life {lately}

I have been quiet on here, and for that I apologize. But on the other hand, maybe that's not such a bad thing because it means I'm living life, right :) And you know I love fall, so I've just been so busy enjoying the most out of the season.

So, what have I been up to? Where to start!? Hmm, let's see. I visited family for my dad's birthday, went to a pumpkin patch, visited family for mi madre's birthday, hosted my first witch party (which I will post next time about :)), hosted my first garage sale, been drinking wine by the fire, cooking comfort food for my love and just recently, I was bit by the cleaning/organization bug, and I cannot stop cleaning!? Who am I?? Oh, and I've also been dabbling in some crafts. So, you see, I've been busy. Busy having fun!

courage

 

Hmm...where to begin...

Well, if you are still reading this blog, then you probably guessed from my last post that I have been a bit down. This period of sadness began after I returned to the States from my almost one month of traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Bonaire. Traveling, exploring, chasing after sharks (which totally freaked out the hubs; an unexpected response to seeing sharks), living life on the edge, and seeing God's beauty, really awakened my soul. I found myself pondering a lot of things about life, and I felt like God was pushing me to do something, but I didn't know what to do. I just felt helpless and lost. I won't go into details, but I finally decided to do something about it. 

I began to pray. 

I asked God to reveal to me what he wants for my life. If he wanted me to stay put, then I prayed for him to help me to be more content, joyful and grateful for the life I have been given. But, if he had a different plan than what I was currently doing, I prayed for him to lead me and I would trust in him and follow. 

I became more and more restless, but I also was clinging tighter and tighter to God putting my complete trust and faith in him. 

I also began reaching out to others. Thank you God for friends and family. He has given me some amazing, wonderful and supportive people in my life, who have really given me so much love, joy and encouragement these past few months. Not too mention, a wonderful, patient and loving husband. Thank you to all who prayed, emailed me, sent me an encouraging song, scripture, positive quote from Pinterest :), sat and cried with me, and simply love me.

Joy was slowly restored, hope replaced despair, peace came over me and God healed my broken thoughts.

A job opportunity fell into my lap. A completely new career path that would take advantage of my skill set in a new and productive way. 

I prayed earnestly to God about it. As did many others.

And in 3 weeks, I will start this new path. I am still in shock how quickly God moved. I was chosen over people who had experience, who were certified, who were more knowledgeable.

But, they chose me. In fact, I was told that they "loved" my personality and enthusiasm. 

That is all God's doing.

I tell you this not to boast about myself, but to boast about what God has done for me. Just in case you are where I was, I truly and whole-heartedly believe that if you bring it to God, trust in him, completely surrender to his will, he will do things in your life that will amaze you. Because he loves you that much. It may not be what you expected or planned, but it is what he has created especially for you. 

"Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" ~ Psalm 66:16-20

The holidays

{Me, the Hubs and my Sister-in-Love on Christmas Eve}

I am still recovering from the holidays. What a whirlwind of fun and cheer that was! It was my first Christmas away from my parents, and I have to say it was a success! No tears. Yay, I'm a big girl! haha. How old am I again? Oh that's right. I'm 28 years old. 

I worked all the way up to Friday evening, and was ready to hit the road when I got home. Once we arrived at the in-loves' house, we didn't meander too much because there was a lot to do the next day for Christmas Eve. My mother-in-love and I woke up (not so bright and early) to go get our fitness on at the gym, and then we headed home to start cooking. The hubs and I made a quick trip to Red X, an interesting little grocery store that has anything and everything you could want and not want, for some vino and brussels sprouts. Then it was back to the house where I made roasted brussels sprouts and holiday brie en croute. It was my first time making the brie and it was delicious!

{via puffpastry.com}

My mother-in-love is Italiano and makes some amazing and delicious food for the holidays. She made two types of pasta sauce (puttanesca and a meat sauce with chicken and meatballs), yummy pasta noodles, tons of olives and cheese...oh the cheese. Best Christmas Eve meal I've ever had. And she did all the work. I tell ya, the lady is awesome and has mad skills when it comes to pasta sauce.

