A delicious, light dinner

I again spent too much time on Pinterest this morning but this recipe grabbed my attention and I decided to make it for dinner tonight. It is not only a feast for the eyes it is also really tasty! This recipe is techinically vegetarian but I think I will make grilled chicken breasts sometime and use this as a garnish because yes, it is that good!!!

See What I mean...sooooo yummy!! (Even Samantha liked it...she was actually the only kids willing to try it but I still hope for the day they will eat more than their boring, kid staples.)

Recipes: http://bevcooks.com/2012/02/vegetarian-mexican-salad-boats/

Oh and I totally cheated, (that's what 5 kids will do to you..). I used a tablespoon of taco seasoning instead of the chili powder and cumin simply because I had it and time. I also kept out the radishes. That is what was so appealing about this recipe...it really can be changed to your taste buds. Enjoy this special treat as the temps heat up...

So much thinking these days

I am almost done reading a book called "Grace for the Good Girl" by Emily P. Freeman. I am reading it as part of a leadership retreat for our woman's ministry group. I have had this book for over a  month and I actually started reading it shortly after I got it but then stopped because frankly the 'truths' in the book are convicting. Would I say I am a "good girl"? Probably. Have I made some intensely profound mistakes in my life? Yes. I find myself in this weird place of agreeing with so much the book describes because I think deep at my core I care too much about right and wrong. The way this book describes a 'good girl' I do fit it to a tee...and it hurts. I picked the book up again this past weekend because I need to have it read for discussion on Saturday and I must be in a place to hear it this time because I haven't really been able to put it down. It is not hurting any less reading it but I am anxious to keep going in hopes for the resolution (and hope) I am sure the end of the book brings.

Some of the hardest parts of this book for me to swallow have to do with pleasing people. I was the kids in school who wanted to be everyone's friend but was so ill-equipped to understand what that means and how that works. I see in my oldest daughter this same characteristic except she is thriving in the best way possible. God has made her intensely social and this desire to be everyone's friend. She does what I never was able to achieve...she doesn't worry about making sure everyone is happy. She has not put herself in the middle of her friends making sure the balance is right and making sure there is 'peace' between all the girls. She is able to set appropriate boundaries and doesn't wallow in shame if one of the girls challenges her boundary. She will say to one girl, "I want to spend a little one on one time with so and so and then we can go swing if you want." Then she bounces away confidently. Amazing! And the girls in the past year especially have grown to respect that about her because she is a young girl with great integrity and she follows through with what she says. They can trust her. Without sounding like a downer, it is my greatest hope that she can maintain this way of thinking/living in all her relationships as she grows...I pray, I hope desperately for the little girl inside me who didn't have nearly the confidence she has. I am so proud of her. See, I couldn't handle the rejection. I couldn't handle if someone else felt rejected by me, so I would waiver in my convictions to make sure that person 'felt' good. I couldn't handle being rejected. I would change myself in order to 'fit' into the box I had to be in at the moment. This book talks about wearing masks and I am a pro. The following quote nailed this concept on the head for me...

"That's how the mask wearing begins...For everyone, something happens that leads to a feeling be it rejection or fear or elation or pride. And that feeling becomes a belief deeply ingrained and carefully coddled. In turn, that belief turns into ways we choose to cope with things and live our lives."


I think deep in my core for some reason I just wanted to be accepted so badly. And if I wanted to be accepted so badly than that must mean I have to accept EVERYBODY and make myself what ever I needed to be for the given situation. The big problem with that is I never accepted myself to begin with and therefore how could I offer true, authentic relationship to anyone. Makes so much sense!!!! I think this must be the fundamental difference between Samantha and I. She absolutely accepts herself for who God created her to be. Shane and I have been pounding that into our children's head from day one. She cares and feels deeply, authentically about each one of her friends but she is not trying to make them like her...they either do or they don't. Even as children we crave authenticity in our relationships. When we are authentic we can find those places of strength and confidence. She is certainly my example.

So much more to share from this book...

