I know it’s been a while and I have so needed to post, but don’t worry that is about to change! We are finally getting settled in to Arizona and I am LOVING it! I have a fun post in the works about some of the fun things we have found here and also big changes that are about to come.
First, I need to tell you all about the Refresh Summit that is coming up in less than 40 days in Tennessee at Deer Run Retreat center and the thought of it brings a huge smile to my face and my eyes start to get welled up with tears. You see the minute the front door opens and I see the women walk in, I know GOD is about to do great GREAT things and he shows up like no other!!
Alright so what is the Refresh Summit? Well if you don’t know anything about it let me start from the beginning. God put it on my heart over 5 years ago to do a retreat for women that combined faith and fitness in a whole new way. To gather women together under one roof to sweat, worship, eat, laugh, pray, cry and dance together! In short the Refresh Summit is a time to get away with friends old and new, to be inspired to live a life rooted in Christ and to find a healthy balance of fitness and faith!
This year’s theme is HOME….mind, body and soul….. where is your Home?
Here is a short breakdown of this year’s tentative schedule :
Check in is on Friday November 4th and check out is Sunday November 6th around 11am. When you first get there you can enjoy a massage, foot soak, stillness on the porch with a good book, or go for a walk in the forest. Deer Run is tucked into the most beautiful woods of Tennessee and if you don’t get a real fall where you are at (I don’t) than it’s a perfect time to see what real fall looks like. I am already excited about busting out my scarves and boots!
This year we are hosting a Friday night GNI (girls night in). Ladies can get dressed up if they choose for a fancy dinner in, but then quickly change into their cozies for the rest of the evening!
After dinner we will gather in the living room around the cozy fire for worship with Jessica Lamb and a message from Amia Freeman.Â
Right after dinner we will enjoy some HOLY YOGA by candlelight and probably fall asleep at the end 
After Holy Yoga it’s free time where we stay up late into the night chatting about life!
Saturday morning begins with, “Coffee with Jesus”.….some quiet moments with the Lord before we start the day with sweat! Â We begin the day with worship and then get right to workouts and different sessions. This year we will have the following sessions from 9-3pm with a yummy lunch in between:
Bootcamp- with Lindsay WrightÂ
Kickboxing- with ME!
Zumba with- Amia Freeman
Hike/Prayer Walk -with Etta Gibson
Body Image Freedom- with Alice MontegeroÂ
Nutrition with-Â Dr. Megan LittleÂ
When God’s Plans Aren’t Your Plans- Savannah DavisÂ
After the workshops is PURE FREE TIME!!! To rest, relax, get a massage, paint, read your Bible, share a cup of coffee with a friend, go for a walk….it’s whatever you need TIME!
Then we gather for another amazing meal and then enter into a beautiful time of worship and hear from Amia. After our gathering we get ready for a fun night of GLOW ZUMBA PARTY!!!! This year we have a super fun theme planned for the attendees and we can’t wait to see the costumes that come out! Last year was 80’s themed.
Sunday morning comes and no ones wants to say goodbye 
Seriously we have all become sisters by the end and it is so hard to say goodbye! We will start the morning with some deep stretching and worship. We have one last session with Amia and finish the summit with prayer, a continental breakfast, Â and a sweet raffle!
Well that’s the weekend in short…but there is so much goodness packed in there. We would love for you to join us, you can register here!  We have a few spots left and don’t let money be a reason you can’t make it, we do have scholarships available. JOIN US!Â
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The Refresh Summit Virtual is happening TOMORROW August 1st at 11am CST! You can sign up for it today! It is FREE and will give you a taste of what the LIVE Refresh Summitâ€
s have to offer.
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!Â
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Monday also was the start to my third annual Holiday Shred and how is it a week away from Thanksgiving?! Just wanted to pop in and see how you all are enjoying this holiday season? We are in the south for two more days and I am soaking up time with our in-laws on the farm. RJ is loving all the love and fresh air!
