barns, barns, and more barns!

So! We finally arrived in Oklahoma City and the reason I know it's been way too long is because I've already forgotten my log in password! oops! Anyways, our family road trip from Portland, OR to Oklahoma City, OK was an awesome one. The kids were SO good and we have many fun memories from our trip. I was camera nazi trying to get every state sign, get video footage along the way, but I must say that I have a new found love for barns! I am so inspired by them that I hope to create a barn series on canvas....So, we'll see that actually happens! I think I had 4 or 5 favorite barns that we saw in an array of states but I think I have about 40 or 50 pics of barns. Love them!

my newest retreat!

My newest adventure! I am please to announce that we will be opening a barre3 in Oklahoma City!!

check us out at www.barre3.com

LOVE it!

Day 21- Ah Food, Glorious Food

I seriously think that food sometimes is my best friend. I love food. All kinds. I am a very situational person when it comes to food. If I'm in a certain atmosphere that calls for the right kind of food, I obsess. I have to have it. Overall, I eat pretty healthy... everything in moderation right?!

Some of my favorites:
-tacos in mexico, specifically carne asada y pescado
-dark chocolate
-open faced manchego and apple grilled cheese (thank you Mary!)
-grapefruit in the morning
-oatmeal with a whole lot a toppings
-my father in law's fried pork chops
-my mother in law's fried chicken (although I have to say mine is getting pretty darn good!)
-sangria when I'm in casual mode on a sunny day
-s'mores and red wine ( especially when I'm in the Garrett's backyard roasting over the coolest fire pit ever)
-ALL of my Mother's breakfast that she just "throws" together
-and tea of course pretty much everyday.....

Just to name a few. Indulge!

Day 20- The Scent of a Memory

What are some scents that bring back good memories for you? It's funny that this author refers to the scent of her Father with the "throw back" cologne Old Spice. As Father's Day approaches....this TOTALLY reminds me of my Dad,( I believe he used to keep one in his car when I was little).... Some other scents that I fondly remember as a child were the smell of hardback books from the school library( I love that smell!) , my freshly washed soccer jersey that my Mom always had ready to go, ( and of course, the stinky shin guards that were kept stale in my soccer bag). Scratch and Sniff books also remind me of my childhood. I've tried to find these books for my kids and I've only lucked out with a couple, it's amazing that they are so hard to find these days. Keep these scents close to you as they are what makes up lasting memories!

A Memorial Day Retreat

Here's to a great girls getaway weekend that resulted in rejuvenation and inspiration from these girls that were a part of it!

Sadie, you are a true leader and mentor to me.... To inspire literally means to “breathe into and infuse with life” Thank you for this!

Jenni, you are amazing! I truly value you for being such a trooper through the little bug that kept you from eating and drinking the first 24 hours of your trip to Cabo. You are so incredibly smart and I thank you for being you and being a leader to me as well.

Anna, I felt a connection with you from the first time I met you! I look forward to the experiences that we share along our journey in business and was so happy that you pulled the trigger and joined us!

Jessica, I thank you for your support. You are so kind and I know that whatever is next for you in business will be the right gig for you! Remember that things ALWAYS happen for a reason and when the timing is right, it will happen. I'm happy for you!

Thank you all for an incredibly memorable trip!!

Day 19- Soothing Scents

hmmmm....

freshly cut grass in the spring.
a fresh candle burning in the house.
all Eminence facial products.
the aroma coming from a great french bakery.
wood-fired pizza.
a "real" crackling fire.
homemade muffins in the morning.
fresh cinnamon rolls
aromatherapy oils during a massage.
freshly cut flowers.
Play by Givenchy cologne. (Sexy!)
all scents by Susanne Lang perfume.


these are just some of my favorite scents! Oh yeah...and the delicious scent that comes out of the vent when you walk by Goody's in Sunriver, OR...

yummy.

Day 18- The Pampering Bath

What would your "pampered" bath look like? Each bath can be tailored to your specific needs/ or desires. Aromatherapy oils can make an average bath turn into a wonderful bath. Layer on a cup of hot tea, fruit water or a glass of champagne and now it's a "golden" bath. It's truly amazing how therapeutic/ healthy a bath can be for us. Blood pressure is lowered by dilated blood vessels and circulation improves as the skin's temperature-sensitive nerve endings are calmed by the soft warm water. Epsom salts are also great for muscle relaxation due to tension and stress.

