laborofwonder

Where Whine Meets Wine

Jun 20

Sangria Slush

by motherofwonder

A sangria a day will keep the summer blues away! Ok, so maybe not literally a sangria a day, but it is so yummy and refreshing! The perfect summertime drink!

I know when you think sangria you’re probably picturing red, but let me tell you white is so yummy too! And for summer months, it definitely is pretty much perfection! I’d only heard (or had) red wines in sangrias previously, but when I googled how to make them and found hundreds of recipes, the one that stood out the most was a white one. That was the only thing I used from their recipe (true to my typical form!). One of the reasons I love sangrias so much is the simple fact that it’s a good way to use leftovers! Any wine will do, it doesn’t have to be expensive and they don’t have to be the same brand even. If you have any opened wines, this is a great way to get them used up and not let them go to waste! I had a bottle of chardonnay and 2 half bottles of Pinot. Together it was about 2 quarts. Then I cut tons of fruit (oranges, apples, lemons, and limes) in slices. I seeded them (I didn’t want anyone choking on our girls’ night!) and then sqeezed the juice out of them (and into the pitcher). I used about 4 lemons, 4 limes, 3 big oranges, and 2 big apples.

Next I added 3 tbsp of sugar (all the recipes I read called for more, but I found this to be a good amount. It was plenty sweet, without being painfully sweet.). Next I added lemonade, about 3 cups. Put it in the refridgerator and chill for as long as you can stand to let it! (First batch I made in the morning and we drank that night so it had a good amount of time to chill. The second batch I made right before dinner and we drank in the evening and while it was still good, it’s better if you let it chill for at least 6 hours.) The very last step (like literally as you’re about to pour it in the glass) is to add a carbonated beverage, I used Sierra Mist (1 liter bottle).

So take out a nice big wine glass, scoop out some of the yummy, wine soaked fruit, place it in the bottom of you glass… and then pour the deliciousness in and enjoy!

 

 

 

I almost forgot! (Truly, I’d already posted and had to come back because I’d forgotten all about the SLUSH part!) For a truly cool-you-down drink, make the sangria, throw in a gallon (freezer) zip-loc, stick in the freezer for about 4-8 hours (depending on how much and of what you put in it) and PRESTO CHANGO, you’ve got a wine slushie! I’ll try and get my slushie pics up later today, but know they are just so yummy! Today we’ll be enjoying a Lemoncello slushie!

Life According To Me

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Jun 16

The Dog Ate My Shoe

by motherofwonder

As I’ve said about a million times this last month or two… life is a little bit crazy in our household. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun crazy, but crazy none the less. The ups and downs, the fun, the whining, the visitors, the everything. I’m truly trying to enjoy every day for it’s own unique wonderfulness. That said, I get overwhelmed fairly easily. I crave order and organization as much as my children do. And I have been feeling overwhelmed a lot these last few weeks. A little chaotic. Maybe more than a little. And while between all our guests and the computer failure I haven’t had time, or maybe more accurate, I haven’t forced myself to make time to do all the blogging and recipe posting that I would really like to. But what little I have done, has of course made me feel more grounded. Because, as a female, I really crave that need to balance out the emotional aspects of my life. And for me, blogging helps to do that. In turn, these last couple of weeks I have gotten feedback in the form of emails and facebook messages, from family and friends. Both far and near. People I talk to on a regular basis and people that I haven’t talked to (at least in person) in years.

I am a people pleaser, and therefore, crave validation. I have grown, as I’ve gotten older, and it is not something that rules my life. That said, I still crave the validation. And if we’re really honest, don’t we all? So for this particular people pleaser, I’ve greatly appreciated that there are other people who feel similarly. There’s a little bit of comfort in knowing I’m not alone in all this madness. And for that, I’m grateful. Truly. So if you, like me have days where you just feel like you’re at the end of your rope, the last of your patience, and used up all your niceness by 9 am…just know that you’re not alone either. There are plenty of days I’m right there too. Biiig cup of coffee in hand.

