Flying Over Rio

So I started to document our trip to Brazil this summer and only got as far as Sao Paulo. It was cold and I had more time with Preston finishing up his immersion program while we were there. Then we got to Rio with it's beauty, beaches and coconuts so I did not get online once. But I wanted to go back before I forgot details and write about flying over Rio!

Before we even arrived there, I wanted to go hang gliding (or asa-delta in Portuguese) over Rio. I had a good friend do it when she went and am pretty much obsessed with things like this, especially over a city as picturesque as Rio. So we booked a time slot and went off to the beach. We met our instructor on the sand and jumped in his car to head up the mountain side where the launch pad was. It was a good 20 minutes up the steepest, rockiest road. He joked that this was the actual scary part, not the jumping off the ledge part. And I agree. I was terrified our car was not going to make it up! But it did and we were greeted with rows of gliders and a full staff. The plan was for Preston to jump first so I could watch. And then they would drive him back up to the top to watch my jump.

SO we get there and like two minutes later an instructor comes up to Preston and basically says "ok let's strap you in, you look athletic just run fast until you can't anymore because you're in the air. We'll be good." No instruction, no real direction. It was hilarious to watch his face. He got strapped in and walked up to the launch pad, which was basically a big ramp that you run off of. As he stepped up to the platform he looked over at me, my phone out ready to video and said "Umm ok I guess I'm going now, I love you." :) He was a bit nervous. Which surprised me because he had done the highest legal bungee jump in the world at just over 700 feet in Switzerland. But the instructor counted down and they ran full force until they were running in air! I watched him sail down, so excited for my turn! We were told rides were 7-12 minutes long depending on air. Preston's was about 12 and then the drive back up to watch my flight took 20 minutes again. So I had like 45 minutes to just watch people do runs. Some instructors gave DETAILED safety instructions. After hearing them I laughed that Preston really didn't get any.

He came back up with a huge smile telling me how much I was going to love it. And since I had seen and heard a bunch of people with their instructors, I wasn't nervous at all. I was so ready. I told my instructor that I was really adventurous, at the recommendation of my friend, as to make sure I had a fun ride!

I was lucky enough to snag the owner of the company, and it was his last run of the day. Our combined weight was perfect and the wind was in our favor. We took our stance at the edge of the platform. And he counted down.... 1...2...3... and run! Run until you are kicking in air. You dip down for a moment and then pick up wind and sail upwards. It felt incredible. He looked over and said, "Look! See the birds how they are flying in a circle all grouped together? That means we have a hot air pocket. It will take us up high, are you sure you're adventurous?" Oh yes I am! We sailed towards it and I felt it take us up. In order to keep climbing, we had to stay within the hot air pocket's radius, sailing in tight circles. I guess most people only last 5 minutes before they start to feel nauseous. And so he kept asking me if I was going to throw up. But I was golden. We climbed so much higher than the jumping off point that the wind got FREEZING. We floated through little clouds of precipitation which kept chilling me into shivers. But I was having the time of my life. The gorgeous jungle was below us, the beach beyond us, and the huge Cristus was on the next mountain. I was sure I had found heaven. I told my teacher how amazing it was and he said, " Now you know why, the birds, they smile all the time." At the time it was such a magical statement. Flying up there. Guys doing solo runs were flying below us, yelling in frustration that we had climbed so high! They couldn't reach us. But eventually my shivers were too big and I was shaking the whole glider. So we started down towards the beach. He would nose dive and let us free fall, and then pick us back up. We had time for him to let go and teach me to drive and steer. I kept trying to tell myself to memorize the feeling but now, just a few months later, it feels surreal. Eventually we made it back down, through the buildings and onto the beach. I saw Preston on the beach running and back and forth and I yelled "Hiiiii BABE!" I don't know why I didn't use his actual name haha but he turned and saw me and I saw relief wash over his face. We landed and looked at our flight clock, we had been airborne for 30 full minutes and some odd seconds. I found out Preston made it back down to the beach expecting me to be there already. And when we weren't there he was worried I was in trouble. He had been running up and down the beach asking people if they had seen us. Which was so sweet. And then when he felt better and knew we were fine fear changed to jealousy haha. Our flight was the best run in weeks.

