Wondering on Wednesdays

I feel like my crock pot should be pictured and talked about on my throw back Thursday post tomorrow. It seems like NO ONE is talking about crock pots or crock pot recipes anymore.  Instead, the hottest must have item in your kitchen that is all the rave these days is the Instant Pot.  All I see on my facebook feed and instagram stories are people talking about how amazing their instant pots are and how awesome the recipes turn out.  I guess the biggest perk is in the name because meals are cooked what seems like an instant compared to the crock pot.

Now I’m wondering, how many of you have made the switch?  If you’ve made the switch do you even use your crock pot anymore?  What are the pros/cons of the instant pot?  What size instant pot did you get?  Have you had any safety issues using it?  I guess those are some of the main things I am curious about this thing.  I’m a very cautious buyer when it comes to anything and I have always been a person who gets set in my ways.  For example, my  husband and I received a bread machine for our wedding gift.  I had always made bread by hand and never needed a bread machine.  Needless to say, I refused to use our bread machine.  My mother in law, however, makes some wonderful things in her bread machine and my husband was constantly on my case about trying out her recipes.  Finally, one day I caved and I never looked back.  It may have only taken me a couple years to use our bread machine but let me tell you, I’ve been on board ever since AND I honestly can’t remember the last time I made any sort of bread without it.  I love it.

This is how I feel about the instant pot.  I feel like eventually I will get there.  I’m actually waiting for one of my dear friends to purchase one first (cough, cough you know who you are) so she can rave about hers and get on my case about getting one.  She will be a seasoned instant pot user and therefore by the time I get one I will have a go to person to call with questions and recipe share with, haha!  At this time, I do not have an instant pot though.  I will just continue to lurk in the shadows of other instant pot lovers and drool over their 5 minute meals.

For those of you still using a crock pot and can now be considered old school like me, I’d love for you to drop some of your favorite crock pot recipes in my comments.  I’d love to keep the crock pot alive and well!  I tried a new crock pot recipe yesterday and it was one worthy of adding to my dinner rotation.  It was another meal I found that everyone in my family ate and also enjoyed seconds with.  I found it on https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/  blog by Sarah Olson.

SLOW COOKER CHEESY CHICKEN PENNE

SAVE PRINT

PREP TIME

10 mins

COOK TIME

6 hours 20 mins

TOTAL TIME

6 hours 30 mins

Author: Sarah Olson

Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 (10.5-oz) cans cream of chicken soup (don’t add water)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• ½ tsp. dried leaf tarragon (can substitute oregano or thyme here)
• 1.5 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced

Add at the end

• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 lb. penne pasta (cooked according to package directions on the stove-top)

Slow Cooker Size:

• 5-quart or larger

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth to the slow cooker, stir until smooth.
2. Add the tarragon, pepper, mushrooms and onions, stir.
3. Add the chicken breasts.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
5. After the cooking time is up, start cooking the pasta according to the package directions to Al dente on the stove-top, do not over cook!
6. Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
7. Add sour cream and half of the cheese, stir.
8. Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir again.
9. Sprinkle over remaining cheese. Cover the slow cooker and cook for an additional 20 minutes on low.
10. Serve and enjoy!

NOTES

If you have extra picky eaters and want to omit the mushrooms and onions add an additional ½ cup of broth. This will replace the moisture from the mushrooms and onions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=bK7D_qXmZFY