...and the dog ate one of my favorite sandals

Life According To Me

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Jun 13

Imperfect Perfection

by motherofwonder

There are currently two friends of mine that are in some part of the divorce process. It’s heartbreaking, truly. I’m not going into the details behind it, but just know that these are two wonderful women who deserve to be happy and loved, and I truly hope they know that. After an e-mail from one, something she said resonated with me (after divulging that *gasp* yes, even my marriage has had times where it’s really not easy), about wishing to be more like other couples, happy couples. The truth is, ALL couples have at least one point in their marriage of something, some words, some…times that could either make or break the relationship. I’m not saying that there’s no such thing as a happy couple! I believe I’m part of a happy couple-ship… at least most days. What I am saying is that it’s real life. Just like anything else in real life marriage, and relationships of all forms (whether it’s a boyfriend, a sister, a best friend) has ups and downs. It’s messy, it’s work, it’s time consuming, emotion consuming…it’s real. And it’s also worthwhile. I am not saying this to say divorce is evil or that you have to stay married no matter what...this is really not about that. This is just about the work of staying married, or staying in any relationship for that matter.

While I know I’ve talked about how if hubbyman and I didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all, it’s not entirely true (and we don’t wholeheartedly believe that we have bad luck, either. Just so you know.). We have been fortunate in each other. I was fortunate enough to have married my long-time friend, and the first boy I ever kissed. (read about that here) For a shy, insecure girl, with major trust issues…this was key. As of this month, I’ve known my husband for half of my life (*sigh I’m getting so old!*). That said, I can see how you would think with all that time, and friendship, and blah, blah blah… that it would be easy, that we’d know each other so well that we’d always finish each other’s sentences, always a step ahead because we know what’s coming, and things like that. While I will admit to usually knowing the “where is *insert random item*?” question before it’s even asked, and that I can always know exactly where he left anything (even though I can never remember where I set my glasses, or my phone), even if I didn’t see him leave it… we actually can’t read each other’s minds. While certainly know exactly where and which buttons to press, we often still need specific directions on how to fix it after said buttons have been pushed. We know each other very well, and yet he still leaves his laundry everywhere, even though he knows I’ve gotten a million laundry baskets for him to throw it in. And I still set dishes in the sink, instead of on the counter, even though that makes him roll his eyes the way the trail of his clothes does to me. It’s real life.

I could, of course, tell you, we’re perfect for each other, grow more in love every single day, that we hardly ever say a negative word to each other, and that it just comes easy for us. But that wouldn’t be completely honest, and seriously, who wants to read about how everything’s perfect (and therefore better than everyone else!)? Nobody. Because we all know that’s not real life. In real life we do things that can have negative consequences, we say things that we can’t take back, and we think things we’d never admit to out loud. It’s hard, it’s sad, sometimes even heartbreaking, but it’s real. And it can also be wonderful.

I did the Love Dare a few months ago, and granted I didn’t do it in the 40 days they prescribe, but I wanted to make sure that I meant every thing they challenged us to do. And sometimes it would take a while before I was ready to put my big girl pants on and follow through. I didn’t do it to save my marriage from imminent danger.  I did it to maintain my marriage. So that should a day arise when we feel like we’re at a crossroads… well, I’ll have some tools to work my way through. I feel like it gave me a fresh perspective, of my husband and of marriage. And it helped us to talk through some things. Like how easily I forget things, without making the decision to forgive, first. Truly. I know the adage is “I forgive, but I don’t forget.” I’m completely opposite. I can go to sleep just fuming, but I wake up and I’ve forgotten how mad I was and move on until something makes me remember and I’m mad all over, because while my brain had forgotten the incident, my heart hadn’t forgiven.