After dinner, we opened a few presents, drank some wine and played a White Elephant game. Then it was off to bed so we could wake up at noon to unwrap presents on Christmas Day! I think that was the first time I slept in on Christmas morning and it was glorious! I got a Swiffer Sweeper, some yummy fuzzy socks with aloe in them, fleece pajamas, scarves, candles, a sweater and a jacket! I am spoiled rotten, I tell ya. 

We stayed in Kansas City for two more days, and then it was back home where I got to enjoy two more days off work. 

On New Year's Eve, the Hubs and I were recovering from a cold so we decided to start the year low key and stay at home. I went out and bought some white tuna, salmon and sashimi tuna so we could make our own sushi from home. I also purchased avocado, cream cheese, cucumbers, jalapenos and mango to add to the sushi. It was so good and we had a lot of fun making it together.

Our ingredients.

My sous chef hard at work slicin' and dicin'.

The final product was delish!

After sushi, we played some Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, where I kicked major booty, and finished the evening watching Ryan Seacrest wear way too much bronzer and Lady Gaga dress as a human whisk. What a way to end 2011 and ring in 2012 :)

Overstuffed with daily bread

{pinterest}

I am horrible at keeping up on things, and so I didn't post all the things I was thankful for like I had planned on doing at the beginning of November. But I have just so many things to be thankful for that I figured I'd list them out in one post and maybe, just maybe, that could make up for it.

In addition to all the others I have listed, here are a few more things I'm thankful for:

1. Old friends - They know your dirt and still love you.

2. New friends - They are learning dirt and lovingly help you grow.

3. My job - puts a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back.

4. My home - a safe haven of love and creativity.

5. Cooking skills and food - Thank God for blessing me with cooking skills because I seriously can whip up some tasty and healthy food.

6. My boss - She is patient and easy going.

7. Wine - I really am thankful for it. Wine warms the heart and reddens the nose.

8. Laughter - It cures a multitude of ills.

9. Forgiveness - I'd be lost without it.

10. Love - most important of all and most thankful for. 

And this is how we spent our Thanksgiving - snuggling and reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for. Every good and perfect gift is from above.

“[Thanksgiving] I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—”  ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Cousin Love

I love all my cousins dearly, but this little lady is not only one of my best friends, but she is also delivering her third child today. So, today I'm thankful for:

Cousin.

Cousin {as we affectionately call one another} was my first best friend I ever had, and we have been best friends ever since. From building forts (and locking her in them along with my other cousins) to picnics to inappropriate mullet haircuts to weddings, we have been there for one another. 

While I say this about pretty much all the women in my life, Cousin truly is one of the strongest women I know. She is a wonderful Cousin, wife, mother and Christian. She is extremely patient, forgiving, loving, wise, trustworthy and compassionate towards her family and others. She is a wonderful example to me of a wife and mother. I can only hope to be as patient and loving of a mother as she is one day. AND, she is funny to boot. Love this girl and her growing family that will become a family of 5 today!

The "Cousin" pose.

The In-Loves

In-Loves = Double the love, my friends. Unless they're scary in-loves and then its not so lovely. Fortunately, the Lord has my back and blessed me with a fabulous mother and father-in-loves. 

So today, I'm very VERY thankful for:

My In-Loves.

Where to begin with how thankful I am for these two folks? They are two of the best parents I know, next to my parents of course ;) HA! But they are extremely loving, supportive and strong for their family. They have created two of the strongest and kindest people I know, The Hubs and Abbs. I write like a dork, but I'm serious. I often ask them how they created such strong, independent (and stubborn) children, and they say "Oh ya know." But I think it was all by example. My father-in-love has a huge heart and would literally give the shirt off his back if I asked for it. And my mother-in-love is, well, a stud. She is extremely kind, hilarious, loving, giving and doesn't care what others think. She is a strong woman and fierce with love. 

If I ever need directions, I call the FIL. I know he'll always answer his phone and he'll always get on it right away. And if I get a text, it most likely is from MIL with some ridiculous photo or text that just makes me laugh and smile. They get me, and I get them. It works.

