• This rainy, dreary weather in Denver lately has me bummed. (And pensive and moody and introspective.) BUT it’s also got me extra stoked on sunnier days and camping this season. Besides more wildflowers and less wildfires, camping is gonna look a bit different for us this year. . When you throw a kid into the mix, ya have to learn how to do life in new ways. . I’d be fibbing if I said I wasn’t a little worried about figuring it all out—the gear needs, that first new packing list, actually packing it all up, surviving the first night, etc. (Sounds like type-2 fun again!) And this is exactly why I LOVE @wildkind and being part of the crew. They’ve done alllll the work to put together an amazing “Camping with Kids” course that answers all of our harebrained questions and remembered everything we’d definitely forget. It’s tiding me over until we get back on trail. Go check it out at the link in my bio and get a special frandz discount of 10% off. 🏕✨
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    This rainy, dreary weather in Denver lately has me bummed. (And pensive and moody and introspective.) BUT it’s also got me extra stoked on sunnier days and camping this season. Besides more wildflowers and less wildfires, camping is gonna look a bit different for us this year. . When you throw a kid into the mix, ya have to learn how to do life in new ways. . I’d be fibbing if I said I wasn’t a little worried about figuring it all out—the gear needs, that first new packing list, actually packing it all up, surviving the first night, etc. (Sounds like type-2 fun again!) And this is exactly why I LOVE @wildkind and being part of the crew. They’ve done alllll the work to put together an amazing “Camping with Kids” course that answers all of our harebrained questions and remembered everything we’d definitely forget. It’s tiding me over until we get back on trail. Go check it out at the link in my bio and get a special frandz discount of 10% off. 🏕✨
  • Long before T and I became parents, our greatest outdoor escapades were always marked by two discussions: “I can’t wait to bring our kids along with us!” and “What are our core family values?” . That might seem super weird for a 23- and 24-year-old, still newly married and trekking the Torres del Paine. But for us, even years away from having our own children, those two thoughts represent who we are and who we want to be: A family who explores together, committed to working through the hard stuff to discover the world with our children. To never lose sight of who we are as parents, but to bring our kiddos into the fold of our adventures. To share our love of the journey with them. . And that’s exactly the spirit I’ll get to share this year as a @wildkindinc Ambassador! . I believe my purpose is to help people experience life in a way they never imagined. And a challenger by nature, I enjoy unlocking truth and illuminating possibility for people. I’m thrilled to partner with an organization that is so perfectly aligned to my own heart for adventure, my goal of raising “wild” children and empowering other families to get outside and do the same. . Cheers to the stoke ahead! And THANK YOU @wildkindinc !!! Let’s goooo! #wkambassador
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    Long before T and I became parents, our greatest outdoor escapades were always marked by two discussions: “I can’t wait to bring our kids along with us!” and “What are our core family values?” . That might seem super weird for a 23- and 24-year-old, still newly married and trekking the Torres del Paine. But for us, even years away from having our own children, those two thoughts represent who we are and who we want to be: A family who explores together, committed to working through the hard stuff to discover the world with our children. To never lose sight of who we are as parents, but to bring our kiddos into the fold of our adventures. To share our love of the journey with them. . And that’s exactly the spirit I’ll get to share this year as a @wildkindinc Ambassador! . I believe my purpose is to help people experience life in a way they never imagined. And a challenger by nature, I enjoy unlocking truth and illuminating possibility for people. I’m thrilled to partner with an organization that is so perfectly aligned to my own heart for adventure, my goal of raising “wild” children and empowering other families to get outside and do the same. . Cheers to the stoke ahead! And THANK YOU @wildkindinc !!! Let’s goooo! #wkambassador
  • Wells Early . You’ve been with us for just over a week now, and I’ll refrain from saying all the cliche things parents say at this time. In some ways, they’re true. But there are deeper truths at play that are far more profound than any cliche could ever come close to capturing. Because this experience, our story is as unique as you. One in infinity. . Wells—a geographic marker, a source of life, a sign of flourishing and a place for gathering. As followers of Jesus, we believe that He is the wellspring of life and offers a peace that transcends all understanding—“it is well with my soul.” . From the moment we knew about you, we prayed to surrender you. Your life has never been ours to keep or to control, it is a gift that we are to steward. And through every hiccup and scary moment of pregnancy we uttered our surrender, loosening our grip on any faux sense of control we might have clamored for. That’s even more real now that you’re here with us, and it will be the thing we must practice every day of your life—it is well. . One day, I’ll tell you about the significance of actual wells in my own life, but for now, know this: . It was May 25. The air was crisp and there was still snow on the trail. We had subbed our date night hike tradition for an early morning saunter in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. From our very first date, hiking has been a hallmark of our relationship. Some of our deepest conversations, biggest decisions and greatest dreams get worked out on hikes. Including your name. . It was always a topic of conversation on these recent hikes, and during the car rides to and from. Running through the possibilities and rationale for every one, at last we had traipsed through a meadow, meandered through a forest and rounded a corner with a large rock outcropping on our right and a beautiful, wide open view of the Rockies in front of us. And there it was. Wells. For all of the reasons, all of the meaning above. And we knew. . Early was easy. Your dad always loved the name and it’s been in my family for more than 6 generations, and we’re proud for you to carry it on. . Welcome to the world, Wells. We adore you.