And I also don’t follow the “never let the sun set on your anger” one either… because sometimes, you just need some time and space. So that things aren’t said that you can’t take back. We do, however, have a rule that we always kiss goodnight. No matter what. So while we may be going to bed without fully resolving whatever issue was at hand, we are still connecting in a way that tells each other, “I love you and I am committed to you, even though I’d rather be anywhere but right next to you at the moment.” And for us that works. In our going-on-7-years marriage, I can count the times where we have gone to bed without doing that. At least the times where we’ve forgone it intentionally. I’m not counting the times we were apart or the times we’ve fallen asleep putting the kids to bed… just the times where we purposely did not kiss each other. Really. We may not always feel like kissing, much less talking to the other, but we do it anyways. For for us, that small action, is very important. And so when he finally wakes up, from falling asleep reading to the kids, and climbs into bed…and gives me a kiss, well, to me, it’s a big piece of what makes our crazy, messy, loud, busy, imperfect life my kind of perfection. 

Life According To Me Love Dare Marriage

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Jun 10

You Do The Same

by motherofwonder

Today I woke up tired…multiple cups of coffee tired. While I probably won’t drown myself in coffee, I’ll probably remain tired. I don’t know if it was just the knowledge of how far away hubbyman is or what, but I woke up like every 45 minutes throughout the night. So you would think that I would have woken up on the crankier side of the bed, but somehow that didn’t happen. Actually, my children slept in and are in high spirits, and it’s hilarious. Littlest E is in his high chair doing his signature move, which is where he puckers his lips and then sticks them way out. And then when I make that face back to him he laughs hysterically, because obviously it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen. And my normally high spirited MissE, is in rare form herself. She’s being silly and giggley, and until I started typing this was playing  sweetly with her big brother. Who spent the early part of this morning snuggling and telling me how I was his favorite woman ever. And currently he’s singing a song about he’s going to eat all the peaches and oranges in this town. (Can you guess what he had for breakfast?) While Littlest E has more oranges the pocket of his bib than in his belly. He’s happy just with the moves he can make with his lips, and clapping in sheer joy of his facial movement success. While their have been brief moments of upheaval, I am choosing that today is going to be a good day and I’m going to continue acting like they’re the best versions of themselves, because ultimately, they are. Plus, the studio called and our family pictures are in!

So this is short and sweet because yesterday was kind of the day from hell. I was in a rush trying to clean the house before guests came, and disaster basically ensued until hubbyman got home. Thankfully he’s used to my version of crazy, and knows how to bring me back to reality. At least most of the time. And so today, I am basking in the glow of choosing that today is going to be a terrific day. And I suggest you do the same. It’s amazing the things you CAN choose.

Family Life According To Me

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Jun 9

My Wish For You

by motherofwonder

While we are normally in the land of the cold and the frozen… two days ago we endured a 103 degree day, with lots of wind and humidity. Here I sit today, two days later in my boot slippers, sweatpants, and a sweatshirt. And I’m not hot. Granted, it will assuredly be warmer by the end of the day, but for now… sometimes I think the weather here is something of a joke God’s playing on all of us that have chosen to continue to live here through the cold, cold of the winter to the hot, hot summers.

Today while I’m trying to get things cleaned up before a)out of town company comes;  b) hubby leaves for his trip (let’s face it, life won’t get easier when he’s gone!); and c) I leave for a quick getaway (because there’s nothing worse than coming home to a mess)…oh I was saying, today, while trying to get things cleaned up quickly, I’m being followed. And it’s making really weird noises. Ok, so it’s Littlest E, and it’s kissing noises he’s making. Every time I turn around and look at him, he gives me his big toothy grin, followed by his screech of a laugh!  It’s adorable and oh so distracting. I mean, seriously, how am I supposed to not give him a kiss when he’s chasing me making kissing noises?! He’s also just learned to shake his head (as in like you would do if you were telling me no)… and now likes to do that anytime anyone says anything. I’m thinking his siblings may have given him the “head shake” a time or two… anyways, see what I mean about distracting? Just talking about him is distracting! (*chuckle* he’s so cute) So let me get back to where I was, or at least where I meant to be heading with this all… Littlest E will be 1 year in less than a month! (*sob*) and I cannot get over just how fast it went by!! I think the more children you have, the fast the littlest’s first year goes. I haven’t done any formal research on the subject, it’s just my humble opinion. So as I think about the last year and how fast it went it had me thinking about things I wish for him in the future. Things I wish for all of my children as they learn and grow and (*gasp*) become their own individuals, outside their relationship with me. So here is my quick list of ten things that I hope (and hopefully am doing more to make them reality than just hoping!!) for their lives:

