Beachin' Time

**Warning : Picture-heavy post ahead! Proceed with caution.**

Over the Labor Day weekend, my parents got a beach house in Gulf Shores, AL and {almost} everyone joined. We missed my sister, who had prior obligations, but had so much fun with everyone else.

It was extremely hot, but of course we couldn't stay inside all day everyday, so hydration was of utmost importance. In the presence of a certain two year old who can't exactly drink out of a water bottle correctly, that meant performing a show of epicness the likes of which I have seldom seen.

My brother,Wread, - ever the resourceful one - scored two kayaks for free and borrowed a canoe for the weekend, so we all had to test them out. Canon took a couple of rides in the canoe. His uncle and aunt paddled with him at one point, but of course the only reason they went anywhere was due to his amazing rowing abilities. With his stick.

I can't be sure, but I think my dad won the race. See my youngest brother eating his dust waves?

We had a surprise baby shower for my sister-in-law so one afternoon was spent partying it up. We played hide-and-seek:

...balloon wars...

...and "Guess Whose Cell Phone Is Ringing?!".

We know how to party. #hardcore

Of course, being at the beach meant we had to actually spend some time in the sand and water. Don't look at me. I was happy in the air conditioning and shade.

This baby girl, though. She could not get enough of the water. You literally could not take your eyes off of her for one millisecond because she would be in the waves in an instant. She would run around you and try to fake you out just to get wet.

She cried when we had to go in for the day. I am talking alligator tears. It would have been pitiful if it wasn't so funny.

My little dude, though he loved playing the water, preferred to build and design projects in the sand. No surprise there. #likefatherlikeson

My brother, Walker, got in on the action as well and built canals for Canon's water holes. Assurance of water is a must, after all. Genius at work, people.

Our family is so lucky to be so close. The baby of our bunch, "Uncle Welles" is loved by the kiddos too. After a day of sand and water play, they curled up with him to watch tv and settle down.

Of course, it wasn't all play with us. One of the things that I insisted upon was taking family photos. Or at least partial family photos. Thanks for missing out, Weatherly. You cramped our picture-taking style.

In any case, family pictures are a serious business with this crew. Exhibits A - H.

The following picture accurately describes the personalities of the cousins in our family. Canon is the more mellowed out kid. Don't get me wrong. He can get crazy bonkers and drive us up the wall, but he is generally just a cool dude. Anderson, on the other hand, is a super-active and precocious little girl. She is the sweetest and smartest thing, but she will do what she has to do to have fun. Case in point : at this particular moment we are leaving the beach and headed back to the house. She absolutely did NOT want to leave the water, so she tried climbing out of her daddy's arms and down his back to make it back to the waves. Spoiler alert : it didn't work.

We had so much fun on this trip. Even though I definitely do not like the beach, nor do I even remotely belong there, I would go back in a heartbeat with these guys. It was a fantastic mini vacation and I can't wait to do it again soon.

Exploring Cochran Shoals and Sope Creek Trails

When we moved to Georgia, Craig and I decided that we wanted establish regular family dinners that included my brother and sister that live about 25 minutes away. Sundays after church they come over and join us for a meal and play time, and complete the evening with "family movie night". That consists of a Disney movie that Canon picks out. It's a wild time, let me tell ya. We love it, though. Every bit of it. 

A few weeks ago we decided to shake things up a bit and take our Sunday lunch out on a hike. We hit up Cochran Shoals and Sope Creek Trails because they boast lush vegetation, Civil War ruins, and a beautiful river. What's not to love?

The "kids" {my sister, Weatherly and my brother Walker} were running late so we decided to meet up with them when they finally arrived. The hike began on a very wide road-type trail that was home to some really cool flora. Can anyone tell me what this flower is because I am loving it?!

While I stopped to take a couple of photos, Canon decided that he needed a rest. On top of the fallen tree. Naturally.

After we hiked for several miles and crossed over several trails, we realized that our destination was much farther than originally thought. We had already had to stop several times for directions from other kikers/adventurers - even though we had a map and were following the posted signs. The trails were so overwhelming and winding that it was hard to keep track of where we should be going. And Canon was beginning to get tired of walking which meant that he ended up riding on his daddy's shoulders for much of the time. Craig began to think that he probably ought to move the car to a closer parking lot so that our travel back to the vehicle wouldn't include carrying a certain little boy the entire way, so he decided to run the trail back to the parking lot. We were to wait at this particular pond where some people were fishing. No problem. One of the fishermen even asked Canon if he wanted to join in the fun and began to get some line ready for him. Sweet, right? Of course, that ended as soon as the sky opened up and we were caught in a torrential downpour. I grabbed our backpack and supplies and began scrambling to find cover under trees. We ran into a good Samaritan who offered us one of her umbrellas, as she was waiting on her children that were involved in a running club. They were running the trails - come rain or shine - so we stuck around with her and took in the much-needed shelter and cheered on the runners. Talk about being grateful! These Georgians are really something special.

The sun finally did come back out, in time for a little snack and dance. Because that's a thing. So far the day hadn't gone as planned, but we were still going to try and make the best of it.

