Category Archives: Summer loving

2012 Olympics-Are YOU ready?

I absolutely love when it is the year of the Olympics.

Growing up, I loved playing and watching sports.  When I was kid playing Softball, my beloved sport  had not yet made an appearance in the Olympic games. In fact, they did not appear in the games until 1996 with me going into my freshman year of high school.

And for the 2012 games? Well they won’t be there. I am incredibly disappointed, however my family and I are excited to cheer on a few of our favorite sports this summer.

This young lady is named Alex Morgan and has me and a whole bunch of Diamond Bar residents pumped because she is on the US Women’s Soccer team.  All of the ladies are incredibly skilled and talented and we are so excited to see if the US can bring home the gold again.

My sweet Madi loves Gymnastics and she is definitely going to be glued to the screen so she can watch these young girls vault, tumble and fly through the air as they reach for Gold.  And truth be told, it is one of my favorite sports to watch as well.  Their performances are often dramatic, breath-taking and beautiful to watch.  Go Team USA!

And there are more! Track & Field, Swimming, Basketball.

Are you excited? Will you be watching?  What is your favorite sport to watch in the Olympic Games?

Tiff~

Everyone Needs a Vacation

And oh boy did the Harper family need it!

We headed out to glorious Newport Beach where we enjoyed sunshine, good food, the ocean and family time.

Dan’s schedule has been crazy with ministry that I knew if he didn’t take some time off soon, he might break! And I want him around for a long time!!

Just a few snapshots of our time together.

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It was glorious. I can’t wait to do it again next year. The kids loved being by the beach every single day!!

Have a great Monday!

Tiff

Eat Well When on Vacation

Let’s be real and say that it can be hard to stick to your eating plan when you are in the unfamiliar. For example, my family and I are in a trailer camping. The fridge is very small and the pantry is almost non existent.

And my husband associates camping with grilling steaks.

I’m just keeping it real.

And if you are in the same boay, let me encourage you that it doesn’t have to be a total junk food week. You can incorporate some healthy options and still enjoy your vacation. I promise.

Head to the grocery store as soon as you arrive on vacation (if camping or at a location where you can store food) and buy these items:

*Fruit
*any nuts that you enjoy
*favorite veggies for grilling. We love asparagus, red bell peppers, onions, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes. Get creative!

*If eating out, take your time observing the menu to find the best options. Or find a great healthy restaurant. I tried out True Food Kitchen tonight with my family and we LOVED it!

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*Get your workout on. Can’t bring gear or videos? Your body is a machine. Use it! If you have a smart phone find free workout videos grab a few of your favorite fitness mags. Just move. Your body will thank you.

If you don’t get it perfectly right, please don’t beat yourself up. Do the best you can and enjoy the time with your family. Vacations are awesome.

Have fun!

Tiff

Why I Love Summer

I took the above photo about 5 seconds before I ran and jumped in with my kids.

I absolutely love summer time because of this. Swimming. The water. The sunblock.  LOVE it.

Plus it is my favorite way of getting in some exercise without it feeling like, well, exercise. I have fun with my kids. They love it when I go in the water. They don’t worry about whether or not my abs are perfectly formed, or about my cellulite or if my bathing suit makes me look big.

They just want me in there with them acting like a complete goofball.

And I enjoy it.

Bonus? They take a nap afterwards because swimming wore them out. WIN!

What is your favorite non-traditional workout?

<3

Ruth

Last night I had the opportunity to meet with three other gals for coffee and fellowship.  But it wasn't just regular chat time that we had (although trust me..there was some of that!)

These girls and I are participating in the Siesta Summer Bible Study hosted through Beth Moore's blog Living Proof.  To say we were excited is an understatement.  We have been anticipating the kick off to this study for awhile now and finally we get to be together and dig in.

Ruth is one of my favorite books in the Bible.  I love Ruth's willingness to follow her mother in law into a land she has never known.  And I love how God's hand is constantly moving off the pages of scripture, showing us just how deeply involved He was in the love story that is of Boaz and Ruth.  And watching how a young Moabite woman, through the will of God, became a part of the lineage of Christ.  

Inspiring and beautiful.

If you are interested, find some gals and jump in. If you want to do it alone that is fine…but I think it is so much fun to go through something like this with a few good gal pals.  

Blessings to you this Wednesday!

Tiff~

Hey There!

I have an interview up at http://leadingandlovingit.com today. Come by to say hello and learn a little more about my role as a Pastor’s Wife and Illuminate!
Plus, you will get to meet some other really amazing women. So if you are a PW or a women in ministry, come on over!
Tiff~

4th of July Plans?

Obviously, since BBH's due date is tomorrow, I would like to be having a baby. But since it appears that my due date may just come and go at this point I think this little family may have something fun to do on the 4th.

We are planning on getting up as early as we can, pack everything in our car and head down to the beach. Enjoy a little sun and sand, eat some good burgers and people watch. The best part?

My hospital is right there.  YES! So if I go into labor we can just head over there in 3 minutes flat. 

Awesome.

The even better part?

Spending a day with my family.  Whether it be at a hospital or at the beach makes no difference to me.  This 4th of July will be one to remember!

It will be our last holiday as a family of 3. Soon BBH will be here and we will be a family of 4.  Dan and I are so excited and I know Madi is anxious to meet her little brother. 

So what are your plans for this 4th of July?

Tiff~

It is beginning to feel like summer

This weekend was SPECTACULAR!  On Friday I had an ultrasound just to check on BBH's growth and see how he was doing.  He is doing awesome.  In fact, he already weighs in at 3 pounds and I am weighing in to the day of my due date.  I don't think he is going to be tiny.  I think the appropriate word would be tank! That is how the Harper's roll!

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Say hello!!!!! I love his little nose and lips. I just want to kiss him over and over again.  ;)

On Saturday evening, we thought we would take a little stroll by the beach and let Madi touch the sand.  It ended up being very chilly at night, but it was so nice to get out and just walk around.  And the ocean is probably one of our favorite places to be. In fact, Dan and I think a trip to Santa Barbara is in order.  It has been awhile since we have been there.

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My husband is totally hot.  I like your pose baby.  hehe.

On Sunday morning, Knott Avenue was blessed by the teachings of Josh McDowell.  KACC is kicking of a brand new series called "Fireproofing your Family" and Josh McDowell was our guest speaker.  I have only read one of his books (More Than A Carpenter) but I was really intrigued by what he had to say in regards to family and to the men.  I noticed my husband paying very special attention to what he had to say regarding fathers and their relationship to their children.  Dan takes that instruction very seriously and I am so thankful that he wants to have a great relationship with Madi and his son.  There are unfortunately many dads who have no clue and it breaks my heart for those children. 

After church in the morning, Madi and I decided to stay home and go to the pool.  It was so hot outside and I thought it would do both of us some good to just get wet and get some Vitamin D.  No worries….I slathered on the sunblock.  I am VERY SERIOUS about my sunblock.  If my husband doesn't start putting more on then I might have to chase after him like I do Madi in order to make sure he is completely covered.  ;)   Now wouldn't that be a funny site to see. A grown woman chasing after a grown man yelling "YOU FORGOT TO PUT ON SUNBLOCK!" I am sure many folks would feel very sorry for Dan. LOL!

Madi takes her swimming very seriously.  And she makes sure she looks the part too.

Diva 

Madi in glasses 

Whoops! Forgot to take of the UV protection sticker. LOL!

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend. 

Tiff~