1. I hope they are always willing to learn. Big things and small things alike. Learn. From me, because of me, and probably sometimes in spite of me.

2. I hope they learn the difference in doing something because it feels right and doing something because they know it is right.

3. I hope they always know that the unique, wonderful individuals they are…are exactly the wonderful, unique individuals they were created to be. Hopefully in less time than it took me to figure that out.

4. I hope they learn the value of laughter. It’s healing, it’s bonding, it’s life affirmations. Not just making others laugh (which I know they already know to do), but being able to laugh themselves. In hard times as well as good times.

5. I hope they always remember the adage of “You cannot change others, you can only change yourselves.” Even if they grow to dislike it out of annoyance as they grow, the way I may or may not have felt…before passing it on to my own children.

6. I hope they always know that God is bigger. (I should not ask God if He knows how big my storm is. I should be asking the storm if he knows how big my God is. -paraphrased because I can’t remember it exactly)

7. I hope they always feel beautiful but that they know that’s not where the real beauty and value lies; for themselves or for others.

8. I hope they grow knowing that their ideas are valuable and pertinent. And always worth exploring.

9. I hope they grow knowing and believing the importance of family and community. How to live in one, and be a part of one, successfully.

10. And I can’t help but add this, and mean it whole-heartedly… I hope they always love their mama. I hope that I have raised them in a way where they know that not only can they depend on me, but they want to.

11. Ok, I know I said 10, but I just wanted to add this in- That their dreams stay big and their worries stay small. And that they’ve enough of their father’s type A, can do personality that they can put it into action. With maybe some of my optimism thrown in.

*I also hope I’ll be able to handle it when I’m not their favorite person, when I’m not the one they choose to share their secrets with anymore… because right now, that sounds pretty devastating to me. Maybe at that point we’ll be ready to talk about foster care or adoption. That way I’ll always have at least one person in the house that likes me! Oh, I guess i’ll still have hubbyman… !! (*wink*)

Family Life According To Me

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Jun 8

Survival of the Fittest

by motherofwonder

Yesterday was about a million degrees. Ok, not a million, but 102. Seriously. 102. And I live in what’s normally the frozen tundra! Thankfully, we have family that lives fairly nearby with a nice, big pool! What a reprieve! (At least until our state bird came out… the mosquito.) As much as we were needing a reprieve from the heat, lately I’ve been feeling like I need a bit of a reprieve from life! It’s just been so hectic and crazy! And with the upheaval of their normal schedule, it has also left my children behaving a little less than their normal sweet, compliant selves. Although, of course, as I write this, they are sitting next to each other, all three in a row. Just playin’ trains, with an occasional “Hey Mom, do you see me playing with the ‘big kids’?” giggle and jump from the littlest E.

sidenote: Sometimes I believe children have this need to make a liar out of their parents. Anytime you vocalize how sweet, polite, quiet, shy, loud, whatever… they are, they’ll do the opposite- publicly. (I don’t really believe they do this purposely to make a liar out of me, it’s just a happy coincidence on their part, I’m sure. haha!)

