Three months off...

Three months off from life, responsibilities, work, obligations. It’s almost hard to wrap my mind around what that would be like. Lately, my life runs 90 miles a minute. Working 2 jobs, training for my half marathon, exploring Denver, meeting with friends, finding career opportunities, going to church... The list is a bit never ending. I love being busy- it’s my thing and I enjoy feeling like I have a lot going on- however, the thought of escaping it all is a fantasy that I will gladly entertain  (at least for this post!)

So here it is- my itinerary for my 3 months off from my normal life! It includes lots of traveling, a little hard work, and an immense amount of time spent with the people I love. 

Week 1-4- My European Vacation

-Greece has been calling my name for years now. The beaches look out of this world and I’m dying to dig my toes into their white sand. I love the flavors of Greek food and the bright colors that paint the cities. Life seems simple there. Peaceful and quiet. 

From Greece, I would travel to Italy. I want to experience true Italian food and walk the streets lined trinkets to buy and coffee shops to explore. I want to see with my own eyes the Colosseum and the paintings by DiVinci. I want to make a wish in the Trevi Fountain and float down the river in a Gondola in Venice. 

It wouldn’t be a European Vacation with a stop in Paris. I’ve been dying to explore this city and it would fill my heart to stand at the top of the Eiffel tower, peering down at the city streets. I want to sit outside of a French bakery for hours, sipping their dark roast coffee and eating every pastry in the shop.

Week 5

Go home and recover :)

Weeks 6-8 Haiti Orphan Care

-Two summers ago I made a trip to Haiti that changed my life. Although cliche, I know I will never look at poverty or orphans the same again. Ever since that trip I have been dying to go back. Spending two weeks with those precious children again would fill my soul. I want to cook with the house mamas and play soccer with the boys. I want to cuddle sleeping babies and learn to double dutch with the girls. Those sweet faces had my heart from the moment my feet walked through the orphanage gates. 

Weeks 9-12 Family time

My family is a bit spread out across the state and the country. For the last month off from life I would spend it traveling to see family. I would make my rounds in Colorado; first, stopping at my parents house in Southern Colorado where I grew up and then making my way up to the mountains to see my nephews, brother and sister-in-law. Finally, I would finish my Colorado trip by spending time with Halle babe and my sister in Fort Collins. 

Next stop- Asheville,North Carolina where my oldest sister, brother-in-law and sweet niece Lucy would be waiting for me. Hopefully by the time my trip happens there would also be a precious baby boy needing some Auntie lovin’. This would be my longest stop because I only get to see them once a year so I would definitely like to make the most of my time spent there. While in NC we would do lots of walks through the lush, green parks and make a breakfast stop at my favorite spot in the heart of the city.

I would finish my trip with a little California vacation to see my cousins and their sweet kiddos. The beach is my home away from home and as a kid, I went to California every summer. It would be incredible to end the trip with a little R and R and lots of quality family time. I know this trip would consist of laying by my aunt and uncle’s pool, incredible Indian food and a trip to Huntington Beach. My California cousins are top notch, super fun, very intelligent people and I can’t imagine a better way to end my three month vacation than in their company. 

I think the very last night of my three month vacation would be spent with my girls on the roof top of Linger in the Lower Highlands of Denver. They would flip through pictures and I would relive every moment of the things I experienced and the memories I made. 

It’s fun to let my mind wonder about the “what if’s” of life...What if I could do whatever I want for three months? Life would be good. But heck, life is good here in this moment too. I am excited for the day that all these adventures get checked off my bucket list- but until then, I’ll live life abundantly here in a city I love, around people I adore. 

XO,
Erin

Blogtember!

Remember the "Blog Every Day In May" Challenge? We can't stay away! The Serendipitous Girls are taking on a new challenge. "Blogtember"...it's happening. Blogtember is a great opportunity for  creative writing and speaking to topics we wouldn't normally write about with pre-determined questions and topics from our friend over at "Story Of My Life." I hope you'll hang out with us as we share our lives with you, the beautiful and meaningful and sometimes not so beautiful and meaningful experiences, insights, moments. 