I was in the best mood the rest of the day. I really felt like I was flying. I mean, I know I WAS flying but it felt like I was Wonder Woman just flying on my own. We celebrated with fresh coconuts on the beach. It was one of my favorite moments I've ever had sitting on the beach, drinking coconut water, looking up to where we had jumped off.

If anyone is going to Brazil I HIGHLY recommend using the same company. They were super professional and the operation felt really legit. A few things we've done like this in Mexico we later looked back saying we probably shouldn't have because the operation felt sketchy. This one was awesome. And relative to the sky diving, zip lining and bungee jumping we've each done it was priced amazingly well.

Xoxo

My 15 Minutes of Sorta-Fame

This is seriously so something that would happen to me. So I shall be on TV. Not in the way most parents dream about their children being on TV, but I finally got my screen time I've always wanted :)

Last week I was thrilled and excited when I won the lottery for tickets to a taping of the Bethenny show. I am a HUGE Bethenny Frankel fan and have followed her throughout her entire career. I've seen all her shows and read all her books. I asked my beautiful, outgoing and hilarious friend (exactly the combo you want when going to a TV show tapping), Mercedes, to venture to NYC with me to attend the taping. The tickets said to arrive at noon, but that they give out more tickets than seats to make sure it's full, and so we needed to be early. I took to Google and the results said to show up about three hours before the designated time for our taping. So we woke up bright and early and were on the 6:30am bus to Manhattan. By the time we pulled in, got a Starbucks, and found and empty cab in Midtown during rush hour, we arrived at the studio at 9:30am. To my surprise NO ONE WAS IN LINE! We went into the front office and were told that we were super early and people started lining up at about 11:00am. But since we were so "enthusiastic" and had been the first to arrive, we could go shopping and come back into the VIP line where we wouldn't have to wait and we would be guaranteed a seat. Score! My OCD had paid off!

We got there so early! But by 11:00 there was a line around the block.

When we finally came back and got inside we were ushered into a big waiting room. A reel of Bethenny segments played on TVs and producers had us fill out surveys and questionnaires. Everyone who worked there was young and totally cute. Then a producer came in the room and yelled "Who has never gotten Botox before and would want to get it on the show today?!"

Ummmmm ME, ME, PICK ME!!!!!!!

I didn't get to sit here long but yay for second row!

After close up photos of me frowning, smiling and squinting I was told they were taking photos of all volunteers to show the doctors, who would then hand pick 4 women to participate. In the mean time we were finally escorted into the beautifully bright colored studio and seated for the taping. We were put in the second row and were so excited. While waiting for the taping to start, my friend Mercedes was hand picked to come down and have a pre-show dance party with one of the guests, Jason Derulo. We died :) Then, the same producer came over and told me I had been picked for the Botox segment! He then moved me over by the other 3 ladies who were also picked. I was the youngest chica in the group. It was me and 3 other ladies, one in her upper 40s, another in her upper 50s and the last one in her mid 60s. Now I will try to sensor but this is what the producer said...

Us getting our instructions for the segment.

"Bethenny knows 4 woman have been picked but she doesn't know who you are or where you are sitting. We want it to all be spontaneous! So she's going to open the show talking about Botox and then say that we have 4 women today who have always wanted to try it...where are my 4 ladies at? And girls I want you to go BAT $h*t CRAZY when she says that. Like you are loosing your $h*t over the fact that you get Botox."

