So This is Love...

He was laying in the sand, mostly covered in it from the kids burying their daddy. The kids had lost interest and moved on to something else while I watched them, making sure they didn't wander too far away or go too deep into the water. Most of the morning had been like that and it was fine with me--we brought the kids to the beach for Easter weekend and I was more than happy to focus on them and make sure they were safe and having fun. I couldn't help but think of our honeymoon and the fun we had playing in the waves, his strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me from floating too far away from him. It's different now--we have kids to take care of and can't just leave them to fend for themselves so there was no swimming and playing for us yet.
 But he just looked so handsome and strong and I couldn't resist. I thought of our honeymoon and I didn't want that spark to be any different than it was at this moment.
 I jumped out of my chair, went and leaned over and started making out with my husband.
(Yes, I did. I'm married and we are allowed and as our Pastor says, "Christians should be the most making out couples in the world" :)
 Nate was surprised and laughed as I kissed him for a few more seconds and then ran into the water, squealing because it was so cold. He got out from under the pile of sand and ran after me, his blue eyes twinkling while he smiled and looked and me with so much love in his eyes I felt like my heart could burst. He wrapped his arms around me as he carried me a little deeper in to the water to protect me from floating too far away from him. My sister was with us so she kept an eye on the kids while we played in the the waves, getting sprayed with salt water, flirting, laughing and yes-kissing a little more. It was different than 5 years ago when we did it--my eyes wandered to the kids occasionally, making sure they were OK. We couldn't stay out there as long as we wanted, but the love and the passion between us was just as strong as it was when we were first married. Really, it's much stronger than it was then but sometimes it takes a little moment like that to realize it.
 Our lives get very wrapped up in our kids--feeding, bathing, entertaining, training and loving--but sometimes you just have to get up, realize the kids will be fine and go make out with that handsome man you married. Because he deserves it, you deserve it and your marriage deserves it.

Healthy Living Tips #4: Get Movin', Baby!

Healthy living isn't all just about the way you eat. It is just as important to exercise to keep your metabolism going, strengthen your heart, tone and strengthen muscles, shape your body--there are so many positives that come from getting your body up and moving!


 I don't want to make this one of those long, boring articles on exercise, ;) so I'll just give you a few pointers that I've learned over the past 10 years. I started working out when I was 14--running a mile every day--and have constantly been changing it up since then. Besides running, I've done stationary bikes, elliptical machines, treadmill's, aerobics and weight training classes, Pilate's classes, a rebounder and walking. At this point I have my system down pretty good--60 minutes on the elliptical and intervals of strength training every day. I realize that spending 65-70 minutes every day is a lot and not everyone can do that, but you should put yourself first for at least 30 minutes during the day. I do it during my kids nap time and if my daughter doesn't sleep, I tell her she has to stay in her room while Mommy has some time alone so that I can be a better Mommy. :)
 Anyway, here are some tips...


 Beginners:
 Start with walking! Walking is one of the best exercises a person can do. It requires no equipment and it burns calories. It also uses just about every muscle in the body! Start with 10 minutes a day and work up 10 extra minutes a week until you are at 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. Eventually you can add in strength training which will tone specific areas--and it burns longer than cardio so it can boost your metabolism even more!


 If you are already working out:
 Change it up! It's so important to keep your body guessing so that it doesn't get used to the same thing every day. If you are walking a mile in 15 minutes, aim to walk it in 10, or add 10 extra minutes to your work out. Throw in some squats, lunges and push-ups. I've found that the more I switch up my workouts, the better my metabolism is and the more toned I get.


 Don't have a treadmill or elliptical or gym membership?
 Do a workout dvd! There are work out's that can get you started at walking a mile or 2, or there are workouts that will seriously leave you wanting to DIE. :) When the weather is good, take a walk around your neighborhood. I have a double jogger that we use at least 3-4 times a week in the summer, so I'm walking and pushing my kids at the same time which burns even more calories. Either way, anything that get's your heart rate up and gets your body moving is better than sitting on the couch, and it's SO good for you! 

Candid Moments

...my little butterfly princess playing the piano...

 ...my crazy little guy before we cut his hair, happy to find a sock on the floor...

...his chubby hand holding his favorite "baw"

 ...the little moments between 2 best friends...

the angle that tells a cute story...

 ...and a little reminder of Buddy, who needs a haircut and who is the kids best playmate every day.

These pictures usually don't get framed or noticed much, but I'm appreciating them more and more as they tell a story of the daily moments in their lives. They grow up too fast and I want to capture even the "non Kodak moments", because sometimes they are the ones I want to remember the most.

Reunited

My trip to Florida was wonderful, but I missed my husband and babies SO much and knew we needed to spend time together as soon as I got back. I got home on a Wednesday, so we planned a family night on Thursday. The weather was absolutely gorgeous for a picnic. We picked up subs, then walked to sit near the river and eat. I set up my self timer for this picture because it was such a perfect evening and I wished that someone was there to get a candid shot of us eating and enjoying each other. :)

Subs and cheetos--of course she's smiling! :)

I almost had several heart attacks that evening when Joe went way too close to the water, but thankfully there were no tragedies and we all lived happily ever after.... ;)

The 2 men in my life. Joe Joe LOVES his daddy. He sobs when Nate walks out the door!

When we ordered dinner, there were some fresh chocolate chip cookies there so we picked up 2 to share between us. Someone was very happy :)

Best Friends

Yes...this made me extremely dizzy. When I was a kid I used to be able to twirl for hours it seemed. Not anymore! It was fun, though, and made us laugh :)

After the picnic and playing, we took a beautiful walk along the river. We didn't notice how far we had gone, but the kids did great and we even found a little park along the way for them to play on. :)

It was a perfect way to spend my first night at home, back with my family where I belong. Vacation was wonderful but there is nothing like being surrounded by the loves of my life!

Florida Vacation, 2011

 Last week I was "sent away" for a week of R&R with one of my best girlfriends, Cassie. No kids, no hubby, just one week of sun, swimming, palm trees, Bible reading by the pool, long walks, sleeping in and no schedule. :) My grandparents have a place in Orlando, FL, and we were going to stay with them the whole time. However, my parents ended up coming while we were there (a surprise to them as well as me :) and we stayed at a beautiful resort for the first half of the week. Then my grandparents gave us their bedroom for the last part of the week, took us to Disney World, took us out to eat and pretty much spoiled us the whole time! It was honestly a dream vacation, but I'll let you see for yourself....

Here we are on the way there, so excited :)

 The gorgeous view from the balcony of the resort

 My parents and I overlapped for one day, so we got to spend an entire day together. It was wonderful!

 Enjoying a free hot breakfast by the pool

 With my sweet grandparents at Disney World. (I was soaked from the last ride :)

 We had such a relaxing, enjoyable week!

Although we had a great time, it was SO good to get home and kiss and hug my babies! Of course, I brought them home tons of "prizes" and they were so thrilled. :)

 It took 4 different babysitters, plus Nate who had the kids for the weekend to take care of the kids for a whole week, but we got it all worked out so I was able to enjoy myself to the fullest. I'm SO thankful to my husband for letting me go--not many husbands would do that! I'm also thankful to the Lord for providing and working everything out. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to do anything like that again so I do not take it for granted.