I was finally tired enough of being tired.

::::Dusts off Blog::::

Hey guys! Man I've been a bad blogger! Can I start off by saying how busy we'v been?! 

School, sickness, baseball season began, crazy wind/rain storms, birthdays and all kinds of events in between. I am thankful to say we are all healthy now and adjusting to our newly busier schedule.

Before I get into what I wanted to write about today, I wanted to answer a question I've gotten in a few messages... Did I finish 90 Days of Core De Force?

The answer?

YES! YES I DID! 

How was it? How did I do? What results did I get?

All answered here:

Now to what I came here to write about. Being Tired.

I wrote a short post on this a few weeks ago and after speaking to so many friends and challengers afterwards about this, I realized that SO many people have been at that point or are currently in it.

The me on the left was so so tired.

Tired of having no energy.

Tired of being out of breath going up and down the one flight of stairs of my home.

Tired of still only fitting into my maternity jeans 9 months postpartum.

Tired of having no confidence.

Tired of not feeling like "me" anymore.

Tired of my PCOS symptoms getting worse and worse.

Tired of being TIRED of everything.

I was a yo yo dieter for all of my 20's. I looked for and tried any "magic pill' that popped up in store shelves. Thinking "THIS" would be it for me. (I cringe ad admitting this. But it's important to share.)

I was so wrong.

That was when 21 Day Fix came into my life.

Gone were the days of calorie counting, taking diet pills and eating "fat free" frankenfoods.

I learned how to cook healthy, measure out proper portions and not only did it NOT take too much time out of my day, but I started to enjoy it. My family started sitting at the dinner table again to eat together instead of sitting on the couch.

(My Carskey boy eating Fix Approved Fried Rice)

My kids started to roll around and "pretend" to work out with me. We were getting outside more and being more active together.

My daily Shakeology help curbed my sweet tooth and break my years of being a breakfast skipper.

For once in my adult life my metabolism and PCOS symptoms were healing.

30 mins of working out to the dvd's at home a day, eating healthy delicious portion fix approved meals and getting my daily Shakeology in.

There is NO such thing as a magic pill that works for the long term.

My family and I are the healthiest we've ever been. I'm a better wife and Mom for it. I'm a better ME for doing this.

21 Day Fix, Beachbody programs and the Portion Fix container system with Shakeology has helped change my life.

Wherever you are in your journey....

If you are just beginning, in the middle, at a plateau or debating on beginning..

Making that choice to take action, trust the process and put in the hard work will pay off. It can change your life.

From 21 Day Fix... 21 Day Fix Extreme... Hammer and Chisel and now Core De Force I can't image my life now without these programs, my #DreamBigTribe! So incredibly thankful for these ladies.

(Shout out to these amazing ladies that lost a combined over 100 pounds in the month January in our Virtual Gym Challenge!)

There is no perfect time to begin, just the time when you are tired enough of being tired. Each small step you make to live a healthier life will make a difference. Making the decision to commit, daily consistency, keeping your "why" fresh in your mind to fuel your determination will help you get there. 

If you would like to join me in my next group that starts on Monday 2/27 I would love to have you. You can click on the link here to get more info: http://bit.ly/DreamBigTribe

What I've learned about living off a dirt road...

We've been learning a lot in the 2 1/2 months we've lived out here.... How our Solar Panel system works, well pumps, how to conserve energy, the animals, what time of day we do what type of homestead chores, etc... It's been an adventure already and we are just scratching the surface! 

One thing I've come to realize is what goes into living off a dirt road. At first glance you wouldn't think much of it. But really it's been quiet the adjustment of living in our old condo surrounded by asphalt. 

Things I've learned living off a dirt road:

1. Sandals are no longer your "everyday shoe". It's muck boots, work boots are tennis shoes if you want to keep your feet from looking like pig pen. This was a big adjustment for me! As a Cali girl I practically live in sandals 11 out of the 12 months of the year. I've forgotten to change shoes a few times leaving the cabin and it always ends up like this.

2. Your Car will not stay clean. Gone are the days of getting the van washed and it looking pretty tell we get a random rain fall. The second you drive onto that dirt round. Bam, shows over.

3. The morning walks are so peaceful. Each morning the kids and I go on a 1/2 mile walk around our Oak Grove with the dogs. Hearing the dirt under their feet, seeing no buildings in sight and just God's beautiful country side is breath taking. I feel humbled and inspired each morning taking it all in. This is why we moved out here. To simplify, to reconnect and to give our kids a different kind of lifestyle.