When I look at the both of them, I see strength. I'm not going to go into detail, except to say that they could have really failed at being parents and it would be understandable. But they rose above it by the skin of their teeth and put their family first. They are fighters, and I like that about them. I know that I have a lot to learn and take away from their example when I'm a mom, and I am so thankful that I have them to look up to. 

Love you In-Loves!

Abbi-dabbi-doo

I never had a sister, but always wanted one. And I finally got one the day I got married. 

Today, I am thankful for:

Miss Abbs.

I am very thankful and proud to call Abbi my sister-in-love. Not only because she is my sister-in-love, but because she is a wonderful example of strength, perseverance and love to me.

Abbi is my Hub's little sister, and she is the epitome of "kid sister" in the most positive, loving way. She adores, supports and loves her brother. She looks up to and respects him, and is his biggest fan, supporter and will beat you down if you do anything to hurt or upset him. Not that I know from personal experience, but you just get the hint by her actions and words towards him. Ain't nobody gonna mess around with him when she's around. And now that I'm in the family, she'll take you down if you mess with me too. And vice versa. I mean, fo realz. Just look at this picture of us. You're scared aren't you?

This girl got some serious strength and heart. When she is passionate about something, she goes for it with all her might. She loves and pursues life with abandonment. And while she acts all tough and whatnot, she has one of the biggest hearts I know. She isn't afraid of or judgmental of anyone. She embraces others with love and her sweet laughter. I've seen it first hand, and I am humbled by her spirit. 

She is hand-picked by God to be my sister-in-love. She has shown me much love, grace, strength and forgiveness, and I know that she only has more to show and give.

I love you, Miss Abbs. And while I know you are feeling awkward reading this (because she claims to "hate mushy stuff), I want you to know, it's all true. You are strong. You are kind. And you are important :)

And I love you.

Thankful for my Chimichangas

Today, I am so thankful for my two little Chimichangas:

Buddy & Peeps!

Aka my nephew and niece. I love these two little rascals. They are seriously the most adorable, well-mannered and awesome chillens you will ever meet. AND they speak English and Spanish, and they are only 5 and 4 years old. Hey, I'm their Tia (aunt), ok! An auntie can brag :)

Buddy and Peeps (their nicknames) bring so much happiness, joy, laughter and love to my life. I love being a Tia to these two lovey doveys. They give me oodles and oodles of hugs and kisses. They also think I'm awesome and make me feel pretty cool for an oldie. 

I also love watching these to accept my Hubs into their lives. They LOOOOOOVE Uncle Blake, and think he is just the coolest thing since sliced bread. Peeps is his biggest fan and side kick when he is around, and Buddy wants to grow up and be big and strong like Uncle Blake. Make my heart melt!

But what I love most about these two is that they remind me about God's love for us. Their child-like faith is so sweet and inspiring. They approach everything with trust and love, and are quick to forgive and give you a hug. They are the sweetest glimpses and reminders of God's love for me and you. Unconditional.

I'm over-the-moon blessed by their love and sweet souls, and I can't imagine life without them in it.

Thank you for your love, Buddy and Peeps. I pray that you will always embrace life with vigor, joy and laughter, love and forgive others unconditionally, and trust in God and learn to walk with Him throughout life's journey. 

God bless my sweet Buddy and Peeps.

My Sister-in-Love

A few years ago, God blessed me with a sister...in love. My brother's wife, Elsa, is truly a blessing to this family, which is why, I am thankful for my sister-in-love today.

Elsa.

I never would have thought there would be a woman out there who could tame my broseph. But along came Elsa. She has brought so much joy, love and happiness to my brother's life. AND, she is the mother to my favorite niece and nephew - Maya and Miguel. She is a wonderful example of a mother to me. She is playful, kind, patient, loving and nurturing to her family. She also is a great nester. She loves to cook, rearrange her furniture (multiple times a day!) and make her home peaceful and cozy for all who enter. 

