Medicare

I normally do not post about my company, Hoosier Benefit Plans, on our personal blog.  But I wanted to take one opportunity to do so!  I sent the following email to most of our friends and family recently, but in case we missed you....

An open letter to friends & family:

As you know, the insurance industry is rapidly changing and evolving.   One way I have tried to differentiate myself and to evolve with the industry was to obtain my Medicare certification and step into the world of marketing Medicare plans to those 65 and older.

The Medicare insurance industry is heavily regulated by the federal government and it is terribly burdensome and time consuming to obtain the proper certifications to sell these products.  I think it’s important for you to know that any insurance professional that is independently marketing Medicare products is truly dedicated to their profession!  I have personally enjoyed diversifying and learning more about another side of my business.

I'm telling you this because I need to ask a favor!  One of the major rules set forth by the federal government is strict regulation on how agents can market to clients.  Basically, there is no cold calling, no marketing allowed, except for referrals.  I would love it if you would please keep me in mind if you or anyone you know is 65 or older (or turning 65 in the future)!  

I have over 13 years of experience in health insurance and benefits and am confident that I can provide a great customer service experience to anyone you refer to me. I can market and sell plans anywhere throughout Indiana. I started my own agency so I could afford myself the opportunity to spend more time with my girls, but I do rely heavily on referrals to keep Hoosier Benefit Plans growing!

October 15 – December 7^th is Open Enrollment season for Medicare consumers.  This means that it’s their ONE chance per year to shop plans and switch if they are not happy with their current plan, wish to save money or just want a change!  I would greatly appreciate it if you could mention me to any friends or family that you know are eligible to shop their plans.  If you could pass along my contact information, that would be great! (forwarding this email would be a great, simple way to refer me!)

I am also very proficient in speaking about Medicare to groups. I have several presentations I can deliver, from “Medicare 101” to specific plan information. I would be happy to accept any referrals for groups you think might be interested! This could range from a large civic organization down to a group of golf buddies.  Whatever group of people you have in mind that would benefit, I can help!

Again, time is of the essence, as the 65+ crowd only has a small window to do their “shopping”.  Please pass along my info if you know anyone!  I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much for your help!

Jennifer

Bacation

My parents took us (the mitchen fam) and my sister's fam to Michigan for a week this year for vacation... or Bacation, as Ellie called it.  We had a blast.  We rented a house on Diamond Lake--about an hour north of South Bend, IN.  We had a pontoon boat for the week (which means we never saw Craig--he was fishing 24/7!) and spent lots of time outside swimming, boating, jet skiing, and RELAXING.

Here were some of the highlights:

• Boat rides
• St Joe's, MI (day trip to the awesome beach there)
• Lunker's (think local bass pro shop--kids LOVED it)
• Visiting w/ Greg & Patti
• Throwing rocks in the lake (seriously the girls could do this ALL DAY EVERY DAY)
• Mostly gorgeous, not too hot weather
• Relaxing around the house & deck
• Swimming in the spring fed lake water 
• Taking Ellie to her first movie

Here's some pics:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5832467015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

THANKS AGAIN GRANDPA AND GRANDMA!!!! We had a wonderful time!

Ellie's Third Birthday

Ellie had such a fun birthday!  She had a pool party (including pizza, cake, water balloons, piñata, presents, and lots of friends) on Saturday, July 28th, then got to celebrate again on her actual birthday with her family!  Some of her favorite presents this year were here talking Jessie doll (Toy Story), Toy Story figurines, Doc McStuffins Doll, Sleeping Bag, and Backpack from Aunt JuJu filled with activity books, markers, etc!  We all had a blast--she is at an adorable age for opening presents and really enjoying spending time w/ friends and family.

Here's the pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5830989015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Evelyn's First Birthday Pics!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5605733015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Happy Birthday Evelyn Belle Mitchen

Evelyn is ONE!!!

Where did this year go?????????

We had her 1st b-day party on Saturday (pics to come). It was a blast and she was absolutely adorable. 

She had her 12 month check-up today. All is well except for her heart murmur & anemia. Nothing we can do about the murmur and just have to start giving her a multi-vitamin w/ iron for the anemia.

She is a loving, sweet, crazy, wild, brave, funny little girl. She loves her mommy, sister, daddy, doggy, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, family, babysitters, etc... She has been a handful for me to take care of, alongside her 2 year old sister, but I have truly tried to enjoy every minute of it.