]]>I am so excited to let you all know who won the awesome prizes for the REFRESH SUMMIT RAFFLE! We used Random.org to choose all of the winners.
First, I want to THANK YOU ALL for your purchasing of these tickets because y’all were able to raise enough funds to give away one registration to the Refresh Summit in November! We are excited… and without further ado… drum roll please…
The winner of the The Adopt Shoppe necklace is: Jennifer T.
The winner of the Cross Training Couture tank top is: Arlene D.
The winner of the Refresh Attire tank is: Robin R.
The winners of the Naptime Diaries prints are: Yvonne G. – Tiffany B. – Julie B.
The winner of the She Does Justice item is: Megan N.
The winner of the Nicole Joelle print is: Well of Health
The winner of the Holiday Shred entry for NHS Fitness is: Amy S.
The winner of the Reverent Creations necklace is: Reina F.
The winner of a Megn Creations coffee cozy is:Â Touched By Dee
The winner of the fun package from Quest Bar is: Jennifer T.
…and the winner of the free registration to the REFRESH SUMMIT {SOUTH} for November 14-16th is… Yvonne of @ynowanathlete!
Yvonne, please email refreshsummit@gmail.com so we can get you all your information!!!
CONGRATS EVERYONE!
All winners… Look for an email from refreshsummit@gmail.com so we can get you your winnings! Thank you again for your help in making the Refresh Summit this year a success!
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Oh how I love our morning {virtual} coffee dates together. I wish I could seriously sit down with each of you and give you a big warm hug and hear what is going on in each of your lives.
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you… how this ‘early bird’ is BACK!
It’s a bit funny how I wake up in the mornings. I roll over look at the time (praying it’s around 5am), look at the baby monitor (praying that RJ is asleep), and if she is I feel like I have won a race! I wanted my body to get used to getting up at 5am on it’s own without an alarm and you know how I did it… by getting up every morning at the same time! And knowing that my yummy pumpkin spice coffee is waiting for me in the kitchen.
It’s the little things people. I also have made it a point to climb into bed before 10pm every night as well. I just love rising early and enjoying a cup of joe while reading God’s word. It sets the tone of the day!
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that I am super excited about the half marathon I am doing in Temecula this weekend!
It’s one that I have already done and I know it’s a tough course filled with hills and trails, but afterwards the Hubby and I get to have a ‘day date’ enjoying lunch at my favorite winery and having a relaxing Sunday. We will miss the babe for sure, but it will be nice to have some good quality time together.
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that the Refresh Summit is SOLD OUT! God is so faithful! I am so excited in less than a month we get to worship and workout with some beautiful ladies. I also can’t wait to see my Tennessee family and spend some time in my college neighborhood.
You can still purchase a raffle ticket or 10 until the end of the week to help raise some funds for a scholarship for someone to attend the Summit! There are some incredible gifts that we are giving away! Check it out!
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that our Refresh Attire shop CLOSES this Friday. Don’t forget to purchase one of our limited edition t-shirts! This one the Hubby designed and I just love it!
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you… that I am working hard at getting the Holiday Shred 2014 READY for this year!
Don’t worry… sign-ups will start Saturday, November 1 with the Shred starting Sunday, November 23rd and go through Christmas. It will be a six-week program filled with Bobbi-Bootcamp style workouts, simpler meal plans, videos, yummy recipes and lots more!
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that I am loving The Best Yes book by Lisa Terkurst.
It is challenging me in so many ways and bringing new wisdom into my life. I thought I had saying ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ down pat, but boy was I wrong. I am into chapter 11 of and learning the power of a “small” no. How tempting it is to use NO as a weapon and just decline everything, for freedom in the white spaces. But those white spaces were meant for God’s BEST YES’S. It’s up to us to determine through God’s wisdom what our small No’s are, so we can give our best YES to his greatest assignments.