If she is the hostess, she serves everyone till they are done with seconds, and THEN she might sit down and have a bite to eat, but that's doubtful. And don't even think about trying to clean her dishes. NO! You are the guest at her house, and guests do NOT do dishes. Unless she is the guest at your house, and then she cleans your house till it is spotless. She definitely has God's command of a "servant-like attitude" and "the first shall be the last" down, and of course, a smile and cheerful laugh to go along with it. 

My sister-in-love blesses my family's lives with her joyful spirit and serving heart. And I'm very thankful to call her my sister...in-love.

Broseph

Today, I'm thankful for

My Brother.

Though he is 7 years older than me, I feel like we are very close in age. Must be because of how mature I am. HA! But really, we are both just very young at heart and have a ridiculous sense of humor, which equals a strong bond. The best Christmas present he ever gave me was a calendar of all our funny faces we make. We are quite ridiculous together. And even though he has little children of his own now, we still find time to act goofy together, and now the chillens (yes, you read that correct, chillens) join in on the ridiculousness that is Beanzer and Broseph. And for your information, Broseph is just one of his many names. For example, Jeffy, Jefferson, Hefty, Jebby, Jeffari (ala Janelle), Jubby, Brudder, etc. So many special names many have developed for him over the years. haha.

But in all seriousness, I am very thankful for my brother. I love him very much. I have never felt the age difference between us because my brother always made me feel loved and important. We had the best times in the car riding for hours to our family vacation destination making up words, secret languages, songs, you name it. And every Christmas Eve, we'd sleep in the same room talking the night away about nothing and everything. I can even remember one instance where I bawled my little 3-year-old eyes out because he was going to spend the night at a friend's house and I didn't want him to leave me. He gave me one of his favorite toys to hold on to for him while he was gone. And I still remember it, and I was 3! Yes, it was a bribe (and it worked), but it meant a lot to me. I took really good care of that toy for him, too!

He has taught me about God, perseverance, faith, hope, unconditional love, the importance of joy and laughter, family, forgiveness, patience and parenting. It also needs to be said that he is one of the best father's I know. I'm sure he doesn't feel like it all the time, but he is very patient, loving, supportive and strong for his family. He is one of those strong, silent types like my own dad. He brings so much joy and laughter to my life, and for that I am extremely grateful. 

Love you, Broseph :)

My Ma n' Pa

Those are two faces that only a mother could love. And I guess their children, too {wink}. 

Today, I'm thankful for those two crazy kids shown above who I am proud to call my parents.

(now you know where I get it from, huh)

Mom and Dad.

 You know God must love you (or think you are in need of some divine intervention) when He gives you good parents because you really don't see too many marriages that last long these days (ehm, Kim Kardashian - 72 days to be exact, not that I'm judging...just saying) or good parents. My teacher friends tell me stories that bring tears to my eyes about some of their students' parents. And, you can just see by some people's character and behavior that they were not raised by good parents or maybe their parents were just plain old absent from their lives. But by the grace of God I turned out well thanks to good parents. 

My parents have taught me a lot of things, but here are a few that come to mind: commitment in marriage, selflessness, humility, God, the importance of a good work ethic, spreading joy, laughter, perseverance, forgiveness, individuality, embracing your strengths and laughing at your flaws, patience, hope for sunny days, strength on rainy days and love. 

My parents give and give and give, and don't ever ask for anything in return. I see God in them every day, and I am humbled by their love for me. I don't know what I did to be given such loving and funny parents, but I do know that I am beyond blessed and a better person because of them.

An emotional wreck

That is what I am right now.

My little Latino Lover of a Nephew, "Buddy," started Kindergarten right this minute, and my heart is breaking at the thought of his parents waving goodbye, and him being scared and lonely. It is the end of an era. 

He's growing up. 

Dios Mios. I can't handle this. Oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. I think I'm taking it harder than him.

In a summer haze

{pinterest}

I was really good at being a kid in the summer time. Not like the young whipper snappers nowadays who just text all day and sit inside looking at their computers. No, no, no, NO! I was an outdoors-all-day, parents-forcing-me-to-come-home-and-eat-supper, kool-aid-stached, sun-kissed cheeks, running-instead-of-walking kind of kid. Oh no she didn't! Um, yes. I just did. And I will say it again, but I don't feel like typing all that again.