Aimless 20 Talk Tuesday…

1.  My oldest daughter is home sick today.  She’s got a few symptoms of influenza and/or strep (Headache, tummy ache, sore throat, and feels hot/cold).  However, she doesn’t have fever when I’ve taken it so far.  I’m monitoring her symptoms for now and letting her rest.  I’m so paranoid about it being influenza. I had to shut off the news this morning when they started talking the influenza outbreak and about another child who just died from this nasty strand that is going around.  I just couldn’t imagine.  My breaks for these children who have died from it and the horrible heartbreak their families must be going through. #paranoid
2. All plans have been botched today since my number one concern is my daughter’s well being.  Being able to be 100% flexible at times like this and being the one to be able to give my daughter TLC is important to me and one of the many reasons I choose to be a Stay At Home Mom.  Times like these are a reminder to me of how grateful I am to be in this position to stay home.  I know if I were a working parent, that it can be very stressful when you have an unexpected sick child that needs to stay home and you have to arrange to find someone to be home with them OR you have to take off work. #grateful
3. However, because my 5 year old is home and I need to take care of her today too, this also means that I can’t take my 1 year old to toddle-time this morning at the library.  This makes me sad for her that she has to miss out on learning, social time and play because I know that it benefits her development and she really enjoys going.  Thankfully, they also host a toddle time on Friday’s.  Knock on wood, all is good by then and we can go. #flexible
4. When my kids get sick, it makes me feel like I am never prepared.  I have 3 thermometers and I swear not one of them works properly.  I never the best stock pile of  snacks, food, medicine, etc on hand (popcicles, yogurt, crackers, 7-up, soup, kids cough drops, etc).  Speaking of, did you see that they make a kids cough drop now that looks like a sucker.  I betcha my 5 year old would love one of those for her sore throat right about now.  #unprepared
5. I am prepared for an easy meal tonight, so whipping out my crockpot and trying out a new recipe that I had posted on facebook last week.  It’s called Cheesy Chicken Penne.  I will have to keep you posted on how it turns out and if it’s worthy of being added to my collection of go-to recipes! #prepared
6. Speaking of crockpot, what is your favorite brand, size and type of crockpot (high, low warm dial setting or the digital set kind?).  I’m in the market for a new crockpot and I’m just wondering which one is best to get.  #curious
7. I’m also wondering what all the hype is about all these instapots?  A lot of my friends have jumped on board and are loving them.  I’ve seen some crazy good looking meals come from then too.  How about you…are you jumping on board with this new craze or are you sticking to your crockpots in fear that there would be some explosion mishap with the instapot? For now, I think I’m going to stick with the comfort of  my crockpot.  #fearful
8. Where is your favorite place to grocery shop or do you tend to go to multiple places just to get the best prices or certain items at certain places?  I’ve been considering making a concious effort to shop more at ALDI’s.  We do Costco and I’ve been using Wal Mart Pick up a lot.  Our go to place used to be Pick n’Save but I feel like I wasn’t always getting the most bang for my buck.  If you do shop at Aldi’s, what are you go-to, favorite things to purchase there?  Where do you feel like you save money and/or get the best items compared to other stores you shop at?  #pondering
9. The Superbowl is coming up this Sunday.  Do you have my same who cares attitude?  It’s what is after the Superbowl that is important. This Is Us.  Who’s with me? #anxious
10. Lets talk The Bachelor.  Arie is an idiot.  Krystal is such a tool. I know keeping her on is for the ratings, but it really makes him look naive and stupid.  Yes, I’m calling you out Arie.  I’m anticipating the day one of these bachelors and bachelorettes will stand up to the producers and tell them to F off with their ideas of what makes good ratings.  I want to see some reality in this so called reality tv.  #patient
11. Screw TV, I miss reading.  I miss having the time to read.  The last book I read it took me over a span of 4 months just to finish.  No, I am not joking.  Currently all I am reading is my one daily devotional each day, board books to K and stage 1 reading books with E.  I need a good Adult book to read and I need to make the time to read Stat.  #desperate
12. Something I am also desperate about is getting my dog to stop barkng at me everytime I go to put my shoes on or the girls’ shoes on OR the entire time I change K’s diaper she sit and barks at me.  I can’t take it anymore!  #annoyed
13. K also seems to think she is a dog.  I just scooped out two kibbles of dog food from her mouth that she was snacking on.  #disgusted
14. E threw up about a half an hour ago, but she is currently watching the new Llama, Llama series on Netflix and I looked over and she actually had the biggest smile on her face.  Her smile made me smile. #happy
15. It’s that time of month for me right now which means I am not wearing leggings.  Jeans are the devil too though. As much as I wanted my cycle to return, I did not miss it. #uncomfortable
16. At least my feet are happy…in slippers. #comfortable
17. My crockpot dinner is starting to smell good.  My tummy is rumbling and it’s almost time to start thinking about lunch.  It may just be a pb and jelly day for me and K and a chicken noodle soup day for my sick little one.  #hungry
18. I noticed I’ve been munching more then usual lately.  Is it because I’m PMS’ing or is it because I’ve had a lot on my mind lately?  I will go with…  #stressed
19. I just realized that Mickey from Shameless was in The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn.  Bahaha! #shocked
20. It’s amazing how many things you can feel all at once…just to break it down for you I’m feeling:  paranoid, grateful, flexible, unprepared, prepared, fearful, anxious, patient, desperate, annoyed, disgusted, happy, uncomfortable, comfortable, hungry, stressed, and shocked.

