Junk Smoohtie

I'm not kidding when I say smoothies are amazing. They're probably my number one go to food when I'm wanting to eat really healthy and want something convenient and simple at the same time. I've discovered green smoothies are one of the healthiest things to consume too. They provide so many necessary nutrients it one drink. You can add whatever you're craving and add what your body's needing a little extra of at the same time, weather that be antioxidants, liver cleansing foods, etc. I've found that with a little bit of fruit(and maybe some sweetener) you can add so many other vegetables without it tasting weird. The other day I added radishes to my smoothie and I didn't even taste a hint of them. I ALWAYS add spinach to my smoothies because I've had a history of low iron, but it's good for you in so many other ways too and practically tasteless in a smoothie!
 When I say junk smoothie I mean I make smoothies with whatever you have on hand. And whenever your fruits are about to go bad, freeze them and use them later in a smoothie instead of tossing them. When you see berries or fruits for an amazing price, buy extra and put them up in the freezer and you won't even have to buy those bags of frozen fruit at the store. And instead of tossing it whenever your spinach is getting a little bit soggy, make a big batch of green smoothie and put the extra you don't drink into the freezer. Less waste AND a convenient food to grab when you're going to be out and about! There are countless recipes out there to try and I hope you're inspired to start making your own too!

I forgot to mention I also like green smoothies more than green juices because they have less sugar and more substance. Your body can actually use more of it since it's not in a straight liquid form!
No matter who you are or what your health goals are, you can't go wrong with a healthy smoothie! I wish I had a perfect recipe to share with you but there are just too many ways you can change up your smoothie to your taste or health goal. Here are some ideas of my favorite things to add with my frozen fruit smoothie: Almond milk, 100% juice, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, celery, cucumber, beets and their greens, spinach, kale, Any sort of greens(I even use broccoli greens from my garden), peanut butter, lemon juice, cinnamon, pure maple syrup, honey, coconut oil, pumpkin, and pure vanilla extract. I'd love to know what works best for you!

My 10 Random Facts you (probably) Don't Know About Me

You may have seen this going around the internet like I did. I decided to participate and write my own 10 random facts! I'm not tagging anyone because I want everyone to join who wants, but if you do, include a picture, write 10 facts, and tag whoever you want to join!

1. I ride motorcycles
I'm not the one that rides around on those loud cruisers. In fact I don't think I'm any sort of Clique rider. I really enjoy the vintage cafe racers and people who actually travel long distances putting their motors and bodies on the line. I rode a 1974 Honda Hawk EVERYWHERE when I first got my M-licence and went on a couple long distant trips with it. Then I bought a faster, more reliable, new Kawasaki when I was still single and had hardly any responsibilities. Although I obviously won't be riding again anytime soon, I'm making plans and having hopes for a long trip to the salt flats in the future.

2. I use Hallmark quotes 
I try to be genuine when I talk to people. It's probably the thing I consider most important when it comes to conversations and writing. But when I try to say what's on my mind or give important advice it usually comes out sounding like a Hallmark quote and I hate it so much!

3. I don't understand couples who can't agree/decide
When it comes to important decisions like naming our children or buying a house my husband and I always seem to agree. It's almost weird how often we agree on those kinds of things. We got really lucky!

4. I want to be a Chris McCandliss 
I should say "wanted", but I still do in a way. I always dreamed about "running away" and traveling around the way he did(if you don't know who I'm talking about read Into the Wild(it's good!) or watch the movie). Now I realize that a lot of people have done this before and Chis only became well know because, with all due respect, he was one of the only one that has actually killed himself doing it.

 5. I want to own my own Orchard
I've had a crazy obsession for YEARS to someday have my own orchard or farm and greenhouse. I would so love to work outside with plants the rest of my life!

6. I never played any team sports growing up
The extent of my physical competition growing up was track, and I loved it. I never played competitively until my Senior year of high school. That year I played every sport available to me and I loved it! Later I started tennis and my husband and I still like to play it every once in a great while!

7. I like to eat my ice cream with a fork 
When I get a container of REALLY good ice cream the best way I've found to enjoy it is eating it straight out of the container... with a fork. If you know me well, you've probably seen me do this.

8. My first job out of high school I was the only female in about eighty guys
I got a job doing exactly what I wanted a few weeks before graduating high school. I worked in a shop that made gondolas(ski lifts, mono rails etc.) as a CNC machinist. I loved it so much and all the people(guys) were great and loved the fact that a little girl was willing to push herself hard enough to work alongside them.

