Our Souls are Happy in the Woods

I'm not the kind of mom who likes to get away from the house everyday. I enjoy being home, and I've always been an indoor girl. I was the girl who sat in her bedroom playing school during summer vacation. So I thank God for giving me boys. Messy, loud, busy boys. I hope to grow an appreciation for the outdoors as I strive to let them be boys. And that means getting them (and myself!) outside more often. 

If there's one thing I've learned this summer, it's the importance of spending time in nature. It's where we've made our best memories so far. Nature feeds your soul. You can literally feel it once you're there. We've found our favorite places this summer, and they are the woods, the creeks, and bike paths with plenty of wildlife surrounding them. My mama heart feels at ease when I can take them somewhere and let them be boys!



Since our house is in the city, with a fairly busy street near our front door, we have no choice but to keep them within the boundaries of their backyard. And there is so much to explore back there in that small space alone! I just ordered a nature book called, "100 Backyard Activities: That are the Dirtiest, Coolest, Creepy-Crawliest Ever!" by Colleen Kessler, and it's great for exploring and learning in the backyard, but we've been exploring nature away from home once or twice a week. 

It takes my mind off the messy house, and that alone is like therapy. Running down a hill with the boys, getting my hands dirty, observing and smelling flowers, collecting leaves and sticks, laughing, -- they all play a huge part in helping me relax and forget about the petty little things that felt huge within the four walls of our little home. 

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be." -- Anne Frank

It has a way of turning a weary day around. Stepping away from the busyness of life to enjoy what God made for us. Life should be about slowing down to enjoy God's creation with our children. All things we see in nature point back to Him.

We cannot visit the woods without bringing something home for their nature box. Last week it was a handful of walnuts, and each boy took turns breaking them open with a meat tenderizer and butter knife on our back steps. It was quite an adventure as they saw more and more of the walnut's insides as pieces broke off! How easy it is to learn new things every day when you're willing to explore. 

Each time we visit the woods, there are always new things to see. The vast tree heights and depths keep it feeling adventurous each time. With so much to see and explore, I cannot help but think of its Creator. 

"Then God said, 'Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.' And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:11-12)

Our souls are happy in the woods. 

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Mama's Morning Bible Time

I'm not a morning person, and I never have been. I like sleep and would prefer to wake when my body feels like it. But in these last few months, I've come to appreciate the beauty and stillness each morning offers before the little boys have awakened.

The first thing I like to do is put on my robe. It's just cozy and keeps me warm as I enter the coolness of our home. Then I like to open all the curtains in the kitchen to let in the morning light. Just so beautiful that is! Even on a cloudy day, it shows God's grace for a new day.

Turn on the coffee maker, make some coffee. Pick up my bible and sit at the kitchen table. I try my best to clean the kitchen before bed so that the kitchen is clean and ready for the day. It's welcoming to wake up to a clean kitchen table, plus it just gives the morning a good head start!

And I will admit I've only actually experienced this special mama-morning-bible-time a handful of times, since I'm still in the season of nursing. I've preferred to just be woken by my youngest, as he asks for "sheesh" one last time around 6 am, which then leads to his little eyes opening and then the happy chattering :)

So we usually just get out of bed together; open the curtains, make some coffee and then save my bible reading for breakfast time with my three little boys. I've been reading a chapter out-loud each morning from the book of Proverbs, and my oldest has been willing to sit still and listen through an entire chapter! 

Since summer has begun, mornings have been more lazy and drawn out. I think it's good to appreciate summer for what it is, and enjoy heading straight outside after breakfast instead of worrying about chores or making the beds right away. The boys usually head right outside before getting dressed. Summer is a sweet, wild and free season to cherish :) 

Vanessa & Sam

I'm super excited to have a new camera! I've had it for less than 48 hours, and I've already gotten a chance to take photographs for this cute engaged couple down by the lake. The sunset glowing among the wild grass and flowers was the most beautiful I'd ever seen it. I really thought my heart stopped. It was that beautiful! I'm sure I was just as captivated about the light and color as Sam and Vanessa were captivated about each other :)

Adelaide Rose

My very first niece was born this summer on June 12th, the day she was due. Her name is Adelaide Rose. As soon as she was born, all I could think was picture time! I hadn't picked up my broken camera in months, but I just had to try getting something out of it. With about 10 taken, a few good ones came out of it, and here she is! :)

For Everything There is a Season

 I had to design this because I love how this post relates with the title of my blog!