Motivational Mondays for Mombies

It was hard to roll out of bed this morning.  Our littlest is not weaning well, doesn’t sleep in her crib well at night and likes to be near me in order for her to get a peaceful nights sleep.  This doesn’t allow me a peaceful nights sleep and there are some days I just don’t know how I can keep on going with interrupted sleep night after night.  Not once since she was born has she ever slept an entire night and every single one of those nights I have been the one tending to her needs.

Last night, in the wee hours of the morning through frustration and exhaustion I remember taking a deep breath and saying out loud,  God, please help her sleep through the night I am just so exhausted.  Never do I see my child as a burden and we really have been fortunate that she’s been an extra good nurser.  The bond we share is amazing and one I wouldn’t trade for the world.  I know how blessed I am that she is in my life and if it came down to getting quality sleep or her I think it’s a no brainer what I would choose. So, I keep going sleepless night after sleepless night putting my precious little girls’ needs above my own and remind myself of all the good that she brings to our lives and how lucky I am.

The recent death of our college friend and thinking about how much this has shaken his beautiful family has really been making me take a look around at the blessings that surround me daily.  I’ve been trying to take a deep breath and let the little things go and remember what is truly important.  This morning and most mornings as of lately when I wake up, I’ve been thanking God each morning that not only I am alive, healthy, breathing and that I’ve been given a new fresh day but I’ve also been thanking God that my family is with me.

This thought, and this thought alone gives me a fresh perspective.  As we all know, the very things we complain about someone else is praying for.  Although, I’ve been in the season of sleepless nights for over a year now I have to put myself in my shoes not that long ago and remember I was desperately praying for this child to come into our lives.  One day she will be grown and won’t want my night time snuggles or need me to comfort her back to sleep.  This time is to be cherished.  I know this, yet it’s so easy to lose perspective, especially when you are a tired Mombie like me.

Truth is, many of us forget what an amazing gift we are given each day.  It’s easier to complain then to look at the good.  I’ve already seen so many people complaining about today being Monday.  Mondays can be hard, but try and seize the day.  As cliche as that sounds the days just go by and do so fast, so make them count.  If you think you have time, that’s your first mistake.  When you stop taking for granted, even those little nuisances, in your life you may realize you can actually be motivated by them. Today is a gift.  Choose the good in your day and respond to the bad in a way that you would want someone to remember you if something happened to you.

 

Sacred Sundays

What a comfort this verse brings me as I think about life and death.

2 Corinthians 5:1   “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

As hard as it will be to leave my earthly form one day and tangibly leave those I love or one day the ones I love tangibly leave me on earth.  I am found with great peace knowing that one day I and those I love will be glory bound.

