Vacationing

 Went to the beach with the Nysewander fam. I love a break from the norm and I love the norm, so it was good to go and it was good to come home. Bean missed his dog, IG missed her BFF and little Miss just wanted to go back to the beach and "live there forever." I love them and I was happy that we had such a great time to be together as a family and just relax a bit. Today is our final day of vacation (with the wonderful JM) so we're headed off to six flags after we drop Bear at the groomer's! Woop woop!!

If you're interested in how the 'clean eating' went on vacation, check this out:
http://simplycleanforme.blogspot.com/2012/07/vacation-health-nightmare.html

New Blog!

Hey everyone! I've started a new blog JUST for food and recipes. Please come check it out!

simplycleanforme.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think!!

My wandering compass

What do you do? Say, if for a season, your life was pointed in one direction and as time went on the needle of your compass turned and pointed in another. So you settle where your needle is pointed but on occasion you loose your bearings and your needle goes all over the place and lands in another direction. I found that this happens a few times a year. I get frustrated with my wandering needle and eventually take my compass apart, examine it, figure out all the reasons it should point to where I am currently and then make it hold there.  Are these just flare-ups from past directions? Am I hormonal? Is there something causing me to be discontent with where I am? I ask Jesus these things and then settle on changing something in my life to make us more 'missional', if that's even a word. Maybe I'm missing it. What do you do?

The Man

My husband, he's The Man. Its true. We've been married now for almost 9 years and every year we have our share of disappointments and every year his ability to amaze me far out weighs the disappointments. I love it when he comes home in the evenings. I love the way our kids run to see him. I love the way he hangs out in the kitchen and chats with me while I make dinner. I love the way he makes each of the kids laugh in their own little ways. I love the way he washes the dishes!! I love going for walks with him. I love how hopeful he his. I love hearing his perspective on God and life. I love hearing him read books to the little people and afterward, chasing them down the hall. I love the way he loves. All of us. We don't do marriage perfectly. We could use some work but I love figuring it out with HIM. This one man, The Man.

I love Basil

I love basil. Its just they way I roll. I've noticed when I cook with basil if I over cook by seconds it looses its basily-ness. SO today for lunch we are having a raw spaghetti sauce. Its just 2 tomatoes- diced, a handful of fresh, finely chopped basil, finely sliced green onions, half a garlic clove (minced) and a pinch of sea salt. Stir it up, top with some parmesan cheese, done. Its fresh, tastes delightfully sweet and so good for my little people! I serve it over zucchini strips or quinoa pasta. Love!

 

Even the picky eater ate it!

My littlest turned 2!

Happy Birthday Sweet Loulie! You are my joy! You remind me that life can slow down for cuddles. I love you more than words and I'm excited that you are growing more and more into an amazing little person. You bring SO much life and excitement to this family and I can't imagine this world with out your sass :) I love you! I love you! I love you!

Doughnuts for breakfast!

You always want your hands in your pockets

You're 2!!!!!

Jumping with friends :)

After deliberating over a Thomas or Elmo cake, its obvious what was settled upon.

Oh my goodness, I love you so much!

"I two!"