She LOVES to dance. Ever since she could sit up, as soon as she hears music (any music--from Jane's Addiction to Twinkle Twinkle), she starts bopping around. Her all time favorite song, so far, is Back in Black. (I am not thrilled about this)

She loves to eat Mac N Cheese, fruit, goldfish, cheese, black olives & pizza. She REALLY likes to destroy (sit on or knock down) whatever her sister is currently playing with. This is the cause of many screaming matches, which I do realize is just the beginning of a lifelong battle between the two of them. They do also love on each other, so I'm hoping they are close friends one day.

 Here is a slideshow I created for Evelyn's birthday. We love our Sissy!!!

 

Girls Photo Shoot in Phoenix

The photographer who shot Craig, Ellie & I several times in AZ, Amy Fraughton, took the girls pics while we were there this year! We were SOO happy with the results.

Click here to check them out!!!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434770015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Spring has Sprung!

We have had such a fun spring! I have never in my life appreciated spring like I have this year... It's a combination of moving home to the midwest, having kids, my new neighborhood w/ established plants and of course, this year's weather has been FAB! We barely had a winter. ONE SNOWMAN. Then we had 80 degree days in early March. Seriously so hot that i went and bought a baby pool for the girls to play in! It's cooled down a bit now, but the flowers, plants & trees have been gorgeous.

We have been busy too! Mommy's favorite holiday, St Patty's Day rolled around--mommy was FINALLY not pregnant or breastfeeding in over 3 years, so she went out w/ her friends for the day!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434366015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

We celebrated Aimee's Birthday... Aimee is my step-niece and also our nanny! So she's a big part of our family.

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5434525015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/


We had a BLAST visiting Craig's family in Texas! We went for 10 whole days... which was great to be able to spend quality time w/ everyone there and not rush around. Plus the kids got into a routine & slept great. That is, until ELLIE BROKE HER LEG AT THE FT WORTH ZOO!!! And that is another blog post for another day...

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425682015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

The Easter Bunny (or Hip Hop Bunny, as Ellie calls him--it's from a Dora episode) came to visit! We also got to visit with family!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425465015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Here are some other pics from spring!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5425868015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Dear Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

Well, where to start? Sorry I haven't written sooner. I've been a bit busy taking care of you and your big sister! I want to remember every second of your precious little baby life and while I know that isn't possible I do want you to know I have tried my hardest to enjoy every second. Of course, it's NOT always enjoyable... there are a lot of poopie diapers in this house (big sis is not going in the potty all the time yet), snotty noses, cranky people, hungry people, naughty people, the list goes on. You get the picture! What I'm trying to say is that I know you are my last baby and I am trying not to kiss your pudgy little cheeks (and other body parts) 24/7--even though I want to! You are lucky in some ways. I was a lot more stressed out with your older sister. I wasn't as confident and second guessed my mommy decisions a lot. I don't sweat the small stuff as much anymore and really do try to enjoy you girls!

For the most part, you are such an easy-going, fun, sweet girl. Friends ask us all the time, "Is Sissy always this smiley?" Yep. Pretty much. Unless you are hungry or tired. This week you have a little cold. Or you are cutting more teeth. Or both. And you are crankier than usual, but believe me, you are still ready to party and have a good time most of the day.

Mommy recently weaned you from breastfeeding and you took to the bottle like a champ (THANK YOU). You are eating finger foods like a pro. You already have 6 teeth. You are crawling like a mad woman and pulling up. Ellie always says, "Look mommy, she's standing!" My heart stops for a minute when I swoop around to look at you, but you are still up on your knees, thank god. She just thinks you are standing from the other side of the play table or ottoman. Speaking of Ellie, you of course, LOVE your big sister. She can just barely give you silly look across the sofa and you crack up! But you are pretty partial to your mommy too!

You are almost nine months old. NINE MONTHS! I can't believe it! I was going to save this post for your nine month birthday, but I'm writing it now and who knows if I'll have time and/or remember to come back on that day, so I thought I better go ahead and hit publish! I do hope to remember to post your "stats" though. As of your 6 month visit, you were in the 70th percentile for height and weight. Not quite as giant as your sister, but still holding your own!

You aren't saying too much yet, but you like to say daddadadaddadadadadadadad. I always look at you and say, NO!!! Say MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA. You just cheese at me with your baby hippo smile, and of course it's ok. I have heard an mmm sound come out this week, so I'm sure you are working on perfecting your "mama". Of course, you hippo smile when daddy walks in the room too.

