I love exploring the great outdoors with my kiddos. Seeing their faces light up with excitement when we hit the trails is one of my favorite things in the world. As a kid, I loved being outside, but Ohio didn't offer the towering mountain views, sweeping coastlines, vast old-growth forests and pristine alpine lakes the Pacific Northwest does. It's been such a joy meandering trails with my kids. It feels like I'm giving them an invaluable gift by fostering their imagination and allowing their adventurous spirits to blossom. Does that mean it's easy to get outside? Certainly not! But it's worth it. 

If trekking through the wilderness with your little ones in tow feels intimidating, that's okay. It was for me too. Planning a trip, packing all the gear, driving to the trailhead and then trouncing through the woods isn't always an easy feat. There is good news though. It's doable, and the more you do it, the easier it gets.

So, where do you begin? Here are a few tips and tricks.

I'm not going to lie; I have a love-hate relationship with Amazon. I love the convenience, ease of ordering, speedy shipping and the vast array of products only a click away, but there are also downsides. What do I hate? Impulse shopping! It's a serious problem.

If you're like me, you have spent hundreds of dollars adding products to your cart in hopes they will solve a problem - or you heard an influencer say it was the perfect dress and you opted in. Don't worry, we've all been there. 

Do I need another ceramic vase, faux tree or basic white tee? No. Will I buy them on Amazon if they are on sale? The likelihood is pretty high. What comes with buying a copious number of products all to be strewn about on my front porch much to my husband's chagrin? I'll give you a hint: it's not frugality. It's a keener eye for good products.  

Currently, Amazon's big spring sale is on, which means you can find hundreds of steals and deals a two-day shipment away. That's why I put together this post. Let's talk about which products I can't live without. If any of these things are currently in your cart - hit buy now!

These add-to-cart impulses are worthy of a splurge. 
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Don't let the title fool you; I care very, very much. I don't mean you should not care about anything. In fact, I would argue that you should care deeply - but you should choose those things with thoughtfulness. I care deeply about my family. I care deeply about my career. I care deeply about myself and fostering a relationship with the person I am, and who I want to become.

What I mean by care less, is that you can't care about all the things, for everyone, all the time. That Sisyphean task is pointless. It's exhausting and impossible, and it has taken me a long time to learn that lesson. I used to care about EVERYTHING. I cared what random people in the grocery store thought about me. I used to replay benign conversations over and over in my mind. I used to go out of my way to say yes to everything and every task. I used to apologize for things even when I wasn't at fault. I used to be afraid to try new things because I didn't want to fail or look like a novice.

I used to limit myself because of all the things I cared about. Eventually, I didn't want to care at all, and that didn't serve me or anyone else well. 

Today, I care, but I'm purposeful about the things I care about.

Should it matter if someone looks sidelong at me in the grocery store. No. I have no idea the struggles they are facing, and I can't control them. What I have control over is how I treat others. 

To worry about everyone and everything. That goal: to please everyone. It is unattainable. That woman, she is fictious. But most importantly, that woman shouldn't be the standard for what makes a woman good. 

I am trying to be unapologetically myself. I am setting more boundaries. I am speaking up when I feel uncomfortable. I am trying new things and immersing myself in activities that used to feel scary. 

I want to be someone my daughter wants to grow up to be. 

I want her to feel comfortable being herself. I want her to be goofy. I want her to be brave. I want her to face challenges with determination. I want her to stand up for herself. I want her to be proud of who she is. 

I want a million things for my daughter. And, I want those things for me too.