Hellooooo Summer!!!!

When I take a break from blogging, I DON'T.KNOW.WHERE.TO.START.

This can be paralyzing, but like most things I do in life, I say screw it and just get it done! Overthinking gets you NOWHERE in my book! I will sum up in each paragraph highlights from the past couple months with a few pics! We have a BUSY couple of months! But life is SUCH a beautiful adventure!!!

Enchanted Rock 2015

It was our first time and a beautiful site for sure!  Perfect day for it and I look forward to exploring more IN THE FALL, lol...

Team Auditore/Kimball!

Family Muddy Miler 2015

Sofia was NOT having it again this year so she stayed home with daddy.  Let's hope she will join us next spring!  It was so much fun!  Who doesn't like to come home with mud in EVERY. SINGLE. CRACK AND CREVICE???!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

BEFORE the mud!

Dirty kids!  Anna and Parker ESPECIALLY loved getty muddy!

My adventurer! My strong boy!

All MUDDY!

She says we need someone to photograph it all, I say she doesn't want to get dirty! LOL

Kentucky Derby 2015

I went to my first ever Kentucky Derby Party and it was QUICK, but fun! LOL  Michelle is a great hostess.  I had my first Mint Julep too, it was tasty!

Mother's Day 2015

It was delightful!  I spent the morning spoiled by Chris and the kids and spent the afternoon shopping for our New York trip!  This is one of my favorite holidays because it reminds me that my dreams really have come true!!!

I adore this little boy.

She is my silly little girl!  Sweet and serious, always aware of EVERYTHING, seems so grown up most days but then reminds me how young she really is when she is goofy!  LOVE her!!!

God help me, she's a mini me.....I'm in trouble. Hahahahaha

New York Trip 2015

Well, there are no words!  I LOVED it, the kids LOVED it, Chris planned THE PERFECT trip and itinerary, and we can't wait to go back!!  Chris made an awesome video that I cannot upload due to the file size so once I figure it out, I'll put it in a separate post!

Greatest gift EVER, my family!

This man has my WHOLE HEART!

Skeese Greets Triathlon 2015

I did my first Tri since 2010!!!  I survived it, it wasn't easy, but I'm pumped to move forward into other races now!  So far, I'm registered for Rock n Roll San Antonio Full Marathon (12/2015) and RnR New Orleans Full Marathon (2/2015 - - girl's weekend!), BECAUSE I'M CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I want to end my 39th year with a marathon and begin my 40th year with a marathon.....yes, because I'm a NUT! Hey, we all have our hobbies, LOL!

Bought my FIRST Tri Suit!

5 years later....

Checking out the water before the race!

Shit, am I really doing this?????!!!!

My Number ONE supporter, ALWAYS!

2015 Aqua Tex Tuesday Night Races

This wasn't a huge meet for the kids, but they had fun and got to hang out afterwards with their team and coaches at Five Guys Burgers!  I explained to them that not EVERY meet is going to be their best, but as long as they do their best, that's all that matters.

*side note*  Don't let the kids spend the day in the pool when they have an evening, outdoor swim meet again! LMAO!

My life is crazy beautiful and while some may think I'm all over the place, hell I even think that sometimes, I really wouldn't want my life any other way!  I seek adventure.  I love FUN. I wander about not always having clear direction, but it's who I am!  I look forward to summer fun before we get back in the grind at the end of August!  Who knows, maybe I'll even blog some more before then! Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!

HAPPY 29 +10!!!

Hahahahahaha, that's what my RPM pal John told me on Tuesday morning when I showed up to my first spin class of the new year.  I was surprised by my bestie with a decorated bike and a bag full of birthday goodies.  I wish I took a pic of the bike but I was half asleep "as usual" at 5am, lol. 

                                        

                                                        My Bday balloons!

     

Sofia made me this present and was SOOOOO excited to give it to me! This and the cards from       the kids were my FAVORITE GIFTS!!!

My day was PERFECT! It was completely how I wanted to begin this new year, this new season of life.  I was pampered, loved on, got a workout in, had surprise visits from friends that love me, hubby took the day off, we went out with mom to lunch, and I even NAPPED!  Not once, but TWICE!!!!!!!!!

                                   

After a 4:30 early morning wake up, intense workout, and bagel with cream cheese and lox, how could I not??!!!???!!

I mean, YUMMMMMMMMMM.........  

