Life, Lately

Since coming home from Wyoming, life has been moving at warp speed with little to no breathing room. I feel like it's been a whirlwind of working, managing a household, taking care of a babe, and (not enough) sleep. On a happy note, today is my Thursday since I have a long weekend coming up, and I just. cannot. wait! I have so many recipes and DIYs I want to share with you, and I'm itching to start some holiday decorating and make some paleo peppermint hot chocolate. Yes, you read that right, but let me just repeat... paleo peppermint hot chocolate. 

Here's a little peek into our trip to Wyoming and the last week of craziness. 

{my happy little reindeer! this kid is so awesome, you guys.}

 {my boss brought us bags of apples from the north Georgia apple orchard - score!}

{I could hike all day in the beautiful Wind River Range.}

 {We had the best burgers & sandwiches on gluten-free buns in Jackson.}

xoxo

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Hello from Wyoming!

Life has been so crazy lately that when given the chance to visit family out west, husband and I gratefully accepted. We are spending a long weekend exploring Wyoming and Utah, hiking through the wilderness, eating gelato in bed and catching up on some sleep.

Fun things next week when we get back!

xo

Hello Weekend 02

{Side note: this is my new favorite outfit, one that I bought for myself for my birthday (from Target if you're interested). It's been so long since I actually bought clothes for myself! Maternity wear, then a babe will do that ;) I'm so in love with these pants though!}

We are signing off for the long weekend to celebrate birthdays and focus on spending some much needed time disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature and each other. Picture day hikes, mountain tops, evergreens, mountain side sunrises, campfires, warm snuggly blankets, roadside produce stands and spiced apple cider. 

And finally finding some room to breathe.

Other things...

top

similar pants

obsessed with oregano oil for the winter

excited about this class

Be back early next week with more fun things.

xoxo

Weekend Adventures // Girls Trip to PCB!

For the long Labor Day weekend, my mom, sister and I packed up our kiddos and headed south to a friend's condo on the Gulf of Mexico. Growing up, my family always went to Panama City Beach for summer vacation, so it still has a soft spot in my heart, despite some of its less desirable qualities {read: obnoxious high school/college partiers}. Since we went at the end of the season and since our condo was verrry far from the strip, it was a great place to hang out in the white sand, play in the waves and soak up some vitamin D by the pool. I really enjoyed hanging out with my nephews and chatting about their interests. My sister's oldest boy is a budding artist and told me all about the different types of pencils, coals and chalks he likes to sketch with. Her youngest told me all about what he was learning in school and about football. It was just great to be with them!

Elliot and I camped out under the umbrella on the beach and enjoyed the breeze. He also loved splashing around in the pool and dunking his older cousins. My nephews love hanging out with baby Elliot, as they call him. And they are so helpful! More than once they entertained E while I got dressed or put on makeup. It was so sweet to see the three on them playing on the floor. 

And just being with my mom and sister is restorative to my soul. I am so blessed to have them as family and to also call them my friends. It's been such a wonderful thing to share this new adventure of motherhood with both of them, but especially my sister. Talk about having a wealth of knowledge at hand - the two of them are priceless to me. 

{I am oh so smitten with this little boy, and moments such as these are priceless to me. Motherhood is a difficult journey, but one I am grateful to be on every single day.}

xoxo

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Jekyll Island 01

Our little family spent a long weekend at Jekyll Island last weekend to celebrate K's little sister's wedding, and let me tell you it was so lovely! We left on Thursday and came home on Sunday, so it was a slight whirlwind of a trip, but it was great nonetheless. 

Elliot loved splashing in the salt water pool and walking on the eerily lovely driftwood beaches. We explored the historic district on Saturday, and I fell completely in love with the big, sprawling trees covered in Spanish moss. We took our Stokke Scoot that the folks at Stokke so graciously gifted us, and it was perfect for strolling along the old streets. I love how E can see everything and still face me! I would really like to make a return trip in the fall or winter when the heat isn't quite so overbearing. 

The wedding itself was perfection, and we are so incredibly happy for the newlyweds. Weddings make me all sentimental about the day I tied my life to that amazing man of mine. I love being a part of that day in other people's lives. I think it is so very romantic to promise eternal companionship, to say 'I will daily choose you above all others for the rest of my life.'

