What's done is done.

I have so many things jumbled around in my 

head to say, and sorting it out seems like too much.

Have you ever been so busy with everyday life and doing, 

that by the time you get a moment of rest, a lightbulb goes off. 

You've become who you 

never thought you might be.

I've just recently started a bible study with a group of women, and this good thing just came in great timing. I can't say why, but the words I'm reading are so humbling and they're fitting like missing puzzle pieces into my life. How many women have gone through life with no definite direction, no definite calling, and painful effects of "trying to be it all"...as in taking responsibility to roles that we're not created to handle. I am so guilty. This study, in my eyes, may be different from another's, but it's opened my eyes wide to my calling. It's a study on Biblical Femininity. 

Click here to learn more.   

Beyond the study and how it's already completely "WOW'ed" me, I've unintentionally realized how my life has changed and who I've become. The first chapter of the study asked how you see femininity. 

Whether you lean towards feminism or traditionalism and the 

positivity and negativity that can come from both. 

Without a doubt, I lean towards traditionalism. 

After reading further, it's amazing what I've learned about myself. Especially in the areas I'm not expressing my own core capacities like God intended. And just like that, reading what God designed women to be, An Essential Counterpart, put so many misunderstood views of what I should be on a level perspective. The only one perspective that supplies true hope of life throughout humanity. 

Wow.

So that's that...this book is a treasure.

Learning more about myself through the everyday things as a mom is just plain funny.

Not sure if it came from watching my own mom play that role or if it's just how God designed me, but I truly do love to iron...seriously. I love to cook. I love to clean. I love staying home and being mom. I love this chapter of my life. And as this book calls it, "Season". 

I'm a traditionalist. I'm not sure I could've ever seen that coming. 

Funny though, you wake up and oh my goodness, you enjoy cleaning toilets... what in the world...

Regardless, I've learned, whether living from one end of the spectrum to another, 

God designed all women for one common calling. 

And what a deep comfort it is to know it's not up to ourselves to create our own lives, 

it's already done.

October Weekends.

October weekends are more than wonderful for the reason that we experience that hint of cool air, more outside play time, and we can dream of the days to come, full of love with 

family time, holidays, 

and the all around coziness of this season. 

Brian surprised Brady by a camp out last night...

He held both his pillows tight as he jumped and smiled his way out to the tent.

Yesterday, the kids and I threw out a 

blanket in the yard, and enjoyed this 

perfect late afternoon beauty. 

Brady roasted marshmallows, Brian showed me the right way to roast the perfect marshmallow and together, we sort of soaked up a special fall night together.

These special times together as a family mean so much to me.

We're still in our pajamas, I've started re-organizing the entire kitchen (it's a disaster) and...

I've got sauce on the stove, ready to make a 

baked spaghetti cheesy goodness to devour for lunch.

 It's Brady's favorite.

(and maybe one of mine, too.)

Books & Soups.

Right now, I'm celebrating that special time of day

 where I can sneak dipping 

Nutter Butter's into my coffee and 

not be caught by Brady. 

Both babies are sound asleep. The days where time works in my favor and I find them both fussy at the same time of afternoon, I know on the horizon, time for myself is waiting...

where I can finally relax. 

By the way, I have no idea how Nutter Butter's are in our pantry,

 I've never bought the things. 

Must have been my husband. Yesterday was one of those days, actually the second day in a row that I had not left my house. Those are the best kind of days. 

If I'm going to call myself a stay-at-home mom,

 I'm going to live up to it.

It hit me yesterday that between two bible studies, a book club, a new devotional, and a wonderful new book from a friend, what the heck am I doing while I should be reading?

So, that's my plan for the week to come. Reading, and lots of it.

I gathered up a bunch of ingredients that (thank the Lord) I had on hand to make dinner. Otherwise it would've been another breakfast-for-dinner meal. This soup was goooood. Perfect for yesterday because, now the norm, our temperature really can't make up it's mind. Since yesterday was pretty cool and fall is finally here, my favorite way to celebrate is to eat. So we did. 

Here's the recipe if you'd like...it's pretty easy and just real good.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

-ingredients-

4 cups chicken stock 

juice of 1 lime (1 1/2 to 2 tbsp)

1 can (14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juice

1/2 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped. (optional, but not really. Yum.)