Simple Saturday

Pasta has always been a comfort food for me. A couple weeks ago, I came across a stuffed shell recipe that put a spin the classic stuffed shell. Instead of stuffing with meat and red sauce you stuffed them with chicken & broccoli mixed with alfredo sauce. I love pasta. I love chicken. I love alfredo. I love broccoli. I wasn’t sure about them all mixed together but this recipe was a hit with my husband, myself, my 5 year old and my 1 year old. We all had seconds. It tends to be a rare occasion that everyone eats the meal I cook without complaining about something, let alone have seconds so I was quite pleased. I was even more pleased that I was able to sneak broccoli in and everyone gobbled it down!

In case you are looking for a yummy comfort food that is a little different then your normal stuffed shell and a new recipe to add to your regular meal rotation, this one is sure to be a hit. Recipe Kudos of Sweet Dash of Sass.

CHICKEN BROCCOLI ALFREDO STUFFED SHELLS

Print

Prep time:

20 mins

Cook time:

35 mins

Total time:

55 mins

Author: Sweet Dash of Sass

Recipe type: Dinner

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 Jar (16 oz.) Alfredo Sauce
• 2 cups cooked broccoli, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar (or mozzaerlla) cheese (I used half and half)
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan
• 21 jumbo pasta shells, cooked (Used one whole box)
• 1½ – 2 cups spaghetti sauce (optional, but I love the combination of alfredo with tomato sauce!)-Used Prego Italian Sausage and garlic
• Salt/Pepper to season (if needed)

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix Alfredo, chicken, broccoli, and cheeses.
3. Spoon mixture into pasta shells.
4. Grease 13 x 9 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
5. Evenly spread spaghetti sauce on bottom of baking dish.
6. Arrange shells in baking pan.
7. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until heated thru.

Notes

Remember that the noodles need to be cooked prior to stuffing. I usually like cooking those 1-2 minutes under what the package says, that way they will fully cook when baking in the oven!

This recipe can easily be altered to your liking. One easy filling addition — chopped cooked bacon!
Tip #1: You can prep all items in advance, right up to the point of baking. Keep covered in refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

Tip #2: Own a cookie scoop? Use your cookie scoop to easily stuff your shells!

Tip #3: You can freeze this! Just pre-assemble all the noodles with the filling. Freeze stuffed noodles without the red sauce. Then, thaw when ready to bake!

Free Friday

Yet again, I’m botching another series in my blog.  Typically Friday was dedicated to “Fit or Fabulous Friday” and I’m not going to lie, I always struggled to write about topics that fit into that category.  Maybe I struggled to write about fit and fabulous topics because I’ve personally struggling in that category in my own real life as well.  Working out, self care, and feeling good about myself have been lacking.  Life happens and then things we have good intentions to keep up with get put on the back burner.  For me, feeling fit and fabulous is always a work in progress and sometimes I am really on point and other times not so much.

Instead, I am making Fridays, Free Fridays where I can talk about whatever my heart desires.  I know, I know…this is my blog and I can do that anyways Sunday through Friday but I really have been trying to stick to my series topics themes each day I write since my focus hasn’t been so much on my original blog topic at hand, which was Secondary Infertility.  I’m in that season of my life right now where my struggle with secondary infertility will always be a part of me and my story.  Some days there are things that weigh heavily on my mind about it and other days I honestly don’t think much about it.  The days where I think alot about it are the days I like to write about it.

In the mean time, I’m here to tell you that there is life outside of infertility and you will get to a point where the weight isn’t so heavy anymore (although I also believe the weight will return for me sooner then I think).   I like to write about those other things too so my series topics give me the opportunity to think about different things and not focus so much on the later.

However, I still am an open book when it comes to my infertility so never hesitate to ask me about it or ask any questions you may have.  I am in the place again where I am thinking about baby #3. I just don’t want to obsessively think about it quite yet.  I’m not to the point where I am triggered by pregnant women or baby showers, etc.  Honestly, maybe that’s because I am not quite ready to get into the whirlwind that is infertility. I feel like I’m still dealing with my feelings a bit from K.  For now, I just want to enjoy my thoughts about the possibilities of baby #3 without thinking there will be problems to make our dreams a reality…although, I am no dummy and I know what our reality is.