With lots of layers of various chaos going on around us, someone asked how we’re holding it together. I had no answer. Before drifting off to sleep, I told hubbyman that I was going to miss him while he was gone on his trip, and he responded with, “I’ll miss you too. I already miss you.” Which I, of course, thought he was saying as a joke, because my husband is so excited about this trip you’d think he was 18 and about to experience his first taste of freedom without parental control. That excited. It turns out he meant it. We’ve basically just kind of existing together the last month or two. We were in survival mode. We are in survival mode.

Anytime you’re in “survival mode” for too long, without reprieve, disaster usually ensues. So this weekend we get vacations from our lives. Ok, so he really gets an adventure (which is exactly what he needs), and I get some relaxation (which is exactly what I need, along with some retail therapy!). Even the kids are getting vacations, of sorts. The Bigger E’s will spend the weekend at their Grandparents, along with an uncle or two. And Littlest E is going with on the girls’ weekend, so he will be getting one-on-one attention that he doesn’t get a whole lot of.

Which brings me to the REAL survival tool: FAMILY. Obviously, immediate family plays a huge role in our lives. We are so blessed by them: From the great-great Grandma, to the Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins… and everyone in between. We are thankful for all of them, and survive because of them. If you’re thinking, you don’t know my family, or you live far from them, or just want to be far from them… it’s not just about people you’re related to. We have a large group of people that we have CHOSEN to be family with. This doesn’t just apply to people with children, most of these were family to us before we even had children. it’s not about your relationship status, or how many (if any) children you have; it’s about love and support. It’s friends that have been there through a decade, or two. Friends that were our family when we were far from home. Friends that have seen us through, the ones we can depend on, the ones who puppy sit, the ones who insist on going out when they know it’s been a while since we’ve had any time away from the kids, friends who make plans and include us- as a family, 3 kids and all. These are friends that have become our family. Friendships that are so important to us, and beloved by us, as well as by our children.

For our family, it’s the combination of the two that really ensure our ability to survive. No, maybe that’s not entirely true. We would probably survive without them, but with them, and with all their support, love, and encouragement, we are able to thrive. As a family as well as individually.

It’s a good thing I have this support system, because otherwise, I might just lose it. I remembered putting the kid’s cups of milk in the fridge last night, so when I went to get them this morning….I’d gotten clean cups out of the cupboard and put them in the fridge. Without milk. And left the cups that had milk in them on the counter. I also spent a good 20 minutes looking for the puppy, because I’d forgotten I’d already let him out, and he was sleeping on the floor next to my bed. Ok, so it may have been more like 5-10 minutes, but I was in such a panic thinking I’d left him outside, that it felt like much longer! And those were just the first two things I did this morning. I’m sure I’ve had moments of “mommy brain” since… but I can’t remember. Wait…where are the kids?

Doesn’t it look like we all need a break?!

Family Life According To Me

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Jun 7

YOU Are Not My Judge

by motherofwonder

Last night I attended the memorial of my cousin, a man who for the last decade had spent most of his moments ministering to everyone he met. His favorite ministry was in jails, as he’d been a troubled teen who’d been there. Unfortunately, the last months of his life were in unwind. Things that had previously been of the highest importance, no longer were being prioritized. I don’t know what happened or why, but I am sad for an end that didn’t have to be. He was someone that was a little bigger than life, in personality. And in those ten years he changed people, you could see it in all the faces of those at his service, in their tears, as well as their stories shared. Growing up, I think that he was someone that people maybe tossed aside, deemed as too troubled, too wild, or just plain disposable. He was wild, uncontrollable, unreliable, a father at 16, and he bounced around homes… Fast forward to him being 20 and finding people that no longer felt he was disposable, who saw what  and who he could be. And he thrived.

What it had me thinking about this morning is something that I’ve talked about before, it’s the way we judge others. How different would the very people we tend to judge be, if we were to stop judging them and just start supporting them. I am not saying you let everyone (or anyone!) take advantage of you, and I’m not even speaking financial support…just support. That the next time you saw someone or came across someone that to you seems out of control or doing or saying or living in a way that is maybe unhealthy… just be nice! And not just those that are visibly unhealthy! What if you gave the next stranger on the street that accidentally bumped into you and didn’t apologize, or say excuse me, a smile and meant it. The point is, we don’t know everyone’s story, where they’ve gone and where they’re going… and it’s not ours to judge.