Ooookkkay so they were going for enthusiasm. He left and the other 3 women and I discussed how we all had to get really excited, get up and cheer, and that we would feed off each other and just have a good time. Well the taping starts and Bethenny discusses Botox, and says our magic words "Where are my four ladies at?" We all agreed to go crazy right? So I did... and I WAS THE ONLY ONE!! Those ladies froze and abandoned me while I jumped up and cheered while they sat and mildly waved their hands! OOooooo I was mad. But I couldn't show it. So she calls us down, asks our names and if we're excited. Then we get ushered off stage to a room where our Botox would be administered. It all happened so fast and once we had been safely guided beyond camera reach I turned and gave a "What happened there ladies?! System kind of broke down there... what about getting excited and ALL cheering?!" I was met with apologies and and excuses of stage fright that didn't matter, I was going to look crazy on national television.

We were filmed getting Botox by our totally hot female doctors who I adored and talked away with the whole time. Most of the taping we had to watch from a monitor since we were going to be brought back out to talk about it in the last segment. Now here is where my embarrassment deepens. They take off most of your face makeup to analyze your skin and give the shots. And then they DO NOT PUT ANY BACK ON YOU BEFORE YOU GO BACK OUT TO BE FILMED. I mean can a sister catch a break over here?!? I was so excited I only half cared but now I was going to look crazy AND ugly on national television. This is the world of high def people, it was not going to be pretty. I am not ashamed to say, I NEED makeup.

But the time came. We were mic'd up, hair sprayed a little and seated on the couch. I couldn't sit right next to Bethenny because we "both had dark hair" and we needed to split up the three blonds I was with. I tell you they think of everything! Bethenny mostly talked to the Doctor sitting with us and then asked us how badly it hurt on a scale of 1-10. The other women simply said a number but I took the liberty to say a couple sentences. I mean if I was going to be crazy and ugly I was at least going to get talk time. And then it ended! She announced Spa Week gift cards were going to be given to the audience (which I am very excited to use) and we sat and clapped to her theme song with her while the credits rolled. Everyone who worked there was so friendly and fun. And her staff is HUGE. I had no idea how many people it took to run a show. But I will say I was a bit saddened by the ending to my story.

You see we were there because we are all huge fans. She has to know this. And she's made a name for herself by connecting with women and embracing her fans. And we weren't just sitting in the audience we were on the couch with her. When the taping stopped I kind of expected her to take two seconds to say something and let us shake her hand. Or at least let us thank her for the free Botox. Maybe a "hope you had fun ladies" or something to acknowledge us. I realize she is busy, this was her second taping for the day and she was probably in a hurry to get back to her daughter. But when it was all said and done she got up and left rather fast to tape a couple "promos" and then hurry off set. My heart dropped! I had survived the 6:30am bus and looking like I'm crazy for Botox and then I didn't get to REALLY talk to her. I mean you talk when you are brought down and afterwards on the couch but I had hoped for a moment of "thank you so much, this was so fun and I am such a huge fan.." handshake. Nothing huge, but SOMETHING. Now I am still a mega fan and am not mad, I mean I got on TV and I got free Botox. It's hard to complain. But I will be bummed about that for a long while. The other ladies kind of expressed similar sentiment briefly before we were sent to take "before" pictures and given instructions on how to send "after" pictures in a few days. (It takes 2-3 days for Botox to kick in and start working. I had no idea!) Even now almost a week later I keep talking about how sad I am by this and Preston keeps sweetly saying he's sorry and I know she was just busy.

SO for those of you who can't wait to see me look crazy and makeup-less (shoot I can't wait either!) my episode will air tomorrow, Wednesday October 2nd. Set your DVRs!

And for those of you wondering, I loved the Botox. Preston was worried I would look funky but you really can't tell a difference except my forehead is smoother and when I smile or frown big I don't have lines that pop out. Lovely if you ask me!


Xoxo

Free Museum Tuesdays!

SO after a lovely morning of sleeping in (those of you close to me know I haven't slept well the past little bit and am happy to report I sleep like a rock in Brazil) I met Preston for lunch where I got to meet the rest of his classmates. Shocker, everyone was the sweetest ever. I have fallen in love with Coxinha...