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you… that we’re dabbling in the thought of moving to Redlands.
Just being open to the idea just in case it is an option. We love our house and we love where we live, but we do a lot in Redlands and it’s a small town where we can walk to everything! It’s just a dream right now, but who knows what’s goona happen
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that I completed my longest bike ride to date this past weekend!
I rode 76 miles with my dear friend Susie! It wasn’t an easy task (that’s for sure), but my legs felt great. I had done some box jumps the day before (not smart) and felt some tension in my back. By mile 50 it was flaring up a bit, but it subsided and I mentally pushed through.
My 100 mile bike ride is less than two weeks away and I know more than anything it will mental more than physical. It’s going to be a beautiful ride in Oceanside and I am so grateful for Gatorade’s sponsorship to make this bucket list dream come true! After this month, I will be back to more strength workouts and less cardio, but for now… let the training press on!!
If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you…Â that this season of motherhood is an adventure for sure!
RJ is on the MOVE! Not walking yet, but she is almost there. I am learning to let go of the mess and just enjoy her as much as I can. It’s not an easy task working from home and being a stay at home, but I wouldn’t change it for a minute.
It’s a balancing act daily and just when you think you have got it down, it changes! I have a full blog post on this coming soon.
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I have something fun for you all to be a part of. As you all know, I am hosting another Refresh Summit, this time in Franklin, TN – November 16 – 18, 2014!
Super exciting! We only have a few spots left!… so if you are planning on going or if you are unsure what this whole “Refresh Summit thing” is, head over to the REFRESH SUMMIT SITE today.
I know that finances are tight for many women who really want to come and I wish that everyone could join us at no cost (in a perfect world), but we think we figured out a way to raise money for some scholarships as well as for the many costs that come along with the summit.
We have partnered up with some pretty amazing and beautiful sponsors to host a give-away here at nHerShoes!
- The Adopt Shoppe
- Cross Training Couture
- Refresh Attire
- Naptime Diaries
- She Does Justice
- Nicole Joelle
- NHS Fitness
- Reverent Creations
- Love Grown Foods
- Plant Fusion
- Megn Creations
- Quest Bar
…AND MORE TO BE ADDED!
So how does this work… IT’S VERY SIMPLE!
We will be having a drawing for each item on October 24th. All you have to do is purchase as many $5 tickets as you would like and your name will be put into the drawing. The more tickets you purchase, the better chance you have at winning one of these great prizes.
We also have a link for donations for the fund as well. We thank you in advance for your amazing support! ( FYI – Not tax-deductible – Sorry )
Purchase Raffle Tickets:
Donate Here:
]]>I’ve got 5 Things for you on this beautiful Thursday…
1) DISNEYLAND HALF MARATHON EXPO:
Come visit me at the Raw Threads Athletics booth today and early Friday at the DISNEYLAND EXPO!
2) REFRESH SUMMIT TENNESSEE:
Early Bird Registration ends THIS SUNDAY, August 31! Space is very limited folks! CLICK HERE to register! To check out the Refresh Summit site, CLICK HERE!
We already have attendees who will be coming from: Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee!
3) NO SOLICITING SIGN:
Some of you commented on my Instagram that you wanted this sign that hubby made…
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4) REFRESH ATTIRE RE-OPENS LABOR DAY:
We had such an overwhelmingly great response to the August Shop Opening with our two newest designs, that we will be opening it up again starting Labor Day, Monday, September 1 through Sunday, September 14. CLICK HERE to look at all of our designs and tank colors!
5) RJ TURNS 1:
…in 10 more days! I can’t believe it has almost been 365 days for this beauty!!!
t believe that the Refresh Summit was over two weeks ago!! I have been dying to share this post. This weekend was probably one of the most incredible weekends I have had in years! I prayed for this weekend for 5 years and it was so AWESOME all the way around!!
Thursday night the core team and I met at my house for dinner and last-minute details.
