Mmm...Monday

Stop what you are doing and just look at the delectable little treat above.  This simple, yet amazing side dish is paired perfectly with your meat of choice hot off the grill.  We had these the other night(I used nitrate free turkey bacon) and Jake confirmed that this was his absolute favorite way that I have ever made asparagus, which is huge seeing that asparagus has become a weekly tradition in this house. Yep, this baby just got added to the rotation.  I can't wait for the aroma of bacon with a little bit of sweetness to fill the house when I make these again next week.  

Try this asap friends!

http://www.bakeaholicmama.com/2014/03/bacon-wrapped-asparagus-with-balsamic.html

Inspiration on this lovely Wednesday...

I have been a student to the insightful author, Gloria Kempton, my writing coach, for over six months now. She both inspires me and challenges me daily and for this I am grateful.  Currently, I am studying her book, The Outlaw's Journey, which explains in detail the well known writer, Joseph Campbell's, The Hero's Journey. I made a pledge to myself last year that I would complete this memoir.  I am mindful that this writing endeavor will require a whole lot of patience, persistence and of course all the chocolate I can handle to get me through to the final pages, but nothing good comes easy, right?

Go after your dreams friends and never, ever, stop.

A quote by Joseph Campbell that speaks to my soul:

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."

Tuesday's Father's Day shout out to our real life hero!

The girls amazed me at their willingness to make the letters PAPA using only themselves as props.  I carefully balanced on a chair trying to capture the moment as quickly as possible before one of them giggled and squirmed out of position.  All in all I think it turned out great. The added bonus is that it can double as a display for both Father's Day and 4th of July!

We had a belated celebration with Jake after our return from our awesome vaca in Jamaica.  We had an eventful day having breakfast together, going to church and making a splash at the community pool.

I think he was pretty pleased about the surprise from his girlies.  What do you think?

Jamaica Mon...l

Hold the phone peeps...Jake and I are headed to a little slice of Caribbean heaven in 2 days, Jamaica here we come!  It's been way too long! We haven't taken a vacation, just the two of us since we conceived Gia. TMI?  And no, this time I assure you we are not making a baby.:)  

I am so looking forward to dating my husband for a whole 6 days!  I will be missing my two little beauties something fierce, thanks to technology we plan on a face time chat somewhere in between, kayaking and pina coladas!:)

This picture was taken in Jamaica the last time we visited on our wedding day. And here is our best replica attempt at the lift, can somebody say Dirty Dancing obsession? 

Have a beautiful week friends!

I think I can, I think I can...

Mindful Friday...

Last night I sat down, while simultaneously sighing with exhaustion. I began reflecting on how I got to this point of utter fatigue.

I let my mind wander to our daily break down for this particular day. I remembered the shaving cream and food coloring experiment, the giggles, hugs and kisses, the plethora of books we read and re-read again, the unfortunate time-outs, coloring, our picnic on top of sleeping bags on the kitchen floor, a short lived cat nap, exploring outside, jumping in puddles, took a walk, to which we quickly turned around when Gia said she needed a tissue, but really she had bloody nose, we rested stopping the nose bleed while we watched Sophia The First and decided when Jake got home that because grocery day is tomorrow and simply I didn't feel like cooking, that we would venture out for dinner, and after dinner we ran a bath for the girls, time for pjs, made ice cream sundaes, we read more books, brushed teeth, sang songs, said prayers, xoxo and they were tucked in tight. Phew!

This is the precise time when sitting for me finally commenced.

But what I realized from all of this exhaustion is that right now at this point in our children's lives, they need us. Honestly, they need us for just about everything and although I have days like this where I am completely spent, I find myself, when the day slows down a bit, thinking about how it won't be like this forever. That's when Mom guilt sets in and I feel awful for complaining about my worn out self, when what I need to be doing is soaking up these precious moments while they last.

I mean, does it get any cuter than this?

Thursday's Peek Into My Memoir...

In the hustle and bustle of LAX airport, I found a little hideaway in a corner next to the window near my gate.  I placed my green tea and snack neatly next to me along with my carry on, hoping to find my appetite before boarding. 

Enclosed in my suitcase was the beloved white dress that at one time made me feel hopeful.  Concluding the weekend the dress was crumpled into a ball, which resembled me as I looked over to the window and saw my reflection, sitting on the dirty floor curled up in the fetal position with my head resting on my knees.  I observed myself further as I looked frail from having lost nearly five pounds over the course of this whirlwind of a weekend.  I wished that with the pounds that disappeared from my body that also the disappointment, worry and sadness would have dissipated just as easily, but that was not the case.  In fact, they were the very cause for my new slightly more slender stature.  
While I sat feeling cold, alone and helpless, I chose to remain there on the floor in isolation, until the dreadful moment when I had to board the plane, leaving the past behind me, in order to salvage my life in the present.

“Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be your darkest days.”  Rick Warren – Purpose Driven Life

Writing on my closet floor, but not without an essential piece sure to further inspire me...chocolate! 

Wednesday's Bosom Buddy Shout Out!