Just a few more photos...

Scarlett on Appalachian Trailhead

Mommy and her baby girl

Clingman's Dome - Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Cool barn/shed in Smokies

Jackson and his Pappaw

Mom and Pat

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

This past weekend, my mom treated our family to a weekend at the Fryemont Inn in Bryson City, NC.  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Mom and Pat in NC.

Saturday, we took a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.  Our tour was four hours long, and wound through the Eastern Carolina mountains up to the Natahala Gorge.

The scenery was breathtaking and the company sublime.

Can you believe Scarlett took this photo?  She is quite the little photographer at 7 years old.  This is at Clingman's Dome, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Jackson is getting so big.

The fireplace in the Fryemont Inn is huge.  Scarlett looks dwarfed next to it.

All in all, it was the perfect way to spend a weekend.

Kicking cans

I've been working hard the last few days trying to get things ready for a yard sale with everyone on my mom's circle.  I would love to get rid of a lot more things, but find I am getting push-back from everyone in the house.  Apparently, I do not put the same value on their "prized possessions".

I would sell everything we owned and start from scratch if I could.  I suppose it is a good thing I can't.  I suppose.

I told my husband the other day that I was beginning to feel bitter about using up the best of me at an office and having little left to offer the children and him once I came home.  I feel like if I could simplify my household, I would have more time for the people and things I want to send my on - family, friends, writing, crafts, GOD.

My mom always tells me that I just need to kick a few cans down the road - just keep kicking them until they are where they need to be.  I might have to kick some more than others, but they will all eventually get to their destinations.  I need to keep reminding myself that life is not a race, but a marathon.

So, I am off to kick  few cans.  Wish me luck.

Currently...-

1.  listening to the sound of doggie nails on the floor.

2.  eating some red hot candies that my thoughtful husband brought home to me.

3.  wishing that I had more time to spend with my family and less doing "drudge" work.

4.  wearing my Columbia cargo shorts, Skechers, and sea foam green tank top.

5.  feeling excited about moving some items out of our house.

6.  weather is humid, warm and partly cloudy with temps in the upper 80's.

7.  wanting to be a stay at home mom.

8.  needing to work because right now we need the funds.

9.  thinking about a young couple who recently lost their baby girl.

10.  thankful that God is merciful and still in control.

From giant glass sculpture at Indianapolis Children's Museum.  No reason for it being here other than I like it.

I want to go back here again.  Time seemed to stand still.

Someday...

Wow.  I just realized it has been almost a month since I last posted anything to my blog.  Hmm. Well, let me fix that right now.

July has been a very busy month.  My husband and I celebrated 17 years of marriage (I don't know he has managed living with me that long without killing me!), attempted to go on a family camping trip (note: you are suppose to spend the night on those - not just show up, eat and leave - which is what we did...honest!), took a trip to Indianapolis to meet with some dear friends who traveled to China at the same time we did in 2005 to meet their daughters for the first time, and on top of all that, had out-of-state family staying with us for 3 weeks. 

I've been a little busy.

On top of all that madness, I had to go to work.  Or I wouldn't get paid. 

On the upside, our little garden is producing tomatoes like crazy, we have three tiny watermelons that have popped up, and our dog has kept the backyard squirrel-free for almost an entire month.  Except for when the varmints sneak in under cover of darkness.  Oh, and getting ready for school to begin in two weeks.  Aahhh! I am not ready for that!

So that has been our summer thus far.  I hope to have some photos soon of some of our summer shenanigans.  Hope yours has been great!

Getting stronger

I have decided that I want to live a healthier lifestyle.  I guess part of the impetus is that I have two kids under the age of ten that I would dearly love to see grow up, marry and have children of their own.  I have never been over weight, but I am definitely far from "in shape".

I intend to change that.

I don't believe that fad diets work, but I do believe that eating foods that are not so far from their natural state (i.e not processed to death!) is better for me.  So I put myself on a detox diet - no starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, white bread - no chocolate, colas or other high fat foods.

Instead, I am going to focus on lean proteins, more green veggies, low sugar fruits, cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir and eggs/egg whites.  

I have already lost five pounds from changing out what I eat.  I feel that I have more energy now.  My mood is more upbeat as a result.  A win-win in my opinion.

I look forward to continuing this lifestyle!