hike it baby 30 | september 2018.

What a month, what a month!

Even with lots of rain, sickness, that work-from-home life, and just life in general, we met our goal with about a week to spare. Hip hip hooray! This was our fourth Hike It Baby Challenge, and although our numbers were lower across the board this time around, this was definitely my favorite challenge yet -- no doubt about it! Braxton either hiked, walked, or rode his bike for most of it, and Bethany was so content to see the world whether she was in the stroller or the carrier. I feel like my babies grew up so much over this past month, and I'm just so proud of them. They've spent more time in creation in their short life than many adults I know, and that's a huge part of why we do what we do. The best part -- they genuinely love it!

Since the first of September, we have hiked four different trails, took sixteen strolls/bike rides around our town, and spent a total of 3,690 minutes outside -- that's over sixty intentional hours outside over the last thirty days. In addition to hiking and strolling, we went to the apple orchard twice and played our hearts out (when the weather permitted) in our backyard. I'm a big believer in quality over quantity, and although this challenge sets a number as the goal, it really is so much more than that for us. For us, hiking is all about connecting with our Creator through His handiwork, hanging out with our friends as we trek towards a common goal, enduring through pain and frustration, and getting stronger -- not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

One of the toughest things I've ever physically done happened this month, too; just a few days ago, actually. I've been hiking since I was a little girl, but my love for it grew exponentially when I lived in Los Angeles for a short stent right before graduating from Clemson. On one of the hikes I went on that summer, I saw a woman carrying two small children up a mountain. I was so impressed, and I vowed at that exact moment that I would do this one day. Fast-forward to our last hike, I knew that tandem was going to come into play -- and I was so excited! But I'm not going to lie -- it was DANG HARD. I only carried them both at the same time for just short of a quarter of the way, but it was enough to make my legs shake and my body hurt for the next few days. That small percentage doesn't stop me from being proud, though! That's more than EIGHTY EXTRA POUNDS that I toted on a trail rated strenuous! Most of you reading this will call me crazy, but that's fine by me -- the aches and pains were definitely worth the empowerment that I felt then and still feel now.

Last year when I carried Braxton up Table Rock, I chanted this to myself with almost every forward motion: "I'm not trying to win someone else's race, I'm trying to win my own." And that's still true today. Not just in hiking -- goodness, no. In everything I do in life. Less comparison and more gratitude. Less complaining and more facing challenges. Less fear and more faith.

I sincerely hope that my kiddos are inspired to embrace strength and do hard things by watching their mama do the same. I hope that they learn to chant, "I think I can, I think I can!" to themselves because they've watched their mama believe in herself. I hope they learn their limitations and don't bite off more than they can chew in the name of pride by watching their mama humbly put one foot in front of the other at her own pace.

And more than anything, I hope that they gaze in wonder at all that the Lord has made, never ceasing to thank Him for every little detail they notice, by watching their mama lift her hands in praise, albeit often times right there with her shoes in the dirt.

On our trek up to Rainbow Falls, I intentionally wore one of my favorite shirts that reads "don't waste your motherhood." This call to action resonates so deeply with me, because to waste my motherhood is to waste so much more than just my life. To waste my motherhood would be to waste my impact on my kiddos' childhood. And to me, nothing is worth that.

They're both warriors whose stories will (and have already begun to) change the world. So, "wasting" isn't a word that I ever want our lives to be marked by.

David said it best in Psalm 90, verse 12:

"Help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly."

Yes, friends, that sums it up for me.

Trail Hikes: 4

Trail Miles: 14.8

Total Miles: 35.8

Total Minutes Outside:  3,690

Here's to gearing up for another challenge next spring, this time (Lord willing) with two walkers in tow! And here's to making the most of our lives for the glory of the One who gave them to us.

Hike it Baby Challenge - April 2016

Hike it Baby Challenge - September 2016

Hike it Baby Challenge - April 2018

raven rock trail | hike it baby.

It had been more than two years since we adventured on this particular trail, so I was determined to make it happen this month. The view of Lake Keowee that you hike to is so beautiful, even if it does make you wish you could just jump in and hitch a ride on someone's boat. Getting there, however, is a moderate trek through Keowee-Toxaway State Park that will make you huff and puff during specific stents. This was Braxton's first time blazing this trail on his own two feet, and it was...interesting. Everyone who hiked with us experienced some kind of drama during our time beneath the trees, and by the end of it all we could do was laugh -- mainly to keep from crying. Mamas, y'all feel me?

Bethany was happy the whole time, humming in my ear and looking all around to see what we'd pass next. Braxton, on the other hand, was mostly whiney as we moved forward towards our destination, and I had to keep reminding myself that his legs are so strong to only be three years old -- he's such a tough boy, and it's easy to lose sight of that when my nerves are being messed with (#realtalk). All three of us (well, four when Daddy is able to join) grow in countless ways while we're on the trail -- me, specifically, in patience, healthy pride for my kids, competence, perspective, confidence, endurance, healthy expectations, gentleness, and so much more.

I hope my kiddos grow by watching their mama grow. And I hope they learn to give themselves, and others, grace by watching her do the same.

bearwallow mountain | hike it baby.

Another Hike It Baby 30 Challenge is in its final week, and it's been so much fun with two babies in tow this time. Our April challenge was pretty chaotic due to Bethany being so little and still on the "unsettled" side of life, but this one has been mostly glorious. Sure, we still have our moments on the trail (as we always do and always will), but both kiddos have genuinely loved our weekly outings with our friends. Especially Braxton. He goes through the list of all his little buddies as we drive up the mountain, and he lets out an "aww, man" every time I say no. He's already learned an important lesson at just three years old: life is better with friends.