I was really stressing about turning 39, but I must say, it's pretty great so far! I am thankfully not the woman I was at 29 and have grown so much, especially over the past few years.  I feel like I'm coming into my own.  I had a " plan" when I was in my early 20s and have had periods of struggle feeling like I was not fulfilling that plan.  In reality, shit happens, we make choices, not all good, but what I'm learning is that it's not about those choices we've made in the past nor the habits we may have fallen into.  Life is about constantly reevaluating, learning from our mistakes, forgiving ourselves, giving grace to others, and making NEW choices, forming NEW habits and just being HAPPY!!! Whatever it is that makes YOU happy, you just have to do it.

Life is an adventure.....we are here to ENJOY THE RIDE!!  That's me at the core, and I am ready to fully enjoy the ride!!! 

                                           

My Bestest Buddy!

On our run this morning ,which we have not done one together in a while, I was reminded just how AWESOME it is to have a running buddy.  Through running, this girl has become one of my sisters!  I love her and would do anything for her.  It's so funny how over the years running together, our topics of conversation have changed as we grow and change.

We have gone through different things at different times, listening, coaching, laughing, and crying....yes, all while running.  We share victories, setbacks, holidays, vacations, everything.  SHE is the friend I always wished I had.  SHE makes me a better friend to others.


So, Kim, Kimmers, Kimberlina, Kimmie.....here's to another running season, upcoming holidays, and a new season of life, yet again.  I'm so very thankful for you!!

First 5k!

Warrior Dash

Jingle all the way....

The Power in Words

If I can teach my children one thing besides loving themselves is to LOVE, ENCOURAGE, and BUILD each other up every.single.day.  My hope is that they live a life in a constant state of action and being, NOT "reaction"....if that makes sense.  I pray they feel and recognize how valued they are, how important and necessary their existence is to all of those around them.

The world NEEDS them.


It is so so SO easy to live life feeling less than, feeling insecure, withholding love, passion, and your words from others, closing yourself in.  Why IS that????!!!!  I am so thankful that I surround myself with people that celebrate and encourage me.  It fuels me to be THAT person to others, not just my husband and children.  I had a Facebook friend comment on this picture (those that really know me know that I do NOT think I'm photogenic) that I felt really pretty in, and it CHANGED my thinking yesterday.  Her words fueled me. They made me feel confident. She didn't have to say it, but she felt it and said it and it was JUST what I needed to hear.  Your words can be EXACTLY what someone needs to get through "that" moment, or it may be the encouragement they needed to "Do THAT thing"!  So instead of reacting out of a negative place, rolling your eyes at the Facebook post, or gossiping about that "friend" on Facebook, why not try leaving a comment using words to build them up, support them, encourage them?  I mean after all, it is Social Media....try to be "social" and not passive aggressive.  God knows we have to fight enough demons inside of us all, why add fuel to the fire?

Food for thought.

You are a wonderful example of a dedicated mama! I enjoy seeing your posts on schooling, fitness, and nutrition. And you sure are pretty! 

I mean seriously....how could THAT comment not turn your entire day around after a broken car, a $900 auto bill, a period from hell, and 2 sleepless nights due to anxiety??!!

She Let Go.

It's no big secret that I've had one HELL of a year and a half, full of struggle and sadness.  But I don't like the whole "Woe is me" bullshit.  I never have, but I will tell you, what I've dealt with from the disappointment, hurt, and pain after leaving our one and only ever church home was almost debilitating. I have been talked about, accused, shunned and criticized for sharing my heart, my struggles and for the decisions that my family made.  I have seen "Christianity" gone wrong. It was hurtful and at the same time eye opening on so many levels.

Peace has been made with fellow small town community members, there may still be whispers, but then again, that's life.  I've made peace with the people that I called "friend" at one time in my life and I think it's good enough on BOTH sides to help us all move forward and heal.  I'm learning to find "myself" again, without all the spiritual talk, without all the false, I love you's.  Six years of investing my family, our lives, and time into a church family gave a lot to us in many ways.  I try to live my life without regret. There will ALWAYS be something or someone to knock you down to your knees. Life isn't perfect, we don't make perfect decisions, but what it really comes down to is HOW exactly we pick ourselves up and move on.

I read this on Elephant Journal this morning after a friend posted it and I sat here with chills, smiling....knowing in my heart that while this season of life has been H-A-R-D for me, I've actually been letting GO.  I'm on the road to freedom......

"Letting Go" is very simple, it's just a decision YOU have to make.