Although Richard Louv wrote this fantastic book about saving our kids from nature-deficit disorder, the only proof I need that being outdoors is essential to the success, but more importantly, happiness of our human selves lies within my daughter. Little two-year-old Juniper.

I honestly don't remember when it was that I realized that my new baby was a nature-freak. All I know is that, seemingly, since birth, Juniper has always had a strong desire for & delighted in being outdoors. In fact, I think she's changed my life, in this way.

With a love for camping, hiking, the mountains and adventure, I always considered myself and outdoorsy girl. I mean, what other kind of girl would pass up a romantic honeymoon in New Zealand for 6 weeks of hiking around the deserts of Southern Utah, sleeping in a tent and eating nothing but instant oatmeal & Ramen noodles for breakfast & dinner?

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Of course there was that one time we treated ourselves to a big steak dinner after we got lost & hiked for over 12 hours in the Canyonlands National Park . . . but that's a different story. My point is, I think I can establish a little credibility behind the claim that I'm a nature girl when I tell you that the highlight of my honeymoon was summiting my first fourteener.

That and the romping around under a big, starry sky. {wink}

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So what's this crazy talk about my daughter changing my life?

Before Juniper, outdoor adventures were big, planned and relegated to weekends.

After Juniper, outdoor adventures happen every day.

From watering our trees, and picking figs in the backyard . . . to discovering and identifying the different leaves that scatter the ground as we walk around the 'hood . . . to bigger day adventures like short toddler hikes through Government Canyon, Enchanted Rock and Lost Maples . . .

. . . we find some time every single day to be out there.