My "Pampered" Bath ingredients:
Lots of HOT water (don't want it to get cold too quick!)
dash of yang oil by Bio elements (love the scent)
dash of calendula oil
ABRA relieve stress bath salts

a la cart:
Us weekly magazine/ Simple retreats book
hot cup of tea
towel roll for neck

Indulge!

Day 17- Delight in the Miracle of Touch

Take this one how you please my dear friends! When I read this chapter, I realize that the physical part of touch is so important in so many ways. Holding your baby for the first time, interlacing hands with your partner, a much needed back rub, tickling your babies toes, slipping into a hot bath, feeling your baby move inside of you during pregnancy, braiding your daughter's hair. We all know what these miracle touches feel like. Emotional touch is something that goes beyond the physical touch, both of which are so important in our lives. Random acts of kindness, an unexpected card in the mail, plugging someone's meter, having an in depth conversation with someone you love to express how you feel about them, emailing someone to let them know you are thinking of them, praying for someone who doesn't know it..... Touching people (in whatever way you choose) in our lives is what we should all strive for. To love, appreciate, and honor the people that we have met along our journey.

Day 16- Create a Nourishing Tape

I can't say that this is something that I've ever done before but I do own a tape that I listen to for mental imagery. It helps with those anxious thoughts that pop into my head and I use it for cleansing to my body. Often times, I imagine a light entering the crown of my head, touching all parts of my body internally working it's way down until it exits out through the feet. It is amazing how your body feels after using this simple technique. Try it one day. Everyone may have a different color light they they choose when visualizing this. You can look up what those colors mean according to your chosen color. Mine usually happens to be white, but it's fascinating to read about it. See if there may be a correlation!

Day 15- The Sounds of Music

Isn't is amazing how music can change how we feel in an instant? There are so many kinds of music and each type is so appropriate for certain times or events. For instance, it probably wouldn't be appropriate for hard rock or metal to be played in a relaxing yoga class or it might throw you off a bit if you showed up for Church on Sunday and instead of worship there was gangster rap playing. I love how music can make you feel. I definitely feel the most joy from worship at Church. It's so good! My favorite song of all time that speaks to my soul every time I listen to it and walked down the aisle to at our wedding is Maxwell's "This Woman's Work". Some of my favorite music right now is Lenny Kravitz's "I'll be Waiting," Seal's "People Get Ready", Drake's
"Say Something" and the Ryan Adams remix of "Wonder Wall"

And of course my bean's latest version of Rihanna's "Rude Boy". Check her out on you tube! I love it!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMaOivnmqSM

Day 14- The Joy of Listening

So, unlike the silence that we sometimes crave, there is also a joy to listening to our favorite sounds. Maybe you enjoy music coming from the tv/radio, or birds chirping when you wake up first thing in the morning, or baby "sounds" at 4am?  My favorite sounds are raindrops hitting tin outside, ocean waves, baby noises
(the good ones!), the lawn mower cutting grass on a hot summer day, the coffee maker brewing coffee early in the morning, a strong crackling fire and good worship in church on a sunday! I could probably go on and on, but these are on the top of my list. It's important not to hear these things but to LISTEN to them. Take them in and appreciate these beautiful sounds!

Day 13- Savor the Silence

Being still and allowing silence can either be a very good thing or it can be a challenge if you have a racing mind. My husband and I were just talking about this the other day because he enjoys having the tv on and I really could care less about it, unless it's the Today show or when I used to watch him on tv or if a really good movie is on that is. Other than that, I prefer the silence to get things done that I want to get done or take time with my kids honing in on just them. The truth is that I would much rather pick up a book than watch tv. This is definitely different for everyone though! One of my favorite sounds is listening to the rain fall outside when there is no other noise in the room....I love it! Slow down and try and create your own silence. Bask in it!

Day 12- Sweet Dreams

Our Spanish teacher today said that she was a little tired and could barely speak clearly because she had a conversation with Johnny Depp last night in her dreams.... good for her! Sleep is so important for us and we ALL need it! Preparing for bed is something that we all do differently. My bedtime ritual usually starts about 2 hours before I finally lay down for the night( unless I pass out on the couch) and entails washing my face, getting into sweats, grabbing a cup of tea, brushing my teeth and diving into one of the few books that are piled on my nightstand(or my kindle).... (On a great day, maybe taking an extremely hot bath and reading the most current US weekly.) But, the most important part of my bedtime ritual is thanking the Lord for the day he has given and praying for my friends and family. After all of this is done, I'm free to dream wherever my mind takes me. What is your ritual?

Sweet Dreams!