So, today I introduce to you my new Friday series topic where I will talk about whatever is bubbling up in my head or bursting through my heart.  I hope you’ll continue to join me along for this crazy ride we call life.  I enjoy interacting with those of you who comment and interact with me on my blog.  Thanks for following!

Throwback Thursday

…on fashion.

It may seem cliche to do a throwback Thursday on fashion because the trends are ever changing.  What seems to have been the in piece of clothing yesterday, seems to be the out of style piece of clothing today.  However, I’m going to thowback wide leg jeans today.  Who remembers these?  Who wore these?  Who misses them?  Who is glad they are a thing of the past?  Maybe, just maybe if you are like me you still have a pair or two in the back of your closet.  Please tell me I am not the only one!

For your viewing pleasure, here is a pair of old school wide leg jeans.

What I loved about these jeans were that they were roomy and comfortable.  They had to have the thick sewn hem at the bottom and had to be just the right width to be considered “cool”.  Just for the record, when I thought I was cool I never really was cool. Isn’t it funny though how one piece of clothing makes you feel a certain way.  I remember the first pair of wide leg jeans that I got in middle school/high school and I honestly felt like the shit.  Then, I didn’t know what the shit even meant but as an adult that’s how I’d describe my feelings then.  However, even then, wearing these I always found it annoying that these jeans always went under the back of my shoes when I walked.  I absoloutey hated that.  When I’d walk to or from school on a wet day outside, my jeans would be soaked at the bottom practically all the way up to my knees.  That made for a really long and uncomfortable morning at school.

What is even more ironic is that today’s fashion jeans are typically skinny jeans or jeggings which are the complete opposite of the wide leg jeans.  It seriously makes me laugh.  I personally love my skinny jeans/jeggings.  It took me a while, but I finally jumped on board.  Fashion is so fun and interesting.  I seriously wonder quite often what my girls will be wearing at my age or what will be in style when I’m even older.  Maybe by then the good old wide leg jean will be back in style and I’ll have some vintage pairs to hand down to my girls!

 

Wondering on Wednesday…

We all go through hardships in our lives that cause us to struggle.  Some of these hardships are bigger then others and more significant.  Some are easier to work though and affect you for a shorter amount of time.  Others are here for a while and it takes quite a bit of time to work through and figure out how to work through them. There are those that are gut wrentching.  Some can even quite possibly turn the world as you know it upside down.  These hardships are not convienient or easy to muster though.  While some hardships we can perservere through on our own and figure them out no problem, the bigger ones can be complicated and take time and a network of support to help carry you through.

Unfortunately, the world doesn’t stop when problems hit you, instead it continues to evolve. No matter how big or how small your hardship is, it is important to deal with the issues that stem from them and your feelings in a healthy way.  Self care is important in this equation too.   Sometimes, it feels like there is no end in sight during these difficult times.  You wake up, go about your day, and go to bed and carry this heavy weight on your shoulders day in and day out not quite knowing what to do, how to go on or how to fix it.  The load can be too much to bear.  This is exhausting and no way to live life.  Eventually you realize you can’t do it alone and you start thinking about those people in your life who could quite possibly help you out.

The one thing we are often told to do in trying times is to lean on family, friends or even a co-worker for support.  If you are like me, it’s hard to ask for help, even if it is simply just to ask for someone’s time to talk about a hardship.  When I was going through our IVF cycle I had so many pent up emotions that I really didn’t know what to do with.  It was when I started talking about my feelings and all the things we were going through that I started to feel that load ease up.  The hardship didn’t disappear but the weight got lighter.  I began to not feel so suffocated by it all.  I also had my faith, which was a huge benefit in continuing to put one foot in front of the other as well.  I realized that what I really needed most days, besides prayer, was someone tangible that I loved and trusted who I could talk to, besides my husband, about those overwhelming feelings.  The second thing I also needed was for this someone to simply listen.