After about 45 minutes, Craig showed up again - and with Weatherly and Walker in tow! Things were starting to look up as we all made our way to the real draws of the day : the ruins and the river on Sope Creek Trail. Along the way, we made a new friend, Michaelangelo. Actually, we moved Mikey off of the hiking trail since it was also frequented by people on horseback and those trail riding on bikes. He would have gotten squished for sure!

We finally made it to the ruins, which turned out to be an old paper mill that was destroyed by the Union Army in the Civil War. Unlike other Civil-War-era structures around here, this one is accessible to walk through so we took our time exploring it all.

 By the time we made it to the river, everyone was hot and hungry. A dip in the water was just what the doctor ordered. Except for the fact that it was really freakin' cold. Yeah, I didn't get in. I used the whole "I don't want to chance my camera getting wet" excuse. Works every time.

Getting to our actual picnic spot took a ton of work and was completely nerve-wracking. We each fell at least once on the rocks that were so slippery from the earlier rain shower and I feel like we earned at least our junior mountaineering badges that day. It was totally worth it though. We had the place to ourselves.

Canon loves his aunts and uncles. I hope one day he realizes just how blessed he truly is with the huge family that he has been given.

Although I can truly say that the day didn't start out the best, it definitely turned out amazing. Oh, and thank goodness Craig had gotten the car closer. We would have never made it back before dark had he left it in the original location. We would have been lost in the woods for days and we definitely didn't bring enough food and water for that! Heck we wouldn't have need the supplies because we would have probably been eaten by bears or killed by huge, venomous snakes. I am not even kidding.


Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration. Slight.

A More Natural Lifestyle : Exercise

Growing up, I was a dancer. A ballerina. Not to be confused with a performer "on the pole". Not that there's anything wrong with that. I actually performed ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical which required me to attend classes or rehearsals almost 40 hours a week by the time I hit high school. I began ballet at age 2 when my mother was looking for a way to socialize me. What can I say - I was terribly shy.

I continued dancing throughout the entirety of my childhood. My high school years consisted of me going to school, going to dance, and going to work. I don't remember most of the stories people talk about from high school, but I can still remember choreography from dances that I performed during that time period. While my school friends were attending parties, I was training. I LOVED it. Every second of it.

I received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Alabama, and even had the amazing luck to work as a counselor to the American Ballet Theatre summer intensive for three summers at Alabama. That meant that I got to take class FOR FREE from some of the greatest ballerinas from one of the greatest companies IN THE WORLD.

Can you say Heaven? I knew you could.

I spent five years in God's country {The University of Alabama, for those of you unaware} and took class after class, spent free time in rehearsals, and put on several performances each semester.

All of that information was actually coming to a point, I promise. During all of this time that I spent in rigorous training, I was able to eat anything and everything that I wanted. It didn't matter if I ate an entire bag of chips with three burgers and a milkshake to wash it down. I wasn't gaining an ounce because I was so active.

Me, in Europe, with a flat belly no matter how much I ate. How I miss those days.

Once college ended, however, things changed. I had sustained several injuries during my years that squashed my hopes of performing with a company. I actually had to get a real job to pay for bills. Being an adult sucks sometimes. I did get several jobs teaching children dance, but anyone with performance experience will tell that it just isn't the same! I was already starting to see the effects of my eating habits, but I was still able to curb my weight a little - or so I thought. It's funny how quietly that monster called "belly fat" creeps in and takes over.

When I got pregnant with Canon all bets were off. I quit teaching dance so that I could have more time with both of my boys. I didn't have any real pregnancy food cravings, but I definitely took advantage of eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. After having Canon, I ate so much ice cream and milk to help with my milk supply that I should have been able to feed an entire orphanage of babies. FYI : it didn't work. I couldn't produce enough milk to sustain my child, but I definitely produced enough fat to warrant a new wardrobe.

Fun fact : trying to find a picture of myself from the time we had Canon until now was extremely difficult. I did find some that were from the bust up or some where I was hiding behind a person or thing. Not the same.

Fast forward to December 2013. You remember when I said a light bulb moment happened to me where I realized that I was completely neglecting myself? Thankfully, one of the areas that I immediately saw health and exercise. I mean, how could I not? I felt absolutely horrible about myself every single time I looked in the mirror. Or wore clothes. Or didn't wear clothes. Basically any time that I was conscious I was utterly self-conscious. Yet until that one moment, I couldn't bring myself to do anything about it.

From that moment, I decided to make a change. There were absolutely no excuses for letting myself go any longer with that feeling of self-loathing. Remember, I had just been laid off from work so I had more time during the day for experimenting with this new-found enlightenment. I began preparing foods that were much healthier. I quit buying pre-cooked-then-frozen meals altogether. Bonus perk was saving money in that respect! I began drinking a lot of water and stopped snacking in bed at night.

And finally in March, I began exercising again. I ran across an ad for DailyBurn while watching streaming tv one night. They offered a free month of service to determine if it was something I was interested in. I figured that I could check it out for free and then ditch when I didn't like it.