One of our favorite places is Bearwallow Mountain, and thankfully this trip up was much more pleasant than the last. If our previous trip had been my first hike with my kids, I would have vowed to never go hiking with them again -- it was THAT bad. I'm stubborn, though, so we trekked up again just a few months later -- and instead of being the worst hike ever, it was one of our best ones yet. Ahh, sweet redemption.

The start of this hike was the most beautiful scene I've ever seen -- the mountain fog engulfed the trees above and around us, leaving small pockets for the sunshine to peek through. It was like we were in a magical forest. We all couldn't believe how majestic it was! And the blue sky that awaited us at the top was enough to take our breath away. There's just something about being on top of a mountain that provides such incredible perspective -- and I'll never get enough of it. I actually heard a quote by the late, great Billy Graham that I won't ever forget: "Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys." This resonated so deeply with me, mainly because I've experienced the truth in it.

Bearwallow, you'll always make my heart swell. And I sincerely pray that you always make my kiddos feel the same way.

bethany victoria | ten months old.

What a month, what a month! You are officially in double digits, little lady. You are TEN MONTHS OLD! Time just keeps getting by us, but we're clinging to every moment we're given. You are such a happy girl, and you constantly make us giggle at the faces you make. You experience a whole lot of emotions all day every day, and most of them are on the bright side. You laugh, shout for joy, scream out in horror, and more -- sometimes you do all of these things within the same minute, giving us a whole lot of entertainment. You are a fast little booger, bear crawling all over the place, and you are a professional at pulling up and cruising. This month's picture documentation required some extra creativity from me and Braxton, because the last thing you wanted to do was lay still while I clicked my shutter.

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Your favorite thing is when your big brother acts silly to try to make you laugh, and boy, do you laugh! You've even fallen over a few times from laughing so hard, and there are lots of times when all four of us are sitting around just laughing together. Braxton loves to show off for you (which is sometimes problematic, LOL), and he does it because you love it so much. You two interact more and learn how cool you both are every day, and I just love to sit back and watch y'all go at it. He's been a little more jealous of you in the previous weeks, especially when it comes to my attention, but he still thinks you're the best thing ever -- and you feel the same way about him.

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You are eating so good these days, and you're even getting great at feeding yourself table food. You're still trying to get the hang of the sippy cup, but we practice every day. You weren't feeling good yesterday, and you drank some Pedialyte from your straw cup, which was a highlight of our tough day. You chugged away, probably because you were so pitiful -- but we were so excited to see progress! It took you several months to master your bottle, so I'm prepared for the sippy cup taking a little longer than it did your brother. I know you'll figure things out, smart girl! Aside from food and cups, you just plain love to have things in your mouth. You've got four teeth popping through (with more on the way), hence why you put everything you hold straight into your mouth. Your little toothy grin is THE cutest thing. Seriously, you are SO dang cute. Between your big grin, turkey thighs, bright blue eyes, button nose, and gorgeous hair, you've got it going on, girlfriend. I don't say this only because you're my daughter, but because it's true: you are absolutely, positively beautiful.

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I've started planning your first birthday party; in fact, I just ordered your invitations two days ago. I'm currently on the hunt for your birthday outfit, and it's looking like I'll be making a good part of it -- your mama is creative and frugal, and I hope that serves you well your whole life! And true story: I'm so excited to plan a birthday party themed around two P's: pink and pumpkins. I'm most excited to have our closest friends and family members join us for a day of celebrating you. You are so loved, sweet girl! I'll never stop telling you and showing you that you are.

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You've still only said "Mama," which is totally fine by me, but Daddy is patiently waiting for you to call him by name. Braxton is sure that your next words will be "Braxton Michael," so there's a challenge for you. LOL! Back to the mama thing, you are 100% my girl; you hear my voice and you come running (well, crawling, but you get the picture). Even if you hear my voice from across the house, I'll hear your little hands and feet pitter-patter on the hardwoods as you hurry to find me. You really know how to make a girl feel loved, missy! You were sick all day yesterday, and the only thing that made you happy was to be laying down on my chest. We slept on the couch together two nights ago when you were feeling so bad, and literally the only thing that gave you any comfort was to dig your face into my chest. You were breaking my heart and making fireworks go off inside my soul all at the same time -- and I think that's a pretty accurate description of motherhood in general; so many emotions!

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We've got lots of things planned over this next month: completing our HiB 30 challenge, play dates, time with family, pajama days, birthday parties, and more. You'll most likely have taken your first trip to the pumpkin patch by the time the day rolls around next month, just like you took your first (and second) trip to the apple orchard since the last time I wrote. I can't wait until you're looking through photo albums like your brother currently is obsessed with, retracing all the things you did and memories you made. I want your life to be more than just okay -- I want it to be extraordinary, filled with things that make you smile, challenge you, humble you, and that teach you to make the most of every moment. As a mama, helping you and your brother thrive is my mission.

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Keep growing big and strong, little one! You become more of your own person every single second, and we love cheering for you and shepherding you along the way. You make our hearts so full, Bethany Victoria, and we love you more than you'll ever know!

Braxton Michael - Ten Months Old

skytop orchard.

Pictures don't do the fun or the apple donuts justice, but this is a truth you can count on: this was a good, good day. We got up and headed north early to beat the traffic, we picked apples, we hiked (literally) through the orchard, we ate apples, we ate donuts, we played on the playground, we drank cider, we laughed, we had the best time. Yep, that about covers it.

Days like this one are good to keep in your back pocket for any hard ones that follow, and I'll have this one tucked away for a long time. Especially since we got to have all this fun with our best buds.

Plus, it was game day. So, naturally, we proudly wore our orange as we filled our baskets to the brim.