1 can mild green chiles, undrained (4 oz)

2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves

2 green onions, chopped (I used about 5)

I also added a little chopped red onion

3/4 cup corn, frozen, fresh or canned (drained)

1 cup cooked chicken (I let mine cook all day on low in the crockpot with chicken stock)

Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese to top off soup

Oh, and a little sour cream on top... We were out, and this soup would've loved that.

You can be real fancy and fry or bake your own tortilla strips. I'll be honest, I used left over tortilla chips we had from a cookout. Still good.

Simmer chicken stock with tomatoes, lime juice, jalapeño, green chiles, cilantro, green onion, and corn for one hour. The recipe I went by said to add chicken 5 minutes before done, but I let it simmer with the chicken for another 30 minutes at least. It'll be fantastic either way.

Don't forget to add a ton of cheese, a little sour cream, and tortilla chips on top!!

(and if you're like me, another couple green onions...)

So there ya have it. ENJOY! 

Maybe build a fire, throw on a comfy sweater and be thankful because this is the best time of year. 

My favorite from Martha.

Last week, I woke up to something so out of the ordinary. 

My husband was awake before anyone in the house

 and he had started a fire very early on a chilly morning.

Talk about a good morning. 

Coffee started, sweater thrown on... my morning was spectacular.

(Our mornings usually start with our toddler stepping on us and demanding a pop-tart.)

A special thanks to Martha Stewart for a pretty delicious "starter". 

Something to munch on. Something I tried a couple years ago and Oh. My. Goodness.

 Bothering with a difficult recipe isn't worth anyone's time.

 Unless it involves chocolate of some sort, then maybe. 

Here's a favorite little something I wanted to share.

 It does look like funny food, but the gals seemed to love it, and I think you might too. 

Goat cheese? Try it if you haven't!

Hope you enjoy this recipe...

I might think you're crazy if you don't.

Girlfriends.

Birthdays are special when friends you love 

take time to celebrate you.

 Seven of us took the night off from the everyday and ventured downtown to share a little lady time, a delicious dinner and a few drinks. I tasted a french rose sangria, friends, and it was to die for. I hope she doesn't mind me posting this...but this girl below... 

she's the one who rounded us up and planned the night. 

It meant more to me than I can say. 

The last stop of the night led us home 

with dozens of doughnuts and happy hearts.

Blew my diet because it was my birthday, and you're allowed to do that sort of thing.

This post is nothing more than a "thank you" to the girls who make my life special. To making my getaways something to look forward to. For play dates with the kids, for nights out, for double dates and husbands alike. For sharing ones own struggle, and for lifting each other up. For knowing help is just a ring away. For sharing funny stories, for the hilarious laughs...

For the memories made and exciting times ahead.

A girl just can't do without.

Birthday.

I asked Brian a few times throughout September 

"How old will I be?" 

First, because math to me is nearly impossible.

Second, because motherhood will leave you wondering what year it even is.

So, yesterday I think I turned 26 and spent the day surrounded by everything that will 

make a birthday happy.

Outside with my babies for most the day, visiting the pumpkin patch, 

and soaking up the beginnings of fall.

My day was made when Marcy learned to say "Uh Oh!"

 in the sweetest way possible. 

She's crawling, pulling up on things and now, and beginning to talk.

This my friends, is exactly the reason we're out of milk, bread and eggs...

because I rather spend time playing than load up two kids and waste a morning spending money.

 Brady J's personality.

Where could I even begin?

He truly believes he's an adult. When I tell him to do something, he shakes his finger at me saying "No ma'am..." going on with an explanation to why he doesn't need to do what I ask. Potty training is 85% complete. That's my math for the day. We're almost there. When I check on him using the potty, 

all he has to say is "Get out." 

So, I leave it up to the know-it-all. 

He's going to do big things in his life, that's all I know.

I couldn't be more proud of this confident, 

stubborn little smarty pants.

My birthday was so special. 

Ellie, Chris, Mom & Dad came to see me and that meant more to me than I can even explain. They each brought me a beautiful gift, a make-you-cry kind of birthday card, and big hugs. 

What more could I ask for? 

I love my family so much.

Of course every time I think about them and what they mean to me...the tears show up. God is just so good to us.

And guess what. Brian helped load up two monkeys so that the four of us could go out for my birthday.

 To eat Mexican food.

If you know my husband at all,

you know what a huge act of love this truly was. 

And I love him too, so SO very much.

And all you folks that wished me a "Happy Birthday!" with your kind words, thank you for making my day so wonderful!