Strong

Strong. Strength. Bravery.

Those three words describe a lot of people I know, love and admire. But they've never really been words that described me. 

If I'm being really honest, I've always viewed myself as weak. 

I was weak because my parents divorced when I was 12 and I withdrew from friendships, school and life because the pain almost killed me.

I was weak when I got married at 22 to the best man I've ever known even though it wasn't what everyone wanted.

I was weak when I let people demean and belittle me because peace was more important to me than standing up for myself. 

I was weak when my body couldn't carry Alex past 32 weeks without causing high blood pressure and protein in my urine (aka preeclampsia). I was weak when  I had to lay on the couch for 4 weeks because my life and my son's depended on it. 

I was weak when they kept losing Alex's heart beat as I was miraculously in natural labor at 37 weeks with no preeclampsyia (that's a story for another time) and I hurriedly decided an emergency C-section was the best course of action. Alex came out with the umbilical cord wrapped so many times around his body my doctor said he may not have made it.

I was weak when I couldn't produce enough milk to breast feed so I gave my children formula to nourish their bodies. 

I was weak when I chose to distance myself from situations that only produced chaos and turmoil in my life. 

I was weak when I had to seek help for anxiety and panic attacks after the tragic death of my aunt only a few days after my daughter stopped breathing and turned blue at 2 months old. 

I was weak when I chose my family over the expectations of others.

I was weak when I chose to forgive when there was no apology made.

I was weak when I stopped letting the opinions of other people speak louder than God's opinion of me.

I was weak until the day I asked my son who the bravest person he knew was and he said, "You are, Mom."

In my weakness, I found great strength. And what I perceived through the noise of other people's thoughts and opinions was actually strength and bravery all along.

"...God uses the weak things of the world to shame the strong." 1 Cor 1:27

The Wings of Eagles

Photo credit: DinoAnimals.com

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." Isaiah 40:31

Facts about eagles:
1. They are one of the largest birds in the sky.
2. They effortlessly climb heights--sometimes even carrying prey heavier than they are.
3. Their keenest sense is their eyesight.
4. Eagles are symbols of courage, honesty, strength and truth.

And God says that those who hope in Him will soar on their wings. The wings of endless heights, truth, courage, keen sight and unimaginable strength ❤️

The Darkest Season

We summed the season up in one word: hell. There was no other word to describe what we were going through.

It started with a phone call from my mom while we were in the hospital having just given birth to our daughter. "Abner won't get up," she cried. "Something's wrong."

An early release from the hospital with a newborn in tow, and we were headed home to say goodbye to our big teddy bear, Abner Dean Chance.

Because I had a C-section, I couldn't drive with Kelly to take Abner to be put down. The bumpy road to our vet would have been too painful with my stitches. So, I sat on my couch, a 2 day-old in my arms, and wept.

I couldn't sleep. I could barely eat. Why hadn't we seen this coming? One day he was fine; the next, our big guy had no will to get up.

There was a lot of guilt on my part. What if he thought we were replacing him with another baby? What if he thought we had left him? What if...what if...what if...

I cried every time I fed the dogs for a month. I couldn't part with his dog bowl and I couldn't keep explaining to Alex where Abner went. It was too hard.

Slowly, but surely, we adjusted to his big absence while a little girl filled in a small portion of the void.

We are still healing from his loss. He was our special boy. Ask anyone who spent 5 minutes with him. Abner, like his name meaning, was full of light. He lit up our home. And when the light went out, we scrambled for a long time in the dark.

Things started looking up. We passed his bowl--his name written in sloppy black sharpie by Kelly--onto Niko. I couldn't part with the only remaining piece of Abner we had left. It just felt right to retire Niko's bowl and give it to him. After all, he was the one who laid by Abner's side all night long when he could no longer stand on his own.

Mother's Day was a good day, then Alex fell. A concussion and trip to the ER followed. I cleaned out puke from the 3rd row seat of my Explorer for days. But he was fine. He couldn't run or jump or play for 2 days, but we survived.

