Friday, August 19, 2016

Being BIG

When I think back on what I thought my life would be like "when I grew up" I did not envision this.
I didn't picture myself as a single mom, living back at home, starting over. Don't get me wrong, my life isn't terrible by any means. I have wonderful family and friends that love and support me, its just not how I pictured things.

In a way my "reboot" was the best thing that could happen to me, I would consider this me, Kristi 2.0. A year ago I found myself ending a long relationship and coming to terms with another relationship I had long thought would pan out, it was my rock bottom. My rebuild wasn't without its drama, there was messiness and sadness and anger but during this time I rediscovered me.
Somewhere along the line I let "life" get in the way, I forgot to set goals for myself and decided being content was the same as being happy.

I've learned its ok to be broken. Sometimes we stay in our pajamas all day and eat ice cream for dinner. Sometimes we cry and fight over homework till bedtime. Sometimes I let Noah watch too much TV because I'm exhausted and feel like I can't function. But sometimes I try to climb mountains, I hike trails that I never thought I'd be able to finish, I get in sketchy canoes on beautiful lakes (even though I'm terrified), I drive thousands of miles and see beautiful places, stand on rickety bridges, and spray paint my name on old buses.

I've found my inner "BIG" after years of making myself small, even when I fail (which is often) I still feel BIG. I may not be exactly where I thought I would be, but that's ok. I'm learning to find joy in the journey, and learning its ok to just be me. I decided 2016 was going to be a good year and I haven't been disappointed.





Arizona Road Trip Pt 2



Our next stop, Lower Antelope Canyon!
This was one of the coolest places I have ever been, well worth the 20$ tour ticket (and the 8$ fee to get on the reservation). We booked through Ken's Tours, the guide was amazing, she shared the history of the area and canyon  as well as some Navajo folklore.





After our 3 hours of walking through this amazing canyon we got back in the car and drove to Flagstaff, AZ to Locket Meadow Campground. Lockett Meadow is beautiful, primitive camp sites nestled between aspen trees with breathtaking views of the San Francisco peaks, it was a perfect place to relax in the hammock and enjoy a quiet evening.


                                   














We (I) had our sights set on tackling Humphey's Peak, so we (I) packed up the tent and headed to the Arizona Snow Bowl where the trail starts.


                                           These smiles didn't last long.
                                                 


        Forced smiles and delirium

                                       
He was pretty much done at this point, but we had 3 more false summits to go!


After HOURS of blood, sweat, and tears we made to the top! 12, 633ft, the highest point in Arizona!


We only stayed at the top for about 5 mins, there was a gigantic thunderstorm coming right for us so we hurried of the mountain as fast as we could. As we were hiking down Noah made it very clear "this was never his dream and not on his bucket list". My hope is always that even with all the craziness he will look back at these adventures, smile, and know that I loved him the most.

Good times.
Good company.
Good adventure.