9. I have a phobia of dehydration
I've been to the Emergency Room three times in my life and every one of them was dehydration related. If you've ever visited because of that issue, you know the pain and discomfort I'm talking about. This has made me a HUGE weirdo about water. I always, always have water on me and whenever my kids ask for water, it will be in front of their face within a few seconds.

10. I strongly dislike movie theaters
There are numerous reasons why but the main one is, I can't sit in a chair like a normal person. Whenever I sit, I have to sit in certain positions or I have excruciating pain. If you've ever had a major tailbone injury, you know what I'm talking about. I was in a snowboarding accident eight years ago and  it still hasn't healed! Other reasons include the crazy price, the smell, too many people in a small room and the list goes on!

If you blog, I'd love to hear your 10 random facts, send me the link!

Happy Birthday Everett

This year Everett turned 4!!! This was probably one of the more enjoyable parties for me of his. I wanted it to be more simple this time and asked for a little more help so I could enjoy celebrating him more. I think everyone had a hand in helping this year. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! 

It had been raining all morning... actually pouring but we decided to bundle up and try to stick it out. The weather ended up clearing up and it ended up being PERFECT weather for the party. It was truly a blessed time.

Everything you see wasn't done by me alone. I have so many talented ladies to give credit to!

Happy Birthday Everett!

A little Bit of Life

There's nothing like some good ol' journaling so that's what I'm doing today. This last weekend we spent in Ouray, Colorado soaking in the natural hot springs and eating yummy food with some of David's family that were in town. David even canceled a work appointment to do it so it was a little extra special since he's never done that for a family trip before. It was so nice to get away for a while, I can't wait to take a little escape again.
 On Sunday night I had just laid Darby in her crib at 3:30 after nursing her when I got a call from my sister. She had been up, painfully sick, for hours and was wondering if I could help her figure out if it was kidney stones or what. I wanted her to go in to the ER just in case. Luckily they were small enough to pass and she'll be fine but, it's not fun when you're laying awake worrying if someone you love might be in danger and them not wanting to go in to get checked out at the same time. Thankfully her stubbornness lost out and we at least found out exactly what it was.

 On another entirely different note, David is playing at Vans Warp Tour this weekend! We've always thought about going(especially before we had kids), but it's funny that the first time he gets to go he'll also be playing. He's playing for some friends band called Redlands. So wish them luck and I know it will be an exciting experience!

Again, entirely different train of thought. I can't believe I'm starting to plan Everett's birthday. He's turning FOUR in three short weeks! I remember being pregnant and looking at the expiration date on my drivers license and thinking, wow, we'll have an almost four year old when I get this renewed again. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be taking care of such a big kid. And he IS such a big kid. It's so fun to watch him. He's going to make a profound father some day. Every time his sister is whining while I'm doing something he RUNS to her rescue and almost instantly makes her laugh and scream with his silly songs and dancing. I never get done with whatever I was busy with because by then I'm too busy laughing along with them. He also yells out in delight whenever I begin cooking or baking, "can I help?!!!" He loves learning all the little baking secrets and is getting really good at actually helping when it come to making food with me. He loves being a helper all around. It's very rare that he'll refuse when I ask him to do a small favor for me. I've never known a kid to do so much with the reward of satisfaction alone. He still loves to dress up and pretend, make up stories and listen to songs. He likes all the super heroes that all boys like and even talks about God like he's one of them - the man with power who saved us all. He always asks amazing questions about him like, "where does he get his power?", "who made God?" Crazy questions that you have to give the same old "I don't know." answer to. I'd like him to keep his own personal idea of God for as long as he can. There's a point in all our lives when that childlike idea gets ruined by so many others telling you what God is with their own biased ideas. I love every bit of this child and want him to stay this way as long as possible. He always gives me the promise that he'll stay little for me forever which is a great sacrifice for someone who wants to grow so big. We both secretly know it won't last forever like we say, but we will pretend for as long as we can.

-Liz

Rocket Roll

I was scrolling through my blog last night to try and find a certain photo and realized just how often I used to grab my camera for every little event so I could post them here to remember. It's so, so nice to be able to look back on here at so many of the little events and thoughts of my life from a few years ago and wondered if I could ever start it up again. Having that thought in my mind, I saw my camera as we were headed out the door for some fun today and decided to grab it. It feels good to be able to document a little bit of my daily life again! 

We headed out to the desert today to shoot off some rockets with a few of my nieces and nephews. It was a blast (no pun intended). We also flew kites, shot, and blew up things. Darby wasn't such a big fan of the wind and loud noises, but it ended up being an awesome Saturday morning!

