OG LORI Dolls at Target... and Im in love!

My daughters spotted these darling little dolls at Target a couple weeks ago.  I have heard about them almost daily ever since :)  I decided to take my littlest one out today to spend some of her birthday money and learn a little more about these sweet dolls she can't stop talking about. 

Playing at dusk, with Buzzsquito bands!

These late, warm summer nights are my favorite.  May they never end!  Hanging around on our property will always be one of my favorite things to do.

you can do anything you set your mind to. 

snacking on the go

With 2 children in 2 schools at 2 totally different times its fair to say that I spend a good deal of time in the car. I find this a great oppertunity to eat healthy. It only takes a second of planning ahead and is worth the effort! 

I knew I would be out during the lunch hour so grabbed some turkey and spinach. Didnt take any effort on my part nor much time!  

Healthy fuel on the go! Yum! 

added bonus: no oppertunity to steal a treat from the pantry!

Do you eat on the run?

respecting 2014s goals and the journey

At the beginning of this year I was working really hard here at home while raising my young kiddos, house full of pets and 7 big acres to 'maintain'.  My hubby is a Submariner so he isn't home much.  Much of the time its all me.  Im okay with this, it is part of life.

I had made the goal at the New Year to take care of myself in 2014.  It wasn't going well.  I didn't have a spare second for myself.  Ever.

In February I was raking in money, but I was exhausted, not doing a good job raising my girls and I really wasn't spiritually happy.  I brought in a lot of cash that Spring but spent much of it on convenience food, since I didn't have time to cook, and on useless items to keep my kids entertained...  sure, it was nice to have the spare cash to replace our fridge when it died, but otherwise it wasn't an ideal cycle for our family.  The extra money was certainly not buying happiness.

so I made a new and extreme goal.

holiday splurges

enjoying my eggnog latte by the warm fire on this snow-dusted morning, a regular for me on this lovely family trip. breakfast will be decadent maple-syrup drenched bacon, herbed eggs and warm blueberry muffins, soft in the middle and with a sweet crispness to the top. i do love good food, flavors, textures and always eager to try something new. 

i have certainly overdone it this vacation. i do know moderation is key and i do love living a healthy lifestyle. i love feeling good, energetic and happy. it sure is hard to feel bubbly when you are weighed down with heavy food. 

i will enjoy these decadent splurges and look forward to kicking it back into healthy gear when i once again am joined back with reality.  

until then we shall enjoy each moment and savor each new experience. 

nectar of the Gods....

some days i need some coffee. today i need more than one. 

the air is brisk and cool, my yard is overgrown but beautifully lush. i can see a little snow on the tops of the mountains. this week is going to be crazy busy. 

but i have my coffee to keep me going. 

attitude.

I woke up for the second time tonight with back and shoulder pain as my sweet youngest child pushed me into the wall with her knees.  Much like the second photo. And technically it was morning. 4:30am and ive been up ever since.

My youngest slept 'til 6:45, then decided to have 2 seperate irrational tantrums all before 7am.  Ahh, the joys of motherhood!  Good thing she is so dang cute.

I did get some laundry done, finished up my grocery list and decided that im going to OWN THIS DAY.

I successfully and calmly got both kids fed, cleaned and delivered to school.  I used my break to get in a quick jog, hit the grocery store and unload trunk before picking up child #2.

Did you read that?  Correct- I used my short break to EXERCISE.  Now I feel so much better!  I OWN YOU MONDAY!!!

Dinner is planned out, I will have time to clean up the kitchen and take the trash down before picking up my oldest.  I am certainly exhausted today but too busy, and too old, for naps...  Instead I changed my attitude and had a good day anyway dangit!

What challenges do you face in your day to squeeze in time for your health??

Beginning my new Journey

I have shifted my life focus this year back to my family.  This summer we worked really hard to get out of debt.  Staying home and giving full focus to my house-full is of the utmost importance to us.

Living on a only a simple Sailors income while choosing to have the healthy and natural lifestyle we love is a daily challenge.  Seven beautiful acres in a quaint and safe town, a custom home we got for a 'bargain', 2 beautiful children and 4 pets is enough to keep me on my toes.  My creativity has the opportunity shine on occasion and my thriftiness certainly does daily.

Raising a healthy, happy family is my #1 goal.  Follow me as i continue to enrich our lives..... with hopes it rubs off on you.  Cheers!