Namaste

Alright, so I've recently come to grips with two facts about myself:

1) I tend to slightly over stress about things

2) I will probably never be a hard core runner

Sigh. It took 23 years to figure this stuff out... So, since I now know that I need to de-stress, and find a suitable workout for my body and mind (besides running), I've decided to dedicate more of my time to yoga :)

My sister is what I call a true yogite... and I don't think I'll ever quite be to that point, but I do enjoy my yoga classes twice a week. I come away feeling quite stretched, relaxed, and re-energized...I guess you could say I find my center and become present during class (2 points to the yoga people that know what I'm talking about)

I think yoga fits me a lot better than running. I would like to look like a runner and have all the heart benefits without actually having to run over 4 miles, so if you know how to do that, let me know.

Until then, I will join all the other yoga lovers who like to twist their bodies into crazy balancing positions (sometimes child's pose is a God send!) and leave the running to a minimum.

Namaste

P.S.-- I'm adding "yoga retreat in a cool place" to my bucket list

Baby Swap

Oh, the adventures of LoMar and Camdelicious (aka:London and Camden)...

Brecca and I do baby swap once a week so she can go into signing time, and I can work at the salon-- Which leaves one of us with 2 kids under 1 1/2 and life can get quite entertaining or stressful (depending on which way you look at it)

Here are a few pics from awhile back of the kiddos:

Tayson's Blessing

While we were in Idaho for the 4th, Brian and Kasey blessed their new little boy Tayson--

I think all the family surrounding us has baby fever right now! Brian and Kasey's little girl, Brinley is just 7 months older than Camden, their little boy is 7 months younger than Camden, my sister Ronda is pregnant with their first (Due December), and Mike's wife, Regan, is also due in December with their first!

I made the mistake of telling Ryan that I feel left out because I'm not pregnant--He told me to just look at it like we are ahead of the game...and that maybe we should at least get one good night's sleep before the thought of another baby crosses our minds. I readily agreed!

Baby Tayson sure is a cutie tho :) And I'm sure he and Camden will be best buds.

Best Dad Ever

I know Father's Day was in June, and it's now July...but oh well!

We were up in Idaho for Ryan's first official Father's Day--

And let me just tell you that he is the best dad ever.

Camden also thinks his dad is the coolest--

Maybe its because they do guy stuff together,

like going to sporting events And even watching them on TV

Or possibly, it could be because he shows him the ropes at Grandpa's farm

Or it could be because he lets Camden spit up on his head...

Actually, I think Camden thinks his dad is so cool because he can make him laugh and smile at any given time Or because he lets Camden sleep on his shoulder

Well, no matter what the reason is that Camden loves his daddy, he is lucky to have him :)

Dad's are the best--and Grandpa's are pretty cool too.

Proud to be an American

I LOVE the 4th of July.

So many fun memories of being in parades, family BBQs, gettin' all gussied up for the fireworks...ahh, good times.

Every year we head up to Idaho Falls for this festive occasion. We wake up to have Pegs Nels (my mom) lovingly give us 20 breakfast options, then usually (depending on the ages of small children) head to the parade... this year we opted out of that one because Camden was quite the cranky little thing due to some serious teething.

After the parade, we BBQ to our little hearts' content, then enjoy a lazy afternoon of running around with the kids, and finally end up socializing at the river in our usual location with 150,000 other people. At 10:00 pm, the *best fireworks show this side of the Mississippi* begins, and afterword we make a beeline for our car and head home to eat more dessert and lay our sunburnt faces to rest atop our pillows.

Here are a few (and by few, I mean a lot) snapshots from this year's celebration:

All the kids in their festive apparel (thanks to Grandma)

The best part of the fireworks this year was watching Camden's reactions--He absolutely loved them! He kept oohing and ahhing, eyes wide as can be... cutest thing ever.

There is just something about celebrating our country and freedom that makes me feel extremely blessed. If you know me well at all, you know that I cry at the drop of a pin, but I do find myself getting teary eyed at a sporting event when the national anthem is played. Thinking about the sacrifice so many made for this nation fills me with such pride and gratitude.

I love this country and I am so glad we have a day to celebrate what our nation has been through to be where we are. God Bless America.

Motivation to get out of bed

Sometimes I think that if I lived in a really great location I would just pop out of bed in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, rearing to go--

Not that where I live isn't perfectly lovely...

Because I simply adore our view. (One of the reasons we chose our house)

However, if I were to wake up in say

A beachside cottage

or in a cabin on the lake

It would be easier to dance through the morning.

Or possibly, I have been looking at way too many pottery barn magazines.

(a HUGE possibility)

Either way, I remember one specific time when I was younger and we went to my grandma's cabin in Tabiona, Utah (I know, not exactly a beachside cottage, but close)

We were sitting outside on the back deck, all cuddled up in old rusty folding chairs- the kind with the weaved plastic- wrapped in blankets, peanuts and hot chocolate in hand, taking in the view while feeding the chipmunks. (FYI: I fittingly named my favorite one Alvin)

I've always been a pretty good morning person, but we were up early enough on a summer morning to watch the sun rise! That, my friends, is early.

Now, I wake up to the cute sounds of Camden cooing in his crib (or screeching, depending on the day) and I have to drag my tired butt out of bed. Not ok.

So... I've decided to create my own little "Jump out of Bed" routine.

I'm thinking some feel good music to start out the day, maybe finding a chair to fit nicely on my back porch for some take-it-all-in time...I don't know.

I do know, however, that I would like more of a *seize the day* mentality.

Suggestions are welcome. :)

Words to live by

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine"

Hope your singing in the rain somewhere...Enjoy your day! :)

California Vacation

Our vacation to California last month was so much fun because...

• We stayed in an amazing foursome of beachfront condos that fit 75 people!
• We got to hang out with all of Ryan's cousins...which means lots of Hand and Foot
• Everybody loved to hold "Baby Camden"
• Boogie Boarding brought some good times
• Camden absolutely LOVED his first time at Disneyland...the highlight of the day was watching his little face light up on "It's a Small World"
• The lines at Disneyland were short and the weather was perfect
• The World Cup started while we were there, so we caught A LOT of soccer
• The USA tied with England-- it was a miracle!
• Ryan went to a Cardinals vs. Dodgers Baseball game
• The Shamu chant at Seaworld was satanic, I mean...amusing
• Camden loved chasing seagulls
• We had little squirrels living among the rocks outside our condo (not so good was when I saw one squirrel murder another one!)
• We went shopping at the outlets
• Judds always make the best food...and lots of it
• SRINKLES CUPCAKES
• Everyone in the entire family was there, except those serving missions
• 3 little girls outside our window every morning would wake us up with their laughter (it really was so cute)
• Mike and Regan got to come!
• Ryan and I got a date night :)

Facts

1. It has been quite some time since I blogged.

2. Vacations and fun excursions have been recently taking place.

3. Home projects and work may or may not have gotten in the way...

4. We are absolutely loving summer and taking advantage of being in the sun!

5. Camden is a roley poley, on-the-go little man, who is on the verge of crawling.

6. I have started exercising!

7. Yes, it has been 7 months since I had Camden...

8. I can count the number of times I have exercized in the past year on one hand

9. July is my January when it comes to resolutions...er, goals :)

10. My next blog entry will be slightly more entertaining