enjoying the small things...

It's mornings like yesterday that I want to bottle up and savor for those times when I need to slow down. stop. rest. pray.  My employer had an ultrasound yesterday late-morning which meant I didn't have to come in until 9:30!  It was amazing.  I woke up at 7:30, showered, walked noe, and made my coffee.

Whenever I have a morning to myself, I love to drink my coffee on the couch in our morning room (in the kitchen) and just watch outside. The trees blowing in the wind.  The walkers and runners in our neighborhood (as I lazily sit inside).  The sunshine.  The rain.  Sometimes the sunrise. You get the picture.  It's my little time of peace. quiet. stillness. I find so much strength and joy in these times.  I find myself feeling so connected with my Lord and just feel His presence and love.

Yesterday morning was one of these mornings. I sat for probably 45 minutes drinking my coffee and looking outside.  I was praying a good half of the time and dreaming of our family's future.  I prayed for our marriage. For my family. Thanking Him for ALL the blessings He has lavished on John and me.  For the fact that I'm sitting in a home He provided and the strength He gave me to get here (in Maryland) away from my entire family.  It's been amazing the journey He's taken us on in our marriage thus far and He promises to not give us more than we can handle.

I found myself looking around our home and imagining the pitter patter of little feet in it one day.  It amazes me that THIS is the home we will bring our first child home in.  This is the home we will become a mother and father in.  This is the very same view I will be looking at out of my kitchen window with coffee in one hand and a baby in the other (one day - Lord willing).  It blows my mind to think all of these things.  My whole life I dreamed of being a wife and a mom.  Like seriously; since I was 8 or younger.  I have so many dreams of what it would look like it and hit me that THIS is the place where many of our special memories will be held for life.

I began praying for our future babies.  That ONE DAY (not now, I swear, so don't get excited) He would bring us a gift of life when He feels we are ready.  That John and I may raise children to know the Lord personally, to love Him and to honor Him in all they do.  Both John's parents and my parents did such an amazing job parenting and bringing up kids to love the Lord that I strive to raise my children as they both did (in so many ways).  I will continue to pray for my future babies and children as I prayed for my husband LONG before I ever was blessed with knowing him.

For now, I am enjoying the small things.  The cup of hot coffee, the view out of my kitchen, the quiet times, the sunshine, and the ability to talk to the creator of everything whenever I want - at any given time.  What a luxury!

Today, I encourage you to enjoy the small things in your life. Go on - do it!

Thanks for walking with us,
JL

Valentines, Oh Valentines...

If you know me, well... let's just say you wouldn't be surprised that Valentine's day, February 14th, is one of my favorites days of the year.  Well, to start off, I just love to love. I love being loved.  I love feeling in love and loving so many important people in my life.  I ALSO love pink. red. pink and red everything. Oh the seasonal valentine's M&M's...the pink and white roses (not a fan of red roses...never have been). The candles. The hearts. The happiness everywhere. I just love walking into Target during February and seeing all the pink and red.

I'll ALSO say that I love Valentine's day because it's the 1 day out of 365 days a year that my husband cooks dinner for me.   Well, maybe 1 of his 3 days of the year.  Let's face it - I got a LOT in the man I married but the whole "marry a man who can cook" is not in our household.  It works out though because I love cook and find it therapeutic (there's only room for 1 cook in the kitchen anyway!)  To give John credit though...he can make a mean pb&j and macaroni and cheese (out of a box).

We did Valentine's day up right this year.  You know...our first Valentine's as a married couple...it's a special deal.  (Well, and John knows how much I love to celebrate a good holiday - or ANYTHING for that matter)!  I'll find any excuse to throw a party and celebrate!

The weekend before Valentine's Day, John and I went on an overnight getaway in Baltimore to a 1800's Bed and Breakfast (B&B).  It was renevated rowhomes dating back to the late 1800's.  It was amazing.  Every room was different and unique in its own way.  We stayed in the Caton Suite which was so amazing.  It's own fireplace, very spacious, huge bathtub - the works. Very romantic and fun get away.  We walked to little italy for dinner and truly relaxed that evening.  Breakfast the next morning at the B&B was just divine as you can imagine.  Enjoy a few pictures from our weekend!

