mornings.

Well, I'd hate to admit this to my 18 year-old-self with the 2-am-bedtimes and the midnight-Sonic-runs and the all-nighters and the sleeping-until-lunch and the general-night-owlish-tendencies...but I have officially become a morning person. No longer does the thought at waking up with the sun make me nauseous. No longer do I dread the impending alarm ringing in my ear. No longer does sunlight streaming through my windows bring annoyance and covers over my face.

No, there is something magical in those wee hours of the morning as the world is just coming to life. Something I appreciate more and more as I grow into the years. Maturing some might call it. Growing up. Adult-ing. But I would call it more of a reckoning. A wondering. A transitioning. Age isn't what changes a person - its the experiencing of life and how one responds to these experiences that pushes you into a different kind of person. For better or for worse.

But I think my push from a night owl to a morning person is for the better - at least for now. I get to experience things that I didn't before and realize how life giving these things are to me. Gifts, these mornings of mine. So I'm sharing and documenting the morning grace gifts here...so when one day if I am "pushed" back into a night owl state of mind, I can remember all I loved about these early { oh-so-very-early } mornings.

Okay, so I admittedly don't really love running. But I love how it makes me feel. I { almost } never regret it afterwards...oh, but its a battle to roll over and put those two feet on the ground. But endorphins are real, people. And I like them. And it's too hot to run at any other time of the day then right as the sun is rising...so up and at 'em! 

Bringing a Vitamix to Nicaragua was one of the best decisions I made in my moving process. I use this nearly daily. Yes, I'm one of those obnoxious people who generally only uses it for smoothies but at least I use it, okay! This particular smoothie has a hot pink fruit called Pitaya...it makes for a really pretty looking smoothie, if you ask me.

Mornings are also for checking our little fig tree for ripe fruits. I love counting how many figs are sprouting among these leaves and got to count seven this morning! It's really fun and random that we have a fig tree - but it came with the house, so I'll take it.

Candle lighting is a must. I love candles. I really think they can transform a room into anything you want it to be. This is a favorite of mine to light - "Iced Latte". It really gives the kitchen table a nice coffee shop vibe, minus the overly-priced drinks and hustle and bustle of people all around. 

Oh, sweet baby Cali. She's my all time fav morning partner, scampering about the yard during post run stretches and watching for opportunities to attack my shoes. She makes life more fun. And also looks kind of like a raccoon, which could be why she has stolen my heart. 

Books on books on journals and pens on books. Enough said. 

And you better believe if I'm waking up at the crack of dawn to do all of these things, it is not without the help of my BFF. { And inspirational coffee mugs. Those babies always do the trick. }