 More pictures to come!

xoxo

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Weekend Adventure: Camping at Tate Branch

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that our favorite way to escape the world and find solace is in the outdoors. So a couple weekends ago, we decided that a low-key camping trip was in order. We packed up the tent, some good food, our hiking gear and our pup and headed north to the Nantahala National Forest {my favorite} for a couple nights.

Our itinerary was low-key, starting with a a half day hike on Saturday to the top of Big Scaly Mountain. It was eight miles round trip... four uphill and four down! {Our legs were a bit sore the next day.} Then, we spent the afternoon relaxing and reading next to the river. Husband built an amazing campfire and we ate and talked next to the fire until it dwindled out. Sunday morning we woke up and explored the river a bit, husband fished, Sam played in the water. 

it was just what we needed, and we can't wait for our next camping trip that's coming up in October. {Last year's birthday trip was so completely perfect, that I've been dreaming of Standing Indian for the past couple weeks!}

xoxo

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Back to Reality

Husband and I spent the last eight days exploring and adventuring in the Chiriquí providence of Panama. Zip lining, waterfall hikes, white water rafting, exploring volcanic islands, incredible food (including the freshest fish possible)... In short, it was amazing. I didn't want to leave. And I probably wouldn't have left if it weren't for things like missing my family and friends. Oh, and those pesky student loans and mortgage payments. 

I have some posts coming up detailing our trip, the hotels and activities. Oh, and some pretty amazing pictures.

xoxo

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Packing for Panama

Since one of the things on our pre-babe bucket list is to have a big adventure together, husband and I are headed to Panama next month! Our itinerary includes a zip line expedition, hiking in the cloud forest, sightseeing in the city and canal, a volcano hike, maybe some whitewater rafting, an excursion to a coffee estate, sea kayaking, and some down time on the beach. To say that I am excited is a vast understatement.

Breezy dresses, sandals, hats and sunglasses are my planned uniform, so I've compiled a few of my current favorites that would be perfect for this getaway.

chambray dress

technicolor scarf

panama hat 

stripe maxi dress  

alice bookshelf bandit tote 

 menorquina flat sandals

slingback sandals

xoxo

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Like the rest of you I was absolutely broken-hearted over the tradjegy in Oklahoma. I cannot imagine the pain and grief the people there must feel. Today I can't help but hold my loved ones a little tighter and praise the Lord for their health and safety. My prayers are with those affected by the tornado, those who are there helping pick up the pieces, and all of us as we watch the events unfold.
 

Long Weekend Escape {Standing Indian Campground}

Sometimes I just need to get away from it all - work, social media, the million things that need to be done around the house, home improvement projects, all of it. I need to recharge, to spend time with my best friend, to enjoy creation and connect with the Creator.

That's what we did this past weekend. It wasn't fancy or even that well planned, but it was perfect. Strong coffee in the cold morning air, a day hike to the top of Albert Mountain and an old fire tower, wading through the streams that meet the Nantahala river, telling stories and making plans by the campfire, snuggling down with husband and our pup under mounds of covers and sleeping soundly. 

xoxo

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Colorado Adventures Part III: Granby*

*A fair warning: this post is picture-laden. There were just too many beautiful moments from this part of the trip! 

On the last full day of our trip, husband and I headed out to Granby for a more serene outdoor adventure at Snow Mountain Ranch. We arrived at the park around 9am to rent our gear, then headed out on snow shoes to explore the seemingly endless trails, ridges and peaks. A mere few minutes into our trek, the buildings were small in the distance and not a sound could be heard. No cars, no people. Just a little bit of wind... and then we happened upon two moose! 

After winding around some of the flat trails we decided to make the climb to the top of Coyote Tooth and get a view from the ridge. The trail narrowed and steepened, and it felt like we walked into another world. The trees were so still and perfectly laden with snow. The sky was a brilliant blue that allowed the sun to cast perfect shadows on the untouched snow. It was magical.

The view from the top of the ridge was worth the short climb. We decided to brave the slightly chilling breeze and eat lunch atop the ridge. Once we were almost frozen, we decided to head back to the camp and try our luck with cross-country skis. I'll have to say that cross country skiing was not my forte. We only attempted it for about 45 minutes or so, definitely not enough time to figure out the right technique, so it's on our list for the next winter trip we take.

As much as I love downhill skiing, I have to say that this adventure was my favorite. There was something so special about being atop a ridge with untouched snow and feeling a million miles away from anything and anyone. There is a part of my soul that longs for solitude and a closeness with God, and I truly believe that I find that most in His vast creation, in nature.

xoxo

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