Think about someone in your life who you know that is facing a hardship. Perhaps this person is you.  If it isn’t you,  do you ever think about reaching out to this person to simply talk and offer a listening ear?  Or, think about the last time someone with a hardship reached out to you, did you simply listen to them?  I wonder how this impacted your day and theirs?  The benefit of listening to a person who needs it most is a very significant part in their healing during a hardship.  However, more often then not we don’t really listen.  Instead, we get caught up in our own personal thoughts or opinions about their circumstances and begin to offer unsolliciated advice.  We may even say certain things that hurts them without intentionally doing so.  While going through IVF, for example, I often heard people say to me while “listening” to me talk about my problems, “You should use a sarrogate” or “Just be grateful you have one child already”.  These phrases were not helpful and although the person thought they were helping they were not.  I knew at the time their intent was not to hurt me, but it did.

When we listen to someone we must remember to be genuine about our intent to listen.  Make this completely about the person you are listening to.  Look them in the eye, face them directly and put down anything that could distract you from them.  You may take the time to also turn off your cell phone and put it out of sight. Be completely present in this moment with them and attentive to them.  Remind yourself to not formulate an opinion, be judgemental or interrupt the person talking to you.  Think of the person as a story teller and you being on the receiving end.  Really picture in your mind the “story” and try to stay empathetic by trying to really feel what the other person may be feeling.  Focus on the words being spoken and possibly even repeat back and reflect to them what you hear them saying at times so you really make sure you are understanding what they are saying and this will also help them feel understood as well.  Never offer a solution to their problem, unless they outwardly ask you for advice.  Always let the other person know you are listenting by your body language.  Stay open, don’t appear bored.

Listening, really listening takes practice and is one of those skills that you will use for a lifetime.  It is such an important quality to have and you never know when your listening skills could really help someone deeply.  It is my hope that we can all start to be better listeners and that we continue to practice good listening skills.  It amazes me how something as simple as listening can really help another who is facing a hardship.  Will you truly listen to someone today?  Try it and take note when you are listening the areas you need to improve on.