On Thursday (actual Valentine's day), John came in at 6am with a plate full of delicious chocolate chip pancakes!  Breakfast in bed? Yes, I'm a lucky girl!  John left for work at 6:30 and I headed out to work about an hour later.  John told me the week prior that he was going to cook dinner for me for Valentine's.  I got off work at 6:30 (and he was planning to be home early - around 6 - to start prepping for dinner).  Well, duty calls, and as his job goes, he got tied up with work and had to run one more call before coming home.  Needless to say, he got home around 7:30 so we had a very late dinner (which was fine with me!)  John was working away in the kitchen and prepared an amazing steak, blue cheese, and sweet red pepper dish all atop a breaded pizza crust.  It was divine!  Go ahead and droll over the next couple pictures.  As we sat down that evening over a delicious dinner and glass (or two) of wine, I expressed to john how good it felt to know that we were each other's Valentine for the rest of our lives.  Such an amazing feeling to have!  We had a WONDERFUL Valentine's celebration and look forward to many more together.  

 

Thanks for walking with us,

JL

in the kitchen...

I typically do all of my grocery shopping on a Monday afternoon/evening depending on my work schedule for that day (Monday's are my fluctuating days with works).  During Eva's morning nap, I tend to sit down and plan my meals for the week (that is....once I've cleaned up from the previous meal, done her laundry, making/pureeing her next few meals, maintaining her clean and tidy home, taking out her dog, running over and taking out my dog, and the list goes on).  Anyways....my point is, I typically sit down and plan 4-5 meals a week (taking into consideration that we will eat leftovers 1-2 nights and likely go out to eat once on the weekend or somewhere in the week).  

Once I find the 4-5 meals I'm planning for the week, I make a running list of everything I need for all the meals plus the regular items we need weekly; eggs, milk, cheese, snacks, bread, ice-cream (of course), etc....After getting off work (be it late afternoon or whatever), I hit Wegmans and spend about an hour total getting everything I need for the week.  I love this system I have going because it means only going to the grocery store once a week and spending my evenings in the kitchen preparing a hot meal to eat together when we get off work. 

After spending 12 hours apart (John typically works 6:45-6:45, often later, on a regular basis) it is such a priority to me to have a good dinner that we can sit down and eat together, catching up after a long day.  I love my kitchen.  Cooking is therapeutic to me.  Yes, don't get me wrong - the process can be a pain in the butt.....Planning, grocery shopping, making a mess, timing everything just right so it's all finished and hot at the same time, doing dishes, cleaning up, and then doing it alllllll over again.  Yes - sometimes it gets old but all-in-all I really enjoy cooking in my kitchen and trying new recipes almost every night.  We've probably had the same dish twice (maybe 3 times) in our 8.5 months of marriage thus far; I love cooking new things and being adventurous.  Plus, I have a good husband who takes care of the cleaning up and dish-washing after every meal! 

This post was inspired by friends who are requesting my avocado-chicken-salad that I made last night.  It is delicious and you can really tweak it to however you'd like! Mine is loaded with goodies because the more the better in my opinion! It's a healthy dish that is easy and delicious; enjoy!

Avocado Chicken Salad 

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
1 avocado
1/4 of an onion, chopped

grapes (cut into quarters)

walnuts (chopped)

celery (chopped)

juice of 1/2 a lime
2 Tbsp cilantro 
some salt and pepper, to taste

Boil/cook chicken breast until done.  Let cool and then shred. Add all of the other ingredients and mix.

Yes, it is THAT easy and tastes AS GOOD as it looks in the picture!   Serve on ciabatta bread, on crackers, or simply dive into the bowl as it is!  Enjoy!

Thanks for walking with us,

JL