After all, haven’t we all been judged before? Unfairly, unreasonably, and hurtfully? Don’t we all have one place or one time where we knew we were judged? (Please tell me it’s not just me!) I can recall vividly the way it felt when I was going through something a lot of people in my life didn’t understand. I had left a relationship and a college that I knew were not what I needed, even though everyone around me seemed to feel decidedly different. I even received a letter from a woman, who really didn’t know me or anything about me, telling me how because I wasn’t getting married, and I wasn’t in school that I wasn’t following God’s will, or His plan for my life. It was followed by lots of advice and direction from people in my life, telling me what I should do next, where I should go, how to get back onto my path… the funny thing was, I never thought I was lost. I always knew that this was the road I had to take, and it would lead me to where I was supposed to be.

It’s not the same as my cousin’s life and I am by no means saying it is, it was just my jumping off point and what I’d been thinking about that lead me here… Anyhow, as it turns out, I was right, the road I’d been on was not the one for me, and I knew I had to take a side-street to get me to my true destination, my true path…the one God meant for me. And that’s the one I’m on now. The one where I’m married to someone who respects me and treats me with respect, the one where we have three beautiful children, the one where I’ve found my place. I am on my road.

And maybe the person next to you that is doing something that you don’t agree with, or maybe it just annoys you, and you really want to reach out and smack them on the back of the head… maybe instead  you reach out and give them a handshake, a hug, a cup of coffee, or simply a smile. Maybe your not judging them for things that are not within your control anyways, will be what it takes for them to pass it on to someone else. Some roads are unhealthy (like when my cousin was young) and some are just misunderstood (like mine) but judging and pointing fingers are not the answer. Can you imagine all the self-validation if we spent more time building each other up, the way we should be doing instead of tearing them down so we feel better, or look better, in comparison?

Rest In Peace

Family Life According To Me

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Jun 6

A Tornado Went Through My Life

by motherofwonder

My house is a disaster. Like a tornado may have went through it disaster. I have dishes to do, dishes to put away, laundry to put away, laundry to do, garbage to take out… toys to encourage little ones to put away. And as I take it all in, all I can think of is how I kind of feel the way my house looks. Disheveled. Like a tornado went through my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I have been having lots of fun the last couple of months. But it has been filled with emotional highs and lows. And all that mood swing-ing is starting to take it’s toll. We had my hubby’s brother and his family in town the beginning of May for three weeks and we enjoyed the visit so much. It was a great time of reconnect. It was also a little sad because it marked the end of their time in the US. My brother-in-law took a job in China for the next… well, for years. It is an amazing opportunity for his career and for their lives, and we are so proud of them all. That said, we are also lonely without them. Their son is Big E’s best friend, and he misses him terribly. And my sister-in-law, well, she’s like a sister to me (imagine that!).

The last weekend of their visit, my little brother got married. This isn’t a low, this is a wonderful thing. We love his wife and I have long considered her my friend. It was quickly followed by hubby’s brother’s China move (say that 3 times fast!)… so it was a very emotional weekend for me! And early the morning after the wedding I received a text message that one of my favorite people is beginning the divorce process. I was elated for my brother and his new bride, and devastated for my dear friend.

Since that weekend, my friend has stayed with us because as it turns out- my children are a great form of distraction! And they love her. Biggest E has already claimed her for his own, and promised to take her to the diamond store. How he knows about a diamond store, I have no idea, but he’s taking her there. We’ve had night after night of late nights. Some we stay up talking, oblivious to whatever movie we’d turned on. And others we’d put in a movie and just kind of be, together. I find I have a hard time balancing my feelings of sadness over the hurts of her heart with the fact that I’m loving having her here. We’ve had lots of tears, margaritas, and even more laughter. And I truly hope it’s doing us both some good!

