Hiking... oh wait

Yesterday morning, the pups and I decided to have a little adventure.
Well, really, I decided to take them on a little adventure.
So we piled up in the car and headed out to Mission Trails
in search of the "family friendly 1.7 mile circle trail."

But not before a pit stop at Petsmart for a portable dog bowl.
Which was actually really amusing because it was Baker's first time at the pet store.
He was SO excited.
I would've taken a picture but I kinda had my hands full.

So we went to the trails. Mind you, this was my first time there.
All I knew was "Cowles Mountain... and some other little trails out there"
but I had a map and we were headed to the Visitor's Center parking lot,
and the trail was "right there."

We ended up walking around looking for the trail for a half hour.
Do you think they could make it a BIT more obvious for those of us 'not-regulars'?

We went to the Visitor's Center and I asked for directions.
Yep, I was that person.
The man had this huge map and highlighted the thing like it was Christmas. Then told me to "look for the two posts. Right is down hill. Left is up hill." Ok... sure... no problem.
Actually, I have no idea what you're talking about, but ok.

Well, we never actually found the trail. Because by the time I picked a place to walk for a little bit, Emma decided she was done. And, like usual, Baker followed suit.

Needless to say, we didn't actually find the trail we were looking for.
At least, I don't think we did.

But we did drive the scenic route out, and we did find this.
I wish I could say we were hiking all hard core when these photos were taken.

But actually, we were just sitting in the car admiring God's artwork.
Seriously, divinely beautiful.

Oh well. It's not like I'm heartbroken. At all, really.
Next time I'll find it. :)

I do know the pups slept all day. Which is a good sign.
But man, I gotta work them up to longer trips.
Em and I are gonna do a 3K one day! It's on the bucket list :)

This morning, we're headed to the lake for Baker meets Frankie, part two. :)

I want to ride my bicycle

My husband is impressing me [again].

He has been riding his bicycle to work for the past few weeks
and he's headed out on it again this morning!

(ps: i say "bicycle" because i think it is so much funner to say than "bike" - 

you haven't thought about it? say them both out loud. see, it's true)

I am so proud of him.

He ROCKS.

And inspires me to do something semi-active :)

I tracked him down one afternoon on his ride home to catch a few action shots.

You are SO COOL honey!

I'm cheering for you from behind the steering wheel ;)

Wednesday perfection

After a series of not-bad-but-crazy days, yesterday was a free day. I decided to take the day off from school, and boy was that a good decision.

Sleeping in ... late. Like, later than I ever have. Probably because I'd only slept 8 hours in the past 4 days and worked 45 hours...

Starbucks coffee and oatmeal and God's Word.

Working out at the gym.

Cleaning my house. Clean sheets... towels... bathrooms... kitchen... dusting... and vacuuming.

All to welcome my wonderful husband home. You see, I have been gone (like, the entire night) for the past 6 of 8 nights... so it was a much needed date night!)
   -  Whole wheat pasta with chicken and bell peppers in alfredo sauce
   -  A sweet movie!!! How long has it been since we watched a movie... too long

I am realizing the importance of taking a day off. When you don't get a weekend, life gets overwhelming. A day to refocus and rejuvenate, to spend time with my Savior and my best friend. That's what it's about.

Now... back to school :)

I want to 'pump you up!'

Well, J and I rejoined the gym. 

It was time. 

Her's what I know about myself (kinda ironic since I'm gonna be a nurse): I know I live in the prettiest city and can "just go running outside" and ya-de-ya. I tried it. A couple times. I hated it. Every time. And so I won't commit to it. 

The gym, on the other hand, has variety. I can run or walk or elliptic (is that the verb for elliptical?) or bike or swim or take a class or lift weights or do sit-ups... and it's a controlled environment. I am not disciplined enough to do it at home.

My reality: I need a building to tell me to work out. 

I know, it's ridiculous. But it's the truth. I almost like the gym. Kinda.

We went tonight for the first time. I hated it and I loved it. 

We celebrated with yogurt afterwards.

Don't make fun... I'm totally a fan of the reward system.

So, we are committed ... wish us luck!