Day 1: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and or the factors that make up who you are. 

I was born a Kansas City mid west girl. My dad was in ministry and my mom was a teacher. My older brother Josiah and I were each others best friends in those early years. We had our own rooms growing up, but took turns every night pulling out the trundle bed or unrolling the sleeping bags for slumber parties just to be together. We biked to the library, bladed around the block, and hunted for locust shells in the back yard. Mom would feed us french toast sticks on a weekly basis and "daddy donut day" was Saturdays. Dad got the cake donut with the coconut flakes and I got plain glazed. We split a carton of milk and the donut shop ladies let us watch them make the donuts in the back. My parents were always both invested and devoted. My mom was the mom who hung upside down on the monkey bars with us, threw us huge birthday parties, and sang us awake every morning. My dad always gave us special one-on-one dates, stopped working right when he got home for the night so he could play with us, and made sure we knew his love for us every single day. My childhood was simple, but filled with many memories and lots of love.

My parents introduced me to Jesus from the start. They raised me as best as they could to be a woman of God and a woman of great character. They made sure to teach me leadership and self-sufficiency and raised me with a strong moral compass and a competitive spirit. They pushed for me to be passionate and not shy away from deep and meaningful conversations.  I appreciate all of these values.

My family moved to Colorado Springs and SURPRISE, mom was pregnant with Malachi, my 12 year old brother shortly after the move. I was the baby for many years, but I couldn't imagine life without the joy of my littlest brother. My parents referred to us as built in babysitters, but I loved being second mom to this little gem. Malachi just started middle school and I can't believe how rich and talented his life is. He is a true friend, an awesome musician, and an incredible athlete. He loves his style and loves to shop! His days are filled with leading worship, going to practice, and going to school.  He is so grown up for his age and I just love him! Colorado Springs was where I spent my high school years, dad was in Real Estate and mom never really left teaching, but worked very part time and was home with us kids. I played soccer, attended youth group, and spent lots of time trying to figure out who I was. Friendships were trial and error and I learned many challenging life lessons during that crazy high school season. 

College landed me at Colorado State in Fort Collins. I remember being in school and people telling me those 4 years of college were their "glory days". Its so stinking true though, I loved those years. I made my closest friends and finally felt somewhat settled in who I was and what I was all about. I grew to love running and began signing up for half marathons in college. Running opened my eyes to nutrition and overall wellness which opened my eyes to cooking. These things are all still very much a part of my life and things that bring so much joy. They are therapy and life to my soul along with coffee, time with girlfriends, patio seating and gigantic breakfasts. Life during the college years were consumed with training for races, exploring new recipes, about 1000 coats of nail polish, Bachelor Mondays with no less than 8 girls at all times stacked in our living room, FCA Friday's, room mate road trips, spring break trips, a million peanut butter tubs eaten by spoon alone, smoothies and chicken, lots of oatmeal, bike rides every where and living life as spontaneously and adventurously as we could handle.

It hasn't been long since the "glory days," but I'd say this is the sweetest season yet! The transition from college to working world has been eye opening and challenging, but has given me such a great opportunity for growth and dependency on God. I met my closest companion 3 years ago, but began dating and falling in love with Lee Thompson just 10 months ago. He is above and beyond any blessing I have ever received and he pushes me and challenges me and serves me and knows be better than any one else on the planet. Getting to do life alongside a person like Lee for the rest of my life is my greatest joy and most anticipated excitement. 

I really do believe the people who walk along side of you in life play a major part in helping you discover who you are. I only hope and pray that my life and my story give arms and legs and voice and breath to the gospel every day. I know where I have come from and the stories of those who have raised me and befriended me and loved me and mentored me have been some of the most significant signs of an active and moving God. I'm beyond thankful! 