Aimless 20 Talk Tuesday

On my grateful and very thankful heart this morning…

1.  My husband came home last night after working all day at his job and even though I’m sure he was very tired he worked on my Traverse.  He rotated the tires, put air in the tires, changed the oil & put in new break pads.  He also put in steering wheel fluid.  He’s a keeper! He is my everything.  He is my best friend.  He is a wonderful father to my girls and I couldn’t ask for a better husband and partner to parent with.
2. There are many moments in my day lately where my oldest daughter challenges me.  It’s those now rare moments with her that are just her and I that I love so much.  Last night we were able to sneak in a quiet moment together while my husband was in the garage and my youngest took a rare early bedtime nap.  I surely enjoyed the extra snuggles and conversation with her.  She’s so many wonderful things put into such a little girl and God knew just what he was doing when He made her my daughter and me her Mama.  I love her with my everything.
3. Our youngest is babbling and clearly says, Mama.  She will yell for me when she needs me or wants my attention.  Every time I hear that sweet voice chant, “Mama, Mama, Mama” whether it be from the back seat of the car, in another room, or when she’s gently laying her head on my shoulder it always gives me shiver bumpers knowing she’s here, she’s ours and she’s happy and healthy.  She is such a miracle and we feel blessed everyday we get to spend with her.
4. As much as I complain about the season of Winter because I miss the warmth of the sunshine in summer, I am grateful for this Season as it forces me to slow down and take a breather.
5. In September, my oldest started going to Sunday School on a regular basis.  This has been so wonderful for her. She has a place to go where she has formed positive relationships and friendships with other children her age, but also with young adults and other older adults as well.  She certainly has Jesus in her heart and it shines through. This has also been wonderful for my husband and I as it holds us accountable to attend the worship service each week which is a breath of fresh air and great way to start our Sunday mornings together.
6. It’s the simple pleasures of life that I take for granted that make me smile…a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter day, the joy the birds bring to my youngest daughters face when she watches them out the window, playing with a kitten or a puppy, the company of my sister on a long drive back home this past weekend, starting my morning by reading my daily devotional and reflecting, the giggles of my daughters playing together and dinners together everynight with my sweet little family.
7. Even when bad things happen and when my heart is feeling very heavy, knowing that there is still good in each day and being able to think about the good and smile amongt the grief.
8. My faith, which gets stronger and more convincing with each passing day and just knowing and trusting that God will work it all out.
9. Not having to set an alarm in the morning or having anywhere really important to be and just getting to relax with my family on the weekends or a random day off.
10. My pets.  They never fail to know when to make me laugh, know when I need to snuggle or know when they need to get me up and moving.  Their everyday compainonship and comfort is something I cherish.
11. Hulu/Netflix and getting lost in a good movie or television show or even a good book to read.
12. Old friends and new friends and all those random people in between who have helped shape me into the person I am.
13. That moment all your bills are paid for the month and you can take a deep breath knowing God provided yet again.
14. My sisters. No words can express the important role these two wonderful women play in my life.  My two friends for life who are blood.  I love you both.
15. That moment you do something you think you are really going to dislike doing and you complain and worry and fret about it for days and then when the time comes you really find that you enjoy it and there was nothing to worry about to begin with.
16. To be content to just be. Today I am happy just to be awake & breathing and healthy.
17. It is amazing to experience random acts of kindness and to do random acts of kindness but what I love most is when I witness those random acts of kindness when I am least expecting them to happen.  It never fails to give me that warm fuzzy feeeling inside.
18. Struggles and setbacks that have formed me and made me stronger and have opened my eyes to the bigger picture in life.  Probably the biggest one recently was going through IVF.  As much as I don’t wish infertility on myself or anyone I have learned to be thankful for this setback because it changed me and it changed for for the better.
19. My last living grandparent passed away and this made me think about the circle of life.  It made me deeply think and reflect on how much I love my own parents and how lucky I have been over the years to have them as the foundation in which I grew up with.  To lose a parent at any stage in life I am realizing is not easy and I am lucky, so very lucky to be 33 and still have both my parents alive and a part of my life and apart of my children’s life.
20. The opportunity and lesson in life to continue to risk loving people and loving them hard even though one day that means the risk of losing someone.  It is truly better to have loved then not love at all.

Motivational Mondays for Mombies

This is not a woe is me post, but it may explain some what as to why I went MIA last week and didn’t write any blog posts.  Last week felt like a whirlwhind.  It was emotionally draining and my heart was and still is very heavy.  I spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting about life. Death has a funny way of doing that to a person doesn’t it?

Unfortunately, my husband and I had a college aquaintance pass away unexpectedly.  He leaves behind so many loved ones, and it hit me hardest knowing he leaves behind his beautiful wife and four children.  It just seems so surreal and a huge reminder of the fragility of life.  On top of that unfortunate circumstance, my 95 year old Grandma passed away.  Although, my grandma and I never had much of an adult relationship I am left with many memories of her from my childhood.  It’s just strange thinking that she is truly gone and that I no longer have any grandparents living here on this earth.  It is so hard seeing my mom so sad too, as it was her mother.  Once again, it makes me think about how much I love my own mother and how I just couldn’t imagine not having here here.

In the days after saying good-bye to someone the grief settles in.  In comes and goes in waves.  We all grieve differently and it lasts longer for some then for others.  I am dealing with grief this week myself and it makes me want to hold my babies tighter and kiss my husband longer.  However, through the grief we also have to continue to try and put one foot in front of the other and get back to some new normalacy.  The ironic thing is that life keeps spinning whether we are ready for it to, or not.

Something that comes to mind  is the Greys Anatomy quote, “Did you say it? ‘I love you…you changed my life.’ Did you say it?  Make a plan.  Set a goal.  Work toward it, but every now and then, look around; Drink it in ’cause this is it.  It might all be gone tomorrow.”

It might be all gone tomorrow.