Two weeks later, he fell and hit his head on tile flooring in the same exact spot. He woke up at midnight puking and puking and puking. So, to the ER we went again. Except this time, he had strep and the stomach bug. 24 hours later, Kelly and I woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach bug. We couldn't take care of the kids. We called my mother-in-law and she showed up to take the kids. We laid in bed all day, unable to move. A couple of days later, Kelly got posion ivy in his nose and eyes. Urgent Care took care of us this time.

Finally, we got over all the sickness. Then, late one night a week later, Natalie choked on her drool and turned blue. If Kelly hadn't been there, I don't know what would have happened. He saved her life with his quick thinking and walked her down to the ER at the end of the street while we let Alex sleep. I took a shower and cried and cried and cried. When I finally pulled myself together, Alex and I drove down the street and joined Kelly and Natalie in an ER room.

There have been many terrifying moments in my life, but none compare to seeing both my children in hospital beds 8 days apart. Sure, everything turned out fine. But the realization that this was my life--these moments that revealed what I feared the most--scared me. Terrified me. Crippled me. I didn't sleep for a week, waking the instant my eyes closed in terror. I couldn't sleep. What if Natalie choked in the dark again? But this time, what if we didn't notice? What if we didn't see? I was living on coffee and fear.

Finally, I got a few hours of much-needed sleep after we purchased the Owlet. It would alert me if something was wrong. But I didn't trust it entirely, so I still woke every few hours to check on my baby.

Days later, I received a devastating phone call. My great aunt, who had just visited us and surprised me by bringing along my grandma, had tragically passed away.

I lost it.

I didn't eat for 2 weeks, bringing my total weight loss to 38lbs. No, I wasn't trying to lose weight; I didn't gain much with pregnancy. Life had just robbed me of my desire to eat. Or even leave the house.

There's not a memory of visiting family in Arizona that doesn't have her in it. Who was going to like EVERY Facebook post of mine? Who was going to share her delicious recipes with me? Who was going to continue to teach me how to love people so well? Who? There are no words to describe how deeply her loss grieved me. I still can't quite wrap my heart around it all.

I thought that was surely the end of our season. Another loss I couldn't imagine seemed like too much. God wouldn't allow more to attack us.

But that wasn't the end.

I was sitting in the Walgreens parking lot, waiting for steroid cream for a horrible rash on my hands and feet when I got a phone call from my doctor. "We think you could possibly have scabies. You're going to have to use a scrub from head to toe on your body. You can't shower for 12 hours."

Tears just flowed from me. And they didn't stop for a while.

After the scrub, we discovered I had a version of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease that didn't include the mouth part. I had gotten it from the kids, who got it from somewhere. They didn't have it as bad as I did.

I couldn't touch the kids without gloves per doctors orders for 3 days. Walking was painful. My hands ached. I was miserable. And on top of the rash, I had eczema dermititis on my right hand. It was awful.

We got through it, as painful as it all was.

It's still painful. I'm still amazed that we survived. I'm still in awe of how God protected us from the worst.

The season still isn't over, but it has slowed down. Our motto is: let's just pray about it. So, we hold each other tight and let God handle the messes. We just keep praising him and declaring victory. And even if we don't see victory, God is still good.

We just walked through another battle. One that would threaten our livelihood if we lost. Do you know what we decided? If we're supposed to win, we will. And if God allows us to lose, we will lose gracefully. Because God is still good. Even in the losses. Even when we can't see the light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.

We won this time. And that win brought tears to my eyes. We won on faith and prayer. Consistent prayer. It really does change things.

Will there be more attacks? Maybe.

This season of my life has taught me a few things too valuable not to share:

1. We all walk through rough seasons. Don't compare your rough days to someone else's. Your journey is different because God's using your present situation to grow you in a way that best benefits you.

2. If something doesn't feel right in your life, make it right. Life's short. Mend a relationship. Rid your life of excess stuff. Forgive. Paint the wall a different color. Eat more vegetables. Pour extra creamer in your coffee.

3. Find something you love to do and then do it! We discovered we love beekeeping. We started this season with one hive and are ending it with 7 (one was sold off to purchase more supplies). And we don't plan on slowing down anytime soon.

4. Give grace away like you're made of it. Kelly and I decided early on that we were going to give each other grace, especially in the moments we didn't feel like it. We each needed a safe place to vent. And when we (OK, mostly me!) snapped, the other person said, 'I know you're tired. How can I help you carry this burden better?' So, Kelly took up vacuuming. And me? Well, I took the kids to my mother's.