Eating is one of your favorite things to do! You weren't a huge fan of being fed baby food, so once you mastered self-feeding, you were good to go. You will try anything and there are very few things that you haven't liked so far! Some of your favorites to date are: avocado (definitely your favorite), cheese (of course), blueberries, bananas, black beans, sweet potatoes, black olives, puffs, popsicles. I am really hoping you turn out to be a good, versatile eater. Even better than your sister-and she's pretty good!

We went to visit Grandma & Grandpa in Arizona in January. You apparently are not a fan of flying--not so much the cabin pressure, as the cabin itself--being constricted in that small space for that long was not too fun for you, but we made it. You totally went with the flow once we got there and loved spending time w/ Grammy & Grandpa. We are going to visit Mema & Papa in Texas in a few weeks! You are going to be such a (spoiled!) traveller before your first birthday! You will think that everywhere we go people are supposed to shower you with presents and attention 24/7!

We have had an unseasonably warm winter here, so we have been lucky to be outside a bit. Here is a picture of you going to the park in January!


I hope this doesn't jinx anything, but you are a good sleeper so far. You are still taking 2 naps a day (but can miss your morning one if we need to go somewhere) and are sleeping 11-12 hrs a night. THANK YOU!

You have been a true joy and blessing to this family. We are complete with you!

Love,
Mama

Arizona Trip!

Hello!! Hello... is this thing on???

SORRY I haven't been posting lately. Things have been hectic since the holidays. Right after Christmas, we had Christmas, Part 2 with the Mitchens, then went on a little trip with our friends, then the girls and I packed up and went to Phoenix for 10 days! We had a great time, of course. I got to visit lots of my friends. Of course, as usual, I didn't take ANY pictures, except of my kids of course!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5274566015/a=5766466_5766466/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

We also got professional pics taken...we can't wait to get them back!!!

More soon.

Pictures from NY Eve

We hosted a little NY Eve get together at our house for our friends and kiddos. We did the "countdown" at 8:30 complete w/ sparkling apple juice! We watched the IU game, so some of the kiddos wore their IU gear. Ellie and Claire in their matching cheerleader outfits were adorbs!

Here are some pics:

Jade's Camera:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=3559476860103%3A850658115&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

Becca's Camera:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=5559476860103%3A371330603&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

Happy New Year

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Since I was 14 years old, I have collected a paycheck. In 2011, I did not! I did, however, start 2 businesses.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I'm really not into resolutions, so I can't remember if I made any last year, but this year my resolution is to FILTER. Basically I just want to work on keeping some things to myself... and to work on cursing :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Yes, MYSELF :) Cousin Carra. Friends: Jody, Alana and Kristina!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I wasn't really close to him per say, but my friend Dana's baby died at 5 weeks. UGH

5. What countries did you visit?

Being pregnant and having a newborn in 2011 did not pave the way for much traveling! But we did go to Phoenix...

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

I would like to have my hormones back to normal at some point. Since I have been pregnant or breastfeeding NON STOP since November 2008!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day Evelyn was born, of course! And the day we moved into this house...
.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


Landing my first clients! While being a mom of two!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not exercising enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Is pregnancy an illness?

11. What was the best thing you bought?

HOUSE

12. Where did most of your money go?

Rent/Mortgage, groceries

13. What did you get really excited about?

Our new house! Also, the New Kids on the Block / Backstreet Boys concert.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Here We Go, by the Fresh Beat Band. Baby, by Justin Bieber. Take On Me, by A-Ha.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? Happier. Babies on the outside of the body work better for me.
– thinner or fatter? Well, technically thinner since I'm not prego, but I'M PRETTY LARGE.
– richer or poorer? Hmm... technically poorer, but doesn't feel like it.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Exercise.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


Worrying.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Our own family on Xmas morning and of course lots of parties w/ family & friends.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Modern Family & Glee

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Hunger Games trilogy. Firefly Lane.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


HA HA HA I don't really have time to listen to music! But probably music from the show Glee.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

HA HA HA I don't get to go see movies either! But I did see Breaking Dawn & loved it.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Lunch w/ Matt, Dinner w/ family. 35!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It really was a good year, so I can't think of anything really? Except maybe magically getting skinny after Evelyn was born.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

MuMu

26. What kept you sane?

Husband, friends, iPhone, Facebook.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty the posses insiiiiide.

Happy New Year!