It's this fried thing of yummy filled with shredded chicken and a cream cheese like mixture. It's not cream cheese exactly but I'm not sure what else to compare it to. DIVINE. I shall consume several while here. They are also very fond of their juices. Juicing is such a trendy topic right now in the states. Brazil has been centuries ahead of us. Today I had "acerola" juice which is like a cherry but somehow more sweet with a kick of tart. They are all fresh pressed with nothing added. And delicious!

And then I went off to the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo or MASP. Preston had class longer today since there is only one day left so I ventured out on my own. On Tuesdays the museums are free here which was a lovely circumstance to find myself in since I don't speak the language and Preston would be occupied. I am OBSESSED with Degas. And the MASP boasted his work along side Van Gogh, Monet and several other famous artists. It was so fun to wander. It is much smaller than the museums I am used to. You could spend a week at the MET in New York and barely see everything. But I loved it. Just don't tell them I snuck photos of my two favorite paintings!

I cannot wait until Thursday morning when we go to Rio and get to vacation more. It's quite chilly here and while I love it, I am ready for the sunshine.


Xoxo

Weekend in Sao Paulo

**Will upload photos to this post when I can plug my camera in :) **

Brazil has been so fun these past few days! But so different from what I expected at the same time. On Saturday Preston took me to the Mercado, or market. It was amazing! Different stands of fruit, spices, meat, sweets and sandwich shops. You name it, it was hanging from a wall somewhere. The fruits were the most beautiful items I had ever seen. Fruit that you would never see in a United States grocery store was out as if it was no big deal. The most gorgeous star fruits, cashew fruits and leche fruits gave a colorful splash that was so pleasing to see and to taste! Preston told one of the fruit stands that I was "American" and had never been to Brazil before. They got very excited and proceeded to cut samples of various fruits for me to try. I wish I could remember half of the names! We bought a few and left laughing and amazed.

The dried fruit was no different. It is so fresh and sweet with nothing added, no preservatives, and no packaging and sealing to ship anywhere. It's fresh, pure dried fruit. I kept thinking how much my Mother would love this place.

The nut stands were very similar. So many kinds just out in buckets! The sampling that occurs sneakily at our grocery stores was expected as you tried to decide which kinds to buy.

We left with a few full bags and very full tummies.

Dinner that night was so much fun. Preston took me to "Terraco Italia," meaning Italian Rooftop. We had drinks in the piano bar while we waited for our corner window table overlooking all of Sao Paulo. It was so romantic and suave. It was something out of a movie. In every room different live music played. Saxophones in one, a base in another, and a piano in the main dining room.  The views were spectacular and the food was divine. The staff treated everyone like they were royalty. I adored every aspect of the experience.

Sunday we went to Ibirapueria, which is like this city's Central Park. It was so pretty. It's so cool for my untraveled eye to get to see so many exotic trees lining the walkways. I found it funny to see that in the many soccer games going on between friends, everyone wore Brazil jerseys. And then in the few basketball games being played throughout the park, everyone was in LeBron James attire! Some in Team USA and other's in Heat gear. But always, always James was the name worn. And the thing I loved the most was that in every game of pick up there were at least 2 girls. And they were scrappy! I am not a ball player myself but it still made me happy to see so many playing. It's rare to see so many co-ed games in the states. And instead of the beverage stands boasting sodas, coconut juice freshly drained from the fruit was plentiful. I'm talking hole drilled in, tipped upside down, drained into your cup. Amazing! Big piles of drained coconuts lay next to each vendor in a beautiful green mass.

Finishing the night out with dinner in Little Japan, we ate at a Lamen house with some of Preston's friends from his program, and some of their friends. Again, kindest people I have ever met. This place is so nice. I love Asian food and this was the most authentic experience I have had. The soup was so good I gobbled it all up and still had room for Goyza. Everyone got half way done and began to say how full they were. Then they looked over and saw my empty bowl and laughed. What can I say? I have always loved to eat. Our table had people from France, Columbia, Brazil and the states. Everyone at the table spoke at least 3 languages, with a few boasting 4. And languages were rotated so fast it took energy to keep up. I'm happy to say that I think I've actually done very well with understanding everyone. Preston keeps telling me how proud he is of this but I think he may just be being too sweet to me, like always. He knows I wish so badly that I had a knack for language learning.