We stayed up late that night and put together the awesome SWAG BAGS!!!!!
Of course, this beauty tagged along with us. 
The Friday check-in couldnâ€t have been more smooth. The best part is everyone showed up in their yoga pants!
We started the retreat off with a little hike around the camp grounds to show everyone where all the workshops would be taking place through the whole weekend.
We definitely worked up our appetites for dinner!
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We had an amazing first session talk from Amia and a sweet time of worship with Mandy. Then, we enjoyed a beautiful time of restorative yoga that was truly refreshing in mind, body, and soul! So thankful to Natureâ€s Path for providing all the wonderful YOGA MATS!
Waking up Saturday morning to the birds chirping and the fresh air was so perfect!!!
Saturday morning some of us ladies hiked over to main camp and got some yummy lattes!
Then, we enjoyed some yummy frittatas and other delicious breakfast items.
After breakfast, we had some morning worship and then we were dismissed to head to our different workshops. I loved how cozy and intimate this retreat was!
We were hydrated all weekend thanks to our sponsor Vitamin Water!
Saturday morning and afternoon were filled with all kinds of fun workshops including:
*Workshop Sessions
1: Nutrition with Justine Campbell
2: Eating Disorder Recovery with Alice Isabel
3: Pinterest Craft – Turn your old T-shirt into a cute workout tank.
4: Zumba with Amia Freeman
5: Crossfit Workout with Amy Neal
6: Kickboxing Workout with Monique Fontaine
We had yummy snacks to help us stayed fueled as well. Thanks to NatureBox, Soy Joy, and Detour Bars!
Fresh and Easy sponsored our healthy and satisfying lunch! They donated their new fresh Wild Oats salads and sandwiches with fresh fruit, veggies, and POP CHIPS!
In the afternoon, there were a few more workshops. I attended the Nutrition workshop, which was so fun! Justine from Alo Wellness did a fun food prep demo. She explained the benefits for eating food with lots of color and getting nutrients from whole REAL foods!
Check out this deconstructed guacamole! I canâ€t wait to make this for our next party.
As well as these tropical green smoothies.
I was so excited that my BFF D came to the SUMMIT! Even though we live super close to each other, I feel like we just donâ€t get enough time together. But, that weekend we got to laugh, sing, and play together!
The rest of the afternoon was for rest and relaxation! Some of us just chilled in the living room, others went and did the zip line, and some even got massages!
I loved seeing the ladies sport the Oiselle t-shirts from their SWAG BAGS!
For dinner we enjoyed a black encrusted salmon. So delish!
We also enjoyed a fancy raspberry sorbet.
After dinner, we had our evening session. Alice kicked it off by sharing her testimony about her Eating Disorder. It was powerful! Amiaâ€s message and challenge to us all could not have been more encouraging. God was in all of it!
After the session, we got our dancing shoes on and had a Zumba dance party, which Amia led and ROCKED!
After our awesome dance party, we sat around the campfire, talked, and enjoyed sâ€mores. (Itâ€s just not a campfire without sâ€mores, right?!)
Sunday morning some of us rose bright and early for an early hike to Inspiration Point. It wasnâ€t on the schedule. We were supposed to do a GPP workout. But, you know what? Sometimes the best thing to do is to throw your plans out the window and just go with it!
It may have been my highlight of the weekend!
When we got back to the cabin we enjoyed a refreshing breakfast sponsored by Love Grown Foods! I had to share the love with everyone; I am kind of addicted.
I love their granola, power oats, regular oats, and most recently their cereal. They are packed with protein and gluten-free!
The little came out to join us for breakfast and help us out with our goodbye RAFFLE!
We are so amazingly blessed and thankful to all our sponsors without them we couldnâ€t have made this Refresh Summit happen! Here is a picture of the SWAG bag each lady took home!