Truth

I should probably live a little more with this truth...an excellent reminder.

Photo Collage

I love it on Pinterest when I see photo collages and I took advantage of having several group shots from my Easter shoot with the kids last weekend. They make a grand statement on my stairs. (I realized after I took this picture that my bottom row needed to be switched so use your imagination on what it actually looks like! heeeheee)

Opening Day 2012

Shane and I enjoyed what is becoming a grand tradition in our family of going to Opening Day for the Diamondbacks. The energy in the stadium is unlike almost any other game, unless the Yankees come to town. We upgraded our season ticket seats to be in the front row of the all you can eat section. We have a completely unobstructed view, just above the Dbacks bullpen...and it is AWESOME! We also had the privilege of watching two home runs fall just below us in left field. We stayed for the whole game, waited out 50,000 fans at TGIFridays and enjoyed appetizers and great conversation. If you enjoy baseball and ever get a chance to go to opening day...DO IT, you will not be disappointed! Oh and you cannot possibly go wrong enjoying 80 degrees in the shade and a slight breeze...it was pretty close to perfect!!

Spring has officially arrived

If you scroll a few posts down then you will see the girls' Easter dress project. Since is it Good Friday, and the kids are off school we woke up early, dressed in their new outfits for a photo shoot. I really wanted to do this before Sunday because it seems like holidays are always a little crazy, (in a good way), and I never get the nice pictures I crave.

And again, it is always crazy to get five individuals to smile all at the same time. I took about 100 and ended up with 12 really good ones. My two year old as it turned out was the most uncooperative but that wasn't a huge surprise, and my 10 year old is in this 'tween' faze and his smile is a little forced. I guess the point of taking these pictures is to capture where they are in this moment forever...and these do!! At any rate, and what ever the quality I love these babes deeply...

 Hilarious!!!

 I have some handsome boys!

 LOVE, love, love the dresses and the yellow circles and wall

 This one is my favorite...I love how Grace it looking up at Jacob...such a sweet moment caught of the youngest and oldest.

 I think it is so sweet how Grace and Hannah are holding hands...such relaxed and unforced love between sisters.

Thank you Mesa Arts Center...you always make it easy to get some amazing shots!

Easter Cake Pops

I found more cute ideas on Pinterest...that site is sooooo dangerous for a little O'l crafter like me! I feel instantly in love with a few pictures showcasing chicks, easter egg and bunny cake pops. I tried the egg cake pops earlier in the week and did turn out so well...I may try again this weekend. The baby chicks on the other hand are adorable!! Seriously, some people out there have great ideas and I am just happy to try m hand at them. I made these for the kids' teachers and hope I can get the rest finished before Sunday.

Nathan loses his first tooth!

In a 'happy' accident with Hannah on the trampoline, Nathan's first tooth was knocked out! Now, in all fairness to Hannah, Nathan actually knocked his tooth front teeth really hard in a tantrum a little over two years ago. The dentist and I have been waiting for this tooth to come out since then. So Nathan gets his first visit from the tooth fairy...and we take another step into being a bigger boy!!

A little funny...He was kinda freaking out, and Hannah was screaming when it happened but then I was jumping up and down to celebrate this 'milestone' and he gave me this adorable smile.

Easter Dress Project

We got a bit adventurous over at the Self house and decided to make Easter dresses for the girls. I though about making them identical but then as the process of laying and cutting out the pattern I decided making them just a wee bit unique would be adorable. Now, each girl has their own dress but they also match each other. I cannot wait to see them wear them next weekend!!!

We also worked together on this project. I have a great partner who's amazing engineering skills make doing something like this a ton easier. I am thankful to have him and that we work so well together and even enjoy it!! (Halloween costumes here we come...)

 The fabric choices...

 Our dining room converted to craft room

 Each dress cut out for each girl

 My honey working with the machine!!

And about 3/4 way to being finished and I broke a needle and buggered everything up while He was out dirt biking this afternoon. He came home, fixed it right up and away we went towards the finish line!