Basically I am constantly full and happy!


Xoxo

Get me on steady ground!

Well 3 planes, 1 (airport) train and an automobile later... I am in Sao Paulo! I am going to make an effort to document this trip on here since I am the worst at Journal writing. Technically still on the automobile part. BUT after 24 hours of traveling I am almost to Preston. I am now an excellent mime, since there were not as many English speakers at the airports as Preston led me to believe. But the people of Brazil totally win the award for kindest country I have ever been to. I may have only been to Mexico and Canada outside of the US, but Brazil still takes the cake. I have never been greeted with more smiles, handshakes and hugs. And once I was able to mime where I needed to go people literally would walk me the whole way there. I didn't get my own suit case off the moving belt once. People are so sweet here!

I look horrible as I have also been caught in flash flood rains waiting for my bus, but I am excited! And so my natural wave coming through and upset tummy (from being on too many moving objects) will not get me down.

Rio was gorgeous and around 80 degrees. Then I hopped on another plane to get to San Paulo where we will be for the next handful of days. And it is grey and rainy! It looks just like Washington until you see the homes passing by. Then you are reminded that you are not in fact in your Kansas anymore. Travel always makes me so thankful for all the blessings we take for granted in the United States.

I may also be going old school and playing on "Photo booth" because the bus' WiFi isn't strong enough to use most sites. However, how awesome is it that my bus in Brazil even HAS WiFI?!

Xoxo

Ivy League Bound

Apparently Preston and I just like moving from coast to coast every 2-3 years! I am very proud to announce that Preston was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania's business school, Wharton. This business school is tippity top in the nation. It has brought us gems such as Donald Trump and his hair.  As Preston's wife I think he's kind of the best at everything anyways. But part of me was slightly surprised we were going to be moving to go to business school because it was the ONLY school he applied to. Go big or go home!

And so just as I am starting to really like Utah (only took a couple years) we are leaving. I thought I would be throwing the peace out sign and skipping away. But I have to admit I am very sad to leave this strange little state. Partly because I am obsessed with my job, and partly because we have so much family so close. I adore my nieces and nephews and will be sad to miss them growing up over the next couple years. And my co-workers are a family to me. I feel so privileged to have worked along side so many amazing artists. For these reasons I have struggled with the moving process. But I know that this move is what will be best for our family in the long run. And it brings me so much joy to see Preston excited and pursuing his dreams.

We start school at the beginning of August, and over the next couple months Preston and I will be apart while he works in Brazil for June and July. So things are pretty crazy right now. My stress level is slightly high so here's hoping the next 6 weeks apart fly by. But I get to join him at the end of July for 10ish days and I am counting down! The only problem now being that I picture their beaches full of Giselle's and Adriana Lima's.... So off to the gym I go!



Xoxo

I Love Goblins

Preston and I decided to head to Southern Utah again this weekend and this time we saw Goblin Valley and went to Moab/Arches National Park. I have to say Goblin Valley was one of the most fun things we've done so far on our Parks Tour. It may be because no hiking is involved :) You just pull up and you can walk through and climb on all these "goblin" shaped rock formations. A sea of goblins! I found it delightful. The sun was shinning and the wind was warm. Although Preston has continually proved his patience is only growing as I was full of, what I thought was hilarious, commentary...

P: Do you know what a Timber Line is?
K: No but I know who TIMBALAND is :)
P: *Stern look*

P: We are driving through LeVernin!

K: LeVern-in Shirley?

P: Look at that house in the middle of no where! It looks so nice.

K: Holy Moly can you even get cable out here?!?!?! (I should note my genuine concern) 

P: I think they do just fine without the Real Housewives....

