He has made everything way more interesting, and he definitely keeps me on my toes. That loss caused me to count my blessings, and love on my kids every chance I get. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.

The day Jackson was born.

Sweet, sleeping boy.

Emma is such a proud big sister.

Jack is one!!!

My big boy now!!! He is five. Isn't he handsome?

Two Pink Lines

     I was always a good child. I was scared to do anything wrong, because I didn't like disappointing my mom. I was always harder on myself than others were. I remember getting in trouble in elementary school once for not writing my name on my paper, and I about had a mental breakdown. I was an A student, and was upset at myself if I got B's. I knew by September of my senior year where I was going to college, and already had a full ride. It was my goal to graduate in the top 10 of my class. How many teenagers do you know with that goal instead of being popular?
     Jared was a nerdy band geek just like me. He was extremely smart, and he was in every club and group in high school. We were good kids. But like other teenagers we had sex. We were safe and smart, and used condoms. I should have got on birth control, but I was too scared of disappointing my mother so I never asked her about it.
     One day, I was late. I was so scared, and Jared was away at college, so we decided to wait and take a test when he came in that weekend. I had him pick up a test, because if any of you know about life in a small town, if I had bought one, it would have been the town news by that afternoon.
     We waited until the morning he had to leave to go back to school to take the test. That three minutes waiting was the longest three minutes of my life! Of course in my head, I already knew what it was going to say. We slowly went and looked... two pink lines!!! We started bawling in each others arms. I had never felt such a scared feeling in my life.My life changed in an instant, and we grew up in that moment. We were no longer kids anymore. We were parents.
     We just sat there and stared at each other. What were we going to do? How had this happened? We were both smart, how could we have let this happen? And yes kids, if you don't think it can happen to you, guess again. I went to work that day and started brainstorming ideas. That is what kind of person I am. I have an initial freak out moment, but then I brainstorm and usually come up with a good plan. I never even considered abortion, that is just something I could never make myself do. And I am so emotional that I knew that I would never be able to carry this tiny person for 9 months, and then just give her to someone else. That would scar me for life. So we would have her and raise her ourselves. I thought about it, and Jared was already in college, and I was going to the same college when I graduated, and I had a full ride, plus an additional stipend for living. So we would just get married and live in a cheap apartment while we finished school.
     Trying to find a way to tell my mom was the hardest thing. In the end, it wasn't me who told her, but the small town gossip that got back to her. I felt awful seeing the disappointment on her face. She was a teen mom, and although she wouldn't change that, she wanted better for me. She wanted me to get a good education and succeed in life. But she is supportive of me, and backed me 100%. Without her, I wouldn't have made it. Jared was away the whole year at college, and I felt so lonely, and missed him so much, but mom was always there for appointments and sonograms. For the labor and delivery. She was by my side the WHOLE time. I will never be able to thank her for having the strength for both of us.
     There were so many people who told me we couldn't do it. That I would never graduate with a baby, and that the majority of teen marriages end in divorce. But I was DETERMINED to make it work. I would succeed and show them all. Luckily, we have wonderful parents who helped us out. We both had financial aid, so not only did I have scholarship money, but financial aid left over each time too. And I was blessed to have a mature-for-his years partner (he was only 19 at the time). I know so many teen moms are not that lucky. But he stuck by us and was determined to be a great dad. And he has been.
     We now have three kids, and they are all wonderful, smart, healthy children. I thank God every day for all that he has blessed me with. These guys keep me going. They are why I push myself to finish my education.
     I have since graduated with a bachelors degree in early childhood education, and an LVN certificate as well. Jared graduated cum laude with a bachelors in graphic design. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't or won't succeed. It is possible. We are proof!

The day Emma was born. This pic says it all!

                                             

Proud daddy!

                                                                   

(One day old, pretty and pink!)

One month old!

                                                                 

First birthday!

                                     

My beautiful first born now! I can't believe she is eight!

Getting Started!

     So, I have decided to start a blog. Everyone else seems to be doing it these days, so why not? I always enjoy reading them, so I figured I would give it a go. I am doing this mainly for myself, to keep up with what is going on in my crazy, busy life. And also for my kids when they are bigger. I want to keep up with the funny, amazing things they do, because it flies by so fast. One of these days the simple memories I write here will be the only way I remember something sweet that I try so hard to take a mental picture of in my brain.
    First, I will tell you a little about myself, and why I entitled my blog what I did. I am a 25-year-old (26 tomorrow, yikes!) mother of three. Emma is eight, Jackson is five, and Livia is about to be 18 months. I am a Licensed Vocational Nurse, but for the last 18 months, I have been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. (I do not take this lightly as I know some women would give anything to be in my shoes!) I am currently trying to finish my pre-requirements up to go back to RN school. I also have a bows and accessories business on facebook, and I sell AdvoCare products (but more about those later!). I am married to an amazingly, awesome man, Jared, and have been for the last almost eight years in August! I know everyone says they are married to the best guy, but I truly am! He is funny, smart, adorable, and a great daddy. He just gets me, and we are always thinking the same thing without having to speak a word.
     Okay, so about the blog title. My life really is built upon happy "accidents". I was an unplanned baby, so an "accident". Thankfully my parents got married, and had me. Of course, or I wouldn't be here. Luckily, they are pretty great parents, and have always been supportive of me. Especially my mother, who has always been there, and sacrificed so much so we could have a good life. She is one of those mothers that ate the burnt toast every time, or went without new clothes so we could have them. She is my hero. Then, when I was 17 years old, I looked down and saw two pink lines. Those lines scared me to death, but my Emma has been the greatest thing that ever happened to me (of course my other two are great too, but she was my first, and changed my life forever). Another happy "accident" that worked out for the best! More on her later as well.
     Anyways, so that is kind of an intro about me, and how I came up with the name for my blog. I will write more later, and do a few back stories, but for now, the baby is awake from her nap, and calling my name! I will leave you with some pictures, so you can put faces with the names! =)

                                            (My beautiful little family on Livia's first birthday!)

                                                          (My amazing blessings!)

                                                     (Pretty Livi on her first birthday!)

                                                                 (Jack & Emma)


*Also, please ignore any grammatical errors, sorry about those! =)