This last week I boxed up, cleaned up, and gave away the last of our little baby things. I gave them to one of my oldest friends and I love that I am able to pass on things to her. I was a little melancholy during the process but wasn’t really boo-hoo about it… until yesterday as I loaded the bags with the clothes that both my boys had worn as newborns, the car seat that took all of my babies home from the hospital, and the swing that rocked my miracle to sleep when I thought nothing would work. There was no sob fest, but the tears were welling. This is not to say that I don’t love watching my children grow and appreciate each stage that they’re in, because I really do. I love every inch of their growing process. Ok, at least most of the inches. And while I’m aware that I’m viewing it through misty eyes, I can’t help but see their sweet newborn faces, feel the rib jabs while they were still in my tummy, their first smiles, first words… and the knowledge of how they grow so fast, is leaving me a little brokenhearted. There’s something in the knowledge that I will never again relive the marvel of holding your new baby for the first time, or the joy of all the firsts of their first year, that leaves me feeling bittersweet.

And this last week my cousin passed away. He was only two years older than I and although we were second cousins (his mom is my mother’s cousin, so whatever that makes us…that’s what we are), he used to spend his summers around here, and at various other points in his life, and to me, family is family. He was a bit of a wild child during his growing up, but eventually got himself together and found his place working with a church in his hometown. I am happy because I know he traveled a long road in his 30 short years, and sad for all those left behind, like his wife and daughter.

…plus littlest E has gotten 4 teeth in the last 2 weeks, therefore he and I have also not gotten very much sleep. Which probably adds to my emotional state. I feel like I  may be on the verge of a breakdown. Last night a junebug (a big winged beetle) flew into the truck as we were getting in, and refused to fly out the window… instead it continued to flying into my legs repeatedly. I really screamed, and I may have cried. Apparently 45 minutes with that creature was my breaking point.

So I’m hoping that after attending the memorial tonight, tomorrow I will be swinging back to normal from the lows of the last week… after all on Thursday hubbyman flies to LA for some fun in the sun and a road trip with one of our favorite people ever! And while the boys are road tripping, my parents will be enjoying the company of the Bigger E children while Mommy goes on a girl’s weekend trip with a stowaway! (The stowaway being Littlest E who’s not quite big enough for an overnight without Mama) And it’s to one of my favorite destinations- which happens to be less than a 3 hr drive (score!)!! Which will be followed by a 2 week visit from said favorite person- that we haven’t seen since Miss E was only a couple days old! So there are lots of things to look forward to!! I’m hoping that the highs of the next couple weeks will be enough to stave off any thoughts of breaking down and becoming a pile of mush for a few days!!

Which brings me back to the war zone my home could be compared to… I’d better get to work on it if I really want to enjoy my time away (or any company)!!

Today’s Mantra: If He brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.

*I’m going to be getting back into the swing of blogging again as well! So keep looking for more posts from my nice, new netbook hubbyman so thoughtfully bestowed on me, so that I could keep blogging while he is in the process of revamping and doing a major overhaul of our regular computer!  (*que simultaneous “awwww”*) I have a camera full of pictures of meals (and sangrias!) along with recipes! I just have to get a few minutes and get them all loaded!!! So make sure you keep checking back for more!

Life According To Me

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May 21

I was awaiting the rapture

by motherofwonder

This is going to be brief… my life has been a little crazy this month. Between my little brother getting, my brother-in-law (and his family) coming to visit for a 3-week period and then moving to China (yes, China), and lots of other life changing things going on around us and those we love (truly, not just saying that, it’s a reality)… we have been busy. And my computer is still dead. And we’re still trying to decide, or debate, what the best route is…laptop, notebook, new desktop, replace old parts… *eye roll* so hopefully someday soon we will have something figured out and I can get back to my old blog-y self. I have lots of pictures, recipes, and stories that I’m anxiously awaiting to share with you! I don’t actually have much time at the moment, but I just thought I’d steal a moment when I could and say I’m still here… with all this end of the world days I figured maybe I could blame my absence on pre-rapture jitters?? No? Eh, it was a shot.

