Take a Look, it's in a book!

I absolutely love to read.

When I'm in the reading groove, I can read about a book a week.  I love how reading transports you to new places.  I love getting all wrapped up in a story.  I love cuddling up under the covers and losing myself in a good book.

I have always wanted to share my love of reading with my kids.  When they were little, I would read to them all the time.  We would listen to audio books and audio stories together.  We went to the library once a week and came home with stacks and stacks of books.  I made sure my kids always saw me reading too.  My love for reading is something I really wanted to pass on to my kids.

For a while, it didn't seem like they valued reading as much as I did.  Technology, computers, and Xbox all vied for their attention.  And as they grew, books got pushed to the side.

Well, the other day, my grown son came over and we were having a conversation.  He was telling me about this new book he was reading!  He was all excited about it! He got me wanting to read it too!  He was telling me how hard it was at first for him to get into reading.  So he started listening to audio books.  The more he listened to the easier it was for him to pick up a book to read.  My heart soared!  He's caught it!  The reading bug!

My daughter also reads.  She's a researcher.  She is a sponge for information and I love it!

Now my grown kids are growing and sharing the info they've read with me!

Now my hubby is not a reader.  So to remedy that situation - I've always read books to him!  One of our favorite things is to go to the park, pull out the sleeping bags, pick a quiet corner and read. It's a great bonding time.  And he also gets to experience the power of a book.

Books can be powerful. Reading transforms us, stretches us, makes us think, enlarges our vocabulary,

Reading does that.  It is a door to other places, other times,  other worlds.

If you're not a reader, I highly encourage you to try.  Start with audio books!  If your kids are young, try Adventures in Odyssey!  Focus on the Family radio theatre is also wonderful for the classics!

So, have fun reading to your kids!  and pick up a book yourself!  Summer time's a great time to start!

Summer is upon us!

Summer is coming up quick!  That means weekend trips and summer vacations!  I absolutely love to travel! Even if it's just a weekend trip to a new place I haven't been. I love seeing new sights and exploring new places.

Probably the hardest part about traveling, whether you are going for a week or a few days, is packing!

I used to be an over packer!  I thought, "Well, just throw it in just in case"   But since checking bags at the airport has gotten quite expensive...I've become a "carry on only" kinda packer.  Even if you aren't traveling by plane but enjoying a road trip..there are several things to do to take less stuff.

Things I've learned about packing:

Space bags are amazing!   You can buy those ones that you can roll the air out of and they work great!

I usually pull everything out that I think I want to take and then go through everything at least a few days before leaving.  I usually end up putting half of it back!

Try to coordinate your outfits to one or two color palettes.  Take more tops than bottoms.  And the hardest part....shoes!   Try to limit to 2-3 pairs.  If you will wear it only once then don't take it!  Mix and match! Scarves are a great accessory to take.  They are light and versatile and can make a plain outfit look completely different.

Now traveling with kids is a whole other thing!  But the same things can still apply.  Coordinate outfits, take more tops than bottoms.  If you need something buy it there instead. A few favorite toys and books and you should be good to go.

I've been overseas a few times now and I've gotten down to taking only one backpack and one small carry on!  It's so much easier to travel with less stuff!

My favorite go tos for ideas and inspiration:  

Rick Steves!

The Savvy Backpacker

Well happy travels!  Take lots of pictures and journal too!  

Hoop Love

So I discovered hula hooping about 8 months ago.  I've since fallen in love with it.  Who knew there were so many things you could do with a hula hoop!  I've been going to class now fairly regularly.  I love going there. There are so many people there of all ages and stages.  Some youngsters.  Some oldersters.  Men and Women!  I've learned hooping can be an incredible workout!  It can work your arms, legs, core...everything! I can work up a pretty good sweat hooping for an hour!  I've learned that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!  I didn't think I could learn new things but, it turns out,  I can!  I've learned to embrace the dancing that comes with the hoop.  I love that!  

 I take my hoop everywhere.  Going to the park?  Get the hoop! Going shopping?    

Get the hoop!  Going camping?  Get the hoop!  Going on a cruise?  Don't forget the hoop!  

It's slowly becoming my security blanket.  

I can't wait to see what the next year brings in my hooping.

Meeting new friends.  Going new places.  Learning new stuff.  Getting more active.

Come join me and learn to love the hoop!

Here's where I  take my classes if you are in the DFW area.

Hooping!

I really need to blog more often!  I just noticed I haven't posted anything here since March!

I went to a new class last night and I'm so excited about it!  It's a hula hooping class!  I've always enjoyed hula hooping as a kid.  Well it turns out there's a new movement out there for adults!  It's called hooping!

It's a great exercise and fitness workout.  I was definitely sweating last night!  It's also a great avenue for people like me to get into exercise.  I say people like me because I was never a sports girl.  I didn't do sports in school.  I don't go running or do workout videos.  I don't do zumba.  I can't keep in sync with everyone!

This is just me and the hoop.  It's letting go in my own rhythm and dance.  It's not a competition.  Everyone can go and learn at their own pace.

I'm so excited to learn more moves and start taking my hoop with me to different places!  I love that I'm in my 40s and learning a whole new thing!  It's so exciting!

Stay tuned for more on this hooping adventure!