Day 11- Play More

Do you remember the toy store where you could get everything and anything you wished for as a child? I distinctly remember KB toy store as a child because my grandmother would always let me choose one thing to buy every time we went and it was always the lee press on nails....it was always so much fun to play dress up. Remember the stick on mustache's???? Well, thanks to a fun evening of celebrating birthday's and an early Cinco De Mayo, we were all able to play just a little bit more. Thanks to Carrie and Kirk for a fun evening!

Taking the Train

I had to post this on my simple retreats blog, because my husband and I are truly enjoying our very own simple retreat as I write. We are on our way to Seattle by train and you should have seen our faces as we walked to get on board! We were like two little kids....no extra bags in tow, starbucks in hand, magazines ready to go and no kids!! There is definitely something to be said about taking the train! I love it! It's so relaxing........

Day 10-Lighten Up

It's so hard not to get caught up in the "trying to have everything perfect" place, especially when you have kids because it makes things easier right? Well, I will be the first to admit that I'm STILL trying to adjust with having a second baby and it's been over 8 months now.....it's hard! For all of those people that said going from 1 to 2 is hard....well, you are right! It's SO good, but it's a challenge. My daughter put me in my place the other day when I was rushing (again) as I was trying to get out the door with both kids running a tad bit late and could barely squeeze through our condo door with car seat in hand along with the diaper bag, purse, Jada's lunch and her tagging behind while trying to make sure everything was in it's place before we left. Simply put, I was a bit frazzled. Jada said, "Mommy, it's ok, God will help you. He's here to help us because he loves us, just ask him for his help." I stopped instantly in my tracks and looked at her with so much love. Not only because she has ingrained God into her life but because my 4 year old was advising me. It was amazing, but it did make me stop and think, "ok, things don't have to be perfect, just lighten up a bit."

Day 9- Give Yourself a Massage

Ok, enough of the massages! We know that they are important for our body to relax and release stress and tension! I can't say that I've actually given myself a massage, I much rather have one from my husband or get one from the spa but giving massages are just as important as receiving them! Spread the love to others by taking the time to give a massage to your loved ones. I know that my babies love getting massaged while I apply their lotion after bath time. Can you imagine?! How lovely would that be if we could be massaged after getting out of the shower or bath everyday? Lovely. Spread the love. GET or GIVE a massage!

Day 8-Enjoy Massage Pleasures

The thing I most enjoy about a massage is the lasting mark that it leaves on your face after you leave and why does it last so long? It's not like it even goes away after a half an hour! Getting a massage always makes me feel like a new person and it's so needed for our bodies. Working those muscles out is so important for our bodies to release those toxins that build up and it's a good excuse to get that 6-8 glasses of water a day in right after. Challenge yourself or "treat" yourself to a massage a month and see how you feel!

Day 7-Come Aside and Rest Awhile

Have you ever felt like melting into your bed and reading a book, skimming a magazine or taking a nap on a dark and dreary rainy day? I know I have! Maybe not in the last few days as it's been SO nice here in Portland..spring is here! But I must say that there are days when I do just want to cozy up and rest. A friend of mine moved into their new house not too long ago after a huge remodel and a few days after moving in (which she is now a complete champ at) and said that she was going home to take the afternoon to rest and read a book..... I was thinking, well at least your kids are grown up now and what a luxury that sounds like! The simple things in life are what truly gives us joy and it's fun to embark on them.

Day 6- Try Your Hand at Creativity

You can never have enough hand painted treasures by your little ones, but when the parents get involved (even if they aren't an artist) that is what makes it even more fun. These photos are the finished product from our visit to Ready, Paint and Fire here in Portland. We took Jada on her day off of school last week and to weave in the child like play into our daily life was really refreshing. We gave her the choice between OMSI and "the paint" place and that was what she chose.... so much fun!

I definitely recommend having your son or daughter make a set of bowls or plates for Mom, Dad or Grandparents....they make a special gift!

Andrea's serving piece

Jada's bowl for her BFF Pie

Jada's mug for Grammie's bday

Desmond's abstract plate

                                              

Day 5-Hide Out For A Day

Last night's dinner with my family at this fabulous little Swedish restaurant here in Portland called Broder was the perfect ending to my "Hiding Out for the Day". Desmond had taken the kids down to Salem for a birthday party and I had the chance to take part of the day for myself without feeling rushed. I went to work out, grabbed a cup of coffee with a girlfriend, and went grocery shopping without getting an uneven arm work out from the car seat that is constantly being toted around. Not to mention, there wasn't a car seat that took up half of the grocery cart, I actually had time to stroll the aisles, and I didn't have to prepare a bottle in the middle of the produce department. It was pleasant.