5. Storms bring perspective. What's most important today? Some days it was laundry, but most days, it was loving each other well. Even if I had to explain--very gently--why the crayon masterpiece on the hall wall was drawn on the wrong surface. We failed some days. Who can walk though a season like ours and not have bad moments? But we apologized to each other and moved forward. And you know who says "Sorry" when he messes up now? A 2 1/2 year-old boy who watched his parents imperfectly walk through the darkest season of their lives and come out better for it.

We're still walking through a season of uncertainty, praying its over soon, but accepting that it might not be just yet. Life has slowed down for the moment. So, we just keep taking life one day at a time. And, when necessary, just an hour at a time.

At the end of the day, I found what matters most in my life: my family. Two babies who want to sleep with mom in the middle of the night. A husband who wakes up with half his body hanging off the bed. Two kids who need love and affection. A husband who needs my help and support. Two kids who are entirely different, and yet, somehow, ours.

Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today, we're just living for right now.

5 Myths About Car Dealerships from an Employee's Wife

For all 6 years of our marriage, my husband has worked at a car dealership. Was it his first choice? No. But it was the only job he could find at 22 after moving back to small town Oklahoma after a big move to sunny Southern California.

"It's only temporary," I remember telling him.

He started out as a glorified errand boy. Which, if you're in the car dealership business, is almost worst than the rough conditions of being a lot porter. In Oklahoma, lot porters work in sun, sleet, snow and severe heat all year long. Their job? To keep the lot clean and organized.

Eventually my husband worked his way up to Delivery boy. Deliveries consisted of teaching and training customers on how to use their new vehicles (and sometimes even dropping off vehicles). There's a lot of gadgets nowadays, aren't there? It's an important job because some cars are push start, some require keys, some have key fobs, etc. (Side note: DO NOT under any circumstances LOSE, MISPLACE or BREAK a key fob. They're EXPENSIVE to have replaced. So I've been told...)

Can I be honest? My husband always lost me at the ignition. Just tell me how to get it started and I'll figure out the rest later. This is probably bad advice because my husband installed a new radio in my Explorer for my birthday and I just figured out how to make sure my phone Bluetooth is correctly connected to the stereo. 7 months later isn't that bad, right?!

As my husband settled into his Delivery boy status, the owner of his company sold the dealership to a competitor. We were nervous he would lose his job and for a while, he just sat in a back room and fixed computers. They weren't sure what to do with him. He had sold cars in the past. He's good at sales but he doesn't like putting pressure on customers to purchase a vehicle. It's a big decision. Especially when we understand how hard people work for those dollars.

Eventually, they attempted to get rid of him. Not because they didn't like him, but because they couldn't figure out what to do with him. Finally, his current boss who instructed him to fix computers, brought him on as IT at their main store. And so, a Network Administrator was born. Who also has held almost every job in the dealership world except: Finance, Sales Manager, Service Manager and Accounting.

My husband can create a service tickets, detail a vehicle, inventory, film and edit marketing videos, create Gas tracking systems, sell a vehicle, tell you how to use sold vehicle, and dabbles in Operations from time-to-time. On top of all that, he is an excellent Network Administrator. He's a jack-of-all-trades in the dealership world. Well, in my humble opinion anyway.

Because my husband has been so well immersed in this world, I thought I would debunk a few myths we've observed over the years.

1. You're paying more for a dealership-bought vehicle than a privately-bought vehicle.
It depends. It's wisest to sell your personal vehicle on your own rather than trade it in. Trade-in value through a dealership will always be less than selling the vehicle on your own. That's because a dealership then has to turn around, possibly service your vehicle if it needs it, sell your vehicle at a competitive price and make money. Why do they need to make money, you ask? They employ lots of people. Sales staff. Accountants. Title Clerks. Shuttle Van Drivers. Finance people. Lot Porters. Detailers. Service Technicians. Service Writers. Receptionists. Power Washers. Marketing Whiz's. IT/Network Administrators. That's a lot of people to have on a company's payroll. But they each pull their own weight to (hopefully) run a tight ship. So, maybe you pay a little more for a vehicle, but something wise to remember is this: research. Research the vehicle you want. Research competing dealership prices. Share this knowledge with your salesperson. And don't forget how many people see that newly purchased vehicle of yours before you do. That vehicle has made it's rounds through sales, service, accounting, detail, etc., before you ever sit down in that driver's seat. You must also remember that a reputable dealership will have your vehicle road ready to drive and will have fixed any issues before selling the vehicle to you. These issues could include: new tires, an oil change, replaced older hoses, new brakes, etc. If you find the car you want for cheaper price through a private dealer, go for it. But also remember that if you're most likely responsible for fixing any issues with the vehicle.