Then we drove on to Dead Horse Point. Which is gorgeous and yet has the saddest story ever as to how it got it's name. It's not figurative, it's quite literal. But once you blow past that it's amazingly beautiful. It was extremely windy! I only wished I brought my Bumble&Bumble Sea Spray. My hair would have been a-maz-ing after this natural blow out. 

We drove from here to Moab where we stayed the night and woke up refreshed and ready for Arches National Park! The Delicate Arch hike isn't super long but it is gorgeous. You can't see the arch until the very end. You turn a corner and then BAM... there it is. It is BEAUTIFUL. And much larger than I had pictured it. Most of the hike is up expansive slick rock. It took us about two hours from start to finish even stopping for a while at the top. The reviews all said it would take three. 

It's a fairly steep drop off on the other side of the arch and off the side. But there are ways to walk in circles to climb down into the valleys. It was stunning!

I am so happy that we have done these little excursions. Southern Utah is so gorgeous. We ended with a super easy hike up to Landscape Arch. This one is only a mile and a half and is fairly flat. But the arch is incredible because it is SO thin! I'm not sure how it stays up but we loved it. This was Preston's favorite Arch we saw. I would call it a very successful trip.

Xoxo

The Devilish "Angel's Landing"

Before this week I had never been to Zion National Park... or any National Park for that matter. Growing up I loved camping and being outside but my version of hiking was a slightly harder walk. Mostly because I am terrified of snakes and on my first few hikes in Washington I saw snakes. Which misplaced fear and led me to think I hated hikes.

But in the spirit of being healthier and exercising in fun ways, we decided to take a quick trip to southern Utah. Zion National Park is only a four hour drive from us and I have always wanted to see it in person. On our way down we took a detour to Bryce Canyon and did an easy one mile hike around the canyon's edge. It was the most beautiful natural sight I have ever seen. (The most beautiful unnatural sight being the shoe department at Bloomingdales)

I was convinced I had already seen the prettiest part of our trip. I may have gotten watery eyes when we first pulled up. Places like this strengthen my faith in my Heavenly Father as the world's creator. I was awe struck. Photos could never do it justice.

That was until the next day when we hiked to Angel's Landing in Zion. We stayed in a lovely hotel in the cutest town I have ever seen. So we were well rested and ready to go the next morning! The difference in elevation from the beginning and the ending of the hike is 1500 feet. So you hike up quite a ways.  I was apprehensive about this hike. The first two miles consists of several sets of switch backs that are steep, but the path is wide. This is the "easy part." I enjoyed the name of one set entitled "Walter's Wiggles" shown here...

This takes you to "Scout's Lookout" which is gorgeous in itself...

The next part is the hard part! The next half a mile is almost 180 degrees and sets of chains are set deep into the rock for you to hang on to while you hike. On either side is a drop. And I mean a drop of almost 1000 feet. If you stay hanging on to the chains there are plenty of areas to place your feet and you are perfectly safe. If you decide to let go you could slip easily and get into areas with no foot room.  I am not afraid of heights so that didn't bother me. But I am not in great shape right now and I was nervous. I won't lie we got to Scout's Landing and as mean as this may sound I saw some of the people coming back down from doing it and I knew if THEY could do it I could do it. :) SO on we went! We hiked up this path and even further up (I couldn't get it all in one photo)...

I felt pretty proud while we were doing it. This was the only place with enough room for Preston to snap a photo. It was the safest spot along the path...

Not only was it exhilarating but the view was A-MAH-ZING at the top! Although Preston got way too close to the edge for my comfort level. The road was so small from that high up! I couldn't believe we had started way down there.

This hike is not a loop so you have to come back down the same way you came up. Going down was much harder on the chains. But the switch backs were MUCH easier so it evened out. All the reviews we read and people we talked to said it would take four hours round trip. But it only took us three even stopping at the top to take lots of photos and eat. We felt very accomplished. About 3/4 of the way down we stopped again to admire the view. I just died over how gorgeous the view was at every point. I also loved doing this with Preston. He spoiled us and got us the nicest hotel room with such a beautiful view. I was obsessed with our porch. He was such an encourager and so supportive. It was a memory I will never forget.

