Union Pier, Michigan

There is nothing like getting away with two amazing girlfriends to refresh and renew a girls sole!

Last weekend two of my girlfriends and I went on a mini vacation about 2.5 hours away. We were on the other side of Lake Michigan walking the sandy beaches (cue the awesome "Welcome to Michigan" music and Tim Allen's voice) everything that commercial says is true. It's beautiful, calming and the air was crisp and cool. It was a perfect fall vacation!

We went out to dinner, drank wine, sat by the fire, read, shopped, went to a farmers market, went to the beach, walked, talked talked talked, went through Michigan wine country and visited a winery call The Round Barn (if you get a chance to get to Michigan, New Buffalo area i would highly recommend going there. It's beautiful and a lot of fun). It was so strange not having a baby tugging at your chest or a schedule to follow. It was insightful and so refreshing. It was GOD filled.

Girl time has not always been a priority in my life. I mean in the last couple years i have been pretty busy and strangely enough thats when i have met both of these beautiful God filled ladies. Both were friends of friends. I am so thankful God has brought them into my life. I think for me it makes me a better mom and wife when i have time away. Actually this has been the first time for me since my girls have been born. I've gone away with my husband, but have never left them all for two nights.  I know i'm blessed, but between all the hustle and bustle of everyday life i sometimes i can take it for granted. It's a great feeling looking at them all from the outside, it makes you appreciate your precious little and big gifts even more.

A BIG shout out to my awesome husband who managed the girls, back to back swimming lessons, bed time, breakfast time, naps and church, all by himself! He's my number one fan and couldn't wait for me to get home:) I couldn't wait to see him he is amazing and he's amazing for me:) "More then words"

This weekend really allowed me to relax and just run on "me" time! So important! I really feel rested relaxed and refreshed! I forgot how that felt (as i am writing this Whitney is whining and trying to crawl on the couch, grabbing at my pants) nothing like getting thrown right back in, but i wouldn't have it any other way!

Take a girls weekend if you can ladies, it's exactly what the doctor ordered!

xoxo

Pictures by Kelley Demas Photography and random lovely people that saw us trying to take our own pictures:) 

A December To Reflect....

I am so excited to have joined this new group called Reverb 10, check it out! It is a group of people who have gotten together to reflect of the last year and to talk about the year to come. They prompt you with a question everyday until the last day of December. You blog about it and then at the end you are able to look back and reflect on what you have done and what you are looking forward to doing. I thought it was such a great idea! Obviously i don't have a ton of time on my hand with my two little munchkins running around, but i think i can commit to writing a little each day. Thanks Dana for introducing me to it! So my first question is.....


Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

The community that i have connected with in a HUGE way this year was God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They showed me themselves in a big way. I have learned so much and connected with so many amazing people. God has brought truly wonderful people into my (our) lives this year. I have conquered so many hills and valleys in my life and it all because if the Lord. I have never felt him as much as i have this year. There is no better feeling in the world. I can do absolutely anything because he is on my side. I have done things this year that i would never have imagined myself doing. My soul seems to have been quieted and i feel so incredibly humbled. There is always work to do, but i truly feel like a new, different (in a great way) and confident person. I thank the Lord everyday for opening my eyes (finally) and using me to his utmost advantage. 

I also joined a great group of people all over the world in the Organic food movement and studied (thank you Jill) the effects that the American food industry has on our health and the health of our children. The importance of healthy eating effects everything you do and feel. It is a lot to take in and a lot to understand, but totally worth every bit of time spent. Not only are we eating healthier, but our children are learning to eat the correct way. I know lots of people still don't believe in it (i was the biggest anti organic before i did my research), but its worth every single penny and all your time, if not for you then at least for your children. Hey my mom has even jumped on, once she started researching it. Another fantastic group! 

As far a which community i would like to join in the coming year and become more involved in, i want to dive deeper in my faith, bible study and our couples small group. I plan on volunteering in a women's shelter. God has really blessed my family and i feel like we need to pay that forward and volunteer as much of our time as we can trying to make others lives a little easier. I want my girls to always know that serving others is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Lastly i would love to join a women's running group! I have been a runner for years now and i think it is so much easier to run when you have people supporting you. I have to start researching some groups in my area. 


What a fantastic way to reflect and get some writing in:)