Hooking up the launch pad to the car battery 

Dear Darby,

Tiny toes and itty-bitty clothes, teething drool and wisps of new blonde hair on your head. All of it happening so fast, you're growing and growing right before my eyes. I wish I could keep it all in the palm of my hand but I'll only be left with memories and a few photos once your babyhood is gone. You came here in a flash and now you're learning and growing since the moment you were born. You were supposed to stay tiny and immobile for longer (or at least I tried to convince you to). This last week you've been showing off your abilities to the max and it made me realize how much I want to remember all of your little milestones. 

I put you on your play mat the other day and you ended up across the living room during the two minutes I turned my head. "How did you do that?!" I exclaimed, but I guess it was your little secret. You've managed to do it a couple more times without me looking, but I'll catch you one day! 

You've been sitting up by yourself. Suddenly. I forgot how suddenly that happens.  I can't leave you on the couch anymore. After several consecutive times of you trying to roll or dive off I had to give up on it. 

We took you swimming for the first time and you liked it way more than I imagined. You seemed happy the rest of the day. I think it's one of your favorites. 

You're other favorite is swinging. We do it at the park when you're in your wrap, but even more you like your automatic swing and even MORE you like to swing like a big girl, but you've just recently been able to sit up enough to enjoy it for hours.

You love to say hi to your toes on a regular basis and give them a long squeeze when you do. 

When you "talk" it's sort of a gurgly singing. I love to talk to you in your language. 

You've tried a few foods lately too. I thought I could make you wait a little longer, but you're so interested and get upset when I don't let you try what I have on my plate. And, I'm not going to lie, it keeps you preoccupied for a few precious moments when we have to run into the store. You're so good at biting and chewing, even without teeth. So far you've had: rice rusks, strawberries, avocado, banana and a pickle(my hair doesn't count). You've loved all of them. I'm pretty sure you're a big food lover like me. 

I never thought I'd enjoy having a girl so much, but the longer I have you the more I love it. Little girls are so fun and so different from little boys. You're so fragile inside and out. I hope I can make a great childhood for you.

You're FIVE months old already, it goes by too fast but I can't wait to see the little lady you'll turn into. Just stay small a while longer (please).

xoxo

Half a Decade

What is it about love? It makes you feel so incredibly strange doesn't it? Love makes you have a whole new perspective on things. Love teaches you, I think, most of all. 



Last week we celebrated our fifth anniversary. Five years! ...Half a decade. How did that happen all the sudden? In the past I always wondered what our relationship would be like a few years into our marriage. I always wondered if we would still love each other just as much or if it would end up shambled, like so many of the marriages we've seen around us.
Our first few weeks of marriage were absolutely amazing. We were totally inseparable and completely infatuated with each other. As the months went on though I began to feel scared. I was scared that we had made a hasty decision or even worse, the wrong decision. It was hard and we of course began to argue over time. There were walls that had to be torn down between us. Sometimes it can be pretty hard to get to know someone so well, but when you go through some nasty stuff with each other and get out to the other end fine, that has to say a lot. And I think the only thing that can get you through something like that and still have each other in the end is a love so deep and unconditional, that you had no idea what it was capable of going through in the first place. Bluntly, our marriage would not have lasted if I had the attitude of David or David had my attitude. During our rough times he would not even allow the "D word". I don't know if it's because he was out to prove something or if he had a deep conviction, but it's because of his commitment that we didn't end it early. I have never been a very trusting person either. I don't know if it's from being hurt or what, but when I saw how much David trusts me, with every little part of himself, I began to let go and put some trust in him. It was amazing, this trust thing. I felt like I was completely and totally vulnerable and it was incredible. It was one of the best and hardest things I've ever done. It opened up a whole new door for us and our relationship changed. Our love changed. After a certain point our love was no longer about infatuation but about getting through things together. As a team. Going through every little detail of our lives, thick and thin, and doing it TOGETHER with love and gratitude.
I know, logically thinking, why would you do that? Why would you make yourself vulnerable, have arguments , and make yourself troop through tough times? It's more than just, "I've gotta get through this because so many are giving up too." It's that feeling, that word that people use way too loosely. Love.
Affection, romance, that bubbly feeling, It's way more than that, way more than what the movies will lead us to believe. Love is hard. Love hurts. Love makes you cry more than you want it to. It's not about those good feelings, it's about what it can stand up to. And I will say it again, love teaches you most of all.

I want to write a little foot note to say thank you to my husband. Thank you for five years(and beyond). Thanks for sticking with me accepting me and being patient with me. Thank you for the two children you've helped me with. You we're so strong through their births and there's no way they would have been so easy without you by my side. I'm completely convinced I made the right decision and i can't wait to see where life takes us. Together.