 

I experienced a major turning point in my life (besides becoming a Christian, getting married and giving birth). It happened six months ago, and I consider it both a blessing in disguise and (at times) a hindrance all at once. I really have been trying my best to stay positive, although I do still have my moments where I wish I wasn't Alexis Nicole Perron. Not because I don't like who I am, but because I am on one of the most strict diets EVER! {If you don't know me well, I am an extreme lover of food. It sounds bad saying it that way, but eating is one of my top-10 favorite things to do.} I've become gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free {including fruit}, soy-free, corn-free, legume-free, coconut-free {excluding oil}, caffeine-free, and...hmm...I know there's something else...Oh yes! vegetables-that-contain-natural-sugars-free. If I discover a new category I must eliminate, I shall add it to this beautiful list :)

No, I'm not on this diet for fun. And, no, I don't hate it!

I've earnestly come to learn how this diet change has altered my life in positive ways. I will mention these amazing aspects when I get a chance. Due to this diet alteration, I have had 0% chance to blog. {Tonight is an exception as both my Andrews are fast asleep, and I am waiting for my sunflower seeds to dry and my yogurt to get done in the crockpot.}

What I can consume: vegetables {no carrots, peas, potatoes or any other sweet or starchy vegetables}, fermented foods {like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut}, water, unsweetened coconut and almond milk, eggs, nuts {excluding cashews and pistachios}, seeds {excluding quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth}, meat, fish, and poultry. All preferrable organic/raw/grass-fed/ocean-caught/free-range as I've learned the truths behind the absolutely terrible "food" our culture regularly consumes on a day-to-day basis. I have tried and learned to like various new foods I never knew existed or that I already "knew" I didn't like.

I'm very thankful I can use herbs, spices and natural sweeteners {excluding types like honey and maple syrup}; what an amazing creation they are! The colors, scents and tastes surely make cooking/baking and experimenting an adventure. And they help brighten my day :)

I spend at least 80% of each {normal} day in the kitchen as I've taken on several new tasks: soaking/sprouting seeds and grains {this was before I gave up grains}; making my own almond butter and almond flour; making yogurt, kefir, and coconut milk, making homemade cleaning products; salad dressings, condiments, minced/powdered onion and garlic, fermented vegetables. I love to learn how to do all of this at home! And then there's washing/cutting/storing vegetables, making breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks, and preparing for days when I know I won't be home. I must always have food prepared before I go anywhere--and that's fine. It's still taking some adjusting though.

I could go on and on about this subject, but I don't want to bore you {sorry if I already have!}, so I should tell of another major event that happened at the end of this summer.............My camera broke! It finally gave up on me after all the adventures I'd taken it on for the past five years. We had so much fun together :(

BUT! I am trusting that God has a plan for me. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." {Jeremiah 29:11}

As for now, my time must be devoted to healing my body. Need better sleep, need better food, need better mentality. My desire to become healthy grows as I continue to learn and grow in God's word and take in bits and pieces of health- and cooking-related information each and every day. I mean it. I'm going to gather all the information I learn and turn it into my own personal book of information that I can refer to. {This will become my new type of organizing in this new season. The bedroom dresser and closets can wait!}

I've grown an interest in cooking and baking. It is an art! I love finding inspiration and creating my own recipes that best adapt to my diet. I am amazed at how many different ways you can use food to produce interesting creations. Cauliflower oatmeal! Zucchini noodles! Chicken zucchini burgers! I plan to post any of my favorite and created recipes in the future because, as for now, my creative outlet is in the kitchen :)

I love this new season!

More of Natalie

Just added more photos of Natalie :) She has such a lovely smile!

Senior Pictures: Natalie

And here is another beautiful senior, Natalie Hamilton :) I don't know how I always run into the right people -- she sure was a natural in front of the camera! And such a happy, fun, beautful girl she is. I was thankful to experience another relaxing photoshoot at the beach :)