Special thanks to all our sponsors for this years Summit:
Love Grown Granola
Fresh & Easy
Juice It Up
Polar
Vitamin Water
Core Power
SoyJoy
Clif Bar
Detour Bar
PlantFusion
Oiselle
Ellie
Natureâ€s Path
NatureMade
NatureBox
Attune Foods
Kevita
Refresh Attire
NHS Fitness
Cross Training Couture
The Adopt Shoppe
Smartwater
Lock Laces
Beauty In Christ
Nip + Fab
CLICK Espresso Protein Drink
The Fitness Angel
Go Lo Foods
Hair Warrior
Green & Blackâ€s Organic Chocolate
Bed of Nails
An even BIGGER thanks to the core team that helped put this entire weekend together. I couldnâ€t have done it without them!!!! THANK YOU MEGAN, AMY, CYNTHIA, and AMIA!
God has answered yet another prayer. Ladies, if you didnâ€t make the Refresh Summit WEST…well now you can join us in November for the Refresh Summit SOUTH!!!! Thatâ€s right, we are headed to Franklin, TN to put on another amazing Refresh Summit to encourage ladies in mind, body, and soul. All the information and dates are up on our website, www.refreshsummit.com. I canâ€t wait to see what God has in store for us in the south, because he did a great work of refreshing us here in Southern California!!! Canâ€t wait ’til next year!
s post!
I think the things that I loved most about the Expo was the “newbie†floor. This was the area for folks that were exhibiting for the very first time. There were so many stories to be told and dreams to be shared! I loved how some of them starting baking in their very own kitchens. Then, before they knew it not only family and friends were enjoying their products but neighbors and friends of friends! They never dreamed that they would see their products on a shelf of  Whole Foods. One of the things that I love best about being a blogger is networking with so many different brands and connecting with some pretty talented people. I could list them all of for ya, but honestly I am pretty sure that it would take up several pages!!!
Not only did I walk about 5 miles all over the Expo, I did my first 18 mile run for my Boston Marathon training Saturday morning! It actually was my best long run in a long time! I think starting at 5am and the weather being absolutely perfect really helped. I had two Guâ€s one at mile 8 and another at mile 12. I really enjoyed every minute of the run. (That has not happened in a while.)
Oh and guess who turned 6 months this weekend? CRAZY right?!
I also decided to do 40 days of yoga for Lent this year. Instead of giving something up, I decided to add something. I decided to use this time of Lent as refreshment for my soul. Speaking of Refreshment, you still have time to sign up for the Refresh Summit!
I managed to get dressed this weekend 
I had to wear my polka dots so I could match this cutie pie. She pulls them off a lot better than I do!
We tried the Flame Broiler for the first time this weekend, it was a lot like Waba Grill. I liked that the meat tasted fresh and that you could order extra veggies or BROWN rice!
To celebrate the warm weekend we drove out to Pinkberry! Seriously, it’s my all time favorite treat. I know not everyone is a fan, but for some reason when I crave something sweet Pinkberry always hits the spot!
For Hubby, a Reeseâ€s the size of RJ hits his sweet tooth.
So I said what the heck itâ€s your birthday month, go for it!
We walked around the mall a bit and then headed to the park!
We took our shoes off, soaked up the sun and had some appetizers.
Then, we captured some pretty sweet moments of this beauty.
I mean really, could this little girl be any cuter?! I think not!
We were pleasantly surprised to get a spontaneous date night! Once a week and going strong.
So we capped off the weekend with some of Darbyâ€s beef sliders and a glass of wine!
Such a fun and beautiful weekend! So thankful for the perfect weather and some memories made while soaking up my favorites.
Question: Did this post make you hungry or what?!
]]>Training the Hubs
This year, hubby asked me to help him with a new workout plan that included running, biking, and weight lifting. I wish he would do some GPP with me, but he wanted to try a plan with more weight lifting. So I decided to go with the NROL Supercharged book for men and women. I am really liking it so far and I will keep you updated on his progress. I am secretly hoping he will write a blog called nHisShoes!