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    Wells Early . You’ve been with us for just over a week now, and I’ll refrain from saying all the cliche things parents say at this time. In some ways, they’re true. But there are deeper truths at play that are far more profound than any cliche could ever come close to capturing. Because this experience, our story is as unique as you. One in infinity. . Wells—a geographic marker, a source of life, a sign of flourishing and a place for gathering. As followers of Jesus, we believe that He is the wellspring of life and offers a peace that transcends all understanding—“it is well with my soul.” . From the moment we knew about you, we prayed to surrender you. Your life has never been ours to keep or to control, it is a gift that we are to steward. And through every hiccup and scary moment of pregnancy we uttered our surrender, loosening our grip on any faux sense of control we might have clamored for. That’s even more real now that you’re here with us, and it will be the thing we must practice every day of your life—it is well. . One day, I’ll tell you about the significance of actual wells in my own life, but for now, know this: . It was May 25. The air was crisp and there was still snow on the trail. We had subbed our date night hike tradition for an early morning saunter in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. From our very first date, hiking has been a hallmark of our relationship. Some of our deepest conversations, biggest decisions and greatest dreams get worked out on hikes. Including your name. . It was always a topic of conversation on these recent hikes, and during the car rides to and from. Running through the possibilities and rationale for every one, at last we had traipsed through a meadow, meandered through a forest and rounded a corner with a large rock outcropping on our right and a beautiful, wide open view of the Rockies in front of us. And there it was. Wells. For all of the reasons, all of the meaning above. And we knew. . Early was easy. Your dad always loved the name and it’s been in my family for more than 6 generations, and we’re proud for you to carry it on. . Welcome to the world, Wells. We adore you.
  • No pretty words. Simply gratitude.
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    No pretty words. Simply gratitude.
  • I’m here, I’m engaged. . As I prepared for my return to social media, I knew I wanted to say something. Taking a few weeks off meant time to process, to think, to engage in real life with my people, my circles, my relationships, my mind and my soul. There’s been a lot of reading, listening, thinking, talking, sharing, writing, praying—and no, not the “thoughts and prayers” kind. The crying out, deep belief, lamenting, reflecting, faith-filled, scripture-breathed, action-and-change oriented stuff of warriors. (If you’ve never heard of, experienced or received this kind of prayer—ask me or anyone close to me. I have much to share, and I think they’d say they’ve had much to witness.) . Knowing that this audience is largely white, I hope the stirrings of this cultural moment have moved you viscerally to heartbreak, lament and the burden of this broken world, our broken society, our terribly broken systems. And if they haven’t, I hope that you’d reexamine…especially your heart. . Borrowing wisdom from conversations with dear friends, this is a marathon, not a sprint and much of the work is long, hard and personal. We must rise to our strengths, our gifts and our unique callings to do our part effectively. . Through all of this, I’m reminded that words are one of my strengths and female empowerment especially through the birth space is one of my passions. Power oft comes at the intersection of strength and passion, so here I am. . I’ve long been aware of the disparities across the U.S. when it comes to maternal and infant health. ESPECIALLY for BIPOC. It’s atrocious, appalling and utterly disgraceful. Some of my favorite journalists have done an incredible job of covering this issue, and more and more folks are helping bring awareness to it. I’ve learned even more over the last few weeks through personal anecdotes, my own birth reading and through the discovery of this extraordinary set of Black pioneers in this space (thanks for sharing, @lilynicholsrdn !). List in comments!
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    I’m here, I’m engaged. . As I prepared for my return to social media, I knew I wanted to say something. Taking a few weeks off meant time to process, to think, to engage in real life with my people, my circles, my relationships, my mind and my soul. There’s been a lot of reading, listening, thinking, talking, sharing, writing, praying—and no, not the “thoughts and prayers” kind. The crying out, deep belief, lamenting, reflecting, faith-filled, scripture-breathed, action-and-change oriented stuff of warriors. (If you’ve never heard of, experienced or received this kind of prayer—ask me or anyone close to me. I have much to share, and I think they’d say they’ve had much to witness.) . Knowing that this audience is largely white, I hope the stirrings of this cultural moment have moved you viscerally to heartbreak, lament and the burden of this broken world, our broken society, our terribly broken systems. And if they haven’t, I hope that you’d reexamine…especially your heart. . Borrowing wisdom from conversations with dear friends, this is a marathon, not a sprint and much of the work is long, hard and personal. We must rise to our strengths, our gifts and our unique callings to do our part effectively. . Through all of this, I’m reminded that words are one of my strengths and female empowerment especially through the birth space is one of my passions. Power oft comes at the intersection of strength and passion, so here I am. . I’ve long been aware of the disparities across the U.S. when it comes to maternal and infant health. ESPECIALLY for BIPOC. It’s atrocious, appalling and utterly disgraceful. Some of my favorite journalists have done an incredible job of covering this issue, and more and more folks are helping bring awareness to it. I’ve learned even more over the last few weeks through personal anecdotes, my own birth reading and through the discovery of this extraordinary set of Black pioneers in this space (thanks for sharing, @lilynicholsrdn !). List in comments!