{pinterest}

But for realz, I had great summers as a kid. I threw a lot of water balloons, played a lot of tag (and kick the can, for you country folk), ate a lot of popsicles, swam all day...peed in a lot of pools (yep, I did and never ONCE did I get a UTI, mother). My imagination was crazy too. I remember making bow and arrows out of sticks when the Disney classic "Pocahontas" came to theaters and acting like Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" in my pool.

{Country Living}

This weekend, I went home for 3 days to see my family and relive my childhood summers. I chased my niece and nephew A LOT, caught fireflies in a jar, saw fireworks, biked a lot, cooked dinner for my family and sat out on the swing drinking coffee. So maybe I didn't act completely like a kid, but it was nice to take 2 days off from work and go back home where you came from. I still love the smell of the cornfields and the way the sun peeks over the fields at dusk. {SIGH}

{pinterest}

Oh to be a kid again...Only in the summer though...and maybe Christmas...Buuuuut then I'd like to skip back to the present and miss my teen years. Those sucked. Mainly because I had braces, glasses, frizzy hair and wooly worms for eyebrows. Goo.

Happy Uncle Joe Day!

Uncle Joe Zanders - What a good lookin' guy, huh!

St. Patrick's Day always reminds me of my sweet Uncle Joe, God rest his soul. The sweetest, most charming man on earth. He loved to talk about the "homeland" and beautifully sing Irish songs such as "When Irish eyes are smiling," and the song that still brings tears to my eyes because I can hear his sweet voice "My wild Irish rose." 

Oh Uncle Joe, I do miss you, but I know you are up in heaven serenading God and his angels. I only hope they serve some Guinness and corn beef and cabbage up there in heaven. Slainte, my dear Uncle Joe!

A new day

After expressing yesterday's heavy emotions, I delivered a birthday present to a dear friend, worked out hard core, and shared some drinks with new friends. I am doing well. Please do not worry about this girl. But if you feel so inclined to send me flowers or gifts, I will accept them :)

On a different note, I am headed back home to my roots to celebrate three, yes THREE, birthdays! One is my little mexican chimichanga's bday, Mr. Miguel. He will be turning the big F-I-V-E. Oh, I remember turning 5. Got my ears pierced. Hurt like hell. Ho hum. The other birthday celebration is for my lovely cousin's baby girl, Maybel, who is turning one! WOW. And the last birthday celebration is for my oh so young cousin Zachy. Oh to be young again. Ha!

I love birthdays, especially when celebrated at Chuckie Cheese! There will be sugar highs, game playing, screaming, food comas, crying, and that's just all from me! Oh boy. You can bet there will also be kissing, hugging and drooling all over my adorable little nephew and niece...and my cousin. I love her to pieces, and I can't wait to smother her chillens with love, too. 

Me and my little chimichanga :)

Happy Friday!

It's my Berfday!

Today is my birthday. I am 27 years young. My mother tells me it was snowing when I was born at 12:05 in the morning. Glad its not snowing 27 years later. I only love snow when I'm skiing on it.

My cup is definitely overflowing today. I am feeling way too blessed and a bit moved to tears by the love that has been shown to me by friends and family.

My Wicked cake :)

Last night, my loving hubs made me a two-layer cake made of carrot cake and spice cake with cream cheese frosting. He even made fondant. It took him 4 hours to make...4 hours he could have spent studying, but instead, decided to bake me a cake. It was a green cake. I asked him why it was green (and was going to have a black bow, but molding fondant is difficult), and he told me I had to guess why and that it had to do with my present. Green and Black...Hmm....Money? No. Make-up? No. Shoes? No. We went on like this for about 5 minutes. He said its something I've been wanting to do and see. A movie? No, but close. There is a musical playing in town, "Spamalot," so I guessed a musical. He stared back at me with a grin stretching across his face. Then, a glimmer of hope popped into my head and I spoke the word outloud..."Wicked"? He smiled even bigger. He is taking me to Chicago for the weekend to see "Wicked"!