- Mekenzie 

A Little Into and a Big Thanks

Thanks Erin for your kind words! I feel very blessed to be a part of this godly group of girls! I'm excited to share insight and my interests. I'll start with a little intro:

I'm a lover of my heavenly Father and have made it a daily task to trust him with every part of my being. It never ever seems to be easy for me but God shows me how to do so through my favorite things. These "favorite things" make me who I am today. So, here they are (all alliterated of course): My Faith, family, friends, food, and fitness! God shows up constantly in each of these areas and has given me a great passion for these things. My faith comes above all things, or at least that is what I strive for. I have two amazing older sisters who are both married. My oldest, Shannon, has three talented kids that I love to watch perform and a husband who guards me like his own sister. Lauren, my middle sister, has a goober of a husband that I consider a best friend. My sisters are my biggest influences, without argument I have the best older sisters out there. My friends are the best of the best! Sounds cliché, but they know when I need a shoulder to cry on and a good belly laugh. They give me thick skin and a soft heart. We conjure up meals that I end up making over and over for weeks. Healthy nut bars and not so healthy cookies are my weakness. I played soccer in college and I am filled when I get to play. Since I’m old and graduated playing washed up women’s soccer and running races new found joys. I love trying new things, traveling to new places, and meeting new people. I’m a Colorado native, concert seeking, adventure hiking, 4 Seasons lover, Bronco fanatic, nail polish loving girl who is excited to share my blessings!

Again, I am excited to share my joys and excitement, my interests and opinions! A big thanks to Gaby, Mekenzie, Lauren, and Erin for asking me to be a part of this blog! For giving me such a blessing of friendship! And for walking in life with me and sharing your passions!

                                                               My Beautiful Family

                                                                My Soccer Family

I love to race

                                                             

Running my little heart out

Exciting News!

A new season is right before us. Tomorrow is September 1st already. Can you even believe it? Another summer has come and gone and fall is rapidly approaching. New seasons also bring newness in other areas of life, careers, passions and friendships. With the change in the temperature comes exciting changes at Serendipitous Girls. Brace yourself- we have something very exciting to announce....

We are adding our dearest, sweetest friend Holly to the blog! She is a faithful, smart, beautiful, talented, healthy eating athlete and we could not imagine going one more day or one more post without having her on board. The Serendipitous Girls have just grown by one! This collegiate soccer playing, blondie is invaluable and we know that she is going to be an extraordinary addition to the blog. We are so excited to have her share her wisdom, recipes, workouts and life with everyone. Check out Serendipitous Girls blog tomorrow for Holly’s first post. It’s going to be a great one so you won’t want to miss it! She will also have her bio in the “About Us” section for you to get to know her better. Thanks for staying with us during our journey together as friends. We definitely are “One Happy Accident!”

XO, 

Serendipitous Girls

 

Super Food Salad

I am a copy cat. A self proclaimed, copy cat. And I hate cats, so that is saying a lot. But I copied Whole Foods and made their Super food Salad. Turns out, it was a huge success. This salad gave me tons of energy/ I was full and satisfied for hours afterward. I added grilled lemon chicken to mine for some protein. It is completely clean, low fat/calories/carbs, and high in many essential vitamins and minerals.

*Fun Fact! Kale is a Nutritional Powerhouse! One cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories and 9% of your daily value of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and a whopping 684% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. 

Whole Foods Super Food Salad

-Serves 4 (I kept mine in the fridge for 2 days and it saved really well)

Salad

1 bunch kale

1/2 cup uncooked quiona

one carton blueberries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup goji berries

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds 

Dressing

3 Table spoons Evoo

2 Table spoons Apple cider vinegar

1 Table spoon Agave (or sweetener of your choice)

Juice of one lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring one cup of water and 1/2 cup quiona to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to low heat and cover until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool. 

Cut Kale leave into very small pieces, like you would do for shredded lettuce. 

Chop red onion into chunks. Add blue berries, goji berries, dried cranberries and quinoa. 

Toss mixture with the entire contents of the dressing. Add sunflower seeds only right before eating the salad, otherwise they will get soggy. 

I actually preferred the salad the second day because the kale had soaked up some of the dressing making the leaves more tender. I also added grilled chicken to my salad which incorporated protein and made it into more of a meal - or you can leave the meat off to make it the perfect side dish to any summer meal. 

After this successful recipe remake, I might try to copy some of my other Whole Foods favorites. I am thinking curry next time…

Happy Thursday! 

-Er