Xoxo

Aztec Sweater Redemption

Well sadly I never found the sweater I was looking for in this post . I even had an unsuccessful eBay bid on the original sweater. It was pointed out to me when it only had 1 bid on it. Which meant the "buy it now" price, which was only $25, was barely made invalid. A bidding war started and, luckily for the seller, it sold for $75. I'm kind of glad I was at church in the final hour or I may have paid way too much to own it. BUT, I found this one!

It's not multicolored but the pattern is Aztec and the color is not black, white or tan! So I felt it was still bright and girly. And it's light, soft and comfy. I found it on this random online boutique  called Longhorn Fashions . It was started by a University of Texas student who carries teal and orange items in order to sport cute clothing on game day. And I'm all about supporting a clothing loving, football supporting chica, UT fan or not! The best part was I Googled promo codes for her site and found a current code for 30% off! So this adorable sweater was only $38. A huge decrease in what the multi-colored version was going for on every site that carried it. The cheapest I had found the original sweater for was $55 and prices went up to $75. Steal of a deal if you ask me <3

Xoxo

I Want to Live Forever

I have decided that I want to live really, REALLY long. I love getting older. (I kind of can't wait until I am 30) And I want to have long days with my sweetheart, friends and hopefully grand kids & great-grand kids.

If my parent's have taught me anything it is that exercise is the fountain of youth. That and clean eating. Which is not to say that I am one who can limit what I want to eat. But healthy meals and portion control on the sweets will keep the years from prematurely showing on my face and thighs. I would like to say I quit indoor tanning years ago so that I wouldn't get skin cancer. But really, I am just terrified of wrinkles.

My parent's get really excited to share their healthy recipes and "fun" workouts. I wish it were that easy for me. I am not un-healthy but there is plenty of room for improvement. My Mom will say things like "I only work out for an hour a day now... sometimes and hour and a half for fun. But I need more time to do other things".... UMM. For real?! It's slightly annoying that my 57 year old Mother can easily kick my hiney and that she says things like that. But the woman looks good!

Preston and I are constantly re-committing to this decree. I would have a much easier time if ice cream and Dr Pepper had no calories and were full of vitamins. But for me it has to be a daily portion control. Diets that dictate exactly what to eat do not work for my personality. As we learned from the South Beach escapade ...

In an effort to stay excited I wanted to post some yummy things we've been trying. Between these and the fact that I adore shaking my behind in Zumba and punching things in boxing, my hope is that you friends will be stuck with me for a LOOOONG TIME :)

I love salads but the dressing can end up making them very fattening. So for this veggie & shrimp salad I just combine 1 avocado, 1 cup of non-fat milk, 1 clove of garlic & lemon juice in the blender. It's DELISH. (This makes a good deal of dressing so I would cut it in half if you are making this for just yourself) I stole this one from the Madre.

This recipe for white bean chicken chili is one of the few I loved from phase 1 of the South Beach diet. It gets a kick by adding cayenne pepper and is a very flavorful and protein rich dinner. There is no salt in it. And I bake the chicken myself and then shred it so I know it's cooked with nothing but a touch of seasoning.

More healthy experiments to come! If you want the full recipes just leave a comment and I will send them :)


Xoxo

Kids Say the Darn-dest Things

I have always loved children. I am one of those women who knew she wanted to be a Mother one day. I don't think every woman has to want to be a mother, nor do I think every woman should have kids. But I love the children in my life and savor spending time with them.

I am the proud Aunt/Tia to 14 nieces and nephews. Because Preston is by far the youngest in his family, most of these 14 beautiful people are between the ages of 13 and 18, and even though they don't commonly use "Aunt" or "Uncle" anymore they will call me "Auntie" sometimes because they know I adore it. I make them take a lot of photos because they are just the cutest ever and we spend a lot of time with family. Which has lead to comments like this one from my 10 year old nephew...