2. Salesmen are pushy.
This also depends on numerous factors. Every dealership will have it's fair share of salespeople. Some will be pushy. Some will be laid back. Some are still green. Some are seasoned pros. My personal belief is that a salesperson's sales approach depends on their personality. You have to remember that while these people have been trained to help you "appreciate" a vehicle a little more, they, too, have families to provide for. And if they don't sell, they don't collect a paycheck at the end of the month. Sure, they chose this profession, but they still have responsibilities just like you do. Once again, your best weapon of defense is to research the vehicle you'd like long before you step through those glass doors. If you know what you want, it will be harder for a salesmen to push you around. Vigorous research is always key. If a competing dealership has a better price, you are always welcome to walk out those doors and drive to a better price. And by all means, DO IT. It's important to keep in mind that most sales people are well-versed on the vehicles on their lot. They know what special features they have and they can be very helpful in putting you in a different vehicle that better suits your desires or price range. They know their stuff. 0

3. They just want to make a killing off me.
Yes, some salesmen do. Some are greedy and they want a big, fat paychecks to purchase expensive watches and spray tans. In fact, there is an acronym I used to see written on vehicles before management changed at my husband's current dealership. It basically meant they had made a killing off a customer. Since things have changed and people have been let go, I haven't seen that anymore. A dealership has many moving parts. Sometimes, it takes a little while for people's true colors to rise to the surface. In my experience, those people don't last forever. If you think someone is trying to make a killing off you AFTER you have done your research, walk out the door or request a different sales person. If they still won't budge on the price, I would leave your phone number and tell them if they decide to lower the price, you'd be more than happy to receive a phone call. The best time to do this is at the end of the month when sales reports are due. But you didn't hear that from me ;)

4. A new vehicle is better than an old one.
Dave Ramsey may have been the first to debunk this myth, but let me be the second. The moment you drive that shiny new vehicle off the lot, you can kiss a couple thousand dollars goodbye. You won't get it back. In fact, if you bring it back the next day to trade it in, you might as shoot yourself in the foot. We have purchased three vehicles from dealerships. And all three have been older vehicles with lower mileage. What does this mean: CHEAPER. What does this also mean: PAY THE CAR OFF SOONER. We live in a world that tells you brand, spanking new is better. They shove it down your throat. But keep in mind that a vehicle's true purpose is to get you and your loved ones from A to B safely. If you can pay cash for a brand new vehicle, go ahead. But don't take out a loan on a new car. Take a decent loan out on a 3-5 year-old vehicle with low mileage. Why? Lower mileage = bigger pay off in the end. When you go to sell that  somewhat older vehicle with lower mileage, you'll get more out of it than you would on a new car with lots of miles. Low mileage is what you're looking for. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about.

5. The Car Sale Price is the final price.
This is a big NO. The car sales price is just the beginning. You can walk into finance and expect to pay $20,000. But that's not what you're going to pay when you leave. You will always have a Doc fee. I've always paid around $350 for this. Then, you can purchase warranties (which I highly recommend on older vehicles. We paid for a warranty and didn't have to pay for a brand new tranny. It was a breakeven and I'm thankful we did it.) They'll offer you Gap Insurance. I always buy it now. I didn't have it and when my car got totaled by a woman having a heart attack, we took a huge loss on our car. It protects you from having to make payments on a vehicle that is no longer drivable. They'll offer you other features you can say yes or no to. Lifetime oil changes. Details. Etc. You choose what best fits you, but remember there is always a Doc fee. Once you leave there, you also have registration and taxes to pay at your local DMV or Tag Agency. If you don't have the funds upfront, ask Finance if that can be included in your loan. It was a lifesaver for us when we purchased our now paid-off-two-years-early Explorer.

