The Luckiest

FIVE years ago today one of the most beautiful events of my life took place. I stood in the late afternoon/early evening glow from the stain glass windows, held the hands of my very best friend, and promised from the deepest parts of my being to stand by him and love him for the rest of my years.

Huge welling tears fill my eyes when I think about how blessed my life has been with Tyler in it. He is the sort of man every woman deserves to be loved by.

We plan to spend the whole afternoon and upcoming weekend wallowing in our good fortune. This year it’s even sweeter with Aliyah to join in.

We have so very much to celebrate!

Poor Kitty

Aliyah really loves the cat... the cat really loves attention

(even if it is the pet pet grab and pull kind)

Healthy Eating: Healthy Living

I am not on a diet... I have decided to change some of my eating habits - and I am so excited about it all. The best part about making this decision is that Tyler is also excited and and we are supporting each other in our journey on healthier eating.

Our new way of eating/living includes dropping dairy and red meat and eating a lot more raw fruits and vegetables. You maybe thinking, "Whoa, Marcie! No milk? Milk is good for you - how will you get enough calcium?"

I was never a big milk drinker so that wasn't a huge change (although I do like cheese/yogurt) there are things you can easily substitute if you get a craving. I am getting more calcium now than I ever had before by drinking a green smoothie every morning. Plus there are many veggies that can provide you calcium that are drastically lower in fat than milk.

Aliyah with a green smoothie gotee

Did you see the new recipes that I added to harmony of the home today?

Our first raw meal that Tyler and I made together were these stuffed red bell peppers. We both really loved them! When you are eating raw, that means the food has not been cooked or heated over 115 degrees ferinheight containing all their original nutrients.

We are trying to incorporate a lot of raw meals but since we still are eating white meat and seafood, we have found some other great healthy recipes that are dairy free like this lemon tuna bake.

I have learned so much about raw eating from my amazing and beautiful friend, Callie. She has an incredible background story and has been through a lot when it comes to food. This girl knows her stuff!! Her blog (rawxy.com) has tons of recipes and tips for foxy raw eating. She makes and sells these rawxies: gluteen free. soy free. animal free (don't they look delicious?)

If you are in the Kansas City area Callie is available for consulting and will be holding beginner food demo classes the next 3 Tuesday evenings through Spirit of Health for only $10 a class (April 12th: salads & dressings - April19th: juices & smoothies - April 26th: desserts, candies & cookies)

Rawy.com is having it's first blog givaway!!!!! check it out HERE and enter to win some rawxies and a foxy raw t-shirt. Thanks Callie for the great givaway and all the wonderful things you are doing with you vast knowledge on healthy living!

A Colorado Vacation

I just realized that I haven't posted much about our Colorado vacation we took at the end of March (besides our crazy trip to the er). We really did have such a great time! We did a lot of exploring and hit up a few local hot spots. Here is a quick highlight of what we were up to...

avoiding altitude sickness with home-made pedialyte pops

Our AMAZING breakfast at Kava Cafe served on silver platters!

Fresh doughnuts and coffee (mom only)

Fresh mangoes and water (thanks for sharing aliyah)

Tour Guide at museum #1: Barney Ford Museum
An escaped slave who became the first African American business owner in Colorado (early/mid 1800s) 

Museum #2: Edwin Carter Museum
He had goals to be a gold miner but saw the destruction
mining had on the land and wildlife (mid/late 1800s)

...SO he became a taxidermist collecting one of every species he could find and opened a museum. Hands on activity for kids - ewww
ps - those black circles on the table are plastic eye balls

Museum #3: Mountain Top Children's Museum
Aliyah's favorite ;)

Good stretching/crawling before the 10 hour road trip back home

Dress Up #1: Ballerina

Dress Up #2: Doctor

Happy Girl

Uncle Austin text us this picture of him and daddy on the mountain!!

Shopping with dad before dinner

back to Kava Cafe to pick up a "thank you" for the doctors/nurses

Yes, the mountains are beautiful - but this is my favorite view :)

First 70 Degree Weekend!!!

Well, I had heard it was in the 80s while we were on vacation in Colorado (where it was snowing) but it was our first 70 degree weekend...

We had nothing planned so we lingered in bed with our little pajama monster, ate bowls of cereal and avocado omelets and then the whole family (dogs too) headed outside to enjoy our first 70 degree weekend of the year.

Little Librarian

Little Librarian Kit

When I was a child I dewey decimaled all our books and made library cards and forced... I mean invited my brother and parents to partake in library sessions. My brother incurred by far the most late notes. Surely it would be negligent of me not to relive this childhood game with Aliyah.

Go Royals!!!

Today is the KC Royals home opener!!! Not one of the strongest teams in MLB but we can't help but to love our men in blue. I found this picture from last season - I forget how teeny tiny she used to be.