I don’t have time (at the moment) for much more but I just want to add this thought. Love each other, love your friends, love your family, love yourselves. And that statement has nothing to do with any end of times sentiments. One of the dearest friends of my heart (and life) is going through a trying time right now and she’s been staying with us so that my children can be a distraction for her (they are distracting, I’ll give them that!)… I’m blessed by her. By the wonderful, caring, loving woman she is- even in the hard times. And I am so enjoying and soaking up all the girlfriend and chit-chat time I possibly can!! But really, it’s all just been a sobering reminder that our days are all blessings, so use them wisely. Love each other as we should, as God called us to. All of us…which I guess leads me back to end of times sentiments… so whether it’s tonight or 500 years from now, love as though you have 30 seconds left and like those 30 seconds are what you will be known for. Maybe a little less panicky than you would be if you REALLY only had 30 seconds left, but you get the picture…

Hopefully this weekend we’ll get the computer situation taken care of and next week will begin blogging as usual, or un-usual depending on your viewpoint.

Life According To Me

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May 10

Spicy Mama

by motherofwonder

You would think my husband would know my cooking by now, right? You would think that after all these years he’d know to take a “taste test bite” before he starts shoveling it in like someone who’s never tasted the wonders of food before. Well, apparently, when hungry, that goes out the window. I had gotten this amazing cheese at the grocery store and was excited to try it out! I made “macaroni” (or my homemade version of) for the kids and so I was able to pull this amazing dish out of the leftovers that are currently taking over my fridge. Which brings me back to my original point- the food shoveling. You see, the cheese I used was cheddar. Habanero cheddar. And since both hubbyman and I are spice enthusiasts, I thought this would be a great way to spice up plain ‘ol macaroni. (pun not intended, but what a happy coincidence! *wink*) I was so excited to see his expression! Unfortunately, he though it was just plain and shoveled it in, only to have his mouth catch on fire, and exclaim, “What did you put in this?!” I’m not sure if he thought it was another prank or not (see here, here, and here), but I just about cried because I’d been so excited about my new twist on a classic that I did not see this coming at all! I probably should have gone with it being a prank.

Spicy MamaRoni

noodles (I used rice)

Parmigiano Reggiano (or whatever kind of parmesan you have on hand)

Habanero Cheddar (for a little kick but less overall spice, you could use pepper jack)

milk

butter

flour (I used coconut flour)

oregano

cracked pepper

garlic

seasoning salt

It’s really, really, really simple. Boil your water, cook your noodles, and while noodles are cooking in a sauce pan over med. heat cook 1 cup of milk, 2 tbs butter, and 2 tbs flour. Bring to a boil, about 2 min. Add in cheese. O used about 1/2 cup of the habanero cheddar and 1/2 parm. Add in seasoning (I just used pinches of mine because the cheese already had so much flavor). I also added in about a cup-cup and a half of cubed chicken, because I had it on hand. I think it would be really great with spinach and maybe even broccoli. That’s how I’ll try it next time. I garnished with some diced red onions that needed to be used up and it added a nice crunch!  This was seriously, so, so, so good! And once he knew it was spicy, hubbyman also agreed it was good. And he had some for lunch the next day and declared it really good. As in something he’d like to eat again…when he’s been properly informed of the spice factor.

(end note: I highly recommend going to your local grocer and get the most flavor infused variety of cheese you can find, and then coming up with ways to use it! Put it in a recipe that you already make that maybe could use a little excitement!  Plus, cheese freezes pretty well, so cut it/shred it up and freeze it in “this is how much I’d use before it goes bad” amounts!)

Gluten Free Pasta Recipes

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