4. Foot Prints: You can see all walks of life's foot prints and who's been on your road. Animals, Humans.. The kids love seeing the little foot prints on our morning walk and guessing what kind of animal it was that left it. 

5. It doesn't hurt as much when you fall. The kids used to play outside on the asphalt outside our condo and when they fell, the boo boo's weren't pretty. When you fall on dirt, it doesn't leave as much of a mark. How's that for glass half full? LOL

Our way of life out here is much different than the one we had just a few short months ago. Soon I plan to blog a "day of the life" type post so I can share more. One thing for sure is we are so happy out here. There are things that are more difficult out here or luxuries we might not have anymore (by bye less than 35 minute trip to walmart). But we've traded those days for watching the sunrise come over the mountain top and listening to the roster crow. We've traded it for rolling hills, impromptu golf cart rides through our woods and evening camp fires. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

New Beginning's: Our Moving Weekend

"When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine in his own time and in his own way."

I can't believe we already moved almost 3 weeks ago. Where is the time going? We started off our weekend celebrating Carson's 5th birthday. I can't believe our sweet sunshine boy is FIVE years old! We asked him what he wanted to do that day and he said he wanted to go up to the new house, so that's just what we did!

This kids built a giant hot wheels track on the porch while we unloaded and got some moving done. Not our typical birthday celebration kinda day, but he was happy!

In the afternoon we had a big surprise for him...

 His very own tractor!! He was a "tiny" bit excited to say the least. Driving it around is now one of his favorite things to do here during the day.

We ended the day signing him happy birthday and eating some delicious cake that Grandma made. He said it was his best birthday ever <3

The next day was moving day! We were incredibly grateful to see our family at our door that morning to help us make the big move out to the country. Thank you Jesus! And thank you family!

Saturday April 16th marked day 1 of building our forever home on R&M Ranch. We are tired, have lots of work ahead of us but are incredibly thankful for this opportunity God has blessed us with and excited for what the future holds. Thank you to all our family who helped us move and have come out to see us. We love you and appreciate you!❤️

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV 

Stay tuned for more updates! :)

First Weekend at R&M Ranch

Last weekend we had the blessing to go out and spend 2 nights in the Cabin we will be living in the next few months while our house is built. Our plan for the weekend was to get as much prep work done around there as we can. And to bring up a large load of tools and other items we'll need to do some repairs on the land before we move in 2 weeks later. 

Carson was a "tiny" bit excited to say the least. It was pretty cute, I had already packed all the clothes we'd need (and then some) for the weekend. He came upstairs when it was time to go with his backpack stuffed with 2 pairs of jammies for him and Lily, and he packed snacks. Love that boy so much and his heart.

One of the things I love about our land is that it's only about 5 minutes off the freeway. But once you hit that dirt road leading into our property it feels like you are out in the middle of no where. So quiet, beautiful, and peaceful. 

(Pic on the Left: Back road in/ Pic on Right: Front side in)

The kids "loft" in the cabin. I'm really excited to make this room extra special for them while our house is being built. First night sleep up there was a little rough for Lily. New place, excitement, she just didn't want to go to sleep! I ended up sleeping up there with them this weekend. I think they enjoyed that :)

First morning up there was my favorite. Carson and I were the first to be awake and we quietly went downstairs, snuggled up under a blanket, read a train book and watched the sun rise over the mountains together. I'll never forget that moment, it's something I'll always treasure. Thank you Jesus!

Breakfast on the porch, it was so beautiful outside!

While Hubby and the Grandparents worked hard, my job was to keep these kiddos busy and we worked on organizing the cabin. We even took a few trips hauling material in the golf cart, the kids loved that.

That's our girl. She's totally in her element.

Carson calls this "rock climbing" and he'd do it all day if I let him.

An old Fire pit ring we found on the land. Grandpa used it to make us a new fire pit.

How we ended night #2. Our campfire was literally the only light past the cabin, the stars are so bright out there. It's amazing to see God's canvas like that.

(Board games with Grandma)

Lily checking out the pantry/solar panel conex box.

I shot a gun for the first time this weekend on our shooting range! Never thought that would happen.

This was a major proud mama moment for me. We were all working hard on Sunday to finish up chores so we could head back down the mountain to town. Carson said he wanted to help, got a broom and went and swept every step leading up to cabin without being asked. He said "Mom I made it safe for everyone to walk on!" (tears) I'm so thankful for this boys heart, his desire to help and he's excitement for this new chapter of our lives.

Our first weekend was a success! Great weather, no problems, lots of team work and memories made. I can't believe that in less than 2 weeks this land will be our forever home. Stay tuned for many blog post and updates on the journey to building our homestead, house and adventures. 

With love,