Enjoying days like these are what makes me a better Mom.

Day 4-The Morning Shower-Alive, Awake and Alert!

Well, this is definitely something I can't say that I've excelled at in the last few years. Not that I'm dirty, but because I simply laugh at the days that I literally shower at like 5pm. Ever since I adopted the mommy role,  mornings can simply be... well, I'll use the term hectic. We're up, I sit there and feed the baby his food while my daughter takes an hour to eat three bites of her breakfast, it's off to school and then to work out. If there were only a few more hours in the day, then I might be able to say that I'd be alive, awake and alert at say noon! God only knows I don't want to have to shower twice in one day as that is just a waste of time, so I guess I'll grin and bear it until the 5 o'clock hour on most weekdays. ( Thank goodness for Lululemon)!

I love the difference of how hot water vs. cold water can make you feel. Have you ever noticed the difference? Hot water is so relaxing like you just want to melt in it and cold water completely wakes you up. It revitalizes your system awakening your body, which is why most people can say that they are alive, awake and alert by 8am. For me, those days will come....but when?!

Day 3-Restorative Bathing Rituals

www.glassybaby.com

Oh how I love a bath! What is better than sinking into a deep tub filled with bubbles, hot water, essential oils with a scented candle lit? Can anyone say relaxing! My last bath was actually the best bath I think I've ever had and SO needed. I hadn't had the best day and was feeling very overwhelmed...(oh yeah, it was the day I started this blog and felt that I hadn't accomplished anything all day long because I was messing around trying to create my two blogs...yeah, that day) There was no way that I was going to end that day a bad day and obviously neither was my husband. He had gone into our master bathroom and dimmed the lights, put moodscapes on the surround sound, lit three cream glassybaby votives( for those of you who don't know glassybaby, they are one of my favorite things, see above), rolled a towel for my neck and put this book down at an angle so that I could dive into another chapter of peace for myself. It was amazing. I felt like I was in the 2009 best spa pick of Portland for that 20 min. or so. Indulge in a bath! It's worth every minute....until your baby needs you!

Day 2- Start your day Refreshed

So....at this time in my life, waking up refreshed after a night of waking up to midnight "moans" by our son and then him dictating when wake up time is seems like it may be a far fetch, BUT I am very blessed to say that it is another day! My favorite morning ritual consists of pulling an intention for the day, or maybe like 20 since I have 20 decks of cards that I enjoy pulling from....when is it enough? Oh yeah, my kids have a deck of cards too that they pull from. Getting them both started early! Jada started pulling from her "Manifest your Magnificence for Kids" when she was around two years old. My four favorite decks of cards are:

*pocket prayers by June Cotner
*Inner Peace cards by Dr. Wayne Dyer
*Angel Cards by Kathy Tyler Joy Drake
*Well-Being cards by Esther and Jerry Hicks


Today my angel card was communication. Communication is key in everything we do and so important that we communicate the right way! Funny that I pulled communication because just yesterday I was in a discussion with some people about how technology has completely taken over.I was telling them that I just started a new blog but that it was a catch 22 for me because personally communicating somewhat goes out the window. For me, there is the simple joy in receiving a hand written letter in the mail, but these days we get caught up in texting/e-mailing. What happened to catching up over a cup of coffee or tea? Read my blog...you'll find out what's happening with me! Looks like I hopped on that wagon by mistake...oops! Just make sure you carve quality time out for your loved ones....it's important!

Day 1- Breakfast in Bed

So, I really can't remember the last time I had breakfast in bed..... Mother's Day is just around the corner though! So, what would the ideal Mother's Day breakfast in bed look like? Well,I'm thinking that maybe Elijah, my 8 month old, will decide he wants to sleep in a little and then say "Mama" as his third word ( since Dada was first and then Jada was second), Jada would come running in with the most adorable homemade Mother's Day card served with huckleberry pancakes(sort of like my Mom's) or this asparagus dish that my husband made up one night that was SO good...anything other than the usual bowl of oatmeal every morning that I make myself.

The truth is I'd be completely content with a scone and hot cup of tea.

Getting started Julie and Julia style!

My plan for this blog is to reflect in my own way based on each little "retreat" from this book. I throughly enjoy every chapter and see it as a small retreat for myself to reflect in my own life and take personal note on what God has blessed me and my family with.I am so thankful in many ways for what he has done in my life!

simple retreats for a woman's soul