A day at the Miami Seaquarium

Wow, was it hot there today! We tried to push through it, but it wasn't easy.  We watched the shows,  walked around a bit, had some lunch and then an ice cream. We couldn't handle more than the 3 hours that we were there.  Regardless of the unbearable heat, we had a great day with great friends!

Celebrating 11 years of marriage ...

"True love never dies, it only gets stronger with time".

(I write this with the intention of my children reading this at a point in life where it means something to them)

What is important in a marriage? Is it the love that you have for each other, is it the respect that you have for each other, is it the give and the take, is it the simple beauty in just enjoying the everyday ... whatever that everyday may bring.

As I celebrate 11 years of marriage today, I reflect.  I reflect in the middle of getting meals and snacks, of wiping a little 3 year old bottom, drying a few tears, breaking up a few arguments, claiming a few hugs, and fixing a few boo boo's.  I reflect in a sea of the needs of 3 young children.

What is marriage or at least my marriage.  It's a marriage full of joy, full of adventures and lots of love.  It's a marriage of disagreements and negotiations.  It's a marriage of strength and growth at the same time.  It's also a marriage that experiences setbacks and milestones.  It's a marriage that may not be perfect but more than perfect for me.  It's a marriage of inspiring moments that make it all worthwhile.

I've learned after 11 years that you define your marriage! Your marriage is what the TWO of you put into it.  The TWO of you, not the one of you.  It's taking and being given what you need, it's accepting the more than you need, it's giving back the way more than you ever thought you could.  It's the balance of making your children your priority and still making your spouse a priority as well.
It's the not changing of  yourself but evolving as your life changes, as your marriage changes, grows and transitions through different stages.

Speak up, express your feelings, communicate well, love like there is no tomorrow and watch your marriage grow.

A beach play date ...

While the big sisters were at tennis camp, we hit the beach club with the little siblings.  We had a great morning of fun and sun.  The boys and Angelina ... poor Angelina is so tough around these boys.  They built sand castles, threw a little sand at each other, and ran from the waves.  After a few hours of beach and pool play and some lunch we made it out just in time before the rain hit.

Oh no, this could get interesting!

So I walked into the playroom and look what I saw! Carli has agreed to face paint Gavin's face.  He requested Batman.  Not sure how this one is going to turn out.

it's time for a "big boy" bed ...

NO! Say it isn't so .... my baby no longer has a crib.  This is so bittersweet.  At almost 3 and a half I think it was time.  After 8 years, momma no longer has a crib in her house.  No more crib means no more babies.  Gavin refuses to let me even refer to him as momma's baby, he says with conviction "I am not a baby, I am a big boy". I guess every big boy needs a big boy bed and every big boy bed needs to be dressed up as a superhero, Captain America to be exact.  Even though you are a big boy and you have a big boy bed ... Mr. Alligator, Marvin the Monkey and blue blankie will never be too far behind! 

Some of my favorite clean eating recipes!

Who likes Starbucks Chai Tea Latte's? Who wants lots of grandes for the price of one? Me! Same as Starbucks. Can make it hot or cold. I buy this from Target in the tea aisle. Bonus, on sale this week. I of course stocked up! ‪

Black Cherry Greek yogurt, sprinkle in chia seeds and flax seeds (changes the texture a bit but does NOT change the taste), a small palmful of chocolate chips and add some coconut. Think chocolate covered cherries for breakfast. Yummy!! 

Overnight oats .... one of my very favorite breakfasts! 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder, heaping teaspoon of peanut butter, sliced banana and 1 cup almond milk. Put in container (mason jars work great) and leave in fridge overnight. The next morning open and eat. So yummy! I use vanilla almond milk but if you want to save on calories, you can use regular almond milk. I also love making it in an almost empty peanut butter jar as opposed to a mason jar. The peanut butter is spread perfectly and evenly when done this way.

Lexi and two of her friends join together at tennis camp ....

The best things in life aren't things .... they're your friends!

My two brave superhero's ...

Lexi is the best big sister ever! She is always willing to play with Gavin and lets him choose the game (usually).

Gavin and Angelina go on a trip ...

So Gavin is totally obsessed with playing "trip", "airport" and "hotel".  He has me constantly playing this imaginary game with him.  After 4 consecutive days of playing this, I was quite relived when little Angelina was willing to take my spot and join Gavin.  They started by packing suitcases, finding room keys, taking the airplane and arriving in the hotel.  They were lucky enough to be able to create the perfect hotel suite, as Angelina's big sister Gia was getting a bed delivered that day and a mattress was conveniently in the hallway.  These two little ones played this for 3 hours and had the best time ever.

4th of July

What a day we had! We had lots of swimming, lots of food, lots of laughs and lots and lots of fun.  We started out the morning at home.  Momma took a few great pictures of course, because I can never resist. Gavin took an early nap and then we headed out for the day.  We went boating, swimming, fishing, you name it, we did it! Oh yeah, we ate lots of food as well ... good, yummy food.