The dealership world is a strange place to work and even buy from. But it's important to remember that the less you know about the vehicle you want purchased, the more tempted a salesperson is to drive up the price. Be wise. Do your research. Take a friend to help you look over the paperwork. You wouldn't buy a house without researching all the ins and outs of the home; take the same approach with a car.

A Letter To My Son

My Dearest Son,

Many years ago, I watched from the window as your father--tall and lanky in his youth--ran past my window. I can't explain now what I felt then, but I heard the deafening words, "There is your husband," as he raced by me.

I thought that was a silly thing to think at the time. "I don't even know that guy," I told myself. Besides, I had no plans to get married or share my life with anyone. My parents' divorce had done a number on me. It was an unimaginable pain. A pain that I carried with me for far too long. It wasn't until your birth that I released the pain completely. Because if they had not separated, you would not be here today. I would never undo my past because you--my present--are too wonderful to ever trade or give away.

Fast forward seven years and, sure enough, that boy I watched from the window became my husband. I didn't realize that God was speaking to me for the first time all those years ago. I wish I had listened a little more closely. I wish I had waited patiently for your father to come to the same realization that we were going to get married instead of brushing him off. Because he lived in Dust Bowl Oklahoma and me? Well, I had no future there.

Hindsight is always sobering. Always.

The point I'm trying to make here is that God's plan for your life will always trump your plans for your life. Every. Time.

We live in strange and uncertain times. Your father and I keep talking and praying about the ways we can equip you to best serve the Lord. Our example should be good enough, but we fail you too often. Because the weight of our responsibilities takes a front seat when it shouldn't. Because we're tired and we just want to wrap our arms around you and shut out the world. Because we're human and Satan is a good deceiver.

So while we're trying to be your best example, I pray you give us grace. I pray you offer us mercy when you think we haven't been the parents you desperately need.

My son, my hope is that we never disappoint you. You will know best that we are human and imperfect. You will have a front row seat to all of our mistakes, our shortcomings and our failures. I hope to make you proud though, in the way we rise out of those situations. I hope you learn that your father and I--while flawed--are hardheaded and strong. We fail. We fall. We flat line.

It's then that we remember this life cannot be lived on our own strength. And it was never supposed to be that way.

God's strength will guide you through the storms of life. When you're drowning, when you're stumbling, when you're falling with no end in sight, all you have to say is, "Jesus."

My son, He will rescue you. He will save you. He will take your drowning and teach you how to float along life's rough currents. He will take your stumbling and help you find your footing on solid ground. And when you're falling, He will fall beside you and gently help you find the soft earth below while you lay there to recover. You are never alone. The one who loves you more than I do is always right there.

I pray that you always know the one true God. The God who took my shattered life and worked those broken pieces into a beautiful masterpiece.

My life was a mess. I was hurt and angry at everyone and everything. The hurt was so blinding that I walked around like a zombie for years, unable to feel. When a family falls apart, that tends to happen.

My wish for you is that if you ever find yourself in the dark, lonely place of brokenness, that you keep your eyes on Jesus. You will walk through some dark days, but you won't live there forever. Take your time as you navigate that darkness. There are lessons there that you won't find anywhere else. And when you find your way through it, I pray that you will fall to your knees in praise. Because God takes our darkest moments and He makes them our most beautiful ones. He will teach you more in a storm than he ever will safely on the shore.

My hurt. My anger. My brokenness. He loved me through it all. He protected me through it all. He walked beside me. He carried me. He shielded me. He offered me mercy. He blessed me. He put me in high places. Our God is so, so good, even in the darkness.

My son, the God that saved my life will do the same for yours. He is, after all, the great Redeemer. Never forget what God has done for you. It will keep you humble and sane.

I pray that you do the right thing, even when it's hard. I pray that you remain tender-hearted and that you love people. I pray that you spend lots of time with hurting and broken people, encouraging them and being God's hands and feet. I pray that you live a faithful, humble life. I pray that you find a good woman who will draw you even closer to the Lord. I pray that you have lots of children. I pray that we prepare you to be a good husband and father. Even more than that, I pray that we help you to become a good Christian who loves to serve the Lord.

