Currently

[Kaden with his grandpa - my dad]

EATING: A lot of Greek yogurt veggie salad. I'm not usually a fan of cucumbers so I wasn't expecting this super easy meal to become one of my favorite go-to's. It is also really light so it will be perfect for those hot Summer days.

LOVING: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. There is so much more detail and depth to it than there was in the movie which I really love. It really makes the entire storyline make much more sense and I actually look forward to picking up the book every night. I already can't wait to read the other two books in the series :)

MISSING: Living so close to Portland. Before we moved back to Oregon from Washington we were only about 15 minutes away from downtown Portland and would go nearly everyday/evening. Now it takes us closer to an hour and a half because of traffic and distance making it more of a bi-weekly or once-monthly trip. It really makes us appreciate our time in the city so much more!

MOVING: A lot of things out of the reach of ten prying little fingers :) Kaden is walking more and more everyday and growing like a weed so it is getting easier for him to reach my former hiding places for books and such. Your home is never the same once little babes are born into your life! It is all so very worth it, though!

TAKING: A B12 supplement. I have been a vegetarian for about 9.5 years now and, lately, have been having some really big issues with chronic fatigue and feeling a little depressed. After doing a lot of research I thought I would give it a try. Here's to hoping I will see some results and get back the energy I have so dearly been missing!

Greek Yogurt Veggie Salad

Greek Yogurt Veggie Salad

1 seedless English cucumber

1/2 red onion

10 Red cherry tomatoes

15 Yellow cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

The amount of tomatoes totally depends on your preference. Just eyeball it and decide what is enough for you and your family.

This recipe is SUPER easy. Just slice the cucumber into desired thickness, slice up half of a red onion and simply cut your cherry tomatoes down the middle. For the dressing, in a separate bowl from the veggies, thoroughly mix the Greek yogurt with the ACV, salt and pepper. Dump that over the top of the veggies, stir until all are evenly coated and enjoy!

On Being In A Hurry

Today I was forced to re-evaluate the speed at which I live my life and it has made me so much more aware of those around me.

To set it up, it was 1PM and Kaden hadn't taken his usual afternoon nap. It was one of those days where I just knew it wasn't going to happen and that forcing it would make things worse. When it was time to leave the house I remembered that I hadn't clipped his carseat back in so I left him playing in the house while I went out to do that. Well, he was NOT happy that I was outside and he wasn't so he was crying and I could not get the darn carseat clipped in for the life of me. By the time I got it clipped in I was extremely frazzled.

After getting Kaden loaded up we headed out. We got into town and I was driving down a side street. Honestly, I was going 30 in a 25 until I saw a motorcycle cop parked by the funeral home waiting for a processional to head out so I slowed down. And I am SO glad that I did. About two blocks later a huge passenger van came barreling out of one of the side streets; he didn't even stop at the stop sign. I slammed on my brakes as hard as I could and, instinctively, pressed on the horn just as hard and long. We barely missed colliding. My heart was racing, I was shaking and I started crying after I looked back at Kaden. He was in his seat without a care in the world.

After the initial fright wore off, I felt anger. I was angry that that person, whomever they were, obviously had no regard or respect for anyone else. And then the anger I felt was turned back at myself. I thought, if I had continued at the speed I was going before I saw the police officer we most likely WOULD have collided. I let my frazzled state of mind put me in a distracted state while driving. Thank all of the good Karma in the world that I saw that police officer because this post could have been a very different one. And while we cannot control the actions of others (obviously), we CAN control our own actions.

Such a huge reality check (and a scary one!) but one that I am so very thankful for.

So if people want to go fast and drive crazy, they can go around me from now on. I vow not to use my horn unless absolutely necessary and to make sure that I am in a completely calm, undistracted state of mind when I get behind the wheel.

Life is way too beautiful and precious to be lived as an angry and distracted ball of stress. Plus it is just common sense and a basic rule of human kindness. Slow down, breath deep and be mindful.

[SOURCE]

Currently ...

Hoping: That I can pick up a copy of My Father's Daughter and It's All Good, both by Gwyneth Paltrow. I saw her on the Rachael Ray show a couple weeks ago and have been itching to get my hands on them, especially It's All Good. I foresee a trip to the bookstore in my near future :)

Reading: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I know, I know ... I am soooo behind the times, HA! Ryan and I have seen the movie a couple of times and after finding a copy of the book for a mere $0.50 at a local thrift store I decided it was time I read it.

Wearing: Fitted black capris and a hockey tournament t-shirt (hubby's from his hockey days). I had planned on working out today but my errand running ended up taking more time than I had originally thought so I never did get around to it.

Making: Nothing at the moment! Well, I'm in the process of writing out 'thank you' cards for Kaden's birthday if that counts! :)

Planning: My next hair cut. I'm thinking a long bob and possibly blonde. I haven't had blonde hair in a really, really long time though so I haven't quite decided yet. I have some fun ideas bouncing around in my head, though! I'm just excited about getting my hair professionally done, to be honest. It has been almost three years since I last had a good hair cut and dye. My hair is begging for some major TLC!

Fire

Last Saturday, shortly after midnight, we were woken up by an explosion that shook our house (and simultaneously woke up a sleeping Kaden). We got up and could see an orange glow coming through our kitchen blinds. On the other side was the bee keeping business just across the field from our house and it was on fire. We stayed up for two hours watching the blaze while dozens of fire trucks responded to the scene. Sadly, the entire facility (including the house that the owner lived in) was completely destroyed. So heartbreaking. Not only did they lose their business but their home as well. And all of their kitties are missing :( So, so sad. Luckily nobody was injured or lost their life. Over time, things can be replaced. People can't.

Other things going on in our little life? We all caught some sort of flu bug that had each of us down for a couple of days but thankfully it passed pretty quickly. I am busy getting everything ready for Kaden's birthday party next Saturday and he has his very first dental appointment tomorrow!

And most exciting of all? KADEN STARTED WALKING!!!!!! Yesterday! I was basically crying my eyes out and he was as happy as could be! Motherhood is such an amazing thing.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Here is to a great Friday and an even better weekend!