Boy, was I wrong. I LOVED it! I started out with the True Beginner series which is for individuals who really want to start out simply and work their way into a more serious routine. Don't get me wrong. I was sweatin' to the oldies sweating my behind off from day one. There were days for cardio, core, and strength training. And everything in between. ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF MY LIVING ROOM. Translation : I could look a fool and no one would be the wiser. I could work my booty off, literally, without feeling like people were staring and judging. Brilliant.

Now, let me just say for the record, that at this point I began to hate Craig. You see, he runs. He loves running and it took him about 2.3 hours for the pounds to start shedding. I could actually see it happen as we watched a movie.

Hahahahahaha, who am I kidding?! I don't remember the last movie we watched!

Anyway, I would see him run, then eat the healthy meals that I cooked for dinner, and simply shed the weight. Simple, right?

Wrong. My weight didn't start coming off until I had been exercising heavily for about two months and practically starving myself in the process. Ok so not exactly, but it felt like it since I had been eating so poorly before.

When we moved to Georgia, our lifestyle changed on a family level. We were still exercising individually, but we also began hiking every weekend and swimming in lakes and rivers. Good for body and soul.

I was finally losing some pounds and starting to feel a little better about myself. And then, something happened. I woke up one morning with the most horrific lower back pain. I could barely move at a snail's pace, much less kick butt in cardio.

So I took a break from exercise. And then I started to feel flubbery again. I decided that I had to do something, even if it was minimal movement. So, I decided to try out yoga. It has really helped to loosen my back. The really cool thing? There is also a full yoga track you can follow on DailyBurn that is taught by world renowned yogi Briohny Smyth. She is ridiculous. Just check this out.

Like I said, ridiculous.  Anyway, this new exercise routine has really awakened something in me. I have decided that I really love yoga. Although it is so completely different from dance, my ballet training helps me with a lot of the poses and movements. I feel strong and confident, even when I am falling out of a balance. I have even begun to think that I would like to become certified to teach yoga one day, though I know that is a long-term goal. I have a long way to go, grasshopper.
So far in my journey, I have lost 13 pounds. Not only has Craig noticed a difference, but I have too. As we all know, we are our own most critical judge so that is really saying something!  I still have a ways to go {how the heck do you get rid of belly fat for real?!}, but I am so happy with my results so far.  If you are interested in getting healthy and exercising at your own pace, in your own home, then I urge you to try DailyBurn. For the record, no. I have not been compensated for this post. They don't know me from Adamette. It is just something that has really worked for me and my schedule. So there is my exercise regimen these days. Just one step in my goal towards a more natural lifestyle.

My apologies

I know, I know. This week has been a crappy blog week. I feel like holiday weekends and trips just totally screw up my posting rhythm. Tack on to that the fact that I have a sick little one and it is just a recipe for blogging disaster. Please bear with me as we just survive this week.

And we will.

Survive, I mean.

Until then...thank you for your patience.

A More Natural Lifestyle : The Back Story

Less than a year ago, our world was so different. I would wake up at the absolute last minute to get ready and get to work to spend my whole day sitting at a desk. In the afternoon, I would pick up Canon from daycare and run home to fix some meal-in-a-bag that had been in the freezer for who-knows-how-long and then play with Canon until it was time for bed. Things were hectic and crazy and my life revolved around work and our son.

Then I lost my job.

And it was the best thing that could have happened in regards to taking care of myself. You see, the stress of money loss got to both Craig and me. Things were said in the heat of the moment and a light bulb went off. Somewhere along the way after having Canon, I lost myself. I poured my whole self into him. I neglected taking care of myself and my marriage for four years. I had one happy kid, but I felt horrible about myself and had been failing to be the wife that I should have been all those years.

Right then and there, I vowed to transform my mind, body, and soul. I decided to dedicate time and energy to myself everyday, because when I feel healthy and happy I am a much better me. And a much better wife. And, let's face it, a much better mom.

I began researching healthier and more cost effective ways to cook wonderful meals that my boys would like. I began changing my routine to fit in time just with Craig to remind him just how much I love him. I started trying to find ways to save money on things like household cleaners and toiletries by using natural products instead of harsh chemicals. And I started working out. This was two-fold : it made me feel better and Craig started to take notice of the physical changes. Trust me, I know how that sounds. I typed and retyped the last half of that sentence about seven times. I didn't want it to sound like Craig is that superficial. He isn't. At all. But there is something to be said for physical attraction in a marriage. We are all human after all.

This doesn't mean that things changed over night, but there has been a wonderful side effect to this eye-opener. It sparked in me a desire to be much more careful about what we put in our bodies and come in contact with on a daily basis. This has been a fairly slow transformation for me, but I think I am all in now. It has evolved from "how do I save money?" to "how can I be sure my family is healthy while saving money?". You would think that would be one in the same, but unfortunately it isn't.

This transformation is definitely still a work in progress and I am excited to see what's in store for us. It is becoming a COMPLETE lifestyle transformation for me and I am absolutely loving the effects so far. I still get eye rolls from Craig on some things that I do, but he has yet to completely discount anything. Because it all works.

Ten thousand extra bonus points for me because we are finally all happy and getting healthy.