There will be many that will try to stain your reputation. They will try to destroy your character. They will try to rile you up and cause you to sin. It's in these moments that you must stop what you're doing and pray. Pray for your enemy. Pray God's hand is on you. He will always protect you. And even if He doesn't, you must remember that everything He allows is for your good.

My son, it's imperative that you remember you have 75 years here--give or take. You have eternity in Heaven. Don't forget that the point of this life is to love the Lord, serve the Lord and help share His goodness with others. My hope for you is that when you enter the Kingdom, God welcomes you with these words: "Well done, good and faithful one."

So be brave. Be bold. Live a life others don't understand. Be unique. Stand up for what's right. Love others fiercely. Sing praises to God--even when you don't feel like it. Spend time in nature. Pray without ceasing. Remember that I love you. No matter where you go or what you do, you'll always be mine. You'll always be your father's. And you will always be God's.

I love you,
Mom

28 Things I've Learned This Past Year

My 28th birthday is a week away! It's hard to believe another year has already flown by--and also dragged on. 27 has had some hard moments, but it has been filled with lots of blessings and unexpected beauty.

To celebrate, here's 28 things I've learned over the last year:

1. I'm tired of being a Martha. I want to be a Mary. Who cares if the house is A MESS?! I want to sit at the feet of Jesus and be still. Then go out to dinner because Martha didn't make dinner and neither did I.

2. Stress is overrated. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Even the next hour will take care of itself. Stress less; live more in the moment.

3. Life is precious. Just a vapor. We're here one day and gone the next. I want to make the most of whatever days I have here.

4. Eat more veggies and fruits. Yes, I have fallen in love with fruit this past year. Apples. Bananas. Blueberries. Peaches. Jicama. Whatever. If it's fruit or Brussels sprouts, I'm so there.

5. Cook. All the time. Bake. Make that disgusting meatloaf your husband adores. And then slather it with gravy and mashed potatoes to choke it down.

6. When the world comes pounding on your front door, don't let it in. Don't let it steal your peace. Grab your loved ones and hold them close.

7. Find beauty in each day. Even the rough days. The days that break your heart and make you question God's goodness. Look. Look and you will find it. Because God is always good.

8. Be happy for people. Be excited about their accomplishments. Their good times. Their victories. Don't be petty. It only makes you look bad.

9. When your son pees on you while simultaneously barfing on you, don't freak out. Just go to the shower, turn it on, and let the warm water wash away the chunks from your shirt. And when your husband comes home and tells you how great you look with puke hair, just laugh it off.

10. Stay up late and get up early. Sleep deprivation is only for a season. You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish with only SIX hours of sleep a night for a year (or 14 months) straight. Girl, you've got this!

11. Drink more coffee. Try different flavors. Just avoid decaf. Especially right after having a baby. Make sure you DOUBLE CHECK the bag at the store before you take it home. Decaf can never be your friend. And it might ruin your marriage for a few weeks until you realize you bought decaffeinated life-saving elixir.

12. Sing a little louder in that church pew. Even if you are singing the wrong words and you're off key. Just sing anyway. It's church; people won't judge you out loud.

13. Find a quiet place to rest. Rest for five minutes or five weeks. Just find some time to shut the world out.

14. Take a break from the things that are overwhelming. If you need to give up a hobby so you can relax, quit. If you need to step back from responsibilities at church for a little while, that's O.K. If you need to tell someone "No" when you normally say "Yes", don't beat yourself up. It's only for a little while. You'll feel your feet return to the ground soon.

15. Anger is unnecessary. Feel what you need to, then let it go. Move forward. Don't let anger pull you away from those you love. Don't let it build walls. Don't let it fuel your pride. If you don't believe me, just reread #3.

16. Go on more leisurely walks. Don't rush so fast. Look up at the sky. Look down at the ground. Seriously. Look down sometimes. Change of perspective is good.

17. Admit it when you're wrong. Tell people. Apologize. In the wise words of one of my Pinterest pins: "When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don't get to decide that you didn't."

18. Make new friends. Invite them to coffee. There's always room for more people in your life. Even if it's only once every few months.