Once it sunk in that he wasn't joking, I think I immediately apologized for being rude or mean lately, and thought, "I don't deserve this." I had a dream last night that I told him that, and then this morning, I told him about the dream and about how I really don't deserve this. And he responded, "Yes you do. You are a wonderful wife and my best friend. You do wonderful things for me everyday and I am happy to be able to give back to you by a weekend trip to Chicago to see your favorite musical."..."Man, I really don't deserve this," I thought. He even wants to buy me a dress for the show. Is your heart melting yet? I'm almost in tears just replaying it all in my head. Feeling very "Pretty Woman" except for the whole prostitution thing.

But, it's done. My mom and the Hubs have been planning this since October, and my mom is helping out with the costs because she is wonderful like that. We are taking the train to Chicago on Saturday morning, spending time before the show shopping and exploring Chicago, and then heading to the greatest musical on Earth. But, what I'm most excited for is that I get to spend a whole weekend with my man. And that's the best gift I could ask for.

Gobble, Gobble

"Hey kids! Everybody pose around the raw turkey"

Oh family traditions. I'm happy to say my family hasn't made me pose with a raw turkey...yet. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The Hubs (aka Scrooge) tells me that it's just another day of people getting together to eat food. But, it's always been so much more than that for me. Waking up early to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the smells of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and pumpkin in the air, and families gathering together, laughing and embracing. There just was always something magical to the day for me. 

My family always celebrates the holiday on my mom's side. Her mother passed away around the holiday many years ago, and ever since her death, all the children (there use to be 8, but now 7 - God Bless Uncle Tommy) gather together to celebrate the holiday. I've got a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins, and we'd all pack into a house, and chow down on noodles, cheese dip, cranberry jello and pie. 

Mmm...noodles. It's really the only thing I eat on Thanksgiving. My uncle makes the best chicken and noodles EVER, which he starts cooking days before the holiday. And, I only get them once a year...but not this year. This year, I'm celebrating the holidays with my new in-laws, and I'm excited to experience some new traditions! 

I'm also contributing to the holiday spread this year! Tonight I will be a baking machine! Just call me Betty.  Here is what I'm making for my first holiday with the in-laws:

1. Pumpkin Fudge

2. Pumpkin Bread Pudding with ooey-gooey caramel sauce

3. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Good gawl! Then tomorrow, I'm waking up early, going for a run, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Hubs, and then it's over the river and through the woods to the In-Laws house we go!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for this year :)

My Heaven

My heaven is made of pumpkins, gourds, squash, hay bales, alpacas, autumn leaves, campfires, hay rides, weenie roasts and pumpkin fudge. God would be there of course, but I'll take all the above instead of streets of gold and mansions.


I got a glimpse of my heaven when I went to the pumpkin patch with the fam two weeks ago. We went to the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, IL, and it was fa-boo-lous! My dear mother got a suburban van so we could all ride together because we can't spend a second a part (and hey, it was her bday so she gets to do what she wants). Hubs came along and he was a good, no GREAT sport. I think he liked it a lot actually.



When we got there, I was overwhelmed with all the pumpkins, gourds, mums, daisies, and smells of pumpkin deliciousness. Bluegrass music was playing over speakers and I thought I was going to die right there. Then, I walked over to a sea of orange pumpkins. "Is this real life?" I thought to myself. This pumpkin patch was no ordinary pumpkin patch. It was a Martha Stewart dreamland. Even my nephew was overwhelmed with delight. We couldn't focus, there was just so much autumnal joy to be had, and we wanted to dive in and soak it all up.

The Hubs and my niece were more go with the flow types, and were not as amused by all that was Autumn like me and Buddy. But I was in heaven, and I can honestly say Best. October. EVER!

The Hubs is not so excited about being the Pumpkin King :)

"Look Hubs! A Hubba Bubba pumpkin!"

Not only did the pumpkin patch make my month, but Mizzou beat Oklahoma for the first time in 30 years! And me, the Hubs and his family were there to experience it.

Just 3 more days of October! Can't wait to see what Halloween brings!