New Hair
I got my hair done on Monday from my awesome friend Jamie and I asked her to bring back the blond! I missed it so much and I desperately needed change. Honestly, I almost chopped it off. She said “Why donâ€t you straighten it? it will be fun and sassy!” She was right. I like the straight. Letâ€s see if I can pull off doing it myself.
Morning Snuggles
This little peanut wakes up between 5:30am and 6am. When she wakes up she is so happy and cuddly I just canâ€t get enough! I had to put on her owl hat one last time before she grows out of it.
Wild Flowers
My man knows me so well. After the race he got me a bouquet of wild flowers. I donâ€t LOVE flowers, because they are expensive and die so fast, but I love wild flowers because they seem to last longer and they are just beautifully imperfect.
Play Time
RJ and I are starting to get more of a routine down and the one thing that she can not get enough of is Mamma or Daddy pushing her around in her little car. Itâ€s so cute to watch her giggle and get all excited the minute she getâ€s into it. Itâ€s also a pretty fun workout and I am pretty sure itâ€s the only way I get in my 10,000 steps everyday!
Real Clothes
Yes, I still wear real clothes. I know most people would love to live in their PJs and workout clothes, but I am not like the others. I honestly love throwing an outfit on everyday, it refreshes me and helps me feel more awake! Now, letâ€s be honest we do have pajama parties over here frequently, but its not an everyday occasion.
Daveâ€s Killer Bread
I remember when I was in Portland staying with a friend she had this bread that I just fell in love with. I never saw it in our local grocery store (Vons) until this week. I was squealing with JOY! I think my hubby was a little worried. Itâ€s so good and I love that itâ€s all natural and has the best texture ever! I hear itâ€s at Costco now too!
Simple Dinners
I have been enjoying a lot of the meals off of the New Years Shred Meal plan as well as just simple healthy dinners. We have come up with a new meal plan for our family and I love it. Mondays: Italian Night, Tuesdays: Taco Night, Wednesdays: CrockPot, Thursdays: Community Group, Fridays: Date Night or Build your own pizza night. Keeping it simple yet clean is what itâ€s all about!
Naptime
This week I decided to start RJ on a regular naptime schedule, which means we need to stick close to the house. I could tell she was ready for longer periods of sleep and time in her crib. I love the website Sleepy Planet, it gave me a good understanding of what amount of sleep babies need. RJ wakes up at 5:30, goes back down around 6:30 for a little nap, then down at 9:30 for her first nap and 2:30pm for her second. Well at least thatâ€s what I am shooting for. I am listening to her more than anything. The best thing about naptimes is time to ready my Bible, stare out the window, journal, write my to-do list (that will never get finished), eat fresh oranges from our tree, and just BE STIIL.
Cooking with RJ
I am not gonna lie, I am that crazy mom that talks to her baby all day long. When making dinner together, I pretend we are on the Cooking Channel and speak out everything I am doing while I do it. I have always wanted to be on a cooking show and now I am. 
 She is the best Sous chef!
The Park
I have realized that I have to get out of the house at least once a day. Not far, but out! I try and plan a park day at least once a week with a friend. We bring our lunches, catch up on life, and play with the kiddos. Itâ€s free and fun for all. Thank goodness we live in So Cal where it has been in the upper 70â€s.
Rest
Since the marathon I have only taught kickboxing once and just did a little. I am resting this week, even though my body is feeling great! I havenâ€t been too sore but I know that rest is something I NEED! I will be back at it on Saturday with a bike ride.
Refresh Summit
I am getting super excited about he Refresh Summit coming up in March. Planning and praying with our core team has been such a blessing. I cannot wait to have you all up and have a great time of retreat together. I am loving what God is already doing through this summit and I canâ€t wait to see all that unfolds.
Question: What are some things that you are loving lately?
P.S Itâ€s not too late to sign up for the New Years Shred Round 2!!!!!