"Again! Man it's like I'm famous with paparazzi!"

I also have several best friends who's babies I consider to be my nieces and nephews because they are my sisters and I don't think family is always determined by blood. I was FaceTiming with one of these nephews for his birthday when he ran away from the phone. I heard his little brother start crying and then he ran back to the phone holding a toy...

Me: "Did you take a toy from your brother? That's not very nice sweetie."
Adorable 3 year old: "Yeah but he's a BABY... and he won't remember."

I also currently teach 12 active and vocal eight year olds in Sunday School at our church. 10 boys and two of the sweetest little girls I've ever met. Every week before we get down to spiritual matters I have them tell me one cool or fun thing they did that week. It helps me know what hey like to play and they get really excited to share their cool thing with the class. Which has lead to gems like this from some of the boys...

"Well my cool thing is going to be today. I get two hours of DDS! You see it's my job to do the dishes. But I know that if I wait and wait and don't do them, that my parent's will bribe me! And so I let them get real high and my parents cracked and gave me two hours of DDS to do them. I'm stoked"

"My mom said I had to play with my sister but she didn't say what we had to play. So I had her play World of Warcraft with me and she got scared and cried. I didn't have to play with her after that."

{I should note here that my dislike for video games has grown since teaching this group and my kids will now be lucky to have a console in the house at all.}

And then there are my cousin's kids who I am just crazy over. I have a LOT of first cousins. My Dad comes from a family of 11 and my Mom from a family of 6. There are so many gorgeous babes on both sides it's hard to keep track. But I was watching one of my cousin's kids while she was out of town with her hubby and I was letting them play in the basement while I made lunch when this happened with her two girls...

Child 1: "KAMBRIA, I'm getting picked on" (tears are blubbering up to the surface)
Child 2: "Ugh I don't know WHY you don't just IGNORE me like Mom said to!"
-I burst into laughter-
-This causes child 1 to burst into tears-
Me: "I agree just ignore her" (More hidden laughter)

And later from their youngest boy...

"I just NEED chickey nuggets other wise I will get real tired, and then I will die..." (Said with the straightest most sincere face I've ever seen)

SO...there are lots of children in my life. And they never cease to make me laugh.


Xoxo

"Aztec Sweater" Obsession

It all started when I was stalking Emily Maynard's Instagram. Yes I said it. No I'm not ashamed. When I came across this photo of her in what can only be described as the comfy sweater of my dreams...

I have been keeping an eye out for a cute Aztec print sweater and this one totally fit the bill of what I wanted. Much like food I crave items of clothing. Luckily I do not spend every time I have a craving :) Something I am sure my husband is also thankful for. But I was in love. So I took to Pinterest, because it is the source of most things covet-able. Here's where it gets slightly embarrassing...

This sweater and another one similar to it popped up several times. Clicking on each pin I searched for a web site who still carried it. Every where I went I received the same message ... "SOLD OUT" It could not be. Every site had tons of comments on this product asking if it would be replenished in the stock. And not one of them had an answer. So about two hours and more "pin clicks" than I can count (NOT to mention several comments from Preston about how my obsession was getting weird) I had narrowed my search down to 5 sites that had carried it. Each one now has an e-mail from me in their customer service inbox explaining that... hello, I NEED this sweater! A few may also have comments on their Facebook page. I was a woman obsessed. I thought surely one of these outlets would be able to produce the sweater I so desperately wanted. Then today, I got all of the responses from my e-mails. Not one source would be able to carry it again. It was out. Done. A product of past production. I was heartbroken. Ok... I am still heart broken. The bright, girly colors in an Aztec print are no where to be found. Only similar styles in black, white and tan live on.

If this reaches anyone who actually possesses this item in a size "small" and in like new condition, message me! I may be willing to pay annoying amounts to take it from you!


Xoxo