19. Go all out. For that birthday party. For the one you love. For yourself. For God. Just give it your all.

20. Keep your side of the fence clean, metaphorically speaking. We don't weed eat that often and so our side of the fence is usually half-mowed. Thankfully, we have very forgiving neighbors.

21. Spend more time with your neighbors. You live with these people. They probably know more about you than your parents do. I mean, I know every time my neighbors go on vacation. I know when they leave their garage door accidentally open. I know when they fight. It's O.K. Sometimes, we fight at our house, too.

22. Give up soda. Just walk away from it completely. Then discover sweet tea by accident and limit yourself to 3 sweet teas a week. Water, you'll always be my first love. But some days, I just need a sweet tea.

23. Your attitude will CHANGE EVERYTHING. Move a massive dirt pile with a shovel and a broken wheelbarrow JOYFULLY. While you're in the midst of that trial praising God and finding joy in the mundane, unfair, every days of life, people will unexpectedly show up to lend a hand. And you will absolutely love them for it. Joy is contagious. So is your attitude.

24. Pray for people. Stay up all night praying for them. You will be so exhausted the next morning, but you will find a peace that is unsurpassable. People need you. They need you to pray without ceasing sometimes. So, pray.

25. Treat yo'self. I have never in my life bought anything that I didn't need. Seriously, ask my husband. I do not treat myself to ANYTHING. Clothes? Nope. People give me clothes. Literally everything in my closet has been free. Yep, that's how I roll. This year though, I started treating myself. Coffee. Nail polish. Sandals. O.K. they were all under $5 a piece, but I kind of like treating myself to little gifts every once in a while. And you should, too.

26. Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for being human sometimes. I don't always react well to things. But I love that I have a husband who just lets me be me. I can be petty and judgmental more often than I'd like and I can tell him how much I hate that about myself. And he will just grab my hand and squeeze. In that moment, I always remember how blessed I am. The pettiness just fades away.

27. Fall in love with someone who loves you completely...even after 8 years. That doesn't mean love is easy. That doesn't mean you won't have seasons where you'll look at each other and say, "We're broken in this area. Let's fix it together." Fix it and move on. Love is worth it.

28. Breathe. Take a deep breath. Then let it out. It's a good life. Even when it's dark, the sun never fails to rise every morning.

Forget Taco Tuesday, We Do Burrito Bowl Tuesday!

 

We were burnt out on tacos. Ground beef tacos, chicken tacos, ground turkey tacos, fish tacos, shredded pork tacos...the list went on and on. Tacos...they were getting a little...blah.

Don't get me wrong, we ADORE tacos. But we needed a little change. Just something to shake up our usual Tuesday routine.

I was on Pinterest, looking up healthy recipes, when I came across a delicious burrito bowl. I scanned the recipe, then do what I always do: modify it to fit us.

In our house, we don't do one--and only one--vegetable: bell peppers. My husband has never eaten them and bell peppers, along with ground beef, repulsed me while I was pregnant. I can do the ground beef now, but the smell of bell peppers still makes me want to puke. I have a hard time even just looking at them.

So, we adopted this new recipe and made it out own. And we absolutely LOVE it!

Here's how we do Burrito Bowl Tuesday...

What you'll need to make 4 servings:

1 lb ground turkey (you can use beef but we prefer the lighter taste of turkey with our burrito bowls)

1 cup salsa

1/2 cup shredded cheese

3 cups cooked rice (brown, white, basmati...whatever your preference is)

1 can sweet corn

1 can black beans

1 avocado

1 large tomato (or you can use cherry tomatoes)

1/2 large red onion

Salt & pepper to taste

 

 

1. Brown your ground turkey in a cast-iron skillet. When done, pour in 1 cup of your favorite salsa. I tried Casa Mamita's Chipolte Lime Organic Salsa this time around. I'm in LOVE! I don't know if I can eat other salsas now! It was so delicious!

2. Shred your cheese, cut your veggies, and rinse off your cans of corn and beans! Put them into cute little bowls and make it buffet-style!

3. Grab your cooked rice, layer on ground turkey, beans and corn, veggies, and top with shredded cheese! You can also add cilantro, sour cream, salsa, etc. on top!

Enjoy!

--Jessi